:: The Shattered Room ::

Official ARENA Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: JJ II on Fri, 2005-12-09, 17:48:43

Title: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: JJ II on Fri, 2005-12-09, 17:48:43
It's finished! Today, 10 years after Arena's first official gig, their first official biography is released...

(http://www.verglas.com/cage_page/login/news/images/Salt%20and%20the%20Sand_cover.jpg)

The Salt and The Sand is an extensive story on 10 years of Arena. It's free for anyone to download through:
http://www.the-cage.org/

All you have to do is download and print.

I hope you'll enjoy!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Peter on Fri, 2005-12-09, 18:10:51
you guys rock big time !
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Fri, 2005-12-09, 19:37:21
Oooooooooooooooooo!!! Cool!!!

I think I'll print that out!!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: marcello on Fri, 2005-12-09, 20:27:42
got my copy!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Wilford Jr. on Fri, 2005-12-09, 22:26:13
Got my copy!  I'm going to read it this weekend!  Thanx guys!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Saryna on Fri, 2005-12-09, 23:58:40
Cool!  going to check it out.  Thanks JJ11!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Sérgio on Sat, 2005-12-10, 14:01:51
Erik and Jan-Jaap,

I read it last night until 01:30 in a flow.

You guys did a wonderful job (especially coming up with some details that even I as a fan for 9 years didn't know ;D)

Good stuff...to be very honest...this should become a real "paper" book...

Cheers,

Sérgio (Bologna)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: maddox on Sat, 2005-12-10, 23:40:36
Got it!

Going to read it this weekend ( Hopefully.  :-\ ), but read it, i will!!

MAD.  8)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Oliver Twist on Sun, 2005-12-11, 22:52:01
Thanks! Warts and all!

Quite a difficult project I reckon - hats off to all involved

Ian
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Wilford Jr. on Mon, 2005-12-12, 17:53:17
Well I read it this weekend and I was very impressed.  There is a lot of information in the material.  It was good to know some of the events that have shaped Arena's past, as well as some of the answers to the questions I had about the band.  I agree that this should become a book some time in the future but I also understand about budget!  Good work gentlemen! :)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Wed, 2005-12-14, 19:51:21
It's bloody good!

You ought to get it published!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Appelmoes?? on Thu, 2005-12-15, 12:53:08
Going to read it tonight!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: maddox on Thu, 2005-12-15, 22:34:45
Read the first three pages and its really good. Thumbs up, for now.  :)

MAD.  8)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Appelmoes?? on Thu, 2005-12-15, 22:36:15
Quote from: Appelmoes?? on Thu, 2005-12-15, 12:53:08
Going to read it tonight!
Oops, I haven't read it... (Got trapped in Wheel of Time :-[ )
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Sat, 2005-12-17, 15:44:29
Quote from: Appelmoes?? on Thu, 2005-12-15, 22:36:15
Oops, I haven't read it... (Got trapped in Wheel of Time :-[ )

Oh, you don't know what you're missing!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Appelmoes?? on Sat, 2005-12-17, 15:50:30
Quote from: keyboardistmatt on Sat, 2005-12-17, 15:44:29
Oh, you don't know what you're missing!
Let me guess: A very good biography of Arena? ;D

I'm saving it for when I'm even more bored than I am now. I've still got to do lot's of stuff (cleaning the house, doing the dishes... :-\)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Mon, 2005-12-19, 18:31:48
Quote from: Appelmoes?? on Sat, 2005-12-17, 15:50:30
I've still got to do lot's of stuff (cleaning the house, doing the dishes... :-\)

You lucky b*****d! I also have loads of things to do.
3 essays to finish...................................................... for tomorrow!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Appelmoes?? on Mon, 2005-12-19, 19:34:52
Quote from: PH on Mon, 2005-12-19, 18:31:48
You lucky b*****d! I also have loads of things to do.
3 essays to finish...................................................... for tomorrow!
Essays are easy, when you finnish them, the're done. A house is never clean >:(
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Mon, 2005-12-19, 23:37:38
Finally I've finished one of the many-things-to-do-list.

Next.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Highfire on Mon, 2006-01-02, 18:30:19
I've just finished this AMAZING book. I need to read it again, maybe in a couple of weeks because there are a lot of things I didn't know about Arena's past, I've been a fan only since Contagion.

I'm very sad, I have to realize that the tour is over, and I won't be able to see them at Madrid. I couldn't go to Peralta last summer, so I missed my only chance  :'(

But ... there will be Arena for a long long time so ... see you next time, guys!

