Asia Update

Further to my earlier post, the latest news from the Asia camp is that John Payne and Geoff Downes have dissolved their partnership.

John Payne, Guthrie Govan and Jay Schellen have formed a new band called ONE who will release their self titled debut album on 26th May on the Inside Out label. Keyboard duties will be taken by Ryo Okumoto of Spock's Beard.

There are still tentatve plans to release "Architect Of Time" sometime during 2006.

Misheard Lyrics

I thought I'd create a space for all these. I'll be adding to them as the months go by...

"Cracklin Rosie you're a scoreboard woman" - 'Cracklin Rosie' by Neil Diamond

"Down In th dungeon with Peters and Lee" - 'Now I'm Here' - Queen

"In walked Barbara Castle with the Lady Eleanor" - 'Lady Eleanor' - Lindisfarne

"It's a surreal submarine" - 'Showdown - ELO

"I believe in Milko" - 'You Sexy Thing' - Hot Chocolate

"For forty days and for forty nights I was on the cider" - 'Billie Jean' - Michael Jackson

"You do the wok of rice" - 'Walk Of Life' - Dire Straits

"Baby, don't understand/why we can't just hop along into each other's pants" - 'Broken Wings' - Mr Mister

"Tonight we're going to run tomorrow" - 'Shine A Little Love - ELO*

"Beelzebub has a devil for a sideboard" - 'Bohemian Rhapsody' - Queen

"She keeps a tangerine/fixed to a magazine" - 'Modern Girl' - Sheena Easton*

"This is Mike Read" - 'Creed' - Petra

"Spare him his life from these pork sausages" - 'Bohemian Rhapsody' - Queen

"Forty Ewings In the lobby" - 'I Won't let the Sun Go Down' - Nik Kershaw

"You were supposed to have been in Walsall" - 'Oh What A Circus' - David Essex

"Young girl with eyes like potatoes" - 'La Isla Bonita' - Madonna

"I'm a heavy woman" - 'I'm Every Woman' - Chaka Khan

"Every time you go away/You take a piece of meat with you" - 'Every Time You Go Away' - Hall & Oates

"Don't give up on us Arnold" - 'Don't Give Up On Us' - David Soul

"I was sick and tired of everything/When I called you last night from Tescos" - 'Super Trouper' - Abba

"It's The Happening Sound That All The Kids Are Listening To..." (Part 632)

Here's the latest in an ever increasing line of ELO tracks reworked for a new generation. This is by Little Thief and is a dance-style version of "Evil Woman"

http://www.elonetwork.com/sounds/Little_Thief_Evil_Woman.mp3

And for more of the same checkout these sites here:-

http://www.elonetwork.com/soundclips.htm

http://www.randakk.com/elo.htm

Comfort's Place Update

The forthcoming Bucks Fizz double album "Comfort's Place" is progressing nicely.

Two more unheard and unfinished tracks, which are currently being mixed & finished by Dean Murphy have been added to the album. One of them is a brand new track with all the group, including Jay, recorded in 1984, which looks like it was a possibillity for the 'I Hear Talk' album but for some unknown reason was never finished. The second track is "an early version of a track already released".

There is also a possibility that the JK Mix of "Keep Each Other Warm" may appear although, this is still awaiting clearance.

Asia - What is going on?

Strange news is emerging from planet Asia.

It seems that the band have scrapped the recording of their new album "Architect Of Time" and shelved plans for a tour later this year. Geoff Downes meanwhile has thrown in his lot with John Wetton, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer for a '25th Anniversary' DVD/CD/World Tour sometime during 2006-07.

On one level I'm quite excited about this. Asia's first three albums (Asia, Alpha & Astra) were by far and away their strongest and to be blunt I prefer the vocals and songwriting style of John Wetton over his successor John Payne. Also, I never saw the original Asia line up at Wembley Arena in 1982, so I'd look forward to having that opportunity.

However, as someone who has followed the 'second phase' of Asia, from 1992's "Aqua" to last year's tour in support of "Silent Nation" (great gig at Wolves Civic lads!), I would be lying if I said I don't have some misgivings about all this. With John Payne Asia had evolved into a good little prog-rock band and a solid live act. This reformation of the original lineup cannot be an ongoing concern in that form - not least because Steve Howe is still a recording and touring member of Yes - so after the tour is over...what then?

