Conference marvin::uk_music

    Lindsay, according to what I read in the NME the other week, their
    new album is scheduled for release on Monday, April 3rd.  I don't
    believe it has a title yet, but nevertheless it is expected to go
    platinum in the first week.  One mighty popular band all of a sudden!
    Catch them on 'Wogan' tonight miming their way through WAGES DAY
    (which for my liking is too close for comfort to REAL GONE KID,
    which at least had a decent chorus/hook).
    
    One of my favourite bands from the recent new breed of Scottish
    popsters - I've been meaning to start a note on them for ages. 
    More input to follow....
    
    Dougie_who_*finally*_got_a_ticket_for_the_SECC_gigs_last_night  8-)

    
    
    "Wages Day" shot into the chart at No 25 yesterday.   
    
    It's catchy enough, but I can't help feeling they've used their
    'Real gone kid' formula on this one - "it worked the last time"
    kind of thinking.
    
    
    Michael
    

    
    
    It is announced in the "Ayrshire Leader" this week that Deacon Blue
    may be playing two dates at the Dam Park in Ayr. This would be on
    April 28 & 29 and would be held in aid of The Kyle and Carrick
    Lockerbie Disaster Fund. Apparently the local council , who own
    the venue, have confirmed that there will be a concert on those
    dates but will not name the band. Philip Hall who is the bands
    publicist is quoted as saying " the group will play the concerts
    , we are waiting on final confirmation from the organisers". The
    hall has a capacity of 2000 seated or more if it is a standing
    audience. If it comes off on these dates it will be exactly a week
    before they play the SECC in Glasgow.
    
    Lindsay
    
     
     

    
    
    heard about this earlier in the week from a 'contact' in the local
    council - thought it sounded a bit too good to be true - hope it
    comes off though.
    
    
    Michael
    

    
      I've got to say I was not very impressed at all with the "Raintown"
    album,which I bought on the advice of an earlier contributor,I thought
    it was lacking severly in terms of originality,and the female "singer"
    sounds just like everybodies aunty betty that gets up to sing at
    every good scottish wedding.
     I did try to like it and listen a few times,but just not in the
    same class as Hue and Cry for punch and energy or Danny Wilson for
    originality.
    
     Sorry,but even if I was still living in Ayr I wouldn't bother going
    to the Dam Park to see them.
    
     Am I missing something,or is it just my lack of style ???
    
     Cheers,Mcbill 
     (who has just about worn out his Hue and Cry tape)
    

    
    I have to say I think you're missing something. There's a rash of
    crap about at the moment but not much of it is coming from North
    of the border, and this lot are well above average I reckon.
    I mean, the tunes are strong, and the performances are good -- what
    more can you want? I suppose you're unlucky in that your aunt Betty has
    spoiled it for you.
    
    Richard.

    I think old matey from Deacon blue heard "Steve McQueen" by Prefab
    Sprout and decided to form a band around the experience.Whats more
    he's even trying to look like Paddy MacAloon now.
    

    
    
    *That's* who Rikki Ross was beginning to remind me of - ol Paddy
    from the Sprouts.
    
    As a big fan of Prefab Sprout and a luke-warm admirer of Deacon
    Blue, I can't really hear the musical connection between the two.
    
    But welcome back Macbill, and I have always said that the girl in
    DB adds nothing to the band - her constant "add_lib_repeat_of_the_last
    line_sung_by_Rikki" really gets on my nerves. (She's from New Cumnock
    Bill - what could you expect?)
    
    
    But still a good band in spite - but no, not in the same league as Hue
    and Cry.
    
    
    Michael
    

re.8

I,m informed she,s from Auchinleck Mick    

More than enough said.

Tony.

    
    
    Actually, since I posted that note Tony, a native of New Cumnock
    assures me she's from Netherthird in Cumnock. (I believe Outram
    can confirm this).
    
    But it's obvious nobody's desparate to claim her as their own! 8-)
    
    
    Michael
    

    
    
    Ricky and his female side-kick were on a Radio Clyde show on Fri
    night discussing the much-awaited follow up album to RAINTOWN, "WHEN
    THE WORLD KNOWS YOUR NAME.
    
    They played many of the tracks and although the Q Mag review had
    described it as more up-tempo than RAINTOWN, I didn't hear it that
    way at all.
    
    Although it was the first time I heard the songs, they don't seem
    to have the quality of many of the songs on Raintown.
    
    I won't be rushing out to buy it, but they're sooooooo popular up
    here it'll probably be a smash.
    
    
    
    Michael
    

    
    
    It has been confirmed that the Dam Park concerts WILL take place
    on the 28th and 29th April. Tickets are 12 quid and will go on sale
    on Sunday 16th at Trash records.
    
