Whoah! What a lot of catching up there has been to do, and still to do, after the Unconvention. As you can see from the Home page I have finally listed some of the CDs that have been in a holding pattern in the office for a while - each one a gem in it's own unique way. So much different music, and there are at least another 10 things to get in the bazaar over the coming weeks.
We are struggling away with back-log and Christmas orders, sorry if you have experienced any kind of delay. We're doing our best and trying to turn orders around as quick as possible while also chipping away at any orders that got hung up in the last few difficult weeks before and after the Uncon.
I have so many lovely emails and messages about the Uncon that I want to post, and will I do just as soon as I can. It seems as if it really was a life changing experience for so many - totally unlike any other concert I can think of. The number of people who have said these exact words to me, "that was the most incredible musical experience of my life", is getting spooky.
Harry Williamson and Gilli have been working away in Australia mixing, editing and compiling the video footage and multitrack recordings for future (actually sooner than you think) release. But more on all that later.
Steve Hillage remasters - release dates
Steve approved the audio and paperwork masters of the first four in the Steve Hillage Band re-mastered re-issue series about a week ago. The official release date for 'Fish Rising', 'L', 'Motivation Radio' and 'Rainbow Dome Music' is Monday 15th Jan - forget any other dates you may have seen elsewhere. The links above will take you to the bazaar pages where you can find out some more basic info on these releases and their bonus tracks.
If all goes to schedule the second four re-mastered CDs have been given a release date of Monday 18th Feb.
Uncon Afterglow
"Why don't you try…come on you can try…" well we did…what do we discover? You are I and I am you…
Adored the Unconvention - a very odd, yet positively life-changing experience! Many thanks to all involved. Alistair
Many many thanks, love and hugs for what you people did those 3 amazing days in The Melkweg … ! Martin
Must say i was buzzing on the whole event, it was as much an inspiration as gong were to me when i was a teenager, and an honour to be a part of it . loved it! cheers Graham
Jonny, gang…that weekend was f****g HISTORY man! I need to do it again ASAP! Acid Mothers Gong was a fricking landmark in live shows. A right bang on of the Freenoise ethos and you are my hero promoter I can't wait to see the film. I was almost over-fried by Sunday's best ever Gong show. - moodi
What a marvelous happening and what a fantastic job you did to put the gig together! Wooly hats off to you mate. All the very best to you. Roger
I feel so lucky and privileged to have been there! Thanks a million! That was the greatest weekend of music I've ever experienced in my life! Lots of love and thanks! Rick
Gong Unconvention Update
Oh my Gawd! What was that? All the tales, photos, sound even - as soon as I've tied all the loose ends into a nice big bow. An event of future myth.
Gong Unconvention Update
01.11 - ONLINE TICKETS SALES CLOSED The only place you can now but tickets is direct from the Melkweg and it's ticket outlets. There may be some day tickets available on the door each day.
28.10 - LAST CALL Tickets can be ordered and paid for through this site up until midnight on Tuesday 31st October - Halloween. They will not be posted out. They will be left for collection at the Melkweg box-office from 12.00pm onwards Friday 3rd, in the buyer's name and using the booking reference number you will be emailed.
Mini LP CDs Hillage / Sphynx / Pierre Moerlen's Gong
New forthcoming Japanese mini LP CDs of interest are 'Downwind', Time is the Key', 'Live' and 'Leave it Open' by Pierre Moerlen's Gong, which are released in Japan on 25th October; Nik Turner's Sphynix 'Xitintoday', released on 23rd November, and Steve Hillage's 'Fish Rising', 'L', 'Motivation Radio' and 'Rainbow Dome Music' released in Japan on 27th Dec. The Steve CDs will be the remastered and bonus tracked versions, the regular version UK release of which has been put back to early in the new year.
Gong Unconvention Update
28.9 - The very best of news! All remaining doubts about Tim Blake being able to appear at the Unconvention because of his court case are now gone - he will most definitely be there with J.P. Rykiel and of course with the THE Gong band.
08.9 - Funktion-One is bringing in a full-on 'Resolution' system to demo in the Max at the Melkweg over the week including the UnCon. We (Gong, Steve Hillage, David Id) go way back with these folks! This is widely regarded as the best, most 'transparent' live sound reinforcement system on the planet, so there is every chance of this being far and away the best Gong sound of all time. Many thanks!
If you are of a audio-technical bent you won't need telling just what fantastically good that news is (and that it will include the 'Ambisonic' surround-sound system), if you aren't, no matter, just know that your ears are in for some seriously good sound. Funktion‑One
More Gong Unconvention Updates
28.9 - The very best of news! All remaining doubts about Tim Blake being able to appear at the Unconvention because of his court case are now gone - he will most definitely be there with J.P. Rykiel and of course with the THE Gong band.
08.9 - Funktion-One is bringing in a full-on 'Resolution' system to demo in the Max at the Melkweg over the week including the UnCon. We (Gong, Steve Hillage, David Id) go way back with these folks! This is widely regarded as the best, most 'transparent' live sound reinforcement system on the planet, so there is every chance of this being far and away the best Gong sound of all time. Many thanks!
