Brian Ray Archived
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Thanks for the message Brian. Can't wait for the newsletter to hear all about your Israel show.
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Brian's latest newsletter / blogg .......... October 2008: Our Show in Tel Aviv, Israel I'm back in LA after 3 weeks away, first in London for 1 week of rehearsals, then Rye in the south of England near the coast, for 3 days more. The rehearsals were swell... I'm always surprised when my hands and voice know where to go when it's been months since we played together! Paul was in top form, and we worked our buns off. We had 4 days off in London and then Abe Jr., our drummer [for my new friends] and I were invited to Paris for a day of recording there with a French artist, Florent Pagny. So we flew over because the Eurostar was down, due to a fire in the Chunnel. We stayed at the Costes Hotel and had an amazing dinner at Philippe Stark's new Thai food hotspot, "Bon". We worked from 9 a.m. til 6:30 the next day, and then jetted back to London. Body surfing in Tel Aviv The next day we all flew with Paul to Tel Aviv on a private charter jet. It's fun to be together.. after 6 years with the same line-up, we are family now.. He doesn't feel the need to entertain us all with Beatle stories and we can all just chill out together. When we arrived in Tel Aviv I didn't know if it was safe to get out and walk around there, the only long haired blond guy within a thousand miles!! Hahahaha!! So, the next day I got out for a walk on the beach after a pot of strong coffee. On the way back I saw Wix [keyboards] in the water and jumped in to join him for some good bodysurfing in Israel.. it felt amazing and the water was glorious. We then went to the park where we were to play the next day for a rehearsal.. It sounded perfect onstage, so much so that we were all puzzled. See, there's an old saying.. "good soundcheck, BAD gig !!!" But actually, it was just that we have a great new monitor guy, Jonathan. So... Show Day!!! The next day we all went over at about 2pm to soundcheck, rehearse, eat and relax... Our backstage "camp" was so groovy.. check out the pics! We had all these bamboo day beds all over this grassy area with our awesome catering [Eat Your Heart Out] making ridiculous vegetarian food and awesome killer desserts, so that when we hit the stage at 8:30, we were fed and happy.. WOW!!! 53,000 people, many of whom had been lined up since the night before to get a good place, rushed in at the end of our sound check, yelling and celebrating what was to come.. By the time we hit the stage the sun was down and the mood was up.. WAY UP! This was one of the coolest crowds we have ever performed for. So much heart and soul, singing every lyric in perfect English. They cried during Paul's gorgeous pairing of "A Day In The Life/Give Peace A Chance".. not a dry eye in the house.. The cel phones and lighters in the air during "Let It Be" could have lit up a desert. One of the best shows of the past 3 years... Paul sang with so much energy and we all played our hearts out for what turned into one of the best shows of the last 3 years. It was cool of Paul to drive through the wall to the Church of the Nativity on our first day there and he made his best effort show that he was there simply to play music, not for any political statement. So... BIG thanks to all of our new fans and friends in Tel Aviv. Thanks for making us all feel at home! Watch this space for news of upcoming shows.. and check out my photos from TelAviv! News of my home studio and my new dog, Charlie!! Also, I am just about finished with my new home studio so that my work on my upcoming project can continue right here at home with my new dog, Charlie!! Isn't he beautiful?? Hahahaha!! I love this little dude! He is learning to play Soccer now! I might be back in Paris next month for some TV shows with Johnny Hallyday in Oct.. I just finished his new CD. It is spectacular, with so many cool tunes, great production and players, recorded the old fashioned natural way.. and Johnny, singing his lungs out! Watch for it, ok? Also, I also just finished work on Kelly Clarkson's next CD, and it is really off the chain!! So listen for that as well... Ok, abientot, cheers, shalom and ... later! Love, Brian
