'Gibraltar Digest' about Richard Sinclair

There was a Hatfield and the North reunion in 1990 I recently found out about. Appparantly there was a one hour video of this done that is floating about. I'm still waiting for my copy. I did hear a cassette of this show. It was really interesting. I was a little disappointed at the woman on keyboards, and the lack of Dave Stewart. She plays more in a jazz piano style than he did, so the songs sounded a little different. If and when I ever get the video I'll try to review it and offer it to anyone interested if you supply a tape and pay postage. There's also supposed to be a one hour 1990 Gong Reunion video (with pip Pyle drumming) that's different from the GongMaison video and supposedly not as good. The GongMaison video should be commercially available soon, but the other two were taped off tv and can be freely traded. Of course the quality isn't going to be as nice as a store bought copy, but you can't buy these anyway. I should also qualify the above offer by saying that my copy of the video and any copies I can make are NTSC and mono. And I'm not expecting to get a copy until maybe early November or later.

Richard Sinclair must be a pretty busy man. He was also in a band in 1990 called Going Going that also featured Andy Ward and Hugh Hopper. Presumably Richard played guitar in addition to singing, and Hopper handled the bass. Richard was also shopping some demo tapes around in which he played everything, and is apparantly now working with a band called Caravan of Dreams. He's soon to release a solo lp titled Caravan of Dreams that'll have some of the other Caravan alumni on it also. Ward and Sinclair were considering a US tour this fall but it looks unlikely now.

Suddenly I'm a little confused since just getting this mail. Maybe the Caravan Of Dreams lp if further off than I thought. I don't know how to contact the author so I haven't credited him since I can't ask if it's ok. oh well, here's what someone forwarded me:

  Caravan of Dreams is the new project by Richard Sinclair and Andy Ward
  Both former members of Camel. I have a 45 pre-release which features
  one of 3 new tracks they are recording with Jimmy Hastings, and Dave
  Sinclair (Caravan) which came with my purchase of 'Ptolemaic Terrascope'
  , an English cult band magazine. I would say that the new track is
  very good and consistent with Richard's work. Go out and get this
  collector's item if you can find it.

I forgot to include the info about the CARAVAN OF DREAMS disc:

		Title:	Richard Sinclair's Caravan of Dreams
		Label:	HTD Records, distributed by Pinnacle
			(England)
		Number:	HTD CD7

There are also some live tracks that include some old tunes like "Halfway between Heaven and Earth" (from THE ROTTERS CLUB). And he even gargles while singing.

Hello all! Along the same lines as the recent submission from the Gentleman from NYC, Richard Sinclair will be playing a FREE open air solo gig at the Brew Pub on the Green in Fremont, CA. on Sept 5th. Starting time is approx. 6:30 P.M. (depending on when Richard's flight gets in from Chicago). For information call (510) 796-5186. Address for the Brew Pub on the Green is 3350 Stevenson Boulevard.
Sincerely,
Jeff Melton

Date: 12 September 1993

I attended Richard Sinclair's solo concert at our local Brew Pub (Fremont, California) and a private party in Berkeley the following day. I'm just glad Kit Watkins sent my name into i/e magazine, because that must be how I was sent a postcard listing his USA solo tour dates. Lo and behold he was coming to my town at a time I could attend.

All I can say is the man is a fantastic songwriter and performer. He played his acoustic/electric, his Casio synth-guitar and his customized bass. The word that comes to mind when trying to describe this man is "minstrel." He has the twinkle in his eye and loves to share not only his beautiful music, and very clever lyrics, but a bit of the story behind the songs and the people he has collaborated with. It's also nice to see he doesn't take himself too seriously. Great show. His voice and playing were in excellent form. And all this is even more impressive considering he had gotten only one hour of sleep the night before. He had done a late show in Chicago, shared himself freely with his fans as is his want, and then hopped a "red-eye" out to California.

During the intermission he stayed out to talk with folks and sell cassettes, CDs and videos. I picked up "Richard Sinclair's Caravan of Dreams" from 1992 on CD and haven't stopped listening to it since. I just wish I had had enough money to pick up one of everything he had with him. I'm particularly interested in the Caravan Live CD. If I love the '92 "Dreams" CD, is it safe to assume I'll also love the LIVE CD? I know, dangerous to "ass-u-me" anything...(but as a for instance, I've always loved Camel's "Rain Dances" (since it was new) which is, I believe, the first Camel album he played on. Am I correct on this -- I know, I'm showing my ignorance, and my age!)

