Bill's Editorial
Dear Nelsonians,
It's issue number two of the "Navigator" already and lots of things have happened since I last wrote to ou. By y the time you read this, "My Secret Studio" should be available at your local record emporium. This is the 4 CD box-set mentioned in issue No 1. 65 previously unreleased songs. (At least "officially" unreleased, but more about that later).
I've recently completed the recording of a new album, "After The Satellite Sings" which will be released early in 1996.1 had a great time making this one and it features some new departures for me. The whole project was written, performed, recorded and mixed in an intense 28 day session at Fairview studios and, despite the short amount of time available at the studio, I'm very pleased with the outcome. Watch out for it next year on "Voiceprint/Resurgence" records. I've also completed my court case trial against my ex-manager and am currently awaiting the judge's decision. The trial lasted for two weeks and has to rank as one of the most unpleasant and gruelling experiences of my life. The one positive outcome was that I am now able to re-release most of my recordings from the "Cocteau Records" t;o years, including the legendary "Simplex" album. I'm currently exploring various options available to me and I will, of course, keep you informed. t;o Last week I was interviewed and photographed, (Oh,Nol) t;o for a feature in the "Independent" newspaper. This should be published by the end of November.... by the time you've read this its possible you've seen it. It's good to be noticed once in a while!. Another bit of news is that there will be another "Channel Light Vessel" album and I've been asked to produce it as well as contribute vocals, guitar etc. We're hoping to start recording in the new year and I'm looking forward to working with Roger and Kate and the gang once again.
Back to the topic of "unreleased" recordings mentioned in the first paragraph. It's been brought to my attention that there is a "bootleg" album, available on cassette, called "Metaphysical". The album features a drawing of mine on it's cover and is a collection of home made recordings, some of which found their way onto officially released albums such as "Luminous" and "Blue Moons And Laughing Guitars". Some of the other material is due to appear on the "My Secret Studio" set. Apparently, the cassette bootleg containing these songs was being sold from an address in Yorkshire for L18 per copy. As the original digital masters have never left my possession, I can only assume that the bootlegs were manufactured from audio cassette copies several generations away from the original masters. Basically, L18 for poor quality cassettes.
Various enquiries have revealed the chain and source of the bootlegs and I know the names of the people involved. Needless to say, it's bad enough when an artist is unfairly exploited by a major record company or manager without certain "Fans" joining in. All I can say is, beware of pirate recordings.... Sooner or later, everything will be release through official channels in as pristine a condition as possible.
Please don't condone the bootleg bandits ... in the long run, its the artist who gets hurt. Enough said !
Happy Trails,
Bill Nelson, November 1995.
From The Editor:
Thanks to all of you for your correspondence, chats, and information over these last few months. It's great to be involved with something where you can learn new things everyday. I certainly don't get that with me day-job!
I'm very grateful to those who have contributed to this second issue. It would indeed by drab for us all to read of my views, opinions, and thoughts all of the time, so to hear other people's perspectives on Bill is always a joy. All of those who sent in items are so well informed, it's simply amazing just what loyal supporters can unearth. Credit to you all!
Please do keep your ideas and suggestions coming to us, we do read all of the notions that you have for the "Navigator". Some, due to finance, will have to be put to one side I'm afraid, but other idea's are now at the planning stage. The most exciting would be a "Bill Nelson Convention". We are at the moment looking at various venues around the Wakefield area to hold such a function. Again, it would be a day for you all to show off your collections and memorabilia, and to maybe swap items with other collectors. To go along with this, we hope to do our bit by putting together a display of "Bill" artifacts, such as stagewear, instruments, photographs, mobiles, etc.. More news on this will follow.
I end my contribution with some notes of thanks. My gratitude goes to Steve in America for pushing the "Navigator" into the papers of America. Also to Andy in Manchester, who's information and help over these past few months has aided me enormously.
My thanks to you all,
Richard Cahill, Nelsonian Navigator
Recent Reviews
Below follow a selection of reviews on the successful "Practically Wired".
The first review comes from a fan, Steve Lyles, who originates from Wakefield but now resides in Carson City, America.
"Well the kids are in bed, so I can lay on the living room floor, stick the headphones on, and then transport myself into Bill's musical landscapes.
