2000


Date: Sun Dec 31 11:38
narlus (narlus_spectre@hotmail.com):
anyone see the boston globe's top 10 of the year, in the living/arts section? joan anderman put giant sand's show @ the middle east (club in cambridge, not region under strife) as the best of the year. funny seeing it grouped w/ others like tony bennett, ricky martin, marc anthony and lou reed (no lie!). it was a great show, however, despite the fact that it was a real lame turnout (probably under 75 people)...

Date: Sat Dec 30 21:58
christine (nye):
Guten Rutsch ! take care love c Lasst Korken knallen !

Date: Sat Dec 30 21:47
christine (home):
christmas is such a beautiful surprise.

Date: Tue Dec 26 18:33
Nuno (nmantonio@hotmail.com):
Feliz Ano Novo e Muita Sorte para 2001 - All the best Howe, John and Joe... and Mike, txs for the Xmas present, it did help!... Nuno

Date: Sun Dec 24 22:25
Donna (dstephenso@hotmail.com):
Howe: I saw you for the first time open for Victoria Williams at Solar. Thank you so much for your music. I returned to Tucson awhile ago...hope you're local and I get to see more of you in the future. One of the first songs I learned on the guitar was "Out on the Weekend"...my Dad named our first dog "plebe". a new fan, Donna

Date: Sun Dec 24 20:44
Job (jld301@psu.edu):
Peace on earth ya'll------I mean it. Have a good year Howe. Maybe we can wet a line this one.

Date: Sun Dec 24 17:38
muzakman (muzakman_@excite.com):
Hey Howe. Have you heard of the band Clem Snide? I think you'd like them. Best of luck in 2001.

Date: Sun Dec 24 13:50
Paul Kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.com):
A Merry Christmas to all the Sand family. Is that snow? Paul

Date: Sun Dec 24 11:55
howe (gianthowe@hotmail.com):
for everybody out there, A HAPPY CHRISTMAS FOR EVERY PLEBE AND PLOTTER....-howe

Date: Sun Dec 24 03:33
Jesús Ruiz (jruizb@nexo.es):
Feliz Navidad to the Giant Sand family!

Date: Fri Dec 22 14:22
Greg Haldane (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
All you kids out there in Sand Land have a wonder-filled holiday season. Hopefully there will be a green corn tamale or two with my name on it this Christmas.....mmmmmmmm!

Date: Wed Dec 20 21:51
Jennifer (jnif@yahoo.com):
I too saw both Victoria Williams/Mark Olson/Howe Gelb shows in Arizona. Both shows were great and both were very different. Great variety of songs. I love seeing Victoria play any chance I get. Howe played the "El Paso/Out On The Weekend" medley and the Christmas song about the "dreaded black ice". Fun weekend!

Date: Wed Dec 20 19:37
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
YES.. I was at the Solar Culture show on Saturday and recorded it for future broadcast on KXCI (recorded the same way as the Inner Flame broadcast)!!! Great show - Victoria was wonderful!! Also recorded Howe's set from Nita's Hideaway in Tempe on Friday night.. FYI: John Con joined Howe for the last 3 songs on Saturday night.. Happy Holidays!

Date: Wed Dec 20 15:51
Greg Haldane (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
Anybody else see the Victoria Williams/Marc Olson/Howe show at Solar Culture last weekend? It was killer. I'm soooooo in love with Victoria but alas I don't think I can compete with Senor Olson.

Date: Wed Dec 20 06:37
lannie (fyi):
actually,while malcolm played on the record, daniel lanois produced 'wrecking ball' and malcolm produced 'red dirt girl', emmylou's latest "proper" record.

Date: Mon Dec 18 08:20
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
Yes - although Malcolm only played and produced on 'Glum' for Giant Sand. He also produced Emmylou's last (proper) album 'Wrecking Ball'. In fact I'm sure it was the Giant Sand connection that brought about Emmylou's decision to cover Dylans 'Every Grain Of Sand' on that album

Date: Mon Dec 18 07:38
Vanessa Willis (vanessau@hotmail.com):
Is Malcolm Burn of Giant Sand the same Malcolm Burn who plays on Emmylou Harris's new cd and produced it?

Date: Sat Dec 16 13:36
sammy (pommelos@aol.com):
bonjour a Tous ,je RECHERCHE DES MUSICIENS sur Paris (et environs)pour vivre de melodies...A l aide! reste t il des amoureux de bonne Musique?repondez moi. SAMMY.

Date: Fri Dec 15 17:33
Manny (EJCACC@aol.com):
Since you guys started it..... I bet you can order a Giant Sandwich.

Date: Fri Dec 15 10:56
Todd Reggie Gray (todd.gray@ckua.org):
Howdy...on ckUa radio (Alberta) we run a station ID recorded by Howe.

Date: Fri Dec 15 08:15
Giant Archivist (blackwood@kxci.org):
Piles and piles of tapes...............with a sprinkle of 100 year-old dust..

Date: Fri Dec 15 07:06
lisa f (ni4ni):
i hear they have an amazing black sand served with chunks of incidentalism....

Date: Fri Dec 15 05:46
howe (gianthowe@hotmail.com):
so what do they serve up at the restaurant "gelb" ???? do they deliver take out?

Date: Thu Dec 14 04:52
john calls me melody. (thenumbereight@hotmail.com):
mister yellow looks like my crazy stalker now. he scared me in vienna. i found someone who knows the restaurant "gelb". p.s. the crowd was so not stylish that night but the sound was tight. word.

Date: Wed Dec 13 01:38
Javier Martin García López (rampxxxx@jazzfree.com):
Yesterday was dec 12 and the that Giant Sand had a date in Madrid but i think that there were no concert because i read every paper and all , and nothing about Giand Sand or Howe. So it 's gonna be any concert in Spain , yes i know the one in Calahorra but i think only one concert it's not enought was about Madrid,Zaragoza,Barcelona,...

Date: Wed Dec 13 01:37
Javier Martin García López (rampxxxx@jazzfree.com):
Yesterday was dec 12 and the that Giant Sand had a date in Madrid but i think that there were no concert because i read every paper and all , and nothing about Giand Sand or Howe. So it 's gonna be any concert in Spain , yes i know the one in Calahorra but i think only one concert it's not enought was about Madrid,Zaragoza,Barcelona,...

Date: Wed Dec 13 01:32
Javier Martin García López (rampxxxx@jazzfree.com):
Yesterday was dec 12 and the that Giant Sand had a date in Madrid but i think that there were no concert because i read every paper and all , and nothing about Giand Sand or Howe. So it 's gonna be any concert in Spain , yes i know the one in Calahorra but i think only one concert it's not enought was about Madrid,Zaragoza,Barcelona,...

Date: Tue Dec 12 18:56
erik johnson (erik_johnson@ddouglas.k12.or.us):
I think Curt Kirkwood played drums on the official bootleg series vol. one. and yeah, their version of "El Paso" is grand.

Date: Tue Dec 12 09:11
KK (phoenix):
The Meat Puppets from Phoenix also do a great El Paso cover...Does anyone know what the relationship between Howe and the Kirkwoods of the Meat Puppets is? I think one of them played drums on some Hisser tracks.

Date: Tue Dec 12 06:47
Ricardo Lezón (ricardo@maimai.com):
Hey viejo, supongo que viviendo en Arizona comprenderas el español. Solamente decirte que " Corridor " es la puta mejor canción que he escuchado en mucho tiempo, que tus conciertos son de puta madre y que me jode que hayais suspendido el que ibais a dar en Bergara. Long life Howe, from Spain with admiration.

Date: Tue Dec 12 03:52
Maria (orangetopas@hotmail.com):
...joining the laudatio on Marty R.'s "Gunfighter Ballads" - actually, "hanging tree" is even better than "el paso".... I'm not sure if that is on the original album. But there is a re-mastered CD available with a 4 - minute (full - length) version of "el paso", even at nice price. The sound really is astoundingly good.

Date: Tue Dec 12 02:27
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
why!!! why put the words up! - you know I'm going to be singing that all day now.

Date: Mon Dec 11 19:07
Giant Archivist (blackwood@kxci.org):
El Paso... Yes, a Marty Robbins tune and yes covered by the Grateful Dead for ever (actually since 1971).

Date: Mon Dec 11 18:15
job (chrisandjob@msn.com):
Just have ta offer a correction or two.Down in the west Texas town of ElPaso I fell in love with a Mexican girl, brighter than moonbeams, the eyes of phillina,evil and wicked while casting her spell. And best of all--cradled by two loving arms that I'd die for one little kiss and phillina good bye. And yep, lots of childhood memories.

Date: Mon Dec 11 16:19
paul kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.com):
Well ,the Dead or Bob weir did a version of Marty Robbins El Paso "Out in the old Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with an Indian Girl. Weir's band Kingfish also do a Robbins tune called Big Iron. God I'd love to hear the Sand doing either of these. Paul

Date: Mon Dec 11 08:02
lis' (?):
well, tommy , i was not at the show (sniffle, tear) but that first lines sounds like a grateful dead tune, it does! Did they also sing, "I saddled up and away i did ride" anywhere in there? sound like fun...

Date: Sun Dec 10 15:22
e (spot@cryogen.com):
saw both the two g s concerts at covo in bologna italy. live versions were soo good but I had no tape recorder. Anyone taped any on the recent tour concert ? Please. ciao, e

Date: Sun Dec 10 08:30
Barry Stevenson (Diabolik@pacbell.net):
And Might I add that Marty Robbins "Gunfighter Ballads" is excellent, Great memories of childhood attached to this gem!!!

Date: Sun Dec 10 02:56
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
*********HAPPY BITHDAY JOEY**********i`ll kill a bottle of vine for ya....thanks to Sal: "El Paso" is from Marty Robbins, and the other one is "out ON the weekend".

Date: Sun Dec 10 00:00
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
OK, second song of the Salzburg Concert is a kind of medley of two songs. First one with the starting line: "I am at west Texas Town El Paso I fell in love with mexican girl" and the second is "Out in the weekend" from Neil Young (which i didn`t recognized promptly). Now from who is this "El Paso" song?

Date: Sat Dec 9 11:42
Chip Donahue (ChipAshley@aol.com):
Hello All. I ordered a t-shirt and a copy of down home a few months ago and the check hasn't been cleared. Any ideas on this? Chip Donahue Salem, VA

Date: Thu Dec 7 03:34
sal paradise (yrpaldevilhead@magnet.at):
hey tom, dunno if we are talking about the same thing, but the second song of the evening with the harp playing was a neil young song. "beat goes on" is a sonny & cher tune. sal

Date: Wed Dec 6 23:17
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Well, this time i had luck to combine the Salzburg Gig with a visit at my customer`place, so when i asked him about the "Schallmooser Hauptstr.", he promptly asked me, if i wanna see the "hookers". Finally i decided to go to the "Rockhouse", i think hookers are miserable musicians... Thank you guys/gals for that beautiful night trib and especially Saholy for that warm welcome! It`s always a great pleasure to talk to you guys after the show, just to get back to earth, after that "take off". Howe, please let us know the names of these two "new" songs: the harminica-piece (2nd) and the one with the "the beat goes on" line is it a cover?). I`ll post a review on the review sec. at the weekend. Havbe fun in Italy!

Date: Wed Dec 6 15:23
georgekritharides (fuzzygk@e-free.gr):
Astonished in Thessaloniki!The show was great,the spirit of the desert was affecting our mind and everyone was satisfied.I'll pray to the Olympic gods that the next show won't be after 11 years!

Date: Wed Dec 6 09:56
sal paradise (yrpaldevilhead@magnet.at):
hehe, never used the word "show" so many times in just two sentences hehe... i am a poet and i know it, sal

Date: Wed Dec 6 09:52
sal paradise (yrpaldevilhead@magnet.at):
hey there... great show in salzburg yesterday!!! did anyone tape the show? please contact me... also looking for song list of the show.. thanks, sal

Date: Wed Dec 6 02:35
Rob the lightsperson (Robert.Herbe@gmx.at):
Howe, Joe, John, Laureline and all of you - thank you for the great show at the Rockhouse in Salzburg yesterday - it was a pleasure for me to work with you.

Date: Tue Dec 5 15:25
Giant Archivist (blackwood@kxci.org):
Folks checking out the current tour, remember to post some reviews in the review section...

