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ROBERT PLANT & SSS AT BLUES FEST/ EVENINGS WITH BOOK LATEST/LZ NEWS/MARQUEE BOX SET/ MICK WALL EVENT /THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME & REMASTERS TBL ARCHIVE/ FREDDIE MERCURY FILM/DL DIARY BLOG UPDATE

30 October 2018 2,218 views 8 Comments

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters – Blues Fest 2018 – Friday October 28 – The 02 London:  

Following a consummate set from Van Morrison, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters took to the stage and displayed their intent to delight the crowd from the off.
A welcomed set opener of Ramble On led into a tough and rocking Turn it Up. May Queen and Rainbow were both early crowd pleasers. It was good to hear Black Dog again inspiring memories of that night of night’s here in this venue eleven years back.

The undoubted highlight of the evening was a shimmering delivery of The Rain Song – much welcomed by this particular fan as I have not seen him sing this live since the Unledded era. Gallows Pole was the usual Seth Lakeman inspired hoe down and Carry Fire was just spectacular.

On the home straight, a dramatic Babe I’m Gonna Leave provided Skin with his moment in the spotlight. Little Maggie continued the momentum on into an urgent Fixin’ To Die. A crunching amalgamation of Bring It On Home/Whole Lotta Love rounded off a Friday night where the weekend started right here at the 02.

”This is not a career this is a gift” he recently noted. The gift more than delivered last night…again.

Before the gig it was great to hook up with Gary Foy, Krys Jantzen, Dave Lnwood, Paul Aspey, Hiroshi, Michaela and Bob,Diane Mason, Paul Harper,Dawn Atherton, Aris from Denmark Minna from Finland and Trev Butcher. Great night.

Dave Lewis, October 27, 2018

Pics by Krys Jantzen

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Evenings With Led Zeppelin – Latest Feedback:

Here’s a review from Ed in Washington…

Evenings with Led Zeppelin has arrived, which according to Amazon, derived from someplace called Rugby in Warwickshire. This lends additional Zeppelin authenticity to my mind, having a UK place of origin. And what a hefty volume it is, landing as it did with a thud on the front porch.

What a compendium this is! Such a wealth of material to pore over, so meticulously researched and with vibrant presentation. Whatever may lie ahead in your respective careers, Dave Lewis and Mike Tremaglio have created their legacy piece of work. What great satisfaction you must both have to place your names in authorship of this masterpiece. Is it any wonder that Richard Cole appears so delighted?

I could go on with platitudes, but suffice it say that I don’t know even where to begin. I’ll briefly comment on the items of local interest. Zeppelin apparently made ten appearances here in Maryland (two Baltimore, one Laurel racetrack, five Capital Centre appearances in 75 and 77, the singular odd and extremely rare Merriweather Post appearance with The Who, and the phantom gig at Wheaton Youth Center which was apparently tantamount to a Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot sighting).

A savage review is unearthed from the Washington Post, written by the poison pen of none other than Carl Bernstein regarding the Laurel Racetrack gig, mocking Zeppelin’s English Blues as vaudevillian “blackface”. He showed uncharacteristic humility in 2002 when confronted with it, sheepishly conceded that he didn’t “get” Led Zeppelin in 1969 but now he loves them like everyone else. So typically DC.

Dragging these “reviewers” in the open light of 2018 with their own misguided words is one of the many treasures found in this book, which gives the many Zeppelin gigs their individuality and historical context.

I simply can’t thank the both of you enough for this obvious labor of love, for the band that deserves nothing less.

Well done, Gentlemen.

ED -Washington

Evenings With Led Zeppelin distribution latest: last few copies of the 100 signed and individually numbered available – order now – don’t miss out! 

The view in the TBL Distribution Centre…well the TBL hub near our kitchen actually…

I have been very busy packing the TBL limited signed copies – and let me tell you carrying them to the post office on my bike is not easy!

Please note – there are only a few of the 100 limited edition signed and individually numbered copies are selling well – if you want to order a copy of this run hurry before this runn sells out.

