Rattle and Hum
There’s a distantly familiar sound in my ears: the buzz of activity leading up to an important record release! Here are the some of the symptoms:
-The phone keeps ringing with scheduled calls from journalists that I had forgotten to write in my calendar
-The web and podcast statistics have curious spikes in them resulting from incoming traffic from high-profile sites like iTunes and Yahoo and SFGate and NPR
-Friends I haven’t heard from in years are coming out of the woodwork and want to attend the launch party next week
-Three seperate people called to say they heard me on the radio with ‘Jonesy’
-I have nearly 40 boxes each containing 100 unopened CDs and DVDs cluttering up my living room (thankfully I was able to get the rest sent direct to CDBaby, Amazon, and my publicist)
-I nearly missed my plane the other day–I lost track of time and when I got to the gate it had already closed. But I could see the plane had not left so I banged on the door. A polite stewardess opened it and said ‘ah Mr Dolby, the captain was just wondering what happened to you!’ And as I sprinted down the ramp and onto the plane I heard blurted out from the cockpit ‘SCIENCE!’ (True!)
These kinds of things don’t happen on a regular basis. I have to say it’s still quite a thrill, even for a jaded old geezer like me.
Well your hard work is paying off.
I have my email calendar set to remind me ( like i would forget) to buy the dvd/cd first thing Tuesday morning. I am looking forward to watching it with my husband and daughters.
“-I have nearly 40 boxes each containing 100 unopened CDs and DVDs cluttering up my living room”
“Gasp!”
Enjoy all the fruits of your labor…. WE’RE all certainly going to on Tuesday!
The ‘science’ quoting pilot incident must have been surreal. I hope the rest of the passengers weren’t singing along. That just sounds like a nightmare you might have from time to time….
Beech
sounds like good times ahead mr d.hope all goes well for tuesday,cant wait,cheers,david
Good morning,
I just checked Amazon, and I did not see anything for the new CD or DVD. I was surprised, since usually they have pre-order information for upcoming releases. Do you know when they will have your new material listed? (Presumably soon, since the release date is the 21st…)
BTW, you may have seen this already, but I enjoyed one of the items that came up under an Amazon search for “thomas dolby”:
“A COPIOUS AND IMPARTIAL REPORT OF THE DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS IN THE FIRST SESSION OF THE SIXTH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND [DOLBY'S REPORTS, V.1 AND V.2] by Thomas (and assistants) Dolby (Hardcover – 1819)”
I’m hoping for a continuation of that trend, in that we’ll continue to see “copious” releases from the esteemed Thomas Dolby (and assistants?) in 2006-7. The CD and DVD are a great start!
Larry
Aaah, it’s a good karma thing!! Enjoy all the rewards of a job well done. And at the release party, have a glass of champagne on us!! Good luck and best wishes for all your future projects. Take care.
Korky
Amazon won’t have the CD and DVD up until December. This is because of the nature of the deals we did with CDBaby and iTunes, and the requirement to sell the 1000 ‘autographed’ versions in the correct order. I do expect them to be on Amazon by 5th Dec or so, still with a wide margin for the Xmas season. But the quicker way to get them is going to be on CDBaby on Tuesday–or at any of the gigs.
Dear Thomas:
Hello from Virginia in the USA. I thought I would share a few happy thoughts and congratulations…
Thank you SOOOOO much for coming back and breathing new life into all us longtime supporters. I can not believe how fortunate we are! My brother and I are *rabid* supporters of your work and have been for many years now. I simply can not WAIT for the release of your DVD! I want you to know that because of your tours and the new releases, NOTHING in recent memory has caused me such excitement. Almost delirium! A new DVD release from none other than *THE* THOMAS DOLBY?!?! I dreamed of the day. The world of music needs more Thomas Dolby… the intelligent, beautiful and emotional sounds that nobody since or before can touch. Having met you in Alexandria, Virginia this year at The Birchmere, was for me, meeting perhaps the most influential person of my entire 40 years. Attending the show and getting to watch you at work within a few feet caused uncontrolled emotions to quite embarrassing levels. I have never been moved by any other sound or artist like I am by you. What it it about you? I stopped trying to figure out my fascination. But when the “Submarines” intro began, it felt like there were electric shocks through me! Imagine that! I was transfixed and completely under your spell. Since childhood, the moody soundscape you created has been the soundtrack to my entire life thereafter. Daily. Yearly. What else can I say here except my anticipation level for your DVD and CD is compared to reaching new levels of spiritual awareness.
But I digress…
Cheering you along,
Brian
Well, seems Word Press lost my 1st post. Pardons if this becomes a repetition.
Dear Phos,
(so brilliant he’s positively phosphorescent) (Just a guess as to the meaning)
Very happy to learn of the new developments. Good to learn you hooked up with George Clinton again. Sounds like fun. I’ve been keeping up with Bootsy Collins of late. Seems Bootsy is a fan of “Gold Star Chili”. See Bootsy’s endorsement of this Cincinnati style chili here. http://www.goldstarchili.com/news_events/bootsy.php (Who Dey Invasion?) What a hoot! I’d send you my own “copy cat” recipe I’ve found on line which is every bit as good as the Gold Star brand…but I seem to recall the word “vegetarian” turning up somewhere on the blog and it would be presumptuous to post it here.