Jan, Erik ... thanks a lot for your great job!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: HelenDo on Tue, 2006-01-03, 09:45:58
I read this over the weekend and thought it was excellent - thanks for your hard work guys. As a very recent fan, I've learnt a whole lot of stuff that I didn't know and probably wouldn't have ever known  :-[

Helenxxx
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Mon, 2006-01-09, 16:59:15
Quote from: Appelmoes?? on Mon, 2005-12-19, 19:34:52
A house is never clean >:(

Tell me about it! ::)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Appelmoes?? on Mon, 2006-01-09, 20:34:22
Quote from: keyboardistmatt on Mon, 2006-01-09, 16:59:15
Tell me about it! ::)
[male chauvinist pig]

But you have girlfriend ;D

[/male chauvinist pig]
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: The_Lurker on Wed, 2006-01-11, 17:43:11
I really need to get around to reading this. I printed it, punched it with a 3-hole punch and put it in a nice folder, but have yet to start reading it. Perhaps this weekend.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Wed, 2006-01-11, 18:42:55
I haven't read it in it's totality, but what I read of it, it's good!
A minor spelling-errors but that's ok, this is version 1.0 so there must be a lot to be add!! ;D
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Teunis on Wed, 2006-01-11, 18:48:17
I have read 1/3 and indeed, very enjoyable to read.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Appelmoes?? on Wed, 2006-01-11, 21:18:00
Aaargh, I still haven't read it yet :-[
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Teunis on Mon, 2006-01-16, 18:10:05
Finished the book today, it was a very nice read. Saw some favourite bands/musicians mentioned like Asia and John Wetton. It's a small world. Thanks for sharing this book  8).
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: JJ II on Tue, 2006-01-17, 10:21:42
You're welcome. Glad you liked it. There will be some small mistakes here and there (which will be corrected in version 1.1.), but overall we tried to be complete and accurate, without falling into the trap of being a facts-file.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Pascalj on Wed, 2006-02-08, 13:45:03
I've finished to read it. It's very good. Thanks.  :)

Actually, another guy and me are trying to translate it in french. Soon, it will be available. 8)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Wed, 2006-02-08, 16:54:42
Quote from: Pascalj on Wed, 2006-02-08, 13:45:03
I've finished to read it. It's very good. Thanks.  :)

Actually, another guy and me are trying to translate it in french. Soon, it will be available. 8)

If that's allowed, can we expect a Dutch version too, JJ? ;D
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Pascalj on Wed, 2006-02-08, 20:38:21
Quote from: PH on Wed, 2006-02-08, 16:54:42
If that's allowed, can we expect a Dutch version too, JJ? ;D
Zodra ik lessen heb genomen  ;D :D :D
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Wed, 2006-02-08, 20:59:58
Quote from: Pascalj on Wed, 2006-02-08, 20:38:21
Zodra ik lessen heb genomen  ;D :D :D

Hehehe cool! :D
I wasn't talking to you in particular, lol. JJ II was one of the writers and he's Dutch, so...
But as soon as you've taken some lessons... the spot is still open I guess. hehehe.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: JJ II on Wed, 2006-02-08, 21:30:11
Nope, I think there's no point in making a Dutch version available. For two reasons: 1) most (99%?) of the Dutch do speak English well enough to understand most of it, 2) I don't want to lose most of the subtleties, that are there in the original quotes. I think you can actually 'hear' the bandmembers now.

But... there will be a 1.1 version sometime this year. Several members of the band got inspiration and send me some extra information (and.. ahum... some little corrections as well)...
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Wed, 2006-02-08, 21:43:22
Quote from: JJ II on Wed, 2006-02-08, 21:30:11Nope, I think there's no point in making a Dutch version available.
Ok, fair enough.
Quote from: JJ II on Wed, 2006-02-08, 21:30:11For two reasons: 1) most (99%?) of the Dutch do speak English well enough to understand most of it,
True indeed
Quote from: JJ II on Wed, 2006-02-08, 21:30:112) I don't want to lose most of the subtleties, that are there in the original quotes. I think you can actually 'hear' the bandmembers now.
Yup, that's why I hate dubbing english into German by Movies. (In The Netherlands we only have that with childmovies, in Germany and France (for example) they translate EVERYTHING!!!) (which isn't good IMO) (but that was offtopic) (sorry)
Quote from: JJ II on Wed, 2006-02-08, 21:30:11But... there will be a 1.1 version sometime this year. Several members of the band got inspiration and send me some extra information (and.. ahum... some little corrections as well)...
Ok cool!!! :o
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Sun, 2006-02-19, 11:23:49
Quote from: Appelmoes?? on Mon, 2006-01-09, 20:34:22
[male chauvinist pig]

