In this issue :
Selections from message in a box
Technical Tournews Mercury Falling 1996
Rainforest Benefit 1996
Tony Levin update
Strontium 90
Gentleman don't eat Poets
Live from the Music Hall vol. 3
Blue Thunder & Andy Summers
Another Fleadh festival Boot
New Simpsons album
Uruguayan 7" of We'll Be Together
I noticed that their are two versions of th "Selections from Message in a box" promo cd with 17 tracks on it.
The differences are:
1. Side of the UK version has white letters, USA version has red writing.
2. UK version is bar-coded, USA version not, bar-code is on the backside of the CD.
3. UK version is light blue colour disc, USA version is dark blue disc.
Rest is identical with eachother including A&M # 3145480442.
from: http://www.etecnyc.net/ld/touring/ldtour12.shtml
Travels With Sting
November 1996--Recent interviews with Sting have quoted the former Policeman as saying that he is happier than he has ever been in his life. As you watch the often-intense singer goofily dancing with his band members onstage during his current tour, he certainly seems to be having a good time.
That these good vibrations have also filtered over to the crew members is hardly surprising, as most of them have been around the world with Sting at least once before. Wholehog II programmer Richard "Nook" Schoenfeld referred to this outing as the "no-stress tour."
"Everyone on the crew is really capable and it's also really nice to have a production manager that's behind you, instead of one who thinks only about money all the time,"Schoenfeld says. "Tam has a great artistic sensibility." That would be Tam Fairgrieve, whom LD Nick Sholem refers to as "our little Scottish gnome, who glues it all together."
Mercury Falling marks Sting's fifth global tour as a solo artist. Sholem has been working with Sting since 1985, when he was still with The Police. The production team's collective experience ensured that on only the fourth night of the tour, which began in Copenhagen, the show came off nearly perfectly. By summer, when the tour arrived in the US, the set list had been slightly reworked to build a steadier momentum, and the show was clicking along like a well-oiled machine.
Last time out, in 1993, management presented Sholem with a fairly restricted budget, so he opted to add a substantial scenic element to offset the lack of a big light show. Charlie Kail at Brilliant Stages provided the highly successful result: an electronic kabuki system that allowed the designer to employ a series of various backdrops to change the set's look throughout the course of each show. The system worked so well that Sholem has brought it back for this tour, but with all-new backdrops, of course. Yet this time, he's brought back the light show as well.
"Management told me they thought the last tour was too dark, so they asked me to make this one brighter," Sholem says. "So I said, 'No problem. Just give me a bigger lighting budget.' "
They obliged, and Sholem has put the extra capital to typical good use by combining tried-and-true methods with some new toys. Just in time for this tour, Flying Pig Systems had begun manufacturing the Wholehog II board, so naturally Sholem opted to give it try.
Sholem and Schoenfeld programmed the show at production rehearsals at Spitfire (a big barn outside of London). Schoenfeld stayed with the tour for the first two weeks, then crew chief Tony Simpson took over to keep up with the software updates. "Every week we're downloading software from the Flying Pigs website," Simpson says. "Time was when all a lighting tech needed was a spanner and a roll of tape." He laughs. "Now you need a laptop and a website."
All of the lighting and the kabuki drops are controlled through the one console, including the digital light curtains from DHA Lighting Ltd. Although not brand new to the market, they are making their rock tour debut here. "I was interested in them when they came out two years ago and I thought that I might be able to use them on the Eagles tour I was doing at the time," Sholem says. "That didn't work out, but they're fabulous instruments, so I knew I wanted to try them out sometime." Six of the eight-lamp type units are positioned above the kabuki drops, providing different angles and a range of 20 colors. "The light curtains are absolutely brilliant," Sholem says. "The movement on them is super-smooth."
Though it took the lighting crew a little while to adapt to it, the Wybron Autopilot system, which is controlling 12 of the rig's 24 High End Systems Cyberlights a ref via software run through the Wholehog II, is also working smoothly. The tour's main lighting contractor, Upstaging, Inc., bought the system and Craig Schertz of Wybron came out and worked with Sean McGrann, the tour's Autopilot technician, during production rehearsals in London. "Craig's actually an old friend and it was a big help having him around because we've never used this system before," McGrann says. "At the beginning we were just figuring out where it likes to go the best, so through trial and error we've come up with a good system."
Thanks Rogier for the info.
On April 12 1996 it was time for Sting's yearly fest with some friends. New York "Carnegie Hall" was packed with rich people who payed too much money for a ticket. These Rainforest benefit shows are becomming more and more interesting for us collectors. Last one was taped pretty good, lets say a lot better than the previous ones. Do not hesitate if you ever have the change to get this tape.
