From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V11 #136 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Thursday, May 25 2006 Volume 11 : Number 136 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Alloy: Denver Show Pt3 [Keith Stansell ] Alloy: Denver Show pt2 [Keith Stansell ] Alloy: Denver Show [Keith Stansell ] Re: Alloy: Denver Show [Melissa Jordan ] Alloy: Re: Points East 2nd night show.... [kspillers2@aol.com] RE: Alloy: Denver Show ["Keith Stansell" ] RE: Alloy: Denver Show [Melissa Jordan ] Alloy: Denver show: Beth's thoughts [Beth Meyer ] RE: Alloy: Denver Show ["Keith Stansell" ] Re: Alloy: Denver Show [CJMark@aol.com] Re: Alloy: Denver Show [Melissa Jordan ] RE: Alloy: Denver Show ["Keith Stansell" ] Re: RE: Alloy: Drat! Caught in the spam-filter again?! ["Kara R. Laidlaw"] Re: Alloy: Denver Show [Stephen Dick ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 02:11:47 -0600 From: Keith Stansell Subject: Alloy: Denver Show Pt3 (for our friends across the pond and anyone going to Aspen, song spoilers ahead - so you may wish to turn off your set) I won't go into full song details, but some changes since the Independent show include: - - No Glitches! None at all. At least none that the audience could hear, although Thomas did say he had a buzzing problem in his ear phones. - - The Flat Earth. This was the song that Thomas used to demo his song building technique. The head cam was shown on the screen as he added parts. Very similar to the TED conference video, without the commentary. The MLK sample was in there - very cool. - -My memory fails me, but one of the songs had this added harmonica sounding part that was really cool that I didn't hear in the other shows. I think it was in Suitcase, but I might be wrong. - -Thomas mentioned how the internet was reassuring in that it wasn't just record company hype thay sold the albums and that people do like the non hit songs as well. He mentioned Alloy by name and dedicated Europa to the 6 or so Europas on here. - -Hyperactive was still 'built up' but he didn't introduce it that way because The Flat Earth now fits that roll. - -All the songs have been expanded and refined, but nothing struct me as most improved like Airhead. The intro to that song had such a kick ass sound - it was just amazing. The whole song just rocked much more than I remember in San Francisco. - -Thomas pointed out a microphone on the side of the stage and told us that we were being recorded for a DVD release. - -Thomas' voice seemed a bit rough tonight. I attribute that to our high altitude and dry air. I wish him luck in Aspen - that is even higher up. Overall- another great show. Too bad that none of our Colorado Alloy members got to meet him to say hi tonight. Cell phone photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sole_i/ - - Message sent from Treo 700w - ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 02:11:50 -0600 From: Keith Stansell Subject: Alloy: Denver Show pt2 Dennis and Teresa mentioned meeting Thomas after the show and I had to break the news of the purple stamp policy to them. We went to see Lunesse and I introduced hem to her - went into the story of us 10 year Alloy members and such - but the purple stamp policy is set in stone and no amount of sweet talk or pleading will score a band. So Dennis bought a poster and played the receipt lotto - but didn't get the magic stamp. I didn't buy anything myself because they were down to just medium shirts at this point in the tour. No stamp for me. So sad to say, no Alloy members got to meet Thomas here. The opening band was from Denver. They were called 'Under a Blood Red Sky' and were an early U2 cover band. They basically reproduce the 1983 U2 Red Rocks concert. They were surprisingly good and musically were dead on accurate.The vocals were also really good. The audience was really receptive to them. After they were done, the pit area really started to get crowded as people filled in. Thomas came out - coat, goggles ect... On to part 3 ... - - Message sent from Treo 700w - ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 02:12:53 -0600 From: Keith Stansell Subject: Alloy: Denver Show Well - all my begging finally paid off as Thomas plays his first official Denver show (apparently he did play nearby Boulder before, but never Denver) The evening started out at the Goosetown tavern for a Colorado Alloy Contingent pre show gathering at the Goosetown tavern directly across the street from the Bluebird Theater. In attendance were Beth and husband Mark, Dennis and Teresa Alexander, Erik Habbinga and guest (sorry - didn't catch her name) and Larry - a non Alloy friend of mine. Time passed quickly and next thing we know it is 10 minutes before the doors opened and we are just settling up the check. A line had formed and we were around 30th in line. Once in I said hi to Lunesse and then proceeded to find a spot up front. The Bluebird was smaller than I remember - perhaps around the size of the Anaheim HOB with a more tiered standing