This page contains details of the Tour Programme put together for the 'The End Of The Beginning' Judie Tzuke tour of October 7th through 24th 2004. The purpose of the Programme is to promote Judie Tzuke, to help cover the cost of the tour, to provide a service for her fans who want such a product and to provide an outlet for Judie's more devoted fans, i.e. the Programme developers, to return something to Judie. The original purpose of this website was as a tool to assist in the production of the Programme. It is now provided as a source of information both on Judie Tzuke but also for anyone planning a venture like this in the future.
The Tour Programme, and this site, was put together by Roderick Hoffman with the assistance of many other Judie Tzuke fans some of whom are referenced as appropriate on specific items that follow.
Copyright Notice
This website and the programme is copyright 2004. The owner of the copyright of the website is myself and of the printed programme Big Moon Records. If you wish to use items from the programme in your own venture, or to pass on to others for theirs, you must obtain permission from myself and Big Moon Records respectively. Some of the items within the programme have copyright owned by others. Where significant and possible these are indicated within this website. Please contact me if you think that you own copyright over an item that has not been given due credit.
Roderick Hoffman - October 2004
Twenty five years ago this month, Jude and I were in London’s Air Studios working on tracks for her first album ‘Welcome To The Cruise’. The title of the album was our way of saying “Welcome to my journey”, and what a journey it has been…
As you may know, after releasing three albums on Elton John’s ‘Rocket’ records and seven more on other UK record labels, Jude decided that major label manipulation was not for her and in 1996 she launched her own label ‘Big Moon Records’ in order to have greater control over her output.
There have been ups and downs (and I’m not talking about the night I broke her nose on-stage with my guitar!), the music business is hard when it feels like you are swimming against the tide. Jude has not always had the help of heavy marketing or backing from the media and radio, she has had to fight to keep doing the music she wants. She has built a career by singing and writing great songs and the seventeen albums she has recorded so far, show a bigger body of creative work than most artists are able to achieve in their whole lifetime… and she's not finished yet by a long way.
Her new album ‘The End of the Beginning’ is one of the strongest collections of songs she has ever recorded and apart from that, she has been writing with, and for, a lot of new and upcoming artists; songs which you will get to hear soon if you haven't already.
Jude and I first met shortly after her eighteenth birthday. The first night we met, she played me some songs she was writing, and I fell in love with her voice and her songs. When we started writing together, the music that came out was a mixture of all the influences we both had; folk, pop, soul, rock and jazz. She has gone on to develop a totally unique and individual style, she writes and sings with such a strong musical personality that when you hear any of her music there can be no doubt who you are listening to… and that is the mark of a great artist.
The thing about Jude is that everything she does, she makes special,
and I’m sure tonight will be too… Enjoy the show!
Mike Paxman
Mike Paxman played, produced and recorded with Judie from 1977 to 1997. He
co-wrote many of the songs in the Tzuke songbook, including ‘Stay With Me Till
Dawn’. He works as a record producer in the UK and, amongst other productions,
has produced the last four albums for the rock band Status Quo. He also has an
Internet design, hosting and consultancy company which looks after www.tzuke.com
.
Return to Contents
Huw Knight caught up with Judie to discuss the new album, and to find out why it may be the closing chapter in the first volume of Judie’s career….
Judie started off by explaining that she’d recently got over a bad case of bronchitis, and that her voice hadn’t really returned to normal yet, partly contributing to the delay with the latest album, ‘The End Of the Beginning’.
JT “I wake up with a smoker’s chest and I don’t quite know what’s going on. It’s happened before, prior to ‘Secret Agent’, and it took me months and months to come back properly. I’m taking loads of vitamins and stuff. I’m really busy though, I’ve more or less completed all the vocals for the album now, I think. Just got to check a couple of them, but I’ve done as good a job as I can now”
I commented on the fact that from what I’ve heard of it, the album sounds really good to my humble ears…
JT “Those are the rough mixes, there’s still some mixing work to be done yet. We’re using new technology - to us at least – where we’re mixing in stems. What that means is that we mix parts of it, and can then go back and change bits within it, but we’ve still got the mix of the original track. It means that the process when we do the final mix is a lot quicker.”
I asked Judie how she felt about the album – always a difficult question as she has been so close to it for so long…
“I am really, really very fond of this album. Song-wise there has been no hassle with them – I’ve never had so many songs to choose from. Unfortunately the song ‘Keep The Faith’ didn’t make the album. Though I love the song and always have, we still haven’t got it quite right. We will though and hopefully it will be available as our first download.
With 3 years passing since the last album of Judie’s own songs (2001’s ‘Queen Secret Keeper’), I asked Judie whether she had been writing continuously since then, or whether she’d had some time off…
“I’ve been writing continuously since I started writing with Lucie (Silvas) and am now in the frame of mind where I’m virtually writing something every day. I’m on a real high at the moment because I wrote something yesterday with Graham Kearns and an artist that I can’t mention yet, that I love. I think its one of the favourite things I’ve done. I’d be happy to have it on any of my albums. It’s great the way it’s working out – I’m getting calls from all sorts of different writers and companies at the moment. I’m about to sign a new deal, one of the most amazing of my career, as a writer…
This is the perfect career for me; I can use all my creativeness. I have an overload of emotion and I need to use it positively. It doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop performing though. It just means I can now use everything I do and put everything into it.
I think the next single to be released by the band Phixx is a song I co-wrote. It’s pretty different for me but still has a lot of me in it. I’ve also got the Tiesto album out too. He’s one of the top dance DJ’s in the world. He travels all over the world and does this huge show for each album he does. His album at the moment is called ‘Just Be’ and that’s my song that I wrote in Thailand with Jimmy Gomez – which is great!
My life is really exciting at the moment!”
