The Johnny Reece Show - Playlist, 30 July 2006

Hello all,
hope it's been a good weekend for you all.
Heard the AZ Blurb ?
We have added more tracks and jingles, promos too, over the last 24 hours.
Now, there's over 12 hours of Music up there. This will increase, over the next week.
Thereafter, what we will probably do is alter it by around 50 tracks - at least - per week.
You can tune in to it anytime, just by going to :

www.live365.com/stations/albumzone2001



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Now, for the matter in hand, it's a Sunday, which means our resident Scotsman is back on the worldwide airwaves once again.
Here is tonights Johnny Reece Show Playlist, broadcast on both RTI and SKY 0195, and Central European AMs and FMs, too numerous to mention (check the RTI webite - www.rti.fm for those details).

Here goes :



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David Bowie - Rock n’ Roll With Me
Yello - Of Course I’m Lying
Gary Numan - Crazier
Mono - Life In Mono
Depeche Mode - Useless
Cockney Rebel - Mr. Soft
Chuck Berry - Havana Moon
Bryan Ferry - The Only Face
The Zombies - I Want Her She Wants Me
Madness - The Sweetest Girl
Gigi Parker & The Lonelies - Beatles Please Come Back
Pink Floyd - Paintbox
Positively 13 O’Clock - Psychotic Reaction
Tom Tom Club - Genius Of Love
Gordon Haskell - Shadows On The Wall
Dexter Gordon - I Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
Icehouse - Hey Little Girl
The Fire - Father’s Name Is Dad
T.Rex - Buick Mackane
Napalm Death - You Suffer
Wilde Knights - Beaver Patrol
France Gall - Jazz A Go-Go
Al Stewart - Scandinavian Girl
Dead Milkmen - Punk Rock Girl
Roxy Music - Grey Lagoons
Barry Adamson - It’s Business As Usual
Psaap - Tricycle
The Ramones - We Want The Airwaves
Leo Sayer - Moonlighting


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Katrine, Show 2 - The Playlist

Hello all,
well, she may now be esconced back in her native Sweden, but here is the playlist for Katrine's second show for The Album Zone, broadcast worldwide this evening, via RTI (21.00 hours UK time, via www.rti.fm) and SKY Satellite channel 0195 :

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Fibes, Oh Fibes ! - Losing Weight
The Shins - So Says I
Phoenix - Too Young
The Killers - Somebody Told Me
The Cure - Boys Don’t Cry
Frida Hyvonen - I Drive My Friend
Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum
The Sounds - Night After Night
Johnny Thunder - I Love You
Babyshambles - Pipedown
The Pogues - A Pair Of Brown Eyes
The Concretes - On The Radio
Her Majesty - F.u.n.e.r.a.l
Tiger Lou - The Loyal
The Beatles - Hey Jude
Popular Workshop - Channels
David Bowie - China Girl
Kristian Antilla - Paul Weller
The Sounds - Much Too Long
Dirty Pretty Things - Bang Bang You’re Dead
Television - Venus
Suburban Kids - Rent A Wreck
Oasis - Don’t Look Back In Anger
Postal Service - Nothing Better
Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To
Mew - Am I Wry ? No
Timo Raisanen - Lovers Are Lonely
Caesars - Paper Tigers
The Plan - Let’s Leave

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Meanwhile, are you enjoying our little Blurb via Live365 ? We hope so.
Hundreds of tracks, Jingles and Promos, going round 24 hours a day, especially to make you dizzy.

Check it out anytime, at : www.live365.com/stations/albumzone2001



-----------------------------------

Thanks, as ever, for your support.


Steve Lloyd PR The Album Zone

The Album Zone Blurb... 24/7... on Live365

Hello all,

as of today, 27th July 2006, we have a Blurb.

What's that ? Well, we don't really know either, but that's what we are going to call it.

Due to another Sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous (isn't that nice ?) we are back on Live365 (www.live365.com) 24 hours a day. 365 days a year. There is no escape.

No, not quite as we were before with our usual Programming, because of all those DMCA regulations now, but with a playlist stretching several hours into the distant night sky, which we are using purely as an advertising tool for The Album Zone.

Anyone now tuning in to AZ via Live365 will immediately get an idea of what we are all about, will hear our choice of Music, hear how to get in touch with us via Email, or through our PO Box, be invited to check out all the current news and our history on our Blogspot, hear about our Pod, and, most importantly, can be guided to our regular Programmes around the World, via RTI, Radio Tatras, Sky Satellite, Radio Seagull, and Radio Waddenzee.

All of our current Promos are being aired at various times between the tracks we air. Over the next week or so, we will be uploading many more tracks - it will be an ever changing thing.

One important point - we have deliberately not broadcast our new 'blurb' in CD quality sound.
Two reasons for this :
1) by using the lower bitrate (32/22/Mono) we can have a much larger musical playlist, and perhaps more importantly 2) anyone can tune in - all of those without Broadband capabilities can hear what we are doing.