Date: Fri Dec 1 07:34
Farnk (roadtracks@lycos.de):
Roadtracks, an german fanzine, offers with issue #4, an interview with Howe Gelb, and with Joey Burns from calexico. I will never forget the last summer trips, where i had the chance to see Giant Sand and Calexico. Thank you Howie! For informations about our mag, please contact us. Frank

Date: Fri Dec 1 03:22
Mike Gerfin (michael.gerfin@vwi.unibe.ch):
Interestingly, Swiss National Radio yesterday (Nov. 30) announced that the scheduled Giant Sand gig in Aarau, Switzerland is cancelled. ???? Cheers Mike

Date: Thu Nov 30 18:09
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
Just finished listening to the BBC broadcast here at KXCI via our DSL. Sounded great! Nice to be relaxing on the other side of this "live " broadcast... Taped the 44.1 stereo feed and will encode it and put it up on the GS FTP site by the end of the weekend (just the Calexico/Howe and Lamchop/Cali-Howe sets).,.. Word on the next Sandman - duo - 89 tour material! Details to come...

Date: Thu Nov 30 08:20
christine (chrisztine@yahoo.de):
have a good trip! see you, c

Date: Wed Nov 29 10:52
Ian Gillan (GILLANIAN@aol.com):
Is the Athens show on 1st dec happening?

Date: Wed Nov 29 08:29
rita (leider nein):
thank you giant sand! it´s great you come to salzburg this time! (have seen your gig in münchen in summer, that was cool!!)

Date: Mon Nov 27 12:53
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
MP3 archives of all of the GS related KXCI broadcasts (except Inner Flame concert)are now avaliable via the KXCI GS page (link on main giantsand.com) or directly at http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand/

Date: Mon Nov 27 10:26
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
Review posted (in the review section) for the November 24, 2000 performance at Club Congress of Howe (and friend). Also, the next Sandman release should be announced shortly by Mike Brewer... It will be a treat from the Giant Sand/Gelb Archive. Everyone say "Thanks Howe"!

Date: Mon Nov 27 06:55
jesus ruiz (jruizb@nexo.es):
WHY DON´T GIANT SAND HAVE GIGS IN SPAIN!!!???

Date: Sun Nov 26 15:42
georgekritharides (fuzzyg@e-free.gr):
There's no confirmation about the concert in Thessaloniki,until now.

Date: Sat Nov 25 10:23
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Giant Sand in Salzburg at 5th December! I`ll be there for sure, so who`s with me? Anybody from the Oberbayern/Niederbayern Area...mail me direct and we could meet each other and have a kinda pre show party. Does anybody know the location in Salzburg?

Date: Tue Nov 21 13:34
georgekritharides (fuzzyg@e-free.gr):
I can't believe in my own eyes!Is it final;live date in Thessaloniki,Greece;everyone who has heart and ears should be there.By the way,thank you for all this excitement you've given us all those years.(He knows!)

Date: Mon Nov 20 14:59
Buffo (buffo@kamary.de):
Hey guys! I was your lighting guy at your last show in munich!backstage. Just want to say hi to you, enjoy touring and take care. Greetz......rock on!

Date: Sun Nov 19 11:26
Ian Gillan (GILLANIAN@aol.com):
I just noticed the new Giant Sand dates for December in Southern Europe. This is torture, 2 European tours in the space of 2 months and no UK dates!!!. If it's because you can't find a suitable venue just say and you can play at my house.

Date: Sat Nov 18 00:25
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
Another FYI: On Saturday December 16th, Howe Gelb will open for Mark Olson, Victoria Williams, and the Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers at Solar Culture... Tickets are $8 at the door. And yes, I'll be at this one to record.

Date: Fri Nov 17 23:00
Jim B (as below..):
Actually, show time is at 9 PM (not doors)...

Date: Fri Nov 17 23:00
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
FYI and request: Howe Gelb and Friends and the eclectic Liberty School are scheduled to perform this coming Friday 11-24-00 at Club Congress in Tucson. Doors open at 9 PM and is only $3. I will not be able to be there to record this one for the GS Archive and am hoping someone can cover for me... Please e-mail me if ya can.

Date: Fri Nov 17 17:15
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
Not likely... There is some possibility of using the broadcast recording (or at least part of it) for a future official CD release (to benefit KXCI and Rainer's family). So, we will be sitting on it for a while.

Date: Fri Nov 17 13:36
Sand Fan in AZ (none that I own):
Hey Jim Blackwood at KXCI will you be posting the MP3's of the Solar Culture "Inner Flame" show? I went and the show was fantastic.

Date: Fri Nov 17 13:11
georgekritharides (fuzzyg@e-free.gr):
Hi from Thessaloniki Greece.A devoted fan wanna see and hear the sound of the desert.Howe give us a chance!

Date: Fri Nov 17 13:00
georgekritharides (fuzzyg@e-free.gr):
Message from Thessaloniki Greece.Many fans here wanna hear and see the sound of the desert.Howe give us a chance!

Date: Fri Nov 17 09:52
Sand Fan (justgoforit99@hotmail.com):
Went to The Great Cover-Up in Tucson last night, and to my suprize Howe was on stage w/Greyhound Soul doing some fine renditions of the mighty Neil Young. Short set but an Excellent show!! ROCK ON!

Date: Fri Nov 17 09:37
Jim "GArchivist" Blackwood (Yer address...):
FYI: Gelb "moonlighted" in Calexico last Saturday night (at the Inner Flame benefit) on piano and sombrero... FYI#2 - Howe and I finished up the best-of coming out on Loose Records (the 6th version) last week. You'll love it... Lastly, the next Sandman release will be announced soon! Perhaps by early next week.

Date: Fri Nov 17 01:28
JC Brochard (jc.brochard@wanadoo.fr):
Got the info throm the Thrill Jockey site (www.thrilljockey.com), checked the details on the Empty Bottle site, a Chicago venue (http://www.emptybottle.com) : NEW YEARS EVE 2000 We are proud to announce this year’s horario for the annual Empty Bottle New Year’s Eve party. This time out, partidos, we’ve gotten conceptual, with the resolute theme being ‘Fiesta’. Headlining the show will be Quarterstick recording artist CALEXICO, who’s horn-inspired Mexicalia will leave you mudo. As if that weren’t enough, amigos y obreros GIANT SAND will also be on the bill, supplying the sun-damaged desert rock soundtrack to your tequila-soaked recuerdos. (And as you surely know, Messrs. Burns and Convertino play not only in CALEXICO, but moonlight in Howard Gelb’s GIANT SAND as well.) Fruitful cross-pollination being what it is, Burns and Convertino will also be appropriating friends, lovers and other local gringos to round out the bill and add to the evening’s ‘exclusivity’. In other words, ‘exciting guest superstars’. Oh, and did we mention margaritas, the free champagne pass-arounds, and the legendary 40-ounce malt liquor toast… Tickets are available now -and are going fast, mind you - on Ticketweb. Hey Howe, John and Joey, how about setting up a prize draw to offer one of us eureopeans a plane ticket to Chicago ??? JC (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/vivonzeureux)

Date: Fri Nov 17 00:59
Nathan Barley (nathan_barley@yahoo.com):
Gelb for the White House.

Date: Thu Nov 16 09:27
Laurent Orseau (lorseau@free.fr):
thanks a lot tommy and lc for your comments about the pictures ! matt, say hello to paul, robert and all the willard grant conspirers ! it's too bad i can't see you playing together...

Date: Wed Nov 15 14:16
Liliana (lilio75@aol.com):
Je vous aime tant, votre musique me transporte et me rapproche des gens que j'aime. I was looking to be touch...by a music like yours...

Date: Wed Nov 15 14:06
Innis McAllister (whatever@innis.co.uk):
I guess I'm pretty out of date here,but got 'Chore...' only a little while ago, through a mention on one of Grandaddy's flyers... The only other GiantSand song I know is 'Lester Lampshade'! Just wanted to say, this is what I've been looking for... I love it.I can't seem to play anything else! I hope you play the UK again soon.... heartfelt greetings and goodwill from Brighton. x

Date: Wed Nov 15 10:44
m.ward (matthewstephen@hotmail.com):
hey laurent and tommy thanks for yr time and expertise with all the picture taking - the pictures i take myself always seem to have red-eyes or giant thumbs so i appreciate it - tomorrow i embark on another month long thing in europe - long story...but it will be without the blessed/matchless aid of howe, john and joey (+ parrish/prunes-ish band-aid) - thanks to all the giant sandfans in europe who opened their houses/selves to a stranger...

Date: Wed Nov 15 09:37
lc (!):
Laurent....beautiful pics...very intimate. Thank you!

Date: Wed Nov 15 07:48
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Laurent, these pics are really fantastic...they make look mine ones really shabby. Thanks for sharing!

Date: Tue Nov 14 03:11
Laurent Orseau (lorseau@free.fr):
oups ! * amor belhom duo : http://lorseau.free.fr/pzique/concert/abd/

Date: Tue Nov 14 03:10
Laurent Orseau (lorseau@free.fr):
hi there, just a quick note to tell you there are black and white pictures of the giant sand in blois (france) at the address http://lorseau.free.fr/pzique/concert/giantsand/ and if you like these sort of pictures there are also pictures of : * calexico : http://lorseau.free.fr/pzique/session/calexico/ * matt ward : http://lorseau.free.fr/pzique/concert/mward/ * amor belhom duo : http://lorseau.free.fr/pzique/concert/giantsand/ best, laurent

Date: Mon Nov 13 17:30
Gary (genebergmn@earthlink.net):
The web-cast was great. Thanks to all involved for what I'm sure was a lot of hard work. I didn't make it through the whole show, feel asleep at about 1:00 my time, but it sounded like it was a blast. The first hour with the interviews and new music of Rainers was a treat. Keep up the good work Jim and all at KXCI.

Date: Sun Nov 12 18:07
Paul Rittman (per3@home.com):
Couldn't have spent Saturday night in a better way other than actually being at the show. Great way for everyone to share in remembrance of Rainer. Good work KXCI,Giant Sand,Calexico,Kris McKay,11:14 Train and everyone involved.

Date: Sun Nov 12 00:38
Jim "G-Arch" Blackwood (YES):
INNER FLAME.... SUCCESS!!!!!

Date: Sat Nov 11 08:57
howe (tuxon):
well...today is the day before my friends death...3 years ago...but he was already well gone on this day.....but since it was his 2 year old daughter's birthday at the time, his wife requested him not to die until tomorrow....him being the concerned ultra loving parent he wuz, he obliged so we will have a party for little lily today...5 years old and a spittin image and then this evening we will have a gather for our friend rainer....giant sand and calexico..candles and marriachis mixing with his slide guitar and rusty strings....who can change them strings......not me should be a bevy of mixing memories and high lonesome whoa ...the sun just came out ha howe

Date: Fri Nov 10 18:59
Michael Bonk, Fed. Rep. of germany (Micha@jomi-plak.de):
If those people of the Russian parliament, who spoke out the urgent nessecarity for a chance to take a close watch upon a major election in a self-declared free country, had been welcomed by the US public, nothing like now would have ever happened. Respect to those Americans who voted for the Green Candidate. This man - to an overseas spectator like me - seems to be as green as the awful German Green ones never had been on their 15-years-way-to-power.

Date: Fri Nov 10 11:42
Jim "G Archivist:" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
As a prep for Saturday night, John Bradford - host of Center Stage on KXCI will be playing the entire performance of Calexico from August 5, 2000 at Solar Culture here in Tucson. The show will begin Saturday at 3 AM MST. Listen on the web at: http://www.kxci.org/webradio.html Check out the Center Stage page at http://www.kxci.org/stage

Date: Thu Nov 9 21:43
Jim "G. Archivist:=" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
It is rehearsal time at John Con's... As I type. And record.. Sounding wonderful. Howe on John's upright piano, banjo and Joey's bass, Joey on standup bass and banjo, and John on drums and bartending. Saturday night should be interesing...................................Set list: Piano, Jam, Piano Jam, banjo, banjo JAM, Jam jam jAM ... More info? Later...