I asked Judie how she felt about this, given that for the last 25 years she had been writing, singing and performing her own material to a music industry that, shall we say, hadn’t really taken too much notice…
“It’s absolutely fantastic – I wonder sometimes why it didn’t happen before. I haven't changed, but maybe the music business has? That was my career till now – this is the end of the beginning of this section of my life. I’m not going to stop working though. I will still be gigging and making albums – they’ll be slightly different from now on that’s all. I’ll just be writing with so many different people, that I can pick those songs that I want to sing myself. I have this whole new future that is looking so rosy for me at the moment.”
Judie previously mentioned Lucie Silvas, so I asked her how she felt now that Lucie was on the point of breaking through herself…
“I’m just so grateful that she gave me a massive opportunity to write with her and to discover this new part of me – I’ll never forget that. It’ll be fantastic if Lucie’s massive and I’ve helped her with that; and I’m doing my writing and she’s helped me with that – at the moment life could not be more exciting. Though I’m really nervous to be this positive!! (laughs)”
I moved on to ask Judie how she was looking forward to the tour…
“I’m scared at the moment to be honest! We can get the music sorted out and pressed up onto CD’s, the delay is the credits on the artwork and that’s not anyone’s fault. We couldn’t give her {Lia Sáile, the artist preparing the cover} all the information until we’d finished the songs. We’ve only just finalised the running order – I think.” (Remember folks this is less than a month before the show hits the road!)
We discussed the album, and started with a track called ‘Move Me’, which is a departure from what we know and love from Judie…
“(laughs)…it’s something that Dave Goodes and I wrote…we were trying to do something in the style of N.E.R.D., more for someone else to record. It was just a bit of fun and I never ever thought we’d release it. The vocal on there is the original I did at Dave’s, and I made him promise that he would never play it to anyone else – especially the talking bit.”
The album is, in places, very haunting and dark, with a theme appearing to run through tracks like ‘Written Word’, ‘Move Me’, ‘Fight’ and even ‘I Will’, and I asked whether they were difficult to write and record…
“Not at all, no. ‘Written Word’ I really like – it conveys how my life in the music biz has been, very frustrating, you know, but it’s just me saying to some people ‘you will hear me, even if it’s only via the written word.’
“I’m hoping to do about 8 or 9 songs from the album live. It’s a very new band and as they’ll be having to learn a lot of songs anyway, I figured we may as well do a lot of the new songs – which is quite scary really, especially as the album won’t be out, probably, and they’ll be completely new to a lot of the fans…
I really love my audience and really respect and appreciate them – I just hope that they like it. Band-wise it’s going to be nerve-wracking – there’s a new keyboard player, maybe a new bass player, Mia may have to disappear if Lucie’s on tour, Dave Goodes had a prior engagement and unfortunately can’t do this part of the tour, so we’ll have Graham Kearns on guitar – he’s equally as amazing as Dave though. It will be strange without him though, as I’m so used to Dave being there! I always need my friends around me on stage, and Graham is certainly my friend too, but it will be scary …”
I reassured Judie that she’ll have loads of friends in the audience…
“I love reading the website and getting letters from people, I really do appreciate all the support I get you know – it means SO much to me. I hope they appreciate that I couldn’t finish the album without doing it properly…”
The album is supplemented with some wonderful strings and I asked how it all came about…
“We had this string quartet that we recorded in the garden. Paul was holding this big umbrella over them to keep the sun off, Jamie was running around with a wasp zapper, and in between the trains and planes and building work going on down the road, we just got on and did it, it was just magical…those really are Surrey birds you hear twittering away at the beginning of ‘Damage Done’.”
…and with that Judie was gone.
That should give you a great taste of what you are in for on this tour – new songs, a new band and, just as importantly, an invigorated, if nervous, Judie.
So sit back, relax, and help an old friend to feel at home! Enjoy!
Huw Knight
By Darren Hirst and Kevin Marsh.
Judie Tzuke has been hard at work on her latest offering, the cryptically titled “The End of the Beginning”. It had been hoped that the completed album would be available tonight, but as the tour opens the CD release has been put back to the 1st of November. However, we’ve been privileged to hear the tapes of the work in progress. Here are some thoughts on the songs as they will probably appear on the finished album.
Like most of the songs on the previous studio album “Queen Secret Keeper” “The Written Word” is co-written by Judie with David P. Goodes. David has fewer contributions to the End Of The Beginning album but he excels where his presence is felt. He builds the melody of this song on wurlitzer with the guitar developing the sound.
The song “Jerry McGuire” is a real highlight of the sessions. From the first note, it has a rich, warm quality to it that draws the listener along as it builds into an uplifting song of love. With co-writer Peter Gordeno (whose writing talents were first demonstrated on “Secret Agent”) providing the piano and string accompaniment, Graham Kearns (guitars), John Robert Wood (bass) and Paul Beavis (drums), this is a compelling piece in which the harmony and honesty of the lyrics combine to make the heart soar.
“World without you” opens with delicate piano work from Gordeno. Judie’s debut album “Welcome to the Cruise” including the hit “Stay with Me Till Dawn” prominently featured strings which were a good accompaniment for her vocal skills. Although she’s avoided using them much since then, on this album they are back and this song finds her vocals surrounded by their lush quality again.
“Imagining” explores the themes of longing and heartache, and is a poignant lament for a lost love and what could have been. These are emotions that Judie is able to convey supremely well (particularly in slower ballads such as this), where the yearning in her voice is almost heart-breaking. “Imagining” has a delicate, bittersweet, almost melancholic feel to it.
One of the great discoveries for Tzuke fans, from recent tours, has been the vocal work of Judie’s elder daughter Bailey. Her harmonies provide a youthful warmth and innocence to one of the standout tracks “Like the Sun” which would make a great single. One of the strengths of the songs Judie has written recently is the breadth of emotional situations she has addressed. Through these recordings you review the emotional highs and lows of human relationships. “Like the Sun” marks perhaps the most positive moment with a real warmth which echoes the title.
An ultimatum for support from a partner is described in “Fight”. The rhythm and mood of the music contrasts with the harder edge present in the lyrics, and Judie’s delivery conveys effortlessly the understated strength of character beneath.
