Poet for Sale subscription
There is a subscription page in the bazaar for daevid's first officially published collection of performance poetry and poems since 1962 along with some sample pages. Subscribe!
news archive : 2002
Ze Pix and Ze Virus
Programming Analogue Synths (free to download, free to use) is a must for every synth programmer. 132 pages of pure knowledge, by Gong's synth wizard Gwyo Zepix (Howard Scarr) himself, this book will enable you to improve you programming skills dramatically. Check it out. (Also available in Spanish.)
Name That Tune
From Steven Wilson - As a lover of Irish fiddle music as well as Gong-ish, I've wondered for years, what's that tune being played on the bagpipes on daevid's 'N'existe Pas' album - identified as 'Theme from Hashish to Ashes': -lo and behold, I found it on an album by Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford, titled therein 'Johnny When You Die'.
Monica Arrives!
That most brilliant (but until this week frustratingly illusive) of CDs 'Ugly Music For Monica' by daevid and the University of Errors finally arrived at GAS HQ on Wednesday afternoon. All the pre-orders have now been completed and sent out. If you ordered a copy it is on it's way - if you didn't do so immediately or sooner - I guarantee you will be deeply impressed, it's one of the very finest albums daevid has been involved with.
Christian BoulÉ
Awaiting my return to the office after the little trip away with daevid was the sad news of Christian's passing on Sunday November 6th. He was a member of the Steve Hillage Band alongside Basil Brooks and worked extensively with Cyrille Verdeux and Tim Blake, who co-produced his yet to be released final album, 'Comet Hotel'.
University of Errors in London - Gig of the Tour
A thousand thanks for your support in booking tickets in advance for this endangered concert it went ahead and turned out to be perhaps the best of a simply marvelous run of gigs. Switch Doctor David Id had a couple of days off from his Cinematic Orchestra tour and came along to mix the sound, so that was of course superb. The band, finely tuned to each other at the end of the tour, were in top form and played for over two hours.
In attendance were Keith the Bass (first time he's ever witnessed some of those Planet Gong songs performed with the original passion, coz of course he was always playing them!), Mike Howlett, assorted Ozrics and friends and relations from all over - to a person they adored it. Graham Hinton came up with me from the West Country and did a stereo and multi-track recording of the gig, which we haven't listened to yet but fingers crossed it went down on tape well. I really can't do any better than Nick Medford's description of the gig written for the Hawkwind mailing list, so here it is below - Thanks Nick.
Did any other listmembers attend the gig at the Islington Garage last night? Probably not, as the place was only half-full- a criminal shame, as this was a stupendous performance from Daevid Allen and his new cohorts.
The U of E came on to a tape of circus-style music and indulged in a little clowning before getting down to the business in hand. It was superb. No doubt Mr Allen is a man of many parts but no New Age tweeness last night, this was loud'n'filthy avant-garde psychedelic punk with the band playing as if possessed. Josh Pollock is simply extraordinary, wrenching wild sheets of noise from his guitar. If you've heard Peter Laughner's playing on the early Pere Ubu singles, the guitar sound isn't a million miles away from that, but if anything even more unhinged, teetering on the edge of chaos but always just controlled enough- given the audacity of the musical risks being taken, it was remarkable that the band so rarely broke down into self-indulgence or incoherence. The drummer, Warren Heugel, was similarly uninhibited, and credit has to go to bassist Michael Clare (who looks oddly like the writer Will Self) for keeping it all together, seemingly impervious to the lunacy all around him. I struggle to give points of reference but if you can imagine Camembert-era Gong crossed with the MC5 and the Bonzo Dog band (a stretch I know) you're in the general area.
What did they play? I can't give a complete setlist but most of the forthcoming 'Ugly Music For Monica' album was aired, as I was able to confirm at home later with my newly acquired pre-release cd-r. This is easily the best album the band have recorded, it doesn't quite capture the full frenzy of the live attack- how could it - but it's the best thing Daevid has done for many years and if you have any interest in the man, you NEED this album. Other than that, some glorious and rarely-heard classics were given the Errorization treatment- barnstorming renditions of 'Hope for Happiness', 'Pot Head Pixies', 'Pretty Miss Titty' and a superb rendition of Kevin Ayers' 'Clarence in Wonderland' - for the first 30 seconds or so I thought this was going to be the Velvets' 'Sister Ray' - yup we're talking radical turbo-charging of the old faves here.