Date: Thu Nov 9 19:19
howe (gianthowe@hotmail.com):
ok...we got ourselves an election here or what. historical and hysterical. so we be sending our man carter down into the trenches of the floridian glaze to dig up some dirt on the strength of such soil(ing). so lookout for his emails coming back at us here and we'll post them for you ...right here. (yes...bill carter of "miss sarejevo" fame......his shoes are a magnet for the small rain.....)...and he'll be trackin in the mud all over the house here

Date: Thu Nov 9 05:40
wolfgang (wolfest_2000@yahoo.de):
cyber friends of giant sand! does anybody know where i could get the first volume of the sandman series? my german branch doesn't have it but i'm keen on obtaining it for my collection. any help would be highly appreciated. grrreetz, wolfgang

Date: Mon Nov 6 12:09
howe (gianthowe@hotmail.com):
thanks for all the great evenings on the road this past month. it has been a severe pleasure serving up dollpops of sonic ilk with the likes of john con again and upright joe and mat ward on lap steel & lip flip and the candy prune wonder warbles from sahouly and lauraline and john parish with his bag o tricks....and sometimes our buddy patricia as well. thanks so much for the witness of said symphonia. the best ever it seems is still upon us on occasion.

Date: Fri Nov 3 15:49
Bjorn Hammershaug (freejazz@start.no):
Do you understand norwegian? In that case you should buy the latest edition of our Audio magazine. I did some pages on Giant Sand there. It turned out rather nice, I think. Mostly for newcomers, though.

Date: Fri Nov 3 08:48
Frank Wienand (roadtracks@lycos.de):
Hello guys, first thanx to all, they ordered our new magazine "roadtracks # 4", featuering a full Howe gelb Interview and an interview with Joey Burns. But sorry, that i couldn't send it to you now, because we must gave it back to the the press-factory (!?!)to become a better quality. But we have the new issue definitly next friday, to send it to you all. Thanks for understanding! Orders are welcome. Adios amigos, Frank

Date: Fri Nov 3 03:23
Tof (Christophe.Roux@ign.fr):
I went to see GiantSand on their european tour in Arras and Angers. I liked these shows very much... very funny. it was a real pleasure for me to hear them... and i've been surprised to see that Candie Prune were chorists on the tour... they are one my 2-3 favourite french bands... they recorded one song with Howe Gelb for their next CD... and it will be their third one (if i dunnot count the EP). The 2 first ones are Absurde and Garage Session (that you can find under the band name : Andice Rupen)... The guitarist is called Saholy and the bassist is Laureline...

Date: Tue Oct 31 14:27
Jim "G. Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
Thanks Greg.. Well, officially the only word on releases is the Performance Center release (recorded in June of 1997) will come out sometime in December, followed by the Farm in the spring (January, we hope)... As far as other releases, there is plenty to work with. Hopefully someday the Westwood sessions from 1987 will be packaged up. This is by far my favorite Rainer material.. Also, perhaps a "best-of" release from Rainer and Howe's European tour from the fall of 1994 will make it as a mail order only release.. One can dream, ya know! One thing for sure, you will hear more from Rainer.

Date: Tue Oct 31 12:56
Greg Haldane (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
Jim Blackwood, thanks for yet another Rainer show last weekend. It was scrumptious. Does La Senora Keating have any plans to release more Rainer material? Seems like you have access to tons of Rainer gems both of the polished and sparkly variety and of the rough and uncut variety.

Date: Tue Oct 31 11:58
Jim "G.Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
Please note that KXCI in Tucson will broadcast the Inner Flame show on November 11 live on 91.3 FM KXCI beginning at 9 PM (pre-show interviews and music - live from the venue) and carry the whole show uninterupted. I will be hosting this broadcast ... Listen live over the internet as well at:_______ http://www.kxci.org/webradio.html_______ We are gonna do it!!!

Date: Mon Oct 30 08:25
lisa fairmaam ( ~):
What a wonderful, cozy night for New York. what is it about howe that makes everyone listening feel so...loved? The soft chunka chunka of the guit, or maybe the long fingered flow on the yammie? The knitting factory has a very intimate main space to begin with, but the silence of a crowd in rapt attention and that warm whisper of howe's voice brought everyone even closer. beautiful renditions of blue marble girl, shiver, elvis rushes in, "what makes old men cranky", no reply, bottom line man...all delivered with gentle genius. we are all so grateful here. i taped the show with just a cheapy hand held device, but it's clear and enjoyable. now how does this trading tree thing work? thankful :)

Date: Sun Oct 29 08:36
Adrian (underthesurface@hotmail.com):
Hey people..I had sneak preview listen of some of Confluence in the Loose Recordings office....rest assured it will be worth the wait...it's sounds wonderful...kinda like Hisser meets Chore...nice duet (not sure with whom?) on Blue Marble Girl, a few wierdy synths, exotic percussion (maybe John Convertino), Dilemma redone better and a very lo-fi cover of Elvis' I Can't Help Falling In Love With you. Anyone who saw Howe's wonderful solo show in London's Spitz Club will love this...March is too far away by far....Also if you want to read stuff on Howe and Rainer (plus Home, Wheat, Sodastream, Grand Drive) can get hold off the latest issue of my zine Under The Surface. Available for £1.50 (payable to 'A.Pannett) at 27 Kipling Court, Greenford Ave, Hanwell, London W7 1LZ...sorry if that sounds like cheeky advertising...Take care all, take care Howe...

Date: Fri Oct 27 15:15
Jim "G.Archivist" Blackwood ( :-}):
Expect a live in-studio performance and interview of John Convertino and Joey Burns this Sunday during the Remembering Rainer program on KXCI.! They will talk about working with Rainer and play a song or two as a duo.

Date: Fri Oct 27 13:09
Jason (jwv113@yahoo.com):
I'll be there at the NY show. Can't wait!

Date: Thu Oct 26 09:20
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (blackwood@kxci.org):
Join KXCI this Sunday afternoon from 1:30 to 5 for a special broadcast "Remembering Rainer". Jim Blackwood will host this broadcast and will be joined by special guests throughout the day. Live and rare recordings of Rainer will be featured as well as numerous treats including solo acoustic performances, unreleased studio sessions, and jams with Giant Sand. Don't miss it!! "Remembering Rainer" this Sunday afternoon from 1:30 to 5 only on KXCI. (This is a follow up to the recent Center Stage broadcast and will feature some of the same material as well as other unheard recordings including some recordings that Patti has let me use from the Rainer family archive.. It is also a Special Broadcast for our fall membership drive and we will be asking for your support throughout the program. We are also using this broadcast to promote the upcoming "Inner Flame" tribute concert on 11/11/00 at Solar Culture here in Tucson. - check out the links on the main giantsand.com page for details)

Date: Thu Oct 26 09:09
lisamazoo (!):
ah...it's been six cold summer months without howe in town, but ny is ready to gather round the fire once again this saturday...mannie, i know you'll be there, will anyone else on this board be going? i'll be taping the show with just a hand held device, but i'll finally have something to trade. peas.

Date: Wed Oct 25 14:12
Frank Wienand (roadtracks@lycos.de):
Hallo guys, we're from a german underground fanzine, called "Roadtracks". Number 4 features a big interview with Howie Gelb. And Mr. Gelb is on the cover of the magazine. Thank you Howie, for lending us the time. It was great to see you in Germany. For all Fans, they are interested in our fanzine. Mail us under roadtracks@lycos.de. Adios, Frank (aus aschaffenburg)

Date: Tue Oct 24 07:22
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Michael, schreib`mal an Glitterhouse, vielleicht können sie Dir weiterherlfen: info@glitterhouse.com

Date: Mon Oct 23 22:17
Michael Bonk, Berlin - Fed. Rep. og Germany (micha@jomi-plak.de):
I've waited half a year to get a copy of the "Chore of ..."- LP. Some bad delivery circumstances right here. But now had the chance to hear first half of the first side and it promised to sound as good as the best stuff ever done by those three G.Sands. Who knows, whether the vinyl-version is mastered from a digital tape or not?

Date: Mon Oct 23 22:13
Michael Bonk, Berlin Fed. Rep. of Germany (michael@jomi-plak.de):
I've waited half a year to get a copy of the "Chore of.."- LP. Heard the first half of the first side and these three songs promise to sound as good as the best stuff ever done by G.S. Question: Is the vinyl-version mastered from a digital or analogue tape?

Date: Mon Oct 23 20:26
Jay Marvin (jaymarvin890@yahoo.com):
Hello from Chicago! Giant Sand, Clexico, and Freinds Of Dean Martinez are all great! Jay Marvin WLS Radio

Date: Mon Oct 23 10:29
Nuno (nunoantonio@yahoo.co.uk):
Happy b'day, Howe... Hope you had a grand day out!

Date: Sun Oct 22 07:17
melissa (howe's pocket):
same + extra (because)

Date: Sun Oct 22 00:49
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Happy B-Day Howe! I`ll pop a "Erdinger Weißbeer" for you, cheers.

Date: Sun Oct 22 00:33
Guni (carle@outline-atelier.de):
Just wanted to join the big crowd of aficionados humming a birthday tune. And thanks a lot for the great concerts! Hope there'll be a lot more! Have a good one, Howe.

Date: Sat Oct 21 16:37
marianna (-:):
Indeed, the time is...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR GELB...for all this great songs you´ve given to make us listen and hear what no one can see. keep it like that. THANK YOU mari

Date: Sat Oct 21 12:08
paul kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.co.):
Have a look at the web site for a nice surprise. Nice touch. Oh and cheers to Howe. Paul

Date: Sat Oct 21 06:21
JC Brochard (jc.brochard@wanadoo.fr):
Bonjour, I've just added a quick review of the concert in Reims yesterday in the appropriate section. JC (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/vivonzeureux)

Date: Fri Oct 20 14:29
eelco (ebad@wanadoo.nl):
Oh this keyboi%kfoard. Thanks to ALL who were at The TomTom monday 16th of October. A wonderfull evening in a livingroom it was. Pure.

Date: Fri Oct 20 10:46
sammy (pommelos@aol.com):
some French fans of Giant Sand?Does it exist?

Date: Fri Oct 20 10:28
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (...}}}):
KXCI is in the midst of the fall "Harvest Fetival" membership drive.. For those of you who have enjoyed the special programs on Center Stage featuring Howe and Rainer and appreciated the MP3 downloads we made avaliable, we would ask that you support KXCI with a membership pledge. You can call in tonight on Center Stage (10-21-00)from 3-6 AM (MST) (or any time for that matter) at 520-623-1000 or pledge online at: http://www.kxci.org/signup.htm Please note the Giant Sand(Howe)/Rainer - Center Stage broadcasts as your favorite programs..

Date: Thu Oct 19 16:37
Paul Kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.com):
Just got Juxtaposition, many thanks to all involved in the tree. I've only listened to it once so far and Mopealong and Searchlight stick out as great. I also really really love Stuck, one of my favourite Howe songs, again thanks to all. Anyway, does anyone have a copy of the Upside Down Home album they could trade for B&P or a tape of Howe's Glasgow gig? Paul

Date: Wed Oct 18 10:47
geoff (marslett@mail.utexas.edu):
Hello all, I'm just going to throw something fun out there that can be confirmed or nay said. I recently got a copy of Chris Cacavas' Six String Soapbox. It includes the song "there is midgets", which unless I misheard Hal for Howe, the lyrics are "has anyone seen Howe?" followed later by lines like, "There are giants and there are midgets...". But funny enough--"...giants and..." could be heard as "...Giant Sand..." So, anyone familiar enough with the songs history to expostulate? Chris and Howe seem to go way back, so I don't think it would be too much a stretch...

Date: Wed Oct 18 08:47
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
Sammy - "Valley Of Rain" is Giant Sand's first album from 1985 and is a lot louder, rougher and more 'guitar' orientated than "Chore" - but it's great. If it's the LP version on New Rose get it anyway 'cause they're rare now.

Date: Wed Oct 18 04:14
sammy (pommelo@aol.com):
Hello,I am french.I am a big fan of rock music and especially of LEMONHEADS,CALEXICO,NEAL CASAL,THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION...and I discovered GIANT SAND with "chore of..".In Paris I saw one of their old records("valley of rain")and I ask you if it's a really good record(I suppose YES but...).So I am waiting for some advices...

Date: Wed Oct 18 01:03
Jeroen te Loo (jeroen_te_loo@yahoo.com):
Howe said: "Let's go fishing. See what we can catch tonight." Well, we saw GS catch a lot of beautiful strange fish. Yesterday, Patronaat, Haarlem, Holland.

