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Twenty Eight years ago in Toronto, CANADA, an 18 yr old music fan slipped backstage, unnoticed by the distracted
security people. Up a staircase, down a hall, then back down another staircase. He heard voices coming from the
bands dressing room. He quietly stepped inside and said, “Mr. Nelson, will you please autograph my Album?” The
memory seems like it was just yesterday. There, standing in front of me was my guitar hero, Bill Nelson of Be Bop
Deluxe. He smiled and obliged. I turned to pose with Bill for a picture as my friend prepared to snap it. “What?
No film?” My good friend Wally Moss had forgotten to load film in the camera. Go figure. Wally turned out to be
one of Toronto’s premier photographers (he is also responsible for those beautiful guitar photographs at
eastwoodguitars.com), but alas, that moment lives on sans photo. People follow their passions – Wally’s was
photography, mine was the electric guitar - and the musicians who made them sing. Bill Nelson remains
one of the best.
Here we are 30 years later and after following my passion, I find myself as the president of EASTWOOD Guitars.
My enthusiasm for music has not diminished one bit. I still seem to spend more money on CD’s than groceries.
I have thousands of LP’s that have not seen a needle in years, due to the fact that I now have thousands of CD’s
that for a large part, replicate my LP’s. Of course now that I have my 60G IPOD, the CD’s are getting a rest.
Crazy? Perhaps, but I would not give them up for the world. Being surrounded by music and electric guitars, I
find myself enjoying life more now than ever. How could it get any better? How about reconnecting with Bill Nelson!
As luck would have it, our paths recently crossed again - this time not through my pursuing an autograph - but
through Bill’s on-going interest in Bizarre Guitars. I have followed the career of Bill Nelson since his first
release in 1971, Northern Dream (which by the way was the album I had him sign). Most of us were introduced to
Bill through the critically acclaimed 70’s band, Be Bop Deluxe. I still play air guitar when listening to riffs
from LIVE IN THE AIR AGE, possibly one of the greatest LIVE band recordings from that era.
Bill continued through the next 3 decades with a solo career that amassed a staggering number of releases. I
cannot remember a year going by without the purchase of at least one Bill Nelson CD, often two and three. Some
of my personal favorites include QUIT DREAMING AND GET ON THE BEAM (1981), CHIMERA (1983), MAP OF DREAMS (1987),
AFTER THE SATELLITE SINGS (1996), MAGNIFICNET DREAM PEOPLE (1997) and DEEP DREAM DECODER (1998).
If for some reason you missed the last three decades and are in need of a quick fix, run out and get WHAT NOW,
WHAT NEXT?, it is an exceptionally good compilation of the Cocteau Years from 1980-1990. Also pick up SATELLITE
SONGS, the perfect companion. More than enough to rekindle the spirit.
I am the proud owner of over 40 CD’s (and a few dozen vinyl LP’s) from Bill Nelson. Thirty years later, now that
our paths have crossed again, Bill is the proud owner of an EASTWOOD Saturn ’63. How cool is that!? Imagine the
smile on my face when Bill wrote back with the following message:
“I’m one of those post-war baby-boomers who were born into the era of rock n' roll and science-fiction. Like many
well-known British musicians of my generation, I attended Art School in the '60's and have always had an eye for
unusual visual design, whether that be in the realm of cars, clothes or architecture... guitars too. Especially guitars!
I remember standing outside local music store windows as a 12 year old, blown away by the exotic, futuristic
designs of many '50's and '60's guitar manufacturers such as Fenton Weill, Wandre, Hopf, Guyatone and Teisco.
These were not the big name, glamorous makes that famous stars played, but they were, for me and my budding
young musician friends, even more other-worldly, more electric than the expensive mainstream brands. Their visual
appeal went way beyond practical considerations and strayed into the realm of pure fantasy. They were
aesthetically 'out there', super-modern, ultra-baroque. They embodied the essential, electrical essence of rock n' roll.
Unfortunately, they were not the most player-friendly instruments in the world, often being manufactured
cheaply, despite the avant-garde nature of their visual appeal. Nevertheless, 40 odd years later, these vintage
designs have become rare and coveted instruments, ('though sadly more suited towards the wealthy collector's
cabinet than the recording studio or stage.)
Hats off to Eastwood Guitars for their visionary mission to re-issue some of these rare designs yet keep the
guitarists of the 21st Century in mind. Eastwood guitars look just like the original instruments, but with
the added bonus of superior build quality, modern playability and a vibey, characterful tonality. These guitars
go beyond retro-futurist nostalgia to expand any contemporary guitarist's tonal palette. And separate you
from the herd.
