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December 10, 1998
#LiveGailA: Welcome to Live Chat with Gail Ann Dorsey
Moderator: Let's begin. Any questions
Moderator: VernardAPHexTriplet says: GAIL,you're such a lovely and sweet gal,multi-talented musician yet ya seem so introverted,but are ya really like that???
Gail Ann: My answer is, of course not!
Moderator: Aki says: Hello Gail Ann! You are the goddess of bass! I canžt find any biographical information on you, so Ižd love to fill in the blanks with some really basic boring questions: 1) birthday? 2) what got you into playing music? 3) favorite family members? 4) pets? 5) significant others?
Gail Ann: November 20, 1962. What got me into playing music was something greater than myself.
Gail Ann: Favorite family members - yes.
Gail Ann: Pets - No.
Gail Ann: Significant others - always.
Moderator: VernardAPHexTriplet says: and whats your favorite pastime besides music,Gail?
Gail Ann: Film
Moderator: LaughingGnome says: I know that I am not just speaking for myself when I say that the "Under Pressure" duet was one of the highlights of the Earthling Tour! How did that come about?
Gail Ann: Early on, on the Outside tour, David asked would I consider singing Under Pressure like the Annie Lennox duet
Gail Ann: he performed at Freddie Mercury's Memorial Concert.
Gail Ann: Queen is my favorite band of all time and I remember being so overwhelmed
Gail Ann: at David's suggestion that I cried.
Gail Ann: To sing a part originally sung by Freddie Mercury so far has been the greatest honor of my life.
Moderator: Helen2 says: how is the new album coming along?
Gail Ann: Unfortunately the writing has been going slowly this year but by summer of '99 I have set a deadline for completion of my next CD.
Gail Ann: The title of the CD will be 'Chez Virtue"
Moderator: sailor says: Gail, my dogs got no nose. Do you know how he smells?
Gail Ann: Yeah badly.
Moderator: VernardAPHexTriplet says: Whats David like as an employer in your opinion???
Gail Ann: A silly bugger!
Gail Ann: But fun!
Moderator: Valeria says: Hi Gail, did you use to listen to Bowie music in the past, before touring with him?
Gail Ann: Yes, I was always a big Bowie fan. My favorite Bowie album is 'Young Americans' and it was at this time that I really got into David the heaviest.
Moderator: Aki says: What did you use to make the devil horns stay on????
Gail Ann: A hope and a prayer.
Moderator: Mariozzio says: Gail, what music are you really into right now?
Gail Ann: Burt Bacharach and the new Chaka Khan that is produced by Chaka and 'The Artist' is excellent.
Moderator: VernardAPHexTriplet says: Laughing Gnome really has a crush on you,would you consider going out for coffee with him ????
Gail Ann: I don't drink coffee.
Moderator: midge says: Gail have you entered the bowienet song contest?
Gail Ann: No I don't think I'm good enough.
Moderator: eden7 says: What was the most impressive concert you've ever seen?
Gail Ann: Queen - Night at the Opera Tour - Philadelphia Spectrum
Moderator: LaughingGnome says: We were told by a reliable source that Indie films are one of your passions. Where are you at currently with that and is it hard to balance both the passion for film and the music?
Gail Ann: I studied film in college at CalArts with hopes of becoming a screenwriter. When I realized the nature of the movie industry, I thought I could never possibly make a living. So I decided to return to music my first
Gail Ann: passion with hopes of having a big hit record so I could make my own movies.
Gail Ann: I'm just waiting for that hit record.
Moderator: VernardAPHexTriplet says: Gail,what about the prospect of modelling shots of you and TYSON for a Versace ad??
Gail Ann: I have a lot to live up to to match Toni Braxton.
Moderator: Valeria says: what do you think of the Dead Man walking videoclip?
Gail Ann: It was one of the most interesting videos I was ever part of making. I wish I had a copy.
