Hi all.. after quite a long break from the CV hangouts, I decided the other day to browse. I was hugely disappointed with the statement at the official CV website.

and I quote:

"The last four years have seen Colin regularly touring the UK and experimenting with ideas, songs and various line-ups and instrumentation.

I needed to go out there and do some hard work, stand in front of small audiences, feeling bare-arsed naked and find the core of what playing live is all about for me.

The early solo performances had forced Colin to pare down his songs to their basic foundations. Standing on a stage in front of a critical audience performing his work in it?s most basic format, no frills and no backup, is a daunting and humbling experience;

You really learn a lot about your songs and yourself when you perform alone in front of a bar full of people busy talking to each other about the UEFA cup..

While it takes courage to go there alone, it isn?t an experience that should be endlessly repeated. By adding musicians and varying the instrumentation, the musical palette is enriched, the songs can start to take on new life and breathe again. Things happen during a performance that are unplanned and spontaneous and Black is about richness; of experience, textures, timbre, tempo and colour (and of course, irony). After having pared down the songs and performances to their essence, the next step is to let the new songs out into the world and give them a chance to be performed, live, as they deserve to be heard.

If ?Two Churches? marks a moving on, then the live shows should too. Much of the recording was centred around getting the right live performances in the studio ? they are full of the unique energy that occurs when talented musicians play together and have fun. Hopefully the live shows will be an extension of that energy.

However, touring is a time consuming and expensive business and often serves to divert creative energy away from the job of creating new work. While there will be Black concerts when the time and opportunity is available, it?s unlikely there will be any extensive touring in the near future. If you would like to be kept informed of any live plans, please add your email address to our mailing list."

I am a little curious as to what Colin is doing ?!

He is obviously a hugley talented songwriter and performer, but its like he wants to hide himself away from the world, and just write new songs.
I remember when I very 1st met him at Wellingborough, as much as I was in Awe that I had met one of my 'heroes', I was somewhat disappointed with his attitude to some things, say for example his website. I made a comment that it needed updating, and he was of the opinion that he couldnt be bothered with websites, and his priority is playing the music.

I feel that his talent is being sooo wasted, and I'm not quite sure whats to come from him next. Is he going to disappear again, and write for other people ? Is he planning a huge mainstage comeback ? (which I would love him to do, as he has got what it takes.) Or is he just going to reel himself out every few years to prove to himself that he can still do it !??

Dont get me wrong - I love Colin, and his work, but he seems quite content to be going nowhere - staying the same. We could all advertise his website/releases/gigs/ to the hilt, but if he doesnt want to become 'famous' again. Is there really any point in us getting his music heard out there ?

I dont want to upset anyone with my posting, but I just thought the statement on his website was a bit glum..Perhaps Im just a bit shocked ....I dont know what Im feeling....

Just seems a waste of huuuuge talent..

Be gentle with me on the replies....lol

After all is IS just MY opinion..

CVivvy xxx

You are more than welcome to express yourself here and I think you are correct. Colin really has no interest in promotion and the trappings of the "biz". My limited communication with him last year surprised me as well... he seems to be in a stage in his life where he just wants to be free to express himself and some of it will not be music. His new site was to be a forum for his painting, words and music but I fear his enthusiasm for it is waning.

Colin is a very complex and apparently moody fellow (more than me and that is saying something). I understand a great deal of his need to create being a formally trained artist who depends on technology for his pay check. If we do truly think he is as talented as he is we must tolerate moments of self indulgence and except change. That being said I think the new "BLACK" CD is a wonderful evolution of Colin's music although it's debatable that it has much to do with BLACK's resurrection. Colin hopes to adopt a anonymousness (is that a word) by going back to BLACK but I fear the opposite is the case... he is now stuck living up to expectations.

Hi CVivvy, It's good to see that you are as passionate about Colin's music as we all are here, but I think you missed the point just a little.

You write; "he seems quite content to be going nowhere - staying the same." but the statement says; (solo touring) "isn?t an experience that should be endlessly repeated." and "If ?Two Churches? marks a moving on, then the live shows should too.... Hopefully the live shows will be an extension of that energy.". It doesn't sound to me like he has any intention of 'staying the same' - he wants to move on.

He says; "there will be Black concerts when the time and opportunity is available" but you read this as "its like he wants to hide himself away from the world". I don't read it like that at all, I read the statement as "done that, not going to repeat myself, want to do it better, want to write more songs".

Yes, he's not very interested in websites, he likes making music. That's not a problem from my perspective - I want him to make music - and Patric seems to be doing a very good job of handling the website stuff anyway.

We all think his talent is under-appreciated - so what are we doing about it? It's up to loyal fans to spread the word. He's doing his bit; making music we love (OK - we'd like him to do more of that wouldn't we? I'd rather he did that than spend time thinking up content for his site). Our bit is to tell people about it and get the music to as many people as possible that might like it. THEN maybe there will be enough people who want to go and see him so he can step back onto the 'huge mainstage' without the promoters loosing their shirts! This isn't something that is given to us - it's something we have to create.