I have listened to "Practically Wired" more than 200 times in the last for months or so, at home, in the car, at work and I am asked so many times, "Who is This ?', "Who's He ?". Ahl If only they would take the time 1. Well, I will not digress into the ways of the masses. I could probably write a song called 'Ordinary Idiots" of my own!
This album sends tingles down my arms and brings a tear to my eye on every listen, as does a majority of Bill's work. There is always so much to listen to, so much expression and honesty to Bill's music.
Highlights? Well, I must admit to being partial to the trilogy of "Wild Blue Cycle", "Every Moment Infinite" and "Friends From Heaven" with the latter being my personal favourite from the album. I think Bill must have been in great spirits when he wrote/recorded this track. It's like a joy of life call.
"Spinning Planet", "Royal Ghosts", "Kid With Cowboy Tie"... well, why don't I just list the whole thing!. There is no getting away from the fact that I'm addicted and there is no cure, (Thank God!).
I know everything is OK when I put on a CD and my son, (Who is 7), says,
"Is this Bill Nelson Dad ?". Oh yes, everything is just fine.
Thanks Bill.
Audio Magazine
There was a time when Bill Nelson would have been regarded as a guitar hero: His scorching leads in the 70's with "Be Bop Deluxe', and his sinewy E-Bow lines in the early 80's were six-string studies in sonic architecture. But for the past ten years, Nelson's compositions have largely been ambient atmospheres, automatic-writing compositions, and subconscious explorations that have had very little to do with the guitar and even less to do with rock. But now the lid is off.
On Practically Wired, Nelson rekindles his original passion for guitar with an all-instrument pressure cooker. On the 14 compositions, he traverses techno, blues, and even some ambient atmospheres, but there's little doubt that guitar is front and center.
He lashes through tape cut-ups with "Roses and Rocketships" and offers Hendrix-inspired metal on "Big Noise in Twangtown.""Every Moment Infinite' is a swamp-music brew with slithering e-bow guitar.
What really sets Nelson's albums apart from the usual spate of
'guitar slingers' (Satriani, Johnson, and Vai, amongst others) is that
his music isn't just an opportunity for guitar pyrotechnics: His songs
are bona fide compositions, his grooves are invariably as compelling as
his solos. Nelson is a master of ambience, but it's nice to hear
him kick out the jams.
Weekly Planet Jun 15th 1995.
Liking this album has nothing to do with it's post-modern, oh-sotrendy pastiche of world-beat rhythms, new agey sonic, vistas or punched in samples. If anything those "cutting-edge" techniques of two or three years ago, are fast becoming a turn-off because of their overuse by marginally talented artists looking to imbue their work with PoMo appeal. That criticism, however, doesn't apply to guitar virtuoso Bill Nelson, whose innovative sci-fi fretwork with Be Bop Deluxe in the 70's put him on the same plateau as fellow prog-rockers Brian Eno and Robert Fripp. Practically Wired succeeds not because of what comes out of Nelson's sundry studio gizmos (Which augment lush layers of guitar overdubs, all played by Nelson), but on the strength of the sounds created by 10 human fingers, his, that is. The first four songs are merely a warm-up,aural ear-candy with Nelson content to blend his playing inconspicuously into a heady mix of sampled voices, electric and acoustic guitars and polyrhythmic percussion. But on track five,"Pink Buddha Blues" he emerges from the haze, playing a sly,insinuating solo beyond the reach of today's progressive anti-technicians.
Nelson really loosens up on "Royal Ghosts," where his searing lead, (which sounds as though it was recorded in a garage) is sandwiched between non-sequitur samples. Nelson is simply a great guitar player whose influence can be heard in the work of more well-known but less subtle players like Joe Satriani. If your looking for music with both atmosphere and substance, hook up with Practically Wired
Encyclopaedia Nelsonica, Part Two
(An Ongoing collection of Bill Nelson trivia)
Earliest Remembered Children's Television Programmes:
"Billy Bean and his Funny Machine", "Torchy the Battery Boy", "Flash
Gordon", "Whirligig", "The Mumblies", "Rag, Tag, and Bobtail", "The Woodentops",
"Bill and Ben", "Andy Pandy".
First Teen Pin-ups:
Marianne Faithful and Diana Rigg. (One day, I'll tell you about the
time I almost produced a Marianne Faithful album).
First Sexual Experience:
Wouldn't you like to know!
.