“Here and Now” is a low-key grower of a song which creeps up on you in its subtlety. As on “The Written Word” the multi-instrument work of Goodes weaves a spell – one instrument building on another. Judie’s vocals are restrained and hits just the right spot.
While most of tracks on the album have a reflective, almost introspective feel to them, “B4 I found your heart” is altogether funkier and more upbeat in nature. The song builds purposefully from the start as more musical layers are added. Ben Mark (who is supporting Judie on this tour) also features on piano. The soulful vocal support provided by Tommy Blaize is used to great effect to create an almost triumphant atmosphere by the end.
“The Damage Done” is a song with a very atmospheric, intimate feel to it, in which the acoustic guitar work of Graham Kearns features prominently. The string accompaniment emphasises perfectly the feelings of hurt and anger after a failed relationship. This track is quite touching and has a sad, quiet drama to it.
“I Will” is the song that most listeners will remember from recent gigs including on the “The Beauty of Hindsight” tour. Not surprisingly every effort has been made to capture all aspects of that rollercoaster ride of a song. Consequently, two different versions are under consideration for inclusion on this new album. One is the live version from one of those recent shows. Alternating between fire and submission, with David P. Goodes’ outstanding guitar solo providing the flames, this is the song the way we have already heard it. The other is a surprisingly different studio version with Graham Kearns handling the guitar work. This version is more structured and builds more gently to the climax, and it is difficult to know which to prefer. This is perhaps the reason that eventually both will see the light of day. They complement each other to give the full range of possibilities that are available in the light, dark and shade of this masterful composition.
“Move Me” is the most up-tempo rock song on the album and has a dark edge to it. As such, it makes for an interesting contrast with the others on this album. Judie is always unafraid to tackle darker subject matter (e.g. “Bully”, “She Loves His Hands”), and this track (co-written with David P. Goodes), is an exploration of some “alternative” lifestyle choices. From the atmospheric opening chords it is clear that the band mean business! It also features the very welcome return of Rhino Edwards on bass for the first time on a studio album for Judie since “The Cat is Out”. The funky, pulsating beat, passion in Judie’s voice and anthemic chorus mean that it could easily be another live concert favourite - and one to play loud! {too late to correct, Kevin spotted that Rhino has a credit on the track Lion on the Queen Secret Keeper album}
Towards the end of the film "Manhattan", Woody Allen lists the things that to him make life worth living. For the many fans who support and follow Judie, her music is high on their list and “The End of the Beginning” is a powerful addition to her catalogue and further justification of the high regard in which she is held.
Introducing Ben Mark, a Bristol born singer songwriter, who joins Judie for her autumn tour.
A multi-instrumentalist, Ben has recently recorded his album ‘Places We’ll Never Go’ at Judie’s Big Ocean studio.
Ben picks up the story; “I met Judie last year through a mutual friend and we got on like the proverbial house on fire, so I ended up hanging around in her studio writing and recording songs. In fact, I’ve been virtually living there for the past nine months!”
“Judie’s a top class songwriter and her partner, Paul, is also a fantastic producer and musician, so it’s been inspiring to be around such creative people. Judie’s whole family has been so friendly and encouraging and it’s helped me record an album I’m really proud of.”
Ben describes ‘Places We’ll Never Go’ as “honest, emotional song based music. Sometimes it’s not about re-inventing the wheel, just making a really good wheel of your own! People say they can hear traces of Elvis Costello or The Smiths or Jeff Buckley on the album, which doesn’t surprise me because I love all three, but I hope a lot of different musical influences come across. I grew up with a mixture of heavy rock, Stax soul and stage musicals, then punk and metal through my teenage years, so maybe I’ll end up having a breakdown and make a hardcore thrash version of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, who knows? All I know is that I want to write good songs and perform them the best I can.”
Ben also crops up a couple of times playing guitar on Judie’s new album. “I love playing her songs and all the musicians in her band blow me away. It was great to be involved and I think the end product is one of the best things she’s done. I’ve also stepped in as a rhythm guitarist at a couple of Judie’s gigs so, you never know, I might make it up on stage with her for a few songs on this tour.”
Joining Ben on stage is Jamie Sefton, who played on both Ben and Judie’s albums. “I’ve known Jamie for years and he’s a terrific musician.” says Ben. “Bass, horns, melodica, accordion, you name it, he’ll play it. He’s also a bit of a looker so it’s something for the ladies in the audience!”
So, what are the future plans for Ben Mark? “At the moment, I want to play as many gigs as I possibly can. You just can’t beat being up on stage, especially with acoustic sets. It’s great, you can change the song at the last minute, or try something brand new and there’s nowhere to hide when it’s just you and the guitar. I’m really happy to be playing these gigs with Judie and hope her fans enjoy the support slot as much as I will.”
Ben Mark's debut album 'Places We'll Never Go' is now available on Big Moon Records and can be ordered through www.tzuke.com. It will also be for sale at gigs. For lyrics, pictures and the latest info on Ben, visit www.ben-mark.co.uk .
by Huw Knight and Tony Kavanagh.
Former Judie Tzuke backing vocalist Lucie Silvas is breaking into the big time, with the release on the Mercury label of her single "What You’re Made Of” and album “Breathe In”. Tony Kavanagh and Huw Knight caught up with her to see if she is still pinching herself:
Tony: Lucie, first of all many congratulations on how well things are progressing for you. The last few years have been a bit of a roller coaster ride for you, but how would you sum up your current position?
Lucie: Thank you for the congrats! I would certainly agree that it’s been a roller coaster ride. When I look back on it all I do feel very fortunate to be in a position where I have a second chance, not many people get that opportunity. When I came out of my deal with EMI I was a bit lost and didn’t really know which way to turn, but it’s made me so much stronger and wiser now to have had those challenges. I feel like I have great people around me now and a lot of support that I didn’t have before. I put my heart and soul into this album, so whatever happens I’ll be so proud of that.