Magically, my Saturn 63 reminds me of just how I felt standing outside that music shop back in the late '50's,
and confirms just why I fell in love with electric guitars in the first place, all those years ago."
Somehow makes it all worthwhile, don’t it? Well, if you are a regular reader of this newsletter, you know what
I’ve been up to lately, but what about Bill Nelson? Quite a lot actually.
In the past 30 years, Bill has released close to 50 CD’s, many of which are double, triple and even quad disk
sets. You wonder when he finds time to sleep! He has also worked on film, television and video scores, directed
a variety of videos, toured as part of Heroes De Lumiere with his brother Ian, worked with
Roger Eno,
Gary Numan,
Yellow Magic Orchestra,
Harold Budd, Flock of Seagulls, John Cooper-Clarke, David Sylvian,
Laraaji and
Kate St. John
under the Channel Light Vessel
name and performed as part of the Japanese group Culturemix.
Phenomenally busy, driven by his muse and an active imagination, Nelson continues to delight and confound.
No signs of slowing, either. Bill tells me he has got two new albums in the pipeline: 'Neptunes Galaxy' and
'Return To Jazz Of Lights' as well as some rare, previously unreleased Be Bop Deluxe material, all coming out
later this year. You can get in line (behind me) to sign up for these releases on his website, Dreamsville
(www.billnelson.com). There are plenty of things to do during your visit to Dreamsville – pack a lunch and have fun!
Here is a short list of recent releases from Bill Nelson (all available at DREAMSVILLE):
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| Gleaming Without Lights (CD) |
Code: BN-GWL |
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The latest album from Bill Nelson features the soundtracks from the films North-East and Memory Codex (Dreamland Illuminated) shown at the recent Leeds University concert.
Tracks List
Gleaming Without Lights 3:38
North-East 4:23
Rialto 3:37
Billy Builds The World Of Tomorrow 7:47
Glittering Rails 4:53
Dreamland Illuminated 37:55
Pilgrim (Fantasia On A Distantly Remembered Hymn) 4:23
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon
Released on Sonoluxe CD-006 Apr 2007 |
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| Getting The Holy Ghost Across (CD) |
Code: BN-GHG |
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Now available for the first time on CD and remaster from the 1986 recordings. This CD includes all of the original tracks plus 8 bonus tracks from the companion 'mini-album' Living For The Spangled Moment'.
Track List
1. Suvasini, 2. Contemplation, 3. Theology, 4. Wildest Dreams, 5. Lost In Your Mystery, 6. Rise Like A Fountain, 7. Age Of Reason, 8. The Hidden Flame, 9. Because Of You, 10. Pansophia.
Bonus Tracks: 11. Heart And Soul, 12. Living For The Spangled Moment, 13. Feast Of Lanterns, 14. Illusions Of You, 15. Word For Word, 16. Finks And Stooges Of The Spirit, 17. Nightbirds, 18. The Yo-Yo Dyne.
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon
Released on Sonoluxe Nov 2006
Licensed from Sony BGM. |
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| Return To Jazz Of Lights (CD) |
Code: BN-JOL |
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Hot off the press, Bill's latest album explores some of his jazz influences through this carefully crafted collection of songs and instrumentals.
Track List
1. Return To Jazz Of Lights, 2. Fearless Beauty, 3. Mysterious Chemicals Of Love, 4. It's A Big World And I'm In It, 5. October Sky, 6. For You And I, 7. Velocity Dansette, 8. Now Is Not And Never Was, 9. Windswept, 10. Always You, 11. Steam Radio Blues, 12. All These Days Are Gone (for Ian).
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon
Released on Sonoluxe CD-005 Oct 2006 |
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| The Alchemical Adventures Of Sailor Bill (CD) |
Code: BN-AASB |
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The latest album from Bill Nelson takes on a Costal theme and is inspired by the English coastline. Drawn from personal memories, 'Sailor Bill' takes you on an emotional rollercoaster tour of childhood days, teenage years and adulthood experiences. Sonically, the richly textured sounds give a grand orchestral feel to Bill's instrumentals and songs complemented by his guitar playing which weave it's way in and out of this musical adventure.