John Payne owns (or owned?) the legal rights to the name 'Asia' so the tour could not have happened without his permission, yet having given so much to Asia as a writer, vocalist, musician, performer, producer and spokesperson for 14 years I can't help wondering how he feels, sitting on an unfinished album and watching a band that has been very much his 'baby' touring without him.

Perhaps it's an attempt to rekindle interest in the band? Perhaps it's a one-off before everyone returns to their day jobs. Perhaps it's a swan song. Who knows. 'Only Time Will Tell' as they say.
Watch this space...

"Belgium One Point"

If you thought it was a long time between Kate Bush albums then think again - because Telex release their first album in 20 years (!!) later this month.

The album is called "How Do You Dance?" and the lead single is "On The Road Again". All this sillyness, the video for the single and more can be found at:

http://www.telex-music.com/home.html

A Little Light Viewing

On 20th March the ELO Out Of The Blue Concert from Wembley Arena is released on DVD. The tracklisting is exactly the same as the previously released video version but this time they've gone back to the original master tapes and replaced the murky mono version on the original video (and subsequent CD) and replaced it with a stereo 5.1 mix.

In the meantime. Here are some links to some of favourite sites. I'll be adding to this lot over the next few months...

Music Related

Abba Official Site

http://www.abbasite.com/start/index.php?ret=/start/index.php&flash=yes

Jon Anderson

http://jonanderson.com/index.html

Asia Official Site

http://theasiawebsite.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Sam Brown Official Site

http://www.onecandle.co.uk/#recent

Kate Bush

http://www.katebushnews.com/katenews.htm

"What's happening with all things Kate"

Kate Bush (1)

http://www.norbry.net/kate-bush/mp3/

"A collection of very early Kate demos in mp3 form"

Kate Bush (2)

http://home.att.net/~james51453/

"In 1986 Kate's elder brother - John Carder Bush - published a book of pictures of his younger sister. It's VERY hard to get hold of now and regularly goes for £100+ on eBay - so here's the online version."

Kate Bush (3)

http://gaffa.org/

"History of the ever wonderful Kate"

Kate Bush Official Site (4)

http://www.katebush.com/

Chicory Tip

http://www.chicorytip.net/

"Official Site of the mighty Tip!"

Darts

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/darts_attack/?yguid=180215053

Def Leppard Official Site

http://www.defleppard.com/

Barbara Dickson Official Site

http://www.barbaradickson.net/

Discographies

http://www.discog.info/

"Links to discographies of bands that time has forgot"

Thomas Dolby Official Site

http://www.tdolby.com/

Dollar - Shooting Stars

http://www.dollarsite.co.uk/

"Useful little Dollar fansite"

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

http://www.sophieellisbextor.net/

ELO

http://www.ftmusic.com/

"Face The Music Fanzine. The nearest thing to an 'Official Site' ELO have"

Peter Gabriel

http://www.petergabriel.com/

Andrew Gold Official Site

http://www.andrewgold.com/

Hall & Oates Official Site

http://www.hallandoates.com/

Geri Halliwell

http://www.gerifan.com/index.php

"Comprehensive Geri fansite"

Jeff Lynne Song Database

http://www.jefflynnesongs.com/

"If Jeff Lynne has recoded it, written it or whistled it once in the bath in 1978 - it's here..."

M/Robin Scott

http://www.robinscott.org/

"Remember 'Pop Muzik'? Well that was Robin Scott. Here's what he's been doing since..."

Madonna

http://www.madonnalicious.com/

"Ridiculously extensive Maddy site"

Marillion

http://www.marillion.com/home.htm

"Official site - and an object lesson in how to use the internet to promote and market your band"

Joni Mitchell

http://www.jonimitchell.com/#

"Excellent Joni site"

Kylie Minogue Official Site

http://www.kylie.com/

Moody Blues

http://www.moodyblues.co.uk/home.htm

Mud

http://www.mud.ic24.net/

Olivia Newton-John

http://www.onlyolivia.com/

Stevie Nicks Official Site

http://nicksfix.com/

Queen Official Site

http://www.queen-fip.com/index2.php

Queen Download site

http://www.7digital.com/stores/default.aspx?shop=14

"A good idea this. Queen bootlegs made available (legitimately) online at £5 a go with all proceeds going to the Mercury Phoenix Trust."

Gerry Rafferty Official Site

http://www.gerryrafferty.com/

Showaddywaddy Official Site

http://www.katpaw.force9.co.uk/

"Official home of 'The Waddy!"

