2001 TOUR PROGRAMME - TIM BOOTH

I have tried writing this farewell piece four times now. The other 3 attempts are crumpled at my feet, The first one reads like a football manager's programme notes "we played a great game, I'm proud of the lads." The other 2 like some melodramatic self important Oscar winning thank yous "and I'd especially like to thank The Band, Peter Rudge and Brian Eno" or even a suicide note "this has been a great life for me....". All styles lead to Rome and there is no way out but cheese.

These are my last gigs with James; nearly 20 years on from the first. Where in Sheffield I shook my maracas and squawked backing vocals. So for nearly 20 years I have managed to make a living doing this! Amazing! When I listen to Stutter, I feel especially lucky that anyone could possibly want to hear me sing, let alone pay money for the privilege. We as a band have been given the time and support to grow, to hone our skills to precision, not many get that opportunity. Our gigs over the last 12 years have been consistent celebrations with, dare I say it, spiritual undertones: Rapture - becoming one - bliss. This has been my unspoken agenda.

God I feel pompous even daring to mention it, but if you have witnessed even one of our average gigs you'll know what I mean. That's what I come looking for when I come on stage looking for it in you as much as you look for it in me.. looking for the magic. We are patient fishermen waiting for the bite.

Thank you. Thank you for seeing us. For seeing through us to our essence. I hope the feeling was mutual. "I know what I'm here for, hanging on through late December". So now you get the lyric. If I had left when I wrote it, it would have been a suicide note. The band imploding in traditional Rock n Roll antagonism. This way - leaving after a great album on a packed tour, when we are as united as we've ever been - couldn't be sweeter. I'm proud of nearly everything we have done as James and believe the mothership to be in safe hands as I open the portal and step out .... into .... space.

Tim Booth will have a new album out next year. He will also be teaching creativity workshops around the country. The first will be at The Manchester Met University in April or May 2002, contact elaine@swords333.freeserve.co.uk. He is also teaching for a week in the Canary Islands interspersed with dolphin boat trips : 22 February - 1 March 2002.  For more bookings contact The Dolphin Connection on 10273-882778, website www.dolphinconnectionexperience.com, email dolphin.connection@virgin.net. His own website timbooth.net will be up and running by January 2002.