Current Gong sax-man Theo Travis came on to add to the sonic squall at one point, and it was by far the loosest and boldest playing I've heard from him. But the absolute standout highlight was 'Fohat Digs Holes in Space', during which the venue took off and went into orbit around the Crab Nebula. If you've never heard the U of E's take on this ancient Gong classic, you must. You must!
The band are due to play some dates in Sweden soon (Not actually true I'm afraid, only one more gig in San Francisco at the end of November details of which will be posted soon - Jonny), but you shouldn't let a little thing like a few thousand miles keep you from seeing this amazing band. Especially as the University's financial situation would appear to be parlous - why else would they be selling pre-release cd-r's of the new album for a fiver each - this is a unique and quite brilliant band, and I implore anyone and everyone to get behind them. Tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell all the people you do not know!
Simply blown away!
Your response to the mailout, GAS membership, the new DVD, Daevid's book subscription and everything else has been almost overwhelming, thank you - we are after all just a wee teapot-shaped cottage industry. I'd train the cat to help except she's busy looking after seven kittens and has never been good with parcel tape. But nearly there with all the loose ends. If we have been a little slower than usual dealing with an order, inquiry or question please forgive us.
We are expecting the Glastonbury Fayre CDs within days, then they will be on their way to those of you eagerly awaiting them. The stunning new University of Errors CD Ugly Music For Monca will be a couple of weeks yet, but a pre-ordering page is now in the bazaar. And I will get Daevid's 'Poet For Sale' book subscription page up just as soon as I possibly can.
New 'Ancient' Gong CD
We are just about the release what I consider one of the finest slices of Gong audio ever committed to vinyl, their contribution to the legendary, highly collectable and therefore now very expensive Glastonbury Fayre triple LP. Here it comes, affordable at last. And with digitally re-edited, re-mastered sound from the original source tapes that you won't believe!
GAS Membership
After quite a lull we have fully reactivated the GAS Membership scheme and for the first time it is now possible to join on-line. The first thing you will receive is an exclusive GAS member's CD, compiled by Daevid hymnself, these are sitting here, gleaming all ready to go. If you have paid your subscription fee in the past few months and were wondering what the heck was happening - fear not your CD is almost certainly on it's way to you right now.
New Gong DVD in stock
Available in the bazaar now. Recorded at the 'Zero 2 Infinity' CD launch party/gig in May 2000 this professionally filmed gig features all the exciting new Gong adventures in sound as well as many classic tracks. It's mixed in 5.1 surround-sound by Mr. Howlett ably assisted by Mr Travis, the artwork is by Daevid and there are some crazy interview DVD 'extras' - Who could possibly ask for more more?
University of Errors Tour
The schedule is now all but complete, just a couple more UK gigs in September to be confirmed. The West Coast US dates are happening right now with Kevin Ayers in attendance! The Norwegian gigs are all solid, as are those in Belgium and Denmark. Unfortunately the French part of the tour sank leaving just the Paris gig. However the UK is now rich in Error gigs. There are 6 dates supporting the Electric Prunes and a further 6 (eventually) Pruneless ones. I hope the Prunes are good because judging by the new UofE CD they had better hold onto their stones (the American translation of this 'joke' doesn't really work as they use the word pits instead of stones - and I'm sure the Electric Prunes are just wonderful).
What's in a Name?
The contrast could not be sharper. There is, or has been, Planet Gong, Mother Gong, New York Gong, Gongmaison, Shapeshifter Gong, etc, etc. There's also Gongzilla and Pierre Moerlen's Gong and probably others that don't come to mind right now. Nik Turner and some of the old original members of Hawkwind go out as Xhawkwind and get served an injunction to not use the name while preparing to play in a café tent at Glastonbury Festival, a date in court and the prospect of large legal fees.
They'd played a couple of gigs as Xhawkwind and had a few other ones lined up… but hello? There can't be a Hawkfan in the country who doesn't know what they are going to get if they choose to see Xhawkwind over Hawkwind, or vise-versa - "Illogical Captain". The good Dr Wolf is now going through Nik's website removing all mention of Xhawkwind.
The man himself can be found busking on the streets of various towns in mid-Wales. To paraphrase some song or other - "You shouldn't do this and you shouldn't do that…"
New Theo Travis, Dave Sturt, daevid allen CD
By turns deeply mysterious and jewel-like, the fruition of what we have called until now the 'Alien/Cipher' project is complete and the resulting CD 'One Who Whispers' is available in the bazaar. An ambient, gliss guitar, sax and flute concept it was initially inspired by some wonderful pre-Gong gig sound checking between Theo and Daevid.
daevid allen & Acid Mothers Temple Trio
After meeting at the Royal Festival Hall Gong/Acid Mothers Temple/Orb bash last year Daevid is getting together with AMT members, Kawabata Makoto and Cotton to perform in what I'm sure is destined to be a new-psychedelic-defining, wild improv trio at the Egg Lake Faire in the States in August. I do wish I could be there coz it's bound to be very 'different'. Details in Gigs.
