France october 99Hello friends and music lovers. Back in Paris now and resting after just finishing our French dates. Happy to report that all went very well and we all, audience and band alike, had a great time. We kept a tour diary of sorts and I'll give you those notes shortly. As you've probably noticed our tours in support of "Old Hand" were divided into 3 different time periods but it was only because summer got in the way of combining everything together and summer is difficult time to tour here in Europe because so many people are on vacations during those hot months and it's hard to get them into the clubs and concert halls.
I also think the French dates missed some of the press help that usually accompanies tours that are coupled with release dates but, in our case it couldn't be helped for the above mentioned reasons. Out we went though in our van "Rose" and what follows is just a short version of the 18 days we were out. One difference about this tour and the earlier Germans dates was that we took our own soundman with us. It was the first time for me to not have to worry about how we sounded and translating needs etc.
Fabrice usually works with the great French composer Jan Tierson but as he was between dates with Jan he kindly consented to travel with us as an equal partner and we were all lucky to have him . The other thing that was cool was that we were touring in the fall here in France and it was simply beautiful every where we went. The trees were turning into there fall colors and, although we saw a bit of rain, mostly the days stayed warm and sunny. Lucky for us. Ok - fasten your seatbelts, here we go.
Oct. 7 - Today Alain and I left Concarneau via train for Paris (5 hours) at 8AM, the band will follow tomorrow but today there are 2 radio shows for us to do. France Inter (the world broadcast French national radio show "Play List") and Paris's favorite rock radio station OUI FM. Play List features musicians, composers etc in a live setting but in a generally relaxed atmosphere with an interview and live performance. As usual for me though I was nervous as hell and I'm sure you could here it over the air. I'm still learning how to be cool! I played "Edenless" on the 12-string and, although it wasn't bad I wanted to be great. That done we went for a beer and the next show was better. Our great friend Dom is now the drive time DJ at OUI FM and he's so cool and relaxed it's hard to be nervous with him at the wheel. Most thanks to our friend and booking agent Pascal Redondo (Infernal Agency) for arranging both shows!
Oct. 8 - Massy into the suburbs of Paris for our first show. We were all a bit nervous for our first show in over 2 months but a nice audience helped us relax and I think we played good this night. I don't remember too much about this night but heard from the boys the next day that after our arrival back at the hotel following the concert they stayed up with the night clerk, opened the bar and drank for a couple of hours with him. Hats off to Allassi for his hospitality!
Oct.9 - A 7AM! start for an 8 hour drive to Assen, Holland this day saw us all a bit red-eyed this morning. Assen is in the very north of Holland and the constant rain all day did not make the journey any easier but with 6 drivers we all took turns and everyone of us caught up on a bit of sleep on the long journey there. We were playing at the second annual "Take Root" festival. Mostly American roots oriented bands were featured. (see list) 2 stages in the big room allowed one band to play while the other stage was being set up. A smaller room and stage featured the singer - songwriters and it was a music filled night for all. It was an interesting night both on and of the stage. I almost got into a fight with one of the performers for calling him an asshole (which he certainly was) but no names will be mentioned here. I don't usually do that kind of thing but someone needed to and this particular person generally scares everyone else into silence while he storms his way though the world. We played good I think but it was a big, big stage and I think for the Blind Dr's and me it's not our best profile.
Oct 10 - Roermond- A cool little club in this small city tucked into the border area of Holland, Germany and Belgium. I generally find folks living near orders to be quite friendly and, being so close to other languages and cultures, quite at ease with strangers. I played at his club one time 4 years ago and it was nice to come back. It was a Sunday though and early show (6PM) and not so many people came but it was a great show for us. We all were real relaxed and a wonderful dinner just around the corner at an all you can eat Chinese restaurant saw us all in fine, fat form. We spent the night in the country at farm with roosters for alarm clocks!
Oct. 11 - Off day We decided to travel back to France on this day as it's generally cheaper to sleep and eat in France than other countries. They have some really inexpensive hotels there for around 150FF per night (appx 30 US). We ended up driving all the way to Boulogne though as it was the next days show and only a 5 hour drive. Today we just slept, did a little sight-seeing and generally rested.
Oct. 12 - Ben went to see the Aquarium today , I did laundry and then the evening found us at ? Just outside of the city center this is a cool, city sponsored venue. We played Ping- Pong before the show. Franckie went to see the Doctor (not blind !) as he had gone swimming in the morning and gotten some water in his ear that he was suffering from and said he couldn't hear. As you can tell, we are very sporting men ! This was the first night that Fabrice played us some of his favorite musical groups during soundcheck. I'm still shaking my head!
Oct. 13 - Maroquinerie - A super cool club being run by the gentleman that had given my first Paris show 6 years ago (Passage De Norwest). it's located in the 19th arrondiesement. A small concert theater with a raised staged and seating around the edges makes it very cool and intimate. Great PA and atmosphere made for a super cool reception in this most important city. Of coarse lots of friends, family and fans don't hurt anything either. This was the first night I think that the Blind Docs and I relaxed, opened up and just had some fun on stage. Jan Tierson and Johann Asherton as well as the Last Call folks all came to see us. A great opening set by Le Minimum kicked the night of perfectly. It was our first dancing audience as well. Bravo!! After the show we drove out into the suburbs for 1 hour and almost didn't get into the hotel because the code on the room numbers was wrong but in the end the God of musicians smiled on us and Pascal got to go home after a very long day for him. Most thanks to him for all his efforts on this show as he did it all, organizing hotel, catering, gig, promotion and on and on.
