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CALAMITY
The official David Cross newsletter

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In this issue:
1. New album – a letter from Paul Clark, the David Cross band guitarist
2. Emergency – mid 70’s project feat. Richard Palmer-James
3. King Crimson remasters from Noisy Records


Hello friends,
I bet you all are wondering about the forthcoming David Cross album. And
there are some exciting news today.
Recently I’ve contacted Paul Clark and asked him several questions regarding
DC5 and Paul’s personal plans and projects.

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GK. First of all, are you still a part of this project? If so, can you tell
me
how the process is going?

PC. Yes, in fact, I recorded all of the guitar parts in late summer in
London. Although I've not heard any 'fully mixed' tracks yet [because the
album is not quite complete] I personally think that this is shaping up to
be David's best album yet. This time around, David's instructions and ideas
gave me a greater freedom than I'd previously had. For my part I'd say that
there is a greater energy coming from the guitars in the rhythm section.
Additionally, for the first time, I used a 7-string guitar. This
coincidentally, worked out very well because many of the songs were in keys
below E [so I could 'get down there' into the deep stuff]. The result is
that the rhythm section has greater power than ever before. The solos that
I've recorded are, in my opinion, among the best that I've ever done. The
greater freedom that David gave me allowed me to play the way that I like to
play. On previous albums I was kind of 'herded' a little into not sounding
like a 'refugee from an LA guitar store'. This meant that my playing style
was more forced [in an attempt to be different] which I found a little
constraining and un-natural. You'll definitely hear a big difference. My
solos have far greater energy and fluidity and are more expressive than
anything that you would have heard from me before. This is the way that I
love to play, naturally and passionately. [David, if you're reading, thanks
for 'letting me off the lead']. My sound has changed as well [I think for
the better and hope that you will think so too when you hear it] on this
album as I've completely changed my rack and taken to the 7-string. All in
all from what I've heard so far, I'm expecting this to be my favourite album
when it's finished.

GK. I also wonder if you take part in writing and / or arranging new
material.

PC. The only time that I took part in he writing officially was for 'Tested
To Destruction'. On the 'Exiles' album I threw in a few little ideas here
and there but not anything significant enough to be considered a co-writer.
The new album is kind of half way between the two. The writing will be
credited to David and Mick and after all they did write everything. I have
added stuff [mostly within the rhythm section] to enhance what was there to
a much greater degree than I did with 'Exiles'. In fact, some of it was a
little drastic here and there but it was always intended to improve things.
However, never at any point did I make changes to the song structure or
themes etc. Think of it this way; David and Mick baked the cake, I just put
on some of the icing. If I had any impact beyond actually playing, I'd say
it would be the orchestration / arranging. Mick and I did a few experiments
, which had some very surprising results. I reprogrammed the drums for one
of
the songs to experiment with the 'groove' and fiddle with the backing track
sequences. The result was that a song that we felt was possibly a little on
the weak side just sprung to life. That was fun, kind of like watching a
dying relative suddenly jump out of bed and go 'sky-diving'.

GK. And one of the most important questions is if there is "a band" this
time. I
know that many people that attended DC band shows in 1994-96 were very
disappointed with the fact there was no tour after ‘Exiles’ (there was no
real
band on this album but David Cross and friends so there was no live
performances - that's how I see this, correct me if I'm wrong).

PC. To the best of my knowledge so far, no band will formally emerge to
tour this album [and I agree it is a great shame]. Personally I'd love to
tour again with David but I think that the biggest single problem would be
actually getting all of the band members’ different schedules to align for
long enough to tour together. Also, around February / March time in 2001,
I'll be most likely moving my home to Dallas, Texas. So, unless my plans
take a radical 'U-turn' [which is a possibility all be it a remote one] I'll
be ending my working relationship with David and my own band Siberia [and
this makes me very sad]. However, Mick and I are exploring ways to exploit
technology to allow me to continue to record for David and write / record
for Siberia. If there is a way we'll be trying real hard to find it. Gigging
/ touring?? I can't see that happening [at least with me anyway]. David
could form a band to do this but it would have a different guitarist ["which
may be a blessing in disguise" <laughing>] and it'll most likely be a
different singer as he lives in Ireland. [David; maybe you could shed a
little light here]. It's a shame really because I think that this is not
only the strongest material yet but also the most 'compatible' band line-up.
If this line-up could tour it would have been, in my opinion, very special
[a bit of a shame really]. I don't know if Robert will be adding to this
album, you'll need to ask David that one.

