=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S Volume 3, Issue 5 - May 6, 1991 DDDDD D D D D GGGG D D G DDDDD G GGG G G GGG A Debbie Gibson Discussion Forum =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CONTENTS * ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES * AIP: THUMBS UP FROM _CD REVIEW_ - John Shew * AIP: THUMBS DOWN FROM _VOX_ - Ivo Kroone * LIVE AROUND THE WORLD REVIEW - Peter Blomgren * REVIEWS AND LYRICS - Archie Medrano * BILLBOARD REVIEW OF _OHOH_ - Matthew Jung * _ONE HAND, ONE HEART_ PROMO CD - Bill Jackson * WHY _OHOH_ ISN'T GETTING AIRPLAY - Jonathan Bradshaw * WHTZ INTERVIEW ON MAY 1ST - Chris Backa * DEB AT DISNEYLAND ON APRIL 28 - Shaun Stuart * DEBBIE'S DECLINING POPULARITY - Peter Blomgren * IMPRESSIONS OF INTO THE NIGHT - Matthew Jung - Chris Backa - Doug Rambo - John Shew - Ray Wilmott * DEBWATCH * QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS * CLOSING REMARKS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES Please send all submissions to mjung@bloom.ucdavis.edu and use 'SUBMISSION' as the subject. If you do not get a note indicating that we have received your submission within a few days, please remail it. Feel free to send suggestions to that address as well. If you have information that can't wait for publication in a BtL issue, please send such immediate releases to ez003229@castor.ucdavis.edu and send a copy to mjung@bloom.ucdavis.edu. We reserve the right to determine whether to release such information or not. To students who may be losing their accounts for the summer, please let us know so we can remove you from the mailing list. When you return in the fall, please let us know so we can add you back to the mailing list and supply you with the summer issues that you have missed. DISCLAIMER : **************************************************************************** This forum does not necessarily reflect the views of Deborah Ann Gibson, Gibson Management Inc. (GMI), the Atlantic Recording Corporation, or any organizations to which members belong or represent. All songs by Debbie Gibson are copyrighted by Deborah Ann's Music (ASCAP). This forum is a non-profit organization. **************************************************************************** BtL's moderators - * Matthew Jung : mjung@bloom.ucdavis.edu or myjung@ucdavis.bitnet * Sandra Chen : ez003229@castor.ucdavis.edu =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AIP: THUMBS UP FROM _CD REVIEW_ John Shew (uunet!point!akcs.tbbsjohn@csusac.ecs.csus.edu) Thu, 25 Apr 91 13:36 CDT After almost 4000 reviews _CD Review_ magazine finally published a review of a Debbie Gibson album in its May 1991 issue. The review is by Lou Waryncia, the magazine's managing editor. He gave the "Anything Is Possible" album a rating of 7 for performance and a 9 for sound (on a scale of 10.) Here is the review: ------ "I love Debbie Gibson's gift for writing pop songs. Here she expands her synth-pop style with new collaborators and a more mature sound. It's a definite departure for Gibson, so I decided to ask my cousin Sue, a diehard fan, for her impression of the album. Surprisingly, she had mixed feelings at first. But with each listen the disc became more enjoyable for her. I concurred." "A major problem though, is the sequencing. Dividing the 16 songs into ballad and dance sections doesn't work. A more varied mix would give each of them a better environment and make the disc more accessible." "Otherwise, Gibson's sense of melody and vocal prowess keep getting stronger. Her work with legendary songwriter Lamont Dozier is excellent, especially the title cut. Production is also noteworthy. For someone so young, Gibson's talent is unquestionable." ----- Personally, the sequencing doesn't bother me too much. Putting all the dance-type songs together makes sense if you want a dance party atmosphere. Alternating ballads and dance songs might work for casual listening, but if you're like me you get into funky or mellow moods and program your music accordingly. Let's hope this review in a major magazine will cause more people to see Debbie as a serious musician. -John Shew =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AIP: THUMBS DOWN FROM _VOX_ Ivo Kroone (raymond@cs.vu.nl) Tue, 16 Apr 91 22:00:19 MET DST A friend sent me this terrible article on the AIP album. Copied verbatim, without permission, from VOX, February 1991: DEBBIE GIBSON Anything Is Possible (East West) Absolutely