System 7 Releases
System 7's next A-Wave releases are due on July 22nd. The CD, 'Mysterious Traveller' (A-Wave CD009), is a celebration of their long, exciting working relationship with original Godfather of Detroit techno, Derrick May.
There are 10 tracks in all including vintage highlights such as Rhythim Is Rhythim's 'Icon' masterpiece (the full version never released on CD before). The unreleased electro-tinged 'Prototype 1', 'Altitude', here in its rare Mayday mix, and the lush live jam, 'Fractal Liaison' which come from the first System 7 album, and were produced over 10 days in September 1990 and the exclusive new System 7 track 'E-merge'.
Also released around the same time will be a limited 4 track 12" vinyl doublepack sampler. Both will of course be in the bazaar - can't wait.
Steve and Miquette are also involved in a project called Loophead with the Orb's Alex Paterson, and have released a track - 'Firefly'- under this name on his Badorb label.
New & Updated Webpages
Two recent Daevid Allen interviews:- The first in Italian and English is at Mescalina, the second, because of Glastonbury Festival and Gong's appearance there in '71, is at BBC Online.
Updates at Luc Pilmeyer's University of Errors and Gilli Smyth sites. And the System 7 site is also full of new news on the forthcoming releases.
There are three more deep trance Psyquest MP3s tracks to download from You Remixer Mad Stoff at his NewOm site.
University of Errors News
Events are Errorizing into existence all over now. Plans for the extensive touring from August through October are now almost complete and every gig seems to be shaping up to be something special.
Daevid, Kevin Ayers and the University of Errors Together in US! It all kicks of in August in Seattle at the Progman Festival when Kevin joins Daevid and the band on stage for what just has to be a unique event. Two other UofE performances will also be taking place in the Pacific Northwest the week following the festival. On Thursday August 22nd at I-Spy in Seattle and at the the Egg Lake Music Faire on a bill with the Daevid/Acid Mothers Trio (see above), Richard Sinclair, and Damo Suzuki. There are possibilities of one or two shows in the San Francisco area at the end of August and early September - we'll be sure to keep you posted on those.
European Tour : On Sept 7th the Faculty will be flying to Paris to begin a 5-8 week tour of the Europe (Norway, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark). Dates are coming in confirmed every day now, but to avoid too much confusion, we won't release all the details until next month, although a few of the dates are listed on the Gigs Page.
Possible UK Gig : "What about the UK? I hear you cry. Despite (Gong agent) Glen Povey being up to his credit cards in organizing the Canterbury Sound Festival (Pretty Things, Caravan and all), and the joys of sorting out the recent Arthur Lee and Love tour there seems to be a budding possibility on a London UofE gig.
New Studio album : Finally, CDs - the audio of the third UofE album, 'Ugly Music For Monica' has been finished for quite a while and Daevid is just completing the artwork. The CD is scheduled for release in France with our friends on Audiocrash Records in August and of course will be available from GAS. Their rather remarkable second album, e2x10=tenure has been repressed and is now back in stock after being unavailable for some time.
New Snapper Wrapper
David has completed the new alienized 'From Here To Eternitea' CD cover to replace the rather grim 'first pressing' one . It will appear with the next pressing of the CD sometime in August.
System 7 Releases
System 7's next A-Wave releases are due on July 22nd. The CD, 'Mysterious Traveller' (A-Wave CD009), is a celebration of their long, exciting working relationship with original Godfather of Detroit techno, Derrick May.
There are 10 tracks in all including vintage highlights such as Rhythim Is Rhythim's 'Icon' masterpiece (the full version never released on CD before). The unreleased electro-tinged 'Prototype 1', 'Altitude', here in its rare Mayday mix, and the lush live jam, 'Fractal Liaison' which come from the first System 7 album, and were produced over 10 days in September 1990 and the exclusive new System 7 track 'E-merge'.
Also released around the same time will be a limited 4 track 12" vinyl doublepack sampler. Both will of course be in the bazaar - can't wait.
Steve and Miquette are also involved in a project called Loophead with the Orb's Alex Paterson, and have released a track - 'Firefly'- under this name on his Badorb label.
