Latest Hazel News

Hazel's charity single Re Joyce can be downloaded form itunes here:

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/re-joyce-single/id409102318

The Amazon link to buy the actual CD (as opposed to the download) is live too for pre-order and stock has started its journey to the warehouse. That link is

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Re-Joyce-Hazel-OConnor-Collective/dp/B004FJZHPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291997254&sr=1-1

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Hi All,

Hazel's charity single can now be downloaded from here:

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/re-joyce-feat-toyah-willcox/id407782440

CD

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HAZEL O'CONNOR LAUNCHES CHARITY SINGLE TO HONOUR HER MOTHER JOYCE

Coventry-born singer-songwriter Hazel O'Connor will launch her brand new charity single RE-JOYCE on 6th December, and will announce its release on ITV's Daybreak that morning.

The haunting and uplifting song was written and performed by Hazel, and she is joined on the track by a multitude of talented artists including Toyah Willcox, Carol Decker (T'Pau), Pauline Black (The Selecter), Moya Brennan (The voice of Clannad), Vince Hill, Ranking Roger (The Beat), Neville Staple (Specials), Kid Creole (sans Coconuts), Bob Brolly MBE (Coventry BBC Radio presenter and more), Neil O'Connor (The Flys and Hazel's brother), Clare Hirst (The Bluja Project/The Belle Stars/Bowie and more) Sarah Fisher (The Bluja Project/Eurythmics b/v), and The Subterraneans. Musicians include, Mark Roberts (Guitar and samples), Kev Lomas (Double Bass, Bass, Samples), Cormac De Barra (Harp), Eamonn de Barra (Flute and Whistles) and Simon Rogers (Marching Drum).

RE-JOYCE is produced by Grammy-award winning Roger Lomas.

Hazel explains how the single came about: "It was Christmas 2008 and my Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer and told that she had two to six months to live. The following Christmas (2009) she was still here but it didn't look good. She had been in hospital for three weeks and was advised to go to Coventry Myton Hospice for respite care. She went in for Christmas and soon started to gain strength from the specialised help, love and support the hospice staff gave her. I decided to something to sing to Mum last Christmas Day. The song was my Christmas gift to commemorate our time together."

"Soon my friends got to hear about the song, and all offered to join me and went to considerable lengths to get to Coventry to help me record it. I am deeply grateful and humbled by all those involved - the ones in the limelight and those behind the scenes."

RE-JOYCE will be released on December 6th and proceeds from the record will go to The Myton Hospices and Help the Hospices nationally. The single will be available on download from www.hazeloconnor.com (iTunes); and the CD will be available from Amazon.com; Midnight Records Coventry Market; HMV Coventry and other selected outlets from 6th December.

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Hello All,

We’re just coming into September and I’m on my way to France for a month of D.I.Y. or maybe I’ll just relax – I find it hard to do nothing for long though but this has been a particularly tough, harrowing but also very enriching. In December my Mum, Joyce, was told she had a terminal cancer and given a prognosis of 3-6 months to live. The first month was so frightening with time short, expecting death to knock at the door at any moment.
My brother Neil came over from Montreal, Quebec and it was wonderful to see him as, we’ve not been able to visit each other for about four years. It was Neil who helped me in the beginning of music career – Neil and his band “The Flys” recorded my first demos; he guided me through the song writing process – he has always been there for me – my big brother. He was a member of Megahype, my post Breaking Glass band and we’ve made much music together over the last thirty years – sadly both of us have ripped of by the corporate music industry which has left us living the life of bards, who travel lots and
continue to make music but don’t have much money to live on – let alone fly from one continent to another when our Mum is sick. Anyway the point is I have been privileged to travel some of this cancer journey with Mum and her strength and tenacity continue to inspire me. I am learning the greatest lesson a parent can impart right now – how to leave this world with grace, dignity and humour – and in a strange way – hope. So please excuse my rambling on like this but this is my life right now. We are living with cancer not dying of it. She will die sooner or later. So far its been nine months since being told she’s
terminal so lets hope this world is a launching pad back to the source – the creator.

Click Read More for the rest......

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The people of Coventry have chosen 10 more names to be added to the city’s Walk of Fame.

The actor Clive Owen, Coventry City’s FA Cup winning team from 1987, the industrialist Sir Alfred Herbert and the poet Philip Larkin will all be celebrated with a bronze plaque in Priory Place in the city centre.
More than 2600 votes were cast and other names confirmed as recipients of the accolade are athlete Marlon Devonish, singer Vince Hill, the actress Billie Whitelaw, 2-Tone band The Selecter, singer Hazel O’Connor and the actor Sir Nigel Hawthorne.
Plans are already under way for an unveiling ceremony in May.

Peter Walters of CV One, who chairs the organising group, said,
“Once these names are in place, the Walk of Fame will really look like what it is – a great way to celebrate some of the extraordinary talent this city has produced.”

Local music historian Pete Chambers, who came up with the original idea, added,
“Take nine top twenty hit singles, seven Baftas, three CBEs, two knighthoods, an Olympic gold medal and the FA Cup for good measure. Add some Coventry magic and hey presto, out come ten more great names for Coventry’s proudest tourist attraction.”