Rick Springfield

http://www.rickspringfield.com/full/rsmain.html

Status Quo Official Site

http://www.statusquo.co.uk/

Steve Miller Band Official Site

http://www.stevemillerband.com/

Stimulator

http://www.stimulatorband.com/band.html

Supertramp Official Site

http://www.supertramp.com/

Sweet

http://www.thesweet.com/

Telex

http://www.telex-music.com/home.html

"Have you ever heard such electronic stuff...?"

Thunder Official Site

http://www.thunderonline.com/

T'Pau

http://www.tpau.org/

"Still going and still very good live - as their 2005 gig at The Robin2 in Bilston proved"

Judie Tzuke Official Site

http://www.tzuke.com/

Judie Tzuke - Robin 2 Pictures

http://www.jtzuke.co.uk/photos/thumbnails.php?album=10

"In 2004 I went to see Judie at the Robin2 club in Bilston. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Here are a few pictures from that night"

http://www.jtzuke.co.uk/photos/thumbnails.php?album=10

Brian Wilson Official Site

http://www.brianwilson.com/

Roy Wood

http://www.roywood.co.uk/

"Woody's Official Site"

XTC

http://www.xtcidearecords.co.uk/

"Official site for Swindon's finest!"

Yes

http://nfte.org/

"Everything you ever wanted to know about Yes, but were afraid to ask"

Zen State

http://www.myspace.com/zenstate

"Band featuring Jon Anderson's son Damion Anderson"

Movies & Television

Charlie's Angels

http://www.charliesangels.com/

"Once upon a time, there were three little girls who went to the Police Academy..."

Dangermouse

http://www.dangermouse.org/

Episode Guides

http://epguides.com/

"Episode Guides to a LOT of TV shows"

Internet Movie Database

http://us.imdb.com/

"Massively useful database on films, actors & actresses. Highly recommended."

Ivor The Engine

http://www.smallfilms.co.uk/ivor/

"Small films site devoted to Ivor"

Married With Children

http://www.bundyology.com/

"Low on pictures but masses of information."

Noggin The Nog

http://www.nogginthenog.co.uk/

"An old Green Apple favourite."

Pipkins

http://freespace.virgin.net/greg.taylor1/pkindx.htm

Saturday Mornings

http://www.saturdaymornings.co.uk/

"Saturday morning telly: the great and the truly awful..."

The Goodies

http://www.goodiesruleok.com/

"Informative Australian-based Goodies website"

Tiswas

http://www.tiswasonline.com/

"This is what they want!"

TV Cream

http://tv.cream.org/

"Site devoted to vintage TV. Loads of fun to be had here!"

TV Ark

http://www.tv-ark.org.uk/

"Another excellent site devoted to vintage TV, though you'll need Real Player to make the most out of it."

TV & Radio Bits

http://www.tvradiobits.co.uk/

"A stroll down memory lane..."

M1 - Classic TV Images & Theme Songs

http://melaman2.com/tvshows/M1.html

"A sort of US version of TV Cream."

TV Annuals

http://www.tvannuals.co.uk/

"Ever got a TV annual for Christmas? Then this site is for you..."

V

http://www.mindpulse.com/users/lizlady/index.htm

"Entertaining "V" website. Go tell your friends..."

Xanadu Preservation Society

http://www.geocities.com/xanadupreservation/

"Did you know that 'Xanadu' was a remake of an old 1942 Rita Hayworth film called 'Down To Earth'? You do now..."

Sillyness

Automatic Flatterer

http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~geoffo/humour/flattery.html

"Get your computer to tell you how wonderful you are!"

Dancing George Bush

http://www.dancingbush.com/

Give George Bush A Brain Game

http://www.imgag.com/product/full/ap/3067907/graphic1.swf

Net Disaster

http://www.netdisaster.com/

"Got a website you don't like? Type in the address & go get 'em!"

"The Rhythm Of Big Generators"

On February 13th Yes release 9012 Live on DVD. Originally released in 1986, it was directed by Steve Soderburgh and filmed on the 90125 tour in Canada in 1984. The tracklisting is as follows: Introduction/Cinema/Leave It/Hold On/I've Seen All Good People/Changes/Owner Of A Lonely Heart/It Can Happen/City Of Love/Starship Trooper.

The DVD features two version of the concert, the original version (with graphics) and a 'Directors Cut' version. The DVD also features a bonus track (Roundabout), a documentary and band interviews.

Jon Anderson has released a new solo album "In Elven Lands" on 30th January. It was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Lord Of The Rings' and contains a cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Battle Of Evermore". Kenty will be pleased!!