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Post by rockisland101 on Jun 8, 2011 22:48:42 GMT -5
Attention all Jethro Tull fans! Perhaps you all remember an old band that John Glascock used to be in before he joined Jethro Tull, the Flamenco Rock group Carmen. We are now taking questions for the Lead Singer and Guitarist for Carmen, David Allen. Also, if you would like to be introduced to Carmen's music, click the link for one of their songs.
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Post by Nonfatman on Jun 9, 2011 5:28:57 GMT -5
Attention all Jethro Tull fans! Perhaps you all remember an old band that John Glascock used to be in before he joined Jethro Tull, the Flamenco Rock group Carmen. We are now taking questions for the Lead Singer and Guitarist for Carmen, David Allen. Also, if you would like to be introduced to Carmen's music, click the link for one of their songs. Thanks, Israel, this should prove to be an interesting Q&A. I love the song, by the way, thanks for posting the youtube link, which I took the liberty of converting to the actual video instead. (That's easy to do, just highlight the youtube URL and click on the youtube button above the message box before you hit the post button.) I confess to not knowing very much about Carmen, aside from them being John Glascock's prior band and that they did flamenco-rock and opened for Tull in Spain, and also the involvement of Angela Allen on the TOTRNR album. There's enough of a Tull connection right there, which should generate some questions, and I know I'll have some. I'm curious how you were able to land this interview, and for what publication, if any, you will be doing the interview and when it will appear. It will be useful to know that information so that we can decide how long to keep this thread open, and how to advise our members as to how quickly they need to post their questions. Thanks again. I'd like to see you get some good questions from our friends here! Jeff
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Post by rockisland101 on Jun 9, 2011 5:53:03 GMT -5
Well basically I noticed David had an official youtube account while I was watching a Carmen video that he commented on. Bells started ringing in my head, and I realized that I could possibly ask him questions about Carmen if I sent David a message on his channel on youtube. I asked if he would mind if I sent him questions about his time in Carmen, if he's still in touch with the alive band members, his current projects and so on. I'm certain it's him because that channel has videos by him posted that can't be found anywhere else except the widescreen site.. and even on the site the video isn't downloadable or anything, so I'm positive it's him. He just told me to send questions whenever I was ready.. so I'm not sure how long we should take questions. The only place I really plan on posting these (Unless someone would want to do on their own website or whatever) is the Carmen Fan Page on Facebook, and the Jethro Tull Board, of course.
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Post by Nonfatman on Jun 9, 2011 6:04:39 GMT -5
Well basically I noticed David had an official youtube account while I was watching a Carmen video that he commented on. Bells started ringing in my head, and I realized that I could possibly ask him questions about Carmen if I sent David a message on his channel on youtube. I asked if he would mind if I sent him questions about his time in Carmen, if he's still in touch with the alive band members, his current projects and so on. I'm certain it's him because that channel has videos by him posted that can't be found anywhere else except the widescreen site.. and even on the site the video isn't downloadable or anything, so I'm positive it's him. He just told me to send questions whenever I was ready.. so I'm not sure how long we should take questions. The only place I really plan on posting these (Unless someone would want to do on their own website or whatever) is the Carmen Fan Page on Facebook, and the Jethro Tull Board, of course. That's totally cool, your new Carmen FB page and The Jethro Tull Board are great places to post the interview, and we will plug this as much as we can. We like to do Q&A's that are a little different and unusual, from people who have had some connection with the band, as opposed to only band members (although we've done plenty of those, too) to get different perspectives, so this is just the type of thing we look for. We usually keep these questions open for 3-4 weeks, so if you'd like you can write to David to tell him that you have publicized the interview on the board and are awaiting questions from our members to submit to him. Later today I am going to add this new Q&A to our news banner at the top of our home page, so keep an eye open for that, and thank you again! Jeff
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Post by rockisland101 on Jun 10, 2011 3:10:15 GMT -5
After asking David his limit on the questions, he said 4 or 5 seemed okay to him. Such a small number. : /
I say we do five, and make them count.. Because this is one of the few David Allen interviews I can think of that exists.
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Post by rockisland101 on Jun 11, 2011 15:13:09 GMT -5
I have the honor of asking the first question. David, why is it that on the first album 'Fandangos in Space' Roberto Amaral has lots of track he has written but on the final album 'The Gypsies' Roberto has none he's written by himself?
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Post by Nonfatman on Jun 11, 2011 15:45:46 GMT -5
I have the honor of asking the first question. David, why is it that on the first album 'Fandangos in Space' Roberto Amaral has lots of track he has written but on the final album 'The Gypsies' Roberto has none he's written by himself? Don't worry, I've got several questions I am kicking around in my head, so I should have them up soon. It's probably going to be a multi-part question, but we will only count it as one. Jeff
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Post by rockisland101 on Jun 13, 2011 0:10:19 GMT -5
Alright.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2011 5:29:53 GMT -5
Alright. Israel Thanks for making the connection with us and for establishing your link with David. My question would be:
How was the relationship between Ian and yourselves when you joined the tour, did Ian show a particular interest in your music? As the tour progressed did John gravitate towards Tull and any members in particular, or was the approach to John from Ian totally out of the blue? When that approach to John finally came, how did it affect the relationships within Carmen?
