I know his fans are thrilled and will be there for him and I guess that is enough for some people, but I simply am not impressed with his singing; therefore, I think this is a brave (and foolish move) on his part. Once again, I believe he is riding on his 'celebrity status' not true musical talent. Sorry James, love your acting, but just can't support your singing...This man never ceases to amaze me!

[ edited by Caroline on 2004-12-01 19:24 ]

Patpaws | December 01, 07:12 CET

Well I actaully like his singing and so am therefore hoping that he comes to Manchester this time as I never got to see GotR.

By the way Patpaws, before a mod points it out, one of the rules is:
Don't sign your posts. Your (nick)name will appear below your post automatically. That means no sigs/quotes, etc

Just so u know for the future :)

Paul_Rocks | December 01, 07:44 CET

Well personally I am very much looking forward to this. He got a lot of praise for his solo gig at halloween, so people clearly have different opinions.

I enjoyed GotR and I loved his solo music. I am really glad to have the opportunity to see him performing live again.

I wonder why a tour might be foolish? It seems to me that if he spends a week doing something he enjoys for a crowd who enjoy it, it isn't taking anything from people who only like his acting.

I wish him well with it.

vanity | December 01, 07:48 CET

personally I felt he was over-stretched w/GotR (and when they made him put down his guitar that was the beginning of the end...JMPO), I'm looking forward to hearing him play & sing his own songs. But I'm pretty disappointed that he is only doing it in the UK! I really was expecting some dates in the good ole US of A...
sigh

embers | December 01, 08:09 CET

Well that is the UK site which doesn't deal with US concerts or conventions. We have no idea what is being planned in the US. I agree he does better solo. Hopefully he will do something for his US fans too.

vanity | December 01, 08:12 CET

I wonder if this will also be about the same time he does the reading that he mentioned in the amazon uk interview.

RavenU | December 01, 08:12 CET

If you're reading this James, come down to Folkestone in Kent. There is a nice venue there called the Leas Cliff Hall and it would be a short journey from London and easy for me to visit. Hint, hint!

brob1 | December 01, 08:19 CET

I didn't much care for his band, but he has some decent songs.

I heard some live mp3s of his singing when he used to play solo at the 14 Below in Santa Monica. His cover of Springsteen's "Fire" was deeply sexy. He should consider doing more of that.

Hell, I reckon he could make a decent living travelling up and down the UK just covering the 'Nebraska' album. I'd certainly pay to hear that.

Bad Kitty | December 01, 09:11 CET

I personally was fine with the GoTR brake-up. IMO GoTR seemed to take alot of James' time and I felt maybe he should be using that time to further his acting career. If he comes to the East coast of the USA I would go see him perform solo, but I hope he doesn't get too distracted with singing when I personally really want to see him doing more acting.

Passion | December 01, 09:47 CET

I heard him at the Halloween event. He was nervous and made a few minor mistakes, but overall I really enjoyed his voice, the lyrics had heart and he's pretty good with a guitar. I definately prefer him solo over the stuff that was done with GOTR. I'd definately go see him if he were playing in the States, but I can't afford another trip to England anytime soon especially given the value of the dollar lately.

killinj | December 01, 09:51 CET

I Loved James' solo performance at Halloween and felt that his voice is much better solo than with the band and that the songs really shone through . I enjoyed the GOTR gigs but felt that sometimes the lack of rehersal time showed and that very often the songs would have been better stripped down a bit .

I'm really looking forward to these gigs and to the album .Fingers crossed that he may find time for another "audience with" whilst he's over here


Or in other words

Woot!!!! :)

debw | December 01, 10:24 CET

I wish he'd do something in the USA. ;)

twiggy | December 01, 10:27 CET

Yeah, the GotR songs weren't for him. They were out of his range and not quite his style, if his cover choices are any indication. I'd love to see him do some covers, just alone on a stage with a guitar. He does a decent Chocolate Jesus, and as someone else mentioned, Fire. As long as he stays in his range and doesn't try too hard to imitate the original singer, he's pretty good.

