It started in 1997 with their debut single Sunrise, the first step towards producing their own tracks. Nowadays, one cannot imagine the electronic elite without BLANK & JONES. 13 of their singles made it into the German Top 50, and three into the Top 20. Each and every album hit the Top 50, including two which climbed into the Top 10. They also scored a spectacular triple whammy by occupying the Top Ten album, singles and compilation charts simultaneously with Substance, Desire and The Mix respectively.
BLANK & JONES have teamed up with a number of top international stars in their career to date. The Cure mastermind Robert Smith, Bernard Sumner (New Order), Anne Clark, Sarah McLachlan and Claudia Brücken (Propaganda) have been immortalized on BLANK & JONES tracks, giving them a certain credibility way beyond the boundaries of dance music. Further evidence of their versatility can be seen in their contributions to the Café del Mar compilation series and their own chill-out albums, Relax and Relax (Edition 2). Next up, the people behind the Buddha Bar series have also made enquiries..
The release of the A Forest single and the accompanying album Monument in the USA last year also laid the foundations for BLANK & JONES to create a solid fanbase across the Atlantic.
Seven albums, 3 mix albums (The Mix 1-3) and 15 singles later, BLANK & JONES and their longstanding production colleague Andy Kaufhold have chosen this moment to collate their finest material on one release - The Singles. Comprising the best tracks and greatest successes of BLANK & JONES plus two brand new tracks, recorded exclusively for this album. “We felt the time had come to put all our singles together on one CD, “ Piet and Jaspa explain. “We prefer to see it as one step along the way, rather than a mere retrospective. A little breather before we move on to pastures new.“
Over 20 tracks were in the reckoning for The Singles collection, most of them penned by BLANK & JONES themselves. From the first single Sunrise via chart smashes such as Desire, DJ Culture and Beyond Time all the way to entrancing collaborations with the like of Elles DeGraaf on Mind Of The Wonderful, Claudia Brücken on Unknown Treasure and Steve Kilbey (The Church) on Revealed, the album is packed with original material. One of the few covers is, of course, A Forest with Robert Smith of The Cure on vocals.
An absolute must for fans is the all new WMC Retouch version of Nightfly, direct from the Miami Winter Music Conference (WMC), where BLANK & JONES headlined in March of this year. So new, the track was hot to the touch as it made its way onto the album, having been premiered to rave reactions at the dance convention. BLANK & JONES’ Nightfly WMC Retouch was the talk of the town the following morning on various online sites and blogs.
The album also features two completely new tracks. One is Somebody and the other is Catch, the newest single, based on Kosheen’s 1998 tune. Vocals supplied once again by the fantastic Elles DeGraaf.
BLANK & JONES have taken the utmost care in getting the sound right. Tracks have been remastered but not remixed. “Our aim was to retain the flair of each original track“ Piet and Jaspa elucidate. “We wanted them to sound just as they did when we made them, but clearer, in the same way as one restores a painting. You don’t paint it from scratch, you just bring out the colours again.“ Such loving attention to detail is typical of BLANK & JONES, making them the artists they are today, ready and able to see the bigger picture.
The album is also being released in Limited Edition format, in which The Singles are complemented by an additional DVD, bringing together all BLANK & JONES videos on one disc for the first time. The BLANK & JONES clips are something worth seeing, with a artistic quality rarely seen in such a genre. BLANK & JONES’ dramatic credentials are matched by their sense of humour. Numerous famous names have featured in their videos, including Estella Warren and Til Schweiger in Beyond Time, the latter having also directed the clip.
The DVD was produced and designed by Thomas Jahn, renowned as scriptwriter and director of “Knocking On Heaven’s Door“ and also the man responsible for The Hardest Heart, Mind Of The Wonderful, Perfect Silence and Desire.
The video for the latest single, Catch, was directed by Conchita Soares and Toni Froschhammer and features the thespian talents of TV actress Nadine. The piece will not only be presented on the music channels, but will also be shown at short film festivals over the summer.
BLANK & JONES’ roots are firmly placed in DJ culture. Year after year, millions of ravers around the globe feel the heat of their sensational sets at major events like Mayday, Nature One and Love Parade as well as in clubs all over the world. BLANK & JONES mix DJ and live, making the most of today’s technology. “We do everything digitally, on the basis of Final Scratch, which allows us to use our own edits and mixes, nothing comes straight from tape. Every set we play is unique, not only sound-wise but also in terms of what we play and how we play it. Roughly 60% of our set consists of our own repertoire, as where better to present our own material than via the DJ decks.“
BLANK & JONES are global players in the best sense of the word, with a worldwide reputation to match. They are more than welcome guests at the major festivals and raves in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Russia. At the beginning of the year, they played to 15,000 fans in St. Petersburg! They also travel further afield on a regular basis, to Canada, Mexico, South America and Australia.