Councillor Tim Sawdon, Cabinet Member, Culture, Leisure and Libraries, said,
“Once again, Coventry people have voted in large numbers and chosen a wide range of great Coventrians. We look forward to seeing the next set of plaques unveiled in Priory Place in May.”

For further information, contact Peter Walters on 024 7660 7046 or Carl Bainbridge, Marketing and Communications Manager, Coventry City Council, on 024 7683 2466.


The full list of 10 are:
Coventry City 1987 FA Cup Winners
Marlon Devonish – Athlete and Olympic Gold Medallist
Sir Nigel Hawthorne – Actor
Sir Alfred Herbert – Industrialist
Vince Hill – Singer
Philip Larkin – Poet
Hazel O’Connor – Singer and Actress
Clive Owen – Actor
The Selecter – 2-Tone Band
Billie Whitelaw – Actress

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When:
THURSDAY APRIL 16th, 2009

Where:
LOS ANGELES
SILENT MOVIE THEATRE
611 N. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036

More Details:
www.cinefamily.org

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A feature that Hazel did for the Sunday Express is due to run Sunday 15th Feb 2009.

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Hazel's Dutch tour starts February 29 in Den Haag and this is just so you know that Hazel will be interviewed and a segment of the gig recorded for a national Dutch television channel tomorrow for transmission on Monday (we think). The programme is called De Wereld Draait Door and goes out on Nederland 3 7.30-8.30 pm Monday to Friday. The programme link is http://www.nederland3.nl/gids/2008/03/03

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November - 2007 England and Wales

Thursday 1st
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
Robin R 'n B Club,
The Leisure Factory,
20-22 Mount Pleasant,
Bilston
Wolverhampton
WV14 7LJ
Time: Doors 7.30 pm. Admission: £13 in advance, £14 at the door.
Website: therobin.co.uk Book on-line

Booking Office for Robin 2 01902 401211
Also playing:
Guest support KOS feat Jamie Knight
www.jamieknight.co.uk.
www.myspace.com/knightjamie.

Friday 2nd
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
The Nines,
5-15 Dalkeith Street
Barrow In Furness
LA14 1SP

Time: 8.30 PM . Admission: £12.50 in advance.
Info from: www.myspace.com/adifferentfriction
Book On line www.ticketline.co.uk
Also playing:
Guest support

Saturday 3rd
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
Hebden Bridge Trades Club,
Holme Street,
Hebden Bridge,
W Yorks,
HX7 8EE

Time: 9.00 pm. Admission: £12 (Conc £8) in advance.
www.tradesclub.info
Tel: 01422845265
Also playing:
Guest support

Sunday 4th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
Roses Theatre,
Sun Street
Tewkesbury
Glos
GL20 5NX

Time: 7.30 pm. Admission: £13 in advance, £14 at the door.
Tickets on line from www.rosestheatre.org
Also playing:
James Hollingworth
www.jameshollingsworth.com

Tuesday 6th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
TOWER ARTS CENTRE
WINCHESTER

Time: 8.00 pm. Admission: £15 (£14 Conc) Members £12 in advance.
Tel: 01962 867986
www.towerarts.co.uk
Also playing:
Lu Cozma
www.lucozma.com

Wednesday 7th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
THE CELLARS,
Eastney
Portsmouth
PO4 9PN

Time: 8.00. Admission: £12.50 in advance, £14.00 at the door.
www.stiffpromotions.co.uk (tickets on-line)
023-9282-6249
Also playing:
Stream

Thursday 8th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
Komedia,
44-47 Gardner Street
Brighton,
BN1 1UN

Time: Doors 7.30 pm. Admission: £12.50 (Conc £10.50) in advance.
Website: www.komedia.co.uk

Phone Bookings on 01273 647100
Monday to Sunday 12noon - 7pm (12 noon - 6pm when no evening performance)
£1.50 telephone booking fee per ticket

Also playing:
Lu Cozma
www.lucozma.com

Friday 9th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
TRINITY THEATRE,
Church Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 1JP

Time: 20.00. Admission: £15 (£13.50Conc) in advance.
Ticket Office 01892 678 678

Website:
Online booking is now available at www.trinitytheatre.net
Also playing:
Lu Cozma
www.lucozma.com

Saturday 10th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS,
George Street,
Stroud,
Glos
GL5 1AE

Time: 8.00 pm. Admission: £12.50 (Conc £10.50) in advance.
Tel 01453 760900
http://www.stroud.gov.uk/subrooms
Also playing:
Nick Buckle

Sunday 11th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
TOWN HALL,
St Mary Street
High Wycombe
HP11 2XE

Time: 7.30 pm. Admission: £16.50 in advance.
Tel: 01494 512000
www.wycombeswan.co.uk (tickets on line)
Also playing:
Somebody To Someone
www.myspace.com/somebodytosomeone

Friday 16th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
QUEEN'S HALL,
High Street,
Narberth,
Pembs.

