Breakfast In Spain - Roger Hodgson and Supertramp website

Berlin, December 13

John Helliwell and Jesse Siebenberg In the EXCALIBUR LIVE

Paris, first of June 2010

John Helliwell, guest star.

                               Text and photos by Miguel Angel Candela

en español a continuación

ALAN PARSONS Live Project at the Olympia, Paris, 1st June 2010

Alan Parsons was in Paris for a unique show at the Olympia... John Helliwell (Supertramp) was the special guest of the show and performed saxophone solos on three tracks.

What a superb show for the Alan Parsons and Supertramp fans like me !!
In case you knew my review about Excalibur show and tour in January, you already know that both artists were playing together on that tour, so it was easy to keep in touch for some collaborations, now and future.

For all of you that already know the Alan's show (else, you can know the show thanks to the official DVD Alan Parsons in Madrid, on his own website www.AlanParsonsMusic.com) there are three big changes on this tour 2010:

1. Band line up has changed this year. Only the singer PJ Olson remains in the band. the rest of members are new.

2. This year Alan has included the number "The turn of the friendly card" (the whole B side !!) to please many fans.
By the way Alan said before the song, that it was recorded precisely in Paris, which caused great applause.
Actually, was one of the best numbers, we enjoyed a lot. Thank you so much Alan for this nice surprise !

3. For this show John Helliwell, member of Supertramp on saxophone, performing three numbres:
"Don't answer me", "Old and Wise" and "Games people play".

Alan is an active part of the show, playing the guitar, the electric guitar and Yamaha Motif keyboard. In addition to singing background vocals on all tracks, where he is lead vocals on several tracks like "Don't answer me", "Eye in the sky", "The turn of the friendly card", "Games people play", among others.
And he came to the public on numerous occasions, feeling very comfortable and always giving love to the audience.
Audience had a great time and sent back lots of love and care to Alan.

Also performed a new song (find more info on his website) called "All our yesterdays".

Alan is one of the biggest names in modern music history, having worked and produced countless bands, apart from his long discography. So it's an honor to enjoy one of his shows, where everything sounds great.

But this site is about Supertramp and we have to focus on John too!
The truth, just go on stage on "Don't answer me" and before start playing, the theater collapsed under a tremendous applause. People did not know anything about his performance in the show, so it was clear that his image is well known and loved in Paris.
Perhaps most of people remember his "Bonsoir Paris" speach on the famous Paris album, Supertramp.

The truth is that John's solo was wonderful, everyone stand up.
Later came back to the stage in the encore to play the last two songs of the evening, "Old and Wise" and "Games people play." John's playing was great. Chills!!
It's amazing how a song, that can be heard hundreds of times, improves thanks to the addition of a long saxophone jam, that makes the difference. Marvellous. Thank you so much dear John !

John gives color to the songs, it's hard to explain, but all sounds wonderful and without mistakes, melodic and pleasant, with a fluency that only few can imitate.

Curiously, the saxophone he used in the concert is current Laurent's saxophone, from "The Logical Tramps (Supertramp tribute band www.logicaltramp.co.uk/) who lives in Paris.
The saxophone, it's actually an old (and terrific) saxophone John sold to Laurent years ago, thanks to my contact in 2003 after an interview I did with John in Manchester. The circle was completed :o)

At the end of the concert, the audience standing, Alan and John were merged into a hug to say goodbye to the audience, who had a great time.
It was a great show! And John will be on stage with Supertramp soon ! Can't wait !

MAC

John Helliwell and Alan Parsons together on stage !

Olympia de Paris, 1 Junio 2010

Alan Parsons Live Project en el Olympia de Paris, único concierto, con la inestimable colaboración de John Helliwell, saxofonista de Supertramp !

Vaya un pedazo de show para los amantes de Alan y Supertramp como yo !!!
Si habéis visto en esta web mi crónica sobre el show y gira Excalibur en Enero, ya sabréis que allí coincidieron ambos artistas, con lo que ha sido fácil mantener el contacto para esta y futuras posibles colaboraciones.