incredible. In the space of a few years Ms Gibson has written, performed and produced innumerable hit records, all of them sounding like '70 disco-rehashes ... and no one seems to have noticed. Progress is not a word which springs to mind in this case. Tracks merge in and out of one another. It's your worst soap opera, nightmare on vinyl - predictable, worryingly, addictive ... yet thankfully also disposable. You have to admire a person who can juggle rap, pop and soul into a kind of harmony which despite all good intentions, your feet irritatingly tap along. If this is your cup of herbal tea then you'll be happy - here are 16 more Gibson-goodies to jig along with at the next disco. If you prefer a stronger beverage then you'll be cursing not only this album but also all those bands which Debbie inspired, the manufactured bands that the music biz tries to convince us are Mancunian youth in full flower. It is doubtful whether this will convert the non-committed ... anything is not always possible. (3) Paula Shutkever (that's the one to send your flames to) With the article there is a picture of Debbie (the one from the cover of the AIP album), the comment line reads: "Debbie Gibson: programmed to obey ...". I'm afraid that "3" means 3 out of 10, but I think it must be 3 out of 3 ... -Ivo =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= LIVE AROUND THE WORLD REVIEW Peter Blomgren (bbl%nduvf@sunic.sunet.se) Sun, 5 May 91 17:00 +0200 I have been waiting for this video compilation to be released in Europe for a very long time and, finally, it is now available. I mean, it is we europeans who need this tape - the european ``tours'' have not been very extensive. THE BASIC FACTS Title: Live Around The World Artist: Debbie Gibson Catalog number: 7567-50171-3; Warner Music Vision Classification: E [Exempt from Classification] Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes Content: In Concert Who Loves Ya Baby Over the Wall Lost in Your Eyes Don't Flirt with Me (previously unreleased) Dance to the Music (Motown Medley) Love under My Pillow (previously unreleased) Should've Been the One We Could Be Together No More Rhyme Electric Youth The Videos Staying Together Electric Youth Lost in Your Eyes No More Rhyme We Could Be Together Anything Is Possible + ``in depth'' interviews... FIRST IMPRESSION My first impression of the tape was that is was a disappointment. My expectations were very high and my first feeling was ``oh sh*t, this is not very good'' but by the time _Lost in Your Eyes_ (3rd song) came on I really started enjoying the tape. After I had watched the tape I was happy with it; the mixture of live parts, interviews and the videos is perfect for a first time viewing. However there is no easy way to skip the interview portions if you want to record the live sections on an audio cassette. IN CONCERT "It's showtime!" --- The first song is _Who Loves Ya Baby_. The way Debbie enters the stage is terrifying/exciting - by walking through the audience in a narrow aisle. This is a very dangerous thing to do, I don't understand how they could let her do this; someone {security/anyone with any sense} should have stopped it. ((Did she do this every show, or was it special for the shooting of the video?)) Anyway, it got the audience excited which I suppose was the idea. [Editor's Note: She only did this once in Japan because she thought that the audience would be more reserved.] As she enters the stage -- alive, thank God! -- we get to see the well known silhouettes, but hey! that silhouette is moving, it's Deborah! For this song she's wearing a white t-shirt, ``bicycle pants'' (I don't know what else to call them :-) and a black cap. The set is quite empty and she's not accompanied by dancers. The second song is kicked off with some pyrotechnics (I though those were for metal bands only :-) and the dancers, Buddy and Keeth, join her on stage. ``C'mon boys let's jam!'' - Jam??? Looks choreographed to me... _Lost in Your Eyes_ is next; in the first sequence she sits at the piano, dressed in white - ah, how lovely... Then there's a clip from a soundcheck and then back to the song; now she's dressed in her ``international'' outfit - the one with all the different flags and the japanese rising sun on her left leg. The Debbie-getting-up-on-the- piano sequence features footage from different shows with different outfits; apparently a lot of work went into the compilation. Now it is time for the