Last Sexual Experience:
About ten minutes ago!
Earliest Influences in the Visual Arts:
Aubrey Beardsley, Frank Hampton, Alfred Bestall, Dudley D Watkins and
all the Artists who contributed to the children's comics published in England
during the 50's.
Later Influences on the Visual Arts:
Jean Cocteau, Orson Welles, Arthur Tress, Stanley Spencer, May Ray,
Max Ernst, Richard Hamilton, Eric Gill, Dante Gabrielle Rosetti, Yves Tanguy,
Marcel Duchamp, Powell and Pressburger, Maya Deren, amongst many, many
others!
Most Feared Subjects at School:
Sport and Maths.
Most Enjoyed Subjects at School:
Art, Music, English Literature and Science.
Describe One of your most Prized Possessions:
My late father's Alto Saxophone, made by a company called 'Grafton",
moulded in cream and transparent acrylic with gold plated keys ... just
like the one Charlie Parker also used. It's a beautiful art-deco
instrument and somehow, for me, it holds my father's musical spirit.
What Esoteric Societies have you belonged to:
I'm not going to divulge the actual names, but one was Rosecrucian,
one Martinist, and one French Masonic. These days, I'm somewhere
else ...
What "Path" appeals most to you at the moment:
After years of studying and accumulating a huge amount of esoteric
material, I'm currently impressed with Zen Buddhism.
What Have You Been Reading Lately ?:-
A biography of Jack Kerouac, The "Meditations" of Marcus Aurelius.
'The Invisible Spectator", (A biography of Paul Bowles). "Zen and
the art of Motorcycle Maintainance" by Robert Pursig, and back issues of
"Gnosis" magazine.
When Did You First Discover The Work Of Jean Cocteau ?:
During my time at Wakefield Art School in the 60's. The college
library had a book of Cocteau's screenplays which also contained still
photographs from the films. The images captivated me and I had to
explore his work further. At the time, he seemed to articulate my
own dream voice. It was an important moment for me.
Name Another Of Your Heroes With The Initials J.C.:
John Cage, a true giant of 20th Century culture. His writings
and ideas are always inspirational and he seemed to be a thoughtful and
compassionate man as well. He, too, found Zen Buddhism to be a useful
way of dealing with both the self and the world.
Name Seven Of Your Favourite Authors:
Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Anthony Burgess, John Cowpyr Powys,
Robert Anton Wilson, Umberto Eco, and John Fowles.
What Are Your Children's Ambitions?:
My eldest daughter, Julia, lives in London and has a BA in fine art.
(She's 25). She has her own studio and paints very strong, powerful
pictures.
My youngest daughter, Elle, (17) has recently begun a course at Drama
college and hopes to become an actress.
My son, Elliot, (14) is still at High School but has recently begun
to play the guitar. He's progressed very quickly and knows more chords
than I knew at his age! At the moment he's heavily into 'Nirvana"
and wants to form a group of his own.
What Makes You Go Weak At The Knees ? :
The "Agnus Dei" movement from Faure's requiem. The love of a
sensual woman. The smile of a friend. The sun setting over
a Yorkshire landscape and Bicycle applied too high up the leg.
What Cars Have You Owned?:
An Austin A30, A Jaguar Saloon, A Daimler Sovereign, A Rolls Royce
Silver Shadow, A Panther Lima, A Suzuki jeep, A Porsche 911, A Citreon
2CV, A Toyota MR2, an old Ford Escort estate car, a Skoda Saloon, and an
old Volvo Saloon. (I've been there and back, you might say !!).
What Is Your Favourite Mode Of Transport?:
In the summer, my old Raleigh 'Superbe" bicycle, in wintertime, astral
travel !!
Have You Ever Had An "Out-Of-The-Body" Experience ?:
I'm holding onto it constantly.
What Do You Know ?:
Everything and Nothing.
Who Is God And What Is His Address?:
The Dog barks at the shining moon. (Its a Zen answer folks !).
Name Three Blessings:
Julia, Elle, and Elliot Nelson.
What Is 'Middle Age" Like?:
A living nightmare and a tremendous relief.
What Were Your First Impressions Of America?:
Despite being exposed to American culture through music and movies,
in my youth my first impression was how "foreign" the place seemed ...
It was much more exotic than I had expected. But time has modified my outlook
somewhat.