Date: Tue Oct 17 07:17
Jeroen te Loo (jeroen_te_loo@yahoo.com):
What a huge list of GS-blaahhh. What can I say. It's tuesday and tonight GS plays here! In Haarlem, Holland! And me, I'm gonna be there! Tomorrow I'll let you all know. A few words only; there's already too much of GSblaaaaaaaahhh at this site. But tonight there's the music!

Date: Tue Oct 17 06:43
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
I don`t know how you guys/gals feel, but i am glad that this lame board started to breath a bit, thanks to Jim,Mike and Howe!

Date: Tue Oct 17 06:15
Jeroen te Loo (jeroen_te_loo@yahoo.com):
What a huge list of GS-blaahhh. What can I say. It's tuesday and tonight GS plays here! In Haarlem, Holland! And me, I'm gonna be there! Tomorrow I'll let you all know. A few words only; there's already too much of GSblaaaaaaaahhh at this site. But tonight there's the music!

Date: Tue Oct 17 01:44
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Mike Brewer & Jim Blackwood: your shows/pics are in the mail and should be there in (Mike)a few days or (Jim) in 1,5 weeks...

Date: Mon Oct 16 15:04
Bjørn Grandmaster Hammershaug (freejazz@start.no):
Talkin celebration - what happened to the Official Giant Sand Day? Some german guy announced it a couple of years ago if I´m not pre-senile. Howe, have a good one the 22nd.

Date: Mon Oct 16 13:40
Achim (Acme96@gmx.de):
I love this site and I wonder why everything concerning Howe, Joe and John is that brialliant.It's a real pleasure to be a fan!Hope to see you soon et bon voyage en France! Warm Greetings from Achim & get schmeckt ;-)

Date: Mon Oct 16 10:54
patti (pkeating@hotmail.com):
Jim, Kris Mckay ("one man crusade" on the Inner Flame)will be there at the Solar Culture as well. She is an amazing singer and a huge part of the family.Maybe she and joey will sing together....they have those Everly Brothers harmonies that send shivers. Patti

Date: Sat Oct 14 20:05
Gary (genebergmn@earthlink.net):
I'd like to thank Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood for all the great music he has made available at the KXCI web site. The Rainer Center Stage show has been in my car non-stop. He really put alot in to the show and deserves a big round of thanks. I can't wait to get the whole Giant Sand show as well. Thanks again Jim.

Date: Sat Oct 14 20:04
Gary (genebergmn@earthlink.net):
I'd like to thank Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood for all the great music he has made available at the KXCI web site. The Rainer Center Stage show has been in my car non-stop. He really put alot in to the show and deserves a big round of thanks. I can't wait to get the whole Giant Sand show as well. Thanks again Jim.

Date: Sat Oct 14 02:43
Jan (jpr@jprprod.de):
Candie Prune Website: this link also gives you the left frame and with it access to the rest of the information: http://www.multimania.com/candieprune/site/index.htm

Date: Sat Oct 14 02:31
Jan (jpr@jprprod.de):
Candie Prune Website: this link also gives you the left frame and with it access to the rest of the information: http://www.multimania.com/candieprune/site/index.htm

Date: Sat Oct 14 01:51
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (.....):
Announcing: 'THE INNER FLAME' - Memorial show for the 3rd anniversary of Rainer's death featuring Giant Sand and Calexico / Friends and Family. Saturday, November 11, 2000 - Solar Culture, Tucson, AZ... Stay tuned for more details..

Date: Sat Oct 14 01:39
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
The girls have a website as well.... http://www.multimania.com/candieprune/site/main.htm

Date: Sat Oct 14 00:42
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
The girls are Candy Prune (not sure which one is Candy but Prune should be easy to spot) - their names are Sahoy Diavolana and Laureline Prom, they are French and have released one album 'Absurde'. And sorry about the mistake on 'Juxtaposition', now corrected.

Date: Sat Oct 14 00:23
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (as noted all over this page..):
FYI for all who recieved the Juxtaposition (Sandman Vol 2) release.... Track 5 is from 2-96 Alte Malzerei, Regensburg, Germany and not 10-17-95.. Mike gleaned this from the Center Stage broadcast (pre-fm CDR) and after his many hours of work putting Vol 2 together let this slip through.. Forgive and forget (and give him a chance to change the liner notes on the Sandman page)..

Date: Fri Oct 13 14:11
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
Tommy - send away.........

Date: Fri Oct 13 08:05
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Keith, i am married w/ 2 kids, workin`outside of my hometown during the week and do sports too. Don`t worry about my life. Mike, inbetween i bought 3 drawings (colour) from the artist who i met at the Giant Sand concert in Nürnberg, and you easily can recognize the band on his paintings.I `ll send you these together with the pics...maybe you could put them to the art-gallery.

Date: Fri Oct 13 07:18
Jan (jpr@jprprod.de):
they're a french band called 'candy prune', as far as i understood.

Date: Fri Oct 13 00:58
Mazur, Heinz (Mazur2und3@gmx.de):
Does anybody know the names and nationality of those background singers of the german tour 2000? THanks a lot

Date: Thu Oct 12 09:43
lupe lu (none):
Its the 22nd of October

Date: Thu Oct 12 08:07
Greg Haldane (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
I think Senor Gelb's birthday is on the 22nd or 23rd of October.

Date: Thu Oct 12 06:14
pass the hooch (!):
heeeyyy did someone say howe's b-day's comin up?

Date: Thu Oct 12 05:04
Ivars Eglitis (finvarra@chariot.net.au):
Some of you Europeans must have a real hard time buying GS records and trying to get to his shows. Try living in Australia. I have been listening to GS since 1985 when I bought "Valley Of Rain" LP. GS discs are hard to get down under but I have been lucky to get every official release up to and including Chore. Howe - if you like the desert, do a tour of Australia. I live in South Australia which is the driest state in the driest continent on planet earth. Walter Salas-Humara paid us a visit and it was a real pleasure to have a few beers with the man. So to all European GS fans - enjoy the shows if you can get there.

Date: Wed Oct 11 14:04
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
Hey Tommy, you have one don't you? Good reviews - let see some more from some other people. btw 'Mean Streak' is actually called 'St. Conformity' and is indeed on 'Confluence' along with 'Blue Marble Girl', 'Space', 'Cold', 'Hatch' and Howe's Blue Hawaii - 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. March seems such a long time.......

Date: Wed Oct 11 12:29
Deirdre (deirdrehaugh@hotmail.com):
Nice reviews...what broken English TG??

Date: Wed Oct 11 11:02
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (as below...):
I have finally posted a complete setlist for the 8-19-00 Center Stage show with Howe Gelb.. Here is the link: http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand/setlist.html

Date: Wed Oct 11 06:23
Keith (K_smith2@hotmail.com):
Hey Tommy, GET ALIVE.

Date: Wed Oct 11 06:18
Keith (K_smith2@hotmail.com):
Hey Tommy, GET ALIVE.

Date: Tue Oct 10 16:58
job davis (jld301@psu.edu):
what's wrong with those characters?they're friends of mine. Howe do? Ya have a birthday coming up, don'tcha.Makes a few doesn't it?Make it a good one.

Date: Tue Oct 10 11:30
Jan (jpr@jprprod.de):
ha! and the fastest (i guess) posting of a review follows (of the gig at michelles record store, which ended about an hour ago). looking forward to the 'main' gig tonight!

Date: Tue Oct 10 10:31
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
My concert review fr. 10.5.00 and 10.3.00 are on the review-section. Any comments (offboard/onboard)are appreciated. Sorry for that broken english.

Date: Tue Oct 10 02:40
jan (jpr@jprprod.de):
hey jim, arizonian hunter and collector of sand, how about posting the center stage setlist ;-) well, since the gigs for me are always quite a matter of THE MOMENT, i find it hard to analyze and review them but let's see how the mood is after tonights gig... btw: maybe interesting for people in hamburg: i just read that there will be a store gig today at 18:00 at Michelle Records.

Date: Mon Oct 9 12:53
Jim B.. (..):
hey you Euro-Sand types.. How about posting some reviews from the current tour in the review section?!?!

Date: Mon Oct 9 04:32
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
In Glitterhous`"Cheapo Delight" you can find "Hisser" (european version w/ 3 Bonustracks) 17,90 DM and "Purge & Slouch" for 11,90 DM.

Date: Sun Oct 8 22:54
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Saw yesterday a travelling-magazin on tv (TM3), which was about the classic route 66 in U.S.A. and they played about 5 songs from Calexico. Did they got their royalties?

Date: Sun Oct 8 12:35
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (as below......):
Dear God, Forgive The Vanity,For The Momentum Feels Like Fuel - The Best Of Giant Sand 3' .....coming out on Loose Records - is very representative of some of Howe's favorites (from the later years)... I helped him with the pre-mastering and sequencing here at KXCI and after many hours of work finished it up - with great results.. When it comes out, pick it up!

Date: Sun Oct 8 10:43
tommy gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Valentin, that`s a question of your personal taste, my fave`s are beside these you mentioned: "The Rock Opera Years", "Ramp" "Center of the universe" "Glum" (hard to get) "Swerve" and both of Howe`s solo cd`s are very good. Also the "Op8"! Ah and both regular live-cd`s...and and and....

Date: Sun Oct 8 09:54
andrew byrom (andrewbyrom@cwctv.net):
Does anyone know where I can get hold of 'Giant Sand Songs One and Two' ??? Help much appreciated.

Date: Sun Oct 8 09:22
Valentin (djudam@wanadoo.fr):
Hi everyone, I own Giant Sand's Chore of enchantment + the love songs + bootleg series (n°1) I know there are tones of other lp's but which one are their more representative ? or the band's favorite or whatever ? thanks Valentin

Date: Sat Oct 7 08:55
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Well, the second gig (i saw) in Nürnberg (Hirsch) was overwhelming, but different to the one in Schorndorf. Mat Ward played some songs alone, then with Howe and at least with the rest of the band. After a short break (Howe said 2 minutes, what means in arizona time about 15 minutes) Giant Sand started with the official gig and my personal highlight was "Inner Flame" with all together (including the 2 french visitors) "Blue Marble Girl" and "Astonished in Memphis".Also the best version of "Mean Streak" i ever heard! Lot`s of fine piano work all two nights. Not to fill that board w/ too much personal comments, i will write a few more lines in the special section. Howe thanks for the nice talk at the beginning and say hi to all of the group members. Thanks for comin`aaaall the way down...

Date: Fri Oct 6 11:32
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (......):
Down Home 2000 ain't out yet... Perhaps later this month or early next month..

Date: Thu Oct 5 07:16
Charles Wood (chilton13@hotmail.com):
Is Down Home 2000 available yet? My Upside Down Home is getting lonely and taking to drink...

Date: Thu Oct 5 06:47
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
Don't worry Greg - the T-shirts will be up for sale on the site in the next couple of days at $15 - state size. Send an order into the OW OM Store. Should be ready for shipping by the end of the month.

Date: Thu Oct 5 06:28
jan (jpr@jprprod.de):
Info regarding the Hamburg-gig: it doesn't take place at the Logo, but at the Schlachthof, Feldstrasse.

Date: Wed Oct 4 17:19
Cathimini (Ktimini@aol.com):
Though most of you are not familiar with French people and French language, you must know that there are some real active fans in France that make their best to make Giant Sand known throught this country that ignored them for so many years.I am one of those and I am proud to announce to who ever may be interested that this week is released the issue 68 of my fanzine called ABUS DANGEREUX featuring who you know on the cover + a full 3 page article (mainly Howe's interview) + an exclusive note from the road written by Mr Gelb himself + an extract of the "Rock Opera Years". Yes, because this fanzine is almost a magazine quality (40 pages A4, 13 years old,issued every 2 months), talks about bands that are not very fashionable and offers a free CD with 5 unreleased tracks (nothing to do with the regular major sampler),I thought that some of you would be interested in ordering a copy or two. If I tell you that in previous issues we had articles + unreleased tracks of other bands you may know like Calexico, Amor Belhom Duo, Steve Wynn, Chuck Prophet, Willard Grant Conspiracy... Who will doubt that ABUS DANGEREUX is the best way to improve one's French knowledge. If you want more informations about the fanzine and how to get a copy, don't hesitate to write to me.

