VIDEO RELEASE: "Muscle & Want" - Simon Raymonde

[mmmender]

Most of you already know about Simon Raymonde's solo album "Blame Someone Else" but what you may not know is that back in 1997 I directed the music video for a track from that album called "Muscle & Want." I also wrote the lyrics to the song, which actually started out as a poem of mine that Simon really liked.

After the video was finished it, along with the only other promo music video made for his album ("In My Place") was released on the official "Blame Someone Else" video compilation. The compilation was only available on VHS through the online Bella Union shop. Now VHS is a dead format and the compilation is no longer available.

At the time no video clips of either music video were ever created or made available online for viewing.......until now. For the first time ever you can watch my "Muscle & Want" music video online at youtube.com (link below).

I thought this would also be a good time to share some of the promotional items given to me by Simon as thanks for my contributions to his album.

This is a letter from Simon (on Cocteau Twins letterhead - address removed) thanking me for writing the words to the song.........

http://www.cocteautwins.org/%7Eleesa/cocteautwins/cgraphix/BSE/simonletter.JPG

This is a framed copy of the CD the insert and a signed promo
photograph of Simon.........

http://www.cocteautwins.org/%7Eleesa/cocteautwins/cgraphix/BSE/FRAMED_BSE.jpg


This is a close-up of the CD booklet in the frame
opened at the credits section where my name is written
to serve as a keepsake

http://www.cocteautwins.org/%7Eleesa/cocteautwins/cgraphix/BSE/BSE_CREDITS.jpg

This is a copy of the original VHS box layout that became
the template for producing the video compilation boxes

http://www.cocteautwins.org/%7Eleesa/cocteautwins/cgraphix/BSE/videoboxsmall.jpg


If you'd like to watch the music video, here are the links...........I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_dV6fn0IUg

H_dV6fn0IUg

[edward]

the video is great. I never got such a good look at Simon. I thought his record was good. My favorite song was "the 7th Day", but I always thought "Muscle and Want" was great. Seriously, I love that song.

[PearlyDew]

Leesa...I really like Simon's album, and now I have to admit that "Muscle and Want" was one of my fave tracks from the start...and I didn't even read credits thus didn't know you penned it. My bad! Anyway, the video is quite nice, and I'm wondering if you could tell us more about it. Did you actually shoot it, and if so what are the locations, like that river? Did you also edit it and if so did you do it in Canada or across the pond? How much give and take between producer/director of the vid (you!) and the musical artist (Mr Simon!)???

P.S. It is good to see Simon up close again, since I had the privilege of meeting him backstage in Atlanta. Besides his brilliant work with CT, I owe a great indebtedness to Simon for his work with the late, great Billy Mackenzie. Billy Mac is my all-time fave male singer, and I play that solo album all the time. Simon helped me to buy it as an import when it came out; at the time it was very hard to acquire. Thank you, Simon! Lookin' good in Leesa's vid!