First Impressions Of Japan ?
I first visited Japan in the early eighties and I was captivated by
the mixture of futurism and ancient tradition. I lived in Tokyo for
almost a year in the 90's and saw more of the day-to-day realities which
re-shaped my opinions.
More "Encyclopaedia Nelsonica" in the next Issue!!
Any Questions ?
Thanks to all those who sent questions in for Bill to answer. Here's just a small selection which he has tackled recently.
Q: Bill didn't mention in "Encyclopaedia Nelsonica" part one the fact
that he played guitar on "Gagalactyca" on the Holyground label. Was
this omission intended ?
Bill: I don't remember this one at all... "Gagalactyca" ? I'm afraid
the title doesn't ring any bells. Can anyone send in a copy of this
so 1 can check it out?
Q: Was "Testify" ever available in the UK ?
Bill: "Testify" was available in the UK only on the Channel Light Vessel
album, 'Automatic". (All Saints Records).
Q: Who is the Mother of Julia Tuesday ?
Bill: julia's mothers name is Shirley and she was my first wife.
Julia is now 25 years old.
Any news on the "new" Be Bop album on EMI ?
Bill: I'm currently helping EMI records to sift through unreleased
and alternative takes of Be Bop deluxe recordings for a new compilation
album to be released later this year.
Q: Do you ever get approximate figures for album or single sales ?
Bill: Sometimes ... but I don't judge the worth of my music by the
amount it sells.
Q: Which periods/albums do you find the most satisfying or are you always
looking for tomorrow ?
Bill: Usually, I'm looking forward to recording the next album rather
than dwelling to much on the past. I seem to be constantly re-evaluating
the back-catalogue ... sometimes it's one album, then, maybe months later,
it's another from a different period. I tend to avoid the "Favourite"
category and keep my mind open to new possibilities.
Q: What shape would a second "CLV" album take ? What direction would
you set out for ?
Bill: A second Channel Light Vessel is currently being planned ...
recording to begin in the new year. I've been appointed producer
on this one as well as guitarist, vocalist and co-writer. The plan
at the moment is to include more vocal tracks and to increase the number
of percussion driven pieces.
Q: In 1990 you stated that you had written 26 songs for the restyled
Be Bop Deluxe project. Have any of these songs appeared on albums
such as "Blue Moons" ?
Bill. Yes ... some were on "Blue Moons and Laughing Guitars"
and others were on the album "Luminous" (Imaginary Records) and some have
found their way onto the new boxed-set "My Secret Studio". I can't
remember which songs were from the Be Bop project though!!
Q: Will their be any one-off gigs next years ?
Bill: I've been trying to fund a band project for some time and this
is still possible in 1996. If it happens, there will be several concerts
in this format. Failing that, I will have to think of other ways
to create some kind of live performance, either using "backing tapes" or
a stripped down, "unplugged" type trio or something similar. I would
very much like to do some kind of live performance in the new year.
I'll let you know if anything develops !I.
Q: What do you think of those people who only listen to the "Be Bop'
aspect of your music ?
Bill: I don't really mind ... some people only listen to the instrumental
work so it balances itself out. However, those people who listen
to everything I've ever put out are the true saints of Temple Nelsonia
and I never cease to be amazed by their damned good taste !!.
O,: What happened to your autobiography plans ?
Bill: It's still on my mind but other things have distracted me from
that task for a long time. Check out the excerpts from "Little Illuminations'
in your 'Nelsonian Navigator". It's a kind of free-fall, "stream
of consciousness" autobiography.
Q_: Do you have any power to release "Getting the Holy Ghost Across"
on CD?
Bill: I'm afraid not ... it's owned by CBS Records so it's up to them
really.
Q: Was "Practically Wired" your first "Fun" record ?
Bill: They're all fun records really.... at least, I always had fun
making them!!
Q: Youv'e stated in the past that "The Love The Whirls" is your favourite
LP. Is that still the case ?
Bill: See the answer I gave before. (Sixth Question).
Q: I've heard a rumour that Charlie Tumahai has sadly passed away.
Could you tell us of what you know ?
Bill: I don't know anything about this.... I hope to god that it isn't
true... Charlie played a very important part in my musical life in the
70's.
Q: Musically, is there anything that you wouldn't attempt ?