New & Updated Webpages
Two recent Daevid Allen interviews:- The first in Italian and English is at Mescalina, the second, because of Glastonbury Festival and Gong's appearence there in '71, is at BBC Online.
Updates at Luc Pilmeyer's University of Errors and Gilli Smyth sites. And the System 7 site is also full of new news on the forthcoming releases.
Gong Dreaming Book II
Work has also gathered pace on Gong Dreaming II, Daevid's documenting of the Gong years 1969-75. David Gregson, the co-designer of Gong Dreaming I: Soft Machine 1966-69 (which I'm sorry, but is sold out, so don't ask), is currently living in Bryon Bay near Daevid so there has been plenty of activity and great forward bounds with this project. So much has been achieved in fact that within the next week we will post a special subscription page in the bazaar with all the details of how you can go about reserving a copy of this book. el alien sez… "Who would like a personally dedicated copy in return for advance payment? Yes folks! This is how we fund it!".
Gong Subterania 2000 DVD new release date
Everything has now been completed including a further round of 5.1 Surround-sound mixing by Mike Howlett and Theo Travis and a new release date has been set. The 'DVD extras' include strange edited highlights of interviews with Daevid conducted by our friend Harry from Norway.
The new release date for this DVD is the very end of July.
Snippets and Rumours
Pierre Moerlen Recording : After his trip to Russia Pierre Moerlen tells me that he has been recording an album with some Russian musicians. No further details. Maybe there's some more info on his web-site - if there isn't right now I'm sure will be soon.
Live Here & Now : Keith tha Bass is embarking on some serious Here & Now live tape collection and listening with a view to compiling a new live CD collection.
Cipher on Compilation : After their successful appearance at one Grant Showbiz's Sunday Mellout events recently Cipher will be contributing a couple of tracks to a compilation CD Grant will be releasing in the Autumn. see what it is yet?". We are promised Devonian and SW UK gigging in the not too distant future.
Site Updates
- Gigs
- All the University of Errors dates have been added.
- Bazaar
- New Gong DVD 'High Above the Subterania 2000'
- New Gong CD 'OK Friends'
- New Alien-rich Cipher CD One Who Whispers
- 2nd UofE CD available once more e2x10=tenure
- New 'Planet Gong-ish' Kangaroo Moon CD Between Two Worlds
- Heavyweight vinyl reissue of Angels Egg in it's original cover
- Reissue of 'Blake's New Jerusalem' CD by Tim Blake
- Rather strangely wonderful new Spirit's Burning 'Reflections In a Radio Shower' CD with Daveid co-writing and playing on 5 tracks.
- Discographies
- Our rapidly expanding discography section has basic entries on Daevid (in all his guises), Gilli, Didier, Lady June, Here & Now, Tim Blake, Steve Hillage and Steffe. Much more to come.
- Gallery
- This section is now operating, has been somewhat organized, and contains some new images.
- Family Maze
- Would you believe it, the Family Maze has been reactivated!?! Tim Flatus' startling creation from years past ran on the website for only a short while long long ago - we're sure most of you will never have seen it. Take a pocket full of bread crumbs or a ball of twine, a torch (with spare batteries), and pack a lunch - explore at your own risk!
- Gas Archives
- We have begun a 'Gig History' section. Starting with last year's gigs we are working our way back through the years until we have listed every Gong Family gig - a project that will take a while.
Site Updates
bazaar - Besides the new new Gong 'OK Friends' album , there is a heavyweight vinyl reissue of Angels Egg in it's original cover, the welcome reissue of Tim Blake's New Jerusalem CD, and the rather strangely wonderful new Spirits Burning Reflections In a Radio Shower with daevid allen co-writing and playing on 5 tracks. More details on all these releases in the bazaar.
Postage - We have had to increase the vinyl postage rates to reflect the increased costs of sending out the new 'heavyweight' vinyl releases. The old vinyl rates just weren't covering the postage - sorry 'bout that.
Gigs - Even more Kangaroo Moon dates have been added throughout the Summer in UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria. Two System 7 festival gigs have also been listed
Family Maze : Would you believe it, the Family Maze has been reactivated!?! Tim Flatus' startling creation from years past ran on the website for only a short while long long ago - we're sure most of you will never have seen it. Take a pocket full of bread crumbs or a ball of twine, a torch (with spare batteries), and pack a lunch - explore at your own risk!
Gas Archives : We have begun a Gig History section. Starting with last year's gigs we are working our way back through the years until we have listed every Gong Family gig - a project that will take a while.
New CDs Alert!
