| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Joey Joe Jo Jr. Chabadoo |
Posted - 09/07/2007 : 08:26:40
the new shows list him now as black francis. It seems to be official.
In the elevator video he says he never was anyone else than black francis.
On the album's sticker is is written: "Hold onto your universe... Frank Black is dead and Black Francis is back."
I enjoy Black Francis a lot. When i first saw him this summer he became the ultimate performer for me. But I loved Frank Black for more than 10 years now... and I love his country songs.
So I am expecting in a not too distant future a new Black Francis album and a new Frank Black one to be released the same day.
That would be a good compromise, would'nt it?
++++ |
| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Grotesque |
Posted - 10/12/2007 : 05:45:21
Even when the Frank Black orange album came out, I didnt care at all it was not written "pixies" on it. They're just stickers, those names. The music is way beyond that. |
| awestruck |
Posted - 10/11/2007 : 10:31:54
I will probably call him FB b/c that is the name I am used to.
It does not matter to me what his "official" name is...He is still the man.
It's not you I don't like
|
| treetime |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 21:38:58
I only saw Frank Black one time. It was probably around '96 or '97. It was intense, bordering on crazy, and inspiring. If he comes back I think I would try to make it to one of his shows, or more. |
| kathryn |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 09:45:21
quote:
Originally posted by Jason
Remember Frank's Chinese zodiac sign.
Things could--and will--change at any time. In a year or two's time, Frank could be recording or touring or selling himself in a totally different way. He doesn't think very far ahead. We shouldn't, either.
A wisdom-filled post!
Happy hearts fall from my shaking hands
|
| Frohike |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 09:04:41
He played several FB songs at his Santa Cruz set last night. The Water Song, Dead Man's Curve, and another one I can't remember off the top of my head. Also threw in some Pixies, including Motorway to Roswell which I've never heard him play on his solo tours. |
| darwin |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 08:20:28
On his playing of Bullet: he was teasing the Pixies groupies about playing WIMM and him forgetting the chords or something like that. They predictably went nuts for him to play it, and he went into Bullet. This is during the solo opening. So, I wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't planned on playing Bullet. |
| Jason |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 01:39:59
Remember Frank's Chinese zodiac sign.
Things could--and will--change at any time. In a year or two's time, Frank could be recording or touring or selling himself in a totally different way. He doesn't think very far ahead. We shouldn't, either. |
| Nate in the PDX |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 00:32:27
Glad to hear some FB songs made it into the setlist as this wee tour continued. That's a small relief.
I was honestly worried there would be some kind of silly moratorium on playing FB songs, precisely the sort of thing the big man would do to pull our chains. Gives me hope that it might not be a decade's wait before I hear some of those FB faves again... |
| darwin |
Posted - 10/08/2007 : 01:35:03
He played Bullet in Sacramento. So, FB lives, somewhat. |
| kenten |
Posted - 10/08/2007 : 00:58:12
quote:
Originally posted by Nate in the PDX
But then, I never thought I'd hear FB play a Pixies song, since he seemed so stubborn about it... and then BOOM I was hearing the first bars of 'Where is My Mind' (I think that was the first Pixies song I heard him play) and realized the wall had come down. So, never say never.
I was at my first ever Frank Black show in 2001, knowing that he hadn't played Pixies songs in a decade, and he walks on stage and starts Holiday Song. I was sure he'd launch into an FB song from there, by heart stopped when he sang "Sit right down my evil son...". After that, Nimrod's Son. I could've died completely content, right there.
quote:
2. I guess Christmass tracks are exempt from the 'no FB songs' mandate.
He played Brackish Boy on the 4th in Vancouver, so there's still some FB stuff kicking around, thankfully. And he refused to play St. Francis Dam Disaster, not because it's an FB song, but because "there's a lot of words in that song." (He was telling Violet that he didn't write it, but bought it for $5 off of a crack addict.)
quote:
Originally posted by OLDMANOTY
I love the name Frank Black Francis, those three words together have a wonderful symmetry. It would have been perfect if he'd gone with that name for Bluefinger - to me it's as much 'Frank Black' as 'Black Francis'.
Yeah, Frank Black Francis is probably my favorite name ever for a performer. When I first head that, it was like planets aligning. I thought it was perfect, the perfect merging of two selves. Too bad he didn't stick with it, though it's cool having Black Francis back! |
| OLDMANOTY |
Posted - 10/04/2007 : 01:52:56
I love the name Frank Black Francis, those three words together have a wonderful symmetry. It would have been perfect if he'd gone with that name for Bluefinger - to me it's as much 'Frank Black' as 'Black Francis'. |
| heile |
Posted - 10/03/2007 : 23:05:48
quote:
Originally posted by Nate in the PDX
Seems like the best thread to post these two things which occurred to me in the wake of the Portland shows this week.