So, things change and grow at The Album Zone once again.



Enjoy ! The Blurb can be accessed 24/7, at www.live365.com/stations/albumzone2001





Thanks, as ever, for your support.

Steve Lloyd PR The Album Zone

Email : thealbumzone@yahoo.co.uk

New Voices, Old Voices, and on the Pod

Hello all,
a few bits, bobs, details, and the usual nonsense to tell you about.

Firstly, our Pod, which, following several uploads this week, contains many new programmes.
Currently nestling in cyberspace, are the new Album Zone Programmes from Zoe Street, Johnny Reece, and Richard Bismarck. Added yesterday, was the 2nd Show from Katrine.
To be added this coming weekend, another newie from Andy Miles.

We have also been asked (several times !) to occasionally populate the Pod with Vintage highlights from days of yore, just like we used to do on our Live365 outlet. No problem !
The most requested Vintage, seem to be the AZ Guys 'former lives' at Radio 6 in France, and on board the good ship Radio Caroline. So, into the dusky vaults I will tread, and bring you some goodies from those times in the next week, to sit alongside our new Programmes.

As for this weekends newies, Katrines 2nd Show for The Album Zone airs this Saturday at 9pm UK time via RTI, available worldwide on the Net at www.rti.fm, and of course on Sky Satellite channel 0195.
It's on a whole host of other outlets too, on FM and AM, in Central Europe. Check the RTI website for details. But if you want a sneak preview, it's exclusively on our Pod, right now.

The following night, Sunday, Johnny Reece takes to the airwaves in his usual weekly spot, at 8pm UK time, and this show will also be added to the Pod, on Sunday evening.

A new voice ?
Presenters come and go, and following the departure of James Barclay, we are happy to announce you will be hearing another new voice on the AZ airwaves, Barry de Foyle, from mid August.
Full details at the time.
Needless to say, it is yet another muso with an unfeasibly large music collection, and an embarrassingly amazing musical knowledge to boot.

We expect no less !


Thanks, as ever, for your support.
Steve Lloyd PR The Album Zone

Playlists a go-go, and we're almost 100% back...

Hello Zoneheads, Playmates, Ladies and Gentlemen...
Apologies for the few days delay, as following our infamous Hard Disk crash, so much had to be re-jigged, re-made/re-modelled here at AZ Towers. But, we're almost back at 100% now.
News snippets first :
Plenty of new Programmes up and coming, as, firstly, most of you would have heard the new Richard Bismarck Show last night via RTI and SKY (which will also be repeated in 10 days time via our outlets in the Netherlands, Radio Seagull and Radio Waddenzee.).

Tonight, Sunday, the new Johnny Reece show will hit your ears, once again via www.rti.fm and on Sky Satellite channel 0195, at 8pm UK time (9pm Continental Europe, or if you are anywhere else, you'll have to work it out for yourself).

The Playlist for the Johnny Reece Show is below, together with last nights playlist from Richard Bismarck.
Up and coming, and already in the bag, as it were, are newies from Zoe Street, Andy Miles, and Katrine.
Speaking of our favourite Pixie, AZ Towers is a much sadder place today, as Katrine has returned to her native Sweden today, for at least 2 years, for her studies.
However, she has left us 2 brand new Programmes (the first of which you will hear via RTI and SKY next Saturday night, 29th July). Katrine insists she wants to remain part of the Zone - good thing too !, and will be thereafter sending her Shows in, from Sweden.

Ok, it's playlists a go-go as promised, listed below, and don't forget, both the Johnny Reece and Richard Bismarck Shows will be on our Pod, as of tonight, Sunday 23rd July.

Thanks, as ever, for your support.

Steve Lloyd and Johnny Reece, The Album Zone

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Playlist for the Johnny Reece Show, broadcast worldwide via RTI and SKY, 23rd July 2006 :
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Ladytron - The Way That I Found You
Crackle - This Is Our Modern World
Sparks - The Very Next Fight
The Beatles - Hold Me Tight
Curved Air - The Purple Speed Queen
Fat Truckers - Teenage Daughter
XTC - In Another Life
Gordon Lightfoot - Something Very Special
Butthole Surfers - Pepper
The Boots - Alexander
Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach - Such Unlikely Lovers
Paul McCartney - And I Love Her (Unplugged)
The Lovin' Spoonful - Didn't Want To Have To Do It
Perry Blake - Saying Goodbye
David Essex - Rock On
Collective Soul - Forgiveness
Inter - Radio Finland
Oskar - PSI
The Cure - Lovesong
Ezio - Maybe Sometimes
Leyton Buzzards - Saturday Night (Beneath The Plastic Palm Trees)
Bryan Ferry - 2.H.B
Bill Lawrence - Pussy, Baby
Crackle feat. Johnny Reece - Why Don't You Telephone
Tyrannosaurus Rex - Do You Remember
Dougie MacLean - Sunset Song
Queen - You Take My Breath Away
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Playlist for the Richard Bismarck Show, via RTI and SKY, Saturday 22nd July 2006 :
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AC/DC - Sin City
Bad Company - Simple Man
No Doubt - It's My Life
The Upper Room - Kill Kill Kill
10c.c. - Clockwork Creep
The Kooks - Ooh La
The Zutons - How Does It Feel
Daniel Agust Haraldsson - If You Leave Me Now
Louis XIV - Teacher
Todd Rundgren - Real Man
Franz Ferdinand - What You Meant
Lene Lovich - Sleeping Beauty
Sheryl Crow - Redemption Day
Teardrop Explodes - Reward
The The - Slow Train To Dawn
The Like - What I Say And What I Like
Protocol - She Waits For Me
Metric - Handshakes
Elbow - Forget Myself
The Wallflowers - One Headlight
Joan Armatrading - I'm Lucky
Steely Dan - My Old School
Steve Hillage - Saucer Surfing
Transvision Vamp - Baby I Don't Care
The Motels - Total Control
Kate Bush - L'Amour Looks Something Like You
Led Zeppelin - Going To California
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One minute at a time...