- The following CDs are all nearing completion:-
- Cipher : One Who Whispers
Theo Travis & Dave Sturt (Cipher) are joined by Daevid on glissando guitar on 5 of the 9 tracks of this deeply atmospheric release which is by turns haunting and sparklingly beautiful. If all goes to plan should be out in just over a month.
- Gong : Glastonbury Fayre 1971
I have now received the artwork from the one and only Peter Hartl for this archive release, that uses the original source tapes, of this absolutely seminal Gong recording. 4/5 weeks until we have stock.
A Few Loose Ends
Some new links, interesting info I've been meaning to post or expand upon for a couple of weeks and stuff that just got buried in the hard drive and forgotten:-
A few nice photos of Gong in Zoetermeer by Guy Bahir, including a rather fetching one of Mr Howlett. Photos of Gongzilla in action with Pierre Moerlen. And to my shame, one archive I'd completely forgotten about is Craig Mitchell's Gong and related photo archive . Craig has been a friend for years (decades even) so his collection goes way back to the late '70's and is totally worth a visit, it's full of Gong, Hillage, Here & Now and so much more, you'll love it.
I've just received a copy of the US based Prog mag Exposé and as promised it comes with a free CD of bay area progressive bands including Spirits Burning. Their track is an exclusive Daevid glissando-rich one unavailable elsewhere.
The Free Festival Site is full of photos & rememberences, including some interesting pieces on Zorch, Here & Now, Tim Blake & Gong at such heady events.
System 7 News
The next A-Wave CD release is now off at the pressing plant - 'Mysterious Traveller' - a compilation of the tracks System 7 have made with Derrick May - including unreleased material, new remixes and remastered versions of the originals. UK release date July 15th 2002. They also are releasing a special vinyl limited sampler of 'Mysterious Traveller' featuring 4 tracks in a vinyl double pack. Both will be in the bazaar just as soon as…
Steve and Miquette are also involved in a project called Loophead with the Orb's Alex Paterson, and have released a track - 'Firefly'- under this name on his Badorb label.
New PHP Newsgroup
A new Pot Head Pixie Yahoo newsgroup has been started up by James Smith, who set up the first one. You can subscribe, and I suggest you do coz it's bound to be fun.
New Payment Methods
The bazaar can accept Maestro and Solo cards - apparently it always has been able to. Hard to keep up with all this plastic money… a free CD to the first person who walks into the GAS office with a very large turnip as payment.
daevid allen : Australian News
Daevid is appearing at some intriguingly diverse gigs in and around Byron Bay in Australia. These include a new incarnation of the daevid allen trio with Japanese bassist/multi instrumentalist Kaz and drummer/percussionist Maxwell Stoke …plus 2-3 nights a week as a performance poet.
Work has also gathered pace on Gong Dreaming II , Daevid's documenting of the Gong years 1969-75. David Gregson, the co-designer of Gong Dreaming I: Soft Machine 1966-69 (which I'm sorry, but is sold out, so don't ask), is currently living in Bryon Bay near Daevid so there has been plenty of activity and great forward bounds with this project. So much has been achieved in fact that within the next week we will post a special subscription page in the bazaar with all the details of how you can go about reserving a copy of this book. el alien sez… "Who would like a personally dedicated copy in return for advance payment? Yes folks! This is how we fund it!".
Snapper Wrapper? Due to the general air of disappointment with the cover of 'From Here To Eternitea', the Zero To Infinity/Live 2 Infinitea Gong budget double CD compilation recently released by Snapper, Daevid has offered to produce a replacement cover and edit the original liner notes.
Giorgio Gomelski's digital movie of daevid performing his notorious poem predicting the 11th Sept drama recorded in New York on 5th Sept will soon be available from GAS.
poetry is the enemy of work
Gong Subterrania 2000 DVD
Daevid has finished designing a cover for the Snapper Gong DVD and last week Mike Howlett and Theo Travis completed the 5.1 surround sound mix, so it looks like the proposed release date of mid to late May might be achieved. The planned 'extras' include strange edited highlights of interviews with Daevid conducted by our friend Harry from Norway.
The planned release date for this DVD is 24th June.
Gilli Smyth : Australian News
Besides completing the Live Gong 2001 CD Gilli reports that… "I am working really hard with Pierce on the Gong Matrix CD… had to rewrite some of the lyrics because of Sept 11th… which has changed the political picture, especially in the US where it is orientated. Pierce is sending me rough mixes of the music to put on vocals here. Will happen this year, probably about September".