What did he play? Lots of the songs off the "Dreams" CD as well as Caravan songs, and others I wasn't quite familiar with. I particularly love his "Plan It Earth," which was absolutely phenomenal at the Brew Pub.(I'm ashamed to admit I lost track of Caravan in the 70s -- I know what a heretical thing to admit! Don't tell Richard.)

The earlier posting from Roy DeRousse which listed more USA solo tour dates looks accurate. But you can phone Dave Cohen, the tour coordinator, for more information at (913) 648-7506. BTW, Richard is scheduled to appear on Ben Berry's radio show on WPKN 89.5 FM, CT., on Sept. 14th, according to the flyer handed out at the show. And he is available for private parties in-between dates. Again, call Dave Cohen for more info.

The flyer also listed European dates for Richard Sinclair's Caravan in October. Contact Richard "in care of" Heather Kinnear, 24 Roper Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT27CG, England.

Enjoy. Now, let's hear from the Sinclair fans. What else have I been missing the last twenty years?! Please advise.

Thanks,
-JOHN

Date: 7 March 1994

Richard's "Solo Tour USA April '94" is scheduled as follows (as of January 25th):

  April 18	arrive Boston
	20	Connecticut
	23	New York
	28	Virginia
	30	Ohio
    May 01	arrive North Carolina
	02	South Carolina
	03	Florida
	05	Texas
	06	Oklahoma/New Mexico
	07	arrive Kansas
	08	Colorado
	10	Southern California
	14	Northern California
	17	Washington
	18	arrive ?Illinois
	19	Michigan
	20	Buffalo / Boston
		Canada or England

Heather and Richard can now be faxed directly in England at:

0227-459513

I think there is (maybe) a country code in front of this -- I'm not sure and haven't tried fax'ing them yet. Otherwise the address is:

Richard Sinclair
c/o Heather Kinnear
24 Roper Road
Canterbury, CT2 7EG
Kent, England

This is why I hope to see him again -- and why I got on his mailing list, which you can too, using the above address.

Take care,
-JOHN

Subject: Richard Sinclair's R.S.V.P. European tour Date: 9 April 1994

Richard Sinclair will soon be touring the USA and Canada, promoting his upcoming new solo CD release. The name of the CD/tour is 'R.S.V.P.'. Booked dates as of April 5:

April:

Tue 19 NYC Ecological Society Benefit 'Wetlands' at 21:00 (9 p.m.)
           First Act. (Via Glenn Leslie at (718) 357-6379)
Sat 23 CT  Cheshire (Private party: call (203) 272 2988)
Thu 28 MA  Boston, Sommerville. (Johhny D's: (617) 776-7450)
Fri 29 VA  Charlottesville 'Live arts' (Call: (804) 980-2779)

May:

Mon 02 KS  Kansas City 'Tubas' at 19:30 (7:30 p.m.) with Dave
           Cohen on drums and John Kessler on keys.  (Call:
           (816) 471-6510
Thu 05 TX  Fort Worth 'The Hop'  (Call: (817) 921-0075)
Fri 06 CO  Boulder (Welle and Wendy Wylie: (303) 761-7277)
Sat 07 CO  --- Guitar lesson w. Peter Mega (sp?) ---- TBC
Sun 08 OH  Akron (Daniel Lewis: (216) 867-3380)
Wed 11 (or)
Thu 12 IL  Chicago 'Abbey Pub' (David and Terry Ashcraft:
           (312) 704-2339 - Abbey Pub: (313) 478-4408)
Fri 13 CA  Santa Monica 'The alligator lounge' with Roessler
           and Watt duo. (Richard Derrick: (310) 832-8039)
Sat 14 CA  --- Private party ---
Tue 17 WA  (and)
Wed 18 WA  Seattle 'Hunan Harbour' (Face the music prods:
           (206) 547-1890)
Thu 19 MN  Minnesota (Chris Farley: (612) 222-5688)
Sat 21 PA  ? Media (Concert or party) TBA/TBC
Sun 22 CT  Hamden 'Eli Whitney 1816 Barn' (The acoustic
           Society of New Haven: (203) 624-4200)
Mon 23 --  Travel to Canada
Tue 24 Qc  Quebec City 'Bar D'Auteuil' (Andre Gagne: 
           (418) 692-2263 or Pierre Pierre Blais (613) 599-1222)
Fri 27 On  Toronto 'Cabana Room' with the Charlie Ringas
           band (Call: (416) 368-2864)

Also, we need help in getting Richard to Quebec City. He is travelling by 'Delta' pass, which will only take him to any US city. Best would be for Richard to fly from Connecticut to somewhere close to Montreal/Ottawa/Quebec City on the US side. Then, for someone to drive him/Heather to the border, where I will pick them up. Anyone in Syracuse NY? How about Plattsburg?