Huw: Which of your songs is your favourite, and why?
Lucie: I have a few favourites because they all have sentimental value. “Forget me not” is a very personal song to me, partly because I wrote it with Howard New who is a good friend and secondly because it sums up a few experiences I have had in my life with friendships and relationships and hopefully it’s the kind of song people can relate to.
Tony: You have been making a good name for yourself writing songs for others (Liberty X, Gareth Gates, Rachel Stevens). Despite the fact you have a wonderful singing voice, and are a great musician, was dropping the desire to perform as a solo artist ever an option for you?
Lucie: NEVER!!! The writing for other artists kind of happened accidentally. I never wanted to turn down a writing opportunity and I was working with some great people. In some ways I liked that the spotlight was on someone else whilst still getting things I’d written out there. I had lost a bit of confidence back then and writing was good therapy in a way. But then of course I missed writing songs for myself and singing for an audience. If you have dreamt about being a performer all your life it’s impossible to lose that desire. I was determined to do it myself however long it took me.
Huw: Listening to the lyrics of “The Game Is Won”, it seems that you never doubted that you would make it “Believing in myself can’t be wrong”. Is that a fair assessment, or if you had doubts, how did you deal with them?
Lucie: I guess it’s normal for a lot of people to doubt themselves every so often and I would be lying if I said I never felt that. There were occasions when I didn’t really know which way to go or what the next step was, but thankfully I had a lot of encouragement around me and I just always tried to keep positive and working hard knowing that it would pay off one way or another. I was never going to give up that’s for sure. It is definitely a difficult industry that tests you on a daily basis but it’s how you react to it that’s important, self-belief is essential!
Tony: Much is published about how the music businesses these days dictate and control the artists. How are you dealing with that right now?
Lucie: I think I have definitely become more strong-minded over the past few years, as you get older you start to find out what you really want. I was always determined to do something real and genuine no matter how long it took instead of being pushed into being something I’m not. Mercury gave me all the freedom I wanted and helped me to work with the right people to find my sound and make an album that’s a true representation of me. I feel very lucky for that.
Huw: The single, “What You’re Made Of” is fantastic – how did you feel the first time that you heard Richard Allinson play it on Radio 2?
Lucie: Over the moon! It was a very bizarre feeling and exciting at the same time, something I have been waiting for - for a long time.
Huw: You have had a lot of exposure with both the Jamie Cullum and Will Young tours recently, and, from reading their respective websites, have gained a lot of fans along the way. Are there plans to go out headlining yet, or are you looking at another support slot to help promote the album in October?
Lucie: Yes we are definitely looking for other support opportunities for around album release time. It would be a dream come true to headline my own shows but I think it will be a while from now.
Huw: The music biz can also be quite fickle – here today gone tomorrow almost. What plans do you have for 2005 which will help to keep Lucie Silvas at the forefront of people’s minds?
Lucie: Well I am hoping that by the beginning of 2005 my album will be doing great and we will be releasing my second single as well as touring as much as possible. I am really keen to be writing again really soon with thoughts of a second album! Always the optimist!
Tony: Your songs are so sincere and you sing them with great soul and affection, what are your main sources of inspiration and what inspires you to write a great song the most?
Lucie: Thank you so much! My family and people close to me inspire me all the time. Situations that they have gone through and how it affects them but also what I have experienced with relationships and friendships. It’s great to get your feelings down on paper and the memories come flooding back every time I sing them. Sometimes when you go through something and come out okay the other side it's amazing to be able to turn it into something positive like a song, especially one others can relate to.
Tony: In Judie Tzuke you have had an excellent mentor, are there any others and, if so, who?
Lucie: Judie really has been the main person in my life. She has influenced me in so many ways. Judie’s partner Paul Muggleton has always been there to guide and support me a lot too. He hasn’t always been directly involved but I have always valued his advice, creatively and otherwise.
Tony: It seems that for one so young, you have met and performed with so many big named artists, more than others with many years in the business. Have you met any of your early influences or idols and out of all the people you've met, who excited you the most?
Lucie: I think performing with Lionel Richie was certainly the highlight! I have been listening to his music since I was a baby and it still seems so unbelievable to me that I got the chance to sing with him. He is an amazing artist and if I went through my career writing even half the classics he has - I would be the proudest person on earth! I would love to meet people like Randy Crawford and Stevie Wonder. I used to listen to Karen Carpenter religiously, her voice was a total inspiration to me. Of course best of all, I got to meet AND perform with AND write with Judie Tzuke - who we all know is a unique singer and songwriter!
Huw: Meeting Lionel Ritchie must have been a fantastic experience for you. Has he given you any advice which you’ve taken on board?
Lucie: Yes, have eyes on the back of your head! He was great, he is such a down to earth person even through all the enormous success he has had so his advice meant a lot to me. He just told me to make sure I had people around me I could trust and always go with your instincts.
Huw: With so many people now clamouring for your time, how do you manage to remain “sane”?
Lucie: It’s all very exciting so you just try and go with the flow and keep a sensible head on your shoulders. I find it hard to not spend so much time with people close to me, but this is what I love doing, so you have to make some sacrifices from time to time. Luckily they are very supportive and understanding.
Tony: How are you finding the “glamour” side of the business?
Lucie: It’s weird because you go to these parties with loads of people you don’t know and you feel a little out of place! It’s definitely something you have to get used to but it’s fun too. It is exciting and unnerving at the same time. I am not totally at ease with cameras etc. yet, but it’s part of getting your music out there so I have no complaints.
Huw: Having been through a lot in a short space of time, what one piece of advice would you give any aspiring pop stars?
Lucie: I would say work hard, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and keep your feet on the ground, but most of all - have confidence in yourself and what you do always!
Huw: Why did you choose music? Was there any other career you could have imagined yourself doing?
Lucie: I could never envisage myself doing anything but this. I have been singing for as long as I can remember and my family always had music around me. For one reason or another it was always central in my life and I think if you have dreams and ambitions, no matter what career you choose - they are always worth following.