Time: Doors 8.00 pm. Admission: £12 (Members £10) in advance.
Tel: Tickets and further information from Span Arts 01834 869323
www.span-arts.org.uk
Venue details www.thequeenshall.org.uk
Also playing:
Guest Support

Saturday 17th
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic
THE BARN VENUE
The Square & Compass,
Windmill Hill,
Ashill,
Ilminster,
Somerset
TA19 9NX

Time: Doors 8.00 pm. Admission: £10 in advance, £12 at the door.
Tel 01823 480467/01202 631912
www.squareandcompasspub.com
Also playing:
Guest Support

Sunday 18th
Hazel O'Connor and Special guests
DINGWALLS,
Middle Yard,
Camden Lock
LONDON
NW1 8AB

Time: Doors 7.00pm Show 7.30 pm. Admission: £15.00 in advance.
www.dingwalls.com

Ticketmaster 0870 534 4444 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Ticketweb 0870 771 2000 www.ticketweb.co.uk
See Tickets 0871 2200 260 www.seetickets.com
Stargreen 020 7734 8932 www.stargreen.co.uk
www.wegottickets.com
Also playing:
Both solo set and singing with Hazel - Rainbow Chorus
www.rainbowchorus.org.uk

January 2008

Friday 25th

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hazel's phenomenal autobiographical show that has toured and wooed audiences around the world, for one night only - a one-off special anniversary performance of BEYOND BREAKING GLASS,
at
Draíocht
The Blanchardstown Centre
Dublin 15

Box Office 01 885 2622
www.draiocht.ie

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May - 2007
Fri 18
Hazel O'Connor with The Subterraneans @ The Fletch, A45 - Coventry UKD.
Admission: £10 in advance.
website: http://www.thesubs.co.uk/

June - 2007
Sat 09
Hazel O'Connor @ Riverbank Arts Centre - Newbridge, Co Kildare IRL.
Time: 20.00. Admission: €20 in advance.
Website: http://www.riverbank.ie/event-details.asp?EventID=2752
Box Office 2pm - 5pm, Monday to Saturday
t:(045) 448333. No booking fee applies

Thu 14
Hazel O'Connor with The Subterraneans @ 12 BAR, 179 Westcott Place, - Swindon SN1 5HT UKD.
Time: 20.00. Admission: £13 in advance.
Website: http://www.the12barswindon.com
tel: 01793 535713

July - 2007
Sat 28
Hazel O'Connor @ The Acoustic Festival of Britain - Nantwich, Cheshire UKD.
Admission:
Full Weekend Early Bird Tickets £45 per person (Normally £60)
Full Weekend Early Ticket with Camping £55 per person (Normally £70) Childrens Weekend Ticket £10
There is an additional £10 fee for caravans & camper vans, and everyone staying in a camper van must have a weekend with camping ticket to be able to access the site.
Booking Fees Apply
Day Tickets will be available after Easter in advance.
Full details: www.acousticfestival.co.uk
Festival Ticket Hotline - 01269 596056 - During Office Hours

August - 2007
Sun 05
Hazel O'Connor @ Wickham Festival 2007 - Wickham, Hampshire UKD.
Time: 1.00-11.00pm.
Admission:
Day tickets: Adult £25, Under-16 £12.50, Under-10 Free in advance.
Full details: www.wickhamfestival.co.uk
Buy online via www.ticketsouth.co.uk
Buy by post from:
The Festival Office, 51 Russell Street, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 3JD
(Cheques payable to 'Wickham Festival'. Please enclose an s.a.e.)
Special deals on weekend tickets see website for details
Also playing:
The Saw Doctors
The Men They Couldn't Hang
Eliza Carthy & The Ratcatchers
Shooglenifty
Dean Friedman
Quimantu
Boo Hewerdine

Sun 19
Hazel O'Connor with The Subterraneans @ CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL (Rockinbeerfest) - Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH UKD.
Admission: Various - see website in advance.
The Kings Bush Centre (Wood Green Animal Shelter's HQ)
London Road
Godmanchester
Website: http://www.rockinbeerfest.co.uk/
Also playing: and this is only Stage 1 on Sunday! Thunder, Wishbone Ash, Deborah Bonahm, Karnataka, John O'Leary Blues Band, John Otway, Nigel Graham Blues Reaction, E-Zee Band, Lost Weekend

September - 2007
Sun 02
Hazel O'Connor with The Subterraneans @ Retro Fest @ CULZEAN CASTLE - Maybole, Ayr, Scotland UKD.
Admission: Various in advance.
Website: http://www.retrofest.co.uk/
Also playing: Human League, Tony Hadley, The Blockheads,
Go West, ABC, Kajagoogoo, Howard Jones, Bananarama, Jimmy Sommerville,
Hue & Cry, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Four Good Men and more

November - 2007
Thu 01
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic @ Robin R 'n B Club, The Leisure Factory, 20-22 Mount Pleasant, Bilston - Wolverhampton WV14 7LJ UKD.
Time: Doors 7.30 pm. Admission: £13 in advance, £14 at the door.
Website: therobin.co.uk Book on-line

Booking Office for Robin 2 01902 401211

Thu 08
Komedia, 44-47 Gardner Street - Brighton, BN1 1UN UKD.
Time: Doors 7.30 pm. Admission: TBA in advance.
Website: www.komedia.co.uk

Phone Bookings on 01273 647100
Monday to Sunday 12noon - 7pm (12 noon - 6pm when no evening performance)
£1.50 telephone booking fee per ticket

Booking by Email
For non-urgent enquiries, you can email the Box Office on tickets@komedia.co.uk. This is a non-secure connection, so we do not recommend you email us your credit/debit card details.