Para los que ya conozcáis el show de Alan (y si no lo conocéis, podéis haceros una idea con en DVD oficial de Alan Parsons en Madrid, en su propia web www.AlanParsonsMusic.com) han habido tres grandes novedades en este show:

1. Este año ha cambiado la banda, solo queda el cantante PJ Olson. El resto de componentes es novedad.

2. Este año Alan ha incluido el tema "The turn of the friendly card" (la cara B entera !!) para satisfacer a muchos fans. Por cierto Alan comentó antes de comenzar la canción, que el tema fué grabado precisamente en París, lo que provocó un gran aplauso del público.
De hecho fué uno de los mejores temas de la noche. Muchas Gracias Alan por esta sorpresa !

3. La presencia de John Helliwell de Supertramp al saxo, interpretando tres temas:
"Don't answer me", "Old and Wise" y "Games people play".

Alan es parte activa del show, interpretando la guitarra acústica, la eléctrica y su teclado Yamaha Motif a lo largo de todos los temas. Además de cantar coros en todos los temas, donde es voz principal en temas como Don't answer me, Eye in the sky, The turn of the friendly card, Games people play, entre otros.
Y acercándose al público en numerosas ocasiones, con quien se encuentra muy a gusto y siempre dando cariño a la audiencia, cosa que sorprende por su gran tamaño y aspecto serio.
El público se lo pasó en grande y le mostró su admiración y cariño a Alan continuamente durante todo el concierto.

También interpretaron un tema inédito (encontraréis más info en su web) llamado "All our yesterdays".

Alan es uno de los nombres más importantes en la historia de la música moderna, habiendo trabajado y producido a infinidad de bandas, aparte de su larga discografía. Así que es todo un honor disfrutar de uno de sus shows, donde todo suena impecable.

Pero esta web es de Supertramp y nos tenemos que centrar en John también !!
La verdad, y sin exagerar, solo salir al escenario en el tema "Don't answer me" y antes de empezar a tocar, el teatro se vino abajo del estruendo de aplausos. La gente no sabía nada sobre su actuación en el show, así que quedó claro que su imágen es muy conocida y querida en París.
Quizás todos recuerdan su "Bonsoir Paris" del famoso album Paris de Supertramp.

La verdad es que el solo de John fué tremendo, y nos puso a todos en pie.
Más adelante volvió a salir ya en los bises para interpretar los dos últimos temas de la velada, "Old and Wise" y "Games people play". donde John se lució de lo lindo. Que pasada !!!!
Es increíble como una canción que puedes haber escuchado cientos de veces, cambia tanto añadiendo una larga improvisación de saxo que te pone los pelos de punta. Una maravilla. Mil Gracias John !!

John da un color a las canciones difícil de explicar, y todo suena maravilloso y sin estridencias, mas bien melódico y agradable, con una fluidez que pocos son capaces de imitar.

Como curiosidad, el saxo que usó en el concierto es el de nuestro amigo Laurent, de "The Logical Tramps" (banda tributo de Supertramp www.logicaltramp.co.uk/) que vive en Paris.
Dicho saxofón, se trata en realidad de un viejo ( y buenísimo ) saxo que John le vendió a Laurent, gracias a mi contacto, en el año 2003 tras una entrevista que le hice a John en Manchester. Todo queda en casa :o)

Al final del concierto, con el teatro entregado Alan y John se fundieron en un abrazo para despedirse de la audiencia, que lo pasó en grande.
Fué un gran show !! Y en cuatro días tenemos a John por aquí con Supertramp !

MAC

Alan Parsons on stage: 

Con mi amigo John y Mr. Alan:

Cologne, January 18

John Helliwell and Alan Simon on stage:

Text and photos by Miguel Angel Candela

en español a continuación

EXCALIBUR show. the celtic Opera

Big show with good music, important artists, orquesta, electric band, dancers, acrobats, medieval fights, horses, fire, fire works, explosions, huge video screen, sirs, monsters, ... a big Celtic Opera. More than 60 people on stage some times.