If you are of a audio-technical bent you won't need telling just what fantastically good that news is (and that it will include the 'Ambisonic' surround-sound system), if you aren't, no matter, just know that your ears are in for some seriously good sound.
03.9 - It's now exactly 2 months till the first day of the Unconvention. The family's eyes and efforts are now all focused, the tickets continue to flow out around the world, expiry dates of passports are being checked, the time to take care of the details has been reached - there has never been a Gong event so carefully planned.
30.8 - Our plans to celebrate Pierre Moerlen at the Unconvention are now sadly being expanded. We will be gathering the Gong musicians Pip played with (Camembert Gong, Gongmaison, early/mid 90's Gong) together sometime during the event to sound Pip on his way.
12.8 - Planning and discussing rehearsals seem to have been uppermost of late as we move through August. Master planner Steve Hillage has the task of dove-tailing the Gong and Steve Hillage Band musicians into 10 days of rehearsals, quite a jigsawing act what with everyone's busy schedules.
28.7 - A deep and frivolous, or deeply frivolous meeting was held with Steve and Miquette on the Maya Calender's 'day out of time' (look it up it's interesting) chez Greene, where all manner of expanded Gong Unconvention dreams 'n' schemes were scattered to the breeze to take root and grow. We'll see what has flowered come November. And I've nearly added all the attendees? Ungongsters? booked up so far to the 'Line-up' pages. Are you there? Are you there and you don't know how you got there? Spread the word - there's a planet coming.
05.7 - We are planning to have some very rare, unseen films of Gong, daevid, etc showing in a corner of the the 'Old - "phew a chill out space" - Hall'. There is some amazing, quality footage from way back which will simply blow your socks off - if you are wearing any that is.
19.5 - Just over a quarter of tickets have now gone, but we would still love (and need) your help to bring the whole event into being. If you want to help you can download, print out and display a poster for your favourite pub, record shop, scout hut, café, indian take-away or anywhere else that will allow.
15.5 - The artists list and ticket sales reveal that so far people from at least 17 different countries will be participating in the Unconvention. I wonder how many will be represented in the end?
14.5 - We are delighted to announce two recent additions to the Unconvention melting pot. All the way from Australia Harry Williamson, Mothergong's co-pilot for so many years. And it looks as if a certain Monsieur Venux de Luxe will be bringing his incomparable Gong experience and undoubtedly still green pointy ears to the gathering.
Mother Gong Norwegian Tour Cancelled
Regretfully the Mother Gong tour in Norway has been postponed until next year due to the delays caused by the illness and hospitalisation of the promoter there. Mother Gong will still be playing their UK dates at the Fawcett, Southsea, near Portsmouth, on the 12th October, at Collingford Lake Park on the 14th October, and at the Keay Theatre in St Austell on the 15th. Other gigs in that part of the world, around these dates, to be confirmed.
dAEVID'S BMO CDs 7,11,12,13
I cannot fault the last 4 BMO CDs (Nos. 7, 11, 12 & 13) which have been released in the past month, each one is magnificent in it's own right, and in so many completely different ways. As evidenced by these releases I can't think of another musician who's range is a broad as daevid's. Every one of these last 4 BMO CDs could have easily stood alone as complete 'main-frame' release without fear. There is actually something a bit strange that they are kind of buried in the BMO series and may not get the attention they truly merit. Pick any one of them.
BMO12, 'Glissando Grooves' is fantastic and unlike any other daevid gliss CD yet released, except perhaps elements of '22 Meanings'. The Magick Brothers, BMO7, beautifully captures the best of that band live with both Mark Robson and Graham Clark's guitar and violin work outstanding. BMOs 12 & 13, which both come from the West Coast (the cliché is true, there was no further the adventerous people could go), are a melage of totally absorbing sounds, music, words - both are wonderfully effecting collages and very unique. All four are in heavy rotation on the office stereo.
Pip's Funeral
Pip's funeral will take place in Essex on 19th September at 12.00 pm.
Pip Pyle 1950-2006
Terribly sad news, Pip Pyle died in a Paris hotel at 2.00am on the morning of 28th August. He had stopped off while returning from a Hatfield and the North gig in the Netherlands by train.
We all loved Pip, everybody did. A big spirit, a big heart and a big musician. No-one who ever toured with him or counted him among their friends will ever forget the sheer joie de vivre with which he launched himself at life, and which so often sucked you along as well, I know they will all be devastated. As one of the Gongmaison musicians told me through the tears when I broke the news to him, "I had some of the best times of my life with Pip." He was at the centre and the heartbeat of so many bands and worked with so many musicians, it's like some mighty oak has fallen.
Although Pip's appearance at the Unconvention was never formalised between us (I kept putting off speaking to him because we didn't have the budget to do justice to what the Hatfields deserve), a Gong gathering without him being there was absolutely inconceivable. He was the outstanding mainstay of the 25th Birthday Party concerts in 1994, playing with nearly every band, hours of top-class drumming each day. No doubt, knowing the stature and nature of the man, he would have become central to the Melkweg event as well. Like all of us Pip had some real up and downs in his life, the past few years had seen joy of the birth of a new son and the difficulty of a very serious major back operation, but throughout it all he remained just Pip, a great musician to his fingertips, always straight with you and always genuinely a brother. It is impossible to overstate just how much he will be missed. Love to all he leaves behind.