Fri 09
Hazel O'Connor Acoustic @ TRINITY THEATRE, Church Road - Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1JP UKD.
Time: 20.00. Admission: TBA in advance.
Ticket Office 01892 678 678

Website:
Online booking is now available at www.trinitytheatre.net
Simly click on the Buy Now icons at the bottom of each Event, or click on Online Booking on the Main Menu.

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September - 2006

Fri 29
The Basement, 4-8 Fisher Street, - CARLISLE, Cumbria CA3 8RN
Time: 9.00 pm.
Admission: £11/£9 inc commission in advance.
Tickets/Info:(01228) 510444
enquiries@basement-carlisle.co.uk
www.basement-carlisle.co.uk

Guest Support Rosie Doonan and Ben Murray
http://www.rosieandben.com/

Sat 30
Village Theatre, Maxwell Drive G74 4HG - EAST KILBRIDE
Time: 7.30.
Admission: TBA in advance, TBA at the door.
Tickets/info: 01355 248 669 or 01355 261 0000 http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Guest Support Rosie Doonan and Ben Murray
http://www.rosieandben.com/

October - 2006

Sun 01
Rosehill Theatre, Cumbria CA28 6SE - WHITEHAVEN
Time: 8.00 pm .
Admission: £11/£9 inc commission in advance, tba at the door.
Box Office 01946 692422/694039 www.rosehilltheatre.co.uk

Mon 02 Telford's Warehouse, Tower Wharf - CHESTER CH1 4EZ
Time: ?
Admission: £10 in advance.
Box Office 01244 390090 www.telfordswarehouse.com
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Tue 03
Robin R n'B Club, Mount Pleasant, - BILSTON, West Midlands WV14 7LJ
Time: Doors 7.30 pm.
Admission: £12.50 in advance, £13.50 at the door.
Box Office 01902 401 211
Further info and tickets on line from www.therobin.co.uk
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Wed 04
Junction 2 The Shed, Clifton Road - CAMBRIDGE, CB1 4BX
Time: Doors 7.00 pm.
Admission: £13.50 £12.50 conc. in advance.
Box Office 01223 511 511
www.junction.co.uk + Booking-on-line www.seetickets.com
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Thu 05
MILL ARTS CENTRE, Spiceball Park, - BANBURY, OX16 8QE
Time: Doors 7.30 pm.
Admission: £12 in advance.
Box Office 01295 252050
www.millartscentre.org.uk
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Fri 06 NEARLY SOLD OUT!
Tower Arts, Romsey Road - WINCHESTER, Hants SO22 5PW
Time: 8.00 pm
Admission: £15 (£14 conc.) in advance.
01962 867986
www.towerarts.co.uk
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Sat 07 NEARLY SOLD OUT!
Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Road, - NEW MILTON, Hants BH25 6DS
Time: 8.00 pm .
Admission: £15 (£14 conc.) in advance.
Box Office 01425 612393
www.forest-arts.co.uk
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Mon 09
The Brook, 466 Portswood Road, Portswood - SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 3AN
Time: Doors 8.00 pm.
Admission: £10 in advance.
Box Office (1pm-7pm Mon-Sat) 023 8055 5366
www.the-brook.com or 24 Hours On-line www.gettickets.com/location/372
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Tue 10
Komedia 44-47 Gardner Street - BRIGHTON, BN1 1UN
Time: Doors 7.30 pm.
Admission: £12.00/£10.00(concs) in advance,
Box Office 01273 647100
www.komedia.co.uk (tickets on-line)
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Thu 12
The Stables, The Laine Dankworth Centre, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon - MILTON KEYNES, MK17 8LU
Time: 8.00 pm .
Admission: £16 in advance.
Box Office 01908 280800
www.stables.org (tickets on-line)
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Fri 13
Wyvern Theatre
presents Hazel O'Connor @ The Phoenix Theatre, New College - SWINDON, Wilts SN3 1AH
Time: 8.00 pm.
Admission: £13 in advance. Box Office: 01793 524481
www.wyverntheatre.org.uk

*NOTICE*

Swindon Borough Council has been forced to close The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon on a temporary basis while they investigate the extent of the asbestos found at the Theatre. http://www.wyverntheatre.org.uk/

Therefore Hazel's performance on Friday 13 October, 2006 has been moved to The Phoenix Theatre, New College. Since this performance is remaining under the wing of the Wyvern, the Box Office details, etc remain the same. It may take a little bit of time for this information to be reflected on the Wyvern website.

Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Sat 14 NEARLY SOLD OUT!
Prema Arts Centre, South Street - ULEY, Glos GL11 5SS
Time: 8.00 pm.
Admission: £12 (£8 concessions and Friends of Prema) in advance.
Box Office 01453 860703
www.prema.demon.co.uk
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

Sun 15
Guildhall, Bore Street, - LICHFIELD, Staffs, WS13 6NE
Time: 8.00 pm.
Admission: £13.50 (£11 conc.) in advance.
Box Office 01543 262223
www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
Special Guest
LU COZMA
www.lucozma.com

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Bid for Hazel's Shoes in this charity auction on ebay!!