Hhere is the link to order:

http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/evenings-with-led-zeppelin-the-complete-concert-chronicle-book/

US availability:

The book is released in the USA on December 6 2018. More on this soon.

There is a link to order the book in the US via Amazon though availability has been erratic.

https://www.amazon.com/Evenings-Led-Zeppelin-Complete-Chronicle/dp/1783057017/ref=sr_1_1?

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Led Zeppelin News Update:

In conjunction with the Led Zep news site, each week I will be re- producing highlights from their weekly email update news summary. This goes out every Sunday. Sign up details are below. Many thanks to James Cook.

Led Zeppelin

  • The December 2018 issue of Mojo Magazine, which features interview with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham, is now on sale. Find out more here.

Jimmy Page

  • The Tate Britain’s Edward Burne-Jones exhibition, which features two tapestries owned by Jimmy Page, opened this week. It will close on February 24.

Robert Plant

  • Robert Plant played three shows in the UK this week. See the setlists below:

October 25 – Cardiff, Wales
When the Levee Breaks
Turn It Up
The May Queen
Ramble On
The Rain Song
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
What Is and What Should Never Be
Little Maggie
Fixin’ to Die
———
New World…
Black Dog

October 26 – London, England
Ramble On
Turn It Up
The May Queen
Rainbow
Black Dog
The Rain Song
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
Little Maggie
Fixin’ to Die
———-
New World…
Bring It On Home / Whole Lotta Love

October 28 – Dublin, Ireland
Ramble On
Turn It Up
Black Dog
The May Queen
The Rain Song
Going to California
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
Little Maggie
Fixin’ to Die
——-
New World…
Bring It On Home / Whole Lotta Love

Upcoming events:

November 20 – The Japanese edition of the official Led Zeppelin photo book will be released.
November 29 – “Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass”, which features an interview with John Paul Jones, will be released.
February 24, 2019 – The Tate Britain’s Edward Burne-Jones exhibition, which features two tapestries owned by Jimmy Page, closes.

Many thanks to James Cook.

The complete Led Zeppelin News email goes out every weekend. To receive it each week sign up here:http://tinyletter.com/LedZepNews

Led Zeppelin News Website: Check out the Led Zeppelin news website at

http://ledzepnews.com/

One more from LZ News:

http://ledzepnews.com/2018/10/30/jimmy-page-is-working-with-fender-to-recreate-his-dragon-telecaster-guitar/?fbclid=IwAR0Ydod7jI7O7hhiFB5InWMH0xpUKc2sYYYneRYyyaoGFq3287-ewSWVZJ8

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Marquee Led Zeppelin Book Box Set:

There’s a new limited edition box set just out – it comprises of a book that unfolds the story of Led Zeppelin’s appearances at the Marquee . Andy Adams has provided the text. It also included prints and T shirts. Here are all the details.

http://themarqueelondon.com/zeppelin_marque-50th-anniversary.html

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Mick Wall In Conversation with Chris Phipps at Books on Tyne event: 

Here’s the info on this one…

November 29,2018   Bewick Hall   at Newcastle  upon Tyne Central Library  7pm  £3

Rock  author  and journalist Mick Wall  in conversation  with Chris Phipps  about all things Heavy!!!.

Presented  on the  50th Anniversary  of Led Zeppelin’s  Newcastle Mayfair  concert

Part of Books on Tyne Festival.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/books-on-tyne-the-newcastle-book-festival-2018-tickets-50641379730

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song-vinyl

The Song Remains The Same Soundtrack at 42:

42 years ago, on the afternoon of Thursday October 21 1976, I anxiously tore open the box marked Warner/ Elektra/ Atlantic Records at the WH Smith record shop where I worked to reveal for the first time the gatefold sleeve of, as the label spine gloriously put it ‘’The Soundtrack To The Film The Song Remains The Same‘’.