Moderator: Cita says: how david and reeves behave during the concerts, are they perfect gentlemen?
Gail Ann: Of course they are.
Moderator: Aki says: Who are your favorite women in music?
Gail Ann: Sara Maclachlan, Bjork, Chaka Khan, Ani DiFranco, ...
Gail Ann: and Karen Carpenter, God rest her soul.
Moderator: LaughingGnome says: How was the tour with The Indigo Girls? Was it as satisfying or less or the same as being a part of DB's band?
Gail Ann: This was the most fun I've had this year because I had a chance to perform some of my own songs, new material from my forthcoming CD.
Gail Ann: I had some good reviews in the press which was a positive confirmation that I'm going in the right direction.
Gail Ann: I also did a cover of 'Ziggy Stardust' every night which went down a storm.
Moderator: Ramsey says: Tell Gail that Ziggy kicked butt!
Gail Ann: Thanks alot. I used to play 'Ziggy Stardust' in a cover band in Philadelphia when I was 16.
Moderator: sQueakie says: Gail, *I* have a crush on you, will you go out with ME? I don't drink coffee either.
Gail Ann: My dating days are over.
Moderator: grazia says: gail and david, have you some future plain to make together a song as the sweeter one planet of dream?
Gail Ann: I'm sure that David and I will do something very nice together for my new CD.
Gail Ann: It will have to be a surprise for me too.
Moderator: Cita says: will you soon make a tour on your own? We wld like to see you in italy!
Gail Ann: Obviously I won't be doing any of my own shows until my CD is finished. However, I will be on tour in Italy, Germany, England, France and Scandanavia with the Italian artist Zucchero.
Gail Ann: starting this February.
Moderator: stefano says: gail what about your experience with tears for fears
Gail Ann: It was a wonderful experience working with Roland Orzabel. He is a very talented singer, musician and songwriter.
Gail Ann: Most likely there will be two songs on my new CD that I have written with Roland Orzabel.
Moderator: FruJu says: Gail, how did you actually link up with Bowie and get asked to play bass?
Gail Ann: I was working in the South of England with Roland Orzabel writing material for my CD when I received a phone call from Mr. Bowie out of the blue asking me to do a six week tour with Nine Inch Nails. Six weeks turned into three years. This is why my CD is not ready.
Moderator: sailor says: Gail do you do it all night or just a bit in the morning or both? The bass thing, i mean
Gail Ann: The bass thing is a continuous motion.
Moderator: VernardAPHexTriplet says: gail,what book are u reading now??
Gail Ann: It's a book called 'Therapy' by a British writer and I've just started the book, someone lent it to me and I cannot remember the name of the author, but so far it's very funny.
Moderator: grazia says: for how many years have you played the bass?
Gail Ann: I started as a guitar player at the age of nine. When I was 14, I got my first bass, but I did not consider myself a bass player until I was 20, so you do the math.
Moderator: Cita says: which are your hobbies?
Gail Ann: My hobbies are collecting movies, poetry and taking my car into the mechanic.
Moderator: Arafel says: do you love the travelling or would you rather settle in one spot for awhile now?
Gail Ann: I love to travel. I get depressed if I stay in one spot for too long. But then I also get depressed if I travel too long. Life is funny that way.
Moderator: Joe says: Does David appreciate your look?You're very sexy!
Gail Ann: He better.
Moderator: sQueakie says: If you go to a bar, what kind of drink would you order?
Gail Ann: A White Russian.
Gail Ann: Just call me Ms. Lebowski.
Moderator: robhall says: Are you going to do more singing on David's next album? What little we heard on Earthling and on tour, was great.
Gail Ann: You'll have to make a petition to get me more vocal time.
Gail Ann: I think that would help.
Moderator: grazia says: in your next tour will you have a new look?
Gail Ann: Yes I hope so. Something a little more...I don't know.
Moderator: Arafel says: Will we ever get a legal copy of your version of 'Oh Superman'? I saw it live a few times and you knocked me out!