But you have girlfriend ;D

[/male chauvinist pig]

I do most of the cleaning, but because I have hair longer than Rick Wakeman in 1975, and Lady_Reaper also has long hair, any stray hairs end up on the carpet - usually within 1 hour of it being hoovered! ::)

Theres also the problem of loose tobacco getting everywhere within 1 hour of hoovering (we roll our own, y'see), and we both wear boots with deep treads... :-\
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Sun, 2006-02-19, 13:02:31
Quote from: keyboardistmatt on Sun, 2006-02-19, 11:23:49I do most of the cleaning, but because I have hair longer than Rick Wakeman in 1975, and Lady_Reaper also has long hair, any stray hairs end up on the carpet - usually within 1 hour of it being hoovered! ::)

There are solutions to this... And you know it... ;D
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Sun, 2006-02-19, 13:14:01
Don't be silly now...
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Saryna on Mon, 2006-02-20, 00:40:19
So now,  must have been a great clean up session.


;)


Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Mon, 2006-02-20, 22:43:47
Quote from: Saryna on Mon, 2006-02-20, 00:40:19
So now, you have a cigarette after you hoover? Must have been a great clean up session.


;)
Why do people find it nescessary to get saucy? ::) ;)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Saryna on Sun, 2006-02-26, 08:15:43
Ok, It won't happen again. I promise.  I changed it.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Sun, 2006-02-26, 15:05:30
Quote from: Saryna on Sun, 2006-02-26, 08:15:43
Ok, It won't happen again. I promise.  I changed it.

Ta! ;D
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Nicky007 on Fri, 2007-05-04, 17:23:49

Dear friends, I struck upon Arena a couple of weeks ago, as I was blown away by Kino's Picture. Several of my friends had recommended Pepper, so I got it, and man, what an album. I don't need to explain this to you guys. I straight away ordered The Visitor and Contagion, which overwhelmed me even more, and then of course, I had to have all the remaining albums.

During the past two weeks, I've listened to little else than my Arena albums. 

Now Contagion has become my all-time favorite album. It just has everything that I love about music, including some extremely intriguing lyrics, which are particularly intriguing as I don't quite get what it's all about.

In order to try to understand what the Arena albums are about, I tried to get into the Cage. Well, this is the only cage that I know of that's easier to get out of than into. I got a password, but when I wrote it in the "Members login", I just got a blank page each time.

I then became a member of The Shattered Room, which was easy enough. So that's given me a welcome opportunity to learn a lot more about Arena. However, I still don't get the overall meaning of Contagion. I then saw "The Salt and The Sand" mentioned, clicked further, and it appeared to be electronically accessible. But despite all my attempts, I just didn't get there.

Can somebody give me some useful advice?

Thanks to the Arena guys for your wonderful music and to all you steadfast fans for supporting them.

Nicky Brown, new member, born in Birmingham and living for many years in Copenhagen.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Bupie on Sat, 2007-05-05, 09:57:16
Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2007-05-04, 17:23:49
Dear friends, I struck upon Arena a couple of weeks ago, as I was blown away by Kino's Picture. Several of my friends had recommended Pepper, so I got it, and man, what an album. I don't need to explain this to you guys. I straight away ordered The Visitor and Contagion, which overwhelmed me even more, and then of course, I had to have all the remaining albums.

During the past two weeks, I've listened to little else than my Arena albums. 

Now Contagion has become my all-time favorite album. It just has everything that I love about music, including some extremely intriguing lyrics, which are particularly intriguing as I don't quite get what it's all about.

In order to try to understand what the Arena albums are about, I tried to get into the Cage. Well, this is the only cage that I know of that's easier to get out of than into. I got a password, but when I wrote it in the "Members login", I just got a blank page each time.

I then became a member of The Shattered Room, which was easy enough. So that's given me a welcome opportunity to learn a lot more about Arena. However, I still don't get the overall meaning of Contagion. I then saw "The Salt and The Sand" mentioned, clicked further, and it appeared to be electronically accessible. But despite all my attempts, I just didn't get there.

Can somebody give me some useful advice?

Thanks to the Arena guys for your wonderful music and to all you steadfast fans for supporting them.

Nicky Brown, new member, born in Birmingham and living for many years in Copenhagen.

