Hi everybody,

I first wish you an exciting new year. And 2017 should be great indeed, as I've just read in SFexaminer that a new Midge album was on its way: "new BMG album coming this year, featuring orchestral versions of signature Ultravox and solo-catalog songs."

Does anybody know more about that album? ;-)

Dominic

Midge has talked about this a few times. Basically what you say above. He has been working on Orchestral versions of old Vox and solo tracks which he is hopeing to get released soon

Hi David,

Thanks for your reply. What I wanted to mean is: will Midge release an "orchestral" album like Visage did a couple of years ago (ie tracks re-arranged with a "real "orchestra") or will he re-work these tracks himself in studio?

Dominic

He hasnt really said . Just described it as an Orchestral album.
To be honest I assumed he meant that it would be performed by an orchestra - but I can now see your alternative

My guess on this is that it would be orchestral backing, with Midge vocals. That's just a guess though, I've heard absolutely nothing about this so far.

There is also talk of a "proper" new solo album this year , and the already released track Glorious with Rusty Egan ( picking up a few plays on Janice Long show on BBC Radio 2 - just needs to break through onto daytime ) , so 2017 is setting up to be a good year

That might be good timing, as we cant be expecting any UV action, considering Billy seems resolute in hanging up his UV jacket (his latest news message confirms as such)

I do think Midge needs a banging new tune to get some ears wagging, there's only so many breakfast-time articles he can mobilize to spread his gospel

I hope you're guessing right, Cerise... A real orchestra back-up would sound definitely more "Ultravox"... Now, it'd be great if Billy Currie could be involved in that project too

This new interview ( in the last couple of paragraphs ) talks a bit more about the orchestral album - and the possibility of taking it out live.

Have you got a link please

Yes - that might have helped ! I was hoping you were all psychic

http://www.australianmusician.com.au/midge-ure-something-from-everything-tour-interview/

Haha thanks for that interesting reading!

With BMG behind it and a potential for live show(s) I hope we'll see/hear something soon.

This got me thinking about what tracks we might hear on the album, which would work well with an orchestra?

This is the list I came up with and I did consider the fact that it'll probably be the more well known songs that make up the release

The Voice
Vienna
Hymn
One Small Day
Dancing..
Live
If I Was
The Gift
Wastelands
No Regrets
Cold Cold Heart
Breathe
Live Forever
Spielberg Sky
Monster
Dear God
Let It Rise
Call Of The Wild

This may be too long for a single cd, but I think we may get a single from this and maybe we'll get extra tracks on that?

Fairly safe set I think, but as I said with BMG involved I think they'll want as many recognizable songs as possible.

Anyone else got any thoughts?

I wouldnt have thought he would record more than was necessary for a single album. I can imagine each track being a slow expensive task
What about RTWW ?
If he wanted an instrumental I can imagine Astradyne being more suitable than Monster

A few more words in this interview - including talk of a "proper" new album, though he does say he has been concentrating more on the Orchestral stuff
http://sootmagazine.com/midge-ure-ultravox-australian-tour-2017/

On BBC Radio Bristol today Midge said Orchestral album wil be released in November ( though we all know how bad Midge is with schedules ) . He described it more as a film soundtrack interpretation of tracks rather than just a straight "Vienna with strings" , so it sounds as it may be non-vocal .

It is a "real orchestra" (recorded just a few weeks ago), yes it is with vocals (not an instrumental album) , and (unless someone moves the goal posts) he is pretty close with a November release....more info from the powers that be soon it seems....

Really looking forward to this one; hopefully Midge will make sure the orchestra adds the extra 'oomph' lacking from previous efforts (i.e. Mike Batt's RPO Vienna, not to say that was bad).

There was an interview with Midge today in the internet. He said that the album will released in December. Really looking forward

Anyone subscribed to this at all? Was wondering what the rest of the article says, does it mention more tracks on the album?

No - the full article goes on to list other new releases , but nothing else about "Orchestrated". ( You can take out a free 4 week subscription with no risk - they dont ask for any payment details , so no chance of getting charged)

Berenice has said it will be available on pre-order at the UK shows - but dont know if she meant this was actual CDs on sale - or just taking orders for future delivery.

Full info here, at last...
https://midgeure.tmstor.es/?ac=uvx

Just back from the first night of the tour in Glasgow. Great night. The album pre-order at the show is for the deluxe version with the signed setlist. You get a lanyard with a code for the website. They also play a short film about the album before Midge's set, with snippets of some of the songs. Hymn sounds awesome, and DWTIME is very different to the version we all know. Ordinary Man is a new song written specifically for orchestra.

Looking at the website homepage, there's a link to (presumably) the same film, and you still get the lanyard. But you don't get the live show or get to meet Claire Grogan and the Christians.

Going to order mine Saturday at Guildford. I am hoping that the setlist posted on Setlist FM is not right as the show seemed shorter than the German shows, about six songs short from what I could see

The album taster sounds great and I think if it gets pushed by the record company, will do really well.