I don't know why,
but I thought of Saray this afternoon, during a lull at work, googled them,
and found your site. I had to send you my Saraya story:
I used to work for
Trans World Music in Albany, NY ( now Trans World Entertainment, or FYE).
That ws the first place that Saraya ever played together as a band in front
of a live audience (or so we were told - that was the "gimmick") and the
label execs brought them in and they played to the warehouse workers, on
a stage set up in the corner of the warehouse. This wasn't all that
unusual because the labels often brough in talent that was in town at SPAC
or the Palace, and have them sign autographs or do a meet and greet with
the employees. What ws different about the Saraya show was that the
event was covered by Billboard and MTV!!! That was kind of a trip.
I was the Security Manager of the building and was a little overwhelmed
by - and under informed about, and under-prepared for - the swarms of people
with cameras, video cameras, microphones, lights, etc. Just tried
to make sure no one got hurt, and no employees took advantage of the chaos
and walked out the door with any merchandise. I thought they sounded
great, and was really surprised, at the time, that I didn't hear much from
them after that. I guess they were around for a little while longer,
but they never got the exposure I thought they would.
Anyway, that's my Saraya story.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Kelly Brady
Yo, Hi,I used to be the drummer for "BARRETTA"
In
upstate NY(Poughkeepsie)We were pretty much a
Saraya cover band! I was at the
1991Saraya consert in Poughkeepsie NY it was
called "Riverfest" Radio
station WPDH was broadcasting it live in the
area.. It was down by the
Hudson River. Saraya was the opening act,Greg
Allman band was the headliner
(go figure?) I was in like right up front,Saraya
was KILLER. There was a guy to
my left Video tapeing from the floor area (it
was Gen. Admin.)It's a concert
I'll never forget..Kookie(drummer for "BARRETTA"
Poughkeepsie NY early
1990's) Feel free to write back or post on your
site....
>>>>>I met the whole band and said about three words to her, but I was in the
front row and sang every song with her, she seemed to appreciate the
fact that I knew all the lyrics; because other than myself there were a
bunch of drunk sweaty guys up front that just wanted to touch the 'girl'
on stage!!! She had to leave right after the show, what happened was her
dog, at home, had run away only a couple of hours before the show and
she was in the hotel on the phone with her parents. When they actually
got to the gig she was still crying. I was upset about her having to
leave so soon but I understood because she really seemed upset.
So that is my saraya story-
Thanks Tim Peace- Michael
(From Micheal Merrill Ifinity Entertainment Group)
>>>>>I was a big fan of Saraya, so much that I named my daughter Saraya (3
> >years old now). Could you be of any help in finding paraphernalia such
> >as posters, T-shirts, or anything with the name Saraya on it. The only
> >thing that I have is a CD and would like to have more to give to my
> >daughter. Thanks in advance for any help that you can be.
(What a lucky Kid huh)
>>>>.as for the show I saw I really don't
remember a whole lot...this was just afer the first album had come. I saw the "Love Has Taken It's
Toll" video on MTV and really liked the song. Went out and bought the LP and thought it was pretty
good. Then I saw that Saraya was coming to a club here in Austin called The Back Room, that
features a lot of good rock bands, mostly local, but some up n' comers as well as older one time greats
on their way out. The place was pretty packed for the show and a lot of Austin musicians were there
to check them out as well. Tony Rey was considered to be a pretty hot guitarist from his work on the
Saraya LP as well as the licks he laid down on the Danger Danger LP that came out around that same
time. And then there was Sandi, who not only had a great voice, but from the video and pics
everyone had seen, appeared to be drop dead gorgeous. Well she was all that and more. From the
time they took the stage you could not take your eyes off her. Not only did she look great but boy
could she dance. The show was great. The sound was good, and despite the fact they had a small
stage to work with they gave a very high energy performance. "Love Has Taken It's Toll" was the
most well recieved song, being the most familiar. They did "Lion's Den" announcing it would be on the
2nd LP, and everything from the first LP as far as I can recall. I've been a fan ever since.
Rick
.thanks...i saw saraya back in 91 in east
haven connecticut,on the beach,it was cool
my friend tony rented his marshall
amps to the band for 500 dollers for the show,and
i meet sandy she's a
babe..talk to yeah soon. bobby
:)
Ken Cabana Wrote:
Me And my wife saw them at the ritz in detroit.
any time
we'd go to shows there, we would park in back
by the stage door, and we always would try to meet the artists. we met
jake e lee, billy sheehan, george lynch and a few others this way. when
we went to meet sandi, the whole band was out back sittin on the hood of
their cars smokin an jokin. with no one else around but me and my wife.
we got to hang out with them for like 45 minutes just talkin. it was
truely the coolist time I've ever had. they were really laid back and down
to earth, listened to what we were sayin, and really talked with us. (not
like others who roboticly just agree with what your sayin and stuff) and
yes she is really that fine! we then totally enjoyed the show, which was
to promote blackbird. I was just searchin around for stuff on them and
found out that there was in fact a third album under the polydor label
called fire to burn:
CS
Polydor
889976-4
but since nothing is in print anymore
that catalog number is likely to be useless.
I would like to see her come around again
sometime I have no Idea what she's doing these days. but I'd like to find
out and contact them if for nothing else but to say thanks.
by the way I have the entire blackbird cd
in mp3 format which you can get for free by using napster. ( http://www.napster.com
) I'll be putting the first one on there too but my friend has the cd I'll
be getting it back soon. and I am going to try like hell to find this third
release and get it. I'll pay top dollar if anyone can help me out.
BDaveA @ aol.com wrote,
I still remember when Saraya came to British
shores. My one abiding memory
was seeing Sandi all alone in a massive coach
going to a venue in Manchester
England, and I still remember the first date
I saw up in Newcasle at the
Mayfair on Newgate Street. They were LOUD
to say the least. I always wondered
what happened to Sandi - Any ideas of her
wherabouts? I was only thinking
about her the other day!!!
There weren't too many female rockers that
could really rock- Sandi was an
exception though and I loved the fact that
she could write her own material.
Who can forget One Night Away which was always
the opener on the tour and
Gypsy Child? But I really loved St Christophers
Medal and Back To The Bullet.
It was a shame that their manager at the time
was a little overprotective. I
could have raved for hours to Saraya.She left
me in awe. I can still see the
blurrrrr now.
I even kept cuttings which are proudly stuck in a scrap book in my room.
Saraya was just somethin else. Sadly the Marquee
is no more. Its a yuppie pub
these days.
Hope youve enjoyed my little rennaisance piece.
Dave (Slough) as she would remember me.