Tributes are being posted in the Forum in the Planet Gong section, that was mine. Jonny
Calyx - Great Pip biography in the musicians pages. The Independant newspaper carried an almost full page obituary of Pip on Thursday 31st Aug which you can still read on-line.
An assortment of Gong tour stickers, some incredibly old, were sent to adorn Pip's coffin. I sent them on behalf of all who loved the man and his music. His funeral took place on 19th September in Essex, stickers and all.
Steve Hillage re-masters - more
Steve's solo albums from the 70's in re-mastered, bonus-tracked and expanded booklet form will be released in the new year. And the best news is that it's all being done with his blessing and hands-on input.
A couple of old 1/4" tapes of Steve Hillage material to be considered as bonus tracks were sent off to Virgin the other week. They ended up with GAS via David Id, who had stored them in his mum's attic for 25 years. Steve didn't know, or had forgotten about them as they were trying to source the tracks from a very old and slightly mangled cassette - yikes!.
One tape, my favourite, is known in Gongland as the 'power trio' version of 'Fish Risng', and contains wonderfully, powerful raw backing tracks of that album played by just Steve, Mike and Pierre and perhaps a wee bit of Dave Stewart. Mike Howlett tells a story, probably apocryphal, of them hearing the finished mixes of 'Fish Rising' while tripping, Steve deciding it was all way too powerful for people to take, so he went back in the studio and eased it all back a bit to create the album we know nowadays. I don't know if that's true or not, but these rough mixes may be some of evidence that it possibly is.
The tape box was labelled 'Manor Sept. '74 Rough Mix' and the tracks written on the box, are 'Pentagramme S.B.', 'Salmon Song', 'Aftaglid' 'I.L.I.H.M' (I Love It's Holy Mystery), and 'Beginning To See The Light'. The tracks have no overdubs, vocals or other instruments, but they often make the hair on the back of your neck stand up with their energy. 'Pentagramme S.B. is obviously 'Pentagrammaspin' released on the Virgin 'V' sampler and the unreleased 'Beginning To See The Light' is a great riff in search of a home, or a solo, or something. For a real devotee (thee 'n' me?) it is a pity that all these tracks probably won't be released, perhaps one day we can organise downloads or something of those that don't make the cut?
The second tape, also dated 'Manor Sept. '74 Rough Mix', contains, 'Hole in the Sky', which I presume became 'Light in the Sky', 'Dither Blues', which became 'Don't Dither Do It' and 'Electric Gypsy'. I don't remember actually getting round to hearing this tape ever, perhaps it was a 'squeaker' and in need of baking to rescue it, so we didn't play it. One question that comes to mind is if the date on the tape box is correct then some of the tracks, or at least the ideas were around years before they saw the light of day in released form.
After a little initial reluctance Steve is quite taken with this whole project and has quite a few bonus track ideas and surprises which I won't spoil by revealing now - but I know you're going to enjoy it all.
Pip Pyle 1950-2006
Terribly sad news, Pip Pyle died in a Paris hotel at 2.00am on the morning of 28th August. He had stopped off while returning from a Hatfield & the North gig in the Netherlands by train.
We all loved Pip, everybody did. A big spirit, a big heart and a big musician. No-one who ever toured with him or counted him among their friends will ever forget the sheer joie de vivre with which he launched himself at life, and which so often sucked you along as well, I know they will all be devastated. As one of the Gongmaison musicians told me through the tears when I broke the news to him, "I had some of the best times of my life with Pip." He was at the centre and the heartbeat of so many bands and worked with so many musicians, it's like some mighty oak has fallen.
Although Pip's appearance at the Unconvention was never formalised between us (I kept putting off speaking to him because we didn't have the budget to do justice to what the Hatfields deserve), a Gong gathering without him being there was absolutely inconceivable. He was the outstanding mainstay of the 25th Birthday Party concerts in 1994, playing with nearly every band, hours of top-class drumming each day. No doubt, knowing the stature and nature of the man, he would have become central to the Melkweg event as well. Like all of us Pip had some real up and downs in his life, the past few years had seen joy of the birth of his son and the difficulty of a very serious major back operation, but throughout it all he remained just Pip, a great musician to his fingertips, always straight with you and always genuinely a brother. It is impossible to overstate just how much he will be missed. Love to all he leaves behind.
Tributes are being posted in the Forum in the Planet Gong section, that was mine. Jonny
The Independant newspaper carried an almost full page obituary of Pip on Thursday 31st Aug.
Classic FM an American internet radio station will re-air a 2005 Gene Godfery interview with Pip tonight, Friday 1st Sep.