Gail Ann: You mean you have an illegal copy? Could you make one for me?
Moderator: canney says: Hi Gail hope you are well. Do you miss The Gang Of Four?
Gail Ann: I miss everyone I've worked with before. My experience with the Gang of Four was a blast. I hope to do some work in the future with Andy Gill, possibly for my next CD.
Moderator: lydia says: how moch did you study to have such a voice,i like a lot !
Gail Ann: Luckily I was blessed with the voice I have.
Gail Ann: I did take some vocal training in London some years ago just to keep my voice from disappearing when I'm working on a long tour or singing on record.
Gail Ann: I took lessons with the same vocal coach as Annie Lennox.
Moderator: Arafel says: Do you have any plans to do film roles? I think you'd be great!!
Gail Ann: I would love to be a movie star. I saw Spike Lee once in the lobby of a movie theatre in Los Angeles and I was hoping to be discovered. He looked right in my eyes, I swear.
Moderator: stefano says: what david show will you remember forever
Gail Ann: I will always remember performing at the birthday concert looking over to see David and Lou Reed together was the greatest thrill for a little girl from Philadelphia.
Moderator: sQueakie says: Gail, are you a Bowienet member?
Gail Ann: I will be.
Moderator: Aki says: How come Zachary Alford never shaved his head like the rest of you?
Gail Ann: The first time I met Zachary a friend took me to a rehearsal for the B-52's. When I walked into the studio, Zachary had a shaved head exactly like mine. When I saw him again almost two years later, he was the mop-top you are familiar with.
Gail Ann: Maybe he just doesn't want to shave again.
Moderator: Tybalt says: Do you and Iman swap fashion stories/
Gail Ann: Unfortunately I don't have many to swap. I don't consider myself very fashionable but I'm working on it.
Moderator: Anonymous says: Gail, if you could only listen to three musical artist's works for the rest of your life who would it be?
Gail Ann: Queen, Joni Mitchell, Beethoven.
Moderator: RaMOANa says: Hallo Gail! Sorry I am late and you may have answered this already, but we were wondering if, during the Earthling tour, were you the one collecting all the flying pigs that were thrown at you?
Gail Ann: I have three of your pigs in my home studio just on top of my speakers. Thank you!
Moderator: Joe says: What kind of bass do you have?I'm a bass player too
Gail Ann: Music Man basses are my favorite. I always start there. This year I added two new basses to my collection. A lovely five string made for me by G & L Guitars as well as my newest bass a Grendal made by Michael Tobias.
Gail Ann: This is an excellent bass.
Moderator: straffer says: with whom would you like to work in the future?
Gail Ann: I am planning to do a song on my CD with MeShell Ndegeocello and SKin from Skun Anansie. I have spoken to both of them about doing a cover tune but we have not decided what song we should do. Maybe you have some suggestions?
Moderator: sailor says: does your boyfreind mind you being in an all bot band?
Moderator: that boy..by the way
Gail Ann: There are only all boy bands. What choice do I have?
Moderator: grazia says: Gail, why the sound of your bass is so particular in earthling?
Gail Ann: I think it is the magic of Mark Plati the engineer of 'Earthling'. He made me sound the best I ever have on record.
Moderator: BustingoutforRosey says: You mean like "The Indigo Girls?"
Gail Ann: Exactly!
Gail Ann: LoL
Moderator: LaughingGnome says: What do you wish for the Holiday Season and the coming New Year?
Gail Ann: Peace, always Peace.
Moderator: RaMOANa says: Do you mind when Bowie grabs you on stage or bites your neck (sigh)...
Gail Ann: Did you see 'The Hunger'? Be afraid, be very afraid...
Moderator: straffer says: Gail you have lived in Amsterdam right? What did you like about it?? if anything?
Gail Ann: Amsterdam is my favorite city in the world and not for the obvious reason, but that helps.
