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JUNE 16, 2003: BOWIE NEWS AND BACK TO THE STUDIO Now
that David Bowie has announced his plans for touring, the Bowienet
boards on fire with activity. It is called A
Reality Tour.
JUNE 5, 2003: NEW DAVID BOWIE ALBUM
Okay, gang, the truth is out on Bowienet, so now I can spill the beans. David Bowie and I are currently recording his new studio CD.
The musicians are essentially his live band, with cameos from guest artists and myself. That was Mr. Bowie's hand pointing at the Neumann stereo microphone, by the way (I've had as many inquiries about the microphone as I've had about the hand).
We are recording in New York City and the music is very influenced by being here (just as the music on Heathen was influenced by creating it in the lofty Catskill Mountains). It's "thrusty," is David's singular description. There are plans for release later this year and a major tour to go with it. My word for it is "fantastic." The new songs are terrific.
KRISTEEN YOUNG UPDATE AND CD RELEASE
Kristeen
Young has her new CD released on N_Records in Lisbon, Portugal. For
the moment it is only available in Portuguese record stores but will
be available online shortly. E-mail Numero magazine for details about
how to get one. Later in August and in October, Kristeen will be returning
to Portugal for more gigs and a big annual festival. For her CD and
touring write to: www.numerofestival.com
and info@numerofestival.com.
Breasticles
CD Artwork.
I was in Lisbon for her CD launch concert, my first time in Lisbon (what a beautiful city, what great, healthy food). An Electronica Portuguese group called Micro Audio Waves opened for Kristeen. They are fabulous and I’d love to do some recording with them. They are (I don’t know their last names) Carlos on keyboards, Flak on guitar and Claudia on vocals.
Kristeen accompanied herself for the first half of her set, then two members from Micro Audio Waves joined her for the second half. The audience of 500 hundred were more than enthusiastic, they were cheering, whistling and stomping after each song. Kristeen had to sing three encores. She is performing at several venues, large and small in Portugal, along with in store performances and signings in the FNAC chain of stores. This is during May and June 2003. Kristeen also has one show in London schedule for June 9th (Monday, at 8 pm.) at The Underworld. Please don’t miss this show, as it probably will be the only show in the near future in London.
Kristeen Young’s CD release concert was held a marvelous, reconditioned opera house in Lisbon, Portugal, called Saint Louis Theater. Micro Audio Waves opened for her, and later joined her set and accompanied her. I was there with my trusty Canon DV camera recording it all for posterity. Artist:
Kristeen Young By Nuno Galopim, Music Critic for Art Section of Diario (Portuguese Newspaper) (This is a very rough translation from Portuguese, read to me as I recorded it on video tape in a restaurant serving traditional food and featuring live Fado singers. The translator’s friend was trying to stick food in her mouth whilst she was trying to read this. The mistakes in transcribing are all mine, but here’s the spirit of the review).
Her CD Breasticles (released in Portugal this month) summons an amalgamation of the spirits of Kate Bush, Patti Smith, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, and a disconcerting, informal Bjork, plus a touch of Native American music. Her voice is powerful, versatile and amazingly theatrical. Some of her lyrics have a sense of humor that is not apparent in the music. In conclusion, the results are more than positive. What was particularly moving was when she sang a composition about her native St. Louis – a touching coincidence that she was in Lisbon singing in the St. Louis Theatre! Mr. Galopim is apparently the most important music critic in Portugal. >> click here for more tour pix << *Although David kindly asked Kristeen to sing on Heathen, he does not take credit for discovering her. Neither do I. Kristeen discovered herself, and her St. Louis, Missouri Fans nurtured her for many years. She sent me a demo in 1999 and I was on the phone to her before the CD ended.
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The
room was half full [capacity 1,000], but the night was certainly one
of those that Saint Louis will not soon forget. On stage, wearing some
unique rags that suggested Native American inheritance, was Kristeen
Young, the most recent "discovery" of Tony Visconti and David Bowie*
introduced for the first time in Lisbon. Her music is strange and enchanting,
while at the same time familiar and seductive. Whether completely solo,
playing keyboard with special effects, sitting at the grand piano or
accompanied by Micro Audio Waves, Kristeen effectively glides effortlessly
between the experimental and classic pop/rock formulas.