Riette asked about James Taylor, and he just happens to be coming to town: Throughout the stormy tossing and turning of American pop since the late '60s, James Taylor has remained the ballast, keeping the ship upright and on course. Now, in what has become the highlight of the summer concert season, James Taylor kicked off his 46-city tour and will perform in Austin at the Frank Erwin Center on Tuesday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. Much of Taylor's repertoire has been captured on his two most recent albums: James Taylor Live, a 1992 double disc live album and its single disc version, James Taylor (Best Live), released in 1994. Before these two great albums, New Moon Shine, his other release in the '90s once again showed his peerless mastery of unforgettable melodies and wise, witty lyrics. New Moon Shine reteams James with producer Don Grolnick and a host of world-class musicians such as saxophonists Branford Marsalis, Michael Bredker and Randy and Tony Levin, and James' long-time friend and colleague Danny Kortchmar, who co-wrote and co-produced two tracks. James wrote or co-wrote all but two songs. "It took me a long time to write these," says James. "The way I write is slowly changing to a more studied craft, rather than a spontaneous springing forth. Songs start quickly but finishing them up takes a long time." That deliberation shows in the album's finely-wrought arrangements and reflective sentiments. "Copperline," the premiere single, was co-written by James and noted southern author Reynolds Price. The you-can't-go-home-again theme, underscored by fiddle and dobro, sets the tone of the album. "Down in the Hole," a disquieting rocker comparing depression to life under the ground, features a wild doo-wop break, while a hot horn section punctuates a clever R&B elegy to love lost in "(I've Got To) Stop Thinking 'Bout That." "Shed a Little Light" is a beautiful chorale inspired by the Emmy-winning PBS series, "Eyes On the Prize," which retold the story of the civil rights movement. Here James celebrates the moments of triumph even though the ultimate goals of that era are yet to be realized. "Frozen Man" is a charming and quirky fairytale about a 19th century British mariner lost at sea near the Arctic Circle. Retrieved from the permafrost, he's thawed and revived, only to find his world has died out a hundred years before. "It turns out my own Scottish ancestor, also named James Taylor, was lost at sea on his way to America," notes Taylor, "though I didn't learn of that until after I wrote the song." The album ends with a sublime version of the folk standard, "The Water Is Wide." Says James, "I used to perform this song when I was a young folk-singer in New York." Giving New Moon Shine a grace and symmetry, the song is performed on acoustic instruments including the fiddle and dobro, ending the album much as it began. In a way, the same can be said of James Taylor himself. No less an observer than Sting said not long ago of James, "He's a complete natural and a complete original immune to fashion." James himself, simply says "the top of the charts is fine, but it's an odd goal if you're a musician." Nevertheless, James Taylor is no stranger to the top of the charts. Since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1969, he has enjoyed extravagant success with over a dozen albums. After the release of Never Die Young, in 1988, Taylor embarked on a triumphant tour of American and saw a taped full-length concert performance become one of the most popular specials run on PBS that winter. As much as he's known for his recordings, James has been a perennially popular live entertainer. "You have to perform in real time with real musicians," he notes. "Of course some, cantelever twenty years beyond their time, standing there like waxed fruit. But with others like Ray Charles, the thrill ain't gone." The same is true of James Taylor, who continually inspires new generations of fans with his concerts and albums. There aren't that many standards of quality left these days, but James Taylor surely exemplifies the highest of them, and 30 years of success proves it. Tickets for James Taylor at the Frank Erwin Center on Tuesday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. are $24.50 and $27.50 and are on sale now at all UTTM TicketCenters or charge by phone at 477-6060. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient and free-parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and University lots. For more information, call 471-7744. You're Invited... Complimentary Glass of Wine, Iced Tea and Coffee Experience nostalgia at its best with great food and fun at a Frank Erwin Center Pre Show Reception! Join us from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in our reception hall before James Taylor and his traveling band of musicians take the stage. MENU CLOVER LEAF STATION Fruit and Cheese Display A gala array of Fresh Fruits of the Season served with Domestic Cheeses, Assorted Crackers and Water Biscuits Vegetables and Dips Assorted Fresh Vegetables served with a Variety of Fresh Dips Grande Pork Tamales Pork Tamales with Green Chile Salsa Brown Sugar Baked Brie Large Rounds of Brie Baked with Maple and Brown Sugar garnished with Roasted Pecansand served with Toast Points Shrimp & Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms Fresh Mushroom Caps stuffed with Shrimp, Spinach, and Cheese Santa Fe Puffs Puff Pastry stuffed with Chicken, Avocado,and Jalapenos baked to a Golden Brown PASTA STATION Pasta Prima Vera Hand tossed Penne Pasta with Fresh Vegetables of the Season and garnished with Asiago Cheese Penne Pasta Penne Pasta topped with Cajun Cream garnished with Blackened Chicken Strips CARVING STATION Tender Hand Carved Prime Rib and Smoked Turkey Breast Hand Carved Prime Rib and Smoked Turkey Breast served with Petite Party Rolls accompanied with Bernaise Sauce, Horseradish Sauce, and Creole Mustard DESSERT STATION Chocolate Macadamia Nut Brownies Chocolate Fudge Brownies augmented with Macadamia Nuts Bavarian Cream Puffs Mini Puffs filled with Bavarian Cream Cherries Jubilee Cheesecake Dark Pitted Cherries soaked in Rum & Brandy served over Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Jack Daniels Cheesecake Homemade Traditional Chocolate Cheesecake flavored with Jack Daniels Reception tickets are $22.50 per person. Show tickets are $27.50 per person. A cash bar will be available during the reception. Parking is included and available in Lot 108 on the South side of the Frank Erwin Center. Both reception and show tickets are available as a package and are required for admittance through Red River street level doors. To order your reception and show package, call the Group Sales Department at (512) 471-7744. Orders will be filled on a first come first served basis. Seats will be assigned when payment is received. ALL ORDERS MUST BE PAID IN FULL NO LATER THAN Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 18, 1996. visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express and checks made payable to The University of Texas are acceptable methods of payment. Seating availability will be limited. There will be no guest appearance by James Taylor or his band during the reception.