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i love johnny halliday as an actor and singer ! he was called 'the french elvis' in france back in the 60s. a huge pop star there who had a thing with french gamine pop singer sylvie varton (read all about it in vintage 'fabulous' brit teen pop mags). i saw johnny in an excellent sumptuously filmed french film a few years ago. something called 'man on a train' or something like that. he played a poetic crook inspired by gunslingers of the old west, who wished for a different more elegant sedate intellectual life. his character wanted to trade places with an old professor, who longed for his more exciting tempestuous lifestyle. i was knocked out that brian is making music with halliday...that is so cool and it was sad to read of brians beloved sister Jean's demise. she had gotten him to fall in love with music and become a musician. brian has a beautiful sunny spirit, and so talented, you must be quite special to get to be in macca's band. it's sweet and admirable that he gives us inside info and glimpses into his life & profession and into performing with paul.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
i love johnny halliday as an actor and singer ! he was called 'the french elvis' in france back in the 60s. a huge pop star there who had a thing with french gamine pop singer sylvie varton (read all about it in vintage 'fabulous' brit teen pop mags). i saw johnny in an excellent sumptuously filmed french film a few years ago. something called 'man on a train' or something like that. he played a poetic crook inspired by gunslingers of the old west, who wished for a different more elegant sedate intellectual life. his character wanted to trade places with an old professor, who longed for his more exciting tempestuous lifestyle. i was knocked out that brian is making music with halliday...that is so cool and it was sad to read of brians beloved sister Jean's demise. she had gotten him to fall in love with music and become a musician. brian has a beautiful sunny spirit, and so talented, you must be quite special to get to be in macca's band. it's sweet and admirable that he gives us inside info and glimpses into his life & profession and into performing with paul.
Hi SusyLuvsPaul , and welcome to the thread Yes, i agree with you , it's so great of Brian to take the time, to keep us all up to date on the Paul show news and his own stuff too .He's a very talented musician in his own right aswell
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It's feezing cold here today ... and it's the first time i've had to scrape ice off the windshield of my car this morning .... so winter is on it's way !!! [ i bet it's still sunny in LA ,Ronna ? ] Hope y'all having a good day
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Brian will be on a French tv show tomorrow ! One member of Maccablog.co.uk met him and interviewed him yesterday ) http//www.maccablog.co.uk/
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pOlO:
Brian will be on a French tv show tomorrow ! One member of Maccablog.co.uk met him and interviewed him yesterday http://www.maccablog.co.uk/
That's cool , I'll look forward to reading the interview , and welcome to the thread pOlO
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Cheers Dawn )
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Hi Everyone! Long time... I'm ready to see the boys again... When will Brian finally send us a newsletter that has a list of venues and dates!? I'm SO READY TO SEE PAUL AND THE BOYS AGAIN!!! Hope everyone here is doing well!
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JayJay:
Hi Everyone! Long time... I'm ready to see the boys again... When will Brian finally send us a newsletter that has a list of venues and dates!? I'm SO READY TO SEE PAUL AND THE BOYS AGAIN!!! Hope everyone here is doing well!
Hi JayJay , Lovely to see you here again I know what you mean ! i think everyone is looking forward to some more shows ! You have some great photos on your post with the guys were they all taken around the same time ? Almost the complete set .... just Wix missing ... maybe next time !
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Dawn:
JayJay:
Hi Everyone! Long time... I'm ready to see the boys again... When will Brian finally send us a newsletter that has a list of venues and dates!? I'm SO READY TO SEE PAUL AND THE BOYS AGAIN!!! Hope everyone here is doing well!
Hi JayJay , Lovely to see you here again I know what you mean ! i think everyone is looking forward to some more shows ! You have some great photos on your post with the guys were they all taken around the same time ? Almost the complete set .... just Wix missing ... maybe next time !
