05 April 05
Bill's new album is expected later this month! And due to the fact that Bill is signed to a major label, there may be a bit of a media push behind it. It would be nice to see Bill get another dose of long overdue public interest in his music. His new album is titled "By Paris, By Taxi, By Accident" and will initially be released in France on the 25th of April. I'll post more when I know it, but the latest details will be available by checking his new website www.billpritchard.com.
26 April 04
The ghost of Bill Pritchard has left the building, and standing in his place is the real deal. Yes, the posters have been printed, and the ink is still wet, but Bill is back(!). This time a major label is involved. They have cast their weary eyes upon the thousands of young singer/dancer bios that have come across their desks, each more impressive than the last. But one has stood out among all others, printed on neon pink paper and smelling of sweet spring dewdrops. It was that of Mr. Pritchard. Bill will be working with a crack team of songwriters and choreographers to bring his new work,
"It's Just Me...Bill" to the masses. Kudos Bill!
Okay, okay. Maybe I'm being a little lose with the truth. But Bill HAS signed to a new major label, by all accounts. Expect a new album in the fall (yes, of THIS year) thanks in part to the rather smart folks at AZ Universal (France) and published by Peer Music France. Also involved in the project are Thomas Deligny of Concorde Music Club who produced the album and helped craft the songs, and noted French writer Stan Cuesta who will be helping write the French version of the album.
It all promises to be a rather interesting year regarding Bill's music, and he has promised to write up his own account of recent events to be posted here sometime soon. Cheers Bill!
22 September 02
Bill has a new track just about to be released. He contributes vocals to "In The Past" on the album "Stereo-Fictions" by Concorde Music Club. The music on the whole album is evocative of an imaginary film set entirely at night and populated by sophisticates and spies. I'll be ordering a copy. You can hear samples of each track at the official site.
10 January 02
Photographer/Journalist Mick Mercer has been putting together CDR volumes of some of his past photography, and among them is one for Bill Pritchard. Check out Mick's site for more information, ordering info, and to see the other artists Mick has photographed over the years.
Also be on the lookout for the new album by Gamine with a French 60s sophistipop inspired sound and lyrics penned by Bill.
21 November 01
Still no news on when or if Bill will be releasing a new record...if any of his students happen to read this and can ask him for me, that would be great!. In the meantime, here is an unreleased piece from the archives. This track was graciously provided to me by Stan Cuesta who has worked with Bill in the past. This track "J'comprends pas" originally appeared on Stan's album (which Bill produced), but the version we have for you is an unreleased version of the track sung as a duet with Stan and Bill. It is presented in streaming RealMedia format. Thanks again Stan!
J'comprends pas - Stan Cuesta and Bill Pritchard 
27 May 01
No news since the last update over a year ago. Sorry about that. I do have a recommendation however. I recently had a chance to hear The Montgolfier Brothers' album "Seventeen Stars" which has been reissued on Poptones (UK). The vocal style is quite reminiscent of Bill's on a few tracks, with the instrumentation often having a more sparse Durutti Column feel to it. Well worth a listen. If you like it, also check out related instrumental group, Gnac.
15 Mar 00
I apologize for being a bit late with an update. I received some mail from Bill a while back. "Happiness and Other Crimes" has received a proper release in France and is getting good reviews. If you are still having trouble finding it elsewhere, then emailing Richard Rogers is still probably your best bet.
More interesting, Bill has written a new album.(!!) He will be recording it later this year and is still deciding exactly how he will release it. He mentioned the possibility of an internet release...interesting!
10 Nov 99
Bill has a track on the new Michel Polnareff tribute album. You can see more info and hear a sound sample at the Fnac site.
Also, Bill will be playing two gigs next week around November 19 & 20 in Paris, France. I'm trying to get venue information now.
And I still need to get up some more info on the Pritchard-produced Stan Cuesta CD. Hopefully soon.
7 Oct 99
Stan Cuesta recently sent me a copy of his 1993 CD "Le Voyage Intérieur" which was produced by noneother than Mr. Bill Pritchard. This completely slipped under my radar when it was originally released, most likely because it was apparently only released in France. Check back in a week or so and I have more information on the release (I'm off on vacation for a few days). Thanks Stan!
15 Sept 99
Not much to report at the moment. Bill has been spending an extended period of time in his school teacher disguise, and not so much as underground pop superstar. The only thing new to report is I was sent a scan of the Third Mind version of "The Death of Bill Posters" CD (I didn't even know there was one until now). Thanks for the scan and info, Steve!
4 January
I updated the four sound samples from Bill's latest album to the latest G2 RealAudio format. While this resulted in slightly larger files, it yields much improved sound fidelity.