area. Our group ended up in the 'pit' area in front of the stage. After we got our area staked out, I made my way back to say hi to Johnny Decam. He told me that I should notice many improvements in the show since I the Independent show. He said that Thomas keeps blowing them away with new parts to the songs and such. He said that today during the sound check, Thomas started playing something that no one had ever heard - new stuff - and it was awesome . He didn't expect Thomas to play it during the show though. ....on to part 2 - - Message sent from Treo 700w - ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 10:53:37 -0700 (PDT) From: Melissa Jordan Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show Thanks for the report, Keith! I'm sorry none of the Alloy'ed had a chance to meet up with the man, but it sounds like it was a good show. Just one more gig, and then a well-deserved holiday for TMDR and his crew. Thank you, Thomas. We'll be waiting for autumn. :-) - - MJ Keith Stansell wrote: Well - all my begging finally paid off as Thomas plays his first official Denver show (apparently he did play nearby Boulder before, but never Denver) - --------------------------------- Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1"/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 14:31:02 EDT From: kspillers2@aol.com Subject: Alloy: Re: Points East 2nd night show.... Hubbie and I drove from Chicago to see the Milwaukee show on Friday night because once was not enough! The venue, as yall have heard, was a little weird because it was SO small. Nothing like seeing your musical hero in a loud ,dimly lit, slightly grungy living room of sorts. Of course Thomas was professional and adept at handling the downright strange audience shout-outs and even mentioned the weird guy constantly requesting Windpower from the night before. ... The second night's openers 'Heathrow' were just the opposite of 'the Good Luck Joes' I chatted with the singer a little while waiting for Thomas to come on and he said he hoped his bands style would compliment Dolby's music. He even had a Prefab Sprouts shirt on under his blazer. The show was definitely worth the drive and I'm still humiliated at my husband and my blabbering on to Thomas like little school girls during the meet-and-greet. Geez what total dorks. It's just so overwhelming to actually talk to someone you've been 'communicating' with via music for 20 years. He was sweet and very polite. We did have the sense to have him autograph some 21 year old love letters my husband had sent from overseas in which he'd copied some Dolby lyrics. (Back then I thought my one-and-only was a poetic genius!) A much cooler-headed fan asked about his current tastes in music and he replied that he doesn't listen to ANY current stuff. At All. Wow. I found that fascinating and I'm excited to see what that means in regards to the new stuff he shares with us. He's certainly never had any problem sounding original! Anyway, I'm thrilled TMDR mentioned coming 'round again for a second tour but I wouldn't be suprised if Milwaukee's off the itinerary. ...........Thanx for letting me share our experience----Kelly ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 12:38:50 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: RE: Alloy: Denver Show I forgot to mention in my review the "talkers" near us at the start of his set. There were "chatty Cathy's" one I overheard say "I didn't know who Thomas Dolby was". They were a bit annoying and left a song or so in, but one remained and was talking quite loudly to a guy right next to us. I leaned over and tapped her on the shoulder and said "Do you mind not shouting at each other?" They promptly left the area. I didn't hear anyone requesting Science or Fieldwork, but there was one point when Thomas was taking a bit long between songs to set up that someone in the back requested "Freebird!". Usually I would find that annoying, but it got a good chuckle out of the audience. Thomas got a really nice long round of cheer after Airhead. I think he really enjoyed the audience. - -Keith - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Melissa Jordan Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 11:54 AM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show Thanks for the report, Keith! I'm sorry none of the Alloy'ed had a chance to meet up with the man, but it sounds like it was a good show. Just one more gig, and then a well-deserved holiday for TMDR and his crew. Thank you, Thomas. We'll be waiting for autumn. :-) - - MJ Keith Stansell wrote: Well - all my begging finally paid off as Thomas plays his first official Denver show (apparently he did play nearby Boulder before, but never Denver) - --------------------------------- Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1"/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 13:04:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Melissa Jordan Subject: RE: Alloy: Denver Show "Freebird", huh? Okay, that's pretty funny, actually. If