songs-we've-never-heard-Debbie-perform-before section. _Don't Flirt With Me_, a great up-beat song is followed by an excerpt of the worst (my opinion) song from the Motown Medley - _Dance to the Music_. It might work live but it's not something _I_ can dance to. There's absolutely no reason to turn off the tape; the song that follows, _Love under My Pillow_ is a wonderful duet (Debbie/Keeth). I hope she decides to release this song, it sure blew me away! Before going into _Should've Been the One_ it is time for another change of outfits; this one is reddish-brown (brownish-red? gimme a break, will ya?) with fringes. Under the short divided skirt (?) she's wearing dark tights. She looks stunning until she removes the jacket in _We Could Be Together_. She keeps the same outfit for _No More Rhyme_, which in my opinion calls far a more ``classy'' outfit; I can envision her in a white gown. Maybe the saxophone solo should be a litter longer so she could bring up someone {either one of the dancers, or better someone from the audience} to slow dance with her - it would be perfect. (The incurable romantic in me speaking :-) The version of _Electric Youth_ that follows is the perfect ending to a concert - it leaves you wanting more! DEBBIE ON STAGE Above I have not commented very much on the musical content; this is intentional since (a) You've heard the songs before, (b) Most of you have either seen Debbie live already or have bought this tape long before I did... What strikes me is that the live versions often are _better_ than the studio versions - maybe some of the perfection is lost, but the ENERGY more than compensates for that! It is wonderful to watch someone who's doing exactly what she wants to; she's radiant on stage - it is impossible not to enjoy her music. CAMERAS They must have used a lot of cameras to shoot this video, but still you don't see camera people running around everywhere, great - I hate when half of the people on stage are camera crew; this is quite common in live videos. SOUND QUALITY Apart from a few feedbacks the live recording is excellent, but unfortunately it seems like the conversion (NTSC->PAL) was done in a hurry. In some places there are drop-outs and strange high-pitched noises. Also, the interview parts sound like they were recorded in a trashcan or something. But overall, the tape is enjoyable. THE VIDEOS Since not all songs have been released in Europe, some of the videos have not gotten any airplay at all or have been played once or twice. The tape give us unlucky europeans the chance to, at last, see the videos for _No More Rhyme_ and _Anything Is Possible_. Anything Is Possible: I can't say I like the video - I like to see the artist in a video, especially if the artist is Deb :-) or a good story. If I'm not totally wrong the story in the AIP video is "Man/boy goes off to war, girlfriend worried, man/boy comes home, happy ending." Maybe I'm missing something subtle (or obvious) but I don't think so... Is this really what the song is about? I certainly don't perceive it that way! SUMMARY I'd say this this is an _Essential_ video for all Debbie Gibson fans, even the ``casual'' ones, since it features 2 great songs, _Don't Flirt with Me_ and _Love under My Pillow_, not available on any other format [and also the horrible _Dance to the Music_]. It is definitely worth the money, even if you have to pay swedish sales tax :-) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= REVIEWS AND LYRICS Archie Medrano (MEDRANO@USDCSV.ACUSD.EDU) Sat, 4 May 1991 16:01:15 PDT I. One Hand, One Heart Cassingle Revue This cassingle contains: * "One Hand, One Heart" (album version) and * "The Most Beautiful Love Song" (unavailable on LP) A. "One Hand, One Heart" Accompanied by piano and strings, Debbie does an excellent job of producing, arranging and performing this song. Performing it live in Rick Dees' "Into the Night" and in "Hanging With Hollywood", she does an even better job, accompanied only by a piano. B. "The Most Beautiful Love Song" This song is really beautiful, especially with her high-pitched voice. It sounds similar to OHOH, and it is also accompanied by piano and strings. I love the harmony during the phrase "in the same place, at the same time". Here are the lyrics (what I figured out, with some help from Matthew on some of the words): The Most Beautiful Love Song (Deborah Ann's Music, ASCAP) I wanted to write the most beautiful love song Because we have the most beautiful love But words never came harder It's not as blatant as the day has gone by It's hard to be as unique as you But since it's for you I'll try Were you feeling what I was feeling? Were you dizzy when you let go? Does it seem like sometimes when you're alone I'm the only thing you really know? 