Tony: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years time?
Lucie: My ultimate dream would be that I am still writing and performing at 60! For the time being though, I would love to make another album relatively quickly after this one. Playing huge venues like Madison Square Gardens or The Dome in Japan or Wembley! Only small ambitions don’t you think?! I guess only time will tell if dreams like that come true for me. Any singer and writer wants to write songs that stand the test of time and if there are people singing my songs in ten years time I would be overwhelmed and very proud.
Single "What You're Made Of" Mercury 9867462 and 9867463.
Album "Breath In" Mercury 9867025.
This was researched and written by Jon Sandys along with a photomontage showing all of the featured band members.
Judie Tzuke recruited her first permanent band in early 1979 and later that year embarked on a nationwide tour as support to Gallagher & Lyle. Since that time, in excess of forty musicians and backing vocalists have appeared with Judie; and while some were established session artists plying their trade, others were comparative unknowns making their tentative way in the industry. It’s no surprise that a few of these have gone on to work with some of the biggest acts of recent years.
During those early years, with the financial backing of Rocket and then Chrysalis Records, Judie was able to retain a full time band for both recording and live performance work. The principle members were Mike Paxman (guitar), Bob Noble (keyboards), Paul Muggleton (guitar, keyboards, percussion and backing vocals), Jeff Rich (drums) and John “Rhino” Edwards (bass). Charlie Morgan, who had been a member of the same West London pub band as Rhino in the late ‘70s, briefly replaced Jeff Rich for the 1981 Phoenix tour. After a period of session work, Morgan joined the Elton John band for the 1985 Live Aid concert and has remained with him for the last 20 years.
Jeff Rich returned briefly in 1982 for the Shoot The Moon album and tour, but departed permanently in 1983 to work with The Climax Blues Band and Def Leppard before finally joining Status Quo in 1985. He remained with Quo until 2000, but now runs a drum master class, visiting schools throughout the UK, details of which can be found at his website, www.jeffrich.co.uk .
The 1983 Ritmo tour was also performed without Rhino Edwards who, like Jeff, went on to play with Climax, and also with Dexy’s Midnight Runners. He returned for 1985’s The Cat is Out tour, but joined Status Quo shortly afterwards, and it was he who recruited Jeff Rich to the band. He remains in Quo to this day, but has enjoyed recent success with his own band Rhino’s Revenge.
The Ritmo tour saw three new faces join the band. Ex-Squeeze keyboard player Don Snow had contributed to much of the album but despite regular appearances on subsequent studio recordings, this was to be his only tour. In the ensuing years he has changed his name by deed poll to Jonn Savannah, rejoined Squeeze and performed with, amongst others, Procol Harum, the late Ray Charles and ABC. His most recent credits include recordings for the American Idol 2 series and Van Morrison.
The Ritmo tour was also the only appearance of session bassist Gary Twigg, a stalwart of the ‘80s pop circuit, recording with artists such as Bucks Fizz and Kim Wilde. These days he can be found working with former Family vocalist Roger Chapman.
The third new face of 1983 was Matthew Letley who replaced Jeff Rich on drums. Despite not recording any of The Cat Is Out, he returned for the 1985 tour which, as it transpired, would be the last Judie Tzuke tour for six years. Following stints with Kim Wilde, Bob Geldof and A-ha, Matthew spent much of the ‘90s performing with the David Essex band before linking up once more with Rhino Edwards when, for the second time, he replaced Jeff Rich and joined Status Quo.
Keyboard player Mickey Simmonds joined the band for the 1985 tour. His rock style has been much in demand and he has subsequently appeared with Mike Oldfield, Camel, Renaissance and the legendary Rutles, but he is most recognised for his many years of writing and performing with ex-Marillion front man Fish.
1985 saw the final performances of the other original band members, Mike Paxman, Bob Noble and Paul Muggleton. However all three have continued to work on the studio releases, be it writing, performing or production. “Pax” now divides his time between production work, most recently with Status Quo, and designing and maintaining web sites for a number of artists, including www.tzuke.com and www.statusquo.co.uk. Bob Noble continues to write and has worked closely with Cliff Richard including appearing in the stage show Heathcliff. As Judie’s partner and Bailey’s father, Paul has had, of course, a closer involvement than anyone with the Big Moon evolution.
Judie returned to live performance work in 1991 with a handful of London dates. A rich pedigree of session musicians were employed, including for the first time a saxophonist, Andy Hamilton, who now appears with Gary Twigg in the Roger Chapman band. He was joined by drummer Ian Thomas, guitarist John Clark and brothers Richard and Laurence Cottle on keyboards and bass respectively. Their combined CV is a who’s who of the music industry with credits as diverse as Alan Parsons, Bill Bruford, George Michael, Celine Dion, Seal, Black Sabbath and …ahem… Mr Blobby. John Clark is now Cliff Richard’s musical director and worked with Bob Noble on “Heathcliff”.
Further shows were performed in 1992 to promote the Wonderland album, with Judie able to employ the session musicians who had appeared with her in the studio. Ian Thomas continued to provide the drums together with a predominantly jazz influenced band of percussionist Chris Fletcher, keyboard player Pete Murray, John Parracelli on guitar and Brad Lang on bass. Again, these players have gone on to work with a host of household names including Ronan Keating, Robbie Williams and Chris Rea.