Ok, so here we are, a day and a bit onward from the great 'Album Zone Computer Crash 2006', as it will forever be known in certain circles. Well, on here anyway.
We are partly back - at least we are back online, and can update the Blog, and, as of a few minutes ago, we can update the Pod. Our thanks to RTI for giving us exclusive access to their files so we can get some of our Programmes back, for use not only on the Pod, but for the future for our other Broadcasting outlets.
Fortunately (and that's the only time that word will be used in this Blog) our own Johnny Reece had transferred his last show to RTI just before we had the meltdown, leaving RTI as the only ones who had a copy.
We've just had it transferred back, and it's now on the way to the Pod. Phew !
As for what we lost, ermm, about 600 mp3s of Music, 3 years of Pics, Files, Videos, Programs, oh, and 74 hours of Album Zone Programmes. Lots, lots, lots of personal stuff too.
Back-up ? Don't talk to me about back-up !
Currently though, we are not able to make any new Programmes, yet, although are hoping to change this within the next 24 hours or so. I dearly hope so, as Thursday is a busy one - Johnny Reece, Katrine, and Zoe Street are all booked in to AZ Towers to do the necessary, so, by hook or by crook (likely the latter) we simply have to find a way.
So, not a great few days all in all, particularly for Mr Reece, as so many things have been thrown up in the air for him in the past week that he reckons he's left some bad karma lying somewhere back in some distant time and it has decided that right now is the time for payback !!!
Programmes though, for the moment, continue as normal.
We'll keep you informed. There's 2 of us here burning the midnight oil...

Steve Lloyd PR The Album Zone

Johnny Reece Show : The Playlist

Hello all,
here is the playlist from the Johnny Reece Show, broadcast on Sky Satellite channel 0195, on the Net worldwide via www.rti.fm, and on various AM and FM frequencies throughout Central Europe, Sunday 16th July 2006, at 20.00 hours UK time.

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Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Women
Matthew Sweet - Don't Go
Empress Of Fur - Johnny Voodoo
Jimi Hendrix Experience - I Don't Live Today
Emiliana Torrini - Unemployed In Summertime
Mercury Rev - Across Yer Ocean
Cream - Badge
ZZ Top - I Need You Tonight
The Pearlfishers - Stella Painted Joy
Pizzicato Five - Swedish Girl
Bryan Ferry - Zamba
Pink Floyd - Bike
Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps - Five Feet Of Lovin'
Sparks - Your Call Is Very Important To Us, Please Hold
Four Tops - Simple Game
The Beatles - Glass Onion
Psaap - Tricycle
Lesbians On Ecstasy - Tell Me Does She Love The Bass
Todd Rundgren - It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference
Cat Stevens - Into White
Gilbert O'Sullivan - At The Very Mention Of Your Name
The Smiths - How Soon Is Now
Jane Birkin - Ballad de Johnny-Jane
Burton Cummings - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Vambo
Alex Harvey - I Love Monsters Too
The Kinks - Days
White Stripes - Why Can't You Be Nicer To Me ?
Serge Gainsbourg - Initials B.B.
E.L.O. - Shangri-la

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STOP PRESS :

What a nightmare day today, folks. A complete hard drive meltdown which has wiped out over 3 years of archives, in one swoop.
Luckily, we had a few back-ups, and can call on some AZ Archivists for copies of things (so if you are one of those people - you know who you are - you'll hear from us soon !).
It has left us no way of even recording new Programmes either, for the moment.
This was a big one.
We hope to have it back up and running in 48 - 72 hours.
Technology, eh ?

Steve Lloyd PR The Album Zone

Punkbaby Playlist, and Future AZ Schedules...