'Cause I could be completely mad Broken down in tears, sadder than sad And if there's one thing that could change my mind It's knowing you're not far behind... You touched something inside of me That's been only touched in dreams I never felt my happiness in heartache Go to so many extremes We didn't say what we're supposed to say We just were ourselves It turned out this way Didn't know you're impact It just crept up and swept me away (chorus) 'Cause I could be completely mad Broken down in tears, sadder than sad And if there's one thing that could change my mind It's knowing you're not far behind... No words can get me when they come from you You finish everything You follow through It's not just a matter of consistency Everything you do is new to me... Everytime I talk about it baby I think words Do we really belong In the same place, at the same time? Wasn't sure about faith, but you changed my mind... (repeat chorus) II. Someday (duet by Chris Cuevas and Debbie Gibson) Revue Chris Cuevas does have a good voice, although he's still amateur. The song seems short for a ballad though: there should've been more than two verses. The chorus repeats the same two phrases also. I love Debbie's high-pitched voice in this song and I also love how the pitch of her voice goes from high to low on the phrase "And share this {hi to lo} love forever". Here are the lyrics: Someday (written by Chris Cuevas, Chrississippi Music, Inc./Hats Off Music, Inc. (ASCAP)) (CC) Girl, you know That you are always on my mind And you know That I will be there Right by your side Chorus (duet) Someday, we'll be together And share this love forever Someday we'll be together And share this love forever (DG) It's no fun Living love in your mind And it's just plain too late When you're just plain out of time I think, I wish, I hope, I pray So now I'm gonna make it my reality Someday... (oh) Chorus Solo Chorus =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= BILLBOARD REVIEW OF _ONE HAND, ONE HEART_ Matthew Jung (mjung@bloom.ucdavis.edu) Sun, 28 Apr 91 22:13:10 PDT Copied verbatim without permission from the weekending 4/26/91 issue of Billboard: * DEBBIE GIBSON One Hand, One Heart (4:35) Producer: Deborah Gibson Writer: D. Gibson Publisher: Deborah Ann's Music, ASCAP Atlantic 4-87710 (cassette single) Gibson is at her finest on this lovely ballad, lifted from her underrated "Anything is Possible" set. She continues to prove here that she has songwriting and vocal talent that can transcend pop music's ever-changing trends. Top 40 radio should give her another chance. * - Critic's choice: New Releases, regardless of potential chart action, which the reviewer highly recommends because of their musical merit. [Editor's Note: This was the only single given such honor that week] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= _ONE HAND, ONE HEART_ PROMO CD Bill Jackson (billj@uop.uop.edu) Sun, 21 Apr 91 13:24:25 PDT Atlantic PRCD 3836-2 (One Hand, One Heart) 1991 Approximate Value: $5 Picture: A long-haired Debbie, wearing a flowered outfit, sitting down Tracks(1): 1 - One Hand, One Heart (4:35) Notes: This promo CD continues in the "cheap" tradition of "This So-called Miracle". In fact, except for the picture and the title, this CD is very similar to "TSCM". There are no liner notes and no extra tracks to entice DJ's to play it. It seems that Atlantic has put Deb on the back burner, and it shows. I would not be surprised to see "OHOH" fare as badly as "TSCM" on the charts simply because of a lack of decent promotion. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= WHY _ONE HAND, ONE HEART_ ISN'T GETTING AIRPLAY Jonathan Bradshaw (jonathan@thevoid.fidonet.org) 02:34pm Apr-21-91 I'm gonna say some things that may be construed in a way I don't want them to be. So let me first say that I love Debs and her music as much as anyone else, if not more. Now, I've been talking with my muzik director (send hate mail to J.K. Dearing, WNDU Stations.. ) and he's got some good points. Debs latest and greatest creation was designed for her fans and herself. It has excellent lyrics, emotions, increased vocal quality and overall I wouldn't have her do it any other way. I have never tired of listening to it. So, what's the problem here? Debs is no longer a TOP40 (or CHR as we call it) artist. She's gone beyond that in my opinion. Her songs are not designed for those people who call for "Vanilla Ice" or "The Bartman" -- these people have no care for a song with emotions or feelings. Basically, does it have a beat and would it shock my parents are the only two requirements for a song for many if not most of today's TOP40 buyers. Debs original fans are no longer teenagers and neither is she. Sure, I think Debs could write a song that would go top10, in fact, some of the non-released songs I've heard along with the remixes of the Electric Youth CD have me convinced of it. But to do that she'd have to sacrifice the QUALITY of her music. We know she's good. We know she has a list of awards she has got by her own hard work and talent. She's been to the top a number of times. She doesn't have to prove she's good by trying to get her new album to number 1. I'd love to see it there as much as anyone but with the state of the charts I really don't think it will happen. I have only a couple of worries. First, that Debs will not see it this way and will become discouraged --- highly unlikely, she's very intelligent and I doubt would think this. However, those "people" at Atlantic may not think that way. I worry that Atlantic will stop supporting her (if you can call what they've done so far SUPPORT -- I don't). I'd like to see her pursue her other fine arts interests. Note, the above is my own opinion, based on my knowledge in the music business. It doesn't reflect the position of the WNDU stations or their managers. Jonathan Bradshaw | Internet:jonathan@thevoid.fidonet.org - Forsythe Computers, South Bend | UUCP: ...!uunet!nstar!thevoid!jonathan - U93 WNDU-FM South Bend (92.9FM) | Fidonet: 1:227/1.6 Prodigy: XMSN02B "...anyone can beat the odds if they have the will..." - Debster [DGIF#9588] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= WHTZ INTERVIEW ON MAY 1ST Chris Backa (CSC3CSB@HOFSTRA.BITNET) Wed, 1 May 91 13:11 EST Movie-revival of Skirts There has been interest from some studios to actually go ahead with the movie Skirts. Tour Will start in the Summer here in the US TV appearance on FOX show She enjoyed the appearance on Beverly Hills 90210 so much, she would like to do another. Favorite TV Shows: Married with Children Beverly Hills 90210 Wonder Years New Song One Hand One Heart Likes it because it is a simple song. Feels a lot of what is currently on the radio is over produced. One Step Ahead Remix Debuted the remix of the song. Excellent!! Like the AIP UK remix. Boyfriend She is currently not seeing anyone. A caller told her that a friend saw her on a flight to Mississippi. Rumor had it Debbie was flying there on the weekends to see her boyfriend. Debbie said no. Debbie and her mom flew down to Miss. to go see Chris on a business trip. This is when she said that they were seeing each other for a short while. Debbie went on to say that they are no longer seeing each other. Hair change- heard on Dees show Same story she told on Rick Dees show. Deb's secret nickname Buddy called her at Z100, and called her 'baa'. Buddy gave her this nickname. Pronounced like bud with a soft d sound. Some girl would see Buddy and call him this, Deb thought it was funny, so Buddy started to call her this. -Something like this, they didn't have time to go into it. Plastic Surgery Asked what body part(s) would she change if she got plastic surgery, Debbie said her goal is to NEVER have it done, she is happy being the way she is. Other Interview Highlights: Debbie had her first White Castle Hamburger on the air this morning, she said it was gross; guess she won't be doing any commercials for them. Also, Debbie arrived in NY last night and stayed at her sister's apartment in the city. The One Step Ahead Remix was done by Little Louie Vega. She also has a red 1960 Thunderbird which she may be getting rid of because she never has time to drive it. Also, Buddy is living with someone, I think her name is Karen, and it's NOT Debbie's sister. Buddy called when he heard Debbie's laugh on the radio, he didn't know she got home already. Asked about interviews, everyone mentioning 'you're so young', Debbie says that turning 20, people have stopped saying it when doing interviews. Also, asked if she listens to record company people she said, NO! She basically has