1. As much as I love this Bluefinger/Pixies jag, I was thinking what a shame it would be if I never again had a chance to hear Frank Black songs live. After all the times I've heard, say, Los Angeles, Six Sixty-Six, Bullet over the years... never again? That's a bitter pill.
But then, I never thought I'd hear FB play a Pixies song, since he seemed so stubborn about it... and then BOOM I was hearing the first bars of 'Where is My Mind' (I think that was the first Pixies song I heard him play) and realized the wall had come down. So, never say never.
2. I guess Christmass tracks are exempt from the 'no FB songs' mandate. Gyaneshwar, The Water and Dead Man's Curve in these Portland sets. Maybe he considers them separate from his Frank Black body of work, since he was already moving away from Nashville and leaving FB behind? Any thoughts on why he would choose these Christmass/2006 songs to accompany Bluefinger, and not more songs from the Pixies vault?
Just idle thoughts as I bask in the afterglow of these terrific shows and, as always, start wondering what will be in store the next time I see Charles in concert...
In the booklet for christmass it lists those as Black Francis songs.... |
| IceCream |
Posted - 10/03/2007 : 22:51:57
I liked it when he called himself Frank Black Francis. I don't think we'll ever hear that name again. |
| Nate in the PDX |
Posted - 10/03/2007 : 21:44:40
Seems like the best thread to post these two things which occurred to me in the wake of the Portland shows this week.
1. As much as I love this Bluefinger/Pixies jag, I was thinking what a shame it would be if I never again had a chance to hear Frank Black songs live. After all the times I've heard, say, Los Angeles, Six Sixty-Six, Bullet over the years... never again? That's a bitter pill.
But then, I never thought I'd hear FB play a Pixies song, since he seemed so stubborn about it... and then BOOM I was hearing the first bars of 'Where is My Mind' (I think that was the first Pixies song I heard him play) and realized the wall had come down. So, never say never.
2. I guess Christmass tracks are exempt from the 'no FB songs' mandate. Gyaneshwar, The Water and Dead Man's Curve in these Portland sets. Maybe he considers them separate from his Frank Black body of work, since he was already moving away from Nashville and leaving FB behind? Any thoughts on why he would choose these Christmass/2006 songs to accompany Bluefinger, and not more songs from the Pixies vault?
Just idle thoughts as I bask in the afterglow of these terrific shows and, as always, start wondering what will be in store the next time I see Charles in concert... |
| quadrophenic |
Posted - 09/27/2007 : 18:15:32
I'd like $50.
I doubt that Charles will write me a check...but I WOULD like to ask for that. :)
(Sorry...I'm kind of an ass.) |
| Nate in the PDX |
Posted - 09/25/2007 : 08:54:59
Sorry for being so obvious, but there is a clear pattern here, a series of evolutionary steps.
There were the Pixies of course... then the first solo phase (FB, TOTY, Ray)... the second phase, with the Catholics (FBC through SMYT)... the Nashville records... and now we're on to a new phase, or a new period of exploration or whatever.
Like treetime and many others have said, I'm more than happy to follow along on this journey. Whatever the man calls himself, each new album is provocative and clever and interesting and challenging and different from the last, always great and sometimes utterly brilliant. He continues to surprise and delight. He makes great freakin' records. What more could we ask? |
| coastline |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 22:41:17
As long as fbc is still using this forum, there will be tabs available for Frank Black's (Black Francis') music.
 Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| Chip Away Boy |
Posted - 09/24/2007 : 20:21:44
i have a question.
I've not browsed this site/forum like I used to a few moons ago. Glad to see the guy put out more music! I just ordered bluefingers/christmass off amazon. Hope I'm pleased, but I'm sure I will be.
So to my question, will this site continue to follow "Black Francis" with the same tenacity? And also, will the tabs for BF stuff continue to be posted here? Playing along to proverb c's tabs for Mr. Black's songs is one of my favorite leisure activities. |
| VoVat |
Posted - 09/19/2007 : 17:31:42
quote:
Ive said it before, I would rather see Frank Black play live once than see the Pixies 50 or 100 times.
I saw Frank with the Catholics once, and the Pixies twice. I have to say that the Pixies shows seemed totally rehearsed, and more of a nostalgia thing than anything else. The Catholics show was more spontaneous and interesting. So yeah, I'd rather see Frank live, but I would imagine that Black Francis shows will be more like Catholics shows than Pixies ones.
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| treetime |
Posted - 09/16/2007 : 22:32:17
Hell, why not try something different. I am interested in what Black Francis is going to do. |
| raasclaat |
Posted - 09/16/2007 : 20:16:30
I am with Joey. Frank Black means more than Black Francis to me.
Ive said it before, I would rather see Frank Black play live once than see the Pixies 50 or 100 times.