Hello all, it's info-city today, as we let you know of future Programme Schedules, to keep you informed of who is on, where, and when, in the Album Zone universe.
All details below.
Plus, details of tonights Zoe Street Show, with the playlist in full.
Have a good weekend !

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Zoe Street Show : The Playlist : Saturday 15th July 2006, 21.00 hours UK time, via Sky Satellite channel 0195, and worldwide via www.rti.fm :


The Jam - The Modern World
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - X-Ray Style
Billy Bragg - A New England
Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap
Edwyn Collins - Witchcraft
Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
XTC - Science Friction
Soft Cell - Bedsitter
Cherubs - Paper Cut Moon
The Meteors - You're Out Of Time
Sex Pistols - No Feelings
The Stranglers - Hanging Around
David Bowie - Up The Hill Backwards
Iggy & The Stooges - I Got It Right
Toy Dolls - The Sphinx Stinks
Madness - Fireball XL-5
XTC - Love On Farmboy's Wages
X-Ray Spex - I Am A Cliche
Kirsty MacColl - There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis
The Stooges - Loose
The Beat - Tears Of A Clown
Altered Images - Funny Me Funny You
Scritti Politti - Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)
The Damned - Problem Child
The Police - Demolition Man
UK Subs - Telephone Numbers
The Clash - London's Burning
The Fire Engines - Hungry Beat
Gang Of Four - Guns Before Butter

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Ok, it's on to the Programme Schedules.
Firstly, Saturday nights, as you know, on RTI & Sky, 21.00 UK time :

Tonight, 15th July : Zoe Street (as above)
Sat 22nd July : Richard Bismarck
Sat 29th July : Katrine

Then, every Sunday night at 8pm, Sky & RTI : The Johnny Reece Show


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Radio Seagull and Radio Waddenzee : 6 hours every Wednesday evening, 18.00 - 00.00 UK time :

Radio Seagull via www.radioseagull.com, and Radio Waddenzee on 1602 AM, Netherlands.

These Schedules as follows (3 x 2 hour AZ Shows back to back, unless otherwise stated) :

Weds 19 July : Zoe Street, Andy Miles, Johnny Reece
Weds 26 July : Richard Bismarck, Johnny Reece (4 hrs)
Weds 2 Aug : Katrine, Rich Phoenix, Johnny Reece
Weds 9 Aug : Andy Miles, Richard Bismarck, Johnny Reece
Weds 16 Aug : Andy Miles, Katrine, Johnny Reece

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Our Podcast !!! :

We continue to have AZ Shows on the Pod, the URL for this is listed on the top left on this page, on the info blurb. The new show from Richard Bismarck was uploaded to the Pod yesterday, and it also contains the current programme from Zoe Street.
Tomorrow, Sunday, the new show from Johnny Reece will also be uploaded, and that will be at around Midnight, UK time.
AZ Vintage Programmes are also on this weeks Pod, being from 1st September 2000 (Gil Legine, 3 hour Programme) and Johnny Reece (28 Feb 2002, 3 hour Programme).
Now, that should be enough to keep you occupied, shouldn't it ?




Thanks, as ever, for your support.

Steve Lloyd PR The Album Zone

Katrine says...

Ah now, it's the cool Swede's turn. We've had many Profiles, Questionnaires etc from all the Album Zone Presenters way back in February and March, so we thought it was about time we asked the delectable Katrine the self same questions, to see what comes up. And here's what we got :

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Why are you involved in The Album Zone ?

Don't tell anyone, but I paid Johnny Reece £1000 to get in...




What's your favourite colour ?

White!




What's your favourite sweets ?

I've got a hang-up on chocolate, but I don't wanna talk about it (trying to get over it), so can we please move on...




Favourite Food :

You won't believe me when I say porridge, but it actually is right now, especially with bananas.




Least Favourite Food :

Cheesecake.






What do you want to be when you grow up ?

I don't plan to grow up.





Choose ONE word to describe yourself :

Short.





What could you not live without ?

My laptop (which I'm buying in August)




Who could you not live without ?

No one. But I'm not alone, I'm with myself.




What's the greatest Single ever made ?

Let's Leave - The Plan





What's the greatest Album ever made ?

Anthology - The Ramones





If you could change something about yourself, what would it be ?

Bigger lips... It would make it easier to drink from bottles.





Do you love Custard ?

No, but I love Mustard.




Favourite subject at School :

Psychology.




Least favourite subject at School :

Biology




Favourite Football Team :

Sweden, of course !




Favorite Cheerleader team :

I dunno, but my favourite writer is Luke Rhinehart.




Mode of Transport :

Bus.
Tubes scare me so much.




IQ :

Enough... I think?




Colour of Socks :

Striped.




Favourite Pet :

The dog Brian in Family Guy.




Favourite Smartie colour :

Yellow.




Favourite flavour of Crisps :

Don't like crisps, so I choose chocolate if that's alright?




Favourite Places :

Barcelona, Regents Park, Mum's kitchen, and Brighton.