That sounds just absolutely brilliant. Would have loved to have gone. Not least because of that menu!! But the only concert I'm going to is 'Modern Talking' - big trip down teeny memory lane, that is. Sonja is ready to scratch my eyes out with jealousy, so I promised I'd be really obnoxious, push my way to the very front and fill up as many films as I can withing the space of two hours. Still wondering if I should throw underwear at them....

Attended the Lilith Fair on Sunday. Lisa Loeb, Cowboy Junkies, Joan Osborne, Paula Cole, Natalie Merchant and Sarah MacLaughlin ... and lots of local talent!

Some Austin folks too! It passed through here a coupla weeks ago.

Patti Griffin?

I just remember seeing a feature in the Chron or XL that there were a bunch of Austin artists involved, but maybe that was just for the Austin edition.

every stop on the Lilith Fair, local FEMALE aritists are invited to per on additional stages that they have set up...

If ever a group called, Modern Talking should visit you over there, GO. Don't know if they ever became famous in America, but they're a cult over here. Their music is crap, their lyrics are crap, but their concerts are a BLAST!!!! I went last night, and had a fantastic time. These two guys have the most wonderful stage personalities, are mega handsome, and the concert was one HUGE party, and live, their music is hypnotic - they sing VERY well live. My sister and I used to be big fans at teenies, then they split up, and just got back together again beginning of this year. I WISH Sonja had been here to see it! Even Chris had a good time, and he usually growls when I drag him to pop concerts.

How do they overcome the deficiencies of bad lyrics etc., what do they do to make up for it?

Well, all their songs have exactly the same deep, heavy beat, which makes it hypnotic after a while. And although their tunes and lyrics all sound roughly the same, they're really fun and full of energy. But I think their secret lies in their charisma. They are the two most down to earth, relaxed singers I've ever seen live, and therefore the crowd is relaxed as well, and the whole thing just turns into a big, big party. Wait, I'll see if I can post a picture of them - they're mega sexy!

Careful, drool alert!

ha-ha!!!!

so, like, where's that picture?

I can't find a suitable one!!!! And these guys would even turn YOUR legs into ... batter! I'll scan you one the photos from the programme through to post. Listening to their music right now . . . G-spot alert!!!

does this mean that you wanna watch?