"AHH PIP" - daevid
"Ahhh Pip! Yes our old mate came back to Paris from a top gig & died in a girl's arms. A heroic way to go but please…. better not to go just yet! He was a totally original drum warrior & golden jester, very much loved by all of us. His contribution to the Gong band & so many of my projects was without parallel. I loved him like the true brother he was. His unfinished music & inspiring physical courage, honesty & outrageous escapades will be HUGELY missed. I'm still laughing at those mad moments through the tears. Feeling deeply particularly for old pal Pam & son Sam & for all his familiars & allies. We all send him huge THANKS!!!" - daevid
Pip Pyle 1950-2006
I have just had some terribly sad news, Pip Pyle died last night in a Paris hotel. He had stopped off there while returning from a Hatfield & the North gig in Amsterdam by train. We all loved Pip, everybody did. A big spirit, a big heart and a big musician. No-one who ever toured with him or counted him among their friends will ever forget the sheer joie de vivre with which he launched himself at life, and which so often sucked you along as well, I know they will all be devestated. As one of the Gongmaison musicians told me through the tears when I broke the news to him, "I had some of the best times of my life with Pip." He was at the centre and the heartbeat of so many bands and worked with so many musicians it's like some mighty oak has fallen. Love to all he leaves behind.
Top Ten Gong CDs?
'Mojo' is devoting their regular 'Now To Buy' piece to Gong in the November issue (on the streets Oct 4th). This requires choosing 10 currently available Gong CDs and putting them in a 1-10 order. What would you choose? There is a thread in the Forum, in the 'Gigs and Reviews' section should you care to add your selection. The 'Mojo' article also includes 'One to Avoid', so what's the worst Gong CD?
dAEVID'S Rhizomaze Drawing
(note: the lost original website has been faithfully reconstructed here - the links below point to the wayback machine at archive.org)
If you follow the witchy-poo symbol you get the not-an-essay as originally printed - when you get to the Rhizomaze, (which daevid said he has put on his website as an example of his work), click the witchy-poo again for the lead into the main body of the essay.
I did, in fact, design the map and its pathways, and choose the fonts for the different characters and movements - daevid merely (but surely) did the illustrations and altered the "surrealism" font, for which I am grateful, as it adds to the overall effect.
Apart from the witchy links, there is an embryonic section on Futurism, and an essay I did on the Internet back in 2001 (which I'm still proud of) under Appendix B.
Cheers, and hope you enjoy the read - Andrea.
Gong Unconvention Update
12.8 - Planning & discussing rehearsals seem to have been uppermost of late as we move through August. Master planner Steve Hillage has the task of dove-tailing the Gong & Steve Hillage Band musicians into 10 days of rehearsals, quite a jigsawing act what with everyone's busy schedules.
28.7 - A deep and frivolous, or deeply frivolous meeting was held with Steve and Miquette on the Maya Calender's 'day out of time' (look it up it's interesting) chez Greene, where all manner of expanded Gong Unconvention dreams 'n' schemes were scattered to the breeze to take root and grow. We'll see what has flowered come November. And I've nearly added all the attendees? Ungongsters? booked up so far to the 'Line-up' pages. Are you there? Are you there and you don't know how you got there? Spread the word - there's a planet coming.
05.7 - We are planning to have some very rare, unseen films of Gong, Daevid, etc showing in a corner of the the 'Old - "phew a chill out space" - Hall'. There is some amazing, quality footage from way back which will simply blow your socks off - if you are wearing any that is.
19.6 - Very cheap flights are still happening with BMI - www.bmi.baby.com and all the other budget airlines. Check wit your local airport. The smaller the airport the cheaper it is.
Moonweed Rising, Part 1 : The Gigs/The CDS
posterFor the first time since 1979 Tim Blake & J-P Rykiel are playing together at just two UK gigs Exeter Sat 2nd Sept / Skegness Sat 9th Sept.
Tim's set at the Eastern Haze Festival revealed he's on top form, add Jean-Philippe to the mix and the forthcoming gigs will be something special. If you can't make it to the Unconvention in in November, even if you can, the UK gigs are manna from heaven.
'Blakes's New Jerusalem', & 'Caldea II' are now only available from Tim direct, using Paypal, all other supplies are exhausted.
In times of trouble and travelling naked (even with a small see-through plastic bag), as always there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Every day can be the day of the Favourite. And whether or not you choose to embrace the concept that if we all quietly become our own 'favourite' things will transform, you can still do your bit for another favourite.
In the Gong panoply of archetypes Hi-T Moonweed (the favourite) has been determindly struggling along with the 'catastrophic stone' until very recently - time to lighten the load. The end is in sight, the tide has turned and the music is flowing - Go see him at one of the gigs, and if you can't do that, wear the badge with pride.
Gong Aid:- Gong Mandala Enamel Badge
What Are The Top Ten Gong CDs?
'Mojo' is devoting their regular 'Now To Buy' piece to Gong in the November issue. This requires choosing 10 currently available Gong CDs and putting them in a 1-10 order. What would you choose? There is a thread in the Forum, in the 'Gigs and Reviews' section should you care to add your selection. The 'Mojo' article also includes 'One to Avoid', so what's the worst Gong CD?