You are moving to the Moon, but you are allowed to take just THREE personal possessions with you.
What would they be ?

My CD player, my favourite jeans and a guitar... time to learn!




Best Friend :

I have 3 Sisters who are always there for me.




Worst Friend :

Why keep a bad friend?




Best TV Programmes ever :

Oprah Winfrey. Perfect sleeping pills.





Best Films ever :

Everything with America, coincidentally.
Like Team America, American Psycho and American History X.





Best Radio Programmes ever :

Stupid question. The Album Zone with Johnny Reece of course !





Best Song Lyric ever :

Damaged Goods with Gang of Four :
"Sometimes I'm thinking that I love you, but I know it's only lust...."





Best advice you've ever been given :

Don't piss on the streets, look for some grass, otherwise your legs will be all wet.





Worst advice you've ever been given :

Too cool for school.





Final thoughts :

Pete is innocent!

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Syd

Pizza, anyone ?

Mickey McBias reports on a sad finish to Germany 2006 :

So, the fairytale ending for Zizou became a nightmare. Football is like that sometimes, it turns round and kicks you in the face. Or headbutts you, if you prefer.
But let's look back a little, at probably the best two games of the tournament, the Semi-Finals.
Firstly, Germany v Italy, an absolutely epic struggle which was totally absorbing. For the first time in years, Italy actually decided to play football. Great football, at that. And just when it looked like the ugly scenario of penalties were going to rear their head, they pounced. Twice. They deserved it.
Germany were valiant losers, and I'm glad they got the 3rd place spot later, especially after all the criticism that Klinsmann took prior to the tournament.
Then there was France v Brazil. A masterful display by the oh so ageing French side, who just would not give up.
And, almost 4 years after teams from all over the world played hundreds of games in hundreds of locations over many thousands of hours and minutes to reach the finals of Germany 2006, the Final itself was to be between two teams who just nipped in from next door.
It was billed as 'Zidanes Final', the swansong of one of the worlds greatest players, which was watched by 2 Billion people worldwide. It certainly didn't turn out like that. It looked as if it may indeed be his final, at first, when he put the French in front with a cheeky penalty after just 7 minutes. But yes, he deserved to be sent off, although I sympathise with him, as the Italians brought out their dull, cheating, play-acting pathetic side of their game once again. Am I biased ? No, I'm not. The mere fact that Italy's top clubs are embroiled in match fixing allegations only strengthens my argument. Pity, because they really can play football, when they want to.
They just don't do it often enough. The French did deserve to win, but a 1-1 draw after extra time meant the complete lottery of a penalty shoot-out. What a terrible way to decide the world's biggest sporting competition.
But there were great bits along the way, there always is. And I enjoyed it all. Lots of exciting bits, and the atmosphere in places reminded me of the quarter finals of the Rowan Tennis Trophy in Glasgow back in 1975, where we saw the epic struggle of Johnny Reece v Alan Taylor. But that's another story. A long one.
But roll on Euro 2008, I say. Mind you, the hopes of my own Scotland to qualify for this competition are not bright, to say the least.
Seconds after the qualifying draw was made, the journalists were all calling it the 'Group Of Death'.
Take a look at the opponents - you'll see why. But, I'll report on that, in 2 years time.
And yes, congratulations to our own James Barclay, not a football fan at all, who, by Italy winning the World Cup, becomes the AZ Sweepstake winner.
A limited edition (of just ONE) new design AZ T-Shirt, plus £50 of Music vouchers, plus a weekend in Amsterdam with all flights and accommodation paid, coming up for you, sir. Congratulations.
Now, I can't wait for the new season. I think.

Mickey McBias

Johnny Reece Playlist, and the Ireland Roxy Trip

Hello all, a weeks sabbatical it was, but we're back. Firstly today, a review from Johnny Reece's trip to Ireland over the past few days, to see Roxy Music (twice), meet up with friends from all over the world who had also made the journey, and do all the usual tourist things. You have to, don't you ?
Further below, is the playlist from tonights Johnny Reece Show, broadcast worldwide by RTI (www.rti.fm) at 20.00 hrs UK time, and on Sky Satellite Channel 0195, and on various AM and FM frequencies throughout Central Europe. Enjoy !

Steve Lloyd PR The Album Zone
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"Ireland, to be sure" by Johnny Reece