Thanks to Israel for pulling this together and thanks to David for participating
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Post by rockisland101 on Jun 15, 2011 20:59:55 GMT -5
I thought a live performance where you can see the band members doing their stuff would be a good post on the board as well. And to Quizz Kid, nice question. ;D
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Post by Nonfatman on Jun 15, 2011 22:08:38 GMT -5
I thought a live performance where you can see the band members doing their stuff would be a good post on the board as well. And to Quizz Kid, nice question. ;D And for some background information before asking David some questions, here is a link to an excellent article on the history of Carmen. Very interesting story. www.studiowner.com/essays/essay.asp?books=0&pagnum=82I think we may have to disregard that five question limit, though. Ten sounds more like it, and I doubt he would mind the added interest. Jeff
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Post by Nonfatman on Jun 16, 2011 22:44:10 GMT -5
Hi, David
I have several questions, so here goes:
1) Both Angela Allen and Maddy Prior contributed vocals to Tull's album, Too Old Too Rock and Roll, and both Carmen and Steeleye Span opened for Tull during the mid-seventies. But the other similarity is that both Angela and Maddy not only sung on stage, but also danced, with Maddy doing traditional English folk dances and Angela doing flamenco dancing. So my question is, did Carmen know the members of Steeleye Span? Was what Steeleye and Maddy were doing by incorporating dance into their shows an influence on Carmen's stage show? Did you ever tour with Steeleye, and if so, what were they like?
2) Were you present in the studio while your sister Angela recorded those vocals for the Tull album, and if so, what was that like? If you weren't present, did Angela ever describe that experience or tell you any stories about recording with Tull?
3) Tell us about your new band Widescreen? What kind of music do you do, is it still mostly flamenco-rock? I've read that one of Widescreen's songs is a homage to John Glascock? What song is that, and where can I find the lyrics?
Thanks,
Jeff, from New York
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Post by rockisland101 on Jun 17, 2011 0:54:25 GMT -5
Jeff about question # 3, I think you're referring to Carmen's song 'Only Talking To Myself (For John)'. I could be wrong, but in booklet for The Gypsies album they say that its a tribute to John Glascock. I also meant to ask these others but forgot so I'll add them now. Ahahahaha. David I read that when you did a live auditioned for Tony Visconti you and John played dual Acoustic Guitars, Paul hit his legs to indicated drum patterns, and Roberto + Angela danced on the carpet. What was this performance like? It had to be good since he got you recording afterwards. I also read that when you toured with Tull the equipment van crashed, so during your first performance you had nothing but one Acoustic Guitar, a stick, and your voices. What was this performance like? And, how did you cope with having so many members in the band? Did any of the members get competitive or unfriendly towards one another towards the end with all the stress at long view, or before hand?
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Post by rockisland101 on Jun 22, 2011 15:06:13 GMT -5
So Guys, shall I send the questions in?
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Post by Nonfatman on Jun 22, 2011 15:58:59 GMT -5
So Guys, shall I send the questions in? I think we should give it another week or two, because we only have three people so far who have asked any questions. Paul said he would have some, and maybe Dan can come up with a few as well. Hopefully others will submit some questions too, because the Tull connection is pretty strong. I know David said four or five questions, but I think we should give him maybe seven or eight. I doubt that he would mind answering a few more. We could leave it open for another week, then perhaps send out another mass email to all of our members giving them one week more to get some questions in. Jeff
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Post by TM on Jul 5, 2011 12:58:08 GMT -5
Hi David,
My question has to do with performing for Jethro Tull's audience. How were you received by the crowd? Were they polite bunch or did they provide you a bit of a challenge by making you work to win them over?
Also, how would you compare the Tull tour to the other big bands you opened for like, Santana, Blue Oyster Cult and ELO?
Thanks very much! Paul from New Jersey
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Post by rockisland101 on Jul 10, 2011 23:13:21 GMT -5
Really interesting questions here. (-:
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Post by Nonfatman on Jul 11, 2011 21:10:34 GMT -5
Really interesting questions here. (-: So do you think we have enough questions yet? I was hoping maybe Dan could ask one, maybe Janu too. Dan, Janu? Anyone else? Jeff
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Post by rockisland101 on Jul 12, 2011 14:07:30 GMT -5
We could wait on them to ask, and then I'll send them off.