All created by Alan Simon (composer, producer and co-director) who already created Excalibur I a decade ago (album in 1998, and tour in 1999-2000, with Roger Hodgson)

Excalibur-II album was release February 2007 (see "news" in home page) and since year 2009 tour is on-going, despite Crisis times. A big sucess all nights.

Main artists are Alan Parsons, John Helliwell (Supertramp), Johnny Logan, Les Holroyd (Barclay James Harvest) and Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)

On backstage I was able to see the nice atmosphera, lots of people everywhere, (like a fancy dress party), and big organization.
Show is really nice, I enjoyed a lot, lot of visual effects and good music, all synchronized.

Alan Parsons performs couple new songs, and John Helliwell is the saxophone player during all show, performing some "solo" too.

Interesting thing, show includes couple songs from last edition (last decade with Roger Hodgson) like "Celtic Dreams" and "The elements" (performed now by Johnny Logan instead of Roger Hodgson).

Last part of thw show is spectacular, Alan Simon performs last number and then he say thanks to the audience, really touched, and he introduced to all artists one by one, they doesn't fit on stage !.

I admire what Alan Simon managed, that's not easy. I mean lot of important artists, orchestra, dancers, acrobats, actors, all together like a big family as I was able to see on bakstage, really nice feelings around. Chapeau Monsieur Alan !

I added my little speck of sand, when three years ago I managed contact between organization and Alan Parsons, who joined the project. This makes me happy, big pleasure. And, how to explain my feelings when I saw Alan Parsons and John Helliwell together on stage, Wonderful !!!.
Now, my next dream, Alan Parsons and Roger Hodgson together. Who knows....

Excalibur show, Please don't miss it !!!

02/01/2010 - Bremen AWD Dome
04/01/2010 - Mannheim SAP Arena
07/01/2010 - Hamburg Colorline Arena
08/01/2010 - Leipzig Arena
09/01/2010 - Hannover TUI Arena
13/01/2010 - Munich Olympiahalle
16/01/2010 - Berlin Max-Schmeling-Halle
18/01/2010 - Cologne Lanxess Arena
19/01/2010 - Stuttgart Schleyerhalle
21/01/2010 - Zurich Hallenstadion
22/01/2010 - Oberhausen Arena
23/01/2010 - Frankfurt Festhalle
26/01/2010 - Nuremberg Arena Nürnberger Versicherung

John Helliwell and Alan Parsons together on stage !

 Colonia,18 de Enero

 
Fantástico mega-show con importantes artistas, orquesta, acróbatas, bailarinas, luchas medievales, caballeros y caballos, fuego, explosiones, enormes pantallas de video, zancudos, monstruos, y buena música. Más de 60 personas en el escenario en varias ocasiones, toda una Opera Celta como se definen a sí mismos.

Todo ello obra de Alan Simon, que ya comenzó la andadura de Excalibur con el primer disco en 1998 (y gira posterior durante 1999-2000) y ahora vuelve con una segunda versión mucho más espectacular. El disco de Excalibur-II se publicó en Febrero 2007, y desde el año pasado, a pesar de la crisis, se están haciendo representaciones por varios paises con bastante exito de audiencia.

Entre los artistas destacan Alan Parsons, John Helliwell (Supertramp), Johnny Logan, Les Holroyd (Barclay James Harvest) y Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)

Entre bambalinas he podido ver el gran ambiente entre los artistas, muy buena atmósfera, gente disfrazada por todas partes como en una fiesta de disfracs y lo complicado del montaje. Que locura !
El show es muy entretenido por la variedad de números y efectos visuales.
Alan Parsons interpreta un par de canciones inéditas, y John Helliwell es el saxo de la banda durante todo el show, con algún que otro número solista para destacar.