Please find below the link for MAG’s first ‘Give Landmines the Boot’ Celebrity Auction. There are over 80 lots with contributions from a huge variety of stars – from Claudia to Macca to Darcey to Rooney – so there should be something for everyone! The auction will close in 10 days time, at 4pm on Sunday 2nd April.

http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=givelandminestheboot

All proceeds will go towards helping MAG clear landmines and unexploded bombs from conflict affected countries worldwide, so please get bidding and pass this on to all your friends, family and colleagues.

Let the games begin…

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Hello All

Just a quick update on progress thus far and upcoming events.

Firstly, thank you for all your messages of sympathy over the death of my Father and first musical mentor Peter O’Connor. I sang a song my brother Neil wrote for him, at the funeral, called “Go West”. Dad was from Galway in the West of Ireland.

A couple of weeks ago I did a concert on a boat going from Nice to Pisa and the Mediterranean Sea kicked up a fuss and halfway through “If Only”, the Grand Piano, played by Fergal Murray, flew across the stage, missing me by inches!

I’ve been doing lots of publicity in Ireland as the album HIDDEN HEART is being launched here.

It is only available in Ireland and the UK at present but I will keep you posted as it gets released in other territories. It can be bought in record shops (and if they don’t have it ask them to order it via Universal and the catalogue number is IHCD 37). It also available on-line from Amazon, Tescos, Play.com, etc.

Hidden Heart has 12 tracks on it
Track Listings
1. Acoustically Yours
2. I’ll See You Again
3. Hidden duet with Moya Brennan
4. Perfect Days
5. Who Will Care
6. Strong
7. Loveable
8. Time After Time
9. Tell Me Why Duet with Rob Reynolds
10. End Of My Days
11. If Only Duet with Tony Dangerfield of The Subterraneans
12. Fear Of Flying

There are eight brand new tracks on the album although there a couple you may have heard me play live if you have been to a gig in the last year or so. There are two new interpretations of old tracks based on repeated requests from you lot and finally, there are two older tracks that have only ever appeared on bootleg albums and were never finished - so enjoy. Martin Rushent produced the album and, as those of you who have been with me for a while will know, he also produced my Smile album, with our Neil, back in the day.

Next up will be a special performance in Brighton, England on 26 May. Festivals next, in both the UK and Ireland, some with Cormac and Ruairí, and some with The Subterraneans – in fact I will be performing at the last ever Wasted Festival at the Winter Gardens in August. At the end of September, I will do some dates in Scotland, kicking off with the East Kilbride Arts Centre on 30th and this will be followed with a tour of duty in October in England.

I’m afraid Dutch dates are not until 2007 now.

I’ll be appearing in a musical play in Dundalk, Ireland, in November. Written by Cormac’s Dad, Tony De Barra about the life of GRACE O'MALLEY. You can read up on the life of this amazing woman if you follow this link http://www.rencentral.com/oct_nov_vol1/graceomalley.shtml and I may do a bit more acting work soon.

We had a great night in The Left Bank in Sligo Town on Thursday and all the new dates are posted on my website - www.hazeloconnor.com but here are the immediate ones:

March
Saturday 25 Brooklodge, McCreddin Village, Co Wicklow

May:
Tueday 2 Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
John Hewitt Bar, Belfast
Sunday 7 Wicklow Arts Festival
Grand Hotel, Wicklow
Thursday 11 Dolan’s Limerick
Friday 12 Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, Birr, Co Offaly
Saturday 13 Balor Theatre, Ballybofey, Co Donegal
Thursday 18 De Barra's, Clonakilty, West Cork
Friday 19 Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork
Saturday 20 Sky Venue, Portlaoise, Co Laois
Friday 26 Brighton Fringe Festival
The Old Market, Hove

June:
Sunday 18 Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2006
Thursday 22 Finegan’s, 72 South Main St., Wexford
Support Laura Caffrey

August
Friday 11 Wasted Festival,
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
With The Subterraneans and Billy Davidson

Finally, as I mentioned above, our Neil wrote the song GO WEST and if you want you can cut and paste the link into your browser and you have a listen to it.
http://music.download.com/neiloconnor/3600-8573_32-100852797.html?tag=listing_song_artist

So from a lovely day in Wicklow,

Love Hazel
PS - there may be another Dublin gig in June...

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If you had been listening to the Virgin Radio Breakfast show yesterday morning, you would have heard Hazel calling up on the Who's Calling Christian feature! If, like me, you missed it you can listen again here .

CD

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I have been asked to remind people that Breaking Glass is currently *not* available on DVD. There are a great number of bootlegs around and you should take great care when buying second hand.

The genuine DVD was released by Metrodome with a transparent cover with visible content on all four sides.

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Isle of Wight Radio’s
JOHN HANNAM MEETS

For Sunday July 31
This Sunday at noon John talks to:

HAZEL O’CONNOR – who talks frankly about her career and life - with a few surprises along the way – whilst her and John enjoy the luxuries of the famous Royal Hotel Brighton.

John also realises a life-time ambition by going backstage at the LONDON PALLADIUM – and there may be more surprises in store.

