Decadent, Debauched, Ageing BUT Ever Elegant Hipsters,
Before I embark on seducing Mrs.Windswept into the idea of another fandango, clarification is required.
Line up changes and rebranding ('Can't Let Go') may mean that TBFO are not going to make it across the Atlantic and that AEWBF is going to morph into something else (as ATGB morphed into 'Frantic'). If so, a fall ticket to NYC's Beacon may not be the best idea if that particular show is going to land in Blighty in 2015?
This leads me to think that Dublin's fair city should give me my 2014 Ferry fix in June with the Orchestral spectacular.
Given that Mrs.Windswept will have to be bribed with assorted luxury goods, a new dress for the evening and a hotel befitting her status - God help me - it is important that I make the right choice.
Advice from sources official and unofficial would be most welcome.
The life of Bryan gets ever more complex. What should I do?
Regards,
Windswept.

I`m planning to go to Dublin - though my wife doesn`t know about the plan yet.
Watched "Making of Olympia" yesterday. Really hope that the rumour of Ollies departure is just a rumour. Do i dare to say that I prefer his guitar sound to that of PM?
Please play a lot of material from Mamouna. Yes, why not the whole album - like Yes!

Mes Amis,
After much reflection I decided on Dublin and have secured two fourth row centre tickets for the second night.
Madame Windswept is on board albeit, at this juncture, she thinks she is going to a Bottega Veneta handbag show. I'll break the news about the gig when we are on terra firma. My thinking is get her to Dublin and sort the rest out afterwards. She loves our hero but just doesn't have my stamina!
Rumours abound about band line up changes and it looks like Jacob Quistgaard will be playing guitar and if Steve Jones and Guy Pratt are on board then it looks like our hero is again going for a blend of youth and experience. Quistgaard has a very deft touch and is a good blues player whilst ex-pistol Jones is more of a power house. Should make for an interesting cocktail n'est-ce pas?
That said, I've really enjoyed Ollie's playing over the last years and doubtless he learnt a huge amount from Geordie's favourite son. He was also much,much more than a journeyman guitarist. His contribution to songs like 'All Along The Watch Tower' and 'Song To The Siren' was significant and live he became a power house. Hopefully we'll see him back some time in the future and in the interim I wish him huge success with Ollie Forrest!
All said, one things for sure, our hero's ability to evolve his line up and put the best around him keeps the whole thing fresh.
Can't wait to see the line up for "Ferry With Strings". That and the set list are going to hold me in suspense. Hopefully we'll have lots from ATGB, ATAP & TFT.
If any of you elegant hipsters are heading for the Emerald Isle, let me know and hopefully we can arrange a drink.
Meilleures Salutations,
Windswept.

Mes Amis,
Do any of you jaded dilettantes out there have any clue as to the thinking behind 'Ferry With Strings'?
I am delighted that he is doing it because during the triumph that was AEWBF, one thought I had was 'amazing, amazing, amazing but with strings we'd have had the ultimate.'
My dream for Dublin is that we'll have TBFO with strings but will this be the case?
My excitement cup runneth over — can anybody elaborate as to the band line up and the likely set list?
Regards,
Windswept

Given the size of the orchestra, Windswept2, I think the BFO horns will seem a bit superfluous to requirements. As for the set list, maybe look out for the Leipzig one from a couple of weeks earlier; similar gig, so maybe Germany will effectively become a dress rehearsal for Ireland (which is handy for me, as I'm only going to the first night in Dublin, so it'll be good if any little wrinkles have already been ironed out...).

[quote="Smudge"]Given the size of the orchestra, Windswept2, I think the BFO horns will seem a bit superfluous to requirements.

Cher Smudge,
Interesting hypothesis however, when you listen to some of his string intensive arrangements they often have big horn sounds.
But, I think you are right, Leipzig may give us a clue.
Personally I hope he takes a lot from ATGB, TFT & ATAP.
In any event I'm sure Monsieur Good and our hero will have all under control.
Regards,
Windswept

It remains to be seen whether Colin Good has had any involvement with the Leipzig & Dublin shows - there might be some logic to that, given his "orchestrations" for BF's larger bands - but it is rumoured that he is not participating in the forthcoming touring band (also, the guitarist Steve Jones, refererred to elsewhere in this forum, is possibly not the ex-Pistol, as he has at least one namesake out there...)...

Cher Smudge,
No Mr.Good!
If correct, this will be a huge évolution et peut -être pas pour le mieux.
IMNSHO he has played a huge part over the last fifteen years.
I hope you are wrong?
Regards,
A distraught Windswept.

Whomever the band consists of is now a done deal as they will be over in Canada by now one assumes?
So all will be revealed in five days. However, on previous tours there has been an announcement well in advance regarding band members. I can't see CG not being there.

Line up now confirmed with no CG apparently. The changing of the guard? CG has been musical director for all things Ferry and RM since Bryan upped his touring workload in 1999. Will be interesting to see what impact if any his absence has on the forthcoming shows (and the new album).