I do not believe that the complete set was mentioned on the net. This is what happend that day:
1. It's a lovely day
(Sting/Elton John/James Taylor)
2. They cant take that away from me
(James Taylor)
3. Flute solo
(Andrea Griminelli)
4. Come rain or come shine
(Don Henley)
5. Anyone who had a heart
(Elton John)
6. Piano solo
(Katia & Marielle Labeque)
7. Sting on classical piano
(with Labeque sisters)
8. Elton John on classical piano
(with Labeque sisters)
9. Classical guitar solo
(Paco Pena)
10. Speech
11. Maria
(Kenny Kirkland/Brandford Marsalis)
12. The very thought of you
(Sting)
13. Chello Solo
(Mstislav Rostropovich)
14. Swan song from Swan Lake
(Rostropovich/Labeque sisters/Paco Pena/Fernandez & Spanish dancers)
15. Let your soul be your pilot
(Sting)
16. Comedy
(Robin Williams)
17. Philadelphia Freedom
(Elton John)
18. Live like horses
(Elton John)
19. Shower the people
(James Taylor)
20. Shed a little light
(Elton John, Sting, James Taylor)
21. Heart of the matter
(Don Henley)
22. If you love somebody...
(Sting)
23. Take me higher
(Diana Ross)
24. Reach out and touch
(Diana Ross)
25. I will survive
(Diana Ross)
26. Medley of Baby love/Stop in the name of love/Cant hurry love
(Diana Ross and backup singers are Elton John/Sting/Don Henley/James Taylor/Robin Williams)
http://www.papabear.com/tlev.htm
Feb. 12 update: - Have a new addition to my family: Sherlock, a lively, lovable Westie puppy. Monday I played on a track for Peter Mulvey in a studio down in Hackensack - had to bring Sherlock with me, and fortunately Peter and his band didn't mind. (see photo!) Also fortunately, Sherlock kept his bladder more in control than he does at home. Could be he's born to be a studio dog!
Feb. 3. - Been doing some really good music lately. Played on Andy Summers' jazz album a few weeks ago - it seemed like it came out quite well - they're mixing it now. Then I moved to another L.A. studio to record with Terry Bozzio and Steve Stevens - definitely not jazz. I tried my db meter on Steve's amp... it was off the meter! Did some exciting music there - including surprisingly some acoustic stuff. Hopefully it'll be out by Spring.
My tentative Summer tour w. Andy Summers and Stuart Copeland has been cancelled. (That's rock 'n roll!) Crimson will be writing in April/ May, but not touring until possibly Oct / Nov, and likely a minimal tour then. Hey, maybe I'll finally get some time in my garden.
I've been very pleased to see more bass players trying the Funk Fingers - can't wait to hear them on some albums. I visited Guitar Center in L.A. - considering selling them there, but I do kind of like keeping things small, and direct between me and those who get the funk fingers - so it's likely it'll remain mail order only.
Back home I'm trying to catch up with things (an old story) and put together the package for the "Cave" album. Bill Bruford's in town, recording with Ralph Towner - when he finishes we'll start on a project I've wanted to do with him for ages.
Tchad Blake, our engineer for the Cave album, now has his own site, devoted to binaural recording. Check it out.
I hear Paula Cole's album more and more on the radio. Nice to see someone so good getting popular!
Great news for all those who like the old energetic Police. Probably this year The Strontium 90 CD will be released on Pangea label. Sorry for those who do not know what this is, check the xmission list.
It should be a CD with the demos from 1977 and the live concert they did in Paris as a support act for Gong,
This is F***ing great.....!
On February 25th 1997 in the USA "Gentleman don't eat Poets" has been released. This is ofcourse the US tittle for "The Grotesque". There is one Sting song on the CD (ARK 21), "This was never meant to be".
If you know somebody who lives downtown L.A. than ask him to get us some copies of this CD. "Various Artists/ Live from the Music Hall vol. 3". It has been released as a limeted edition for Virgin Mega store only in Los Angeles. The CD has a live version of "I'm so happy...".
This has been a CD release already from November 1996, finally I received
the CD.
Blue Thunder " Blues and Beyond" with Andy Summers on one track "Circle
of Light" Licend by Pangea, my copy came from Japan
Circle CRCL-4006
The band is : Paul Williams (vocals), Micky Moody (guitar), Pete stroud
(bass), Gary Husband (drums) and David Hentschel (keyboards).
David Hentschel has his own homepage, here is some info:
>From :
http://www.netlink.co.uk/users/davidh/dhbthun.html
The conversation went something like this...