New Daevid Allen Film
'Arrest Me' short film of a daevid poem by Stefanie Petrik with music by Josh Pollock and Das has been added to his website. There are now four films to view, download, absorb, ridicule, ponder upon and enjoy.
Hadouk's Utopies mp3 samples
Luc Pilmeyer has added some animated mp3 samples of the fantastic new Hadouk CD 'Utopies' to Didier's site.
There are three in total, all great stuff and the last featuring Jon Hassell.
Apparently it's selling like hot cakes in France, has had loads of radio play, was made FNAC's world music No.1 CD and is nearing sales of 10,000!
New Bananamoon Obscura CDs due
Two more of daevid's intriguing and rewarding BMO CDs were due for release on 24th July - I'm afraid they have been delayed and should now be in stock from mid August; 12 and 13 are scheduled for release in September.
BMOCD07 - daevid & DAS 'The Mystery Disque'
BMOCD11 - The Magick Brothers 'Live in Glastonbury Town'
Obsolete CDs
As the good Captain once sang, "…there's a limited supply and we're down to the dozens…". Well now we have a couple of dozen 'Obsolete' CDs. Out of a clear blue sky this morning came pink CDs, months and months after ordering them, in fact I'd forgotten all about them it's been so long. Housed in smart didgi-paks Dashiel Hedayat's 1971 album, 'Obsolete', with music by Gong recorded by the 'Camembert' line-up and just before that album, is a wonderful and vital part of Gong's recorded history, a psychedelic gem. I just wonder how easy it is going to be to maintain a supply chain given these copies have taken so long to appear? Obsolete - Dashiell Hedayat.
daevid allen on Syd Vicious
His solo stuff was for me some of the most emotionally touching and psychologically observant writing ever in the music world…. Barrett burned short and hard like a phosphorescent SOS flare that left an enduring/endearing imprint on us all. At the Ally Pally gig in 1966 he unwittingly taught me the invaluable skill of glissando guitar & then the myth took over. As a creative force he died in the late sixties yet his youthful image became a lightshow thrown over the shadow of his lifelong mental illness. Lets hope his wish to be left alone is now fulfilled. I wish him peace on the other side of the sky.
A version of this story told by daevid is in the latest issue of Mojo magazine (September 2006) along with stories/tributes from Dave Brock, Captain Sensible, and many others.
Curiouser And Curiouser - Far East Teapot Cult
Thanks to Basil Brooks for this odd bit of BBC World News. And I thought we were the only Teapot cult.
daevid allen &Amp; Gilli Smyth - Autumn Dates
Thanks to the Gong Unconvention in November a series of daevid gigs with the Brainville 3 (daevid, Hugh Hopper, Chris Cutler), the University of Errors, the Acid Mothers Temple and some solo gigs, as well as some Mothergong UK gigs with Gilli Smyth are several huge steps towards being fully realised in October and November. They are happening in the UK (1) Japan, Israel, France and in NYC & SFO. All the known details in Gigs.
Original daevid allen artwork for sale
For the first time ever daevid is offering some original poster and CD artwork for sale. They are all ink on A4 cartridge paper and represent a deeply rare chance to own an ultimate piece of Gong history, should you desire such a thing.
When daevid met Terry
Last weekend daevid travelled up Brisbane to meet up with old friend Terry Riley who was performing 'In C' with a host of musicians at some high-class artistic bash. An accordingly fine old time was had by all, plans laid to record together (now booked in for mid-in Nov on daevid's way home from the Gong Uncon) in the future and intriguing ideas gleaned perhaps to be put in place at the Gong Unconvention by the Glissando Ensemble. For anyone struggling to keep up daevid and Terry first met in 1960 while earning a crust selling The International Herald Tribune in Paris.
daevid / Soft Machine films at free festival
The very wonderful Portobello Film Festival, which is all about new independent films (500 of them!) and a lot more besides, and is run by long-time Gong & Here & Now amigo Jonathan Barnett, features some very rare footage of the Soft Machine and a brand new short film by daevid and Australian film-maker Stefanie Petrik called 'Conscience Strike'.
The film is completely different from the webpoem version on daevid's website which, as we hopefully know, is just a straight reading of the poem. This is a full production number with (so I'm told) the smashing of many teapots and the like. And of course the soundtrack, which was especially constructed for the film, is also totally different to the webpoem version.
These films are part of an evening dedicated to the late artist and legendary light show originator, Mark Boyle (who sadly died last year) and The London Free School. Further details are in the Gig section.
That may be the cherry as far Gongsters go but there are also large array of what look like deeply interesting events, films and evenings on offer during the Festival, which runs from 3rd-22nd August - and I think it's all free! Inculded on the bill are Rob Newman, Ken Campbell, Film-makers Against The War, Nik's Space Ritual and loads more. Have a look at their website for more info, and their their 'Portobello Counter Culture Guide', an interesting little diversion in itself.
daevid 'n' Syd
Legend has it that daevid allen was inspired to develop the glissando guitar technique, so beloved and central to the sound of Gong, after seeing Syd Vicious apply a similar approach to the guitar at an early Pink Floyd gig. Thereafter daevid attached a picture of Syd to the front of his amp in homage till it fell off…or so the story goes.
