James

我們又失去了一個偉大的樂團.

如果大家有空請大家仔細讀完這份聲明,
你會看到一個偉大的音樂家對於樂團的熱愛,對於團員的感謝與不捨,
對於音樂的執著,對於過往青春的留念,對於樂迷的信任.

讀這份聲明時我一面播放著他們今年的專輯Pleased to meet you,
讀到某些字句時,配合著Tim Booth在James中最後的聲音,
著實讓我久久不能自己.

紀念James,90年代最秀逸的英倫之聲.1986-2001.

Tim's Statement Regarding His Departure From James

Dear friends,

After much deliberation I have decided it's time for me to leave JAMES.
When we started the band we always said we'd give it a year and see
how it went. If you had told me we'd last nearly 20 years I'd have asked
you what drugs you were on. I am leaving on a high.
The tour is selling well and will be a great farewell party.
For the last two years we have been getting on better with each other
than ever before. We have made a C.D that I believe to be our best since
Laid; yes I have heard that reviews state otherwise but by not reading
them I keep myself in a blissful bubble of ignorance.
Although some of the Summer gigs were a bit hit and miss the last gig
we did, in Athens was one of the best we have ever done.

So why am I leaving? Well because I want to stop while we are on top.
為何我要離開呢? 因為我希望當我們站在巔峰時停止.
To leave great memories knowing that I feel proud of just about everything
we have done.
我為我們所做過的一切事情感到驕傲,那些美好的回憶.
And I am leaving because it feels like THE RIGHT TIME.
This is an intuitive decision enabling me to let go of a huge commitment
and make space for something new to come in.
I am sure the press will try and find all kinds of smaller reasons

and many of them may be factually true. But this is the greater truth.

I am mid-way through a screen play - which may just be for an audience
of one. I am looking forward to teaching creativity workshops,
to act and create some new music.
If you want to keep in touch, my own web-site should be running
by December at timbooth.net.

I don't know what the rest of the guys are going to do but I want to thank
them for an amazing ride and for taking my departure so well.
For those of you who hate award acceptance thank you's turn away now.
I want to thank all the musicians who have ever played in James
throughout our various incarnations. Also massive thanks to Peter Rudge,
Brian Eno, Traci, Geoff, Simon, Louise, Laurie, Nicola, Neil, Richard,
Marsha, Martine, Michael, Joyce, Martin, Angelo and other allies too
numerous to mention or remember. I've also got to thank my own
personal crew of Kate, Ben, Mepps and Avril.

And finally you. The quality of your listening has enabled us to produce
quality. Your faith in us has lifted us to higher levels.
因為你們的聆聽讓我們做出更有質感的唱片,你們的信念支持我們到更高的等級.
It seems like you have managed to always see us through the smokescreen
of hipness and cool that the music industry is drowning in.
Thank you for listening. Much love.

Tim