    Lindsay

    
    
    I realise it's for a good cause (the Lockerbie dis. to which I've
    already donated), but I can't help feeling �12 is just a bit steep
    - especially for the Dam Park Hall where the accoustics will be
    awfull.
    
    
    
    Michael
    

    
    I agree. Although I really like Deacon Blue and can't imagine them
    playing in Ayr and me missing it , I do tend to wonder if it justifies
    spending 12 quid when I have a ticket to see them at the SECC the
    following Saturday. My question is, it seems a very worthy action
    on the bands behalf to take on a charity gig but are they in fact
    being paid exactly the same as they would for a concert which they
    play as part of their tour. In this case it would seem that the
    charity might be getting the excess on the Ayr tickets i.e. #4 or
    is the difference in price due to venue capacites etc. or indeed
    completely unrelated i.e. price set by the Disaster Fund committee.
    Any ideas or even better does anyone know where the cash goes???
    
    
    Lindsay

    
    
    I heard today that of the �12, �10 was going to Lockerbie and �2
    to the band for expenses etc....
    
    ...then someone else told me �10 was going to the band and �2 to
    Lockerbie...?
    
    
    Michael
    

    
    
    It actually states on the Dam Park tickets that #9 of the #12 price
    will be donated to the Lockerbie appeal.
    
    Lindsay

    
    
    What about a review of the new album, and maybe even a review of
    the Dam Park concert guys?
    
    
    Have a good night at the SECC on Sat, Dougie!
    
    
    Michael
    

The new album is another quality production by Deacon Blue.

It has more punch than the soulful Raintown with slighty more pompous
production aka U2. Still the hallmarks are there of a hard working rock &
roll band producing quality songs.

The album is possibly a little long, 13 tracks, but thankfully they 
have stood by the vinyl lovers of this world and put all 13 on the 
black plastic as well, with no real discernable drop in quality.

I find them the most listenable of the current Mean City Movement, more
variation with a sense of purpose and an obvious commitment to the 
music they make.

I'm an unashamed fan who thought they were great in Dam Park. Acoustics
were marginally better than the Tin Shack in Glasgow. Springsteen like
show with plenty good covers, Like a Rolling stone, Because the night....

If you want to review the show watch the video for Fergus Sings the Blues, 
it was filmed there on the Thursday night.

A band who made it with a good hard celtic attitude, my kinda band.


	Nick.
    

    
    
    For their sake Nick, I hope they don't lose the services of their
    much over-looked keyboard player, Jim Prime.
    
    For me, his paino *is* their sound.
    
    
    
    Michael

    Re. .19 - Nick, I have to disagree with your preference for the
    new album over RAINTOWN.  OK, it's been given the full overblown
    uptempo (mostly) production job, to me it lacks the subtlety of
    say a SPENCER TRACY, or a LOADED.  Don't get me wrong, I don't totally
    dislike it, but I've certainly tired of it quite quickly whereas
    I can still listen to the debut album with regular pleasure (I should
    say albumS, as I was fortunate enough to secure a copy of the RAINTOWN/
    RICHES double album which was issued in the early part of August
    last year).  8-)
    
    As for their live performance at the SECC the other week, again
    I was rather disappointed.  To me, the show lacked continuity, and
    Ricky Ross ranted and raved a few times too often.  Mind you, at
    exactly two and a half hours, it was good value for money, although
    having heard about it being played at Dam Park, I was sorry not
    to have the chance to clock their cover of Springsteen's BECAUSE
    THE NIGHT.  At the same time, they did an excellent version of the
    old Bobbie Gentry classic I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN.  Overall,
    a reasonable concert, but I was expecting so much more - maybe they've
    become too big too quickly.  Time will tell.
    
    Just as an afterthought, I'd like to applaud the band for issuing
    such a wide and varied selection of non-album material on the various
    formats of their single releases :-
    
    REAL GONE KID / LITTLE LINCOLN / BORN AGAIN / IT'S NOT FUNNY ANYMORE
    
    WAGES DAY / TAKE ME TO THE PLACE / TAKE THE SAINTS AWAY / TRAMPOLENE
    
    FERGUS SINGS THE BLUES / LONG WINDOW TO LOVE / LONDON A TO Z / BACK
    HERE IN BEANOLAND
    
    Some of this stuff is plainly not good enough for wider (album)
    release, but on the other hand, TAKE ME TO THE PLACE (sung to the
    tune of ABIDE WITH ME!!) has to be one of the best things they're
    recorded so far.  Also, their radically different version of Julian
    Cope's TRAMPOLENE is well worth a listen.  
    
