Review - Vini Reilly live @ Chorlton Arts

On Wednesday 21 May, Vini Reilly was interviewed on stage by author and DJ Dave Haslam and then made a return to live performance as part of the Chorlton Arts Festival.

For a full review it's over to our Northern Correspondent, Mr Bryan Burford (with many thanks!):

The evening began with a brief intro from Dave Haslam, and then straight into an interview with Vini. Slightly shocking to see Vini obviously frail and having to be helped onto the stage, but although his speech is obviously still affected his humour and character are still there. He spoke of having to change the way he plays since the strokes - he can't finger-pick so has to just strum, and can't feel the frets like he could. He spoke also of the frustration of having tunes in his head, and not being able to get them out as easily.

He talked about the making of Return Of, and how it was Martin Hannett's album - the first he knew of what it sounded like was when Tony and Lindsey Wilson gave him a white label signed by them. He talked about first playing with Bruce, on Alan Erasmus's suggestion, and how the connection was immediate, how Bruce knows what Vini's doing before Vini does (the improvisation and 'I don't know what will happen' was a theme of the night). He said something similar about John Metcalfe.

He then introduced Old House Playground giving them a build-up no-one could really deliver on, but they did seem to have something. Three-piece of drum, guitar and double-bass, with a striking vocal sound. They played two tunes, and then Vini took the stage again.

He played three tunes - first Love & Maths with John Metcalfe. It took a minute or so for them to synchronise, but it became a really nice version. Second was a tune with the OHP vocalist Tryfon contributing vocals from poems written by a young women whose name I didn't catch (who was also present), with Bruce sneaking onto the stage after a little while. Vini did appear genuinely surprised when he noticed (that tune is on YouTube). It was wonderful to see that chemistry at work again.

The third tune was preambled by Vini talking about his guitar teacher, Miriam (Mimi, presumably of the LC track), the only one of her family to survive the holocaust and a "second mother" to Vini. He talked about her telling him (I think) of the responsibility of an artists, of people who have a gift, and of looking at the stars and telling him that the light was from long-dead places, and something about Zeno’s paradox - all blowing the 12 year old Vini's mind. He then took out a copy of Maus he'd received anonymously in the post, a synchronicity with his already thinking about Mimi, and began to introduce the tune with a warning that it would take it out of him and he would be helped from the stage afterwards. He said something about the need to balance terrible evil by seeing the goodness in the world, and began.

From the start he seemed traumatised, pausing between each of the first few chords, but starting something that was in the end extremely powerful, very beautiful, and entirely Vini. Tryfon contributed some more vocals that I thought were very effective - reminded me a little of vocals on Sex & Death, and also (oddly) of Liz Fraser in This Mortal Coil mode. Vini finished in tears, to another standing ovation, and the audience left I think probably slightly stunned, as well as moved (if that’s not a contradiction).

It was very raw, and difficult in places, but compared to Bridgewater Hall in 2011, where Vini's desolation about Poppy was uncomfortable to see, there was something more positive here. From what Vini was saying about Mimi, and all that she'd meant to him and taught him, I got the impression that he was reflecting on his place, and his identity, as an artist, and that despite the setbacks of illness, he still has a gift, and a responsibility, and a desire, to make music, and get those tunes out somewhere.

Chronicle XL Kooky presale sold out

The internet presale of the long-awaited new album 'Chronicle XL' has sold out over at Kooky Records. A total of 500 copies were sold in two waves (180 first, followed by 320).

Many thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered their copy and, if you didn't get one, rest assured that there will be plenty on sale via your favourite shop when it is fully released in early June.

Meanwhile, the Labels: Chronicle, Kooky_Records

Chronicle XL Kooky presale continues

There's still time to snag you pre-order copy of new album Chronicle XL before its full release date.

Kooky Records is still taking pre-orders [->] but hurry because stocks are limited!

Chronicle XL presale 7pm BST 10 May

A reminder that the second presale of Chronicle XL starts at 7pm British Summer Time over at Kooky Records.

More details

Chronicle XL update via Kooky

As is traditional in these circumstances, it's over to Phil Kooky for an important announcement about Chronicle XL, reproduced here in full:

"Further to recent posts, I have now made arrangements for an additional amount of copies of Chronicle XL by The Durutti Column to be available not only by mail order but also in the stores.

In response to the demand, 320 LIMITED RUN COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE TO BUY AT 7.00PM BST, ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014.

Whilst this is a very important and exclusive release it need not exclude anyone who wants a copy. Limited versions will be available at Kooky Mail Order via the Buy it Now with Paypal button and standard ones at your local record store in July once it is on general release. We want to support the artist by selling as many as possible.

In response to the high demand, it will now be an initial run of 2000 copies in total. 500 or so of these will have the extra maps and badges mentioned in previous posts and will comprise those sold direct via the Kooky Shop. The remaining 1500 or so will make up the standard edition and will have one of six maps and no badges. The certificate, booklet and all other material will appear in all copies.

All limited copies will only be available through Kooky and they will be posted at the end of May/early June. They will ALL go out together regardless of whether you ordered one last week or order in the future. The main release date has been bought forward and will now be the week commencing 7 July 2014.

I would like to reassure everyone that you should not worry if you can't buy one here via the Kooky website as your shop/store will stock it. So, please spread the word and remember it is now in larger quantities and there should be enough to go around.

A few comments regarding ordering:

1) If you have already ordered one, please do not order another. I WILL refund duplicates. Please respectfully ask any friends to buy their own, otherwise you are taking someone else's chance to get one. I check addresses and names without issuing a warrant.

2) Should you want a refund because you're unhappy with the increase in the pressing just contact me and it will be given - no questions asked.

3) Read previous posts, a lot of information has been circulated.

4) Please remember that because I will probably run out it does not mean you cannot buy one from your store. I cannot sell them all as it's not fair on the shops and stores who support the artist too.

Finally, we are all fans and I know that our main sentiment is supporting Vin, Bruce and company. Any questions please contact me here or on the new Facebook page, Kooky Twitter or my Phil Kooky Twitter, etc.

I am visible."

Chronicle XL - a Kooky update

Following the online presale of Chronicle XL on Friday night / Saturday morning it's over to Kooky Records [->] for a news flash.

New photos of Vini Reilly

Check out new photographic portraits of Vini Reilly at northernfacephoto.com.