"So, here we are again".
These were the watchwords of the last few days. An oft repeated phrase by so many, each wearing the same smile. It was special to be back on the road with Roxy Music.
My own trip began on Wednesday lunchtime, in retrospect now, a little late, as it was all a bit of a rush.
But by mid afternoon Dublin time, the Clan Roxy had gathered in a city centre hostelry to revive friendships forged, oh, tours ago. Myself and... oh, too many to mention, but 'the usual suspects'.
More than a dozen of us prepared for the gig with the usual chat, laced with questions on what the new Band members would be like. And what of TGPT ? And how would Andy Newmark cope being thrown in at the deep end with barely 2-3 days catching up rehearsal time ? It can't have been easy. We know what we all wanted, naturally. A different beginning, other songs not heard for ages thrown in, blah blah. But the way it came together with the last minute TGPT factor, we all knew it couldn't quite be that way. No matter. Preceding hours spent in what can loosely be described as a Pub just around the corner from Vicar Street, the Clans gathered in an unruly queue, first outside, then inside blocking the Bar, as no, we were not prepared to miss our places against the front barrier, thank you very much. An eternity later, we were esconced at that very location.
All of us.What a marvellous thing it is to be able to lean forward and look left and right, seeing the faces of those pressed up tight against the front, and realising that you personally know every single one of these people.
This is our gig.
A lack of rehearsal time did show a little, but it was great fun. Lots of smiles onstage when anything did go a little pear shaped, and to be honest it added to the occasion. It was tough for Andy Newmark, but he got through it well, with not so much 'noodling' a-la 1982, thankfully. The new keyboard girl is obviously settling in, doing the basics, and the basics only. Time will change this. Hard too, as it was a very small stage, there was little room for anyone to move. New guitarists Leo and Ollie did well, the latter, we all thought, was up far too late considering he probably had to be back at school in the morning. We all noted he could be 12. But we all said that with affection. What a great player, and just how cool is it to have an 18 year old Guitarist in Roxy Music ?
Very, very cool, that's what. So pleased that Bogus Man and Pyjamarama survived the set from last time.
That made it for me. Surprised they continued with Prairie Rose, though. Great song yes, but it needs some work 'live' that one. And I can't quite put my finger on it, but Pyjamarama sounds empty - it needs more, ermm, not sure what. Balls is what it needs, if you'll excuse the expression. After the intro, it falls away a bit. All these things will change in time, I'm sure. What BF himself previously described as a 'problem number' in the past (due to vocal range more than anything else) was in, and I refer to More Than This. It was excellent. Very good onstage jamming between Manzo and 'The Kid' too, at various times during the evening. Andy on top form too.
On the whole, a few rusty edges, but marvellous fun, was how I would describe the first gig back.
Into the centre of Dublin later, to talk it all over with a few drinks (ok then, a lot) along the way.
Hunger kicked in, in the early hours, and all we could find was something that I think was called 'Eddie Rockets' which pretended (not very well) to be an American style Rock n' Roll Diner. Much to my displeasure, there was not a sign of even one roller-skated waitress called Candy, but that's life. Disappointed too that my selections from the table-top jukebox actually turned out to be totally different from what I selected, due to the management not updating the record cards. The Ronettes became Dire Straits, and The Crystals actually turned out to be Michael Jackson. Hmm. So, junk food a go-go, and we eventually settled back into our Hotel, in the early hours. Up at the crack of midday, and we went our separate ways - some flying, some on the train, and a few of us decided to drive. Cork, the destination. Our little squad was booked into a country house, a few miles outside the city. A stunningly beautiful old Georgian residence, with an achingly fabulous French Receptionist called Geraldine. Sorry, I digress.
A four year taxi ride to the Cork Showground later (despite being able to see the damn location across the river from our Hotel) and it became clear that we were, in fact, in the middle of a place which was called Bloody Nowhere. Grabbing some quick health food whilst we took our places in the queue (oh, alright then, Chips, Guinness, Chocolate) and the waiting game had begun again. This was a much bigger venue. Huge stage, and it must have been double the size of the Dublin gig. Within an hour or so, there we were again. All of us. Squeezed up against the front barrier, this time to be entertained by a support act which had clearly been transported by a time machine from an 80s pub directly to the stage in front of us. And that's me being kind.
A little after 9, and Roxy were there. More room to move, confident swaggers, better sound, smiles all round.
A hilarious moment when Andy Newmark started up Out Of The Blue, got about 4 bars in, then noticed he was the only one playing it. I think he had the previous nights setlist in front of him - it wasn't the second number anymore. But it was all a laugh, great fun. And he did play superbly, he really did, in what would have been a difficult time for him, with so little rehearsal. The Kid shone again too, as did Mr Mackay.
Manzo seemed quieter, somehow. However, Ladytron was blistering, fabulous. It was much more of a 'hits' crowd, this one, the ripples of feverish applause during the likes of Avalon and Jealous Guy were plain to hear. Yes, I know, that's not for us, the 1% hardcore. We would die and go to heaven if Beauty Queen or something like Would You Believe appeared, but what most of the rest of the crowd would think is a different matter.
Oh, to choose our own setlist, eh ? I'm sure we all have, in our heads. A million times over. And that's a good case in point. Would You Believe - about time that returned, it's been a long, long, long while, and it would be fabulous 'live'. So, Cork wins on points, by quite a long way. The ending was not for Roxy Purists like myself, as Let's Stick Together finished it off (it was on the setlist for Dublin too, but left out). Those damnable purists like myself only want Roxy Music songs, not Ferry Solo ones. Oh well. Having said that, BF appeared to walk over to Manzo and Mackay individually prior to this number starting up, appearing to ask if it was ok. They nodded. And it was what the crowd wanted. He should have asked me of course, although bear in mind you would then have got Beauty Queen, The Bob Medley, Grey Lagoons, All I Want Is You, etc etc etc... (hey, maybe that's why he doesn't ask me ! ). A fabulous gig. A really good time. The next step was to try to get back several miles into town, without the help of any taxis, from Bloody Nowhere. We got there eventually, to a Hotel Bar which was a major Roxy gathering. We were all there, reams of us. The Band were too. A quick chat with Guy Pratt, and a long chat with The Kid followed which was fascinating, as I just had to ask him his own fave Guitarists etc, fave Albums, all that anorak stuff. He quoted Jimmy Page, David Gilmour etc well ahead of Hendrix. He in turn asked us our fave Roxy tracks and Albums, and why they stood out for us. I did warn him that the hardcore crowd he'd been chatting to in the Bar were not the Avalon / Jealous Guy sort, and that all our opinions were horribly biased.
Later, oh god, much much later, a bunch of us retired to the Country Life, and decided we were hungry.
At this point I simply refuse to name names or divulge guilty parties as far as raiding their private kitchen at 4am goes, to feed our baying hungry mob. It would be highly improper of me to do so.
I mean, it probably might be 'the thing to do' in, say just for instance, Newcastle, or perhaps even Florida, but hey, who knows ? I of course simply refused to take part in any of these misbehaving shenaningans, and sat quietly in the corner, serenely drinking tea. I did however, partake of the Scrambled Eggs and Salmon on Toast which appeared in front of me just minutes later, though.
It would have been churlish not to, don't you think ?
And you know, the management didn't bother a jot. They seemed to like us Roxy Folk, which was nice.
A day off for most of us on the Friday, was spent taking a trip out to Blarney Castle, yes, you know, to kiss the Blarney Stone. I didn't realise at first you had to do this hanging upside down whilst about 90 feet in the air hanging from the Castle Battlements, or I may not have thought it was such a totally wonderful idea just minutes before. This may mean we may talk even more nonsense in future (if that is possible).
Home for me today from a torrential rain covered Cork, and back to base early evening.
Next up, Roxy in London, next Saturday.
This is, you know, just us getting into practice for next year.

