Hi All – sorry for mental pain suffered by some over the last post. Weirdly it’s actually quite easy to type backwards (well ‘chocolate icecream’ was tricky & I did stuff up once ’tis true).

‘STROKE: SONGS FOR CHRIS KNOX’ is all in and sounding great. 32 covers of songs spanning Chris’ work from Jay Reatard doing ‘Pull Down The Shades’ to Lou Barlow’s ‘Song of The Tall Poppy’ – there are also 3 Bonus Tracks! We’re setting up a website so people can get more info & compare the covers to Chris’s originals – we’re even gonna feature an upload section so anyone who’s in the mood can add their own versions to the site.

We’ve got tracks from pretty much everyone we asked – but unfortunately not from Jeff Mangum, but hey he’s given the world two utterly glorious albums as Neutral Milk Hotel -  ‘On Avery Island’ & ‘In The Aeroplane Over The Sea’ so who could possibly hold anything against the man!

The album release date is 16 November & we’re having a release/benefit gig at the Kings Arms on the 20th of November. The artists who are so kindly donating their services are Dimmer (doing the back catalogue of that superb talent Mr Shayne Carter – heck they may even do She Speeds), The Pajama Party (featuring a mysterious guest from the NZ music community), the wonderful Sean Donnelly, guitar hero David Kilgour, & last-in-my-list-but-by-no-means-least the fab Don McGlashan. Tickets are available on the door (no pre-sales) – a measley $30 gets you not only into this wondrous event but also a copy of the CD! Doors will open at 9pm.

Roy

Ayih – Sirhc si llew dna gnivah nuf htiw sih sdneirf. Ew tnew tuo rof etalocohc maerceci dna denetsil ot ABBA ni eht rac – Sirhc gnas gnola yllufeelg. Neht ew deyalp sdrac lit Sirhc tnew ot deb.

Tog a rehtar ciledehcysp kcart morf Hsimah in Wen Kroy hcihw sah stol fo Sirhc gnignis backwards – ti lliw eb a neddih kcart no eht mubla ni tseb Seltaeb noihsaf … ah ah ah ah.

Eyb.

Yor

Hiya – Jon has posted a comment asking for specifics about Chris’ condition. It’s great that people care so much about Chris and, having been his friend for several years, I’m well aware of the impact he’s often had on those he’s met & played music with, but I still hope that everyone appreciates the family’s request for privacy at this time. We’re also still not entirely clear where we are with Chris’ recovery – and doctor’s don’t like to make prognoses for people who have had strokes. For myself, I accept him as he is now with hopes, but no expectations, of change – that way every improvement he does make is welcomed & things that do not improve so rapidly are not so upsetting.

Chris is walking – he can manage about 500 meters at the moment but he is making improvements all the time. We’re doing all that we can to assist Chris’ recovery & to make him secure & comfortable in the future.

To me the really important thing right now is Chris’ quality of life & I’m pleased to say that, even though he tires easily, he is loving many aspects of his current lot. Music is still a huge joy for him – being in studios, hanging out & singing with muso mates, listening to Stroke (& making many good suggestions for it too!), and recording for The Nothing & Tall Dwarfs projects. He’s enjoying the odd beer, chocolate icecream, panak panners, & other totally normal stuff. He’s also surrounded by people that love him & have his best interests at heart.

Roy

PS Hi Juanita. How is winter coming on in the little pear?

Hiya – Alec is in town & we had a meeting yesterday to finalise details of the Stroke release with Peter from Rhythm Method – I have most of the tracks in and we’re going to master in a few days. Had vege burgers & chips with Chris & then Chris & Alec quaffed some Epic Armagedon (thanks Epic!). Then there was a Tall Dwarfs reunion gig in the living room. Alec played an acoustic & Chris sang & I sat there and grinned – it also gave us some good ideas of how to approach the TD album, so when Chris went to bed Alec & I opened the TD files and had a chat about how to proceed. It’s gunna be a wierd album Barry – but we liked what we heard.

Chris is thrilled with Stroke and loves hearing the tracks as they come in. Thanks everyone.

Roy

Hi All – More tracks for Stroke are rolling in by the day & I’m going to play Chris some of the latest arrivals tonight. We’ve also started work towards the release party – I should be able to confirm date, venue & acts in next few days. Alec gets to town tomorrow so we will do some Dwarfing over the weekend (that should please you Barry) ….. and yes, Chris has been drawing – lots of faces & people he knows.

Beast

Rik

Howdy – Chris had a good weekend – he had his first Epic (beer of champions) since the stroke whilst watching Frankenstein (orig. 1931 James Whale version o’course). Now unfortunately I couldn’t join him for certain reasons but if the rest of you felt like imbibbing I wouldn’t criticise.

We have also been out for several walks around the neighbourhood and it was nice to see Chris reintegrating into his community.

On Sunday we went to an art exhibition & it was a glorious Auckland day so we sat on the deck in the sun & drank tea. We even managed quite an indepth discussion of an issue to do with the album &, after some perseverance, I think I understood what Chris wanted pretty well.

It’s good to see Chris’ quality of life improving.

Howdy -  Chris is well & loving chocolate icecreams & curries – needs a haircut though, the scruff. ‘Stroke’ is drawing near to it’s mastering stage. We’re looking at a release party & booking a venue. Revolution#9  in mono is soooooo much better than in stereo. Abbey Road remaster is a religious experience – close yer eyes & you can see ‘em! John would have bin 69 today.  Sob.

Ron

Hi All – Chris is having a quiet weekend. We did some work on the new Tall Dwarfs album on Saturday after attempting to watch DVDs (nobody ever mention ‘aspect ratio’ to me). Then we did some work on completing ‘Stroke’ – I should receive the remainder of the tracks in the next two weeks & then we’re into production.

Ron