Oysterband announce the long goodbye

[davidmjs]

There's a really strange take from several on here imho.  An entirely new outfit forming from the ashes of another really isn't a big deal.

[Will S]

There's a really strange take from several on here imho.  An entirely new outfit forming from the ashes of another really isn't a big deal.

Totally agree.  If they'd announced the Oysters3 would be going out again, I'd understand it a bit.  But not this. It's as if people were complaining that Steve and Phil were touring again separately after Show of Hands split.

[RobertD]

I’m with Al on this one. You could say the timing is questionable but the Oysterband were never a top money-making band, and announcing some dates for your next venture 5 months down the road doesn’t seem all that shocking to me the way the industry has shifted and booking dates far in advance. And let’s face it, even an acoustic trio is not going to be raking it in, so it really is about the music and the camaraderie of musical friends. They do need to update Ray’s bio-he joined sometime before Ride, which means more like 1988 I think!

[davidmjs]

To very slightly argue against myself, I do think they've been rather disingenuous with the messaging and marketing.  It was launched as The John Jones Trio.  And by the time the tour posters are out 3 days later, it's "Oysterband's John Jones, Ray Cooper and Al Scott".

[Will S]

To very slightly argue against myself, I do think they've been rather disingenuous with the messaging and marketing.  It was launched as The John Jones Trio.  And by the time the tour posters are out 3 days later, it's "Oysterband's John Jones, Ray Cooper and Al Scott".

Well 'John Jones' isn't exactly an uncommon name, and they want, no doubt, to attract as many people as they can, so I'm not surprised.

[Andy]

As has been pointed out, plenty of bands of broken up, reformed, partially reformed or have one (or fewer) original members in their touring lineup.

There's also acts like "Jethro Tull's Martin Barre Band" or even "Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson & Band" which use the former act as a reference point. IA has of course now decided to record and tour with his band as Jethro Tull, which is stretching it a bit, for me.

Another example was Jon Boden, but of course, his involvement, touring with John Spiers and also with the Remnant Kings goes back many years before Bellowhead split, to be followed by his not greatly successful solo outings (as I recall, open to correction).

Show Of Hands are of course another example of people quoting the previous band when promoting Phil and Steve.

It all boils down to l'argent. If more tickets sell as "Graham Gouldman's 10CC", then I guess why not. How many versions of Lindisfarne and Wishbone Ash have there been, simultaeneously touring?

It's down to the timing, in this case, IMHO. I'm a cynical old sod and find it somewhat disingenuous to wave a tearful goodbye one week and a "we're back (sort of)" the next.

It's all just opinions though, equally valid.  

[Shane (Skirky)]

As has been pointed out, plenty of bands of broken up, reformed, partially reformed or have one (or fewer) original members in their touring lineup.

There's also acts like "Jethro Tull's Martin Barre Band" or even "Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson & Band" which use the former act as a reference point. IA has of course now decided to record and tour with his band as Jethro Tull, which is stretching it a bit, for me.

Another example was Jon Boden, but of course, his involvement, touring with John Spiers and also with the Remnant Kings goes back many years before Bellowhead split, to be followed by his not greatly successful solo outings (as I recall, open to correction).

Show Of Hands are of course another example of people quoting the previous band when promoting Phil and Steve.

It all boils down to l'argent. If more tickets sell as "Graham Gouldman's 10CC", then I guess why not. How many versions of Lindisfarne and Wishbone Ash have there been, simultaeneously touring?

It's down to the timing, in this case, IMHO. I'm a cynical old sod and find it somewhat disingenuous to wave a tearful goodbye one week and a "we're back (sort of)" the next.

It's all just opinions though, equally valid.  

I agree with my sane and rational friend Andy. I mean how many times has Iain Matthews announced his last tour, and yet here this year come 'Plainsong Lite'...

[Dan O.]

With the "last gig or is it ?" theory in mind, what are the odds on Steve 'n Phil giving Show Of Hands another outing in 2026 or 2027 having had a few years' break from it ?

While they're still willing and able.

Wasn't it Maart who said "there's brass in reunions" or words to that effect ?

[Will S]

They certainly said there wouldn't necessarily be no more SoH gigs in the future, but theat they both had things they wanted to do apart, so who knows.  Phil hasn't brought out the Box set vol 2 yet, which was surely one of his aims.