Como curiosidad, en el show se han incluido algunos temas de la edición de hace una decada (donde participaba Roger Hodgson) como "Celtic Dreams" y "The elements" (antes interpretado por Roger y ahora por Johnny Logan.

Los minutos finales son apoteósicos, donde Alan Simon interpreta el último tema y visiblemente emocionado da las gracias al público y va presentando a todos los artistas uno por uno, que practicamente no caben en el mega-escenario.

La verdad tiene un gran mérito lo que ha conseguido Alan, conseguir juntar todos estos artistas en un proyecto común, orquesta, acrobatas, actores, performers, etc,... y moverlos de ciudad en ciudad a diario con un gran espíritu de familia.
Me quito el sombrero Alan !

Yo personalmente aporté mi granito de arena al poner en contacto a la organización con Alan Parsons hace tres años y de esta manera se sumó al proyecto. Para mi todo un placer, y sobre todo ver juntos a Alan Parsons y John Helliwell en el escenario, que pasada !!!. Eso me hace muy feliz.
Ahora solo me falta cumplir otro gran sueño, ver juntos a Alan Parsons y Roger Hodgson. Estoy en ello..

Si teneis oportunidad de ver este show no os lo perdáis !!

MAC

Alan Parsons on stage:

Con mi amigo John y Mr. Alan:

Youtube: Supertramp & Creme Anglaise John Helliwell – Interview 2007

The showman
SAXOPHONE PLAYER
Birth date: February, 1945
Birth place: Todmorden, ENGLAND 

From the JOHN HELLIWELL website :
I was born in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England (U.F.O. centre of the U.K. ) in 1945 and grew up, rather sheltered from the big world, in the quite austere 1950s. I sang in the church choir and had piano lessons for a year at age nine.
After hearing Monty Sunshine play “Petite Fleur” with Chris Barber's Jazz Band, I was inspired, and saved up for two years to buy a clarinet for £15 when I was thirteen. I soon began to appreciate “modern” jazz and bought a saxophone two years later.
My inspirations then were Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and Art Blakey.
When I left school I went to Birmingham to work as a computer programmer. There I played with various bands and groups including “The Dicemen” (we wore “Beatle” suits with trousers so tight we had to be lifted on to the stage) and “Jugs O'Henry” with whom I turned professional in 1965. “Jugs..” was short-lived, and, after putting an advertisement in the “Melody Maker” music weekly which read “Have sax, will travel”, I joined “The Alan Bown Set” with whom I spent six years.
We made several albums, played thousands of gigs, and had the singers Jess Roden, Gordon Neville and Robert Palmer.
Our music progressed (or regressed, depending on your point-of-view) from soul music to quite free jazzy rock, calling in on flower-power and psychedelia on the way.


BREAKFAST IN SPAIN INFO

MORE INFO:
Please read the interesting INTERVIEW I made to John in 2003 in Manchester, near his home.
Por favor, leer esta interesante ENTREVISTA que le hice a John en 2003 en Manchester, cerca de su casa.

John announces a new album in Oct 2022: DON'T EVER LEAVE ME

But, a special musical project for John is his own jazz band, called "Creme Anglaise". Mark Hart (Supertramp) is collaborating also on this band. The band performed several shows until now and a CD was released in 2005.
Below you can read my report about the show in Giverny two years ago.


 

JOHN HELLIWELL
CREME ANGLAISE Show in GIVERNY, 11th September 2005

Last weekend I attended the show of Creme anglaise in Giverny, thanks to "mes amis" Fabrice, Jerome and Laurent. The show was great !!! Nice evening. We had fun and enjoyed good music, John described their music as "friendly jazz" during the show. He was even more joker and brightened up than the Supertramp's shows, even dancing from time to time :o) He enjoyed a lot, a lot of solos, and enjoying the solos of keyboards, drums, bass and drums, he was really happy.

John was wearing as usual, so when he was playing and even more speaking, it was like a show of Supertramp :o) and listening the voice of the Paris album again ....