Went out last night with my daughter Aviella to see OT and his “Terra Sonus” band. Have missed seeing this over the “Moody Jews” version of the group. Great but short performance at a fund raiser of sorts. Solid Middle Eastern sound and they did a great rendition of “Norwegian Wood” in this style. The drummer was using a peculiar UFO looking “hanging drum” gizmo in some pieces. Tuned percussion instrument in the middle eastern scale. Got to play it some after the gig. Terrific. I can see where some synth pads might be desirable in their sound. May still take O up his offer to sit in. Their website here. http://www.terrasonus.com/
Things still smoothing out after the loss of Susan. Our daughter is knocking the doors down in 6th grade academia. Her cello tutor said she was doing 8th grade level music. Smart as whip…just like her father. ;-P
Will be keeping a sharp eye open for the arrival of the new DVD & CD for Hanukkah Stocking Stuffers. How many times i have wished I could have had a record of that night at The Bouquet, even with the reboot. I took it to be the conceptual part the show. (Reboot) “I’m back!” Still trying to decide if this was planned. No matter…I know how finicky Logic can be.
All The Best,
Johnny Jane
These things, Mr. Jaded, are all signs that you’ve still got loyal, supportive fans who were touched by your words and music and refuse to forget these things. I’m glad you still appreciate the little things… and your fans.
I can’t wait until your CD/DVD ‘drops’ on Tuesday and your valiant return with BT to the Canal Room in December.
Hasta pronto y buenos deseos para Ud. y su familia.
Señor Fab
Bronx, NY
I will be on my computer bright and early Tuesday to order my CD & DVD. Please forgive my whining on the forum. Anything new by you is a treat, and I will devour it when I get it.
Please come back to Chicago soon. I’m dying to experience your show live.
Another symptom: audio of your speech to the Recording Academy Music Tech Summit is now available in a full length (42 minute) version and 8-minute highlights (at the end of our latest episode of Inside Home Recording).
Thanks again for your inspiring talk, and sorry the sound on my recording is so crappy — our sudden move to the other venue meant my little iPod preamp accidentally got switched off and I had to boost a very weak signal.
Another symptom: audio of your speech to the Recording Academy Music Tech Summit is now available at the end of our latest episode of Inside Home Recording. There’s also a link to the 42-minute, largely unexpurgated version.
Thanks again for your inspiring talk, and sorry the sound on my recording is so crappy — our sudden move to the other venue meant my little iPod preamp accidentally got switched off and I had to boost a very weak signal.
I’ve been checking out the video podcasts on the site. Very cool. Nice reminder of the great concert at the Birchmere earlier this year. I also saw that you added another stop at the Birchmere. Definitely cool!
I’ve been telling people about the tour and the new CD/DVD, and I have been explaining that there is much more to your music than just “Science.” (Still funny about that airline pilot though.) Any chance you’ll be playing the Cajun song (“I Love You Goodbye”), one of my favorite songs from your catalog, on the new tour?
Your next podcast video should be another good one. “Submarines” is another one of my favorites. Keep on rockin’ on (and bloggin’ on) Thomas.
Michael H.
I can’t believe how excited I am about being able to get hold of this DVD and CD!!
Do I understand correctly that they’ll be sold via CDbaby from midnight on 21st Nov? Can you tell me what the time equivalent is for the UK, I would so LOVE to get hold of a signed copy….
Thanks for everything you’re doing and all the work you’ve put in.
Dave
Thomas: Please don’t use the phrase, “…and old geezer like me.”
I’m older than you are, so what does that make me? Agh!
.
Well. A commercial airline unlocking the Magic Door to let you in, because they were looking forward to having you aboard. Pilots seranading you aboard, too.
(Yes, just one word, shouted. But I bet they did a better job with that line than the pilots did with O Mio Babbino Caro when Puccini used to board airplanes, back in the Twenties.)
Plus, an eagerly-anticipated album ready to launch. This went into the ledger as A Good Week, did it not?
I just ordered my autographed copy. I am so excited! Thanks Mr. Dolby for your music and this great DVD/CD.
I just wanted to credit you on your choice of using CDbaby. I’m so used to dealing with the less personal Amazon etc.’s of this world, who are fine, but CDbaby gave me a wonderful personal service!
….Autographed CD AND DVD!!! I can’t wait!!!!
Thanks so much once again for still giving your fans the chance to hear your music.
Dave Grant
UK
I just ordered mine too! SO EXCITED! Thanks again Mr Dolby!
What am I doing wrong at CDBaby? I can’t find the album or DVD. I’ve searched using both artist and title. Help!
Go to Thomas’ store page and choose your items from there: http://www.thomasdolby.com/tdstore.html
Make sure you note that there are both autographed and non-autographed items.
I ended up calling CDBaby, and bought them that way. Thanks for the link, though. Strange they don’t have this on their site through a regular search yet.
I ordered my DVD, but have been less than happy with iTunes. The album is not listed in new releases and does not come up under a search for “Thomas Dolby.” HOWEVER, if one searches for “Sole Inhabitant,” it comes right up! BOO ITUNES!!!!
That airport story is great! I just ordered my CD and DVD… I spent the extra $10 to get it overnight so I can groove to the new stuff before I see you next week in San Diego.
fyi Kilna, if you order the autographed versions, they will take a bit longer. I received an email from cdbaby stating that the items have not been released yet, but they will be soon. ( i guess they need to be numbered and signed now?)
Between the look and the technical know how I’m really begininning to think of you as some sort of larger than life Science Fiction Super Hero Mr. Dolby! Having not even heard any of your recent tour due to computer problems I have still ordered this new CD without one whit of hesitation! I just want you to know that for someone like me who never remembers his own dreams, it is no end to enjoyment that I and so many others can remember yours…