NB. This programme can also be heard worldwide via the internet. Just call up www.iwradio.co.uk

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Thought you'd like to know that a rare interview with both Martin and Hazel in the one space at the same time, will be on air with Reading 107FM this Sunday at 18.00.
http://www.reading107fm.com

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Sorry for the delay, but the pics from the Komedia gig can now be found here.

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Phew. Just got back from the first of this set of gigs with Cormac and Hazel in Brighton. Fantastic gig and great crowd. I also had the privilige of being invited to the Southern Counties Radio session beforehand. Stay tuned for more words and the pictures in a couple of days.

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Remember when you could stay up all night and not just because the baby’s crying; when you had stretch denims not stretch marks; when a kiss from a girl made your knees wobble as opposed to your beer belly. And when the only seven inches you were worried about was that at number one...

Well break out the babycham because Hazel is appearing on Hit Me Baby One More Time next Saturday 23rd Arpil at 5.45pm on ITV 1 UK. Even if you're not in the UK, you can vote for Hazel at the ITV website

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Greetings from a sunny London and from a not so sunny Edinburgh where Hazel and Cormac are today.

Just a quick mail to remind you that Hazel’s new album HIDDEN HEART is really on the way – release date will be in May. We are all very excited and the tracks on this new album – well - you are in for a treat. To celebrate this, Hazel has lined up a very special one-off London show to preview the album with Barcó. This will be first and the only opportunity, this year to see Hazel with this wonderful band plus special guests – see below for full details. Hazel will be performing the new songs for you all and would love you to be there.

MARTIN RUSHENT: I’m not sure how long you have been listening to Hazel’s music but you may know of her much sought after Smile album from days gone. It was produced by Neil O’Connor (Hazel’s lovely brother who now lives and works in Canada) and the fabulous Martin Rushent (producer for the Buzzcocks, Stranglers and Human League to mention just a few.) Well Hidden Heart is produced by Martin Rushent and he, Hazel, Cormac, Fionán, to name just a few, worked very hard to get it in the can and its at the manufacturers as I write.

On MONDAY APRIL 11 at THE BLOOMSBURY THEATRE, London

Its close to the London’s main line stations Euston/St Pancras and Kings Cross and several tubes – Warren Street, Euston and Euston Square – full details on are the Bloomsbury web-site www.thebloomsbury.com 020 7388 8822 The Bloomsbury Theatre 15 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AH

Barcó are Cormac De Barra on harp, Fionán de Barra on guitar and bodhrán and Éamonn de Barra on flute, whistles and bodhrán. Again those of you that have known Hazel’s work over the last while, will have heard the members of Barcó individually as they all played on Beyond The Breaking Glass which was
co-produced by Fionán and Cormac. Barcó is much sought after and they have worked in the States, Italy, France, Scotland and of course, Ireland. This will be their English debut and a unique opportunity for you to hear them play. Individually they are very busy and it took some negotiation, not to mention juggling, to organise this date in London. Cormac not only writes and performs with Hazel, but also somehow manages to fit in performing his own more traditional harp work and more recently, working with the fabulous Moya Brennan. Fionán is Moya Brennan’s MD and when they are not on the road or in studio writing and recording, he slips off to record, produce and/or play with the Scottish based group, Fiddlers Bid. Fionán was in charge of all the Hidden Heart pre-production work. Éamonn has hardly spent any time at home recently as he has been off working with the wonderful Damian Dempsey.
Éamonn also works with his own band, Slide and some of you may have caught them when they did a short Hazel tour (or was it an extended party?) last year.

There will also be some other special guests including Rob Reynolds. Rob has been Hazel’s special guest on a couple of Dutch tours now and during the last tour, Hazel persuaded Rob to sing Tell Me Why with her as she originally conceived the song as a duet. It was so beautiful, that they recorded it for the album. So we are very pleased that Rob is able to join Hazel on stage to sing it with her.

Also on the album are two other duets, one with Moya Brennan and the other is with Tony Dangerfield of The Subterraneans.

So you can see this is a very special performance in London and we do hope you can join us and if you can’t, well then we will see you on the road in May and June. Hazel has also been invited by BBC Radio 2 to do a session for Jammin’ – we expect this to be broadcast in June. Also watch out for Hazel at various festivals over the summer. So you can see it is a busy time.

Finally, Hazel recorded a live DVD with The Subterraneans and Billy Davidson last April and it has just hit the shops – so check it out. It is called Eighth Day – Live in Brighton and is distributed by Snapper Music.

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Hazel and Cormac did an interview and performed One More Try 'live' on air for BBC Radio Ulster, last Friday.

Following the response to the broadcast they have accepted an invitation go back to Belfast next Thursday for thier Christmas show which is live from the Ulster Hall. All the tickets for the show have gone, some 1250 as it always proves a very popular show. The programme is repeated on Christmas Day.

Should you have Sky Television, you may listen to it on Channel 868 or there is always the option to listen via your computer.

Thursday December 16 15.00-17.00 (GMT) (at the moment Hazel and Cormac are scheduled for 15.25 althought this could change).

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Hi Everybody,

Thought I should let you know what I’ve been up to since my last missive and what’s round the corner.

