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2006 A new start


Bill C

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Well the year is done and speculation on what Raspberies will do for next year is a hot topic.

In carrying over from the end of the clunker list conversation, I feel that the Raspberries will probably try to move forward with new music, rather than dwell on adding different old music. I think most musicians want to keep creating rather than dwelling on the past. The Raspberries had a great year of rekindeling their music, but if they are going to do anything from here on out I think it will be a new CD. So adding Eric's solo stuff of Wally's stuff or anything that has been already presented doesn't make a lot of sense unless your just trying to stretch out what was done in the reunion concert. The most exciting thing, and proof that the guys are trying to get to the next level would be a new music CD.

Thoughts?

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I agree about the guys creating some new stuff...because, most of us who attended the reunion shows have brought friends along to introduce them to this awesome group of guys and their music. The result was many new fans who now love their music too. So....it only makes sense to create new music..which I'm sure the guys want to, plus all the new people who have become fans will enjoy new music, as well as those of us who have been around from the very beginning.

Robin

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Seeing and hearing the new, slow version of IWBWY gave me a foretaste of renewed collective creative spark and made me think that some new music will be on the way. The hallmark of creativity is thinking in new ways, and all four of the guys were definitely thinking together on that one. The result was a heartrendingly gorgeous rendition that brought out new chords and new feelings about that song for me.

I get goosebumps when I think about what the new music will be like! spinspinspin

smile --Darlene

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I just found out a few days ago that the daughter-in-law of the friend that went to the L.A. show with me is a big Raspberries fan and has been for years and she's only in her late twenties. She was mad at us for not telling her about the concert and taking her alone. We had no idea she even knew who they were. I even had an extra ticket that she could have used had we known. So age is not a factor in being a fan.

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I just think a new album would be the logical next step if there is one. Eric or Bernie? How about a little insight on what might be in the works? Also, New Raspberries music would have a differn't feel to it. I don't know if, (at the age they're at) it would be appropriate to be penning new songs about teenage exuberance. I could see a more current topical approach simular to the Eagles when they did "Get over it" and "Learn to be still". I don't know, should the Raspberries get serious? I'm just throwing stuff out there. What would a Hard Rocking Raspberries tune be about these days?

Obviously love songs never go out of style.

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The real question is, did the reuinion tour spark any financial backer/backers to fund and promote a new CD? Eric is the only one who has the cash to do it independently, but that puts him in "control" again, and makes it not and equal group thing. And Eric and the guys don't want to "bust their ashes and blow all their cashes" without some deal to make it worthwhile.

Now, maybe Darlene and I (Good Cop/Bad Cop) could go and convince the boys to put out a new CD just for the "Love" of creating and playing the music. Corresponding through modern technology with ideas, getting together on free weekends with discount saver airline rates for Dave...What studio in the Cleveland area wouldn't

jump at the chance to land the "studio sessions" for a new Raspberries CD at a discount rate? Several ways to promote the CD through the internet (CD Baby, Amazon, Springsteen's site...) Japan will eat up anything that is released with Eric involved. Wim will promote sales in his surrounding countries. Bernie will do a "Got Milk" ad with the boys and put it in music magazines...And Tony better ease up on that lemonade...

These are 2 realistic options. We just have to wait and see if they are working on worthwhile deal, and are they still mentally up for continuing the dream together. confused

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There's been alot of debate, and with great detail, about what Raspberries should do next

to keep this thing going. Some really great thoughts. One key element, regardless of the particular project, is exposure. Exposure sometimes costs money. I think Raspbernie should organize something to take up a fan collection to run a couple ads on Raspberries behalf in a couple key publications. This could help quite a bit actually. I dont see why loyal fans would not want to contribute to such a thing. It could be very helpful at this juncture. An ad in Rolling Stone, NY Times entertainment, Village Voice, whatever. Ads that make use of the "They Said it would never happen, they were wrong" would be very effective. I was amazed at the lack of promotion by Capitol for the 2005 collection. Almost non-existent. Anyway, I think a fan collection for a couple ads in important publications is a worthy thing and a helpful thing. If we can spend our bread on the books, the CDs, t-shirts, the concert tickets, why wouldnt we want to do something really helpful in this regard?

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Raspberrywine hit the nail on the head regarding the need to promote whatever the guys do. One way is to go back to an earlier thread on who should produce a new album....if the Bruce Springsteen's and Jon Bon Jovi's and Paul Stanley's of the music world are truly behind the boys, they need to lend their expertise and/or cash and/or whatever label help they can give to any future endeavor. While I've grown to absolutely detest albums by older bands where they bring in "guest stars" (I'm thinking the Yardbirds' "Birdland" from 2004), this could be a route to go to at least earn them some cash.

Getting a celebrity producer such as a Phil Spector (bad example, I know....he's in jail) or Brian Wilson (perhaps another bad example, as he's probably burned out) will also get them publicity that will sell more records than they'd otherwise hope to. (Example: If Neil Diamond had recorded a stripped-down LP sans Rick Rubin, I doubt he would have gotten a tenth of the publicity, regardless of how good or bad it actually is.)

The band also has to stay active, as far as playing gigs and writing new material. It's really up to them....and they need to manage any expectations (no problem for them, I'm sure, at this point) because, frankly, no matter how great their shows are, and no matter how great any new material is, they're not likely to set the world on fire at this stage, simply because tasteful, tuneful R&R isn't likely to sell millions or even hundreds of thousands at this point. Music like they make has, for the most part, been confined to small labels and small distributors such as Not Lame, Rhino, Paisley Pop, etc., for the past decade or longer.

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I took pictures of a band in Atlanta last night. The show by The Redwalls was attended by mostly 20-somethings. Their reviews site influences which include the Beatles and the Who. I'll post some photos by tomorrow, but if you had walked in the room you might have thought you were flashing back to 1973 and a Raspberries show.

I was talking to one guy in the crowd who was about my age. He was amazed to know the Raspberries were playing again. They were one of his favorites and he was not happy he missed them.

Then on the way home I heard new songs by the Eagles and by The Rolling Stones.

I think the time is right.

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Actually, the Redwalls have released 2 CDs. To echo Tommy T., they're both pretty good, with decent singing and playing, but I think the writing's a bit on the weak side. They definitely have potential. I believe they opened for Oasis at some of their '05 shows, which was a pretty good match-up.

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