In August 1996, to promote the release of Under the Angels, Judie played two dates at the Jazz Café in London. Apart from veteran drummer Andy Newmark, who has appeared with dozens of major international stars, the band was very young, comprising of guitarist David P. Goodes, John Robert Wood on bass and keyboard player Richard Cardwell. Since then, Judie has toured on a regular basis, selecting her band each time from a growing collection of young musician friends. Goodes has become a mainstay of the band over the years, having previously performed with Babylon Zoo, Mica Paris and East 17. He has recently linked up with another of his former groups, Alphaville, for a long planned European tour, which sadly rules him out for Judie's current tour. Richard Cardwell has also been a regular band member, punctuating his appearances with recordings and tours for acts such as Geri Halliwell, Lighthouse Family and Craig David. During the following couple of years, the line-up was augmented by backing vocalists Lucie and Mia Silverman, drummer Darrin Mooney (now with Primal Scream) and keyboard players Simon Carter (Jamiroquai, Anastacia) and Brandon Fownes, who now lives in the States and is carving out a successful career writing TV theme music. After several consecutive Tzuke tours, Mia's main focus is working with her sister, now Lucie Silvas, with the promotion of her first solo album. John Robert Wood has kept in close touch with Judie and performs on the new album.
Pete May, currently drummer with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band and who had previously toured extensively with Cliff Richard, took over from Darrin Mooney during the Under The Angels tours, but since 1998 the drum stool has virtually belonged to former Robert Fripp and Andy Summers collaborator Paul Beavis. In the meantime he has teamed up with another of Judie’s recent keyboard players, Steve Smith on the critically acclaimed debut album by Jon Dean Foster, Born Survivor. During the rare occasions when Paul has been unable to appear, Gordon Mills, son of the former manager of both Tom Jones and Gilbert O’Sullivan, has filled in. Gordon has recently become more involved in production, notably producing the last Bluetones album.
Bass guitarist Mick Tedder, who had previously recorded with Bernard Butler, joined the band during 1998 for the Secret Agent tour and other concerts around that time. For the Phoenix 2000 tour he was proceeded by Dale Davis. Dale who has since gone on to work with Amy Winehouse, recorded parts for the Queen Secret Keeper CD, but for the tour, Jerry Meehan, fresh from working with Midge Ure, was drafted in. The Phoenix 2000 tour also saw the arrival of keyboard player Ali Kane, formerly with The Lightning Seeds, who has recently recorded a stunning album with Virginia MacNaughton.
Graham Kearns, following recordings with Randy Crawford, has provided additional guitars on the last couple of tours. Having served his apprenticeship, he is now taking the lead role in David P. Goodes’ absence. The other guitar and bass work may be handled by Ben Mark and Jamie Lloyd Sefton, who made their debuts at the Eastleigh Festival in July 2004. New on keyboards for this tour is Jamie Norton.
It would be wrong to forget the family support over the years. Annie Muggleton provided backing vocals alongside Lucie Silverman back in 1997, and brother Jamie has been stealing on for the “loud ones” at the end of some shows for several years. And last, but most certainly not least, this tour will see Bailey Tzuke taking her most prominent role to date – demonstrating a confident stage presence way beyond her years.
Mick Danby: Who would you like to hear covering one of your songs, and which one?
Judie: Right now I'm so happy to hear other versions of my songs by all different kinds of people that I'm loath to choose one person as I've had some really pleasant surprises with interpretations lately...I'm sure you'll be hearing some soon.
Keith Waye: I was really impressed with your vocals on the Yes songs which appeared on ‘Wonderous: A tribute to Yes'. Are there any other Yes songs that you would like to cover? (I think you would give a magical performance of "Time and a Word" or "Soon").
Judie: My favourite Yes album was always the Yes album and my favourite track was always Roundabout, so I think I will leave any more to those who do it best.
Billybones: What are your memories of playing Central Park in 1980 as support to Elton? ...and what is your favourite venue from the last few tours?
Judie: My strongest memory of that day was me and Elton getting through a few too many swigs of whiskey in the caravan backstage before I went on stage and I don’t remember that much after that! …and my favourite venue was the London one we did this year, can’t remember what it was called, but it had a beautiful fountain outside the back of the hall that I could see all through the show. (“Cabot Hall” Jamie adds).
Nadia Summers: Has Bailey ever recorded any of your early songs, or are there any plans for her to do so? Which song would be your/her choice?
Judie: We have talked about a few but we decided her songs are better for her. But she has mentioned a few new ones, one being a sensitive little song on this new album called Move Me.
Andy Barry: What is the story behind 'Liggers at your funeral'? Was it inspired by a real person?
Judie: You know, it was a long time ago and it was about a famous actor that I knew as a child. He was always very kind to me so I held a very soft spot for him, but time has moved on and I have read a lot of confusing things about him so maybe I was a little judgemental and naïve. But someone very close to me was excited to have “tickets” to his funeral and I felt protective of him as I thought his glee was inappropriate and sad. Who he was is obvious in the lyric of the song, if you listen...
Roy Cameron: Were "Dreaming of Another World" and "Standing In The Shadows" ever recorded in the studio? Is there any prospect of a CD release for these and other tracks previously available on vinyl only?
Judie: I don’t remember so; and probably not unless we get really good at the download stuff, then you never know what we might do!!
Ian Monckton: Which is the one song you wish you had written?
Huw Knight: …and is there one you wish you hadn't?
Judie: Cloudbusting by Kate Bush and no, I stand by them all.
Gary James: Which artist would you most like to do a duet with?
Judie: It used to be Sting, but now I'm not sure.
Mike Melnyk: In 1984, Karen Blake released an album with three Paul Muggleton compositions - 'Come Hell Or Waters High', 'I'm Not A Loser' and 'Just One Heart' (the last two co-written with Bob Noble). How did Karen Blake come to get hold of Just One Heart, and was this song ever earmarked to be a Judie recording?
Judie: I’m not exactly sure; I think it was before I was around so you'll have to ask Paul about that. But did you know she did a killer version of Parallel Lives?
Shaun Bateman: With the Pop Idol culture and the relatively short popularity lifespan of most of today's stars, where do you see the next generation of female singer-songwriters coming from who have a hope of enjoying a career anywhere near as long as yours?
Judie: I think people are wanting more long term artists again and I think if they are honest and write from the heart and want more than just the fame part of it, there is plenty of room for them in the web music world.
Pat Twomey: I read a few years ago that you were having hypnotherapy, hypnotising yourself prior to going onstage. Is this still the case today, or are you more relaxed with all that is happening around you?