2005 saw BLANK & JONES spend a lot of time in the USA, where A Forest proved to be a big success. Electronic music is growing and growing Stateside, so BLANK & JONES will return to LA, San Diego, San Francisco and many more cities in North America this year. Overwhelmingly positive reactions to Catch on the initial installment of the BLANK & JONES tour mean that the American fans can hardly wait for The Singles to be released. This will be the third BLANK & JONES US album.
Not content to rest on their laurels, Piet and Jaspa are already preparing an exciting, new and unusual project. On May 26th, BLANK & JONES will perform together with the Robert Schumann Kammerorchester conducted by Alexander Shelly in the Tonhalle Düsseldorf. The definitive electro-classical crossover extravaganza!
www.blankandjones.com
www.myspace.com/blankandjonesinfo
www.myspace.com/relaxedition
www.blankandjones.com/rlx09
No More Tears
Blank & Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You might drive me mad
All the voices tell me to run
But I know what we had
If I try to escape you
Which way should I go?
Pull the red tape off my lips
Say no more
All the lies will wash up on the shore
Stay with me
I'll pretend you're everything I need
Take the bullet out of that gun
I'll bare you my soul
Everything you want to know
Swallow me up whole
If I call you a stranger
Will you play the part?
Even if you disappear
I'll hold you in my heart
Say no more
All the lies will wash up on the shore
Stay the night
I'll pretend that I put up a fight
Say no more
All the lies will wash up on the shore
Stay the night
I'll pretend that I put up a fight
You might find me a little undone
You might find me strange
All the voices tell me to run
Maybe I'm deranged?
Maybe I'm deranged?
The lyrics to Blank & Jones's song "No More Tears" convey a complex emotional state, one in which the singer is torn between conflicting desires. On the one hand, they feel overwhelmed by their feelings towards someone else, someone who drives them "mad" and makes them feel "undone." They feel like they are being pulled in different directions by "all the voices" telling them to "run." And yet, at the same time, they also recognize the intensity and significance of the relationship they share. They know "what we had" and want to hold onto it.
In exploring this emotional conflict, the singer of the song considers a range of possible responses. They wonder, "If I try to escape you / Which way should I go?" Ultimately, though, they come to the conclusion that hiding their feelings is not the right choice. When they say "Pull the red tape off my lips / No one has to know," they are asking their partner to let them be honest about what they are feeling, even if it is difficult or complicated.
The chorus of the song reinforces this message of openness and honesty. The singer encourages their partner to "Say no more / All the lies will wash up on the shore" and to "Stay with me / I'll pretend you're everything I need." Even though they anticipate challenges and difficulties ("Take the bullet out of that gun / I'll bare you my soul"), they believe that being able to be truthful with each other will ultimately be worth it in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
You might find me a little undone
I may not be fully put together, and that's okay.
You might drive me mad
Sometimes my emotions may get the best of me.
All the voices tell me to run
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and like I should escape.
But I know what we had
I still remember the good times we shared and the love we had.
If I try to escape you
If I were to leave you behind and try to move on.
Which way should I go?
I'm unsure of what path to take without you by my side.
Pull the red tape off my lips
I want to share my feelings without holding back.
No one has to know
I don't want our private moments to be publicized or mocked.
Say no more
I understand what you're trying to say, no need to explain further.
All the lies will wash up on the shore
It's best to be truthful to one another, and the truth will come to light eventually.
Stay with me
Don't leave my side, let's work through it.
I'll pretend you're everything I need
I'll convince myself that I don't need anything else as long as you're by my side.
Take the bullet out of that gun
Let's stop hurting each other by blaming one another.
I'll bare you my soul
I'll be completely honest with you and show you who I truly am.
Everything you want to know
You deserve the truth and I'm willing to share everything with you.
Swallow me up whole
Let's not hold anything back, and immerse ourselves in the love we share.
If I call you a stranger
If I pretend that I don't know you anymore.
Will you play the part?
Will you also pretend that we're strangers, or will you fight for us?
Even if you disappear
Even if you were to leave and not come back.
I'll hold you in my heart
I'll always love and cherish the memories we shared together.
Stay the night
Let's spend more time together and maybe we can work things out.
I'll pretend that I put up a fight
Even if I gave into you, I'll act like I didn't and try to preserve my pride.
Maybe I'm deranged?
