Untitled Document

Newsletter 10/2000

New CD: Room Full of Fools

This c.d is for all of those people who might think I'm fading away into feeble old age. It's a set of songs for the passionate, the heartbroken and sometimes cynical. I had a lot of fun making it. My recording sessions in the U.S. (the first ever for me) were a triumph of fast food, fueled energy and lust for improvisation. I tried to say what I had to say as honestly as possible. The musicians on the album (Robert Coyne, Steve Smith and Werner Steinhauser) all made telling contributions. Robert, particularly, astounded me constantly with his feel for my kind of writing and singing.

It's handy when ones son is a talented multi instrumentalist. Songs like "Sugar turning sour", "Room Full of Fools" and "I'm wild' bear" witness to his abilties (particularly his rough edged powerhouse guitar style). Working with him was a delight. This is something like (I've lost count) my fortieth album. When I started with Siren in 68 I never imagined I'd still be turning them out thirty two years later. Recent gigs in New York, L.A. and the wilds of Bavaria convince there's still an audience for my anarchic humour and determined commitment to reality. I'm a flawed romantic and it feels right. I hope you find a lot of pleasure in this record.

Kevin Coyne, October 2000

Newsletter 03/2000

New Book: "Elvis, me and everybody"

The year 2000 looks promising. My new C.d. on ruf Records (untitled as yet) is due to be mixed in Weimar, Germany at the end of March. I'm pleased with what I've done. My son Robert and his drummer friend Steve Smith played their hearts out, with the result that there's an energy and passion on the record that feels naturally soulful.
This new release has humour too. I hate it when critics write me off as doomy and self-centered. I laugh at myself (and the world) a lot. I believe this comes through on the material.

And now for the live performances: lots of shows are planned for the summer months, with America (I enjoyed myself so much there in August and September last year) at the top of my list. England looks like a strong possibilty too. There's talk of touring in September. I hope it works out. Details of all my shows will be advertised regularly on the site.
Keep looking in.

At this point I'd like to thank all my friends and fans out there for making this website a success. Your kind words are appreciated. My brittle self confidence gains strength from your encouragement. It's great to still be around.

My artistic output continues to amuse and interest people (exhibitions in Nice, France and Konstanz, Germany are being arranged for later in the year): More details will appear on the site as they come in. I'm sorry I can't offer you more at the moment.

And literature? Well, the new book of short stories (in German) is due out in March. It's called "Elvis, me and everybody", and I'm hoping (anybody reading this interested?) to find a publisher for it in England. It's been nearly seven years since a book came out in my own language. Maybe now is the time to change all that.

And finally .......
I'm full of optimism for the future. My last record ("Sugar Candy Taxi") was my first c.d. in years to get international exposure. The response to it felt good. I can't wait to get the new record out and test the waters again. An artist and entertainer like me needs a public. Thank goodness you people are about.

Kevin Coyne, March 2000