Yes the only official live album released during the band’s life time is 40 years old.
I have much affection for that original double live album – it captures a certain era of innocence when we knew a lot less about the actual construction of such things and just enjoyed it for what it as – four sides of live Zep to accompany the release of their long awaited film The Song Remains The Same. Whilst the on stage experimentation of their 1972 US tour had levelled out, these New York ‘73 concerts a year later capture all the swagger and verve of a band in the throes of conquering the world.

In those innocent days I was completely immune to any criticism of the boy’s work. I was therefore absolutely incensed with Nick Kent’s less than complimentary review of the film in the  NME. So much so that I wrote a letter to the paper the next week pointing out an inaccuracy on his part. This was duly printed – I used the pseudonym ‘Ace Wallbanger’, a reference to the soccer team I played in, the infamous and much feared in a keystone cops sort of way Wallbangers FC.

nick-2

Left: Angry Ace Wallbanger of Bedford has the right of reply…

Thanks to the esteemed Eddie Edwards we now know a whole lot more of how the live set was assembled via Eddie’s amazing Garden Tapes analysis.
of a few years back

See link at http://www.thegardentapes.co.uk/tgt.html
I know Eddie was far from happy with the revised version of the album that was issued in 2007. It cooked up a lot healthy debate at the time.

I was actually ok with Kevin Shirley’s mix. He cleverly kept the excitable crowd reaction high in the mix which adds a real ‘right there’ front row authenticity heard to great effect on the opening blast of Rock And Roll, Celebration Day and Black Dog. In extending the original double album, the six previously unreleased performances included a very fluent Over The Hills And Far Away, the riotous The Ocean and of course it finally gave a home to the brilliantly sublime recording of Since I’ve Been Loving You –always a stand out performance in the film and one of their best ever live moments.

I’ll be  playing  through both versions of the album over the weekend –and there is much to admire – pull them out yourselves for a nostalgic blast of prime era Zep on this 40th anniversary.

TBL Archive:

The Song Remains The Same Film at 42:

song-movie

After the excitement of The Song Remains The Same soundtrack double album release, 42 years ago this week saw the premiere of the accompanying movie. This occurred at the Warner West End cinema in London’s Leicester Square although such was the demand the film was also screened at the nearby Shaftesbury Avenue ABC theatre.

We got tickets by queuing overnight in early October. Sleep was at a minimum that night as the disco next to the Warner West End cinema blasted out a diet of Barry White and the like until the early hours. All worth it of course.

Two nights before the premiere The Old Grey Whistle Test screened the famous river boat interview with Peter Grant and Robert Plant and the violin bow segment of Dazed And Confused leading up to the coloured swords being brandished . ‘’That’s an amazing piece of film’’ murmured the legendary Bob Harris -and indeed it was. Incidentally BBC’s Film Night aired a clip the following Sunday for which the long running presenter Barry Norman in his familiar style commented ‘’Let’s all go down like a Led Zeppelin…and why not.’’
The premiere on the night of Thursday November 4 1976 was another unforgettable occasion with many memories ingrained on my brain:

Here’s a few: Jimmy being ushered up the stairs of the cinema on arrival by John Bindon right next to me….shaking hands with Peter Grant and Bonzo as they waited for the photo call….standing up to allow Roy Wood and Billy Connolly to get to his seat two along from where we sat….a standing ovation as Jimmy, Robert, John and Bonzo took their seats…..spontaneous applause after every song performance -it was almost like attending a gig…. Bonzo and Jonesy with families gathering in the foyer afterwards…passing Paul McCartney on the way into the toliet  (no jokes at the back!)…..Robert eyeing the cardboard obeleisk/object card board cut out that I wore around my neck entwined with my scarf for the occasion as we chatted in the foyer.