Track List
1. The Lighthouse Keeper's Waltz 2. The Ceremonial Arrival of The Great Golden Cloud 3. Here Comes the Sea 4. Dream of Imperial Steam 5. Sailor Blue 6. Ship of Summer, All Lights Blazing 7. Illuminated Promenade 8. The Ocean, the Night and the Big, Big Wheel 9. A Boat Named St. Christopher 10. Moments Catch Fire on the Crests of Waves 11. The Sky, the Sea, the Moon and Me 12. My Ship is Lost to Semaphore.
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon
Released on Sonoluxe CD-003 November 2005 |
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| Rosewood Volume 2 (CD) |
Code: BN-RWV2 |
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Following in the footsteps of the first Rosewood CD, Volume 2 features another collection of acoustic guitar instrumentals with a difference. Processed with electricity and veiled in ambience, this set takes a more tuneful approach to a new musical conclusion.
Track List
1.Tinderbox 2.Aliumesque 3.Little Cantina 4.Rolling Home (Yorkshire Raga No. 1) 5.Sunbeam 6.Bramble 7.William Is Wearing The Cardigan Of Light 8.The Autumn Tram (Yorkshire Raga No. 2) 9. Hi Lo La 10. Rising Sap 11.Blue Cloud 12. See-Through-Nightie 13.Ordinary Storm Waiting For Rain 14.The Light Is Kinder In This Corner Of Corona 15.Your Whole Life Dreaming
Released on Sonoluxe - July 2005
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon |
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| Rosewood Volume 1 (CD) |
Code: BN-RWV1 |
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This project concentrates on acoustic guitar instrumentals but is more than just the usual 'unplugged' confections served up as rustic fodder for suburban hillbillies these days. It is a direct linear development from the Dreamland To Starboard album and sets Bill's acoustic guitar in an ambient soundscape that suggests a jazz and contemporary classical context as well as a broader neo-roots music vibe.
Track List
1. Blues For Orpheus 2. Escondido Oleander 3. Lumia 4. Filament 5.Lacuna 6.Cascade (Improvisation For Three Harp Guitars) 7. She Swings Skirt 8. Mexico City Dream (For Gil Evans) 9. Ventura 10. The Girl In The Park In The Rain 11. Apollonian Tremolo 12. Giant Hawaiian Showboat 13. Cremona 14. The Land Of Lost Time 15. Sleepless In The Ticking Dark
Released on Sonoluxe - May 2005
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon |
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| Atom Shop (CD) |
Code: BN-AS |
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A classic album from 1998. Jazzy feel with Bill's trademark sampled 'found' voices. Packed full of unique songs.
Track List
Wild and dizzy 1. Dreamsville 2. Magic radio 3. Pointing at the moon 4. Trains with fins 5. Popcicle head-trip 6. Propellor of legend 7. Viva le voom-voom 8. Billy infinity 9. She gave me memory 10. My World spins 11. Rocketship 12. Girlfriend with miracles 13. Spinning dizzy on the dial 14. Atom Shop (is closing)
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon |
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| Crimsworth (CD) |
Code: BN-CW |
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Last few remaining copies !
Bill said: 'Crimsworth is an unusual album in that it contains music I composed for an art installation, back in the early 'nineties. The installation was actually called 'Crimsworth' and was built by the artist Rob Ward. The music itself comprises just two long 'movements.' It is primarily concerned with particular textures and atmospheres, rather than thematic development. Some people have said that they consider it the most 'ambient' of my works.
Previously distributed by Voiceprint
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon |
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| What Now What Next? (2CD) |
Code: BN-WNWN |
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The Cocteau Years Compendium: a Double CD compilation of tracks from 1980 to 1990. Bill's personal choice of material from this special decade. Includes 'Do You Dream In Colour?' and several previously unreleased tracks.
Track List
Disc 1
Disc 1 is an Enhanced CD and is PC/Mac compatible
1. The strangest things, the strangest times 2. Do you dream in colour 3. Radiant spires 4. Lady, you're a strange girl 5. Exactly the way you want it 6. Playing Jesus to her Judas 7. Over ocean 8. Devil in me 9. Several famous orchestras 10. Working man 11. First boy on the moon 12. Let it all pass you by 13. Profaned sanctuary of the human heart 14. Sell my soul 15. The garden 16. Edge of the world
Disc 2
1. Heartbeat thru the telephone 2. Fellini's picnic 3. The World wakes up 4. Skies are not cloudy 5. Love's immortal shining angel 6. Promise of perfume 7. Bronze 8. Bride of the atom 9. News from nowhere 10. Les amoureux 11. Kiss it off 12. Astroluxe 13. Opium 14. Windmills in a World without wind 15. Um, ah, good evening
Listen to sample tracks in the Music Salon |
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