He started the show speaking to the audience "english class....... repeat after me....... my tailor is rich :o)" and later........ "the tailor of Arthur (the keyboard player) is not rich !!! laughs...... He explained some changes in the line up of the band for that nigth, so the name of the band was "Creme Fresh" for that show :o)

Mark Hart was on stage too (he cames from LA just for the show and back home the next day) and he composed some of the songs. He even played "lullaby for Channing" (from his own album) and other great songs. Alan Simon and Lulano (Gaia Project) joined the band for the last track, amazing mix of etnic & jazz. It was a party.

Jazz is not the kind of music I like listening at home and driving, but I enjoy jazz LIVE due to the virtouos musicians, powerful sound and nice rythm. And some of the "sound" of Supertramp is floating in the air when John is playing his own personal style :o)

During the dinner we had fun, I was kidding him about his basic french on stage (like Roger) and John repeated for me the "mythic words" Bonsoir Paris, bienvenue a une soiree avec Supertramp !!!! - in perfect french :o)

Fabrice was helping him selling the first CD of the band during the concert and John felt happy after the first sales of his first own project !!! A big smile from ear to ear......

John will update his web site with info about the next shows soon, and also offering the new CD of Creme Anglaise. I asked to Mark and John about news from Rick, but no news at the moment. So, at the moment all members of Supertramp are doing their own projects (John & Mark, Carl & Cliff, Jesse & Bob)

MAC
Barcelona 

GIVERNY 11 Septiembre 2005

El pasado fin de semana fuí al festival de Giverny en Paris gracias a mis amigos Fabrice, Jerome y Laurent (Logical Tramps). El show fué genial !!! Buena musica y muy divertido, agradable velada. John describió su musica como "friendly jazz" (jazz amigable) durante el show. En realidad es jazz, pero más bien alegre y marchoso, con algún toque (canción) triste por parte de Mark Hart, que incluso interpretó Lullaby for Channing de su ultimo disco. John estaba más suelto y dicharachero incluso que en los shows de Supertramp, bailando incluso de tanto en tanto, siempre bromista y dando la nota, y haciendo que la gente aplauda los solos de los demás musicos. Se notaba que disfrutaba un montón, estaba feliz. Comenzó el show diciendo: "english class....... repeat after me....... my tailor is rich :o)"
y luego........ "the tailor of Arthur (el teclista) is not rich !!! risas......

La verdad que tener a John tocando el saxo a dos metros delante tuyo y vestido como siempre, da una sensación de estar en un concierto de Supertramp ....... y cada vez que habla, parece que escuches el disco Paris .......

Luego en la cena nos reimos un montón y me dijo en perfecto francés sus "miticas palabras" que pronunció en Paris 1979: "Bonsoir Paris !!! Bienvenue a une soiree avec Supertramp !!!! "

Mark Hart tambien estaba allí como dije (vino expresamente de LA como ya hizo otras veces) y es el compositor de algunos de los temas. Alan Simon y Lulano (proyecto Gaia ) se unieron a la banda para la ultima canción, interesante fusión de etnica & jazz. Fué una fiesta.

El Jazz no es la clase de musica que escucho en casa o en el coche (me aburre....) pero en directo es otra cosa: notas el virtuosismo de los músicos en primera persona, el potente sonido de los altavoces, el ritmo rico en matices, etc.... Y algo del sonido Supertramp está flotando en el ambiente cuando John está tocando el saxo y clarinete con su personal estilo y colores :o)

John actualizará su web pronto pues hay más conciertos en la agenda. Y ofrecerá su CD en la web. Fabrice estuvo ayudando vendiendo el primer CD de la banda durante la velada, y John se puso contento cuando vió que se habían vendido los primeros CDs de su primer proyecto auténticamente suyo..... una sonrisa de oreja a oreja !