Let me explain this interesting fashion look. Basically I took one of the cardboard obelisks that made up the hanging Presence mobile I had and swung it around my neck in a unique (plainly odd!) fashion statement – I cant it say it’s a look that caught on but hey it was for a special occasion!….The aforementioned Billy Connolly telling me the film had been ‘’A wee bit brilliant’’ in his famous Scottish brogue…watching them all get into limos as they sped off for the aftershow party in Covent Garden. A simply unforgettable night in their company.

song-pic-2

My then girlfriend Fiona and I were back for the screening at the Warner West End the next night and on the Saturday. I went on to see the film over 30 times in various cinemas over the next 18 months – along with those first three nights it played in London, I saw it in Cambridge a couple of times the next week, every night (twice on Friday) of its seven day residency at Bedford’s Granada the following January , at a run down cinema in Western Favell in Northampton on a snow bound night with my good friend Dec that involved catching two busses to find the place…at a midnight night showing along with a couple of porn skin flicks in Luton (ooer!) and then there were periodical trips to a small picture house in London’s Wardour Street that showed seasons of rock films in rotation (anyone else remember that tiny place?).

In early 1981 I brought it on a dreadful quality VHS bootleg copy in a shop off Tottenham Court Road – all colour drop out but hey any time I wanted I could rewind to Jimmy climbing that mountain so who cared!

All that endeavour seems faintly ridiculous now considering the fact it’s now all over YouTube – but  hey, it was the thrill of the search and as they couldn’t play live during that period, then the film was definitely the next best thing.
There are of course many highlights in the film not least the amazing Since Ive Been Loving You – one of my other favourite clips is the opening sequence of The Song Remains The Same – as the camera blurs slightly then captures the action face on with Jimmy slaying around the Gibson double neck in between Robert’s struts. Watch it below and expect a shiver up your spine…this is what they were all about and why they remain so special…
Somewhere over the next week I’m going to find a couple of hours to wallow in the pure nostalgia of the DVD and recall those heady days of November 1976.

DL

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Led Zeppelin Remasters at 28:

remasters-music-week

It’s amazing to think that there was a time back in the day, that the only way of hearing Led Zeppelin’s music was via the ten original albums – ie the eight original studio albums, The Song Remains The Same soundtrack and the posthumous collection Coda.

There were no greatest hits albums, no BBC sessions, no 1972 live albums and certainly no i-tunes or HD downloads..
True the Led Zeppelin catalogue had been released on CD – alebit not from the original masters and transferred via analogue tapes.

The results were mixed. I did a feature in Record Collector in early 1990 reviewing the original CD’s (I’ll need to dig that one out) ,blisterfully unaware that Jimmy was about to overhaul the entire catalogue for CD.

Thus the arrival in October of 1990 of the five LP CD box set and double Remasters compilations was a very big deal indeed.
I wasn’t the only one I am sure, who had not paid much attention to the studio albums in recent years. My Zep listening time was taken up analysing the many Zep shows that were appearing on CD sets and the fresh outtakes that had surfaced.

our-price-2

The arrival of the Remasters was a revelation. Suddenly we all realised just exactly what it was that had made this band so special. Lapsed fans got back on the wagon –a whole new generation of younger enthusiasts also jumped aboard. Overnight Led Zep’s stock shot up…and it never looked back.

The Remasters releases were absolute game changers in the way Led Zeppelin were viewed and appreciated.

I have very fond memories of this period 26 years ago – it was the point where I realised their legacy was intact. It was fantastic to follow all the media buzz that went with it including Jimmy’s appearances on MTV and the promo videos for Travellin’ Riverside Blues and Over The Hills And Far Away.

remasters-discs

In the Our Price record store I managed Bedford we really went to town – with pre release build up and in store displays. This activity resulted in the store racking up £10,000 worth of business on the box sets and double albums. I was later awarded a triple gold disc award by Warners in the UK. Here’s a pic of the shop window back in October 1990.

At the time, I was about to produce a book that emphatically chronicled the band’s music. The book Led Zeppelin – A Celebration published the next summer was very well received…and it set me on a mission to totally commit myself to chronicling the world of Led Zeppelin that has not let up for the past quarter of a century.

I’ll be bringing out the Remasters box set vinyl and CDs to enjoy over the next few days revelling in Jimmy’s vision of – as he put it ”The same picture with a different frame”
And what vivid pictures they are….