Our man on the spot way back then, stepping deftly around the 'icon' to see the man he knew, says, "Syd was around for about a year and a half, then he was out of his box. I think he may have 'died' in about 1968."
Too close perhaps, too much of real a person back then for daevid? For me, and many others Syd Barrett was totally unique and inspirational, an archetype even. And though it is over 30 years since his last public creativity it is always sad when your one of your main men checks out and the world feels a little emptier. Go well.
Steve Hillage remasters - more
Steve's solo albums from the 70's are scheduled for release in remastered, bonus-tracked and expanded booklet form this Autumn. They are to be released in chronological order, 4 in October and 4 in November. And the best news is that it's all being done with his blessing and hands-on input.
A couple of old 1/4" tapes of Steve Hillage material to be considered as bonus tracks were sent off to Virgin the other week. They ended up with GAS via David Id, who had stored them in his mum's attic for 25 years. Steve didn't know, or had forgotten about them as they were trying to source the tracks from a very old and slightly mangled cassette - yikes!.
One tape, my favourite, is known in Gongland as the 'power trio' version of 'Fish Risng', and contains wonderfully, powerful raw backing tracks of that album played by just Steve, Mike and Pierre and perhaps a wee bit of Dave Stewart. Mike Howlett tells a story, probably apocryphal, of them hearing the finished mixes of 'Fish Rising' while tripping, Steve deciding it was all way too powerful for people to take, so he went back in the studio and eased it all back a bit to create the album we know nowadays. I don't know if that's true or not, but these rough mixes may be some of evidence that it possibly is.
The tape box was labelled 'Manor Sept. '74 Rough Mix' and the tracks written on the box, are 'Pentagramme S.B.', 'Salmon Song', 'Aftaglid' 'I.L.I.H.M' (I Love It's Holy Mystery), and 'Beginning To See The Light'. The tracks have no overdubs, vocals or other instruments, but they often make the hair on the back of your neck stand up with their energy. 'Pentagramme S.B. is obviously 'Pentagrammaspin' released on the Virgin 'V' sampler and the unreleased 'Beginning To See The Light' is a great riff in search of a home, or a solo, or something. For a real devotee (thee 'n' me?) it is a pity that all these tracks probably won't be released, perhaps one day we can organise downloads or somethiong of those that don't make the cut?
The second tape, also dated 'Manor Sept. '74 Rough Mix', contains, 'Hole in the Sky', which I presume became 'Light in the Sky', 'Dither Blues', which became 'Don't Dither Do It' and 'Electric Gypsy'. I don't remember actually getting round to hearing this tape ever, perhaps it was a 'squeaker' and in need of baking to rescue it, so we didn't play it. One question that comes to mind is if the date on the tape box is correct then some of the tracks, or at least the ideas were around years before they saw the light of day in released form.
After a little of initial reluctance Steve is quite taken with this whole project and has quite a few bonus track ideas and surprises which I won't spoil by revealing now - but I know you're going to enjoy it all.
Gong Unconvention update
22.6 - Sorry if you are still waiting for your ticket confirmation and booking reference number email, we are struggling to keep with the demand for tickets.
19.6 - FREE FLIGHTS TO AMSTERDAM! Apparently the 'free' flights are still happening with BMI (see below for link), but they don't go from London, Bristol, Manchester etc, just smaller airports like Cardiff, Nottingham…
15.6 - FREE FLIGHTS TO AMSTERDAM! Right now (Thursday 15th), it is possible to get free return flights to Amsterdam for 3rd-6th November from British Midland, certainly from Birmingham, Nottingham, I've not checked other airports such as Gatwick. There will of course be airport tax to pay. BMI's website is www.bmi.baby.com. Maybe it works from other UK airports as well.
14.6 - Perhaps the only Unconvention advert, the only one we have planned at present, appears in the new issue of Festival Eye, along with a few words on the event.
19.5 - Just over a quarter of tickets have now gone, but we would still love (and need) your help to bring the whole event into being. If you want to help you can download, print out and display an A4 Poster for the Unconvention in your favourite pub, record shop, scout hut, café, indian take-away or lamp-post.
15.5 - The artists list and ticket sales reveal that so far people from at least 17 different countries will be participating in the Unconvention. I wonder how many will be represented in the end?
14.5 - We are delighted to announce two recent additions to the Unconvention melting pot. All the way from Australia Harry Williamson, Mothergong's co-pilot for so many years. And it looks as if a certain Monsieur Venux de Luxe will be bringing his incomparable Gong experience and undoubtedly still green pointy ears to the gathering.
The Recovering Website
Due to a somewhat chaotic host server move by our local provider, several aspects of the website have been down for a few days, mainly scripty bits. So, the forum isn't happening right now (yes withdrawal symptoms are setting in), and we are missing large images. Sorry about all that. We are of course rebuilding and reconnecting as fast as we can and hopefully all the old features will be back in place very soon. It's getting better everyday, at least now we can now update, and the bazaar is fully functioning.