Pregunté a Mark y John sobre noticias de Rick, pero no tienen noticias de momento. Por eso, por el momento todos los miembros de Supertramp siguen con sus proyectos (John & Mark, Carl & Cliff, Jesse & Bob)

MAC
Barcelona

Photo with Creme Anglaise in London, winter 2004

** Interview APRIL 2009 **

Latest shows, 2009

John Helliwell and his jazz band called "Crème Anglaise"
are performing several shows in U.K. this month (March 2009):

March 7th - Halifax, W. Yorkshire, U.K. - Square Chapel - 7.30 pm.
www.squarechapel.co.uk/events/index.htm

March 18th - Settle, N. Yorkshire U.K. - The Victoria Hall - 8.00 pm.
March 19th - Settle, N. Yorkshire U.K. - The Victoria Hall - 8.00 pm.
www.settlevictoriatheatre.co.uk

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In the summer 2009 John played with Alan Simon's Excaliburproject (www.excalibur-show.com) in Kaltenberg, near Munich, an Italian jazz tour with Raimondo Meli Lupi's Open Frontiers Quartet, and several concerts with Andy Scott's Sax Assault in the UK. John recorded some songs for a CD with Raimondo Meli Lupi (guitar) and Fausto Beccalossi (accordion) in Parma, Italy in early August.

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John will join Leslie ManDoki's "Soulmates" in Berlin (August 28th) and Gyor, Hungary (August 29th) for concerts to celebrate the relase of the "Soulmates II" CD.

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Latest shows, 2010

John will perform again with Alan Simon's Excaliburproject (www.excalibur-show.com) in January 2010, Excalibur II - The Celtic Ring

02/01/2010 - Bremen AWD Dome
04/01/2010 - Mannheim SAP Arena
07/01/2010 - Hamburg Colorline Arena
08/01/2010 - Leipzig Arena
09/01/2010 - Hannover TUI Arena
13/01/2010 - Munich Olympiahalle
16/01/2010 - Berlin Max-Schmeling-Halle
18/01/2010 - Cologne Lanxess Arena
19/01/2010 - Stuttgart Schleyerhalle
21/01/2010 - Zurich Hallenstadion
22/01/2010 - Oberhausen Arena
23/01/2010 - Frankfurt Festhalle
26/01/2010 - Nuremberg Arena Nürnberger Versicherung

 Show in Cologne January 18, please see my own REVIEW & PHOTOS

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 Paris, June 1, 2010

 John featuring Alan Parsons Live Project at the Olympia. John perfomed 3 songs during the show.
Please see my own REVIEW & PHOTOS 

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Manchester, July 23, 2010

John Helliwell officially launching the jazz festival playing a melody of notes stuck to a stave by members of the audience. Funny !
John Helliwell hizo la presentación del festival interpretando una melodía de notas musicales que el público había escrito al azar.
See the VIDEO / Ver el VIDEO

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Supertramp tour, September - November,  2010

John Helliwell joined his band mates for the "70-10" tour around Europe.

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** Interview JULY 2010**   (Excalibur Trilogy journal)

** Interview OCTOBER 2010 **  (Classic Rock)

** Interview OCTOBER 2010 **  (Penny black music) 

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Excalibur Live, 2011

John is performing again with Alan Simon's Excaliburproject (www.excalibur-show.com) in January 2011, Excalibur III - The origins

The tour dates of EXCALIBUR III:

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Excalibur Live, 2016

John is part again of the Excalibur project, The dark age of the Dragon, by Alan Simon. German tour in January 2016

See the tour dates of  EXCALIBUR Live 2016

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Asfalto, 2017/2018

John has colaborated with the spanish band "Asfalto". He played 3 gigs in Madrid, Tarragona and Barcelona

See our Report (Barcelona 27th of January 2018) 

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Rock Meets Classic, 2018

John is part of the Rock meets Classic tour 2018, with Jesse Siebenberg

See our Report (Zurich, April 9) 

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Big Band Supertramp, 2018

John leads the epic Storyhouse big band for a set of special arrangements of Supertramp’s biggest and best songs.

See our Report (Chester, July 13) 

 MAC