GK. By the way, what about Siberia? Do you have any news on this field?

PC. As I've stated earlier, my move to the USA will kill all chances of
Siberia touring but we intend to find a way to record. Before I leave for
the US I will be completing the recordings [at least my parts] with the
intention that we can build a web-site for the band and distribute our music
that way [so, fingers crossed, I hope and expect Siberia to release
something in the mid to late summer time-frame]. If we can crack the problem
of recording me in the US and the rest of the band in the UK then I'll be
rolling up my sleeves and putting pen to paper with plenty of new stuff. I
don't think that it is an impossible problem to solve, just a difficult one.
I'm moving to Dallas because I think that it will be good for my family.
[Nice climate for most of the year, low cost of living but a high standard
of living] If it don't work out, I'll be back home within two years but we
fancy
something different and it seems like a good thing to do [you never can tell
until you've tried it so we'll see].
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Well, sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? I’m looking forward to find out what
this beast may sound like… To tell you the truth, though I’d be happy to see
Robert Fripp among other musicians participated in recording of DC5 I don’t
think it’s necessary for this album (as well as recording more King Crimson
covers). ‘Testing To Destruction’ lacked neither Robert nor KC tune but it’s
a great album anyway (maybe even better than ‘Exiles’). Personally I don’t
believe David can record / write a weak material at all.

I also received a letter from Richard Palmer-James a couple of days ago.
After we did the interview (see ‘Calamity’ archives or ET ‘Interviews’ page)
I received some letters where you asked about the band he played with during
70’s. The answer is in the letter, enjoy.

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Dear George,
E m e r g e n c y: This was originally a group of Czech musicians
who had been working in Munich as the house band for the musical HAIR.
Hanus Berka from Prague was the bandleader, a classically-trained
multi-instrumentalist, a very talented musician, and a forceful
but charming personality. Hanus had already recorded two jazz-rock
albums - EMERGENCY and EMERGENCY ENTRANCE - for CBS in 1971 and 1972.
He put together a completely new line-up for GET OUT TO THE COUNTRY.
I was very glad to get the job, because in Autumn 1972
I had no income at all and was discovering what feeling hungry
actually means... In 1973 Emergency toured all over Germany; meanwhile
I was writing lyrics for King Crimson, and getting a few film-music
commissions too... Hanus helped me with the arrangements... I worked
hard that year, especially as the style of guitar-playing required by
Emergency's live show was more a matter of technique than of feeling,
and I was often a bit lost.

GET OUT TO THE COUNTRY is a mixed bag of influences, reflecting
the six very different tastes of the musicians involved. Peter
Bischof, the singer - now an internationally successful lyricist
(Milli Vanilli, No Mercy) - is still a close friend.

Tragically, Hanus, who suffered from narcolepsy, died after falling
asleep at the wheel of his car only 100 metres from his home and
crashing into a tree. This was 20 years ago; I often think of him.

GET OUT TO THE COUNTRY was released on CD in a limited edition of
1000 a couple of years ago but I haven't got a copy. The original
vinyl cat. no. was Brain 1037 (Metronom, Hamburg).
... And, incidentally, that's Donna Summer singing backing vocals
on the GET OUT TO THE COUNTRY album. She worked in Munich as a studio
singer for some years before becoming the first disco diva.


Thank you for your interest.

Greetings from Lower Bavaria,

Richard

PS. I have now completed all but one of the lyrics for David's album.

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Important note from Noisy Records:

The new 30th Anniversary 24-bit Remastered versions of LARKS' TONGUES IN
ASPIC, STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK and RED are now available from the Noisy
Records website (http://www.noisy.co.uk).

These CDs are a Limited Edition and are produced with a special gatefold
cover. They are available at £11.99 including FREE DELIVERY to anywhere in t
he world!

You can buy on-line by credit card or by telephone or fax on (44) 20 8922
7254.

Don't forget we are also offering THE NIGHTWATCH (KING CRIMSON), 3 DAVID
CROSS CDs including EXILES (featuring Robert Fripp, John Wetton and Peter
Hammill ) plus CIVILIZATIONS the new Progressive Electronica CD from RADIUS.

All are available autographed by DAVID CROSS (on orders of 2 or more).

Don't leave it too late, this is a limited edition! - and please tell your
friends about the site!

That’s all for now. As soon as there is something new to report I’ll let you
know. Stay tuned.
All the best,
George Khouroshvili