DL

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My thoughts on the Bohemian Rhapsody Freddie Mercury film…

To The Vue Cinema Bedford to see the Freddie Mercury film Bohemian Rhapsody with the good lady Janet.

Recreating recent history is never going to be easy especially when the viewing audience have lived through it. Back in the day, biopics honed in on ancient history or wartime subjects like Glenn Miller. Now we are faced with subjects of stories we shared – in the case of Queen by attending gigs and buying their albums. There’s a very thin line to be walked when dealing with such recent musical history that hovers between parody and authenticity – witness the Led Zep portrayal in the HBO Vinyl series which was plainly embarrassing.

Not so this brilliant film. The acting and screenplay are absolutely superb. Rami Malek as Freddie is just sensational and the supporting cast so spot on – Gwilym Lee as Brian May is so believable as is Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor and Joseph Mazolla as John Deacon. Lucy Boynton as Freddie’s long time lover and friend Mary Austin is particularly outstanding. Freddie’s relationship with Mary is the re-occurring love story throughout the film. Another repeated message is the ‘family’ bond within the four members of the group. We see this ethic tested to the limit on several occasions.

The story unfolds at a fairly frantic pace and never lets up -it’s also full of warmth and humour. There are so many terrific scenes – of which the recording of Bohemian Rhapsody at Rockfield Studios is a stand out. As Freddie’s life goes into freefall there are so many poignant and moving moments and I have no shame to say (or Janet next to me) that at times it was hard not to fill with tears. One scene in particular I completely lost it and you will too.

The Live Aid finale is just stupendous – Janet and I can both vividly recall that day as will many watching the film – in fact our very good lifelong friends Alan Stutz, Steve Moore and Coral Hay watched it with us at our house on the day and will likley to be reading this.

It’s that sense of our own lives being played out against this incredibly moving story that makes this film so real and vivid.

It’s a masterpiece of film making and a life affirming experience watching it – because this is our history played out to the life of a genius musician who we all still miss so much.

Throughout this utterly fantastic film Freddie Mercury lives again. Yes, it may be fantasy but this also felt like the real thing.

We both came out drained…but so thankful for witnessing this amazing film.

Dave Lewis, October 25,2018

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Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen Pop Up Shop:

..and while we are on the subject – well worth a visit – the Bohemian Rhapsody Queen Pop Up Shop in Carnaby Street London. I popped in last Friday before the Robert Plant  gig – there’s some amazing memorabilia on display.

VIP Bedford Record Fair – Saturday November 10 ,2018:

The VIP Record Fair is staged next Friday at the Harpur Suite venue in Bedford. I will be in attendance manning the TBL stall. I will have both the Evenings With Led Zeppelin and the Led Zeppelin Live 1975 – 1977 books on sale. If you are in the area be sure to check it out.

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DL Diary Blog Update:

At the always excellent Vinyl Barn last Friday  I was well pleased to find a copy of the Sonny Rollins soundtrack to the film Alfie, original 1966 mono His Masters Voice pressing plus Nina Simone’s’ Nuff Said album on RCA – some cool jazz for the weekend -thanks Darren.

A great night on Friday at the 02. It was great to hook up with a fair few fellow fans – here’s a couple of pics – with Michaela and Bob Tait and Gary Foy – bottom next pic is with Krys Jantzen, Paul Aspey and Diane Mason.

As so many of us were, I was shocked and saddened by the tragic events at Leicester City last Saturday – thoughts go out to all affected by the tragic helicopter crash that claimed five lives including Leicester chairman Vichal Srivaddhanaprabha.

 

 

I was also shocked to hear that Glenn Hoddle had been taken ill with a heart attack. Here’s wishing him or a speedy recovery.

Another busy week here with the packing of books ongoing – plus work a new feature I am collating – more on that soon. I also aim to get back on to TBL 44 as soon as I can – this is now planned for early 2019 publication and I’ll update progress on here ongoing.

It’s a Happy Birthday this weekend to my very good friend Max Harris wh0 reaches the age of 60 – we will be toasting that fact this weekend –  Happy Birthday mate!