    BTW, if anyone knows where to locate the REAL GONE KID CD EP, please
    drop me a mail - I've been looking for it for ages, but none of
    the local stores has it (surprise, surprise!).  :-(

    Lastly - a far-out prediction that LOVE AND REGRET or ORPHANS will
    be the next single.  It's about time they released a ballad-type
    single after the recent trio of uptempo hits.
    

    
    
    I watched them in concert on TV on Monday night, and it's confirmed
    what I've always felt about this band;  they are a good solid band who
    write good songs but are spoiled by the fact that they don't have any 
    members who can actually sing live.

    He is hoarse and flat, and she has no discipline whatsoever.
    
    
    To paraphrase the rhetorical question; Can this Ricki sing the blues?

    Frankly, no.
    
    
    Michael
    

    
    
    I also watched the concert on Monday and was sadly disappointed with
    what was on offer. It was difficult to tell how bad the sound really
    was and how much could be attributed to the BBC sound crew, but
    it came over as being dreadfull. Probably more surprising was the
    lack of "drive" in the performance. This was just not what I remembered
    the concert in the SECC being like.
    Maybe I should go home and drink 15 pints of "Murphys" and watch
    the tape again. :-)
    
    cheers
    Lenny

    Yeah, another big thumbs-down from an avid fan.  I can only say
    that I'm glad I say them live before I saw this debacle, or I might
    not have gone!!
    
    OK, the Beeb apologised for 'loss of sound quality' in parts of
    the broadcast, but Michael has a point about the vocal performance
    of both Ricky and Lorraine being somewhat less than easy-on-the-ear.
    I mean they positively *murdered* their 'anthem', DIGNITY.  Maybe
    they should've let the crowd sing it, as they normally do.  ;-)
        
    Also, I felt that there was a distinct lack of stage presence about
    the whole band - everyone just standing around doing their own wee
    bit, save for the odd bit of bopping from either of the two vocalists.
    
    Yes, Lindsay - it wasn't as I recalled the SECC gig either!

    Picture this
    
    	2 weeks in Boston and you're not quite sure what to do.
    
    Suddenly the words on the street
    
    	"..great new Scottish band playing The Paradise on Commonwealth.."
    
    Thats all the encouragement I need.
    
    Rumble into to my local record store and guess what, they are giving
    the tickets away free and I got the last 2. I pinch myself again, I
    mean Deacon Blue are bigger than U2 in most parts of Coylton.
    
    Excitement hits fever pitch, a chance to see the band who could blow
    any "stadium" band currently doing the rounds out of the water, in a
    small, intimate East Boston Club.
    
    Pull up in my white Chevvy, it gets worse doesent it, to find the
    concert is cancelled due to illness, a likely story, you've let me down
    Ricky.
    
    I will just have to wait a while longer for them to redeem themselves after
    Sounds of Eden.
    
    A very sick, Nick.

    The show that Nick missed has been rescheduled for Nov 3.
    
    Should I go?  "Sprinsteen like show"? Dougie loved 'em live, but
    they got a hearty thumbs-down for a TV appearance... what's the
    recommendation??  

    Go for it, Sue!  I don't think you'll be disappointed, but as far
    as the parallel drawn with Broooce is concerned, don't expect a
    dynamic stage show!

    "Ireland" !!!
    
    If you speak English and you are not American you must be Irish, that's
    Boston thinking for you.
    
    I have got no hesitation about seeing them again, excellent live band.
    
    I have seen some good TV concerts of Deacon Blue live. Dont let one bad
    performance put you off, none of the bands featured on that concert
    sounded very good to me.
    
    So it's an emphatic, GO !
    
    Nick

    
    I saw Deacon Blue on a TV concert series fairly recently and thought
    they were decidely average. Now, Hue & Cry on the other hand looked
    and sounded great!
    
    Mark

    FWIW I've seen Deacon Blue live twice and I thought they were 
    excellent on both occasions. I didn't see the concert on TV that
    has been referred to in this note but from my experience it is
    advisable never to judge a concert from how it appears on the box.
    Go and see them and then judge.
    

    
    Well, I saw (and heard) Deacon Blue in concert for my first time
    last night and all I can say is just BRILLIANT !  They kicked off
    their Christmas tour in the Point Theatre, Dublin, Rep. of Ireland,
    last night and I have to say it definitely was the concert I've
    been to yet.  
    
    The group came on stage at about 8.20pm, stayed on for an hour and
    after an half hour break, came back for another one and a half hours
    of none stop brilliance.
    
    I had heard some funny stories about them in concert before, but
    this Doubting Thomas is no longer, seeing and hearing is believing.
    Can't wait for them to come back to Ireland.
    