Additional notes on the 'R.S.V.P.' CD:

The final mixes to the album are now underway. Copies of the CDs should be brought along by Heather Kinnear and Richard on the tour. The musicians who have taken part and performed with Richard for 'R.S.V.P.' are: Andy Ward, Dave Cohen, Pip Pyle, Hugh Hopper, Didier Malherbe, Tony Rico, Jimmy Hastings, Allan Clarke, Tony Coe, and (via ADAT/Federal Express) Kit Watkins.

'R.S.V.P.' will be the first release on "Sinclair Songs".

After returning from the US and Canada, Richard will be playing:

June:
4th     Holland
5th     Southampton
7th     Warwick
8th     Chester
10th    Milton Keynes
25th    Paris
(more dates to be added)

24 Roper Road
Canterbury, Kent
CT2 7EG
UK

Date info from: Ronald L. Chrisley (ronc@cogs.susx.ac.uk)

I have not had a chance to check the dates with Richard. According to Ron, the Canterbury April 9 date is off. Please check before going.

I'll let you know about other shows and confirmation for current shows as soon as I get the information.

Do get in touch with me if you can help or wish to attend a concert/happening. I'm at `ppblais@bnr.ca`...

Sincerely,
Pierre Pierre Blais.

Subject: Richard Sinclair in Minneapolis Date: 20 May 1994

Thought I'd mention a few bits about the RIchard Sinclair gig in Minneapolis. There are spoilers included, so read at your own risk if you plan to go.

The reason I'd been involved in this is that the organizers of the gig (Chris Farley and Doug Fusco) initially approached me since RIchard needed amplification for the show, so I loaned him my Roland Jazz-Chorus.

Sure enough, I show up way ahead of time and there's Keith Norton (a bass player I've jammed with on occasion, Doug and Chris, Weird Mike (the guy who runs the progressive section of Roadrunner Records locally who actually goes by that misnomer) and Richard Sinclair himself (and not long after Heather Kinnear shows up). He's taller than he looks in the CD booklets. Richard is, I'm delighted to report, soft spoken and a really nice guy.

We then adjourned to the oriental restaurant next door. Talk about surreal - Dinner with Richard Sinclair. Before the food orders began we all asked Richard questions that probably had been asked of him a thousand times, including autograph requests. But he was very gracious and patiently answered all of us. Heather had some interesting observations on the Canterbury dynamic. Richard talked about what everybody in the Canterbury scene was up to and soon we adjourned to the Cedar Cultural Center for the show.

And what a show it was - two sets of pure bliss. I won't spoil too much of it for you, but he divided the time between three instruments - a fretless Fender Jazz bass (the one inside the first Hatfield and the North CD liner notes), a Casio strat-styled synthesizer guitar, and a very nice Washburn amplified acoustic. What really stuck in my mind was that Richard is a very good guitarist, much better than the albums indicate. His intricate fingerpicking and unusually shaped chordal sequences were amazing. He flew up and down the fretboard while singing in that amazing voice of his. It's one thing to hear it off of a CD, but still more amazing to hear it in person. His scat singing was amazing (not to mention his "trombone vocalizations" on "Golf Girl". His bass playing was also amazing, at times he sounded a lot like Jaco - playing tunes like "Felafel Shuffle" and the menacing "Oh, Len's Nature" (or "Nan True's Hole" to Matching Mole fans). Material was divided between Caravan, Hatfield, and his recent solo work. He did "Only the Brave" utilizing deft fingerpicking and "Share It" - that voice! Amazing.

After the show I hung around a bit and mentioned "Thanks for the guitar lesson..." since he really opened by eyes. (Ever see anyone play fingerstyle fretless bass before?). Heather mentioned something about a solo guitar and voice project some day down the road since most people aren't really aware of what a good guitarist Richard really is. And he is - some of his chord shapes could best be described as "chords that HURT".

