Barb>Hello Isaac Welcome to The Cryan' Shames Chatroom.
Barb> So what have you been doing since the Shames?
Isaac> Started have we? Ive been seriously thinking about growing up.
Barb> Isaac ya can't grow up if ya do that ya grow old *smile*
Isaac> Yeah you see it all around you. So what was Carter saying, I would love to see him again.
Barb> He said this with the Homepage has been a Hoot he loves it He will be coming to Chicago for the Cellar reunion the 31st I heard.
Isaac>Sue C mentioned the Cellar re-union sounds brilliant, wish I could beam over for that one. I was amused by the transcripts of the Fairs Chat in specially where he mentions next summer, thats the first I've heard, Hi Kerri
Kerri> Hello Isaac, You don't know me but I sure have heard all about you. *SMILE*
Isaac> Gee what does one say? It aint true. I'm not familiar with these conventions but I like the smiles
Kerri> You'll catch on!
Isaac>Ok I'm smiling now
Barb>Well Isaac I talked to James 4 times this week what do you think of the new CD Idea?
Kerri> We "smile" and"HUG" a lot in these chat things we also make a lot of silly typos!!
Isaac> Guess I'll fit in, The new CD idea is interesting only if there is some evolution, with Fairs involved that is sure to be the case.
Barb> Yeah he is a real go getter*laugh* and a lot of fun to work with. What are some of your ideas for the CD?
Isaac> I have only just heard a cassette he sent and trying to see/hear where he is going. I as yet have no real feel for what he wants to do but I have a lot of faith in him.
Barb> He said you were the greatest I agree I have been to your page and listened to your Audio files
Isaac> I'm lucky
Barb> Where can we purchase your Albums, Tell us about them.
Isaac> I was going to say that through all the intervening years I have remained in touch with Fairs and visited him every few years wherever he lived, he was always the driving force creativly. It took many years for me to realise how much he influenced the way I think and work.
Barb> Yes we have been told that from JC , Tom and all also You too had a very major impact on The Shames. Loved your songs on The Synthesis Album.
Isaac>The most recent release called "The Atlantic Years" is actually my first solo LP and Fairs came over to help me with it, he plays all over it and arranged many of the best moments.
Barb>Thats great I didn't know that....
Isaac> He brought me a song called "Sidewalks of America" written by Geoff Boyan ( Saturday's Children) that song got my record deal in 1973.
Barb>Geoff is going to be at the Cellar reunion also James has sent me some of his songs, they are Fantastic. Are your Albums available in The US?
Isaac>I would like to hear those songs. No I dont have US distribution but I am getting a secure site to take orders. Since Earth tuner picked up my stuff the response has been incredible and I am having trouble dealing with it. Give me your mailing address and I will be happy to send you what I have as thanks for your efforts for the Shames.
Kerri> And Barb You take good care of it so I can listen when I come up!!
Kerri> Do you do all of your own music on the recordings? ie, different tracks?
Barb> That is very Nice of you Isaac Thank You so very much.
Isaac> There are five CDs. Three of them are just voice and guitar recorded Live and are a mix of covers, originals, and instrumentals. One CD is %90 original and all instrumental. All this stuff is on the site.
Barb> Oh and it is great too....
Isaac>Thanks
Kerri> I heard that your mom taught you to play guitar! Do you play any other instruments?
Isaac> I always considered that the luckiest thing because if your parents play, as a kid you think it cant be that hard cause my folks are stupid. It is the best start for confidence. I was put into classical piano when I was five and didnt get into guitar until I discovered girls
Kerri> Ahhhhh Girls......the TRUTH uncoverd! *SMILE*
;Barb> Yep I was a groupie when Pat was in a band *Smile* he was a blind date been married 30 years so rock and roll is great.
Isaac> Yup, as Steve Cropper said " if a man tells you he started playing for any other reason he is lying"
Kerri> I will certainly remember THAT!! I know a few guitar players!
Barb> Laughing here I heard that was Jagger and Lennon's reason too.
Isaac> Well Ive been married once for eleven years, I came close for another five, and now very happy & am going on 12 years, so thats 27 years but with three different women.
Barb> Thats great you have a new son also right?
Isaac> Yes and and the risk of sounding sexist, after three daughters this little guy has changed my life.
Barb> Is your son as charming as you? Isaac sounds like he is.
Kerri> You sound like a proud dad....not at all sexist
Kerri> Isaac....I admit,I am a webpage "snob" GIGGLE You have a very nice page and it is obvious that you have put a lot of work into it.
Isaac> I have an old friend in Florida who does my site for love.
Kerri> Well it shows....it is very nice, and I'm sure you get quite a few hits!!!
Barb> What type of guitar have you bought him? To start his Career on at such a young age.
Isaac> Since we put up the audio, and other stations have picked it up, it is getting busier every week.
Ive got so many guitars here he can take his pick *smile*
Barb> Thats great how was your recent tour?