'How do you fancy going to Japan for three weeks to play some blues?' It was my long time friend, co-writer and golfing partner, vocalist Paul Williams (John Mayall Band, Juicy Lucy, Allan Holdsworth). '**** *** Paul', I replied. 'No seriously, I'm putting together a band to play the club circuit over there. Are you up for it?' 'Is the Pope polish?' I believe was my answer. Two days later the town of Kobe was devastated by a massive earthquake. I began to wonder if this was such a good idea after all. Shortly before we were due to fly out, some lunatic let off a load of Sarin gas on the Tokyo subway system, but hey, I had always wanted to visit Japan, and nothing was going to stop me now. A few days later I was standing shoulder deep in a sea of faces at Tokyo Central Station looking for a 6ft 4inch bass player from Detroit. Clifford Archer (ex Atlantic Starr) lives in Tokyo now. He had been recommended to us by Alfonso Johnson who couldn't make the gig. I spotted a distant baseball cap fighting through the crowd. Cliff, bass slung over his shoulder, was not easy to miss. Thanks to the earthquake, all the transportation was still up the spout, but we eventually made it to Okayama where we were to rehearse, and hooked up with Paul and the rest of the band - miracle drummer, pianist and good egg Gary Husband (Level 42, Billy Cobham Band) and Japanese guitarist 'Wild Man' Azumi. Blue Thunder was born.
The band gelled straight away, the tour went well and we all had a great time, despite the local disruption. I like to think that a certain amount of damage to the Japanese psyche which we witnessed was down to two recent national disasters rather than the appearance of a mysterious blues band from distant shores...
Out on the road we had played mostly blues standards from Robert Johnson tunes through to the Nina Simone song 'Gin House' (with a little Frank Zappa thrown in for exercise). We had been billed as 'Blue Thunder - the blues and beyond'. When we got home, Paul and I decided we favoured the 'and beyond' bit, and got down to writing an album of blues influenced original material. A couple of months later, we were in Chipping Norton Studios recording our first album. Cliff couldn't make the recording, so we brought in the magnificent Peter Stroud to play fretless bass and Azumi was replaced by guitarist Micky Moody (Whitesnake, Juicy Lucy). With Paul, Gary and me, this turned out to be the definitive lineup for the band, supplemented with guest appearances by Mick Taylor, Andy Summers and japanese guitarist Kohey Tsuchiya from The Street Sliders. During recording, the studio was downed by a lightning strike, frying the console, and in the process, if one were needed, giving us an excuse to go to the pub. Bearing in mind the name of the band, this convinced us we were on the right track.
The album is slated for release later this year. In the meantime we have been playing the occasional gig in Southern California. Since all the band members have other commitments, we regularly bring in other friends to sub for them; these have included John Goodsall from Brand X, keyboardist Patrick Moraz, bassists Doug Lunn and Mike McLinden, drummer Ronnie Ciago, second keyboardist Chuck Turner, and saxophonist Steve Hommel.
Blue Thunder plan more extensive live appeances to coincide with the album release, including another tour of Japan, the West Coast of the USA and possibly selected dates in Europe.
Watch out for details of the album release which will be posted on these pages nearer the time, together with some audio file snippets.
>From alt fan police
PRESS RELEASE: Andy Summers at Knitting Factory, NYC
Andy Summers will bring his trio to the Knitting Factory in New York City for four nights, March 6 through 9. Summers, bassist Jerry Watts and drummer Gregg Bissonette will play two shows each night, at 8 and 10:30 on Thursday and Sunday and at 9 and 11:30 on Friday and Saturday.
The Knitting Factory is located at 74 Leonard St. in the neighborhood of Tribeca in New York City. For more information please call (212) 219-3006, send e-mail to ssmith@knittingfactory.com or point your web browser to http://www.knittingfactory.com/TheClub.html
----------------------------
Steve Smith
Public Relations Manager
nitting Factory / Knitting Factory Works
74 Leonard St., New York, NY 10013 (212) 219-3006 ext. 22
ssmith@knittingfactory.com http://www.knittingfactory.com
----------------------------
Another Fleadh Festival bootleg is this:
Sting - Fleadh SBC016
11 tracks from Fleadh festival and 2 tracks from Munich festival 1996.
songs are : Hounds of winter/hung my head/every little things she does/I was brought to my senses/roxanne/when the world is running down/Englishman in NY/If I ever loose my faith../every breath you take/lithium sunset/fragile/let you soul be your pilot/mad about you.
More excellent release news: The new Simpsons album "Songs in the key of Sprigfield" (rhino discs) will have one Sting track. The CD is sceduled for release on March 18 1997 in the USA.
Sting - Uruguayan 7" of We'll Be Together (Si estamos juntos)
last week I got a copy of the above 7". So far I did not know that the Spanish version on the a-side is different than the one on the album "...nada como el sol". The difference is: The female backing vocals on the 7" are also in SPANISH!!! Instead of "together" the girls sing "as".
As this version of the song is therefore unique I thought this may be a good input for the next issue of FREAKS.
See you,
Ruediger
That's it for this month, more freak news next month. Some asked me if I stopped with the freaks-issue's ? Certainly not ! You can find all the back issue's on Jeremey's web page. He and Jose Ramollo are the only ones who can use the information for their web page the way it was made by me.
EVERYBODY ELSE MAY DISTRIBUTE IT TO YOUR FELLOW POLICE/STING FANS, I have no problems with that at all.
Enjoy the last gigs of this tour, next month another Rainforest Benefit, hopefully the tape comes in before the next issue.
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