Oct. 14 - Tours - Another club I'd played in before (at least 2 times I think) and it's a good feeling to know they like you enough to want you back! this is the first place our soundman Fabrice ever worked when the board was located above the stage but that's where it's at! It is a small room located down one flight of stairs but an intimate room that's fun to play. A big fan of Calvin Russel kept demanding that I play one of his songs all night and made himself a bit of a bore but I cut him in half with a few well chosen words and he disappeared soon after! Two un-named band members were late the next morning for load-out (sometimes it's easier to wait until the next day for this wearisome chore as parking the bus safely at night is always a concern) and we ended up leaving Jean Phi's drum carpet at the venue as a result (the carpet keeps the drum from slipping around on wooden stages-always a "drag" for the drummer).
Oct. 15 - Auch - Cool and modern city supported venue run by dedicated music fans (well paid I hope!). Terry drank too much Armangiac this night. Fabrices looses his hat. Best hotel of the tour, located about 15K from the venue. 6 small apartment like rooms located in the middle of nowhere (read: country) with horses, Ping-Pong, a squash court, swimming pool etc etc and a small restaurant and cool bar plus a great music room, all wood etc., make this a must re-visit hotel. Would be great in the summer!
Oct. 16 - Pau- Good show for the band. We are all playing together as a unit now with lots of confidence and purpose. Went to a disco after the show and Terry takes a beer bath, always a good way to impress the girls! Very tired the next morning.
Oct. 17,18,19 - Najac - Two very much needed off days following a Sunday early evening show in the middle of the country. Le Dobro is a converted cow barn made into a restaurant/bar/music venue run by two good friends of mine, Pierro and Sylvie. It was a wet, wet weekend during this time but good friends, drink, food and music ensured a good time was had by all; Black tongues the next mornings! The band played Monopoly, Risiko, dice and more fun games as we all relaxed, washed clothes and just rested. A wonderful venue that you really must visit if you can; Tell them Terry Lee sent you!
Oct. 20 - Roanne- Perhaps our best concert with a real friendly audience, a good PA and friendly staff, a great dinner before and the Doctors were funny and we all played with inspiration and vigor!! I went back to the hotel following the show but the band went to some disco and I heard them very clearly at 3h30 the next morning. We were awoken the next morning by lawnmowers and power blowers as the hotel was trimming the landscape at 8AM!! always a good way to empty the rooms early! We did tell the hotel owner what we thought of the situation and I'm sure when he saw our faces enter the breakfast room that morning he was nervous. Jean Phi told me during the morning that his new daughter was born the night before. A big welcome to Jeanne Deviq!!!!
Photo: Peter PrickenOct. 21- Cluses- A drive up into the foothills of the Alps to this lovely winter resort. The fall colors were wonderful and it was a clear and beautiful fall day! I was feeling a bit of a cold so wasn't all that great company but we were all excited to be in the mountains. The venue is a small bar and hotel and we slept upstairs, always a treat at the end of the night! It was a loud and rocking show and I think everyone had a good time. After the show and the audience went home we all stayed around and drank a little more and played acoustic guitars for a couple of hours. I heard the next morning that Ben slept on the floor of his room. Alain managed to lock Fabrice in his hotel room between sets (what were they doing up there?) and it was only luck that someone heard him pounding on the door to get out that he made the second set!!
Oct. 22 - St.Etienne - Not really in this city but located just outside in the foothills surrounding this city. I did an instore at FNAC (the large and only French music store chain) in the afternoon. A rather disappointing gig for us although we played well. I had spent a lot of time and played quite a few show here over the last few years but not many made the 40 minute journey up into the mountains to see yours truly; Ah well- Franck told us that he finished his book today. Super old and cool hotel that night. Bed looked like a U! I walked out into the sunshine the next morning and directly facing me and my red eyes was a 14 year old ballerina doing exercises! Tough life!!
Oct. 23 - St.Agreve - Absolutely coolest venue and worst audience. Located in the middle of cow-ville in a converted farm house. Absolutely beautiful wood room with a large stage and excellent sound system make this place a rockers paradise! The audience that came could have care less though! No applause and the worst part of it was that everyone danced before our show, during the break and after the gig and just vanished when we played. Fabrice totally turned up the sound system to maximum during the second set as we all just did not care either and we played a real rocking set. Our last show of this tour. Best food and treatment of the tour here though by the owners. Real "live" music lovers but disco is what keeps them alive. I remember when I was young I never would have been caught dead dancing to recorded music. How times change!
Oct. 24 - Facing a 16 drive back to Concarneau today but after all the driving we had done to get here, we were certainly capable. Dropped Ben off in Lyon where he caught a train elsewhere, dropped me off in Paris for business and pleasure, dropped Fabrice off in Rennes (his home) and Alain, Franck and Jean Phi drove the last bit home, arriving in Concarneau 1H30 the next morning. Our van "Rose" performed superbly and we will be sorry to sell her but sell her we must. All in all a good tour for us all I think. Thanks to Pascal, we all made a little bit of money and even more importantly I think, we are still all friends after so many adventures and miles together. My hat is off the Blind Doctors for their professionalism, courage and friendship. Personally I had a great adventure with them, learned a whole hell of a lot about myself, music and the world. Vive la France!!!!!!!!!!!