Date: Wed Oct 4 16:01
Greg Haldane (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
Ain't fair. Those darn Europeans not only get our band but they get T-shirts as well?!?!?

Date: Wed Oct 4 15:42
Greg Haldane (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
Ain't fair. Those darn Europeans not only get our band but they get T-shirts as well?!?!?

Date: Wed Oct 4 15:09
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (listed below....):
You are welcome... The Rainer broadcast on Center Stage was a great chance to share some of the lesser known recordings as well as some of his greatest work. I hope another chance will come along to bring more of his material to light. I just found some great material from the January 93 tour with Giant Sand (including Howe's camcorder footage!).. The 2nd disk of the Center Stage broadcast will be posted Thursday 10-5-00. As far as the sticker goes, Howe and I worked on the design (very similar for the shirt) and got that together before he left for Europe... He will probably get them printed up sometime this fall. However, I am told that shirts are avaliable on tour (right now) that were printed over yonder (in Europe)..

Date: Wed Oct 4 11:20
Greg Haldane (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
Jim Blackwood, I finally got around to looking at KXCI's site. Excellent job with the Giant Sand and Rainer material. I listened to the Rainer songs. Sometimes music serves as trigger that releases memories, feelings and times. The Cushing Street songs released such a flood and now I’m waist deep in happiness and sadness. The slow songs, what did he call them, belt buckle polishers? Sigh.

Date: Wed Oct 4 11:06
Greg Haldane (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
The new GS sticker looks cool (bottom of the intro to the website). When will we be able to by them and show our Giant Sand spirit?! Also, didn't somebody mention something about t-shirts? I used to have one a long time ago but an ex-girlfriend ended up with it as well as a good hunk of my heart. Sigh.

Date: Tue Oct 3 22:48
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
WOW, didn`think that Howe & Co. (Co. John, Joey, M.Ward and 2 nice french ladies (backgroundvocals & bass & guitar)could top their last tour, but they played in Schorndorf (Germany) jazzy groovy bluesy like i never heard them before. DON`T MISS THEM!!!! I`ll get back with a longer review at the end of the week, when i saw them finally in Nürnberg (Hirsch) too. Thanks Jim for collecting the shows and making possible these entertaining live-broadcastings, i will write you soon... Mike, wouldn`t it possibel to get once a discussion-board where you can check in different "Topics"? Just an idea...

Date: Tue Oct 3 08:47
JC BROCHARD (jc.brochard@wanadoo.fr):
Bonjour, Pour ceux qui comptent venir à Reims le 20 octobre voir Giant Sand jouer à la MJC Claudel (attention 110-120 places maxi, réservez !), sachez que le groupe jouera avant ça à 17 h au forum de la FNAC (en centre-ville)... Hello, For those who intend to travel to Reims to see Giant Sand play at the MJC Claudel (small 110-120 capacity, try to book early...), you can aslo note that the band will play an in-store at the FNAC store in the afternoon at 5 pm. The FNAC store is right at the town center, and they have a special room for live bands which can hold at least half as many people as the MJC Claudel !!

Date: Fri Sep 29 15:34
Fish Karma (towen@u.arizona.edu):
A few comments upon a cursory review of the posted comments: Bisbee is, indeed, one of the most important spiritual centers on the globe. You haven't really lived until you've staggered out of the Stock Exchange Bar at one in the morning with the spectral presence of the Virile Copper Miner floating in the distance, the canyon walls echoing with the anguished voices of the mine workers who were rounded up at three in the morning and shoved into boxcars bound for New Mexico and Colorado... Black Sun Ensemble has just put out a "new" "record," SKY PILOT, on Australia's Camera Obscura Records... THE INNER FLAME is perhaps the most haunting and mesmorizing record I have ever heard, or ever will hear...and, finally, The Giant Pantsworms is a one-time name I used for the debut of my new heavy metal/ rockabilly band, The Tribulators. The name was chosen from several possibilities by my third-grade son. Howe showed up after our set was over and I narrowly avoided an ass-whipping. --Fish K.

Date: Thu Sep 28 15:25
Torben D. Hansen (td.hansen@get2net.dk):
Thomas G......Chris Cacavas has just been working with Steve Wynn on Steve's upcoming album (being recorded at wavelab studio's I think) and he will be doing an album himself in the near future..T

Date: Wed Sep 27 15:55
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
correct.

Date: Wed Sep 27 13:51
Jim Kotsonas (schlaff@pacbell.net):
Hey Mike, You're welcome, and thank you for the info. Just so that I've got this straight, the domestic "Ramp" is not a re-issue, but the original release with 13 songs. The import of "Ramp" has the extra track, but the 3rd "Greatest Hits.." will have the extra track. (Sorry for the rehash, but I'm at work and my head is spinning) Thanks, Jim

Date: Wed Sep 27 13:27
Jim Kotsonas (schlaff@pacbell.net):
Hey Mike, You're welcome, and thank you for the info. Just so that I've got this straight, the domestic "Ramp" is not a re-issue, but the original release with 13 songs. The import of "Ramp" has the extra track, but the 3rd "Greatest Hits.." will have the extra track. (Sorry for the rehash, but I'm at work and my head is spinning) Thanks, Jim

Date: Wed Sep 27 11:45
Richard Graham (gramon4@hotmail.com):
Found a copy of "Shadow of You" as a Cd-single promo kind of thing from www.outofprintmusic.com. Shame though as it is just a one-song job with a dodgy cover- so anyone with a re-issue of Ramp and feeling that they can't cope till the greatest hits 3 is out.... Looking forward to the new releases, but will the Howe CD available, through mailorder, be any easier to get hold of for those without US chequebooks? Can we send Int' Money orders for example, or any way to pay on-line.???? Also does anyone know where I can get hold of Calexico's tour CD, "Travellall" (I know it's not strictly a Giant Sand thing)but they had sold out at the Sheperd's Bush gig in London- which was very frustrating.Questions, questions, questions......Thanks Richard, SE London

Date: Wed Sep 27 02:14
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
Hey Jim - thanks for bringing that to my attention. It looks like the US version on Restless/Amazing Black Sand doesn't include 'Shadow To You' - but is on the UK/European version which is what I used when I put up the album information. 'Shadow' was on the 'Matter Of Degrees' soundtrack and released as a single in the US only (although I only know of promos existing), so presumeably that is why it was included on non-US copies. The version available from the OW OM Store is not a re-issue, but the original Amazing Black Sand release. And while we're on the subject of 'Shadow To You', it can be found on the forthcoming third Best Of album "Dear God, Forgive The Vanity, For The Momentum Feels Like Fuel".

Date: Tue Sep 26 16:37
Jim (schlaff@pacbell.net):
Hey all, Just wondering; found a copy (online) of "Ramp" which has 13 songs listed. Noticed that the re-issue on the web site has 14. (The ommitted track was/is "A Shadow to You") Does the re-issue have an extra track, or is the online one a misprint? Thanks in advance for any/all help! Jim

Date: Tue Sep 26 16:32
MANNY (ejcacc@aol.com):
I'll be there. Manny

Date: Tue Sep 26 13:34
LISA (:):
NYC our prayers have been answered...just got the first 2 tix to howe's knitting factory show Saturday October 28th, 8pm. Confirmed this time! Let's sell that sucker out! see you there...

Date: Tue Sep 26 08:13
lisa ( :):
having some trouble making it to france what with the whole nine to five deal i got here in nyc....giant silence filling the air....anyone know anyone taping the shows? anyone?... bueller? ...bueller?

Date: Tue Sep 26 06:00
Manny (EJCACC@AOL.COM):
ALLDIRECT.COM sells OP8 for $10.68. You can also find it at Miles of Music. Manny

Date: Mon Sep 25 22:52
Stefan (StefanRoehrich@t-online.de):
Hi Arnold, check Glitterhouse at www.glitterhouse.com. OP8's Slush is still on offer there.

Date: Mon Sep 25 20:09
Arnold Grumwald (agrumwald@yahoo.com):
Does anyone know if the OP8 CD "Slush" is still in print. I can't find it on Amazon or CDNow or any local stores. Is there any way to obtain it???

Date: Sun Sep 24 13:52
Jim "Giant Archivist" BLackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
hope some of you folks caught the Rainer program this weekend.. The 1st portion fo the program will be up as an MP3 file on Tuesday at http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand/ and the setlist can be viewed at http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand/setlistcs.html .. Comments.?.?.?

Date: Sun Sep 24 10:08
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Does anybody know if Chris Cacavas is planning to release somethin`in the near future. His last regular cd (Anonymous)is from 97.

Date: Sat Sep 23 21:31
howe (gianthowe@hotmail):
ah well...alas. senor cacavas cannot make it out with us this time...we are working on another euro tour in late november/december and so maybee then...greece, spain, italy ...we'll see if it adds up to a fine mess---howe

Date: Fri Sep 22 17:49
paul kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.com):
Jeez, over the past few weeks this has started to feel like some form of community, friends together. For years I thought I was crying in the wilderness until this "virtual" community came ny way. I feel as if some of these guys are like your mates you go for a beer with. Thanks especially to Jim and Mike for the opportunity to share the Sandmen. There's so much music flowing that I fear (not) that I may overflow. Paul

Date: Fri Sep 22 11:46
Jim B (....):
especially since they aren't gonna play another one here (Tucson that is) until sometime in November....

Date: Fri Sep 22 10:00
Greg Haldae (gmhaldane@hotmail.com):
Gosh darnit, I leave the desert for two weeks and Giant Sand /Howe play like 20 unannounced shows in my abscence. Life ain't fair.

Date: Fri Sep 22 07:44
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Well, we have limited server space (not anywhere near the amount that KCRW has) and limited bandwidth, so an archive of everything isn't possible.. However, if someone out there has a server with "space avaliable" please contact me and we will move them over to it.. Also, MP3 is a lower quality format than I would like to use... SHN is really the way to go. If you haven't heard about SHN then check out http://www.etree.org this is the source for lossless compression of wave files.. Until we figure out something, I will probably keep pulling a MP3 off-line every couple of weeks.. In terms of breaking them into smaller files, I'll give that a try next time around! (1 file for every 1/2 an hour of music or so)

Date: Fri Sep 22 01:12
Stefan (StefanRoehrich@t-online.de):
Hi, is anyone out there (particularly in Austria) who recorded a Giant Sand show from a transmission on Austrian radio (Ö3 Musicbox) a long time ago in 1989? It was the Vienna U4 show on 10 May 1989 (just Howe & John). I haven't seen it on any list, but I can't imagine that nobody recorded it back then. Please contact me if you have this show or know somebody who has. I have other shows to trade. Thanks. And Jim, thanks again for the MP3's. Please keep up posting them. Paul, I don't keep them on the hard disc but transfer them to CD-R. If you have no way of doing that you could have them from me, for blanks or preferably for other shows.

Date: Thu Sep 21 22:16
Paul Rittman (per3@home.com):
Jim Any chance of keeping a permanent archive of the shows. I believe my hard drive will be full after a couple of hours of download. Isn't there a way of accessing archived shows without a download? Kind of like the Empty Bottle gig where you can watch it whenever you get a chance. I'd hate to go out and buy a burner right now. Another example is KCRW in LA. It has a large library of archived shows. Anyway thanks for the fine shows you are putting on.

Date: Thu Sep 21 11:57
charles austin (shortatthefront@hotmail.com):
anyone know of any upcoming op8 stuff? does anyone know where one can get a copy of the op8 record? i heard it several times --- some of the best sand ever. also, any word on the sand/ dando recordings? thanks

Date: Thu Sep 21 06:45
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Well, it has been finalized... Tune in on the web this Sat morning (9-23-00 3 AM to 6 AM MST(Pacific) for Center Stage on KXCI-FM. 3 hours with Rainer Ptacek all never before broadcast (or avaliable in trading circles) including selections from Rainer and Das Combo from Cushing Street Bar in Tucson from the summer of 1990 (10 year anniversary!). Also, expect numerous treats including solo acoustic, live recordings from 1997, and session work with Giant Sand (dug up in the Giant Sand Archives).. Dont miss it!! More info at http://www.kxci.org/sand and the webcast can be heard at http://www.kxci.org/webradio.html

Date: Wed Sep 20 15:55
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Anyone taping Howe's shows this weekend in Austin or Calgary?