Isaac> Clockwork except for the 90 min of music which is still what I live for. Hi Steve
;SteveM> It took me an hour to figure out how to get in. Firewall at work and sensitive password at home.
Barb> I will asume this is my brother in law in Ca Right?
Isaac> Glad youre here it is starting to resemble a party
Barb> Ok Isaac lets rock!!!! Do you have plans for a US tour? Isaac....what does the future hold for you?
Isaac> Having waited to get in at the right level, I did so a few years ago and played two huge tours with John Renbourn, that door has now closed due to insufficient interest from the agency, I have a CD to release here next year, and then will think about setting up new connections to organise a US tour.
Kerri> That would be GREAT!!!
Barb> Thats sounds GREAT!!!!!!! Tell us about the CD
Isaac> I sold a lot of records on those tours, and I know they are working for me. The new CD will be the live guitar & voice format. High wire with no net.
Kerri> Sounds EXCITING...when do you expect it to be released? And is this one we will have to write to you to purchase?
Barb> Sounds Awsome !!!!will we get a sneak preview?
Isaac> I.m taking time over this one as it may be the last. Dont worry my health is great I just think I've said everything with this one. I'm sure a promo copy will find you. As I compile the tracks I can probably send something. But this is months away.
Barb> No Problem we will wait How did the name the Flying Cranes come to be? *smile*
Isaac> I think it was Fairs in a cynical moment down memory lane.
Barb> Sounds like James. Have you kept in touch with the other band members?
Isaac> Everyone who is online. I have great memories of the way we all worked together. When we met up for the Chicago-fest in 82, I was knocked out by how well the team functioned on the biological level.
Kerri> I understand that over the years you have had the opportunity to perform with some *BIG* names. Can you tell us about a few of them? Who they were and what it was like to work with them?
Isaac> Al Stewart was the guy who helped me most in my early days in England. Thanks to him I hit the ground running. You wont recognise many of the English people I've worked with. I did an album with Donovan in 77 he was nice but flakey. was "Video killed the radio star" (Buggles) or Pearls a singer (Elkie Brooks) hits in the US?
Kerri> OF course I know video killed the radio star....
SteveM> I remember hearing Video killed the radio star
Isaac> Thats my guitar
Kerri>that was one of the first songs played on MTV (back when I watched MTV)
Isaac> Trevor Horn is a clever producer and I was his first regular session guitarist.
Isaac> Al Stewart asked me to accompany him at the 71 Cambridge Festival, he was the headline act. When he got an encore he walked up to the mike introduced me and walked off saying have fun, not many people would do that.
Kerri> WOW!!
Barb> Fantastic !!!!!!How did you first meet the Cryan Shames they are a real trip I love them.
Isaac> I caught up with him recently and he is still a nice man. I was in the Revells when we supported the Shames in Cicero.
Barb> Who infuenced your taste in music? Who is also some of your favorite artists?
Barb> The Cryan Shames hired you for your extencive musical abilities and we can see why .... You studied music at 5 different music colleges WOW!!!!!!!!
Isaac> Duke Ellington said there are two kinds of music, good and bad. I have been influenced by everything in category one. I still love Dylan, Simon, Little Feat, Stevie Wonder, the Crusaders and Weather Report. These days the Irish influence is starting to create new ground.
Barb> I love Enya, and Sarah Maclaughan
Isaac> Where do you get five. I was the lead guitar for the Revells and they said we need a bass player, I said yeah but I play guitar, they said yeah but we think you will make a good bass player.
Barb> I got the # 5 from the Shames fanclub newsletter 1967. And you turned out to be a great bass player..A lead guitar player with a Bass!
Barb> Did the Revells cut a lot of records?
Isaac> Thanks, those years on bass taught me a lot about harmony and grooves. The Revells never recorded.
Barb> How about the Illusions did you record with them?
Isaac> One demo in 1964, wish I still had it. Barb please give me your mailing address again on an e-mail so I know I,ve got it. This has been a virginal experience for me.
Kerri> Isaac, you have handled this so well!! like a pro!!
Barb> How many insruments do you play and which is your favorite? Also have you ever went to the Renaissance Festivals in England we go to a few here and love them. I heard they have one in Sherwood Forest.
Isaac> Guitar and a little bass & piano, Folk festivals over here are very traditional events, traditional enough for me. Sherwood Forest is a stunning place, if you ever get over here I'll take you.
Kerri> I went to my first Ren Faire last summer...Barb even talked me into dressing up for it.
Barb> I would love that Isaac!!!!!! I will send you my address email This has been so much fun I want to Thank you for taking the time to Chat with us . Pat is so sorry he had to work he is really disapointed.
Kerri> Isaac, I have really enjoyed chatting with you and hope we can do this again!
Isaac> Thanks for inviting me I look forward to meeting in the flesh one day. Goodnight
Barb> Thanks so much Isaac and Goodnight.