Festival Eye + CD
Festival Eye magazine, THE complete source listing of all this year's UK festivals (plus some very good articles) should be in the shops from Wed 14th June. Attatched to the cover this year is a free CD which features a track from a host of festi bands including Tim Hall with 'Invisible Opera'. In you can't find a copy of the mag in your local newsagents (and you should as they have a new distribution deal) you can order it direct online.
Facelift Lives!
After a gap of almost 7 years, Phil Howitt's excellent and much missed 'Canterbury and Beyond' magazine has resurfaced on the net. You can have a look at the contents of the various issues as well as order back copies. It was always a joy to receive a copy of Facelift, packed as it was with interesting interviews, reviews and views on all things Canterbury. I can totally recommend it. As there are already quite a few things from the Facelift archives on the site such as a good 1998 Didier Interview on Facelift. Perhaps we are seeing the birth of a vital new Canterbury site? I do hope so.
Dear Pierre
Today it's one year since Pierre Moerlen left us so I feel it is now time to take down the direct links to the tributes that poured in the days and weeks following his passing. The tributes will still be accessible in the archive section.
I like to think that perhaps, if tis the right path, 'he' may already with us once more, and that somewhere say in South America there is a very small baby girl(?) waving her hands in an as yet un-noticed remarkably rhythmic way - just a little memory of something mastered last time round before onto something new this time. Maybe, maybe not? Ciao Pierre. Pierre's web-site
Gong Unconvention Tickets
Undoubtedly the most amazing Gong Family event ever - I can't actually believe the musicians that will gather together in November. Have a look at the Line Up. Tickets are only available from GAS or via the Melkweg's website and their ticket outlets in the Netherlands, no-where else.
Get your Gong Unconvention Tickets
Please note the shopping cart system adds a delivery charge and VAT and you end up with a higher total. However, don't worry only £99.00 per ticket will be debited from your card.
CDs due in May
CD Spirits Burning - Found in Nature New Don Falcone production with heavy daevid involvment. Tracking down supplies.
2CD Tooth - Mudlarking Daevid guests. Available to pre-order - apparently they are somewhere between Oz & here.
CD Acid Mothers Gong - Live in Tokyo Latest installment of the Gong/Acid Mothers Temple sonic marriage. Available now.
When daevid met Terry
Last weekend daevid travelled up Brisbane to meet up with old friend Terry Riley who was performing 'In C' with a host of musicians at some high-class artistic bash. An accordingly fine old time was had by all, plans laid to record together in the future and intriguing ideas gleaned perhaps to be put in place at the Gong Unconvention by the Glissando Ensemble. For anyone struggling to keep up daevid and Terry first met in 1960 while earning a crust selling The International Herald Tribune in Paris.
'Book Of Am' update
No release date yet for the long-awaited 'The Book of Am' deluxe LP/Book project but it looks as if something is stirring. I mailed Jerry Hart recently and received the following reply from him.
"I think it's nearly complete now. I spoke with Juan just before Easter and my understanding was that it was going through the final manufacturing process (the cover is quite complex, as you'll understand from the press release)."
Steve Hillage remasters
Steve's solo albums from the 70's are scheduled for release in remastered, bonus-tracked and expanded booklet form this Autumn. They are to be released in cronological order, 4 in October and 4 in November. And the best news is that it's all being done with his blessing and hands-on input. As soon as I have any info on the bonus tracks I will let you know.
Invisibles site updated
Tim Hall has recently updated the Invisibles pages and very fetching they look too. Here is where you find out about most of Tim's current activities:- Invisible Opera Co. of Tibet, Silver on the Tree, Tim Hall
Original daevid allen artwork for sale
For the first time ever daevid is offering some original poster and CD artwork for sale. They are all ink on A4 cartridge paper and represent a deeply rare chance to own an ultimate piece of Gong history, should you desire such a thing.
For us less well-heeled folk there I will post some nice full size pdf download versions of these wonderful drawings on the web-site in the not too distant future.
Pierre Moerlen CDS
As we head towards the first anniversary of Pierre's passing (in May) I'm happy to announce that there we now have a reliable source for two of his later of albums. His last release 'Pentaine', with the Russian version of Pierre Moerlen's Gong, is in stock for the first time, and his 'Full Cricle Live 88' CD is available once more.
Also from the same suppliers is the rather wonderful and strange Daevid-rich CD 'Reflections From a Radio Shower' by Spirits Burning.
OYEZ!
you too can help service:- 3 mothers, 4 sons, 1 stepdaughter, 1 stepson, 1 grand daughter, 3 step grand daughters, 3 step great grandsons, 3 dogs, 3 ancient cars, 2 dwelling places, 1 recording studio…& me
I WILL ILLUSTRATE IN B/W
YOUR OWN A3 GONG DRAWING
TO YR SPECS
STARRING YOUR NAME
FOR YOU FOR
£222.22 OR EQUIV.
this will be part of a limited series which will be exhibited on completion
in the g&ULP GALLERY on the gong website.
tally ho chapettes & chaps,
we are skin driven things!
cum work with me one of these… contact jonny for further details
luv yaz
daevid
daevid allen - New Film Clip
A new film clip has been posted on Daevid's site. It's an extract from 'Big Tea for Tim'. What it's about I'm not sure, you work it out.