Gilli is writing a sequel to 'Godly Talk', her book of lyrics with illustrations by Taliesin, which was on sale on the Gong Tours last year. The new book's theme is the vagaries of religious experience and Godly Talk has just been made available in the bazaar for the first time.
University of Errors Tour
There is a tour of France, Norway, and Spain in Sept/Oct this year taking root as I write. And bassist Michael Clare, who is at the helm of this particular adventure, is on the lookout for some concrete help in the sound engineering and transport departments. So if you are a qualified sound engineer and ace driver who speaks 5 different languages, is capable of carrying a band's backline under each arm and could put up with the diverse personalities of Daevid and the University of Errors for 7-8 weeks and will do all this for a share of an indeterminate amount of money, boy have we got a job for you. On the other hand if you have just a few of those skills, or even think you might have, I can put you in touch with Michael, just mail me.
The mixing of the third UofE CD (which had the working title 'Ugly Music For Monica' but I think that may have changed) has now been finished in Brooklyn. No firm news on a release date yet… however a re-pressing of their superb 2nd CD, e2x10=tenure is underway and copies will be once more available in the bazaar soon.
New Spirits Burning CD with daevid allen
Copies of the 2nd Spirits Burning CD, 'Reflections in a Radio Shower', are on their way and will be available in the bazaar shortly. The brainchild of Don Falcone it features not only Daevid, but Hawkwind's Robert Calvert, Thom the World Poet, members of Mushroom, Quarkspace and Inner City Unit, plus others.
Also… the next issue of the US Expose prog magazine will come with a free BayProg compilation CD featuring a number of San Francisco, Bay area bands. There is a different version of one of the Spirits Burning II tracks. Called 'Clear Audient, V2.5', it features Daevid and Michael Clare from the UofE.
Gong in Print
There is an interview with Daevid by journalist Lars Fahlin, in the latest issue of Rock 'n' Reel, No 35. And the May issue of Mojo has a small piece on the recording of 'Flying Teapot'
Gong Tour CD
For the past few weeks Gilli and Orlando have been beavering away on an 'Organic Gong 2001' CD using live recordings from last year's tours. The concept was to compile a musical documentary of the strangely intense journey that is a Gong tour using the most magical musical moments, the "never heard before" jams and solos - the best playing of everyone.
I admit to thinking that it was a tall order to pull off and when a finished master arrived in the GAS office this morning I placed it in the CD player with a little trepidation. Almost at once my jaded palette for live Gong after all the touring evaporated. Gilli and Orlando have compiled a wonderfully Gong affirming CD - a distillation of essence of Gong live no less. This is no live rehash of over familiar songs. It's a skillful and enchanting weave of atmospheric passages, solos, powerfully rhythmic sections and the inspiring verbal flights of fancy which are so often the parts of a Gong concert which stay with you. Witchy magic has indeed been done.
From Here To Eternitea
It used to be three or four years before a record company did the budget compilation thing with a latest release, but Snapper have gone for it now. So now there's a cheap way of getting all the music from the last two Gong albums. But as is the way with most "cheap" things, there's a price to pay.
The cover (nothing to do with the band) is a bit dodgy, all Daevid's liner notes and drawings and the lyrics from the original issues have gone. And you'll have to guess who plays what as there are no credits to speak of at all except the writing ones. There are some new liner notes with an amusing tale by one of Snapper's staff of Daevid's visit to their offices, but because of the font size and type chosen and the printing quality, they're a bit hard to read.
So… in an attempt to upgrade these, I'm afraid, rather iffy production values everyone in the band is getting involved one way or another in the next planned Snapper Gong related release, the Subterrania gig DVD, which is penciled in for May. More of that as it develops.
From Here To Eternitea double CD will be in the bazaar when they arrive.
Gilli Smyth : new official website
Gong web hero Luc Pilmeyer has been hard at work building an "official" website with Gilli. It is now up and running for you delectation. Luc has done his usual efficent job and there are pages of images, album sleeves, Gilli herstory and much more. Watch it all grow and evolve at: [archived]
Gong DVD finally in stock
The first Gong DVD is now available. It's a well produced but apparently slightly edited for length version of the 1990 Gong 'reunion' concert filmed by Central TV for their 'Bedrock' series. The DVD, previously available on video, features a line-up of Daevid, Gilli, Didier, Pip Pyle, Steffe, Keith tha Bass and Twink on synthesizers. There are none of those DVD "extras" except samples of some of the other DVD releases in the series - Hawks, Caravan etc.
