First, more information was released regarding the upcoming DVD, A Diamond in the Mind. This information included tracklisting, format information, list of extras, a synopsis and a tentative release date. You can find the news release here. Of course, I wouldn’t be me, if I didn’t have a couple of thoughts regarding what I read and comments I have seen from other fans. I noticed that there will be a deluxe edition along with blu-ray and a cd. What this includes I’m not really sure. Do you get both the video and cd with the deluxe edition? I’m sure that I will buy whatever format(s) in order to see and hear everything. I also noted that the release date was in July. This would be nice for a variety of reasons. One, it would give Rhonda and I something new to review then. Two, it would create excitement both for myself and for other fans with shows coming up. Lastly, it will take me back to that wonderful UK tour that Rhonda and I had last year. Now, of course, it wouldn’t be Duranland if I saw or heard no criticism. It seems that some fans do not plan to buy it due to the setlist. Honestly, here is where my eyes start to roll. Why? That makes no real sense to me. Why wouldn’t a fan want to see a high quality performance from the band? Plus, if that is the reason that someone did not go to a show, I would argue that they are judging a book by its cover. In this case, it is judging a show based on the setlist. If you didn’t go to a show then and you won’t watch/buy the DVD, you really can’t judge the quality of the performance or setlist. Beyond all that, I do not understand why a fan wouldn’t want to see those 2011 interviews or behind the scenes footage. I both look forward to those and dread those. That time with the canceled shows and Simon’s vocal problems were extremely tough, emotionally, and I suspect that I will be emotional all over again by watching some of this footage. Nonetheless, it is important to note what that time was like both for historical sake and for a reminder of why we should appreciate what we have now. It is a lesson that should not be forgotten.
Second, there were news releases regarding both Simon and John. In Simon’s case, the news release was about a cause that Simon has decided to support and that is THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE (TAAS). This service provides emergency medical service in England and one that he could back after receiving his own rescue in 1985 with the capsizing of Drum. I think it is cool when the band decides to champion a cause, especially one that seems close to the band member’s heart. The news release can be read here. There are pictures of Simon’s visit on the official website as well. As for John Taylor, he has been a busy man finishing his autobiography. This week, he announced the title, “In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death and Duran Duran” and where it is being published in some countries. According to Amazon.com, it is due to be released October 16, 2012, here in the States. On the day of the announcement, John spent part of it on twitter sharing the news. Apparently, there will be an audio edition! Obviously, this is one that I cannot wait for! I am already planning my voicemail message, “Please do not disturb unless you have a Duranie alert. I am reading John Taylor’s book. I will return to the world of the living when I’m done!” The Daily Duranie will be reviewing it as well! Now, I have seen some people questioning the title. I must give John credit as I know how hard it is to name a book. Before you ask, yes, we have part of the title of our book ready. We are still working on it and, no, we won’t share yet! 🙂 As for the quality of the title, I like it. I feel like it fits John well, which is the key. What do the rest of you think? DD.com has this news alert as well here and, like Simon’s, has pictures!
Lastly, Duran Duran Headquarters continues to update tour information. In the case of South America, they announced that the venues for two shows have been changed. You can read it about it here. They do not provide a reason but acknowledge that the dates are the same and that the tickets for the other venues will be valid. I don’t know how much of a big deal this is. Are the new venues close to the old ones? Are the seating charts the same or are all the venues GA? South American fans, I would love to know the impact of this on you guys! Of course, the US tour keeps getting updated as well. Presales have taken place for the following locations: Saratoga, Tucson, Memphis, Biloxi, Durham, Kettering and Chicago. In most cases, public sales for those locations have happened as well with the exception of Chicago, which takes place on the 26th. Future presales with known dates include: Costa Mesa (4/25) and Oklahoma (6/27). How have the presales gone for everyone? In my experience, I have appreciated the notice that has been given for them. Obviously, I wish that they had better seats for Chicago. I’ll be curious as to what tickets are offered for the public sale for that one. It might really have to do with the venue and their donor ticket deal. Fans are still waiting on venue and presale information for Atlanta, Connecticut and Atlantic City. Of course, people are still wondering if more dates will be added. In looking at the tour schedule, I can see some possible dates to add show to: August 13th or August 14th, August 22nd or August 23rd, or August 26th or August 27th. Thus, in my calculations, at most, they could add 3 more dates. I, for one, would love to see a date added on the 22nd in between Durham and Connecticut. I would say that Virginia or DC or Baltimore or other nearby places would be a lovely spot for another show, especially since Rhonda and I would love to get one more in that area…Ah, we can dream, right?
All in all, I love that there is so much going on in Duranland. We have many things to look forward to!!!
-A
Rhonda and Amanda, I checked an hour ago on DD.com and logged in to see the status of pre-sale tix avail for Dayton, OH (i.e. Kettering-Fraze) and the $75 tickets are the Plaza seats, which are the first 12 rows, are still available if Chicago is out. I know you mentioned that you have see the band at Fraze before so it may be you want to go to different venues for your “tour”–but I just thought I'd mention it.
Haven't checked amazon.com (us) to see if any updates about Diamond in the Mind being released. Earlier this week I couldn't find it, but it was on the uk amazon website. JT's book was available for pre-order there originally for September release, so I guess it's been pushed back.
Both (and all) will be snapped up quickly by moi!
I saw about the venue switches and thought the same thing. What a mess. I hope it all works out.
Deb
Did you get tickets to OH? I don't mind going to the same venue again even though the crowd was completely lame at the show I saw there in 2005, but it is a matter of timing for us. Thanks for the info!
-A
No. I didn't even try. My daughter and I decided that we didn't want to ruin our memories of the grand experience we had in October at the Cleveland show, her 20th birthday present.
She is, however, very persistent with getting autographs, pictures, and vinyl signed by actors and bands. She got Paul Rudd for me and pic with him is my new twitter photo, and she got vinyl signed of psychedelic furs. If we went to fraze, we might have a better chance of getting something signed, particularly with her persistence. However, as in Cleveland, it was like that scene out of “That Thing You Do” where the band plays their one song, unplugs, and runs off stage. In this case, after encore, off to airport to fly to Chicago. Why stay in rainy Cleveland? I don't blame them. They'd probably do the same at fraze.
We don't want to make comparisons. We don't have a contingent of fellow duranies to make it about that just yet. Plus, it is the first week of classes for her fall semester, plus logistics of my travel restrictions.
So, we'll wait. Live vicariously through others going this summer, and work on building our connections to local fans to make future tours double winners.
Deb
Yeah, sometimes, it just isn't meant to be.
-A