Elton Dean 1945-2006
Elton Dean passed away on the night of 8th Feb in a London hospital. Love and supportive thoughts to his nearest and dearest at this hard time for them.
Elton jammin with Gong, Paris, Oct '96. You wonder what they're playing? "You Can't Kill Me" - natch. The physical being is no more - the spirit, music and love continue. Celebrate that man, he did it so well and made it home once more. (L-R) Steffe, Didier, Elton, Mike, Gilli, daevid - also there but not visible are Pip and Tim. Thanks to Aymeric for the picture and the memory.
Monty Oxymoron - new CD
Long time close friend, one off and daevid allen workshop survivor Monty Oxymoron of the Damned has released a CD. It's wonderful cross between his quirky Canterbury soaked soul, the Dammed and something rather odd I can't put my finger on. Have a listen and see if it tickles your fancy like it does mine: Monty's CD. I love the title track.
How old is daevid allen?
His musings on some aspects of the passing of time…
One evening Ynys and Jazzy were talking to me about current events. Ynys asked me what I thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.
A new album from Kangaroo Moon's Mark Robson, 'Lines in the Sand', should be in stock by Wednesday 1st Feb and is therefore now available to pre-order in the bazaar. It features all the other members of the band as well as guests such as Graham Clark and Basil Brooks.
Also newly posted, but not quite available to pre-order, is 'The Hangman's Beautiful Dog'. I won't say more - have a look at the Kashbah page all will be explained.
Fred Frith
Spotted this part of an interesting little interview with Fred Frith on the BBC website.
"But my big electric guitar heroes were all on the rock side, and I learned from all of them… George Harrison for his formal restraint, Pete Townsend for his approach to chords, Syd Barrett for the abstract sound-world, daevid allen for continuous textures; I think of myself as being more in that tradition than an avant-garde one."
Even though it is possibly more expected than David Bowie siting daevid as an influence, as we had the other year, I sort of enjoy the fact that Fred was also inspired by him more.
Didier Malherbe & Steve Album News
No, sadly not news of a Steve & Didier colaboration (come on chaps - do it, doudouk'n'gliss, it's what we need), but some other album news that has come my way in the past few days. May will see the release of a new Hadouk studio CD in France called 'Utopies' on the Naive label. This label will also be reissuing the live 'Hadouk Now' and Didier's 'Shamanimal' CDs, probably before May.
Virgin Records seem to have rekindled their desire to release a remastered set Steve's back catalogue along with bonus tracks and expanded artwork etc. This project has been on the go before without reaching fruition, but maybe the proposed April-ish release date will be achieved this time - we shall see.
daevid allen guests on 'Tooth' CD
Last year daevid allen teamed up with a band called 'Tooth' in Australia. "He has contributed an accapella song, many stunning guitar parts to two of the tracks as well as a guitar interlude. The first track on disc two is a yet unnamed song about the perils of believing in the system, followed by 'Harmony Brew', with daevid on glissando and elsewhere there is the tune 'Avoiding the road to Recovery' with some rip roaring lead work." The album, a double CD (and they hope vinyl) entitled 'Mudlarking', "an album of psychedelic joy," is due to be released in Australia in March. I hope to get stock copies in the bazaar.
Here & Now Been & Gone DVD
Here is something born directly as a result of the Planet Gong Forum, Here & Now's 'Been & Gone' DVD, which is now available in the bazaar or direct from Al - and no-where else.
Over the past few months there has been much discussion and some trading of ancient multi-generational copies of the hard to find video version of this Here & Now audio visual feast, so much so that it attracted the attention of our old friend Al Stokes (whom we hadn't heard from for years), the original producer and director. The feedback he received from Forum posters was such that he felt inspired to re-master, reformat and add to the original so those who wanted good clean copies could now have them. Add to that a personable royalty agreement with the band and we hope that everyone will be happy. So Al will keep producing them as long as there's the demand. Ah the power of the people and clear communication.
Short Tales &Amp; Tall CD reborn
"For the children of Gong and other Planets - allegorical keys to the Gong mysteries & not" - 'Short Tales and Tall' CD. I have worked through the pre-orders so if you are awaiting your copy it will be with you presently.
And if you are one of the dozen or so folk who brought one of the faulty first pressing copies at the Uncon back in October then you can return it to GAS, just the CD, not the didgipak, and I will send you a replacement (don't forget your name and address), the re-pressed copies do full justice to performances and sounds as great as the Daevid artwork on the fold-out didgi-pask and 16 page booklet looks. An enchanting release throughout for Winter evening listens round the fire.
Tim Hall's Flutter Download
Tim has just released 'Flutter', a MIDI Tone Poem. It's a piece he has used to test out and learn the capabilities of Rosegarden, Ardour and various other open source music applications that he's been working with. The whole piece runs to 28:00 minutes and is available to download at:- www.archive.org/details/flutter
