AJ Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Just received news of this show from Artful Dodger bassist Steve Cooper. "Hi Guys, Looks like Artful will be playing with Donnie Iris at The Taste of Cleveland on Saturday, Sept 2nd. This just came up last Friday and I believe everythings been worked out and its a go."Should be a great show! Nice double-bill, I haven't seen Donnie Iris since my college days at KSU! AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Continuing to prop up Artful Dodger as a great band...is like...trying to drum up support for a Dan Quayle Presidential run... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 I won't go into politics.........but, that could possibly be seen as an improvement - LOL!Aah, Come on Tony.....We all have those bands and their music that we hold dear to our hearts. In fact, didn't you mention somewhere that you have the entire Bay City Rollers catalog??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanTylerVO Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Dear Tony "I have too much time on my hands to say anything nice about anybody"...Living where you do, have you ever actually SEEN OR HEARD LIVE, Artful Dodger?Well..For those of us who did have the opportunity to see them quite a few times and also bought their records and/or cd's,I truly enjoyed their brand of hook-ladened pop tunes.Billy was a solid front guy and had a voice that was uniquely his, and I found their blend of acoustic and electric guitars enjoyable to not only hear but play on my own.As far as how they look and sound NOW, I can't offer an opinion, but given the chance to see them again these days would be something I would certainly look forward to. I saw them open for EC at least once after he went solo, maybe Eric has a memory or thought to share about them?Tony, I'm sure behind all your prolific negativity there might be a decent guy, it's just a shame we never see or hear it here...Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 No AJ, that was The Partridge Family...Get David Cassidy to replace the Artful Dodger Screecher, and I suddenly like some of the well crafted songs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 Oooops, My mistake!...and thanks for taking it as the joke it was intended to be! I guess after listening to Jules Shear, Enuff Z'nuff and Gary Myrick all those years, I just don't notice it....I must have damaged my ears somewhere down the line! I'll give David Cassidy credit, he had a decent comeback album in the '90s - wasn't the song "Lyin' To Myself"?How about David Cassidy as the next Republican Presidential candidate??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 DEANTYLER,Stop out at the fan site sometime (it's listed as my home page in my profile)! There's video and audio up from the last couple reunion shows so you can hear how they sound now. Worth mention is "Baby Don't You Cry No More" - the band did this song as a demo back in '81 for the follow-up to "Rave On". They did it live for the 4/1/2006 show! Hey, The more the merrier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Sorry Dean, I'd rather be more of a cyber Simon Cowell than a Paula Abdul. Partly because that big fake boob-job would give me constant back pain...That lead singer (Billy?) sounds like a burned-out Rod Stewart with a blown vocal chord. And I don't even like Rod Stewart. So, though I hear some decent songs on the Artful Dodger CD I sampled, I can't get over the Screecher.I noticed, even people who like Artful Dodger, seem to have trouble praising the lead singer.Instead I read, "A voice that is uniquely his" and "An acquired taste" and "Unique sounding"...That's an "Artful Dodger" way of saying, "YIKES!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 Tony,You are correct about the unique aspect and yes, it is a love it or hate it type response that hits people. Personally, I like his voice but I also like Rod Stewart's, Chris from The Black Crowes, Donnie from Enuff Z'Nuff - They all have that raspy quality. But, I also have to admit that I'm hooked by the songwriting - sometimes more than the vocals or playing (How else could I listen to some of Jules stuff - kidding...)Variety is the spice of life!Just a final tidbit - Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) thought highly of the them and did back-up vocals on "Alright".... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanTylerVO Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 A.J and Tony...I checked out the old and newer clips from your site A.J., neat trip back! But...truthfully I must say the clips from late 80's and now clearly show how Billy's voice has gotten REAL raspy and yes..he sounds ALOT like a Rod Stewart sound alike. The great song hooks still remain throughout, but I have to wonder now if I saw them live, would I feel bad they are so far from what I remember and maybe should have stayed home with the original cd's and leave my memories intact..Observation..After watching some berries old video and current reunion footage,I would jump at the opportunity to see ec and the boys now without hesitation, Incredible then, and electrifying NOW...Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnniekNY Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 Let me add, dean, I was really nervous about seeing the Berries live after 32 YEARS...for exactly the reasons you guys are mentioning...but lord, were they ever on top of their game. Not a disappointing note amongst them...some very funny moments but awesome.I will have to check out the Artful Dodger clips...I don't remember them. But,I understand why someone might continue to perform when they're no longer in good form...performing and the adrenaline rush and creativity is addicting.annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Allen Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 I believe it's time for me to step in. As I've stated in the past, Artful Dodger was the absolute best live rock and roll band I have ever witnessed (I must exclude Raspberries here -- they were simply in a class by themselves). AD is also responsible for crafting a boatload of some of the finest rock tunes to ever grace my ear drums. This group was truly something else. A real working man's rock band, but with an awesome English/pop sensibility -- a delicious combo. Plus, they were (and I assume still are) great guys. As for Billy's voice, in his heyday it was as unique to me as Eric Carmen's. In listening to the new shows they've done, I will admit that the years have not necessarily been all that kind to Bill's vocal chords, but jeez the band sounds as tight as ever! As I've said before: God bless Artful Dodger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 18, 2006 Author Share Posted July 18, 2006 Too be honest, there's quite a bit that factors into all this. First off, aside from the 3 reunion shows in 1991, Bill has not been singing since the band broke up in late 1981. Also, his voice has gotten lower. He only starting singing a few weeks before the first reunion in December 2005 - and as he mentioned at the site, he almost walked away from doing the shows because he felt he didn't sound good. I believe any vocalist will probably admit that constant training is the key to keeping your voice in shape. The difference between the December show and the April 2006 show is very noticable - Unfortunately, no one professionally recorded that show.Also, there's a BIG difference between having professional sound people that know the band's music operate the mixing boards - AD did not have that luxury. Finally, for some reason, Bill's voice captured live during the reunion shows versus being there -it does not sound the same. I can't explain it! My wife taped the December show from the radio - I heard it live - they did not sound the same - I don't know if it's compression or distortion. The same thing happened at the 91 reunion show - I caught the 98.5 broadcast and thought they had distorted his voice to prevent bootlegging. At the "Legends Of Rock" show (about 4 months later) when I saw them - his voice sounded perfect. I noticed the same quality with the AC/DC live DVD, the Black Crowes reunion DVD and the live Enuff Z'Nuff CD. I will say one thing, I don't think anyone walked away from those shows disappointed. Also, just the sheer number of people who came up to them after the show to thank them for playing again - unimaginable! And, as Bob mentioned, they are the some of the nicest guys I've ever met!DeanTyler,I'll say, if you get a chance to see them, you'll enjoy it - Bill is a very entertaining frontman and the playing is tight. Plus the addition of Peter Bonta on the keys really adds to the sound.You won't be disappointed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanTylerVO Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 AJ, Thanks...I LOVED that band, and I'm sure I wouldn't miss a chance to see them again, especially since it's the original guys. Next to the berries, AD was a huge part of MY personal sound track and I have not forgottem them at all. I hope they somehow make it to Florida someday soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris hess Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 ummm,back to the subject...that is a great bill..a.d. was a great band what i remember(working on being a "rock star" back then!!!) and donnie iris is a great guy..are band at the time opened for him,and was very courtious to us..i think it was when "king cool" came out..lots of memories there!!lol,chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 19, 2006 Author Share Posted July 19, 2006 HEY....Best of all, General Admission tickets are only $6.00 - That's $3.00 a band - Welcome back ticket prices of the '70s!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamacote Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 ........i think i'll find myself in cleveland for this one!!!!!......it's unlikely they will make it to nyc, and i knda like the mistake by the lake......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 20, 2006 Author Share Posted July 20, 2006 Hey Tommy!Hope you and Bob can make it for the show - It would be great to meet you!What I like about this venue is that there will be food all around so maybe the guys can sit down, eat, drink and chat with a bunch of fans!Stay tuned to the Artful Dodger site - Some of the members are trying to organize either a pre- or post- show get together!AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cozmik Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 I saw Donnie last month. What a great show. Hopefully, you'll get to see the 3 drummers thing he did then. Watch for the daughter of Donnie's writing partner/producer/keyboardist Mark Avsec on one of the drum kits. She's a show stealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 24, 2006 Author Share Posted July 24, 2006 Three drummers??!! Hope so...That'll be interesting to watch! Do you know if Kevin Valentine (I think that's the right spelling) still tours with them? He was the original drummer back in the '80s - He was also originally in Koslen's BREATHLESS.I still remember the band bringing an extra floor tom on the stage that Donnie would use on "Love Is Like A Rock"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cozmik Posted July 26, 2006 Share Posted July 26, 2006 Kevin was one of the drummers at the Pittsburgh show. He traded off with Mark Avsec's daughter and another drummer who worked on the laatest Iris CD and they were all three on kits for a few songs including "Love is Like a Rock" and a unique cover of "Soul Man" that opened the show. Avsec's daughter's (I can't recall her first name)level of entushiasm playing made it so fun to watch her. Some young band needs to scoop her up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 28, 2006 Author Share Posted July 28, 2006 Cozmik,Thanks for the info! Great to hear Kevin still plays in the group! I think it's a fantastic band line-up for a show! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamacote Posted July 28, 2006 Share Posted July 28, 2006 .........i always liked kevin.......i think "the other" drummer at the show mentioned above was clevelander and former american noise timekeeper tommy rich, who performed w/ eric at the rock hall show a few years back......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 American Noise! What a great debut album - It's a shame a follow up release never materialized. That CD gets popped in the player quite often.....Now I really hope they bring out the third drummer and that it's Tommy Rich! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted August 11, 2006 Author Share Posted August 11, 2006 They just added a new opening act and have re-billed the show as Beau Coup (opening) with Artful Dodger and Donnie Iris & The Cruisers co-headlining the show. I guess that puts us at $2 a band! What a bargain!I guess Mark Avsec will have a busy night playing keys for Beau Coup and then for Donnie Iris.....Also, I've started a YOUTUBE account and will be posting Artful Dodger video clips from various live shows. Most of the clips will be from a 1980 tour supporting "Rave On". Be patient, I'm dial-up and it takes a very long time to upload those clips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.