Perhaps my emotions are too intense or confusing for others to understand.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Norah Jones, Sarah Oda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ilovemusic7619
Blank & Jones: The Mix (Volume 1) - CD2
Label: Gang Go Music/WEA Records
Format: 2xCD, Compilation, Copy Protected, Mixed, CD2
Country: Germany
Released: 2002
Genre: Electronic
Style: Trance, Hard Trance, Progressive Trance, Progressive House
Tracklist:
(0:00:01) 01. Sarah McLachlan - Sweet Surrender (DJ Tiësto Remix)
(0:07:00) 02. Allure - No More Tears (Original Mix)
(0:11:29) 03. Oakenfold - Southern Sun (DJ Tiësto Remix)
(0:18:09) 04. The Thrillseekers - Dreaming Of You (Original Mix)
(0:21:53) 05. Andain - Summer Calling (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)
(0:27:43) 06. Paul van Dyk - Autumn (TPOD Mix)
(0:32:16) 07. En-Motion - Getting Away With It (The Thrillseekers Dub Remix)
(0:35:14) 08. Riva - Time Is The Healer (Armin van Buuren Vocal Remix)
(0:40:23) 09. Ralphie B - Massive (Mirco de Govia Remix)
(0:43:36) 10. Blank & Jones - After Love (Love Parade 2002 Remix)
(0:47:07) 11. Tour de Trance - Wan Wu (Original Mix)
(0:51:14) 12. Mirco de Govia - Things That Matter (Original Mix)
(0:54:19) 13. Solid Sessions - Janeiro (Armin van Buuren Dub Remix)
(0:57:04) 14. Mega 'Lo Mania - Emotion (Plenty Blue Remix)
(0:59:21) 15. 040 feat. Erica Baxter - Dreams (Summer 2040 Remix)
(1:01:52) 16. Lange feat. Leah - Don't Think It (Feel It) (Alternative Dub Mix)
(1:04:52) 17. H2J - East & Central (Original Mix)
(1:09:16) 18. Sun Decade - I'm Alone (Ronski Speed Remix)
The Mix: Selected, mixed and edited by Blank & Jones @ Spacedust Studios, Germany. September 2002
Photos: Kasskara
Artdirection & Design: Marc Schilkowski
(P)&(C)2002 Gang Go Music Produktions GmbH, Köln for WEA Records/ Warner Music Group Germany GmbH & Co Holding OHG.
An AOL Time Warner Company.
Made in Germany by Warner Music Manufacturing Europe.
@ilovemusic7619
Blank & Jones: The Mix (Volume 1) - CD2
Label: Gang Go Music/WEA Records
Format: 2xCD, Compilation, Copy Protected, Mixed, CD2
Country: Germany
Released: 2002
Genre: Electronic
Style: Trance, Hard Trance, Progressive Trance, Progressive House
Tracklist:
(0:00:01) 01. Sarah McLachlan - Sweet Surrender (DJ Tiësto Remix)
(0:07:00) 02. Allure - No More Tears (Original Mix)
(0:11:29) 03. Oakenfold - Southern Sun (DJ Tiësto Remix)
(0:18:09) 04. The Thrillseekers - Dreaming Of You (Original Mix)
(0:21:53) 05. Andain - Summer Calling (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)
(0:27:43) 06. Paul van Dyk - Autumn (TPOD Mix)
(0:32:16) 07. En-Motion - Getting Away With It (The Thrillseekers Dub Remix)
(0:35:14) 08. Riva - Time Is The Healer (Armin van Buuren Vocal Remix)
(0:40:23) 09. Ralphie B - Massive (Mirco de Govia Remix)
(0:43:36) 10. Blank & Jones - After Love (Love Parade 2002 Remix)
(0:47:07) 11. Tour de Trance - Wan Wu (Original Mix)
(0:51:14) 12. Mirco de Govia - Things That Matter (Original Mix)
(0:54:19) 13. Solid Sessions - Janeiro (Armin van Buuren Dub Remix)
(0:57:04) 14. Mega 'Lo Mania - Emotion (Plenty Blue Remix)
(0:59:21) 15. 040 feat. Erica Baxter - Dreams (Summer 2040 Remix)
(1:01:52) 16. Lange feat. Leah - Don't Think It (Feel It) (Alternative Dub Mix)
(1:04:52) 17. H2J - East & Central (Original Mix)
(1:09:16) 18. Sun Decade - I'm Alone (Ronski Speed Remix)
The Mix: Selected, mixed and edited by Blank & Jones @ Spacedust Studios, Germany. September 2002
Photos: Kasskara
Artdirection & Design: Marc Schilkowski
(P)&(C)2002 Gang Go Music Produktions GmbH, Köln for WEA Records/ Warner Music Group Germany GmbH & Co Holding OHG.
An AOL Time Warner Company.
Made in Germany by Warner Music Manufacturing Europe.
@tooniusfg
This brings back memories😌
@henryschurmann5685
Remember growing up while my dad listened to this often. Now, 20 years later we enjoy this album together with a cold bottle of beer. Thank you dad <3
@user-qp5xo1su1d
Музыкальный сборник просто- шедевр!♥️🎶
@robertbodnar8745
That "industrial" Tiesto`s olddays sounding.... Ohh god! Oakenfold is a master (was), Tiesto, i miss him at 2000th
@renekottmann6737
Sehr gut zusammen gestellter Mix
@aakos84
One of the best mix album ever made back in 2002. Pure bliss. And my first trance party is linked to these guys in 2003. If there was a time machine…
@v-g4276
Southern sun Tune!! 🙌😎
@danielmazurkiewicz9076
Classic for ever💪❤️
@red50eye
Nectar to my ears.