I am with you about Kino and Contagion  ;)

I had registered The Salt (great work by the way) a few months ago so I am going to send it to you by PM but I am sure the guys here will resolve your problem. Have fun reading ...
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Appelmoes?? on Sat, 2007-05-05, 11:44:19
If you buy Contagium and Contagious, you get some more info on the album + some REALLY good extra songs!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Nicky007 on Mon, 2007-05-07, 23:35:03
Bruno Bouery (Bupie) was so kind as to send me The Salt and The Sand by e-mail. Betcha I've been reading it thoroughly. I was surprised to see that there were so many people going in and out of the Arena sphere. Rather demanding to keep track of. And I was pleasantly surpised to see that Mick and Clive are about my age, making me feel less generationally misplaced.

I still don't get what's going on with the Cage. Is it still active? If so, how does one gain access?

Have to also tell you that Pride was a wonderful surprise. I was really afraid that listening to Contagion and Visitor had raised my standards so much that Pride would be a disappointment, but the opposite happened: Listening to Pride was also a great experience. It's so different from the following albums, but wonderful in its own way, with a lot of beautiful keyboards and classical moods.

If you haven't yet given Pride a proper listen, then do it, or else you'll miss out on a unique experience.

Thanks again, Nicky.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Poison Lies 2 Close 2 Us on Sat, 2008-04-19, 00:24:03
Hi.

I'm reaching this thread very late obviously but the link to the Salt & the Sand no longer works...is there anyway I could still download this?

Thanks so much!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Poison Lies 2 Close 2 Us on Sat, 2008-04-19, 02:47:18
I actually located this so disregard my above message!
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Sat, 2008-04-19, 11:30:08
Good you found it!
Have fun reading! ;)

-Paco
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Mon, 2014-09-01, 13:36:21
Ok, so next year it will be ten years since the original "The Salt And The Sand" was released.
Yes, look it up. I did. Time flies indeed. I remember it like it was yesterday.
So with a new album on the way and some line-up changes can we expect a reissue of this Arena biography in 2015?
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: erik on Wed, 2014-09-03, 20:57:04
Has it really been ten years already?! :o
Currently there are no plans, but I agree that it an update would be nice. It has not quite been as busy as the first ten years but there's enough to tell. Maybe we should crowdsource it amongst the active roomies, each providing a draft chapter ::)
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Wed, 2014-09-03, 22:48:42
Well from 2005 to 2010 there was little activity indeed.
Perhaps there's a bit of a place for the side projects of the members?
"She", Kino, Frost*, It Bites, "Alchemy".
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: The Butterfly Man on Thu, 2014-09-04, 13:33:51
Quote from: PH on Mon, 2014-09-01, 13:36:21
Ok, so next year it will be ten years since the original "The Salt And The Sand" was released.
Yes, look it up. I did. Time flies indeed. I remember it like it was yesterday.
So with a new album on the way and some line-up changes can we expect a reissue of this Arena biography in 2015?

Funny you bring it up. I've just been reading it last week. Was very nice to read again. :)

I can understand that there are no plans for an update, but the one thing I really would like to know: What's the reason Rob left? And does anyone know what he is up to nowadays?

Paul Manzi is a good singer and a very nice person, but I still miss Rob in Arena. He's by far my favourite vocalist Arena ever had.

Tom
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: Nicky007 on Thu, 2014-09-04, 14:03:01
Quote from: The Butterfly Man on Thu, 2014-09-04, 13:33:51
Paul Manzi is a good singer and a very nice person, but I still miss Rob in Arena. He's by far my favourite vocalist Arena ever had.

Agree, Tom. Rob is the singer of Arena. So much emotion, so much power *horns*

- Nicky
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: PH on Thu, 2014-09-04, 14:36:32
I agree, at least emotionally. I was very sad when Rob left. He really brought something special to Arena. He has a certain dramatic tone in his voice that no other Arena vocalist has.
That being said, every vocalist was really good. And technically, Paul Manzi is probably the best of them all. I don't think Rob could have done "The Seventh Degree...", but noone delivers "Contagion" like Rob.
Kudos to Clive and co for having the perfect singer for each album.
Title: Re: The Salt and The Sand - online now!
Post by: keyboardistmatt on Thu, 2016-06-02, 08:17:46
Quote from: The Butterfly Man on Thu, 2014-09-04, 13:33:51
And does anyone know what [Rob] is up to nowadays?


I believe Rob is a Music Therapist. He also does live stuff from time to time.  ;)