13 Jan '02: Barbarella goes on the stage
As already reported by www.ethrill.net Dave Stewart is currently writing a musical based on the cheesy 60s cult cartoon (and movie featuring Jane Fonda) Barbarella.

13 Jan '02: What's spinning
1) The new Pink single, "Get the party started", has a remix on the single using a sample of sweet dreams. They use the baseline bit and Pink sings "sweet dreams are made of this".
More info about the single at Amazon USA or UK
2) Back in October salsa whizz-kid Marc Anthony's latest album Libre was released and according to www.billboard.com Dave Stewart joined in and jammed on a couple of the songs.
More info about the CD at Amazon USA or UK

13 Jan '02: Annie's voice for peace
In the wake of the September 11 NYC tragedy and the events of the time since then comes this new anthology "Voices for Peace" that "brings together a wide range of voices, from intellectuals to entertainers, from business leaders to human rights activists, from poets to public figures. Their response to the tragedy is to call for creative, just ways to end the chain of violence." Among the writers is Annie Lennox. Get more info about this book here. All proceeds go to the War Child organisation.

31 Jan '02: When Love Speaks - Live
And on February 10 at "The Old Vic" London, Annie and Dave will be among the performers at a special gala concert leading up to the release of the "When Love Speaks" album. There's a special website for the concert here.

31 Jan '02: Marianne's song for Nico
Dave Stewart helped write a song for Marianne Faithfull's new album "Kissing Time". The title of the track is "Song for Nico". According to www.ethrill.net Dave will be playing live with Marianne February 4 and March 10 in London.

31 Jan '02: A Jamaican work holiday
At www.davestewart.com is a new picture of Dave and Annie next to Bob Marley's mum. On the website you'll also find more pictures from their recent holiday with their families on Jamaica. Or was it perhaps a working holiday of some sort? According to a Billboard article russian musician Boris Grebenshikov was there too, 'recording with Annie Lennox'.

31 Jan '02: When Love Speaks
February 4 "When Love Speaks" is released, reportedly an album of 'original Shakespeare sonnets' set to music by composer Michael Kamen. Among the artists who have recorded tracks for the album are Annie Lennox, Ralph Fiennes, Kenneth Branagh and Bryan Ferry. Interestingly Annie's contribution 'Live with me and be my love' is not Shakespeare at all but an excerpt of 'The Passionate Shephard to his Love' a poem by another contemporary, Christopher Marlowe. But no matter who wrote it, you should go to hear a small clip of Annie singing at the official website.

31 Jan '02: Fan convention year 02
This year's fan convention takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany on May 11. You will find much more info on the programme for the day and how to participate at www.ethrill.net. Last year's event was a great success among those who attended - see this feature about last year's convention.

18 Feb '02: Caribbean sunstroke?
According to the dubious gossip column www.popbitch.com "Dave Stewart has linked up with ex-Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen to develop a palm tree-shaped island in the Caribbean. The $2.3 billion resort is set to feature a massive Guggenheim-style museum 'housing all the cultures of the world' - to be billed as the new Wonder of the World. There is going to be a plot next to it for multimillion dollar housing - Dave is supposed to have already talked Mick Jagger and Sting into buying plots." True or fake? It could easily be our Dave telling some poor journo stories again...

18 Feb '02: Rivers of Babylon
Now we know what Annie recorded in the studio with russian musician Boris Grebenshikov on her recent Jamaican holiday. According to the website of his band Aquarium they enjoyed themselves on New Year's eve recording a cover of "Rivers of Babylon" together with some "original old jamaican musicians". It's claimed that an mp3 of the performance will soon be available from the band website: www.planetaquarium.com
Also at www.davestewart.com you'll find a few snapshots from Annie, Dave and co.'s trip to Jamaica.

18 Feb '02: D & A and the roof that nearly lifted
As mentioned earlier Annie and Dave performed at "The Old Vic" in London February 10 at a special gala concert leading up to the release of the "When Love Speaks" album. The stage was taken over by a succession of actors and other celebrities who recited and sang sonnets of Shakespeare, but according to The Independent (full story here) the roof nearly lifted only when Annie and Dave stepped on stage to perform "Live With Me and Be My Love". Annie was dressed for the occasion in a pale rose coloured dress and big black boots: See BBC photo and article here.