Judie: Yes and No.
Catherine Young: Those of us who heard "I Will" on last year's tour are still humming it several months later! Have you considered releasing it as a single--or perhaps an "internet single" as a taster for the album?
Judie: Yes, but it is still a difficult thing for us to do. But lots of things are changing so I'm ever the optimist.
Thanks to Catherine Young for collating these questions. To get your question answered, ask it via www.tzuke.com
An update by Jamie Muggleton.
Big Moon are once again looking at a busy time ahead - once we have the new album out in the public domain we are going to start promoting the Ben Mark album Places We'll Never Go. In the studio Paul is going to be working on Bailey Tzuke’s first release, if the final versions live up to the demos then we all could be in for a treat. The big change is that we are going to be providing a download service through UKSound (www.uksound.com), they are worth a look at as they present a wide range of quality music, hopefully the Big Moon catalogue will be up and downloading in November. Don't be surprised if a few previously unavailable tracks turn up on the download site. Thanks for all your patience and encouragement over the last few months and I hope you enjoy the gig.
All the Best,
Jamie
Judie is always in high demand to work with other artists on other projects. Some of these projects never reach the light of day and although others do not all do so in the UK. Recently there have been a number of examples which are worth mentioning:
Earlier in this programme Judie refers to her writing of the song Strange Love for the band Phixx. This has been performed on Tops of the Pops (Saturday) and is planned to be released as a single in October.
Lucie Silvas’ album, Breath In, to be released in early October, features several Judie Tzuke co-written songs.
Also written by Judie and soon to be released is a dance track called Just Be by Tiesto featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw. Teisto is very big outside the UK. Again a single release is expected and the track is on the Radio 1 'B' Playlist.
Judie supplies the vocals for (and co-wrote) Paradise for a group called 6th Sense - issued on June 23rd.
Then there is Tracks (2003) by Aleksander Mezek on which Judie performs a duet called By The Waterfall; and a certain Jamie Muggleton is credited with backing vocals on another track!
Judie has provided vocals for a cover version of the Rose Royce song Love Don't Live Here Anymore - a Dance track by Freddie Lequient called Vacancies.
To keep in touch with what Judie is up to visit her website on www.tzuke.com, join the mailing list there and check-out the Judie Tzuke Forum. You can also enrol in the Judie Tzuke internet discussion group details of which are at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/tzukestock/
Peter Cox update - In the 2003 Programme Peter Cox reported that he didn’t expect his next album to feature any of the songs that he had co-written with Judie Tzuke. Plans have changed and the album, called ‘Desert Blooms’, does feature, aptly, “The One That Got Away”. The album also includes Peter’s version of ‘Fall At Your Feet’, with a very different arrangement from Judie’s version from ‘The Beauty of Hindsight’ album, and the song “Strange” co-written with, and featuring, David P. Goodes. The album was mastered by Matt Tait at Judie & Paul’s Big Ocean studio. ‘Desert Blooms’ is released on Blueprint Records with reference “Blueprint 3”. Visit http://gowest.homestead.com/index.html for more details including how to order.
A review by Tony Kavanagh
A couple of years back, following a spate of live albums and intermittent studio albums, Judie Tzuke announced she was going to record a “covers” album. At the time she asked fans for suggestions and they flooded in to Big Moon in their hundreds, and quite a diverse collection they were too. Soon rumours started to circulate as to which songs Judie had selected, and even from her own tongue we heard that they included songs by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Fairport Convention, Alanis Morissette and Todd Rundgren. Imagine one’s surprise when the final track listing was announced and all the above’s toons had no doubt found themselves discarded in favour of songs from such less famous artistes as Stephen Stills (We are Not Helpless), Maxwell (Know These Things: Shouldn’t You), Poco (I Can See Everything) and Kayah & Bregovich (Trudno Kochac – Hard to Love), but joined by such luminaries as Elton John (Goodbye), Smokey Robinson (Tracks of my Tears) and even the Beatles (Hey Jude).
Judie had taken the brave step of recording some of her personal favourites, songs which had influenced her or had some profound effect on her life in her earlier years. How do we know that? Well the sleeve notes (or should that be case notes?) include a brief and honest synopsis from Judie for each song. It is all so clear how Judie really loves (loved) these songs as it is so easy to forget they are covers, she genuinely makes them her own, singing them with such feeling and respect, as ever. Feeling (no Judie Tzuke fan would expect anything less) and respect, with two exceptions the style and arrangements of the originals remain intact. The two exceptions ? Hey Jude (The Beatles) “in the style of the buskers that I met in the South of France” and You Send Me (Steve Miller).
Jon Martyn, “a very early influence on me” adds Judie, is represented twice on the album, firstly with May You Never (performed live to great acclaim by Judie on recent tours) and America’s version of his Head and Heart.
This is an album to play in those quieter moments, alone in the car, at peace in the garden or wrapped in a loved ones arms in a candlelit moment. You can’t fail to be moved by the likes of Birds (Neil Young), Fall At Your Feet (Crowded House) or impressed by Judie’s versions of Want You More (Robert Palmer) and especially Lives in the Balance (Jackson Browne) to which Judie, in my opinion, adds an extra edge to an already great song.
Overall, a great collection of songs, superbly sung, augmented by excellent musicianship from members of Judie’s bands, past and present, plus some carefully selected sessionists and friends, under the umbrella of a masterful production by partner (and former band member) Paul Muggleton.
In summary, given the depth of feeling exuding throughout the whole selection of songs, the notes Judie herself has shared with us on the sleeve and the obvious influence these songs have had on her life and career, maybe not so much “The Beauty of Hindsight”, as “A Beautiful Insight”.
At the foot of most of the pages in the programme I put a notable "End of Beginning". The purpose of these was to put across the idea that "The End Of The Beginning" could be an important milestone and a time of change but would lead on to something else - the end of the beginning should be seen as a beginning as well as an end. Sue Greetham suggested the ideas for some of these. The rest were mine as was the text and images for them all.