Dave Lewis –  October 30, 2018

Until next time, have a great weekend

Website updates written and compiled by Dave Lewis

with thanks to Gary Foy, Mike Tremaglio and James Cook

Follow TBL/DL on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/tightbutloose.loose

The TBL/DL Facebook page has regular updates and photos – be sure to check it out

 

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8 Comments »

  • Hiroshi said:

    The double bill of Van Morrison and Robert Plant is a treat in itself. And they both gave us a full set, 90 mins each, on Friday night. What more can we ask for?
    Robert and the SSS’s performance was impeccable as ever. Setlist-wise, however, The Lemon Song and When The Levee Breaks instead of Ramble On and Black Dog would have given a better credential to the event’s somewhat misleading title, “Blues Fest”. And I wish I had heard Good Times Bad Times…

  • Graham Rodger said:

    Quite shocked to read JPJ’s admission in the new Mojo magazine that he doesn’t like “Down By The Seaside” or “D’yer Mak’er”. I thought they all loved everything they released (Page’s coolness regarding “All Of My Love” and the solo in “Travelling Riverside Blues” notwithstanding). And I think you’ve just about convinced me that I SHOULD go and see “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

  • Dave Lewis (author) said:

    Many thanks Chris!

  • Dave Lewis (author) said:

    Keith Peter Grant book review next week!

  • KeithB said:

    Did I miss your review of Peter Grant Biog Bring it on home, released this week?

  • Chris Serratella said:

    Just received Evenings in the mailbox. The only thought that springs to mind as I leaf thru this incredibly researched book is one that paraphrases Jonesy’s famous quote; “It’s not a question if Evenings is the best book out of the lot of 50th anniversary volumes to arrive this past year, it’s a question of how much better it is than anything that would be considered number 2.” Yes, it’s that good. Congrats gents, truly your masterwork.

  • kurt said:

    One more, regarding the Queen film, which I haven’t seen….I have a pet peeve (do you say that in England?) of not watching movies of actors portraying people I know a lot about and really love their art. Yes, I can appreciate the performance, however, I don’t need to see Denzel Washington play Jimi Hendrix, etc. The Doors film is great example, look up what Ray Manzarek had to say about the film and Oliver Stone, to quote Mr. Manzarek, “Why did Oliver Stone do that? Why did he make Jim look like that? I want to punch him in the face”. So I understand that Queen have given this film their full stamp of approval with their involvement, and that is good sign. However, having witnessed much of Queen’s career up through Freddie’s untimely passing, I’m not super excited to see actors play Queen and act it out—yes, even if the acting is superb…I will admit to once exception for me, that was Jim Carey as Andy Kaufman, I watched most of Andy’s antics over the years, and was shocked by his death. I will admit I enjoyed seeing the film…SO, maybe it will be the same for Queen, but I’m telling you right now, I have ZERO need to see actors play the LED ZEPPELIN STORY! Cheers!

  • Kurt said:

    Greetings, Yes, still love Song Remains the Same….I got so tired over the years reading people say Zeppelin had an off night and there are too many overdubs, blah blah blah. Bottom Line—Led Zeppelin was in full flight! Seeing the film at the midnight movie in the late 80’s was the first time I’d seen the Mighty Zeppelin on video, it was mind blowing! Having the soundtrack, without the video to accompany it, you can really feast on the music—and I still maintain that the performances show Zeppelin at the height of their powers! Just to take one song—Whole Lotta Love, besides the awesome if chopped up HeartBreaker as intro in the film, they get the album version out of the way quickly, then take the song into the Outer Limits! The speed and precision of the bass and drums is out of control!! Robert’s vocals are the full on screamer from the Hinterlands, and Jimmy!! His playing is Insane! I can’t believe his Les Paul dosen’t just fall into pieces after just the one performance! And forget Michael Jackson and Prince, is it just me, or is Jimmy’s moves—while he wails away and solos endlessly—puts them to shame! It is almost like watching James Brown kick ass back in his heyday. Ok, is that enough of a pep talk for you? Cheers!

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