Depends on what I'll get to see....and what not.

Finnish Tango - Tule Tanssimaan The Lasse Santakankaan Ythye (Lasse Santagangas Ensemble) will tour Germany and Switzerland! superstar heavily recommends this! 19. April 1999 Hamburg, Prinzenbar 20. April 1999 M�nster, LunaBar 21. April 1999 Cologne, Tanzschule Schulerecki 22. April 1999 Aachen, Theater K in der Bastei 23. April 1999 Munich, Club zwei 24. April 1999 Augsburg, Blauer Salon 25. April 1999 Zurich (CH), El international 26. April 1999 Winterthur (CH), Gaswerk 27. April 1999 Luzern, Kulturzentrum Boa 28. April 1999 Marburg, KFZ* 29. April 1999 Ulm, Konzertsaal 30. April 1999 Frankfurt, Ostclub* 01. Mai 1999 Hannover, Bei Chez Heinz You can't ever be too young or too old to go to concerts, especially if the band is as good as this!

The Lunabar most be one wild scene!

Oh, but if you knew Prinzenbar... In the midst of St. Pauli, Hamburgs infamous entertainment district, it used to be a red-light affair with lots of decadent stucco baby angels (putti ?) and mirrors. Superstar had an evening there, when the mag did the tour in '97, and it's a great location. Sure fitting to kick the tour off there! (As I leave for Hamburg tomorrow, maybe I even go there! Other offers: Alter Schilleroper, Mutter, Meanie Bar)

What about the Cave, where the Beatles played? Or was that what it was called?

I'm afraid it was only called the Star Club. But at least they didn't call it the Superstar Club. I opened there for the Beatles just a few times, 10 or 12, I'd say. Since I was the warm-up band, I would bring out 4 steam heaters and play them. They made wonderful sounds, which could be somewhat orchestrated with a spray hose. All the Beatles, even George and John and Paul and Ringo, loved my band of steam heaters. Can't say as I blame 'em. Actually that's all I have to report at this time.

If only they had adopted you! Just think . . .

They adopted me as their pet hamster. Then I escaped the cage they put me in, even though it had lotsa fun things inside it to play with like fake lettuce and this circular ladder that I'd run on its rungs and make it spin and stuff, but like I say, I squirmed and wriggled outta that cage one dark and storied night and I ran away and got married....to boredom and lived the rest of my life accordingly. Can't say as I blame me. Actually that's all I have to report at this time.

Amazingly enough, that's all I have to report at this time, as well.

Back to you, Alexander.

Ahh, why, thank you, Autumn! Say, didn't we meet once in the Cave in London (the original, not to be mixed with other clubs, such as The Cave in Frankfurt? You were made up as Bambi, and I worked the door... (Well, I didn't, so we never met either.)

intriguing visuals...can you throw some sound in as well, Alexander?

(Wer, just play "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle" featuring the Sex Pistols amongst others, and you got the idea. For the full picture, get the video. Report back.)

Back to you, wer.

now, I need the smells, too...

(see, Autumn, you can moderate a conversation... you really should host a conference...)

Autumn, I wish you would host three topics called 'Alternative Medicine' instead of just two four 'Alternative Medicines' would be better yet how 'bout if every conference had 4 topics in them called 'Alternative Medicine' --- all hosted by Autumn uh-oh, here she comes i hear she's rougher'n Ethan ....i don't stand a chance

Hear, Hear!!! Excellent suggestion, Jim!

ROTFLOL!!!! Yes, we definitely need an alternative medicine topic in every conference!!!! Back to you clowns!

so, you'll be a host then?

(This is what we used to call a "strategic pause" when I worked at Dun & Bradstreet)

(see, with all that knowledge...I'm just sayin')

(Duck, girl! Take cover! Here they come again - THE HOST-HUSTLERS FROM OUTER SPACE! They got me - Aaaaaaaargh!)

I'm taking cover here in my pod...

oh, well, you can't say I didn't try... (please?)

Live!!!! The Wailers from Austin, Texas. check it out on our main page. Lively, lively!!!!

Postive vibrations, mon!