Moderator: sQueakie says: Gail do you smoke pot?
Gail Ann: What do you think?
Moderator: FruJu says: Is it true as Bowie said on stage a few times that to succeed in rock'n'roll you need the perfect pair of breasts? And is that why Marilyn Manson is succeeding??
Gail Ann: Oh is that what I've been doing wrong?
Gail Ann: I knew it was something...
Moderator: Joe says: How old are you?
Gail Ann: Thirty Six
Moderator: canney says: Belated Happy Birthday Gail - 20th November - Did you get any good presents then?
Gail Ann: Yes, I got flowers from the President of Virgin Records. Time to make a call about putting out my CD.
Moderator: Joe says: you're very fine,i thought 26!!
Gail Ann: Oh did I say 36? Yes, I meant 26. LOL
Moderator: Arafel says: Do you work out are are you just naturally in shape?
Gail Ann: I am a yoga fanatic. Working out has never been my idea of fun.
Moderator: Valeria says: have you a different feeling about the Outside Tour and The Earthling one?
Gail Ann: Both tours were great fun to do but I would have to say the 'Earthling' tour felt more personal to me. The band was smaller and we had made contributions to the actual album.
Moderator: straffer says: What kind of poetry do you like, and do you write poetry yourself?
Gail Ann: I like Baudelaire, Maya Angelou.
Moderator: lydia says: is there something how really hate doing?
Gail Ann: I hate cooking, that's why I'm so skinny...
Moderator: LaughingGnome says: What is the most personal thing that you can share with about yourself to a group of crazies like us?
Gail Ann: I am actually very insecure at times about my ability as a musician and songwriter. I would like to have studied music when I was younger but I taught myself to play and I would like to find the time to fill in the gaps. Sometimes compliments are hard for me to take. I'm very hard on myself.
Moderator: Valeria says: Gail did David oblige you to be here tonight?;-)
Gail Ann: Not exactly. David informed me that everyone wanted me to be here tonight. Thank you all!
Moderator: lydia says: do you have any brothers or sisters?
Gail Ann: I have three brothers and one sister. I am the baby.
Moderator: Aki says: Who is your fav independent filmmaker? And what do you think of Roeg? Jodorowsky?
Gail Ann: The Coen Brothers, John Singleton and John Cassavettes.
Moderator: sQueakie says: Were you popular in high school?
Gail Ann: I went to a suburban Pennsylvania high school in the late '70's. There were only 40 black students in the entire school. It was not "popular" to be black at this school.
Gail Ann: We've been at this for about an hour. How about we do 5 more questions?
Moderator: Valeria says: Gail, is there anyone You would like to chat with?
Gail Ann: Jodie Foster and Charles Mingus, but he's not here anymore.
Moderator: Helen2 says: Gail i saw you in London at the ICA in '89 memorable show, I hope your new album will have a song about flying pigs so I can throw some more at you ;-)
Gail Ann: I'm not much on pigs, but I love pussys. There might be some cat songs. LOL
Moderator: Aki says: FASTER PUSSYCAT KILL KILL KILL should be the song that you Meshelle and Skunk cover together!!!!
Gail Ann: Very good, very clever.
Moderator: grazia says: Gail what do you feel when you play with David?
Gail Ann: The Thin White Duke. LOL
Moderator: stefano says: what david song do you prefer
Gail Ann: My favorite Bowie song is "Win'. We never perform this song. Maybe the next tour, I hope.
Gail Ann: One more question..
Moderator: sailor says: Tell Helen to throw some pussy at you, next concert. dare you!!! DARE DARE
Moderator: Valeria says: would you come back for one more chat with us?
Gail Ann: I will come back as often as you would like within reason. I was very shocked and happy to know that you guys out there wanted to have a chat with me. I hope to have some more news on my CD the next time we speak.
Gail Ann: Thanks everyone for joining us tonight!
Moderator: thanks so much everyone. Gail has left the building...