Date: Wed Sep 20 15:53
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
I've heard rumors of something coming up in New York in November... But don't quote me.;*)

Date: Wed Sep 20 13:40
artie (agrumwald@yahoo.com):
Any New York shows coming up? I was dissapointed that Knitting Factory was cancelled. "Hisser" is beautiful, by the way.

Date: Wed Sep 20 12:22
andrew byrom (a_byrom@hotmail.com):
Just bought 'Chore of Enchantment', had to drop a line to say that I think it is outstanding. It is the first time I have heard any Giant Sand. Obviously now I want to dig a bit deeper, Is anyone prepared to put some of the older stuff onto mindisc for me. I will cover all costs.

Date: Wed Sep 20 10:47
spoink n cranky (owom@aol.com):
noy likely that we will let "rock opera years" be released by a real record company...they have enough stuff clotting up the works....but i suppose we should set up a page here somewhere to display the details and credits of the album. we will put it down on the big list of things to do...........

Date: Tue Sep 19 16:52
paul kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.com):
Jim, any chance of slicing and dicing the MP3s into bite size chunks, my PC and ISP won't take 3 hour downloads. Not trying to be churlish, if it can't be done then so be it. I can always dig the stuff I've got and look forward to Vol 2 of the tree. Keep on truckin' Paul

Date: Tue Sep 19 16:24
Hopestill Gofroth (evanbear@mindspring.com):
On the topic of liner notes but off the topic of Chore, is there going to be a release of Opera Years with liner notes of some sort? The only reason I haven't ordered it is because I figured I'd wait for the fancy version. If there is not likely to be one I'll just order it now. ---Ev

Date: Tue Sep 19 16:23
Hopestill Gofroth (evanbear@mindspring.com):
On the topic of liner notes but off the topic of Chore, is there going to be a release of Opera Years with liner notes of some sort? The only reason I haven't ordered it is because I figured I'd wait for the fancy version. If there is not likely to be one I'll just order it now. ---Ev

Date: Tue Sep 19 16:19
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Thats www.kxci.org/webradio.html ..

Date: Tue Sep 19 16:17
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Of course I forgot to mention below that the broadcast will be simulcast on KXCI's website this weekend (as is all our programming 24-7)... at www.kxci.org/webradio.htm .. You can e-mail me suggestions as well..

Date: Tue Sep 19 12:46
howe (gianthowe@hotmail):
for the upcoming october tour, it will be john convertino, joe burns and chris cacavas for all of it. mat ward will be near by and on hand. john parish will join us for all the french shows. and the girls from candy prune may be jumping on board as well. ....howe

Date: Tue Sep 19 09:38
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Another FYI from your friendly archivist... I will be the guest host once again on KXCI's Center Stage this Saturday morning 8/23/00 (3-6 AM MST - Tucson time) and will be putting together another spectacular show featuring live concerts from the Giant Sand family archive.. The question: what would you like to hear?? I have already had votes for Rainer Ptacek (or Rainer and Das Combo, Rainer and Howe, etc.). Also have the obvious; Giant Sand, Blackey Ranchette, OP8, Calexico, Friends of Dean Martinez, and solo Howe... Lastly of note, recent recordings of Howe and John here in Tucson are also among the picks.. Post your suggestions here and by Friday I'll let you know what will happen.. The show will be archived in MP3 format at the KXCI Giant Sand page (www.kxci.org/rainer/sand)!

Date: Tue Sep 19 07:09
Valentin (djudam@wanadoo.fr):
I apologize for not reading every post before sending one I m truly sorry :-/ Valentin

Date: Tue Sep 19 07:06
valentin (djudam@wanadoo.fr):
HI, I wanted to get a confirmation that on Giant Sand Autumn European tour Matt Ward & John Parish will be there as well...Also I went to see Calexico in Paris last night and J.Convertino was absent will he be there too ? thanksalot Valentin

Date: Tue Sep 19 06:54
Jim (schlaff@pacbell.net):
Ahhhh, the scatterbrains. Yes, they are everywhere, and in constant need of gentle prompting. Maybe someday the scatterbrain energy that's specific to this particular issue will all somehow align. Until then, tread lightly.

Date: Mon Sep 18 16:49
howe (gianthowe@hot,mail.com):
hi ...yeah those dang cd booklets never came from thrill jockey...so we never did get them out, and the factory apologizes for the scrutiny of anticipation. it can still happen though....the factory just needs to remember to keep reminding thrill jockey who said "of course" ....but we only hire scatter brains around here...so we can blend in.

Date: Mon Sep 18 08:24
Jim Kotsonas (schlaff@pacbell.net):
Hey, Me again. FYI, all of that which I just posted may be replied to off-list @ schlaff@pacbell.net. Thanks, Jim

Date: Mon Sep 18 08:03
Jim (schlaff@pacbell.net):
Hello all, Kinda forgot about this site. New job. Working with computers. Time to kill. Found many a good link (Thanks all) while perusing through all the old posts. (I did say that I had time to kill!) Pretty cool that Howe and others are so active with this site, as their time allows. Kinda a "Johnny-come-Giant-Sand lately", but have totally fallen in love. "Chore" and "Bootleg Vol. 2" are both so brilliant. "Shiver" is one of the best songs ever written. OK, a couple of things whilst I'm here. First, as long as Howe lurks here, just want to say thanks for signing the (promo) copy of "Chore" for my fiance when I mail ordered it from you (This was awhile ago) She was so happy. And, no, we don't use it for a holiday coaster! Next, while on the subject, I received an e-mail from someone awhile ago about how you could get the artwork from the official release if you'd gotten the promo. I e-mailed about it, but never heard back. I though maybe that it never happened, but I noticed in some old posts that in fact it did. I ordered it through mailorder, so my e-mail never got archived, but if it's possible to still aquire the cd booklet, I'd love to do so. Be hapy to pay if necessary. Next, as I now have a computer with all the trimmings, can someone point me in a direction where there are some Giant Sand (and related) mp3's? I'd love to be able to check out some other Sand stuff. And lastly, and I'll apologize in advance for potentially violating any cyber-code/etiquette here, but as a newbie, I was wondering if anyone out there would be willing to trade any Sand shows on cd-r for blanks and postage? I have nothing to trade, but I'd love to have a live show from the last tour to be able to listen to. Again, sincerest of apologies if this if I've overstepped any bounds here. Thanks for hanging in this far, and take care. Jim

Date: Fri Sep 15 13:54
Ian Gillan (GILLANIAN@aol.com):
These guys ain't playing ball, I will send a copy of the Auction and my correspondence with them to your e-mail rather than clogging up the board.

Date: Fri Sep 15 13:50
seville (dallasorbiter@usa.net):
Sorry, misspelled my e-mail addy below. Looking forward to a GS/Calexico Minneapolis appearance. See you soon.

Date: Fri Sep 15 13:48
seville (dalasorbiter@usa.net):
Fantastic. My first visit to giantsand.com. Been a fan for a while. Chore is such a delight. A great soundtrack to an early autumn walk by the lake. Must get Glum and Opera Years. I'll check in again when I have more time.

Date: Fri Sep 15 12:19
howe (gianthowe@hotmail.com):
done....the following letter was just sent out by our buds, spoink and cranky at ow om recordings:----------it has come to our attention that you are marketing a record "the raunchettes" as being affiliated with GIANT SAND in some manor. this is incorrect and worse...fraud. you must desist immediately and refund anyone who you lied to about this for the sake of purchase. if this problem cannot be cleared up at this level asap, our legal representatives will be in touch with you beyond this point. sincerely ow om recordings

Date: Fri Sep 15 12:19
howe (gianthowe@hotmail.com):
done....the following letter was just sent out by our buds, spoink and cranky at ow om recordings:----------it has come to our attention that you are marketing a record "the raunchettes" as being affiliated with GIANT SAND in some manor. this is incorrect and worse...fraud. you must desist immediately and refund anyone who you lied to about this for the sake of purchase. if this problem cannot be cleared up at this level asap, our legal representatives will be in touch with you beyond this point. sincerely ow om recordings

Date: Fri Sep 15 03:56
Ian Gillan (GILLANIAN@aol.com):
WARNING: www.roundflat.com is selling an album by The Raunchettes via its website and also on ebay. They are claiming that this is a Giant Sand related release. I rather stupidly bought a copy without checking the GS discography and when it arrived it was pretty obvious that it was a completely unrelated band. When I complained to them they got pretty abusive and insisted that it is a GS release they will not offer a refund. Howe, if you have a moment could you email these folks, roundflat@roundflat.com , and put them straight please.

Date: Thu Sep 14 16:03
howe (gianthowe@hotmail.com):
hello folks from now on i have a new email address....gianthowe@hotmail.com....no more at howe9t9d9@yahoo.com. we have compiled the preliminary best of list...thanks for all your suggestions......for the upcoming october tour, it looks like it will be john convertino, joe burns and chris cacavas for most of it. mat ward will be near by and on hand. john parish will join us for all the french shows. and the girls from candy prune may be jumping on board as well. and finally some merch to offer: new t-shirts (see the web site soon for the design), the official bootleg #2 cd "the rock opera years", and maybe a dry hot sauce. ha ha ha ha h ah ahah ahhahahhhahahhahhahachoke -howe ..hope to see you all soon.

Date: Thu Sep 14 02:12
JC BROCHARD (jc.brochard@wanadoo.fr):
That should be considered as glorious : France's most revered newspaper, Le Monde, the equivalent of The Times in England, has today, september 14th, dedicated a whole page to the Tucson scene ! (featuring stuff about Giant Sand, Calexico, Rainer, Amor Belhom Duo...). The main article of the feature is online at http://www.lemonde.fr/ (in French, of course). Today, you can acess it directly from the home page. Later, you can try this link : http://www.lemonde.fr/article/0,2320,seq-2033-94628-QUO,00.html, although I don't know if it is a permanent link... JC BROCHARD, http://perso.wanadoo.fr/vivonzeureux/.

Date: Wed Sep 13 13:28
Jim B (jblackwo@primenet.com):
show time for Friday's show should be between 9-9:30 PM

Date: Wed Sep 13 12:47
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Please DISREGARD the info below (FYI#3)... Here is the correct info:Friday at the Mat Bevel Institute here in Tucson - 9-15-00 - Billed as Giant Sand (performing at the wake for the Comic News - now becoming the Tucson Free Press)... Don't have a show time yet.. The performances at the Grill - downtown Tucson - Thursday night from 10 PM on (billed as Howe + John)...

Date: Wed Sep 13 03:31
Bjorn Sandman Hammershaug (freejazz@start.no):
Missed John, but thanks Joey for bringing a Mexicali-mood to Norway this crisp sunday evening---

Date: Wed Sep 13 01:18
Graham Johnston (rhubub@btinternet.com):
There is a new interview with Howe up at http://www.clicks-and-klangs.com/archive/002/gelb.htm - hope you enjoy it.

Date: Tue Sep 12 20:10
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Welcome back everyone!!!

Date: Thu Sep 7 11:36
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
FYI#3.... Yet another Howe + John gig on the horizon.. Sat. September 16 at the Mat Bevel Institute, here in Tucson.. They will be among numerous bands playing a benefit for the Green Party. Also, the Thursday night gig at "The Grill" will continue in the coming weeks... Thanks for all the e-mails in relation to the archive work.. We are coming along and I hope you will all get a chance to hear some of these gems in the future.

Date: Thu Sep 7 00:28
Stefan (StefanRoehrich@t-online.de):
Hi Jim, re the date range for the "Duo Tour": May 1989 in Europe (Germany/Austria), as far as I know. A show was transmitted on Austrian radio (Ö3), maybe you have it somewhere in one of those boxes of tapes. Thanks for the MP3's!

Date: Wed Sep 6 21:57
Patti (pkeating@hotmail.com):
Thanks to Mike Brewer.... the Rainer page is stunning! The picture of he and Lily was taken at a free concert he played for all the docs and nurses at u.m.c hospital.One of the best days of his life.Great choice. P.s my Giant Sand (worms) archives date back to 1977!!! Hi Howe.

Date: Wed Sep 6 09:09
swamp boy (swampboyfaded@hotmail.com):
yea hi i'm glad giant sand come to visit us in Reims on october for the "octob'rock"festival yea

Date: Wed Sep 6 07:31
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
No.. John is not touring this time with Calexico.. and No again, they have not been billing themselves as Giant Sand.. Does anyone actually know the dates (or range) that John and Howe toured as a duo?? I'll be happy to dig!