Bill: Not really .... I'm shameless
Q: You are regarded in the industry as being one of the "nicer blokes'
around. In a strange way, has it cost you dear?.
Bill: It certainly has, the stories I could tell!. However, I'm
currently leaving the "nice bloke" phase and mutating into the "bitter
and twisted" phase after which I will transform myself into the "Hard man
of Contemporary music" complete with venom, vitriol, and vows of vengeance.
Evildoer's beware!! (if Its OK with you, of course!).
Q: Do you still have the Gibson ES-345 you used in Be Bop ?.
Bill: Yes, but I don't use it anymore, since my first wife decided
to demonstrate the Pete Townsend method one night and smashed it.
Although it survived, I eventually refinished it and that changed its tone.
Currently, its in storage- I'll wait for it to mellow and to get a good
tone again. After that, I used Yamaha SG 2000's for years, but now
I've got a Patrick Eggle that really fits the bill. It's a great
guitar .
More questions and answers in issue three. Thanks to all those who sent them in. Please keep more questions coming in.
Cheers,
Richard.
Queries
Many of you have written to the "Navigator" wishing to see some sort of video compilation of Bill. Over the past few months, I have seen for myself just how little film footage their is of Bill.As many of you will know, there are only odd "Live" clips, or brief glimpses of Bill in interview.
Bill is currently looking into such a venture, and I hope to have some news of this idea soon. Costing such a project is the main concern, but we do hope to do one.
Alot of queries also about whether a video exists for "Testify" by Channel Light Vessel. Yes, it does exist, but it was for MTV promotional purposes only. Their are no plans to release it for general sale.
Those of you wishing to see a new "Channel Light Vessel" album maybe in luck. As stated already in Bill's editorial work begins in the new year with Bill undergoing various tasks involved.
Many of you will have to be patient for the new "Be Bop" album. Work still needs to be done on this project, but as stated before, a release at the end of this year is being spoken of. This one seems to have set people's imaginations going.
Friends requesting some 'Live" shows or tours will have to wait a while longer. I have myself approached Bill with the idea of doing one or two dates in the Wakefield area. I am looking into various venues at the moment, and Bill is looking into various ways in which he could present a live show. Its something that we won't take chances on, as people we know will travel from all over to see it. Any news of this will be sent direct to you by newsletter. I, like many, many others, hope this project comes to fruition.
The new album "After The Satellite Sings" has been warmly accepted by
Bill's American label Caroline Records. The label is also looking
into a possible tour from the album. Sadly for many of us, if Bill
does tour with the record, it will be in America.
On the subject of "After The Satellite Sings", Bill hopes to do some
more studio work for the album. 15 tracks have been so far completed, but
Bill hopes to add or change a few more. The time of release has not
changed, with new year being the expected time of release.
More news on these items and others in issue three
Cheers,
Richard.
Late News
Just before going to press, it's important for Bill and myself to bring a couple of items to your attention.
First of all, is the release of "Culturemix". It's a collaboration of Bill and Yumiko Morioka, who composed most of the tracks. Bill features on all tracks except "Exile". Its another CD released on the "Resurgence" label.
Complete Track Listing.
1. Luna Park. Bill on Guitars, Vocals, and Keyboards.
2. Radio Head. Bill on Guitars, Percussion, and Keyboards.
3. Housewives On Drugs. Bill on Guitars.
4. Dancematic. Bill on Guitars.
5. Four Postcards Home. Bill on Guitars and Keyboards.
6.Zebra. Bill on Keyboards.
7. Exile.
8. Tangram. Bill on Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, and Synth.
9. Cave Paintings. Bill on Guitars and Keyboards.
Bill also receives arrangement and production credits. He also mixes tracks, (1,2,5,6,8,9) with John Spence at Fairview Studio's near Hull.
Special message to all members
We again advise all members who wish to send in items for autographs to resist temptation. We wish for you to know that it is time-consuming, involves a lot of costs to yourselves and us, and of course we cannot guarantee items to be safe, especially in transit.
As previously stated in this issue, we hope to satisfy all such requests at the "Bill Nelson Convention" that we are looking into. At such a function, Bill would be all to pleased to sign anything you bring along. We have you and your record's best interest's at heart.
Thanks for your co-operation,
Richard Cahill.
PS: Please send ideas in for the "Convention". We wish to make the event as good as possible.
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