you're going to yell out song titles, might as well go with the classics! (At least no one yelled out "Radar Love.") ;-) I genuinely hope that TMDR has had as much fun doing this tour as we have had going to hear him perform. I know there have been some odd venues along the way and the occasional disgruntled "no purple receipt" pseudo-fan, but I hope all the love has his engine revved up for the new tunes! Cheers, Melissa http://merujo.blogspot.com Keith Stansell wrote: I forgot to mention in my review the "talkers" near us at the start of his set. There were "chatty Cathy's" one I overheard say "I didn't know who Thomas Dolby was". They were a bit annoying and left a song or so in, but one remained and was talking quite loudly to a guy right next to us. I leaned over and tapped her on the shoulder and said "Do you mind not shouting at each other?" They promptly left the area. I didn't hear anyone requesting Science or Fieldwork, but there was one point when Thomas was taking a bit long between songs to set up that someone in the back requested "Freebird!". Usually I would find that annoying, but it got a good chuckle out of the audience. Thomas got a really nice long round of cheer after Airhead. I think he really enjoyed the audience. - -Keith - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Melissa Jordan Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 11:54 AM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show Thanks for the report, Keith! I'm sorry none of the Alloy'ed had a chance to meet up with the man, but it sounds like it was a good show. Just one more gig, and then a well-deserved holiday for TMDR and his crew. Thank you, Thomas. We'll be waiting for autumn. :-) - - MJ Keith Stansell wrote: Well - all my begging finally paid off as Thomas plays his first official Denver show (apparently he did play nearby Boulder before, but never Denver) - --------------------------------- Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1"/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. - --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2"/min or less. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 12:49:10 -0600 From: Beth Meyer Subject: Alloy: Denver show: Beth's thoughts Hi, all; Well, Keith did a great job of summing up the show - I particularly like that he was able to compare the shows from the beginning and the end of the tour - but I wanted to add a few observations too. (Beyond the obvious, "It was AWESOME!!") Indeed, none of the Alloyed that I know of got a purple stamp, but I wasn't about to push it - we had a babysitter to relieve, and I think Mark may not have been feeling all that great as well. Maybe some other time :-) I was not totally enthralled by the opening act (though clearly some were), but they were considerate enough to begin and end on time, and they were certainly a fine choice for this audience. They were at their best when they broke out of trying to slavishly recreate the U2 "War" tour, such as when they did a most excellent version of "Bullet the Blue Sky". They were at their cheesiest when they introduced themselves with the names of the U2 band members (!). Granted, it has been a while since I have been at a concert, but I think our crowd acquitted itself quite well if I do say so myself. The place was pretty well packed, and every song was listened to with great attention and the followed with a thunderous ovation. And we did have one loud guy, but he wasn't that stupid - there were no cries of "SCIENCE!" the entire night. What did happen was kinda funny. After one song ("Submarines", I think), a guy in the back yelled out "THANK YOU, THOMAS!!!" So we all figured that this guy was a particular fan of that song or something. Next came the story of moving to L.A. and "I Live in a Suitcase." After that one, there was another "THANK YOU, THOMAS!!!!" from the same guy. There was a pregnant pause as Thomas silently fiddled with his equipment, and the audience wondered if we were going to hear a loud "THANK YOU!!" for every song; and then we heard "DON'T GIVE UP ON US AMERICANS!!!" from the guy in the back. Then another pregnant pause as Thomas continued fiddling. Then... "FREE BIRD!!!!" And the audience cracked up. No more from the guy in the back after that; perhaps his date for the evening was sufficiently embarrassed by that point. The last time I had seen Thomas in concert was in Atlanta in 1988 with the Lost Toy People, so this was quite a different experience! Both were wonderful, but this really showed off Thomas the techno-wizard that we know and love. The music was awesome, and "Airhead" was a great choice for an encore; it really rocked the house. While I understand about "Europa" being part of the tour repertoire and "White City" not being a part of it, perhaps next time Thomas comes to Denver he can play "White City" and dedicate it to the Keith(s) of Alloy (no Europas in Denver, so far as I know). I think Thomas picked a fabulous date to record for the DVD, both a well-executed show and an enthusiastic audience. I can't wait until the DVD comes out and we can see if any of the Colorado Alloyites are in view! Cheers, Beth bethmeyer@mindspring.