I was just recently made aware of an unsubstantiated rumor that began over on the forums here. On March 18th, a member had posted news that Andy Connell could not play live because he had acute alcoholism. Besides the fact that alcoholism cant’ be acute, this member had claimed that he received this information from Paul O’Duffy, Swing Out Sister’s long time collaborator and producer. This forum member also claimed to have worked with Paul as well.

After a few responses from members who challenged this information, Paul himself contacted me about this post. He was upset that someone would use him as a source of information that was completely false, especially since this directly involves to his long time friend, Andy.

This is what Paul had to say:

“Firstly, I do not know or have ever worked with or employed anyone called (removed). Secondly, his comments are completely untrue, Corinne and Andy are among my oldest and dearest friends and I have nothing bad to say about either of them to anyone! As you can probably tell I am very annoyed about this and am puzzled as to why someone would go to the effort to offend both myself and Andy.”

My guess on why this person had decided to do this is beyond me, however with the internet full of trolls, this is just to get some people excited and to cite some kind of ill reaction. What’s also telling is that this person used an anonymous email account to create the post. The likeliness for us to find out who this person is much tougher though not impossible. You can’t hide forever on the internet… Here’s the funny thing, the poster didn’t even know that Andy posts here and even had the nerve to post that he had just emailed him. Andy, in response, said:

“Not sure this really needs a response. Bit of a shame, really. Thanks, (removed), though for making me aware of it..” – Andy

I’ve since removed the post (though still have it in case it’s needed in the future) and banned the user. If there’s any posts in the future that you, as fans and commenters on this forum, please let me know if there are any fishy, offensive or unsubstantiated posts by clicking on the “!” icon on each post. That will alert me to the post and I’ll take appropriate action on it if it’s required. There’s no way to go through each post here but this will help tremendously help prevent any misinformation from spreading.

For now, Paul and I are still dumbfounded on why anyone would speak badly of Andy. As someone who’s had a chance met and speak with Andy, I can’t say why anyone one ever stoop that low.

If it was meant to be a joke, it was as horrible joke and unfunny on many levels. I’m sure Andy would agree.

I’ve just received a bogus email from what seems to have originated from “mail@swingoutsister.com”.The email references that you had succesfully changed your password and includes a .zip file and also indicates that the attachment is “clean” from viruses.

Please erase this email immediately and do no open the file. This, in all intents, is a hoax email containing a virus. There is no email account called “mail@swingoutsister.com”.

All emails that originate from this forum will never contain attachments of any kind.

I was browsing around and I remembered that Sweetback was releasing a new album called Stage 2 coming up next Tuesday (June 22). I took a peek at a few tracks on their site, www.sweetback.com and heard some really nice tracks on it. If you don’t know who or what Sweetback is, they are the band members of Sade (minus Sade) and did a lot of musical work while Sade wasn’t producing music.They went off their own and made primarily instrumental tracks reminiscent of Sade’s albums but they did include several vocalists like Amel Lamieux. Sweetback doesn’t consider themselves tied to any specific genre and wants to create a great collection of songs no matter what the material. So this time around, on Stage 2, they’ve featured a singer Aya on 7 tracks and I have to say that her voice is sexy and silky!

< She also had released a solo album last month called "Strange Flower" which also has some nice variety of music styles. Get a little more information on her here: Naked Music / Giant Step - Aya

It's not for me to decide if you like them. Take a listen and if you like what you hear, why not use the links to support the site?

Aya – Strange Flower

Sweetback – Stage 2

A little late but I wanted everyone to remember this day in American history, in world history, that will forever be part of many people that fateful day, 8:46 AM one year ago. God bless them all…

I admit it’s been a slow news period for this site but it does go through them once and a while so bear with me. First, if you don’t know by now, the Cafe Orange track listing has been posted on the discussion board. For those who need to know now, here it is:

1. Breakout
2. Surrender
3. Fooled By A Smile
4. Ordinary People
5. Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool
6. Don’t Give Up On A Good Thing
7. La La Means I Love You
8. You On My Mind
9. Where In The World
10. Forever Blue
11. Waiting Game
12. Precious Words
13. Somewhere In The World
14. Here & Now
15. Better Make It Better
16. Now You’re Not Here
17. Filth & Dreams
18. Get In Touch With Yourself
19. Same Girl
20. Incomplete Without You
21. Love Child

Second, in my continuing quest for music enlightenment, I will plug another young artist who you may not have not heard of, Pete Yorn.

After purchasing his debut album a year after it’s original release, it’s an incredibly good album. It’s won critical praise from all parts of the music industry and I highly recommend giving it a listen. Recommend tracks are Strange Condition, Black, Closet and my personal fav, On Your Side. You’ll like it, guaranteed!

And Duncan Sheik has also release his new album Daylight which is also quite good.

If you decide to buy them, please click through my CDNOW link found on the Store page. You’re not obligated but if you do your music shopping there, you can help fund the site to keep this site running. (By the way, I don’t get money…just CDNOW credit.)

Thanks!

Though promoting other artists could be considered sacrilege, I would strongly ask any music fan out there to listen to these two young, but incredibly talented musicians. I feel that it’s important to expand listening audiences to new artists and not just stay in their comfort zone. It’s hard to do, I know. First, more in the realm of this site, is Norah Jones. She has a beautiful voice that would fit in right between Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Second, just starting to hit the air waves, is John Mayer. His lyrics are true and honest and well written. He’s got catchy tunes that would make anyone start humming along.

At least take a listen. You may like them! I’ve been playing both CDs constantly because they’re soooo good. Both of these CDs can be found for under $10 in a few places, though the sale may be over by now.

Let me know what you guys think…check out the poll here!

In the past several years, I have received many emails from fellow fans from all across the globe. Since then, the world of email has changed drastically. Instead to being a friendly communications tool, it has become the vessel for virus coders to spread their works of destruction to an unsuspecting audience. So, in the past 6 months, the amount of viruses being sent to me have been alarming. I get about 10~20 virus emails a week! I urge you to please buy or borrow some anti-virus software (Norton Anti-Virus is recommended) to scan your computers for viruses, especially for the Klez and the BadTrans virus. Luckily, I have virus protection software scan my emails before I read them so I’m not re-infecting anyone. As a special request for me and for your friends, please scan your computers. I would be much appreciated!!!!

-Kun Kim