We had such fun at Glastonbury this year. Not only did I have The Subterraneans but also Cormac De Barra and that naughty harp Matilda and we had a special guest – Phil Jackson with his didges. We had a ball.

At the end of the week, I will do some dates with The Subterraneans starting in Wales on 22nd October at Theatr Mwldan and in England, October 23rd Lichfield Guildhall, 26th The Mick Jagger Centre Dartford, 27th Komedia Brighton and a new venue near Illminster on 30th October – The Barn Venue at The Square and Compass in Ashill for a Halloween Party.

By the end of November, I’m off to Holland with Cormac where we have a string of dates – they are all listed on the website www.hazeloconnor.com so check it out. I will also do a date in Lisburn at the Island Arts Centre on 10 December – again check the website for full details.

Come on Sunday December 12 – I will be in London at the Astoria T.C.R. for the Wasted (Xmas) Festival with The Subterraneans.

Do you remember that I recorded a DVD in Brighton with The Subterraneans? Well I have just heard that it will be released on January 24 – again full details will be on the website when I hear more.

Everybody has been asking me about a new album – well it really is on the way. I have been up to my oysters in writing and recording and now I’m nearly there. The really great news for all of you, my dear friends who have stayed with me, is that Martin Rushent is mixing it – Martin and Neil (O’Connor) did my Smile album – remember the one that there was all the fuss about the video and George Michael? We are looking at the end of February for a release date and that will coincide with an English tour, which will be with Cormac De Barra and Billy Davidson (on sax and flute) and Dave Sanders who will also join us as a guest as well as support us. We hope that Phil Jackson can join us as a very special guest on some of the south of England gigs. Again keep your eye on the website for dates – they’ll be up soon.

Finally, on the good news front, I have been working on a book. I have also been thinking about a documentary on my Mum – how many of you remember her from the early days? Do you have any stories about her? If so, I would love you to e-mail me so that I can put your stories together and when I find the right vehicle for a programme, I will have your stories on hand. It would be good to know if you would happy to be interviewed by an interviewer if the producer decided that was what should happen
or whether you would rather just let me have your story about my Mum and the early fan club days to just incorporate into a programme.

Going on what I have been told, there are still various bootlegs out there and I urge you not to buy them. On the CD side, there is LA Confidential (or Alive and Kickin In LA) or other titles as it changes its name faster than I can keep up with it. There is also Will You, D-Days and so on and so on and so on. You just have to look at the song titles and you will see it is the same album on a different label – the only consistent thing about it is that I never see a penny, cent or any other kind of financial remuneration at all! You know it was only an unfinished demo…

There is also another album – basically it is Cover Plus – so always check the tracklisting and you’ll save yourself some money. On the DVD front there are now DVDrs that are complete bootleg copies of the Metrodome DVD of Breaking Glass. Metrodome’s licence finished some two years ago. These are completely illegal – just like all bootlegs. On a more optimistic note – I am well, strong, even stronger, the dogs are fine and the future is inviting and I wait to see what the morning brings…

Love
Hazel

October 18 Co Wicklow, Ireland

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You'll all be pleased to know that the provisional release date for the Brighton DVD is 24th January 2005! Not certain yet, but watch this space for updates.

Still no news on the BG DVD though :-(

CD

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Hi All,

I hope everyone who went to the Brighton gig enjoyed it as much as I did!! I haven't really recovered yet, so this is just a quick post to say that the photos I took can now be found here :

http://www.antfan.com/gallery/album84

Thanks to everyone who came up and said hello. Catch you all soon.

CD

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As you may have noticed, my guestbook has been suffering from a lot of spam posts recently. I've introduced yet more security measures and hopefully I've cracked it. *fingers crossed*

CD

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BBC 2 NI have made a programme about Hazel which will be broadcast on 29th March at 8pm BST. The programme is called SRL and unless you are in the North of Ireland, try Channel 962 on Sky.

(NB The programme has been re-scheduled to tie in with the release of
Hazel's cover of George Michael's One More Try also on 29 March )

Also BBC Radio 2 19.00 The Album Show on the same day!!

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Dear All,

I was told today that Hazel is making live radio interviews tomorrow, Wednesday 17th March.
1) In the morning with BBC Radio London's Danny Baker at 8.00 am GMT (on the dot) - you can pick this up either on your digital radio/Sky Sat/or on computer link ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/insideldn/dannybaker/danny_webcasts.shtml ).
2) Easy Radio London, between 2 and 3pm GMT - again digital radio/Sky sat (not sure about cable) or on a computer link (http://www.easy1035.com/ ).

Also, on Saturday 20th March, there will be a live interview at 3pm GMT on LBC - same digital, Sky, or on computer (http://www.lbc.co.uk/ ).

There is also a Radio 2 but I'm not sure when it will be transmitted - maybe next Monday evening but... I'll let you know.

Hope to see you all at Brighton.
Seedy.