Almost certainly the only money the musicians will receiving for this release will come from the 100 copies GAS is selling. The price for this first 100 is (£12.00 UK/Europe - £10.64 USA/RoW) may possibly turn out to be lower than we can offer in future so don't delay.
Reissue Camembert LPs in stock
The 180gram virgin vinyl reissue of Gong's 1971 classic album Camembert Electrique are now in the vinyl section.
The expert vinyl reissue record company Get Back have done their usual fine job, but one thing I don't understand. The recordings are licensed from Charly Records, who allegedly have the rights to the BYG catalogue. Camembert was originally released on BYG. But rather than re-issue the album in the original BYG gatefold sleeve Get Back have opted for the single Virgin Records sleeve. But this has resulted in a slightly cheaper price than I first posted.
February release for Gong Double CD …Wot?
February 18th will see the release of a double Gong CD, 'From Here to Eternitea' on Snapper Records. This appears to be a mid-price compilation of Zero to Infinity and Live to Infinitea in some new label generated artwork, although with many of the company off at Midem (a huge Misic biz bash in the South of France) I haven't confirmed this yet.
I have to say that no-one in the band has been asked about this release, or even told about it yet. The right to do it must have been in the small print of the contract (where were those reading glasses when they were needed?). Oh well, "it maintains band profile and presence in the marketplace", as they say in the music biz, plus hopefully a bit of publishing royalty money for the band via MCPS.
A new release and two I missed earlier
Arabica - A North African Voyage into Sound (Bar de Lune LUNECD07). Collection of more traditional sounding modern North African music which includes tracks by Rachid Taha and Khaled and therefore has the invlovement of Steve Hillage. Bar de Lune are the same label which released the Krishna Beats collection.
Not quite sure when this came out, sometime while the Gong tours were happening. Longest serving Gong drummer Pip Pyle has released an album with John Greaves, The Pig Part (Voiceprint VP225CD). It's in Pip's CD section of the bazaar.
I've also just discovered 'Barra Barra' a Rachid Taha 12" (ARK12006) taken from the great Steve Hillage-rich Made in Medina album. Besides the album cut there are two new mixes, an instrumental version and the 'Full Mix'. In the vinyl section
System 7 news
I went and saw System 7 (and sold a few CDs) at their gig in Exeter on 19th January (a fine and bouncy affair thoroughly enjoyed by all) and gleaned the following news while talking to Steve & Miquette.
The next release will be an album of Derrick May/System 7 tracks, slighly remixed. That's due this Spring. There will probably be a 12" release as well. Then it's onward with the a-wave reissue programme with either the Fire & Water albums released together, or 777 and The Golden Section albums. They haven't decided which pair yet. There will of course be some System 7 festival gigs this Summer, so look out for those and Steve will be working on another studio album with Rachid Taha in the near future.
Late Birthday Greetings
After all that touring in the now swirling confusion I laughingly call my brain I forgot to post a message about the Alien's 64th Birthday. This was celebrated by all inhabitants of the Planet Gong and his good physical self (in Australia) last Sunday the 13th. A jolly time was had by all. Here's to the next 30 years and reaching 2032 in fine fettle. I must start a page on the notable dates of the Planet Gong year.
New in the bazaar
Steve Hillage CD section: New mini LP-sleeved Arzachael CDs (Steve Hillage's first recordings from 1969 along with what later became the band Egg). Also in the Hillage CD section is the rather wonderful second Arabesque CD Zoudge, and his 1976 album, Motivation Radio makes a welcome re-appearence after quite a gap.
Vinyl section: Audiophile 180gm vinyl version of the Arzachael and I have finally got the link to the last System 7 12", High Plains Drifter, sorted out, so that's available as well.
Vinyl section: Audiophile 180gm vinyl reissue of the 1969 BYG/Actual Burton Greene Ensemble LP Aquariana feat. Didier Malherbe
Other CD section: Mad Stof, the ace You Remixer, Psyquest CD, a thumping psychedelic trance affair which features Tim Blake, Christian Boulé and Stefan from Total Eclipse (also a You Remixer).
Tim Blake CD section: 2CD live Hawkwind Yule Ritual set is there coz he's on it. As good a live Hawk release as there is.
Gong CD section: Snapper have re-catalogued and re-issued the Charly version of Gong's Flying Teapot on CD.
Zorch CD section: Great Glastonbury Live CD recorded last May. A must for all synthi-heads.
Next week the Gong DVDs will hopefully be in.
Details, track listings, timings and cover illustrations for these releases in the bazaar
Gong autumn tours
Where to start, what to mention in such a range of enriching and strange experiences, so many stories!