Date: Wed Sep 6 01:15
Mike (gerfin@bakbasel.ch):
Do Howe and John play as Giant Sand? In any case this brings back memories of the magnificent duo shows back in 1989. Anything from back then in the archives, Jim? Cheers, Mike

Date: Tue Sep 5 23:32
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Jim, shouldn`t John play w/ Calexico in Europe? Just wondering...

Date: Tue Sep 5 22:43
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
FYI #2: Howe Gelb and John Convertino will also play this Thursday night at "The Grill" in downtown Tucson starting at 10 PM. Looking for a great show in a small, low key setting? This is the place for you. ( a 24 hour diner with recently added bar - and piano....)

Date: Tue Sep 5 09:46
Jim "Giant Archivist" Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
FYI: This Saturday night Howe Gelb and John Convertino will open for the Amor Belhom Duo at Solar Culture here in Tucson... Tickets are $5 and doors open at 9 PM. KXCI will be there to record the show for future broadcast (and MP3 posting on the web)...

Date: Fri Sep 1 08:30
Mike Gerfin (gerfin@bakbasel.ch):
Howe said: "in fact if you have any requests as to what songs you think we still know and want us to play, well maybe you should let us know now". Let's see whether you know which songs belong to the following lyric snippets, and if you do please play the songs. Here we go: "love is a missile, a heat-seeking missile..." "I'm sitting at the counter of intelligence with my pile of denial..." "when the stream of consciousness begins to leak..." "I hate you now if this is not love..." "there's a tree in Nigeria..." "over my shoulder new plans are being made..." "you handed my fragile faith and I broke it..." "there's a grove back there behind the Pizza Hut..." "desire in her entire attire..." "He was there when we needed you...." Glad to hear any of those (plus the one about the Blue Marble Girl and the ghosts waiting to hatch). Bye, Mike

Date: Fri Sep 1 06:31
rob (janegazzo@hotmail.com):
you guys should tour australia! hurry up already! rob

Date: Fri Sep 1 01:36
Stefan (StefanRoehrich@t-online.de):
Some of my favorites for a new best of (excluding Chore): Neon Filler, Wonder, Always Horses Coming, Anti-Shadow, Solomon's Ride, Stuck, Milkshake Girl, Unwed And Well Sped, Blue Lit Rope, High Lonesome Curl, Swamp Thing, Bender, Good And Gone, Glum, Left, Mope A-long, Lean, Inner Flame. Maybe you can convince Loose to make it a double CD and put the album versions on one disc and unreleased live versions on the other. Please include a lot of unreleased wonderment anyway.

Date: Thu Aug 31 12:02
c austin again (same):
a few songs that stick out to me: searchlight, barracuda moon, graveyard, astonished in memphis, dirty from the rain, stuck, loretta, wonder, corridor, valley o' rain, etc.

Date: Thu Aug 31 11:44
charles austin (shortatthefront@hotmail.com):
interesting what howe was saying about song structures a while back in regards to the fillmore shows w/ wilco. i guess i would say that what i've always liked about GS was the lack of standard repetitions (and the abundance of crannies within the songs). i like tweedy's stuff too, but it seems his more enduring songs are the strange ones. maybe GS is an aquired taste, but once aquired stays with you. i guess my point is that i feel lucky as a listener to know about a band that avoids the obvious.

Date: Thu Aug 31 07:37
Manny (EJCACC@aol.com):
My choices for another best of....compilation are a helping of tracks from RAMP and GLUM. Maybe some kinder "Spun" and "Neon Filler" or "Warm Storm" and some bolder "Romance of Falling" or "Wonder" and "Left", or "Frontage Road", or Happenstance". "Corridor" from PURGE... is a gem. "Stuck" sticks out along with "Loretta and the Insect World" too. There is nothing wrong with "Raw", "Wolfy", "Tempation of Egg" or "Chore of Enchantment".

Date: Thu Aug 31 02:09
Markus (markus@morkel.de):
So, Howe, not coming to Berlin this time (it´s just not like in the old days near the Slumberland, is it?) - So I guess we have to come to Hannover or Leipzig (looking for a babysitter...). Or to Würzburg. AKW is a nice place... Another Best of? Wonder, Chore (the song), Faithful, Blue lit rope, High lonesome curl come to mind first (excluding Chore (the record)), You´re so vain with Vic Chesnutt and so on. Finally I´m not so amused to see Calexico without John next week - what happened??

Date: Wed Aug 30 20:48
Nuno (nunoantonio@yahoo.co.uk):
Nice going, Howe! you must know you can always find the faithful, the ones waiting on the next wave of astonishing music from your goodself....the world stands still as the light is splitting the waves...Thanks a million for sharing old and new happenstances with us enchanted devotees, it real means a lot! How about 'Searchlight', 'Warm Storm', 'Pathfinder' and 'Sage Advice at KCRW' for good measure? - I could suggest many more, however it's only fair to leave that delightful chore (Oops!) to the other distinct and wise members of the discussion group. All the best...

Date: Wed Aug 30 20:09
Phil Zisook (pz123@aol.com):
My own Best of cassette begins with Warm Storm (studio) & ends up with Warm Storm from Goods

Date: Wed Aug 30 15:42
howe (howe9t9d9@yahoo.com):
hello folks and folkers ...drag i misappropriated the agenda-isms of tahat which is the greater new york area. thought i was half way there....but then again summer here (kids) is a sweet dillusion of proximity....monsoon alert now every day....strobe lightning and gusto of rain and promising thunder have finally settled in to a nice daily routine ...stunning enrichment. well...i want to officially thank ol mike brewer here for all the net workings and bounce...making the wonder of it all more wonderful... as for some note worthy news, well all the the notes are worthy at some point..... i believe chris cacava will come on the road with us in europe for the giant sand tour ..i also believe john parish will join us all for the french leg of the tour ..i am pretty sure mat ward will open more then a few shows and threaten the set with his lap steel on occasion ...and although john convertino had to bail out of the calexico tour for unrelated reasons ...he shall be holding the whole ball of wax together when we head out in october. so i wonder what the heebee jeebee will sound like myself come that time, and am looking forward to it more then ever..... in fact if you have any requests as to what songs you think we still know and want us to play, well maybe you should let us know now.........also, loose records in the UK would like me to assemble another "best of ..." giant sand album featuring all the records that weren't included on the previous best of albums....now that would mean things from glum and the rock opera years, maybe the track from the inner flame as well as a good looking single we did for atlantic 10 years ago...even the original mix of 'sand' we did before we entered into the op8 deal..i don't know for sure but then there is also 'center of the universe' and 'ramp' and purge and slouch' and that's it i think....so if you all have any suggestions for that ...love to hear them ...hey mike...maybe you can post a voting pole up on the site to see how many votes certain tracks get, or is that nutty ...ok well.....i will see you in austin and calgary solo wise in a few weeks...but i might not bring the trickery this time ...just the lumber and steel ...i don't know, do you ?

Date: Tue Aug 29 15:54
Manny (EJCACC@aol.com):
That's for sure Lisa. I had my hopes up too.

Date: Tue Aug 29 15:05
lisa ( :-():
sigh....friday will be so flat now...

Date: Tue Aug 29 09:43
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
Howe just mailed me - The Knitting Factory show is OFF. Sorry Lisa.

Date: Tue Aug 29 06:34
Jim Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
I asked Howe about the Knitting Factory show last night.. He said it wasn't likely to happen. By the way, anybody hear last night's show? Hope those that did enjoyed it!

Date: Mon Aug 28 15:57
Mike Brewer (mike@sa-wa-ro.freeserve.co.uk):
The Knitting Factory show is NOT CONFIRMED yet (if at all). As soon as I find out I'll post it up on the site. Mike

Date: Mon Aug 28 11:31
lisa (fairmaam@hotmail.com):
does anyone know anything about howe's nyc show this friday? all my persistent pleas have been heard and the date is up on the schedule. however, the knitting factory knows nothing about it...is this some cruel joke?

Date: Mon Aug 28 11:30
lisa (fairmaam@hotmail.com):
does anyone know anything about howe's nyc show this friday? all my persistent pleas have been heard and the date is up on the schedule. however, the knitting factory knows nothing about it...is this some cruel joke?

Date: Mon Aug 28 10:58
hopestill goforth (evanbear@mindspring.com):
I was just checking on the status of getting liner notes out to those of us who bought the promo copies of Chore. Is that still happening, did it already happen, either way I haven't gotten a copy and would like to. My mailing address has just changed because I'm now at school but my old address is still valid. Don't know how often I'll be checking this place once classes start on Wednesday so an email would be appreciated in addition to or instead of a general announcement. Ok that's all. Thanks, Ev

Date: Mon Aug 28 08:18
Ian Gillan (GILLANIAN@aol.com):
Please tell me there are going to be some UK dates added to the October tour, I would prefer not to have to travel all the way to France

Date: Mon Aug 28 04:27
JC BROCHARD (jc.brochard@wanadoo.fr):
In October, Giant Sand will be playing my home town (Reims, France). That's great! But the more I get, the more I ask for ! I have posted on my webzine my petitions for what might be a perfect programme for a Gelb/Burns/Convertino concert... (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/vivonzeureux/). JC

Date: Mon Aug 28 03:33
Stefan (StefanRoehrich@t-online.de):
Hi Jim, when will the first volume of the "Jim's Picks" series appear? Thanks a lot for the broadcasts - they are great appetizers for more.

Date: Sun Aug 27 22:19
Jim Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
A quick FYI from your friendly GS Archivist:::: Don't forget that Howe will perform live on KXCI's Center Stage - Monday August 28, 2000 from 7-8 PM MST (Tucson time)... You can listen live at http://www.kxci.org/webradio.html or check out http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand for more details.. ::::: Also, only one day left for the first hour archive of the Center Stage program (from 8-19) at http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand/cstage.html ... Hour 2 will be posted on Tuesday 8-29. ::::: "People are trading tapes of us like the Grateful Dead." - Howe Gelb

Date: Sun Aug 27 17:58
jochen (briesen@addcom.de):
i love your record but it´s nothing for my brother

Date: Sat Aug 26 19:47
christine (:):
nice!

Date: Thu Aug 24 15:17
paul kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.com):
Check the website for the new features, great job from Mike

Date: Wed Aug 23 14:25
mcahill (mcahill@icast.com):
iCAST(http://www.icast.com), a new entainment web iste, is proud to announce that we have a showcase featuring GIANT SAND. The showcase is available as of 22 August 2000 on iCAST. Here is the URL to the iCAST Artists page of GIANT SAND(http://www.icast.com/artsts/1,4003,1010-26231,00html)You will need to download the iCASTER to view the interview. If you could spread the word,I would appreciate it.

Date: Wed Aug 23 09:22
Mike Gerfin (gerfin@bakbasel.ch):
You're absolutely right, Jim. What a progress since our first stab at the unofficial site back in 1995. And Jim, you did a great job with the radio show (well, at least in the first hour, that's all I heard so far). It's kind of weird to listen to a radio show which does what I always wanted to do - listen to great snippets of Giant Sand live shows and having first-hand comments from Howe (well, I've been doing the first part lots of times but Howe was never around). And Howe, if you read this, thanks forever for recommending Thelonious Monk (not personally, but in several interviews). It was quite a trip to get into his music. Mike

Date: Wed Aug 23 08:15
Jim Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Mike did a wonderful job updating and re-vamping the sawaro site!! Kudos!

