Katy Kafe with Simon 7/20/11

There’s absolutely no doubt that many fans feel the band completely missed the boat when they passed up putting up Beautiful Colors on Astronaut.  That said, a few other notable songs mentioned are:  Tel Aviv (the Air Studio version), Matter of Fact, Seven and the Ragged Tiger and Virus – which was only put on the Japanese release of Astronaut.  I’m still enjoying seeing the various choices people make each day – and I am especially looking forward to the results from today’s question, “Which song should have never made it off of the editing room floor?”  I had a tough time choosing, did you?

This morning I was able to sit down and actually listen to the most recent Katy Kafe with Simon.  I’m going to admit that normally, I’m a little less than motivated to sit down and listen, primarily because my house is loud, and I never have that long to actually sit in a chair… However, once I saw that it was Simon in the Kafe, I was ready to sit down with a cup of coffee and give it some time.  Naturally, I was as curious as I imagine everyone else was to hear his voice and see how things were doing.  In typical Simon fashion – he was ready to tell quite a story as soon as the Kafe began.  We were treated to hearing all about his motorcycle issues.  All I really know about motorcycles: 1) We have one in my garage.  2) I’m afraid to ride it.  3) My husband has been literally thrown off of it because he’s a lousy driver and takes too many chances.  He’s really lucky to have come away from that “incident” without breaking a single bone….either by the accident or by what I wanted to do to him when I found out what he’d done.  Men.  *sigh*    Anyway, all I know about Simon’s motorcycle:  1) It’s not working properly.  2) I could HEAR the annoyance in his voice. (characterized mainly by the big huge sigh he gave when beginning the tale!!)  3) There was some stuff about petrol and paint chips in the gas tank.  I began to tune out, and I’m not even going to lie about that – I’m female, it’s what we do.  

I immediately snapped to attention again when Katy casually asked about how the voice was coming along (you know I was waiting for this, and so were the rest of you!!).  Simon sounded totally positive.  He’s singing again, doing the “easy” songs, and was able to hit all of his notes, including notes he hadn’t been able to hit in a few months.  He says he’s not 100% yet, but he feels positive that he’ll get there.  Thank goodness.  Katy was right when she said that “it is what it is.  It will heal, but in it’s own time.”  I also chuckled a little when she said that “the fans were letting their imaginations run away.”  That’s fair.  I don’t know if she can really blame us though.  While I realize that she tells us what she can, a lot of times that leaves VERY little that she can say, and over the years we’ve all come to understand that, and a lot of us also know that there are many times when we either won’t get the full story, or we won’t even get the REAL story.  It’s difficult to ascertain when we’re hearing the party line – or we’re getting the real thing.  It’s easy to water down the details, no?  That said, I also am aware of just how far off the beaten path some fans were getting with their imaginations, so it was very good to hear Simon tell it how it is from his point of view.  I think we’ll be hearing even better news very, very soon.  *crosses fingers*  

Katy also went to bat for us and tried to get some super secret information about any songs being included in the setlists from “way back when” (read: my childhood, and possibly yours!).  Simon wouldn’t give.  At this point I pictured a dark room with a single wooden slat chair and a  lonely lightbulb hanging from a socket in the ceiling.  “Ve vill MAKE you talk!”  Or not.  I guess we’ll be waiting on that one….yeah, I love surprises, and he’s right that if he told us then it’d take the fun out of hearing the set for the first time.  I can’t help but quip that yes, all of that is true – it’s just that *I* was supposed to hear MY set back in May!  Yes, I’m whining, and I’ll stop.  Oh well.  December is only what, 5 months away… if I don’t do any other shows??  *sigh*  Thanks for trying, Katy!

Anyone know anything about Cricket?  I always figured it was pretty similar to American baseball, but Simon sure put that notion to rest.  I had no idea that when you go to a Cricket game, you’re probably only going to see 1/5 of the action because the blasted game can last for 5 days.  DAYS?? That’s insanity and more proof that Americans are into instant gratification.  Our games are really long if they go for more than say, 6 hours!  Then Simon taught us that even then, the game can end in a draw. (or as we American’s say – a “tie”)  I say “What in the hell is the point then?”  Not only do you have to buy a ticket for each day of the game, but then at the end of it there might not even be a winner!  Ah yes, it’s the “sport” of it.  Well, they can keep it.  I’ll stick to….well…I don’t really do sports much.  I spend too much money going to see Duran Duran! (and if they want to play a concert for 5 days, I’m all over that idea!)

A few of my thoughts, as if you haven’t read enough:

* He sounds good and definitely happy.  Not at all tired or frustrated unless he’s speaking of his motorcycle.  

* The one thing that struck me during the Kafe was when Simon said that the whole experience with his voice was frustrating, and even demoralizing.  Well, that statement humbled ME in return.  I’ve said over and over that this experience has changed me forever as a fan, and even as a fan of Simon’s.  I see him so much differently now, and while I’m looking forward to seeing him get back on stage and be the onstage “Simon” I know, I like the man he’s allowed us to see throughout all of this.  

* I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve noticed that more and more people are openly referring to Simon as Charley. (or is it Charlie?  Why can’t I remember these things when I need?!?)  I seem to recall reading in more than one place over the years that he reserves that name for close friends…perhaps it’s what he goes by offstage??  I really don’t know, but I never used to see anyone actually calling him that, and should a FAN ever call him that – well – we’d be killed on sight by the daggers coming from Simon’s eyes.  I follow the rules, so his name is and always will be Simon.  Besides, I like living.  Anyway, I’ve just seen his bandmates call him that, Katy referred to him that way in the Kafe today, and I just took note of it.  He’s still Simon to me.  

I think that’s it for today.  Be good humans and I’ll be back tomorrow! – R