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Post by rockisland101 on Jul 28, 2011 15:56:33 GMT -5
Alright, without further-ado I give you guys the David Allen interview.
1. David, why is it that on the first album 'Fandangos in Space' Roberto Amaral has lots of tracks he has written but on the final album 'The Gypsies' Roberto has just one he's written by himself?
David: We were fragmenting by the time of the last album. Our manager had quit, our producer was told we no longer wanted him (untrue), Paul damaged his knee and was unable to play, and . . . we had no record company - EMI was part of Tony Visconti's deal with us and went with him. All of these pressures had repercussions within the band, obviously! So a lot of the last album came down to hope and prayer with me part engineering and producing it, therefore a large part of the input was mine.
2 How was the relationship between Ian and yourselves when you joined the tour, did Ian show a particular interest in your music? As the tour progressed did John gravitate towards Tull and any members in particular, or was the approach to John from Ian totally out of the blue? When that approach to John finally came, how did it affect the relationships within Carmen?
David: I can't really remember all the details but I seem to remember that the interest in us was largely generated by his band, rather than Ian. John got on with almost everyone he met but he and Barry certainly admired eachother's playing. John was asked to join while we were at Long View but he told me about it immediately. We were already on the verge of splitting and he said that all I had to say was to him was stay and he'd turn them down but I couldn't do that. I knew it was over by then and I wished him well.
3 Both Angela Allen and Maddy Prior contributed vocals to Tull's album, Too Old Too Rock and Roll, and both Carmen and Steeleye Span opened for Tull during the mid-seventies. But the other similarity is that both Angela and Maddy not only sung on stage, but also danced, with Maddy doing traditional English folk dances and Angela doing flamenco dancing. So my question is, did Carmen know the members of Steeleye Span? Was what Steeleye and Maddy were doing by incorporating dance into their shows an influence on Carmen's stage show? Did you ever tour with Steeleye, and if so, what were they like?
David: I certainly never knew any of Steeleye Span and I wasn't aware of any of the others in Carmen knowing them. I didn't even know Maddy danced as part of their show . . . so, no - they weren't an influence on the dancing. No, we never toured or supported Steeleye.
4 Were you present in the studio while your sister Angela recorded those vocals for the Tull album, and if so, what was that like? If you weren't present, did Angela ever describe that experience or tell you any stories about recording with Tull?
David: I'm sorry to be unable to shed light on those sessions, I was living in LA at the time and it was a year or so later before Angela and I met up again. By that time she was lead singer in another band - Oppo - and more involved with them.
5 Tell us about your new band Widescreen? What kind of music do you do, is it still mostly flamenco-rock?
David: Widescreen is certainly flamenco influenced but also channels Mexican, AfroCuban and northern European styles . . . and whatever else takes our fancy. It has it's roots in Carmen but is rawer and more straight forward in it's musical arrangements.
6. David I read that when you did a live auditioned for Tony Visconti you and John played dual Acoustic Guitars, Paul hit his legs to indicated drum patterns, and Roberto + Angela danced on the carpet. What was this performance like? It had to be good since he got you recording afterwards. I also read that when you toured with Tull the equipment van crashed, so during your first performance you had nothing but one Acoustic Guitar, a stick, and your voices. What was this performance like?
David: Yes, when we auditioned for Tony it was in his lawyers office and I was playing acoustic guitar, Paul was playing his legs and Ange and Roberto danced - we all sang. He was impressed enough that he then organised a recording session at our rehearsal/live address in High Wycombe. Tony came down with his Revox tape recorder, spent the day and made up his mind to sign us. Our van crashed in the snow, a little ways into the Tull tour and our contract with them stated that if we missed a show we could be axed so we on with just me on acoustic guitar - like auditioning for Tony an office, except there were around 20,000 people watching and listening! The audience reaction was really positive and Tull were so impressed by our refusal to say die that they lent us their equipment until we had replaced ours.
7 And, how did you cope with having so many members in the band? Did any of the members get competitive or unfriendly towards one another towards the end with all the stress at long view, or before hand?
David: Carmen had 7 members when I first put it together, 5 was easy! We managed to work together well with no more than the expected tensions that arise, when 5 passionate people try to express themselves through a shared vehicle!
8 My question has to do with performing for Jethro Tull's audience. How were you received by the crowd? Were they polite bunch or did they provide you a bit of a challenge by making you work to win them over? Also, how would you compare the Tull tour to the other big bands you opened for like, Santana, Blue Oyster Cult and ELO?
David: Working with Jethro Tull was mostly a pleasure. They had very high technical standards as a band and as a crew and we sounded the best we ever did on stage when we used their PA. Their audience was open to different things and accepted us with enthusiasm and warmth. Because we spent three months supporting them, we got to know the band, in particular, and became friends. This made it a better experience than just the one off support we did for the other bands you mentioned.
He had some really cool answers, I must say..
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