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 13:42:25 -0600 From: Beth Meyer Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show Hi, all; Well, I just a half hour ago sent my own impressions of the Denver show - - I didn't think I was being too long, but it hasn't shown up yet. In the meantime Keith just mentioned some of the stuff that I mentioned too (his message arrived after I sent mine). So when that finally goes through, don't think I'm a doofus who didn't read before sending! Thanks, Beth - -when you watch the concert DVD, I'm the one in the back of the pit with the curly brown hair and the peach blouse with black print! Keith Stansell wrote: > > I forgot to mention in my review the "talkers" near us at the start of his > set. There were "chatty Cathy's" one I overheard say "I didn't know who > Thomas Dolby was". They were a bit annoying and left a song or so in, but > one remained and was talking quite loudly to a guy right next to us. > > I leaned over and tapped her on the shoulder and said "Do you mind not > shouting at each other?" They promptly left the area. > > I didn't hear anyone requesting Science or Fieldwork, but there was one > point when Thomas was taking a bit long between songs to set up that someone > in the back requested "Freebird!". Usually I would find that annoying, but > it got a good chuckle out of the audience. > > Thomas got a really nice long round of cheer after Airhead. I think he > really enjoyed the audience. > > -Keith > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of > Melissa Jordan > Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 11:54 AM > To: alloy@smoe.org > Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show > > Thanks for the report, Keith! I'm sorry none of the Alloy'ed had a chance to > meet up with the man, but it sounds like it was a good show. Just one more > gig, and then a well-deserved holiday for TMDR and his crew. > > Thank you, Thomas. We'll be waiting for autumn. :-) > > - MJ > > Keith Stansell wrote: > Well - all my begging finally paid off as Thomas plays his first official > Denver show (apparently he did play nearby Boulder before, but never Denver) > > > --------------------------------- > Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1"/min with Yahoo! > Messenger with Voice. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 14:33:13 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: RE: Alloy: Denver Show I also have to add, the guy that shouted Freebird! did it in a respectful way time-wise. It wasn't during another song, or when Thomas was talking. It was during one of those awkward silences after the audience clapped the typical time after a song and is anxiously awaiting the next song to start. It sort of helped out. - -Keith - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Melissa Jordan Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 2:04 PM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: RE: Alloy: Denver Show "Freebird", huh? Okay, that's pretty funny, actually. If you're going to yell out song titles, might as well go with the classics! (At least no one yelled out "Radar Love.") ;-) I genuinely hope that TMDR has had as much fun doing this tour as we have had going to hear him perform. I know there have been some odd venues along the way and the occasional disgruntled "no purple receipt" pseudo-fan, but I hope all the love has his engine revved up for the new tunes! Cheers, Melissa http://merujo.blogspot.com Keith Stansell wrote: I forgot to mention in my review the "talkers" near us at the start of his set. There were "chatty Cathy's" one I overheard say "I didn't know who Thomas Dolby was". They were a bit annoying and left a song or so in, but one remained and was talking quite loudly to a guy right next to us. I leaned over and tapped her on the shoulder and said "Do you mind not shouting at each other?" They promptly left the area. I didn't hear anyone requesting Science or Fieldwork, but there was one point when Thomas was taking a bit long between songs to set up that someone in the back requested "Freebird!". Usually I would find that annoying, but it got a good chuckle out of the audience. Thomas got a really nice long round of cheer after Airhead. I think he really enjoyed the audience. - -Keith - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Melissa Jordan Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 11:54 AM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show Thanks for the report, Keith! I'm sorry none of the Alloy'ed had a chance to meet up with the man, but it sounds like it was a good show. Just one more gig, and then a well-deserved holiday for TMDR and his crew. Thank you, Thomas. We'll be waiting for autumn. :-) - - MJ Keith Stansell wrote: Well - all my begging finally paid off as Thomas plays his first official Denver show (apparently he did play nearby Boulder before, but never Denver) - --------------------------------- Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1"/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. - --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2"/min or less. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 16:49:08 EDT From: CJMark@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show I second that emotion!! Looking forward to new music!!! Mark In a message dated 5/24/06 11:14:07 AM, merujo_sai@yahoo.com writes: > > Thank you, Thomas. We'll be waiting for autumn. :-) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 14:12:03 -0700 (PDT) From: Melissa Jordan Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show I wish I could have been out there with you guys last night! Cool that they were filming in Denver - I think they were filming at the Birchmere in Alexandria, too - I saw Johnny DeKam adjusting a camera at the back of the room before the show. It'll be neat to see how many venues are included in the final product. I was wondering if that's why TMDR was basically dressed the same way each night - to maintain continuity, even if the background on stages and such changed. Ready to leave work for the day and get prepared for the season finale of LOST, MJ http://merujo.blogspot.com Beth Meyer wrote: Hi, all; Well, I just a half hour ago sent my own impressions of the Denver show... - --------------------------------- Be a chatter box. Enjoy free PC-to-PC calls with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 16:17:46 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: RE: Alloy: Denver Show I have to say that the only camera I saw was the one next to Johnny DeKam last night (and the ones around and attached to Thomas). I didn't see any handheld cameras or anything near the front of the stage. My thought was perhaps they were just recording the audience sound to go with video shot elsewhere. Who knows? It could be mixed and matched video. I have a Nine Inch Nails concert DVD that was done that way. They filmed each show with portable 8mm digital video cameras and then edited it into a single concert. You can hardly notice the difference except in some scenes where you can make out some clouds and sky in the background where other shots are clearly inside an arena. I'm guessing the different screen setups behind Thomas would make continuity a bit more difficult. Thomas could probably get some tips from Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Although he has a different sound than Thomas - he is a big time Mac user. I think he even edited and produced the concert DVD on a Mac. - -Keith, who is also ready to leave work, and go down to my own Dharma hatch (The Subterranean Cinema) and watch Lost on the big screen. It almost feels like a holiday. - -----Original Message----- From: owner-alloy@smoe.org [mailto:owner-alloy@smoe.org] On Behalf Of Melissa Jordan Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 3:12 PM To: alloy@smoe.org Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show I wish I could have been out there with you guys last night! Cool that they were filming in Denver - I think they were filming at the Birchmere in Alexandria, too - I saw Johnny DeKam adjusting a camera at the back of the room before the show. It'll be neat to see how many venues are included in the final product. I was wondering if that's why TMDR was basically dressed the same way each night - to maintain continuity, even if the background on stages and such changed. Ready to leave work for the day and get prepared for the season finale of LOST, MJ http://merujo.blogspot.com Beth Meyer wrote: Hi, all; Well, I just a half hour ago sent my own impressions of the Denver show... - --------------------------------- Be a chatter box. Enjoy free PC-to-PC calls with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 21:29:55 -0500 From: "Kara R. Laidlaw" Subject: Re: RE: Alloy: Drat! Caught in the spam-filter again?! Thanks again, Robin darlin', and happy belated birthday!!! :^) Love and loquaciousness, Kara...making a mental note that if one of my posts sneaks over 8 kb, to edit it mercilessly!! ;^) Waiiiittt a minute...must consult dictionary to make sure that loquacious means what I think it means--excessively wordy. Hang on one sec... "Exceedingly talkative". Hmm, close enough. ;^) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, > From: "Thurlow, Robin" > Date: 2006/05/23 Tue AM 09:30:01 CDT > To: > Subject: RE: Alloy: Drat! Caught in the spam-filter again?! > > > Hi, I've just sent it through.. > > Xx > ~r > "Oh to paint her eyes so red, and her lips so blue...carve her legend on the bow...Caroline four-five-two" :^) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 19:48:10 -0700 (PDT) From: Stephen Dick Subject: Re: Alloy: Denver Show Sweet!!! I am so excited to have an official TMDR dvd in the works!!!! Yes!!! Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V11 #136 ****************************