Frank's music (and his name fbc !), especially his country stuff means way more to me. I actually can't listen to the Pixies and Franks really early albums anymore. As great as they are, I find myself pressing 'Next' on the ipod and hoping for some FMRM/Honeycomb/Bluefinger. |
| quadrophenic |
Posted - 09/16/2007 : 13:03:56
I can understand why people are saying that, though. The guy reunties with the Pixies after years of tension. The tour goes well. The Pixies DON'T go back into the studio. He renames himself "Black Francis" anyway and writes a record with, by far, the most Pixies-ish stuff we've heard from the man in years--including some very Kim Deal-esque background vocals. I can see where some people (y'know...dumb people) might think this was "supposed" to be a Pixies record.
Of course, even if FB/BF was writing for the Pixies when he started this thing (which seems like a BIG if), the songs almost certainly would've ended up FAR different coming from the Pixies than from the man himself. |
| Ziggy |
Posted - 09/16/2007 : 11:40:35
Thing is, although I like 'Bluefinger' a lot, I've never thought of it as being the 'surrogate Pixies album' that some, namely lazy reviewers, seem to think.
It's just a collection of songs, really, with a very loose theme.
|
| mr.biscuitdoughhead |
Posted - 09/16/2007 : 07:09:13
I'm so confused! The Borders website lists it as "Black Francis" but when I used their computer at the store it said "Frank Black" and I couldn't find it under either name, even tho it said "likely in store". He shoulda stuck with "fb" it sounds better imo.
 "How do you like that, Sir Harold?"
|
| VoVat |
Posted - 09/16/2007 : 04:59:46
I guess it says something about me that I prefer his nerdier stuff, which encompasses both names to an extent. Bossanova through Cult of Ray is more or less my favorite phase of his work, although there's plenty of love in the earlier and later periods as well.
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| quadrophenic |
Posted - 09/15/2007 : 17:08:33
I don't really care what his name is...but I dig "Honeycomb" and "Fast Man Raider Man" the most out of all of his records, and I hope he returns to that style sooner or later. "BlueFinger" is great, but his best stuff will always be his Americana stuff, to me. |
| Carl |
Posted - 09/15/2007 : 09:02:29
Because he has reverted to Black Francis, I think a lot of reviewers are expecting a kind of surrogate Pixies album, and although in some ways it's the closet to Pixies Black has sounded in years, it's a bit unfair to assume it's going to be an unofficial 6th Pixies release. The reviews, although decent, have generally sounded disappointed, which i think is a pity. I've only listened (several times!) to the leak so far, but surely there can't be that much difference with the official release, and I honestly think it's going to remembered as a little gem!
"I hate how the reptile dreams it's a mammal. Scaley monster: be what you are!!" - Erebus. |
| pixiestu |
Posted - 09/14/2007 : 18:56:10
Is it just me who thinks the name has a lot of influence when it comes to reviews?
I've often thought that if Blue Finger was released under the name 'Frank Black' music journalists would claim it was 'a desperate attempt at creating a Pixies album', or something along those lines.
But because it's 'Black Francis' he's suddenly 'back to his screaming best' and the like. I think he gets compared to his former self far too often and it shows in reviews of his solo albums.
Just a thought.
"The arc of triumph" |
| VoVat |
Posted - 09/14/2007 : 06:58:33
I do hope he goes back to being Frank Black for his next release, but "Black Francis" was the original, and it has a mythical sound to it that the reversed version lacks.
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
| shineoftheever |
Posted - 09/13/2007 : 19:24:50
quote:
Originally posted by DrWorm
What about the Bloodhound Gang song... I'm not black like Barry White but I'm white like Frank Black is. He's going to have to change that and release the song, and call me crazy, but it aint' gonna sound as good.
 "Mister, would you please help my pony? / I think it's his lung"
well the lyric is actually:
i'm not black like barry white is
but i am white like frank black is
so,
i'm not black like barry white is
but i am white like black francis
is ok, imo
The waxworks were an immensely eloquent dissertation on the wonderful ordinariness of mankind. |
| PixieSteve |
Posted - 09/13/2007 : 16:31:40
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
The tumor on your bicep is going to cost a lot more to deal with.
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs.
who said anything about a bicep, looks more like a bent cock to me.
We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.
- Richard Dawkins |
| Carl |
Posted - 09/13/2007 : 15:52:33
And at least you don't have Charles Michael Kitterage Thompson IV circling your arm!
"I hate how the reptile dreams it's a mammal. Scaley monster: be what you are!!" - Erebus. |
| coastline |
Posted - 09/13/2007 : 13:35:26
The tumor on your bicep is going to cost a lot more to deal with.
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| Kirk |
Posted - 09/13/2007 : 12:31:44
ug... the tatoo corrections are costing too much.
 |
| DrWorm |
Posted - 09/13/2007 : 11:46:35
What about the Bloodhound Gang song... I'm not black like Barry White but I'm white like Frank Black is. He's going to have to change that and release the song, and call me crazy, but it aint' gonna sound as good.
"Mister, would you please help my pony? / I think it's his lung" |