Johnny Reece
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And, here is the playlist from tonights Johnny Reece Show :
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Burning Love Jumpsuit - Cheerleader
The Costello Show - Our Little Angel
Bonnie Jo Mason - Ringo, I Love You
Sparks - Hasta Manana, Monsieur
Rita Chao & The Quests - Hanky Panky
Moa - Memory Cloud
Mates Of State - Like U Crazy
Yellow Dog - Just One More Night
Chris Morris - Club News
Cyndi Lauper - Hat Full Of Stars
Panic At The Disco - Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off
Ginny Arnell - I Wish I Knew What Dress To Wear
Nancy Sinatra - Sugartown
Marc Bolan - The Wizard
Klaatu - Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft
Liam Lynch - United States Of Whatever
Alan Price - I Put A Spell On You
Elton John - Tiny Dancer
Tom Verlaine - The O Of Adore
The Kinks - Celluloid Heroes
Kevin Johnson - Rock n' Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life)
Ezio - Moonburn
Teenage Fanclub - The Concept
The Real Kids - All Kindsa Girls
Del Shannon - Kelly
Roxy Music - Lover
Scotland World Cup Squad feat. John Gordon Sinclair - We Have A Dream

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New Show Times, Playlists, Thoughts, and Ice Cream

Hello all,
a sweltering Sunday here at AZ Towers, in London.
Let's get right into it, and firstly give you the playlist of the Johnny Reece Show, broadcast tonight via RTI (www.rti.fm) and on Sky Satellite Channel 0195, in its new Sunday Evening spot (20.00 hrs, UK time) :

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Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - Big Shot
Lesbians On Ecstasy - The Pleasure Principal
Brian Eno - Baby's On Fire
Viva Voce - Believer
Laika - Bad Times
The Troggs - With A Girl Like You
Sean Lennon - Queue
Valerie Masters - He Didn't Fool Me
Louis XIV - Finding Out True Love Is Blind
David Bowie - Be My Wife
Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot - Bonnie And Clyde
Cansai De Ser Sexy - Art Bitch
Empress Of Fur - Johnny Voodoo
Bryan Ferry - I Can't Get Started
Slo-Mo - Death Of A Raver
The Bevis Frond - Crumbs
Roy Buchanan - Black Autumn
The Doors - Soul Kitchen
The Black Angels - The First Vietnamese War
Ginny Arnell - Dumbhead
Robbie Robertson & The Red Road Ensemble - Ghost Dance
Rupert Holmes - Our National Pastime
The Cramps - Hot Pearl Snatch
Madonna - Paradise (Not For Me)
Don French - Lonely Saturday Night
Mercury Rev - Black Forest (Lorelei)
Flip & The Dateliners - My Johnny Doesn't Come Around
Denim - The Osmonds
Dimitri from Paris feat. Mademoiselle Atlantique - Nothing To Lose
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And, another one for you now, as here is the playlist from the latest Gil Legine Show, broadcast the previous night, Saturday, on the same frequencies. NB : Both the Johnny Reece and Gil Legine Programmes will be repeated on Radio Seagull and Radio Waddenzee, in 10 days time, Wednesday evening.