    -Gary.

>>>                             -< Just BRILLIANT ! >-


Gary,
	you piece of slime!  I disagree!  They weren't "just brilliant", they
were a helluva lot better than that!  :-) Superb concert.  Good rapport with
audience (and quite a nice audience it was too) & great sound.  Everyone
danced, sang along (and yes, at times we were even encouraged to) & generally
went wild.  I think it surprised them.  I won't spoil the fun for all of ye by
telling ya what happened.  Go see them!  I'd love to see the last gig of the
tour in Glasgow, but... 

	On the whole, rather an enjoyable evening :-)

-Brian.


P.S.  You're not really a piece of slime (Thanks for the lift home.  130 miles
in 2 hours!  Whew!  I'm glad I had the bicycle clips :-)

    >32.
    
    I went to the concert in the SECC Glasgow,not my first Deacon concert
    and certainly not my last!!!  With it being their "Home Town" the crowd
    and the band just went wild. The show lasted 3hrs and it was also
    getting filmed for a tour video. Watch out for it,you wont get the same
    atmosphere as you would live but you'll get something close.
    
                     .........PURE DEAD BRILLIANT.........
    
                                      Steve.

    
    
    
    Did they do any new material, Steve - ie is there an album in the
    pipeline?
    
    
    
    Michael
    

    Well, after more than a year of silence in this topic, I thought I'd
    just stop in long enough to ask for any opinions/reviews of the new
    "Fellow Hoodlums" album.
    
    I bought it shortly after its release a couple of weeks back (yes, even
    after the largely poor reviews in the music press!), and so far I can
    best sum it up by saying, or asking ... why is Ricky Ross such a
    friggin' prat?!?  The typically_Deacon_Blue melodies are still there,
    but the lyrics are so over-the-top it's unreal.  Who knows, maybe he's
    working for the Glasgow Tourist Board on the side or something, 'cos 
    there are umpteen mentions of streets and places in and around Glasgow 
    (e.g. Kelvin Way, St. Enoch's, Hampden, Buchanan St., etc.).  Here's one
    example, taken from the title track :-
    
    "I'm goin' up Buchanan Street,
     With a box of fireworks,
     And two bottles of 'Tizer'"
    
    I mean, get real, man!  What the h*ll is he going on about?!?
    
    To follow on from the minor-hit status achieved by "Your Swaying Arms",
    there is nothing like a "Real Gone Kid" or a "Fergus Sings The Blues"
    to potentially gee up album sales.  However, my prediction for the next
    single would be "Twist And Shout" (no, it's not the old Isley Bros./   
    Beatles number) - "Pale girl, in a blue moon, with a pink dress and a 
    wide smile".  Very catchy.
    
    In summary, I'd that I definately prefer it over "When The World Knows
    Your Name", but they'll have to go a long way now to emulate the
    still_superb "Raintown" debut.
    
    - Dougie

    
    
    You're right, Doug - he's a first class prat.   I read something in
    the Sunday Mail a few weeks back were he says Deacon Blue are not
    going to play any big stadia gigs on the forthcoming tour, as....
    
    "These songs are too personal to play in places where horses jump or
    goals are scored"    Well that must mean Parkhead's still on the
    cards!!
    
    He's totally flipped.
    
    
    Michael
    

    Hi there,
    
    Just to see if there are still people reading this Deacon Blue notes, 
    I wanted to ask if anyone has bought the new album?
    
    I think it's called "Whatever you say, say nothing"
    
    So let me know what you think of it, so I can buy it.
    
    Mark

I bought the new album after hearing the single, what's the name, Your House, or
something like that.  Well, I must have heard a remix because the version on the
radio (WBUR Providence RI) was great but the album version not as good.  I
couldn't make it all the way through the album as it's bland and has Corporate
Rock Formula written all over it.

Paul

    So it's nothing like the good old albums?
    
    I especially liked the Raintown album.
    So you think it's not worth buying?
    
    BTW. It's Your Town, not Your House.
    The 'new' single here was 'Will we be lovers', liked it a bit.
    
    Mark
    

I have not heard of any previous Deacon Blue albums.  All I can say is I don't
like this one.  What were the old ones like?

Paul

    Well, Do you know their first single ?
    It's called Dignity.
    
    Back in those days the music was less commercial.
    Now the music is more pointed to crowdpleasers, I think.
    They have had 3 previous albums :
    Raintown
    When the world knows your name 
    Fellow Hoodlums
    
    The last one was already a bit more commercial than the other ones, but
    I bought it anyway. But I'm not sure about this one.
    I think I'll listen to it first.
    
    Mark