Heather had a table setup with Sinclair merchandise and business was brisk. In fact, I was amazed at the amount of stuff being sold (CD's, hats, t-shirts, tapes). After the show I asked Richard if I could try out his acoustic. He was more than gracious and let me play it. I played a few chordal arpeggios and Richard said "lovely chords" and started scatting a bit - I was glowing! Richard also talked with Keith a bit on the perils of the business and how a lot of people were not getting their royalties, Heather announced that half of the BBC archives of this sort of stuff (The Peel Sessions) has literally been destroyed to make more room for other things. A sad situation.

After that, I packed up my amplifier and hung around and talked until quite late. Richard was tired as he and Heather had about 3 hours of sleep during hastily caught planes and needed to go. And so an end to a wonderful evening was had. Amazing. Hopefully they will come back in the future.

P.S. Sinclair trivia: what is the decal on his bass guitar display?
What about the Rotters Club decal on his guitar case?

-ToddM
LaserMaster Technical Support.

Subject: Kit Watkins interview! Date: 23 May 1994

Many, many thanks to Mike Taylor, Anil Prasad and to Kit Watkins for the KW interview.

I haven't read it word-for-word, yet -- because I prefer to read from hard copy....too many hours in front of a CRT display as it is....but what I've scanned is great stuff.

As far as future interviews go, I don't know, Mike...just get one of the other of us carpal tunnel fanatics to do the next one....

I have enjoyed Kit Watkins' music since being turned on to Happy The Man in the early 80s by some guys that have a very fine audio shop in San Luis Obispo, California -- Audio Ecstacy. (They also turned me on to quite a bit of other great Prog and other music. It's one of the few "audio" shops I've run across where the MUSIC is the most important element -- funny how that works sometimes!)

Anyway, since then I've followed Kit's musical adventures with quite a bit of enthusiasm. There are only a few keyboard players that can make the hair on the back of my neck stand, but Kit is one of them.

I look forward to receiving a copy of Richard Sinclair's new CD (RSVP), which I understand has three tunes that Kit plays keyboards on.

[Since I haven't read the whole interview perhaps Kit's contributions to RSVP are discussed in a portion I haven't gotten to yet.]

Richard told me (at his recent last-minute gig in San Francisco) that Kit worked a marathon effort and turned out some absolutely fantastic keyboard work. Richard was very appreciative and enthusiastic for Kit's work on these tunes and I can't wait to hear them for myself. If they're half as good as Richard says they are, they'll be great.

So, although interviews are not Gibraltar's normal "thang" -- I am very glad this one came through.

-JOHN

Subject: Caravan of Dreams Date: 10 February 1995

Hello to everybody reading Gibralter! I'm a newbee on this list. I've only read three installments so far. I haven't read too much about our friends from Canterbury as of yet. I'd like to talk about Richard Sinclair's Caravan of Dreams. I thought the first studio album was wonderful. It contained the typical melodic yet complex tunes we've come to accept from Mr. Sinclair. His cousin Dave"s soaring distorted Hammond was as always, welcome.

I saw Richard twice in the last couple years during a couple of his many recent US tours. I'm 40. I've been listening to R.S. for over 20 years and never got a chance to see him perform until now. The first time was a solo performance at the Red Vic Hotel in San Francisco. He was great. The highlights of the show were the few times he picked up his bass. He kicked ass. I consider him to be one of the all time greatest bassists in his genre. On the other hand, when I saw him with the Caravan of Dreams band, I was highly disappointed. His guitar playing was mediocre. Even though Rick Bidolph is a fine bass player, I would have prefered to have heard R.S.on the bass. Three quarters of the performance was extremely sloppy. I was very surprised. I have heard many live tapes through the years and always have been enthralled with the performances. R.S. sounded like he was into experimenting rather than concentrating on the tunes. Improvisation and experimentation are among the most important elements that make great and interesting music. Even though this is true, this music has a lot of structure. Wrong chords were played and the band's timing was terribly off. Andy Ward was losing the beat and tempo constantly. This also surprised me very much. Some of the best rock drumming can be heard on the Camel albums.

Anyway, as you can tell, I'm kind of perturbed over this. I wonder if anybody out there who saw those tours would share their thoughts and feelings. I'd like to hear other opinions.

Thanks for "listening". Jeff ( "H the H" )