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Queens Of The Stone Age - You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire.
Dixie Dregs - Travel Tunes
Ivor Cutler - Fremsley
Van Halen - Ice Cream Man
System Of A Down - B.Y.O.B.
Tool - Schism
Grandaddy - Elevate Myself
Little Feat - Rock and Roll Doctor
Jimmy Chamberlin Complex - Life Begins Again
Tomorrow - My White Bicycle
David Bowie - Amsterdam
Paul Anka - Wonderwall
Wishbone Ash - The King Will Come
Sparks - (Baby, Baby) Can I Invade Your Country
Van Der Graaf Generator - Man-Erg
The Flaming Lips - My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion
Susi Hyldgaard - Suck The Bone
Death Cab For Cutie - Summer Skin
Joni Mitchell - Coyote
Counting Crows - Good Time
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Ah yes, thoughts. Those old things. Well, a lot to think about over the last few days, as our AZ spiritual leader Johnny Reece, closed his Music store, 'Listen', after 11 and a half years. It had been coming for a long time.
Times have changed. In an age where local Supermarkets sell Music CDs for cheaper than Independent Shops (such as 'Listen') can even get them in for, well...
We can blame the Record Companies for that - cheaper prices for those who can afford to buy bulk.
Add all this to what has happened in the last 10 years - Amazon, Ebay, Downloading, and so forth.
Even Bob Dylan's next Album is reportedly being sold, exclusively, through Starbucks at first.
What a disgrace. Still, that's the way of the world.
Johnny, meanwhile, is setting up Music Databases for another store in London's Soho, starting in a week or two, and will continue to present all his Radio Programmes. He (or should I say, we) will also be selling Music Online (still retaining the name 'Listen', by the way), and more news about all that, once we have more things arranged.
Oh, and Mr Reece thanks you for the kind words and thoughts re the Shop, which have been displayed here on the Blog, by several people. Much appreciated, it really is.
After a few days sorting things here and there, Johnny is off to Ireland on Wednesday, to Dublin and Cork to be precise, for 4 days. Why ? I asked him this, and he said - and I quote :
"I'm off to see a couple of gigs by some Band called Roxy Music. Wonder what they're like" ?
In times like this, a sense of humour still reigns.
Now, if you don't mind - it's so hot, that I'm off now to get some Coffee Ice Cream, and will leave you in the capable hands of our footie expert, Mickey.

Steve Lloyd PR The Album Zone
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The Return of Mickey McBias : World Cup Report :

Quarter finals eh ? They still throw up a few surprises. Most peoples favourites for the competition (including Messrs Reece and Lloyd) were Argentina. They've gone. Mind you, the toughest draw of the lot, against the host nation, the ever improving Germany. Germany did deserve it.
Italy despatched with Ukraine 3-0, and by seeing that scoreline, it looked like they did it with consummate ease.
Not so. Ukraine had their chances, they just didn't take them.
So, the first Semi is between Germany and Italy. Personally, I hope passion for football wins the day and Germany go through. But it'll be tight.
England v Portugal next, and the various mourning and analysis is predictably over the top here in England.
When England get knocked out of competitions, everyone looks for someone to blame.
Ironic, as it was clear that England were not good enough to win this tournament. It was obvious from Day 1. The blame seems to centre on Wayne Rooney following his sending off, and I fear he will have a tough year next year because of this.
Daft, because England only started to show some passion with decent play for the first time in the tournament, once he was sent off, and they were reduced to 10 men. They could have sneaked it, on a couple of occasions. That's a fact. But, no-one will want to look at that - blame is the game, here in England. They are not good losers, and that's an understatement.
They do not have a divine right to win tournaments, but think they have.
News for you : no-one does.
You play well, peak at the right time, and you have a chance. Think about it.
This is proved by France, who, earlier in the tournament, were so damn awful that it looked like an early homecoming for them. They scraped a 2-0 win versus little Togo a few matches back to make it to the last 16.
What did they do then ? Disposed of a very good Spain side.
In the Quarter Final last night, they saw off the mighty Brazil, and deserved it. There's the proof.
Peaking at the right time. I expect France to beat Portugal, in fact, for football's sake, I hope they do.
So, it's an all European affair. The Semis will be very interesting.
Oh, and can anyone translate Hungarian for me ?
I'm trying to decipher the Ujpest Dosza FC Website. Really !
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