FULL, TOTAL control over her albums, videos, singles, productions, etc. Jo Beth Taylor's album, just released in Australia, will be released soon in the US. - Chris =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= DEB AT DISNEYLAND ON APRIL 28 Shaun Stuart (SHAUN@CALSTATE.BITNET) Sun, 28 Apr 91 19:47:59 PDT I heard about Deb's appearance at Disneyland about two days before it happened, thanks to this e-mail network. I quickly cleared my schedule and planned to attend. Sunday was a bright clear day. I arrived at DisneyLand at 1:30 pm, a couple of hours before the 4 pm starting time. I walked around the TomorrowLand Terrace, where the radio show "Hanging With Hollywood" was to be aired. By two o'clock, I had already noticed about 3 people wearing the official D.G.I.F. t-shirt, as I was. I met two guys there and we managed to get a table close to the stage, slightly above the "dance area" they had cleared. At four pm., the stage rose from the ground, and you could see a big neon sign reading "Hanging With Hollywood." Deb came on about 5 minutes later. She was wearing a white shirt, not tucked in, which came down to about her knees. Her hair has indeed been cut short. I can't find any pictures of her with hair that short, but if you look at the cover of AIP and imagine her hair about that length all over, you'd get the general idea. Of course, everyone cheered when she came on and I took about 5 quick pictures. The two guys I was sitting with had brought a big cloth banner that they had made. It said "Debbie Gibson, Anything Is Possible" in the writing style on the album. To the left, it had a picture of Deb's face. The banner was very well done and the guy told me it took him about two days to make. Hollywood Hamilton and Deb saw the banner and they brought them on stage and showed it to the crowd. The one that made the banner also brought Deb a painting of herself, which looked like something from the Electric Youth era. Deb took it and said something to him. When the got back, he told me he had made four pictures of her earlier and mailed then to her. Deb told him she had all of them downstairs in her house. They then played Only In My Dreams on the air and Deb sang along to it. A couple of people asked her questions. One asked about a tour. She said she was starting a tour in June and it will start in Japan. Then she will go to Southeast Asia and will be back in the states around August or September. Another question was what were her favorite songs from all of her albums. She said Lost In Your Eyes, One Hand One Heart, and Only In My Dreams. She mentioned the Pediatric AIDS benefit CD and said she was on it with a lot of other people. Sting was the only one she mentioned that I remember. She didn't say when it was coming out or what song she did for it. (By this time, I had used up my roll of film and had gotten some pretty good shots.) After a bit, we went back on the air and she sang a live version of One Hand One Heart, playing on a little electric keyboard. It sounded great. After that, she walked around signing autographs. While signing them, Hollywood Hamilton started playing Voices That Care, and Deb's mom brought her a microphone and Deb sang along on a verse or two. Deb walked down the line of people signing autographs and occasionally her mom would take someone's camera and photograph Deb with that person. After about fifteen minutes, she went back on stage and recorded some liners for a couple of stations. She then told us she was singing in a benefit the next night (A Singer's Salute To The Songwriters at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A.) and she had to leave to go rehearse. She said good-bye to the audience. I rushed around to the back of the stage where she was leaving since I hadn't gotten her autograph yet. She was slowing making her way out of the park, followed by a small group of people. I walked along beside her and stuck out a pen and the CD booklet that came with the Japanese Super Mix Club CD. She took it from me and signed it. I said thanks as she handed it back and then stood and watched her walk away, surrounded by three security guards and her mom and followed by about 15 people. As she was going, someone next to me yelled after her, "Debbie, you're beautiful," in a soft, but carrying voice. She turned and looked over her shoulder, smiled, and mouthed the words "thank you" as she walked away. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= DEBBIE'S DECLINING POPULARITY Peter Blomgren (bbl%nduvf@sunic.sunet.se) Fri, 3 May 91 21:03 +0200 While Debbie has had very little chart success and gotten very little air- and videoplay on European radio- and video stations, her records have been considered more collectable than those of many artists who have had more commercial success. For instance she's ranked 6th on the 'Pop Collectors Chart' (*1*) published by Orbis Records {UK} in their Spring 1991 issue. However, on the most comprehensive collectors' chart -- The Annual Top 500 of Collectable Artists (*2*), compiled and published by 'Record Collector' {UK} - one of the leading publications for 'serious' record collectors in Europe -- Debbie loses ground. This year she ends up in 214th place, a drop of 61 places from last year. You can interpret the result in {at least} two ways: *) This confirms that she is losing ground worldwide. *) Even though 1990 was a 'slow' -- to say the least -- year for Debbie in Europe, she dropped only 61 places; which means that her European fans are 'loyal'. Debbie's "Top 500" chart action so far: 1988 - ??? 1989 - 258 1990 - 153 1991 - 214 Remarks: (*1*) Orbis Records is a mail order company; their charts are based on sales and since they are specializing in certain areas their chart is not a reliable way of telling what artist is more popular. (NKotB topped their chart) (*2*) Record Collector's Top 500 is based on the votes sent in by the readers; one vote/reader on a special reply card. (The Beatles at #1, as always) If you are interested in chart positions for other artists -- mail me! --------- - ------- Peter Blomgren --- ----- bbl%nduvf@sunic.sunet.se ----- --- put "To Peter: " in the Subject: line ------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= IMPRESSIONS OF INTO THE NIGHT Matthew Jung (mjung@bloom.ucdavis.edu) Sat, 4 May 91 16:03 PST The show was taped at 3:30pm on April the 25th. Deborah was the first guest interviewed by Rick Dees, the host of the show. She talked about her new (short) hairstyle, denied the Playboy rumour, and talked about the definition of her "squeaky clean" image. From the recent Regis and Kathie Lee appearance, Deborah showed off her new perm. However, it obviously didn't last long. After she flew in to Los Angeles from Denver, she said her hair was bothering her. So on the way to her destination from the airport in Los Angeles, she stopped at someplace where a guy named Mick cut it. It is ironic that Rick Dees asked Deb about the Playboy rumour because he was partly responsible for spreading it around southern California on his KIIS FM morning show. He also asked about the Electric Youth perfume which has been out for about two years now. For most of the interview, they played an amusing game that Dees designed about freeing child actors from jail (based on the old "Operation" game of the late 70's/early 80's). This led to a statement by Deb that one of her major goals in life is not to end up like one of those child actors. Deborah performed _One Step Ahead_ with two female and three male dances. Later in the show, she performed _One Hand, One Heart_ on her white baby Baldwin grand piano. For those of you who received the show in Surround Sound, this was a real treat. The following comments are impressions of the show from various BtL members: Chris Backa (CSC3CSB@HOFSTRA.BITNET) Fri, 26 Apr 91 11:40 EST I thought 'One Step Ahead' was awesome! Her dancing has gotten much better. I wonder if she realizes the outfits were perfect color and style matches for the uniforms on the original Star Trek, except the guys has shorts, and her outfit was like the womens uniform except, she had no shoulders on the outfit, and a card suit was cut in the middle. Her new hairstyle is okay. Rick Dees brought up the 'Playboy Rumor', which was pretty well a dead rumor, until last night. I started to worry when she didn't answer right away. Doug Rambo (rambo@freezer.acs.udel.edu) Fri, 26 Apr 91 20:19:20 EDT I don't know how I did it, but I managed to stay awake for the entire show last night and I was glad I did. Here are a few of the comments that I had about Deb's appearance on the show. - Her hair wasn't too short. I was expecting something overly drastic from reading all of the postings the past few days. It looked very stylish and I think she wears it well. - Rick could have asked her some better questions... like when a tour might start! - The outfit she wore for _One