Picture of a space rocket taking off from its launch platform. "When the countdown reaches zero, the engines ignite and the space rocket rises from its pad. It is the end of a long and meticulously planned launch sequence, but the hazardous journey into space still lies ahead. The launch is an end, but only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a sailing ship sighting land. "When Columbus sighted the New World, it was the end of a long and difficult voyage. But they still didn't know where they were, or what they would find or what changes this New World would bring to the Old World. The end of the voyage was only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a burning torch. "When mankind mastered fire he was able to bring light to the darkness, frighten away his predators, lead his prey into traps, cook his food and clear away the forests. When mankind mastered fire he became the master of his environment; it was the End of the Beginning."
Picture of an early aircraft a few feet off the ground. "The first powered flight by the Wright Brothers was only a short flight, shorter than the length of a modern 747, but it was a milestone in human achievement. It marked an end to a long period of design, development and risk taking but it opened the door for others to follow - it was the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a set of "L" plates being torn in half. "Passing the driving test is a notable milestone for many people. They are now free to drive their car on their own, to provide lifts for others, even to guide someone else to learn to drive. But in front of them is that open road so passing the test is the end, but only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a boy pulling a sword from a stone. "When the young Arthur pulled the Sword from the Stone, he changed from being an ambitious youth into the future king. But he was not yet that king, he still had to win over the people and fight many battles - he had reached an end, but only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a Dove flying towards the Ark. "When the Dove brought back the olive branch to Noah on the Ark it was a sign that land was nearby and that the floods were receding. But for Noah and his family, and for all of the animals on the Ark, this did not indicate the end, but only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a graduation scroll. "After three or more years of study at University, with lectures lived through, course-work covered and exams excelled at, the degree ends with a graduation ceremony. But ahead lies a long and hopefully fruitful career. The graduation is an end but only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a ship being launched. "When a ship is launched, the ship-builders cheer and cry. They cry because they are probably now out of a job until the next order arrives. But for the ship fitters it is a time for rejoicing because their work is about to begin. For them the launch of the ship is only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a Caterpillar breaking out of a cocoon. "A caterpillar spends all of its time eating the two dimensional leaf it sits on. A Butterfly though is free to fly into a third dimension, to explore, to find new foods, to breed and multiply. When a butterfly leaves its cocoon it is the end of the caterpillar, but for the butterfly, it is only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a sprinter leaving the starting blocks as the starter's pistol fires. "When the sprinter springs out of the blocks the race is underway. All of the training and all of the preparation is now over and the race is now a question of sprinter versus sprinter. The starter’s pistol announces both the start of the race and the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a car with a trail of tin cans. "Some would jest that a marriage marks the end of a perfect friendship, but for most that is not the case. The marriage is more than a symbol, it represents a sworn commitment to live together for better or for worse and it marks not the end of the relationship, but only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of a chick on the side of its nest. "A chick is totally dependent on its parents. They have to find food, bring it back to the nest and feed it to the young chick. This all changes when the chick stretches its wings and flies from the nest, but this is not the end, for the chick it is only the End of the Beginning."
Picture of the letter "G". "The development of writing enabled mankind to write things down, to create a record of what needed to be remembered, to enable communication without presence, to free the brain from having to remember facts. This enabled the start of new cultures and new ways of life. The letters marked the End of the Beginning."
Judie's Final Text:
Huge thanks and appreciation for everyone that has been so patient with me. I'm sorry to have been so slow to recover from my bronchitis. I know I've given everyone who has been trying so hard to get the album out for the tour an impossible task. I hope you all enjoy the new stuff anyway. I am so lucky to have a great team to support me and I thank you for all the hard work you've done on this program, the album, its artwork, the mail outs and all the encouraging messages on the web site. This is the end of the beginning for me, the next bit will be a wonderful adventure, ...it won’t be the beginning of the end it will be the start of a whole new volume !!
Love Judie Tzuke
Finally the back cover of the programme lists Judie's achievements and milestones from the last twenty five years:
Welcome To The Cruise
Rocket Records
For You
Paul Muggleton
Stay With Me Till Dawn
Top of the Pops
The Welcome To The Cruise Tour
Gallagher & Lyle Lonesome No More Tour
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Sportscar
Understanding
The Judie Tzuke Fan Club
The Rose Emblem
The Sportscar Tour
The Tzukettes
Elton John
US Tour
New York Central Park Concert
I Am The Phoenix
The Feather
Black Furs
The I Am The Phoenix Tour
Rock At The Bowl
Live in Concert
Glastonbury CND Festival
Chrysalis Records
Shoot The Moon
Love on the Border
The Shoot the Moon Tour
Road Noise – The Official Bootleg
Ritmo
The Ritmo Tour
Legacy Records
The Cat Is Out
The Cat Is Out Tour
The Cat Is Out Video
Bailey
Polydor Records
Turning Stones
The Turning Stones Tour
Big Ocean Studio
Columbia Records
Left Hand Talking
God Only Knows
The Left Hand Talking Tour
Essential Records
Wonderland
Pebble Mill
The Wonderland Tour
Tallula
Big Moon Record Label
The Helm Of Awe
Under The Angels
Jazz Café
Dublin Mean Fiddler
Early Under The Angels Tour
Later Under The Angels Tours
Over The Moon
Brighton Birthday Concert
Bermuda Residency
Bahamas Concert
Birmingham Ronnie Scott's Residency
Secret Agent
The Secret Agent Tour
Big Moon Release of Rocket Albums
The Phoenix 2000 Tour
The Six Days Tour
Six Days Before The Flood
Wonderous
Queen Secret Keeper
Drive
The Queen Secret Keeper Tour
Drive Live
Bob Harris Presents
The Beauty Of Hindsight Tour
The Beauty Of Hindsight Vol.1
This Is Your Life (Bob Harris)
Eastleigh Festival
The End Of The Beginning Tour
The End Of The Beginning