14 December 98
I just realized that a large number of links to my other favorite artists were broken. You will be happy to learn that they are all now fixed :-)
13 December 98
More info on the upcoming UK gig: Also performing will be Gamine, whom Bill has worked with as lyricist. It sounds like in addition to performing his own gig, Bill will also be duetting with Gamine, so it should be a great gig to be at. Again that is at 12 Bar Club, Denmark Street, London on December 23rd. You can learn a little more about Gamine at the Gamine page.
6 December 98
I added some new scan in the compilations section. Thanks to Erik Sola and Bryon Smedley for contributing scans. I still would like to get a nice scan of Bill's first album if anyone can provide it. Thanks!
Also, was surfing the web and came across a site that has chords and lyrics for a few of Bill's songs. Haven't tried them out yet to see how close they are.
1 December 98
Sorry for the long wait since the last update. I do have some things to report. First, Bill is playing a gig in London at UK gig at 12 Bar Club, Denmark Street on December 23rd. Wish I could be there!
Second, should have mentioned this a few months back but the latest issue of Hearsay magazine contains an interview with Bill and and extensive review of the new album. You can learn how to get your own copy at the Hearsay website.
29 June 98
The new album and first single have been pressed are are awaiting release! The latest news has the single and album hitting stores within the next few months hopefully, but things can change so you should be cautiously optimistic. With that said, the new album sounds great. Bill has written some great songs in the seven years since his last long player ("Jolie") was released. Scroll on down to the album section for a complete track list, along with four RealAudio samples.
If you are interested in hearing the album or single before the official release, Richard Rogers said he will sell them direct for a limited time. Album cost is £12.99, single cost is £4.29, postage & packaging £1.00 (to anywhere in the world & any quantity). Email Richard Rogers (not me) for further details.
27 April 98
A band called Gamine who Bill has worked with are playing about 10 of Bill's songs at a gig at the London Falcon in Camden on Friday, May 1st. Bill, Richard, Gary Levermore and Tim Bradshaw will all be there. Gamine are supporting French act Autour de Lucie who are big fans of Bill's and have also co-written with him.
4 February 98
Pete Pawsey recently went to Stoke to speak with Bill. Most likely, the highlights of said discussion will appear in an upcoming issue of Hearsay. I'll keep you posted.
21 November 97
Richard gave me some info on the upcoming single. It will be released in early '98 as a 4-track CD single. One of the b-sides is called "Herbert Lom" and will have a countryesque style to it.
3 October 97
I added a guest book. You are very much encouraged to add your comments regarding Bill, this page, music, etc.
12 August 97
According to Richard, the July shows went great. Brighton was a sellout! Richard has put together a 5-track casette, limited to 100 copies. Among the tracks are early versions of some of the new tracks on the forthcoming album, including "Terry Toy" and "Broadway". It is available from Richard for 6.50 (pounds, I suppose) inc P&P. Cheques payable to 'Richard Rogers'.
From Jolie 91 to July 97
(This section was getting a bit too long, so I've summarized much. The director's cut version is still available though.)
So what's Bill been up to since Jolie was released in 1991? Here's a quick synopsis:
Wrote and demoed over 50 new songs - recorded and finished an album, complete with artwork - record company hassels made releasing a problem - 3-track single released in 1995 under the name Beatitude - single was hard to find - produced some French artists - taught high school French and German in Stoke - developed fondness for French cookbooks - solved record company problems.
Which brings us to the present. Bill has signed to Ncompass Music, and is putting the finishing touches on an album entitled "Happiness and Other Crimes". Ncompass founder, Richard Rogers, has kept me updated on the album's progress. The album is slated for late '97/early '98 release, with the single "Every Loser in London" preceding the album. I still don't have a firm track listing, but the album is bound to contain at least a few of the following soon-to-be classics:
Broadway
(You Meet) Every Loser In London
For The Good Of The People
Frank Sinatra (I'm in love with everyone you screwed)
Hippy Hoorah (on French release only)
Live a Little Longer
Melody Said (new version)
Satin Green
Suddenly Last Summer
Susan's Soho Parties
Terry Toy
The Tipton Slasher
The track "Melody Said" also appears on an Ncompass compilation CD called "The Great Lawnmower Conspiracy" Additional info on both the compilation and Bill's new album can be found on the Ncompass web site.
In support of his upcoming releases, Bill will be playing two gigs in the UK in July, his first shows for years. He is playing the Richmond in Brighton, Sussex on July 18th and The Kings Arms pub in Eastbourne, Sussex on July 19th. Probably both acoustic shows. If anyone comes over for the gigs from America or any other country for that matter, I will willingly put them up in my flat for a couple of days for the gigs. I doubt I'll be able to make it :-) If any of you attend, please send me a review!