Step Ahead_ was definitely not her! I like it that she chose a dance song from the album to perform, but I really wouldn't have chosen that one (but I'm not too into dance music so who am I to say). - I would have rather seen _Deep Down_ or _Stand Your Ground_ performed instead of _One Step Ahead_ on the show. - The performance of _One Hand, One Heart_ was indeed very fine. I love watching her sing and play the piano. She looked fantastic during this part of the show. John Shew (unify!uunet!naitc!point!akcs.tbbsjohn) Thu, 25 Apr 91 23:52 CDT Just got through watching Rick Dees and rewound the tape 3 times and watched it again. An impressive display of talent. Deb looked and sounded great. I like the short-short hairstyle better than the semi- short. I'm also glad to see that she's been using less makeup lately. I guess because her hair was cut short it looked darker. I think Deb would look good with her natural hair color or just with a little hilight. I didn't care for the clothes for the dance number, especially what the guys had on. It reminded me too much of Batman & Robin. Guys in tight shorts look too effeminate. There were too many dance steps too and it was distracting for the song. No complaints at all though on OHOH. It made my day! -John Ray Wilmott (wilmott@remus.rutgers.edu) Fri, 26 Apr 91 00:33:07 EDT I just don't get it...what's with Debs hair? Is she so upset by the poor performance of the new album that she runs around changing her hair style every week? What did you think of the latest? I think it's nothing short of hideous. I'm kinda getting tired of all these lame appearances lately...what a bogus "chat" (then again, what can one expect from Rick Dees?). Oh please, just let her go on tour already... Anyway, I did like the outift she had on...even though I hated the hair (and I hate the song)... -Ray =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= DEBWATCH Here is a summary of the known TV appearances that Debbie made between 04/08/91 - 05/05/91: 1) REGIS AND KATHIE LEE (4/11/91) - Deb is interviewed and performs some of _One Hand, One Heart_. Deborah has a perm. 2) TELETHON (4/13/91) - Local telethon shown on a Fox station in the New York area. Deborah performs _One Hand, One Heart_. 3) RICK DEES (4/25/91) - Read the previous article for details. 4) PERSONALITIES (4/??/91) - If you missed this segment, that's ok because it is one of the worst segments about Deb ever produced. The interviews are edited where the interviewer makes comments in between the segments where Deborah speaks. The female host of the show is the interviewer and narrator of the segment and she makes several errors such as claiming Deb had her first number one hit at age 16 and how she performed in shopping malls in the 80's (which maybe true for someone else, but not Deb). The segment had a pretty negative tone implying that Deb is a "has been." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Q. Archie Medrano (MEDRANO@USDCSV.ACUSD.EDU) Does anyone have the lyrics to _Everytime We Say Goodbye_ and _Friendly_ that Debbie wrote for Epic artist Ana? If you do, could you please send them to me? It would be much appreciated... Q. Archie Medrano (MEDRANO@USDCSV.ACUSD.EDU) When are the release dates for Keeth Stewart's FIERCE album and JoBeth Taylor's debut album? A. According to the May 1st WHTZ interview (as summarized by Chris Backa's article in this issue), Taylor's album will be released in the United States soon. Since it supposedly has been released in Australia already, will our BtL members down under please submit a review of it for the next issue of BtL? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CLOSING REMARKS A Debbie Gibson discussion topic has been started recently on the GEnie online service. It's Topic 20 in category 10, in the Music BB section within the Entertainment area of Star Services. Readers of BtL on Fidonet are welcome to submit articles for BtL if they wish. To submit an article, send email to another Fidonet member whom also has access to Internet (you know who these people are), and ask them nicely if they could forward your submissions to us. At the 6th Annual Singers Salute To The Songwriters benefit on April the 29th, Deborah performed _Stand By Me_. The event was held at the Dorothy Chandler pavilion in Los Angeles. Deborah's mother Diane, as well as Chris Cuevas, attended the benefit with her. Debbie was wearing a green jacket and skirt (down to her knees).