Hiya Dawn! Thanks for your kind welcoming words. No, those pics are from all over the place... Brian and I is from Liverpool 2003. That was taken right outside the Cavern while Paul was inside throwing a private party. Damn, how I would have LOVED to get in that door! The one of Abe is right outside the Ritz in Miami; he was so sweet and actually waited for me to run to my car to get that Liverpool sign and my camera so he could sign and let me get a photo with him. The one of Rusty is inside the Ritz, like 2am. A bunch of us were sitting in the lobby, drinks in hand, and my buddies were egging me on... go over and talk to him... I dare you! No dares for me... I grabbed a rose that the Ritz was giving out and without saying a word, went up to Rusty and his girlfriend, Rene, and just handed them a rose. She was so sweet... when she saw my camera, she offered to take a shot of Rusty and I. What's weird is that I saw Paul in Vegas several months later, and she just so happened to be sitting in front of me at the show, and remembered me! I had no clue who she was until she reminded me. She's really cool... and the boys are just downright awesome... so friendly and polite. Yes, now I need one with Wix... and PAUL!!! I met Wix at the Ritz, but my camera was sitting at the bar! One day... for sure! Good to see you're still around!
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JayJay:
Dawn:
JayJay:
Hi Everyone! Long time... I'm ready to see the boys again... When will Brian finally send us a newsletter that has a list of venues and dates!? I'm SO READY TO SEE PAUL AND THE BOYS AGAIN!!! Hope everyone here is doing well!
Hi JayJay , Lovely to see you here again I know what you mean ! i think everyone is looking forward to some more shows ! You have some great photos on your post with the guys were they all taken around the same time ? Almost the complete set .... just Wix missing ... maybe next time !
Hiya Dawn! Thanks for your kind welcoming words. No, those pics are from all over the place... Brian and I is from Liverpool 2003. That was taken right outside the Cavern while Paul was inside throwing a private party. Damn, how I would have LOVED to get in that door! The one of Abe is right outside the Ritz in Miami; he was so sweet and actually waited for me to run to my car to get that Liverpool sign and my camera so he could sign and let me get a photo with him. The one of Rusty is inside the Ritz, like 2am. A bunch of us were sitting in the lobby, drinks in hand, and my buddies were egging me on... go over and talk to him... I dare you! No dares for me... I grabbed a rose that the Ritz was giving out and without saying a word, went up to Rusty and his girlfriend, Rene, and just handed them a rose. She was so sweet... when she saw my camera, she offered to take a shot of Rusty and I. What's weird is that I saw Paul in Vegas several months later, and she just so happened to be sitting in front of me at the show, and remembered me! I had no clue who she was until she reminded me. She's really cool... and the boys are just downright awesome... so friendly and polite. Yes, now I need one with Wix... and PAUL!!! I met Wix at the Ritz, but my camera was sitting at the bar! One day... for sure! Good to see you're still around!
Hi JayJay, Lovely stories! I remember your Rusty story from another thread. Thanks for sharing them! Awesome photos...love that reddish orange shirt... Kimsey
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Happy Halloween
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I've been watching on the news , the awful fires in California !! It's so sad seeing peoples homes being burnt down We're so lucky in the UK that we don't ever have to experience these kinds of huge fires . I hope all our friends in California stay safe .
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Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the U.S Hope you all have a wonderful day 2:
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Dawn:
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the U.S Hope you all have a wonderful day 2:
Hiya Dawn.... not doing much today on Thankgiven how are you?
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harleyblues:
Dawn:
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the U.S Hope you all have a wonderful day 2:
Hiya Dawn.... not doing much today on Thankgiven how are you?
Hi Harley .... I'm good thanks Thanksgiving sounds like a lovely holiday to celebrate , shame i'm not American ! lol Take care Harley .
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Only 2 weeks left until christmas I can't wait , i love Christmas . Hope everyone has a great weekend .
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Hope everyone here has a very Merry Christmas Dawn x
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Dawn:
Hope everyone here has a very Merry Christmas Dawn x
I hope so. It has been snowing here today....it may have stopped by now... Happy Xmas!