Bolt of Blue

Duran Duran’s new single “All You Need Is Now” is due out on itunes on December 14. Only two weeks away!

I’ve already devoured a sneak listen over and over again. It has shades of the “Medazzaland” era and that’s definitely NOT a bad thing. It’s also got serious attitude like many an excellent Duran Duran song and a lovely vocal by Simon. Nick Egan is directing the video and since he did some of my very favorite Duran Duran videos (“White Lies”, “Perfect Day”, “Come Undone”, “Ordinary World”), I am drooling at the prospect of what this new video will be like.

The 9 song album will be up December 21. My only annoyance in this whole release is that the physical CD release isn’t until February so I’ll have to install iTunes to get it, a program I seriously detest. But there’s no way I’m waiting for this. Please. What kind of Duranie do you make me for?

I’m so intrigued to hear the rest of the album and am pleased as punch with Mark Ronson’s involvement. I think he’s been a fantastic collaborator and being such a fan himself, really understands what makes Duran Duran so special.

Speaking of Mark, I got to see him in action last month. He performed a set for Jimmy Kimmel Live (see photos). It was really fun, made more so because we got to see Alex Greenwald again. Oh Alex, how I miss Phantom Planet so much sometimes. *sniff*

That was one awesome night of music as we rushed over to see James at the Henry Fonda Theatre right after the show and made it just in time. And of course, James put on an epic show of amazing, powerful music. They really connect with their audience and like Duran Duran, they have put on some of the best concert experiences I’ve been lucky to be part of.

The T in the Park line up this year kills me.

JAMES, Keane, Snow Patrol, Franz Ferdinand, the Killers, BLUR… If only DD were added, then I think I’d explode.

Damon and Graham performed last Thursday together for the first time publicly in 10 years at the NME awards. Amazing… sigh.

Concert meme from parlance.

First concert?
New Kids on the Block, Magic Summer Tour, September 14, 1990 at Dodger Stadium. 60,000 sold out. 2nd row seats. INSANE.
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I’m going to see James on Oct. 2 at the El Rey. I’m extremely tempted to purchase tickets to their shows in Anaheim and San Diego. I was freaking out (to put it lightly) when I first found out about the shows because I thought I’d miss all of them. But now it’s not looking likely that Remi and I will be in Seattle during that time. I’m sad though. It was like a lose lose situation. Because it means we’re going to miss BrickCon. It just doesn’t seem like it’s going to work out this year and it bums me out. I was really looking forward to it. Sigh.

In shock over the James fall tour announcement that I’ve been waiting for. They are playing 4 shows in California in October. Awesome!

Wait… they are all happening when I’m planning to be in Vancouver and Seattle. Could the timing be more awesome!?

Been meaning to post. Been busy. The usual. Bunch of short blurbs coming now. More for my memory benefit than anything else.

James at Spaceland was like a religious experience for me. It was beautiful, passionate, moving… simply incredible. I’m so blessed that I got to be there for a such a magical night with dear friends and my husband.

We didn’t get there that early and I was worried about a big line. When we arrived, found parking easily and there was no line. Always overestimating or underestimating line ups. The blood rushed to my feet when we saw Tim Booth walk into the parking lot to take a break.

During the sound check, I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from crying when “Say Something” could be heard through the front door. I think it hit me that I was going to see them in this tiny venue. A band I’ve only seen once in 1994 at a radio show and whose music means so much to my life (our first dance at our wedding was to a James song).

Inside, we got to stand right in front of Tim. The whole band was not there so it was a bit scaled back. Saul Davies on violin (and sometimes drums), Larry Gott on guitar, Jim Glennie on bass, and Andy Diagram on trumpet rounded out the band that night. They played a mixture of old and new songs. During a part of beautiful new song “Oh My Heart”, the whole audience gasped in awe and wonder when Tim hit a certain note and breathed out. Stunning. They ended the night with a powerful version of “Say Something”. Leaving us all with a taste of more to come when they tour in the fall. Simply can’t wait.

From Billboard:

James Inks U.S. Deal For Reunion Album
May 29, 2008, 11:10 AM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Veteran U.K. rock act James has inked a U.S. deal with Decca Records for the release of its first new album in seven years. “Hey Ma” will be released Sept. 16 and will be supported by as-yet-unannounced North American tour dates.

“Hey Ma,” which debuted at No. 10 on the U.K. album chart last month, is the follow-up to 2001′s “Pleased To Meet You.” Sources say there will be an upcoming U.S. TV ad campaign featuring album track “Whiteboy” for an as-yet-unnamed major car manufacturer.

James will introduce the new material to U.S. listeners during a June 5 performance and interview on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic.” Additionally, U.K. dates are on tap for mid-December.

You can listen to snippets of the new album on their website.

What wasn’t mentioned is they are playing Spaceland tomorrow night. TOMORROW NIGHT. And I’m going. Holy crap!

I’ve only seen James once before. Back in 1994 at a radio festival. To say this is dreamlike for me is an understatement. One of my favorite bands. Ever. Top 3. *squeeeeeeee*