It's not about whether he wants to become famous again (and I don't for a second believe he doesn't want to get back onto that mainstage) - it's about the music; writing it, recording it and performing it, moving on, exploring creativity, being true to oneself and never resting (Patric - is that self-indulgent or is it a creative obligation?). Talent is wasted if you don't do those things - fans are wasted if there's no audience for the talent.

And anyway, controversy is good - because the lack of it means nobody cares!

quality music fan wrote:
Hi CVivvy, It's good to see that you are as passionate about Colin's music as we all are here, but I think you missed the point just a little.


That may be how you are interpreting things. Which will then make you think that I am missing the point. As I said, it is my opinion on how I read the statment.

You write; "he seems quite content to be going nowhere - staying the same." but the statement says; (solo touring) "isn?t an experience that should be endlessly repeated." and "If ?Two Churches? marks a moving on, then the live shows should too.... Hopefully the live shows will be an extension of that energy.". It doesn't sound to me like he has any intention of 'staying the same' - he wants to move on.

He says; "there will be Black concerts when the time and opportunity is available" but you read this as "its like he wants to hide himself away from the world". I don't read it like that at all, I read the statement as "done that, not going to repeat myself, want to do it better, want to write more songs".

Then he will write more songs, and them come back out on tour again, doing the same gigs as he has done over the last few years.

Yes, he's not very interested in websites, he likes making music. That's not a problem from my perspective - I want him to make music - and Patric seems to be doing a very good job of handling the website stuff anyway.

Most fans like the personal touch of an artist taking time to put content and news on a website. As I see it, you have to please your fans aswell as pleasing yourself. Its not like he has to actually do the website himself.


We all think his talent is under-appreciated - so what are we doing about it? It's up to loyal fans to spread the word. He's doing his bit; making music we love (OK - we'd like him to do more of that wouldn't we? I'd rather he did that than spend time thinking up content for his site).

I dont think he needs to sit and think up content for his site, just a paragraph of what he's been upto would suffice.


Our bit is to tell people about it and get the music to as many people as possible that might like it. THEN maybe there will be enough people who want to go and see him so he can step back onto the 'huge mainstage'without the promoters loosing their shirts! This isn't something that is given to us - it's something we have to create.



How many fans from the 80's are inclined to go and see him at smaller venues.? I and many others do, because we love his music that much. But for example if there was advertising for him for a bigger venue, with all the bumph to go with it. People would say- "OOOoh I remember him - he was great, I'll go and see him again. I wonder what he's been upto." We could sell him to anyone we see, but if he himself doesnt give out signals that he wants to return to that stage, what hope have we? It suoldnt be really upto us, he is the artist, and if he has such a laid back attitude, then surely its going to rub off on us fans !?.. eventually.


It's not about whether he wants to become famous again (and I don't for a second believe he doesn't want to get back onto that mainstage)

Now I beg to differ there - I think that he is quite happy doing what he does, and thats it. OK - People dont like the whole mainstage life of artists, but surely that is your ultimate goal. IMHO.


- it's about the music; writing it, recording it and performing it, moving on, exploring creativity, being true to oneself and never resting (Patric - is that self-indulgent or is it a creative obligation?). Talent is wasted if you don't do those things - fans are wasted if there's no audience for the talent.

I still think he could be up there with some of the people knocking around today, he is just as good, if not better !!!

It just annoys me when I mention to people avbout Colin.. A - they go "who?" and I say Colin Vearncombe.. still get puzzled looks, then I say Black... still puzzled.. Its only when I say you know the song 'Wonderful Life'.. that the penny drops.. Oooh yeah I remember him.. I used to like him. Is he still around ? Which at that point I go on about his last gig I seen, all his new stuff being great, and mostly offering a listen of Live at the Bassline (my fave choice).

Sooo many people know that song, and remember that they used to like him. I can understand that perhaps that song may haunt him in a way, as thats the only one people remember. But, as I see it, it is a huuuuuuge tool for him to revive himself, as many others have done sucessfully. Reel them in with that song, and then that would be a platform to get old fans to hear new music.

OK - I'll stop waffling now...


And anyway, controversy is good - because the lack of it means nobody cares!

We all care.. but obvioulsy all have different opinions. We would all like Colin to be getting the huge amount of credit we think he deserves for his music, and to be winning awards etc. There is some utter rubbish out there on the 'mainstage' at the moment,and Colin would wipe the floor with those people should they see both artist side side performing live. Just sometimes it would be nice to hear it from the man himself.<br><br>Post edited by: CVivvy, at: 2006/02/08 11:51

I agree with you CVivvy. You're right, We do care, but we'd care even more if Colin showed he cared about us. It only takes a minute to type a quick note on here....(unless you're CVivvy, (that's meant in a nice way)). Think about it Colin, we've been there, following you for years.......always will.....but a little piece now &amp; then would be appreciated.