Date: Mon Aug 21 15:07
paul kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.com):
Tried to hear the broadcast but it kept buffering every 30 seconds or so, so another one who would like to get that tape if Howe allows. Yhanks for the broadcast anyway. paul

Date: Mon Aug 21 12:19
Jim Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
FYI::::I recorded a PRE-FM DAT of the whole broadcast (Center Stage 8-19-00 with Howe Gelb) and have almost finished the transfer to CDR. I am sure that some, if not all of the broadcast will be circulated for you folks who missed it. Lets let Howe check it out first... A playlist and photo will be posted on the page: http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand/cstage.html --------FYI#2:::::Howe will be performing AGAIN on KXCI, one week from today (Monday, August 28, 2000) on the Tucson Musician's Showcase (7-8 PM MST). I will be the guest host (and engineer) and it should be just a live in-studio performance rather than a taste of the Archive.. We will record it again, however try and tune in on the web.. Info at http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand

Date: Mon Aug 21 10:15
Kyle Kotchou (kkotchou@ci.phoenix.az.us):
I drove down from Phoenix to Tucson friday night to record the radio program. I plugged my CD recorder into the receiver and then tried to tune KXCI. That's when the nightmare started - My parents live about 10 miles from KXCI studio's so I fiqured I would be able to get a strong clear signal...well I was wrong! The signal was weak so I tried to rig up an alternate antenna...I was able to work up a little stronger signal but still was getting that dreaded radio hiss. Well I set my clock for 2:30am hoping the signal would become stronger as the night wore on...It did not! I recorded the 3 hour program and hoped for the best. The bottom line is the program was excellent they pulled songs from early 90's shows in europe, Howe played an excellent version of "Yer Ropes" with Cisco Kid providing the rhythms, and stuff from confluence and the piano recording but I did not get the best recording but it is average. The Solar Culture show which I attended was fantastic as well. Howe said hello to some friends in europe and stated he did not think many of the local fans stayed up to catch the program...I think he was half asleep as well. Thanks to KXCI for the show and next time I will have a better antenna. E-mail me if you are interested in the show.

Date: Sun Aug 20 10:33
Stefan (StefanRoehrich@t-online.de):
Me, I'm outside of the KXCI range as I live in Munich, Germany, and so I'm also looking for someone in Tucson or thereabouts who recorded the show from FM radio. I've got a number of Giant Sand live shows to trade. Please mail me!

Date: Sat Aug 19 12:59
geoff (marslett@mail.utexas.edu):
I didn't manage to get up early enough for the radio show. Did anyone out there tape it?

Date: Sat Aug 19 12:47
geoff (marslett@mail.utexas.edu):
I didn't manage to get up early enough for the radio show. Did anyone out there tape it?

Date: Fri Aug 18 20:13
Jim Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
Tonight is the night.......http://www.kxci.org/rainer/sand/

Date: Fri Aug 18 09:07
billy hallowday (fairmaam@hotmail.com):
sand band: i've just read the october tour dates...i think you've left someplace out.... Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting? Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first-nighting. Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel; they're making me feel I'm home. It's autumn in New York that brings the promise of new love. Dreamers with empty hands may sigh for exotic lands;it's autumn in New York; it's good to live again. hint hint

Date: Wed Aug 16 21:28
phil Zisook (pz123@aol.com):
So I'm spending the last 11 days hiking with wife and kids in the Smoky Mountains. During one of the hikes I start thinking about some stuff that will happen when I get back to town, some upcoming concerts, stuff waiting for me at work, getting The Rock Opera Years, etc. That night I have the wierdest dream (and I don't remember my dreams real often): I go to the post office when we get back to pick up the mail and one of things there is the envelope from Tucson. I open it up and out falls out some sticky looking black electrical tape on a cardboard spool with a postit note saying something like "we ran out of cd's, but its all on the tape." I then spent a minute or 2 trying to unwind the tape and see if it somehowe would play on my tape deck, but the tape was about a half inche thick and couldn't fit. Plus, it was all sticky and couldn't move through the tape heads anyway. Wierd dream. In reality neither the disc nor tape have

Date: Wed Aug 16 12:33
midwestern representative (dashr14@hotmail.com):
Hopefully, one day, I will have a chance to view Howe's subversive left hand thrusts. I welcome such perplexia that other unenlightened big name fans have not the priviledge to comprehend or understand. What am I talking about? I don't understand it either, but I sure do admire it. For now I'll have to rely on my lacking collection...and Napster. That's it. M.R.

Date: Mon Aug 14 16:08
tim (timm@interlog.com):
just had a gander at the newly revamped thrill jockey website and the GS section therein. have a look at www.thrilljockey.com

Date: Sun Aug 13 13:08
Andrew Rawlinson (rawlinson@arma.freeserve.co.uk):
I saw Howe,John and Joey play in a London record store in 96 and I will always love the band.Ive just picked up a Rainer cd on Glitterhouse which is a lovely record.I hope to see you guys play live in the UK in the not too distant future.Any plans to work with Richard Buckner again?He is a real cool guy.Great that you signed for Thrill Jockey.They have released some crucial records and are up there with Drag City and Merge as cool labels.Take care.

Date: Fri Aug 11 05:58
Manny (EJCACC@aol.com):
Jason, Giant Sand has done many a song using other writers words. They have no problem sticking to the words and wrapping them up tightly within their musical vision.

Date: Thu Aug 10 09:16
pieter_red (giants@mweb.co.za):
'lo folks...went to "big rock concert" (well, as big as the biggest one o'er here can be) and met up with a dude from a band called Lilo. Interviewed him for our wedsite's entertainment hub, he's into lo-fi so we got on really well, chatted about Low, Grandaddy, Pavement & Palace ect.ect. Then we stumbled on the topic of Giant Sand. Boy oh boy - what a party it turned into! He claims there is a network of GS fans in his part of town (Durban, South Africa that is) and I told him in that we are hard at work to enlighten the people of Cape Town in that direction. Just thought I'd let you know. We may not actually "see" Howe and co, but !HELL! - we do support the music. adios amigos.

Date: Thu Aug 10 09:13
Jason Sherrett (sherrett@dsp.net):
Hey all. I think Howe was being a little tongue in cheek regarding the change in musical format. As he stood in front of the Fillmore crowd the second night and declared "I'm just gonna play some songs" you didn't have to look that closely to see his mischievous smile. Obviously the mix and match performance style isn't going to appeal to everyone, but there were pockets of support out there. And to clarify I've got nothing against Wilco. I like 'em. But here's a thought to consider - what if Howe & Co. had been presented with the task of putting old Woody Guthrie lyrics to music. What would they do with the beautiful lyrics of California Stars? Would they even stick to the Guthrie lyrics or just use them as a jumping off point or inspiration? Would there be little snippets of the old Woody accompanying the new creation? Would they even want the job? What do you make of the notion of reviving material from long gone artisits? Ponder.

Date: Thu Aug 10 02:35
chris o'hanlon (Chrisowy@hotmail.com):
Subject: Imperative.. Good day to you all... Thanks you for your time and may I introduce myself as 'Chris'. I'm in a band and feel that the music we make would be of great interest to you guys/gals..... The band is called, 'Vigilance Black Special' We've played 8 gigs, including, the 'Bull and Gate in London', the 'Zodiac', 'The Point' and 'The Jerico' in Oxford, as well as the recent 'Truck Festival' over in Steventon, Oxfordshire. There have been several reviews - live and recorded. The single we did, sent to Melody Maker (4/5) and a few in Oxfords music magasine, 'Nightshift' - there's a gig review in February's issue and more recently, in Augusts issue, available during the latter part of this week.... We've done 3 demo CD's and a single - via 'Shifty Disco' - An independent music label in Oxford. Is it okay with you, that we send you a demo CD? I'm sure you won't be disappointed..... Hope to hear from you very soon... Kind regards Chris, (drums) ============ I have the Giant Sand CD and it's excellent....

Date: Wed Aug 9 09:06
Tommy Gailer (tgailer@yahoo.de):
Barry, it`s sad that we don`t have a "discussion board" here, `cause it`s a bit hard to discuss in the format of this one. Maybe Mike Brewer could help us ones? To Wilco: i am nearly a big wilco fan as a giant sand fan and appreciate a lot both main songwriters Howe G. and Jeff T.(and would give a million to know how they think about each other). It`s true that Wilco don`t celebrate the dynamic-jumps like Giant Sand, but Jeff Tweedy can write songs, sounding so simple and if you like to play them on a guitar, you can see that they have a interesting construction. Nobody would bash Neil Young for writing simple songs... It`s the same with a few Giant Songs: Shiver for ex. sounds pretty loose, but to play it isn`t easy (especially for me as amateur). Why the hell is that song startin on F? It would be a lot easier to start with G. Howe, did you tune down the guitar? As a live band, nobody can beat Giant Sand (Howe solo too...)anyway. That possibility to vary songs is unique. I think both bands are very ambitionated and care about their fans too (Howe`s conversation is a great exampel for that...). I really hope, that Giant Sand would get finally the Attention, they deserve!

Date: Wed Aug 9 02:02
Joel From (Joel_From@hotmail.com):
This is more of a request than a comment - and it goes a lttle something like this - pack your bags and send them and yourselfes airborn to Gothenburg Sweden - i will be there to catch you - joel.

Date: Tue Aug 8 23:26
Barry Stevenson (diabolik@pacbell.net):
Re: Wilco shows.. Maybe it is just Wilco fans!! I went to see Giant Sand open for Uncle Tupelo a few years ago,(Whiskey, Hollywood) and when I got there found out that Giant Sand had cancelled. I went to the front of the stage, and started a conversation with a guy next to me, I asked him "why Giant Sand Cancelled?" and he said "who cares, Uncle Tupelo rules"... When I said that I actually really wanted to see Giant Sand he replied "you have sucky taste in music"..... I think it is strange that a sedate alterna-Gram Parsons type band would bring in such closed minded people... I watched about 4 songs.. they didn't suck or anything.... the crowd was a mix of real rabid fans and the usual hands in pockets types.. Wilco hasn't given me any reason to be excited as of yet... (their records are kinda like an on/off switch.. not real dynamic) my obnoxious opinion anyway... ciao!!!

Date: Tue Aug 8 03:50
Mike Gerfin (gerfin@bakbasel.ch):
Just returned from holidays with 4 Pokemon-crazy kids. Listened to some Sand with my kids. Guess what Mope-a-long turned into? But still, Poke-a-mon is much better than "Oops I did it again" which was their other fave. Cheers, Mike

Date: Sun Aug 6 16:36
Jim Blackwood (jblackwo@primenet.com):
FYI: I will be guest host on KXCI's Center Stage on Saturday, August 19th from 3 AM to 6 AM MST... Featuring: Giant Sand's tour-closing performance at Solar Culture in Tucson on 7-13-00 (as recorded by KXCI), a sampling of Giant Sand material from the Gelb Archive, and live Howe Gelb with Rainer Ptacek.. Keep your fingers crossed for a live visit from Howe (if we can get him to stay up that late) and perhaps he will bring a track or two from his upcoming releases. You can listen live on the web (MP3 stream and Webradio Java stream)by going to: http://www.kxci.org/webradio.html Center Stage - http://www.kxci.org/stage KXCI Community Radio - Tucson Arizona - http://www.kxci.org

Date: Sat Aug 5 17:59
Paul Kerr (p.kerr@ntlworld.com):
Howe, I'm sure most of us relish the idea of your finding that there's a third, fourth or fifth disc as long as it wings its way to us. Re the fillmore, it's probably hard to concentrate a few thousand folk with your intricate sonic weavings but I'm scared that if you do your songs straight you'll embarass the main act, sell more records and we'll lose you. Seriously the posts I read were dismissib=ve of those that chattered, hollered or plain didn't listen. Keep on keepin' on Paul

Date: Fri Aug 4 13:25
howe (howe9t9d9@yahoo.com):
hi......the fillmore shows were very interesting from this vantage point, playing the middle slot of the last 2 of 3 sold out shows. 1200 people a night waiting for who they paid to see can be unsettling for whoever is loaded up on the bill in between the opener and the headliner. but this kind of perplexia is a wonderful puzzle to try and muster in with such dangerous curves. the first night i realized, only after seeing most of the wilco set, that the slight of hand trickery in my song application is too much to follow for those unaquainted. the wilco set was a consistant 2 hours of unchanging tones and symetry. this allows the sonic viewer then to lose themselves in the given asthetics and not to struggle with any subversive left hand thrusts along the way. the next day i had a long talk with eric drew feldman (keyboardist for captain beefheart, pj harvey, frank black) about this and a chess like discussion on if we should do what we do and why we do it at all. the contents of this of course cannot no way fit into this space here, nor can i really remember most of it, but the feeling i got after our talk is here to stay. the second night proved more successful in every way. mostly, i figured, just play some "songs". play some good ones...and be as clear as possible. give the bulk of the multitude at least a chance to understand the pattern of logic therein the material without the annoyance of any diversion. that being established after about 5 songs, i then began to pepper the mix slowly with the next 3 son