Rogue Slayer | December 01, 10:35 CET

“As long as he stays in his range and doesn't try too hard to imitate the original singer, he's pretty good.”

That’s the exact thought I had when I heard the cover samples mentioned above. And also why I prefer the original songs, because his singing can be more honest and I think going acoustic suits his heart and soulful voice better.
I didn’t feel compelled to see him perform with the GotR (fortunate for me, since he seems allergic to the East Coast) and actually felt relieved when it was “dissolved”. From what I’ve read, the acoustic gig at the Halloween event was a special experience and I’m happy for him that something he created and was all on his shoulders received such a positive response. However, I think it would be great if he could play for audiences where the majority had no idea who he was and he had to sink or swim on the performance alone. I wonder if he even wants it to go beyond being for him and the insular world of the fandom? I have no doubt he loves music and it’s very important to him and he takes it seriously and gives it his all, but he does have a cushion of adoring fans who might not always be objective or willing to cast a critical glance at their guy. I’m not being judgmental because hey, who doesn’t like a little ego stroking now and then? I'm in it for the acting, but I would also really like to see him in a solo musical performance.

bloodflowers | December 01, 12:33 CET

I have no doubt he loves music and it’s very important to him and he takes it seriously and gives it his all, but he does have a cushion of adoring fans who might not always be objective or willing to cast a critical glance at their guy. I’m not being judgmental because hey, who doesn’t like a little ego stroking now and then? I'm in it for the acting, but I would also really like to see him in a solo musical performance.

I really got the impression he enjoyed playing rock star when he was with GotR(complete with screaming fans and groupies), but it probably didn't completely satisfy his creative musical drive, because he was performing songs that weren't really written for his range. To me, dissolving GotR seemed like a 'growing up' move. He was playing with kids who probably didn't share the same 'vision' he did, and maybe he realized he could satisfy his creativity if he did it all himself. And hopefully he realized he can have just as much fun, to boot!

Rogue Slayer | December 01, 12:47 CET

i agree twiggy! i want him here :(

MySerenity | December 01, 13:45 CET

“To me, dissolving GotR seemed like a 'growing up' move.”

I agree it was the mature decision to make. I think it was the reports of the last gig they ever played that I got the feeling something or someone was going to self-destruct (all the lollipop shenanigans). Playing with the ‘yeah, baby, I’m a rock star’ thing might have been fun for a while, but if he was ultimately in it because he had something he wanted or needed to say, I don’t think it was the best way to connect with an audience. Judging from his ‘a page from my personal journal’ lyrics, it seems kind of strange that he strayed from being the heartbroken troubadour at all. Live and learn, I guess. This is one time that “does not play well with others” has led to something better. : )

bloodflowers | December 01, 13:58 CET

James sang in pubs and various musical outlets as a solo artist long before he became famous. Granted, now a lot of his audience will be fans from his Jossverse work, but the very act of touring gives him the opportunity to reach out to people who haven't heard of him. Besides, I get the impression he's doing this because he loves music and for his own self-fulfillment, not as an ego trip. I think we'd all follow our dreams if we had the means to do so.

killinj | December 01, 14:06 CET

Just brought my ticket for the London gig.

THE RETURN OF THE MARSTERS!!::D

Actually quited liked his songs at the halloween event.

[ edited by SeanValen on 2004-12-01 22:49 ]

SeanValen | December 01, 15:48 CET

I like James singing and think an acoustic version suits him much better. He had to get the rock-n-roll stuff out of his system. I too wish there were some dates in the US. I can't travel to the UK.

aresnz | December 01, 16:46 CET

I didn`t like GOTR music, but i like Jame´s voice, so i hope he changes his style.

Angel TheVampire | December 01, 20:22 CET

"Besides, I get the impression he's doing this because he loves music and for his own self-fulfillment, not as an ego trip. I think we'd all follow our dreams if we had the means to do so."

