Universal have confirmed the provisional release date of “Bronze – The Very Best Of…” DVD as September 23rd. No new news about the extras but they did stress to me that this is very much a provisional date! The DVD is still not available for pre-order anywhere and most record shops have not heard of it – Ahhh Mercury!!

The following is an **EXCLUSIVE** interview with the guy who brought us ALL of the artwork of 0898 – Many thanks to Dave Cutter for his time! Are the rumours true that he’s been working on the DVD… read on!

How did you get involved in the 0898 project, did the band request your services?

I was living in England in 1991 and producing artwork for a weekly column in ‘The Independent on Sunday’. Sean Welch noticed my images there, and had their manager contact me through the newspaper. They needed a picture for their upcoming release, “Old Red Eyes Is Back”. They were so pleased with the results that they asked me to work on the “0898” album.

What was your inspiration for the 0898 cover?

Several months earlier, ‘The Sunday Times’ asked me to create an image for an article about “M.E. (Yuppie Flu)”, and it was one of several rejected ideas. I found the drawing in a sketchbook while working on the “0898” project. The title wasn’t very inspirational, so I just tried to come up with image that people would notice and/or remember.

Had you even heard of the Beautiful South before the project?

Yes, “A Little Time” was a big UK hit a few months earlier. They were a relatively new band in 1991 and I didn’t know much about them.

Were you given a preview of the songs before designing the cover?

I only received a fax of the lyrics. I tried to interpret them the best I could.

Just how much work goes into that kind of project?

They needed 12 images in about eight weeks. It was a very short deadline…I was working on some other projects at the same time. I lost a regular commission with Esquire Magazine because I overwhelmed with work and could not do it all. I do a lot of preparation before I start a painting. For instance, I went to a local pet shop to take numerous photos of Red-eared Terrapins for the cover image. I work primarily in oil paint, so it takes a little longer for the paintings to dry. None of the original paintings were more than 16 inches square.

I understand you won a silver-pencil award for the artwork on this album – it must mean a lot to you?

It was very nice to win an award from the D&AD. I almost won a rare Gold Pencil. However; another nominated artist had produced 52 different paintings for a deck of cards. I knew a jury member and he told me it was a very close vote. I rented a tux and received my pencil from Clive Anderson.

Can fans see your work exhibited anywhere?

I owned an art gallery in St. Augustine, Florida for two years where I used to show my work (It closed in 2001.) If you visit www.davidcutter.com or www.cuttergallery.com you can see quite a few pictures. The original “0898” painting were purchased by fans shortly after the album came out. Jon Kelly, the producer bought one.

Is it possible to buy prints of your artwork?

On www.cuttergallery.com I sell Giclee reproductions of my work, including the “0898” images. They are very high quality and reasonably priced. You can also see and buy the work of two friends of mine: Paul Slater and James Marsh (including all of the Talk Talk album art). I ship world-wide and accept credit cards.

Is it true that you’ve been carrying out work on the new DVD?

Yes, I’ve just completed two images for their upcoming DVD release. I believe it will be out in the autumn

Is this the first time you’ve worked on Beautiful South material since 0898?

Sean told me a while back that they like to use a different artist for each release. I was very pleasantly surprised when he asked me to work on the DVD.

Finally… What’s your favourite illustration from the 0898 album (Suitable Mouth’s fav is We Are Each Other!)?

I’d have to agree with you. I like the moody lighting in that one

Sources at Universal have confirmed that The Beautiful South’s much awaited DVD has received a preliminary release date of Monday 23rd September.
The disc will include some promo spots and TWO live performances – it’s unclear whether that means 2 concerts or 2 songs (more likely 2 songs – like the Carry On Up The Charts Video!
It is also unclear if the compilation will be released on VHS – watch this space…

Paul’s Tour has gone well, with most reviews being quite positive – he’ll follow up this tour with an appearance at the V2002 festival on August. Despite a positive tour neither the new single nor the album have charted

The Beautiful South look set to release a DVD collection of their work. I have managed to confirm with the label that it is penciled in for September and will follow the Solid Bronze format! Get yourself a great DVD player (it’s the same as my one!) by clicking the picture to the left!

The latest news is that the Biscuit Boy album will have something of a face lift – to make it more obvious that it’s a Paul Heaton Album and reissued with the possibility of a new single and a low key tour

Good news for fans, according to Dave Hemingway, making an appearance on Radio Humberside, the band have a future but are taking a backseat for the minute – it seems they’ll be around as long as a demand.
Dave performed “One Drop Of Love” a solo piece and sounded in good voice.

List for Whoever
“TBS Never Sold Out”

Why the UK Never Got to Dream A Little Dream

30 June 1995

Courtesy of Northern Dry Grin

Both Andy McDonald and Mike Heneghan of Go! Discs wanted the “Dream a Little Dream” single to be released, and tried to convince the band of their position, but the band felt that if the single came out in the UK (after the release of Everybody’s Talkin’) that they would be put into the mold of a band that simply released covers.

Here are a couple of faxes sent to the TBS offices on the 30th June, 1995. Here is the jist of one fax sent by Mike Heneghan to the TBS office regarding the single.

* * *

30th June 1995

Dear Paul,

Following our conversation, I’ve thought of little else and here is some new information for you and the band to consider regarding the single developing the bands career internationally.

1) Due to unofficial, heavy radio play, there is already a massive demand from fans of the band for the record. It is available in Europe from the 10th July so imports will be sold, costing approx double normal price (ie: retailing between £6.99 and £8.49).

2) The record is being added at radio stations who can get hold of a copy. This will increase even further when import sales are available.

3) Gary Blackburn thinks the video is very strong and will be shown everywhere. TV companies will be upset if they can’t show it and will secure copies somehow.

4) The video sets up the record as being from a film more than a band release. It is difficult to imagine that the band would be remembered for a cover version when the record is clearly (and announced on the radio) from a film; and also when 13 out of 14 songs from ‘Carry On’ are self penned.

5) All the top dogs at Polygram — Alan Levy, Roger Ames, etc are fully focused on the band and their future development. As well as Mercury in America are suportive. They all need a hit single to sell the film, the soundtrack (which they all seem to think has limited potential) and the Beautiful South album sales which is the big payoff for Polygram. This level of enthusiasm and detailed instructions to the territories will be enhanced by a hit in the UK.

6) Will it work? Will we have a hit and take the album sales into Europe 1mm, 2mm, 3mm? The set of circumstances, the payoffs, and the cross fertilisation of the record and film create an unprecedented position. MTV (which is a huge part of the jigsaw for Europe) will be plugged from the highest levels and will be easier to get from the UK.

This airplay in the UK combined with everything else in terms of film promotion, video with film footage creates opportunities that Polygram want to maximise.

It occurs to me this is the best opportunity we have to really develop the end game result of huge album sales and touring possibilities.

Regards,

Mike Heneghan
Go! Discs

Dave Hemingway’s new album is now complete – he currently looks for a record label to release it. Some samples are available at The Liar’s Bar or The Hidden Jukebox

Paul has announced on Radio 2 that there will be no tour for Solid Bronze and that they will wait until Jacqui’s replacement has an album under her belt before touring. This seems to contradict the many rumours that the band are about to split up. Paul said that he’s written new love songs, and would like an American Record deal in order to pay for a tour of the States