Noel to Go Solo?

There are few bands that generate more controversy over their talents and contribution to the history of music as does the brothers from Manchester and their band, Oasis. You either love them, hate them, or don't know that they've done anything since "Wonderwall". I am in the camp that considers Oasis to be one of my favorite bands of all time. They have written a tremendous number of hits, from Wonderwall to Champagne Supernova to Don't Look Back in Anger to Live Forever to Morning Glory to Cigarettes and Alcohol...I could go on and on.

They've garnered some increased credibility and popularity in the last few years thanks to contemporary acts like Ryan Adams and Coldplay singing their praises. Their last tour of America was far and away their most successful to date, and this is twelve years on from Wonderwall. Wikipedia states, "In May 2005, the band embarked on a massive world tour — one of the biggest in their career. Beginning on May 10 at the London Astoria, and finishing on March 31, 2006 in front of a sold out gig in Mexico City, Oasis played more live shows than at any time since the Definitely Maybe tour of 1994–1995, visiting 26 countries, headlining 110 shows and playing to 1.7 million people. The tour passed without any major incidents and was the band's most successful in more than a decade. The tour included sold out shows at New York's Madison Square Garden and LA's Hollywood Bowl, two venues important to the Gallagher brothers because their idol, John Lennon, proclaimed them to be the two places a band must play if they visit the States."

I attended one of those two shows at Madison Square Garden, and just as all other times I've seen Oasis in concert, I left wishing that more people would be willing to give them a chance. If they'd seen the shows at MSG, they would have witnessed a sold-out crowd singing every word to every song for 90+ minutes. Highlighted by a Noel-led vocal on Champagne Supernova, the crowd drowned out the band with their own singing. I even saw Liam crack a smile during the show.

Some of the lesser known Oasis tracks, those wrtitten and sung by Noel, are criminially unknown to the masses. These include Rocking Chair, Talk Tonight, Half The World Away, and Masterplan. There have been some recent stories about Noel working on a solo record and playing a set at this summer's Glastonbury festival, but yesterday on their site, oasisinet.com, these stories of Noel's impending solo career have been dispelled as untrue.

Oasisinet wants to qualify a few stories running across various music and entertainment websites over the past few days that have been a little wide of the mark. Noel Gallagher is not preparing to launch into a solo career nor will he be playing at Glastonbury this June, as have been strongly suggested in some circles. He is an avid fan of the festival and will no doubt be on site checking out a few of his favourite bands again this year. Noel, along with Gem, have had a great time performing their semi acoustic shows recently and will continue to do so when it feels like a good idea, however Glastonbury is not on the agenda.

For any information with regards to future releases and performances it is best to first check at oasisinet for confirmation. As is usually the case, if its not confirmed on here then its likely the stories are simply wishful thinking or conjecture.

The summer of 2007 is set to be a relatively quiet time for Oasis with the band members writing and demoing new songs.

Meanwhile Andy Bell will be appearing at the Syd Barrett Tribute Concert in London early next month. Check back here for more details.

For a taste of Noel's songwriting and playing talents, listen to his acoustic take on "Talk Tonight":