REG EXCLUSIVE
by Michael Simone An Interview with Mark Fenwick
REG EXCLUSIVE
by Michael Simone An Interview with Mark Fenwick
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nbelievable was the only word that came to my mouth when I heard the news that Roger would finally tour. After 9 years of inactivity, and years of rampant groundless rumors, Roger Waters is finally touring. |
After the recent rumors in March, and the posting on the Sony website, I had been notified by a few of our club members of a website which had been purported to be saying that Roger Waters would tour in 1999. I immediately dismissed this as hearsay and rumor mongering. However, another REG member alerted me that the web page at this certain website was a mirror page from a Website of Sony/Columbia. So, interested, I went to the Sony/Columbia website to view the page for myself. And sure enough with white Scarfe lettering on a black background were the words: "Roger Waters to tour in 1999?"
Given that there was a question mark at the end of the sentence I wondered if this was some sort of publicity ploy of some such by Sony. I went back to the same Webpage a few days later and discovered that it had been amended. Again in Scarfe script was the following message: Roger waters has commissioned a complete upgrade of the Pink Floyd 1982 classic movie, The Wall.
A previously unreleased print of the picture has been discovered and is currently in the labs at Sony Pictures in Culver City undergoing the high definition transfer process prior to its release on Digital Video Disc.
The original movie was shot using a wide "anamorphic" lens and so, for the first time, DVD owners will be able to view the film at home in its correct aspect ratio. James Guthrie has located the film soundtrack at Pinewood Studios in England and will re-master the original mix at his studio in California.
Prior to commencing the artwork, Storm Thorgerson has searched the archives for rare, previously unreleased material. Release on all formats is expected by September 1999 in time for the Millennium.
London, February
Roger Waters to tour in 1999?
I wondered could this be authentic publicity for a possible upcoming album or tour or what? If the rumors were true, and Roger indeed has plans to tour this year it would be the most fantastic news of the decade. I had all but lost all hope of seeing another tour, even in my wildest dreams. I guess the waiting to see my favorite artist again had gotten to me. I knew Mark Fenwick, Roger's manager, would be the only person from which I could obtain any credible answers. Therefore I contacted him in the hope that he would be able to decipher just what it all means and hopefully get to the bottom of this with credible answers:
REG: So, I was wondering if there is any truth to this?
Mark: There is. (pause)
I'm in the process of booking a tour on the East Coast (of the United States). Basically in July and August. 20 Dates probably, a combination of shows and theaters.
REG: Will Roger be coming to tour on the West Coast?
Mark: He is planning to tour on the west coast in the Spring of the year 2000. Leg number 2.
REG: Well, I will probably have to fly to the east coast then?
Mark: I'm afraid you are. Well, I mean, we will be as far west as Chicago.
REG: Well I will gladly go there, or anywhere I have to. This is fantastic news to hear.
Mark: I haven't got any details. I'm just juggling with the dates at the moment. As soon as I've got anything concrete I'll let you know so you can put it on the web.
REG: There had been talk about Roger recording a new album?
Mark: That's what we were talking about, Ca Ira.
REG: Ah yes, Ca Ira. You had mentioned that he had gone into the studio to begin recording a new solo album.
Mark: No he hasn't started yet. That is on the start, that is you know, it is planned, It's a question of trying to figure out when the start date is. At the moment we're very involved with the completion of Ca Ira. Which, between the tour and the work that needs to go on with that, is really going to take us through this year.
REG: And during the tour Roger will hopfully be playing Amused To Death.
Mark: I would think so.
REG: He did various songs for movie soundtracks, "Knockin On Heavens Door, and "Lost Boys Calling." Do you know why he recorded for these films at all?.
Mark: ah, The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field, the Isreali film... just in the way that over his career he has done odd songs for Movies. He imparticularly liked the script for "The Legend of the Pianist by the Ocean," that's why he did that song Lost Boys Calling. You know on the song, it's lyrics and recording by Roger, but the melody is by Ennio Morricone.
REG: Is the song he did, the song "Incarceration of Flower Children," for Marianne Faithful, is that an old song that Maryanne Faithfull wanted to do, that was never recorded...
Mark: Has it been released yet?
REG: No the album, "Vagabond Ways" has not been released yet. I was just wondering if it was an older song.
Mark: It's an old song that she's covered. But it's never been recorded before.
REG: There is also a song that he wrote called "Without Blame" done by Ismael Lo, it was credited to Etienne Roda Gil, Roger Waters, and Ismael Lo. Are you familliar with that.
Mark: Yea, that comes from a friend of his in Paris. And Etienne of course is the libbrettist on Ca Ira. And Etienne concieved the CA Ira project and wrote the French libretto. But you know that CA Ira is now going to be in French and in English.
REG: Oh, it's going to be in English as well! That's fantastic.
Mark: Yes, Roger has written the English Libretto.
REG: And that won't be performed by Roger will it?
Mark: No. It will be performed. It will be performed by an orchestra and singers. But it will not be performed by Roger himself.
REG: And will that be performed only in Paris?
Mark: No No No No, I'm trying to arrange some dates in the United States.
REG: Oh, fantastic...
Mark: That's 2000.
REG: Well be sure to let me know when and where, I'd love to see Ca Ira.
Mark: Oh yes, it's very strong! REG: And you said it would be recorded as well?
Mark: Oh yes, absolutely. I mean I anticipate that the French version will be released in the French speaking territories and the English version will be released in the English speaking territories. I mean, actually, in reallity both versions will probably be available in the United States but principally the English version.
REG: Thank you once again Mark, I know how very busy you are and have always appreciated you taking the time to help our club obtain credible information. There is so much nonsense and rumor running rampant among Waters and Pink Floyd fans, especially on the internet. I don't want to report anything that I do not know is accurate or credible so your help is so very valuable. It's great that you can give our club some real credible information to wage against the misinformation and rumor that exists. Thank you again for your time and help.