The Mandala backdrop - Cradle of Filth leftovers - living together on the big bus - the meditation cupola - the joy of Norway - the gloom of Berlin - Theo and Daevid's pre-Inner Temple theatrics - the beaming visits/guestings of Graham Clark - two wheels have fallen off the bus! - the symphony of snoreing wolves - gigs with Didier - Gwyo trys every cold remedy know to man except the one that works - computer light shows with Wes - touring the secret masonic symbols of Cambrige universities and kite flying with Robert - Theo sleeps for England - Daevid's meditation/ observation pod on the bus - jamming on the bus - where's the fucking bubble-wrap - the madness of Michael Clare and the search for a University of Errors tour - on a Glen and a prayer, the flying visits of an agent - Hola Spain! - the nightmare news of Mike's shed - Daevid can't sing at Italian gig with Gong's tomb - 4 gigs/countries/languages/currencies in 4 nights (I think that was Austria) - how much chocolate can one man eat, Toni Mandala gets the munchies - the verdict on the Australian Pink Floyd - South of France limbo/saviour - unload the bus/load the bus/unload the bus/load the bus… PA's on sticks/saved by the Id - the wierd Widnes wiff - Chris keyboards through the night - Gilli? - old friends, new friends - searching for the sound - Dark Night of the Hawks - the bus will never go down/up/in there! - all the other bands are tribute bands - 120 Pussies - we only get how much? - and much, much more.
Over the next few weeks I'll try and explain it all to you… and … er myself. Tales of the Road pages coming soon.
Gong DVD
I've had a few inquiries about it… and yes the first ever Gong DVD is out and about (but not in the bazaar just yet). It's a well produced but slightly edited for length version of the 1990 Gong 'reunion' concert filmed by Central TV for their 'Bedrock' series. The DVD, once available on video, features a line-up of Daevid, Gilli, Didier, Pip Pyle, Steffe, Keith tha Bass and Twink on synthesizers. As far as I remember it comes in a 'long-pak' hardback book with a Roger Deanish cover?
I understand the only money the musicians will receiving for this release will come from the 100 copies GAS is waiting for coming from the record company, so if you can try and wait until the DVD is in the bazaar before buying it, hopefully next week.
new Rachid Taha release
The new CD 'Rachid Taha Live' (Barclay 589 391-2) is a great vibey gig recording which features Steve Hillage guesting on guitar on a few of the tracks. A DVD and video of the gig is also available. Besides obviously appearing on stage Steve also features during an interview with Rachid in one of the DVD 'extras', a documentary.
University of Errors : news from the front
After all the Gong dates Daevid stopped off in New York for a week on his way back to Australia to finish the 3rd University of Errors album. One of the first emails of the year came from U of E bassist Michael Clare and contained the following good news:-
The U of E album (working title 'Ugly Music For Monica') is turning out marvelous - better than hoped for and better than that even! Should have everything at least at rough mix stage before leaving on Sunday, then have to come back for final mixes as soon as possible. Also working on going to Japan in early May and have an offer of one gig in Tokyo - but need more. Or it won't/can't happen.
build it and he will come, part 93
Nobody knew what had happened to him, there were rumours about banks, but nobody seemed to know for sure? Well contact has now been re-established. While I was away on tour with Gong all non-order related emails were filed away for my return. Ploughing through them the other day (and if you're waiting for an answer to yours I'm getting there) was a little one from the original Gong Submarine Captain, Christian Tritsch, last heard of over 25 years ago! He had come across the website and was just saying hello. I have now put him in touch with Daevid and Gilli.
New Links
Dr Wolf has been staying in deepest Wales chez Turner where he has been working on Nik's fledgling website.
Bartek is developing a very nice Polish Gong site
Mike Howlett : new website
University of Errors webmaster Luc has also been busy in a few other areas and there are some new Gong animated gifs, webvideo cartoons and photographs of the Gong gigs in Bonn and Schweinfurt Photograhs at Luc's site. Mike Howlett's website has a new URL : www.mikehowlett.be.tf
new in the bazaar
Things flash in and out of the bazaar as per usual. New in the CD re-issue of Here and Now's first LP Give & Take, Gong Trilogy CDs are restocked, Spalax Floating Anarchy CDs are around again (but for how long?) and Gong's Live Etc is back. And coming as soon as can be (next week?) the Gong DVD of the 'Bedrock' TV reunion gig, a mini LP-sleeved Arzachael CD, coloured Mandala and Camembert t-shirts and a lot more.