Well said, killinj! I couldn’t agree more. Also, there’s something wonderfully compelling about a performer who so obviously loves what he or she is doing - and James definitely falls into that category. I can’t afford to go to England, but I’ll unequivocally be purchasing his CD.

showgirl | December 02, 01:27 CET

"I didn`t like GOTR music, but i like Jame´s voice, so i hope he changes his style. "

From all the reports I've heard from Halloween that's exactly what he did, changed his style or more accurately - it seems he went back to a style that fits him best.

[ edited by Gracie on 2004-12-03 00:54 ]

Grace | December 02, 08:54 CET

Yeah - I just wish that he would check on other events before he books his gigs - lol - very inconsiderate of him - the two dates that he has announced clash with a Common Rotation gig in London and with the Firefly convention Serenity. The Halloween event clashed with another Angel/Firefly event too. Tut. :-)

Cider | December 02, 16:55 CET

Well as both he and Common Rotation are playing several gigs fans should get a chance to see both and also to catch a gig *and* go to the con ( The James live site shows several dates as "tba")

The *clashing" Common Rotation/ James dates are in different cities so the chances are that they'd atract different audiences .. of course some fans may want to see all gigs on both tours and they have some tough choices to make :)

At the end of the day I'm sure that schedules are tight and if James is over here doing the Shakespeare reading thing it makes sense to schedule a tour around that.

I have tickets to two Common Rotation Gigs and one James gig so far, waiting to see if I can get to any of the venues that have yet to be announced ( booked the time off work just in case)

debw | December 02, 17:31 CET

I was daydreaming yesterday about how instead of the likes of OzFest or Glastonbury we could have BuffyFest 2004.

Music acts would include:

James Marsters
Common Rotation
Kane
Anthony Steward Head
Andy Hallett
and last but not least Joss Whedon on piano playing Mandy as David Boreanaz sings.

Simon | December 02, 17:35 CET

Wot, Simon, no Amber? Well I'm not going then . . .

(added) Well, RavenU just posted exciting news of the Marsters/Hallett/Benson hook-up in Houston, so it looks like Simon's dream is one step closer . . .

[ edited by SoddingNancyTribe on 2004-12-03 01:05 ]

SoddingNancyTribe | December 02, 17:43 CET

Simon

where can I buy virtual tickets???

and can Numfar do a dance recital?

debw | December 02, 17:56 CET

You know, he has said he admires Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell and so it seems natural he should perform in the habitat that he most enjoys.

I didn't enjoy GOTR--they seemed out of snyc on the Sharon Osborne Show, like they weren't playing TOGETHER and with musicians that indicates they weren't listening to each other and if you aren't listening to each other, you are not submitting to the bigger sound and if you don't submit; I won't either. So I thought it was very, very wise they broke up after that.

I, will, however be interested in James as a Ballad singer. He was throw down excellent in Buffy The Musical. As some posts have already pointed out--heart is a very important part of the ballad. I am genuinely curious to hear him. (I might even buy a CD unpreviewed and everything)

I glad he is doing what makes him happy--and I, for one, trust that desire is the magnet for success. I suspect he's knows something about himself in this venue that we don't and I'm gonna say good luck.

But, man, I respect him as an actor. God. It is really so rare to see a man willing to do what he can. Someone who can so succesfully resonate deep feeling in masculinity, so much so--he makes it seem new to the world. And maybe, in a way, when he does; it becomes almost a new standard and the long hoped for role model. (Women hope)

If I were to try to think of another actor who can combine what he does...man, I'd have to go back to Richard Widmark maybe. Check out the old movie 'Garden of Evil', my friends, or 'Flight to Alyoshia' (spelling). Richard Widmark opened his heart in those movies to love in way I thought was unique until, well...you know who. Other than that, I can't think of anybody who can combine the adventure genre/machoism and genuine submission to love. Hmm...Robin Williams, maybe. He can crack open the cardiac.

So, I hope he doesn't get too sidetracked--I think we need him out there; but even if he does. That's his choice too.

It is his life--we just get to watch it.

BforBeth | December 02, 17:59 CET