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Small hours, Friday 12 March from snowbound Co Wicklow

Hello everyone logging on to CD’s Breaking Glass Website – this is Hazel O’Connor here and I want to tell you about 4 very exciting gigs coming up for anyone with an interest in my Breaking Glass music. In a few weeks time, I’ll be playing with a full band including sax (the band are from my hometown Coventry and are called The Subterraneans ). The four gigs will feature mostly Breaking Glass material and I’ll be including “Who Needs It” which I’m often asked to perform but never have to date. This will be the first time! Its the right time to do this particular song and I’ll be dedicating it to that short sighted scarey US president – in fact he does act like “the creature at the top of the tower” if you get my meaning. Of course I’ll be doing Eighth Day, Will You, Blackman, If Only to name but a few plus that old Stranglers favourite I covered – Hanging Around and fave rave Decadent Days and of course Cover Plus now we’re all grown up!

Anyway people, I really need you support on these shows. Please come to one and tell a friend to come, tell ten friends to come and if possible try to come to the Brighton gig on 4th April as one of the others. The 4th April gig is being filmed for a DVD. So please come wearing your best regalia and bring your good cheer, hand claps and foot stomps: I really need a good crowd at the Brighton Concorde 2 gig. I look forward to revisiting the Breaking Glass music.

On a sadder note: The director of Breaking Glass died on the 4th January 2004 after a two year fight against a rare bone cancer. I went to the funeral as I was luckily in England at the time. I saw Jonathan Price there and we were both very upset. Brian Gibson changed my life so drastically by giving me the chance to play Kate in Breaking Glass and teaching me how to act and nurturing me before, during and after the film. We always remained friends since the Breaking Glass times. I sang at the Celebration of his life last week in London and saw Phil Daniels there. I hadn’t seen him for 20 years or more. So many actors and producers said wonderful things about Brian. I will miss him so much – he was my mentor.

So everyone come help us make a big noise to celebrate Breaking Glass’s 25th Anniversary and to give Brian a good send off.

Looking forward to seeing you

Lots of Love

Signed Hazel O’Connor

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Hazel O’Connor gets together with Coventry home boys The Subterraneans to bring a melding of her superb vocals with soaring sax, guitars, bass and drums – the full band sound. Breaking Glass territory meets Hazel's Celtic Soul Beat roots. You know this must be something VERY special.…And you'd be right
From hazeloconnor.com :

Hazel is four concerts: March 31 Robin 2, Bilston Wolverhampton; April 1 The Bully, Oxford; April 2 The Brook Southampton; April 4 Concorde 2 Brighton.

The Brighton concert is being recorded for a DVD to be released later in the year so if you want to have a superb record of the gig, be there and help make it a really special night.

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From hazeloconnor.com :

Hazel has now joined forces for a one-off project with Slide – one of the most promising groups to emerge from the Irish traditonal scene in years.
“Powerhouse quartet of traditional musicians with attitude…bringing drawing room grandeur and high spirits together” Irish Times
Agile flute, concertina, fiddle playing, powered by the piano and driving bouzouki in one set of tunes, can flip seamlessly into the soft and melodic balance of whistles and strings in another. Add to this recipe Hazel’s “...unique and unforgettable” The Scotsman voice and you enter a new musical zone where pigeon holes become meaningless and anything is possible.

You know Hazel's work; you can learn more about Slide from their web site
www.slide.ie but I defy you to describe the magic that they will create on stage. You see, I heard a rehearsal and you are in for a wonderful evening!

April 04
23 HAMMERSMITH Irish Centre
24 TUNBRIDGE WELLS Trinity Theatre
25 READING South Street
26 BIRMINGHAM Ceol Castle
28 GLASGOW The Renfrew Ferry
29 NEWCASTLE Opera House
30 SELBY Town Hall Arts Centre
May 04
1 HEBDEN BRIDGE Trades Club
2 STROUD Subscription Rooms/

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From hazeloconnor.com :

This is a very special week as you may have noticed - Cormac has been having some time off - well not off - just elsewhere - well they always say a change is as good as a rest. Seriously, he is spending most of this year with Moya Brennan. Those of you who have had the privilege to see and feel the magic that Hazel and Cormac create will know just how special it is and will rush off to book your seats to secure your place now. Hollywell Music and Salvi (the famous harp makers based in Italy) have given Cormac a new Egan harp. The lovely harp that you have mostly seen Cormac with, (Hazel christian her Matilda) is long overdue for a service after over six years of hard touring -It is Matilda that is on Beyond Breaking Glass, Acoustically Yours and the next single, One More Try. The big question is which harp will come out on the road? Shall we run a book on it? So check out the dates on the Tour Schedule Page and book soon...

1st June - the Bulkeley, Beaumaris - Box Office 01248 810415.

2nd June - The Limelight Club, Crewe - Box Office 01270 251929.

3rd June - Life Cafe, Manchester - Box Office 0161 832 1111
www.ticketline.co.uk

4th June - Musicport - Whitby - Box Office 01947 603475

5th June - The Citadel, St Helens - Box Office 01744 735436.

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In some sad news today, it was reported that Brian Gibson died on Sunday after a battle with a rare form of bone cancer. He was 59. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Read more here.

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Well it would seem that despite my blatent cheating, Breaking Glass only made it to number 95. Come on you lot ! Where were your votes???

You can see the full list of results at the Channel 4 website.

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In case you were wondering who the nutter running around taking pictures of everyone at the gig was - it was me. You can see the pics here.

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