Great to be back on the road let me tell you . . . . . . . Recent gigs in South Africa, Germany, Norway and Israel have been wonderful and a totally off the wall TV show in Norway this week was rather fun, to round off another busy period.
South Africa is no doubt one of my favouite countries in the World, but on our recent tour there, we were reminded of just how dangerous SA can be. Our longtime friend and Promoter Franz along with his family, were held at gun-point and robbed in broad daylight in their own home, badly shaken; he told me that he thought it was the end of his life and he thought he was going to die. I am glad to say apart from a few bruises Franz looked well, sadly the mental scars will stay much longer.
Anyone who saw the TV show last Monday in Norway would have seen me sporting a Musicman Luke guitar. I just felt that I needed something a little more versatile in the event that I'm only carrying one guitar around with me, this cuts the mustard and I have to say sounds killer and very comfortable to get along with, so I've no doubt it'll be on the road for a while!
On the trip to Israel last week I read a book called "Eyes Wide Open" by Andy Powell . . . . . A great read about one of my all time favourite bands Wishbone Ash. Andy talks about the business he's been in for the last fifty years and the band that influenced the likes Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy, have certainly had their ups and downs. He talks about band bust-ups, that evetually saw original members scrapping in court over the use of the band's name.I do however; have a great admiration for anyone in this business who, like Andy Powell continues to not only play those songs for what he is well known for, but who tries to bring to the fans new ideas that are clearly "Not stuck in the past" . . . . . He's a true road warrior !
I love buying on Amazon!!! . . . . I bought the new David Gilmour album, "Rattle That Lock" I have it playing in my car at the moment, yes it's a little Floyd-y but only in parts. What a great guitar player! There's also a couple of songs what I'd describe as Folk-y? . . . . . Whilst I'm talking about guitar players . . . . I won't mention names either, so as not to offend, but; There's a few awards been given out at the end of the year especially in the Blues Genre from the magazines that boast their presence. However; when I browse the catergory for which votes are being sought, I notice "Best Gutarist" "Best Newcomer" etc etc . . . . aside from the British Blues awards, there is never an award for "Best Songwriter" or "Best Song" which is a surprise given that that, is what we are ultimatly listening to in the first place is it not? . . . . Great to hear all this new talent, but I like to sing the song long after I've turned off the radio or switched off the CD, but I'm finding that is happening less and less!
South Africa is no doubt one of my favouite countries in the World, but on our recent tour there, we were reminded of just how dangerous SA can be. Our longtime friend and Promoter Franz along with his family, were held at gun-point and robbed in broad daylight in their own home, badly shaken; he told me that he thought it was the end of his life and he thought he was going to die. I am glad to say apart from a few bruises Franz looked well, sadly the mental scars will stay much longer.
Anyone who saw the TV show last Monday in Norway would have seen me sporting a Musicman Luke guitar. I just felt that I needed something a little more versatile in the event that I'm only carrying one guitar around with me, this cuts the mustard and I have to say sounds killer and very comfortable to get along with, so I've no doubt it'll be on the road for a while!
On the trip to Israel last week I read a book called "Eyes Wide Open" by Andy Powell . . . . . A great read about one of my all time favourite bands Wishbone Ash. Andy talks about the business he's been in for the last fifty years and the band that influenced the likes Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy, have certainly had their ups and downs. He talks about band bust-ups, that evetually saw original members scrapping in court over the use of the band's name.I do however; have a great admiration for anyone in this business who, like Andy Powell continues to not only play those songs for what he is well known for, but who tries to bring to the fans new ideas that are clearly "Not stuck in the past" . . . . . He's a true road warrior !
I love buying on Amazon!!! . . . . I bought the new David Gilmour album, "Rattle That Lock" I have it playing in my car at the moment, yes it's a little Floyd-y but only in parts. What a great guitar player! There's also a couple of songs what I'd describe as Folk-y? . . . . . Whilst I'm talking about guitar players . . . . I won't mention names either, so as not to offend, but; There's a few awards been given out at the end of the year especially in the Blues Genre from the magazines that boast their presence. However; when I browse the catergory for which votes are being sought, I notice "Best Gutarist" "Best Newcomer" etc etc . . . . aside from the British Blues awards, there is never an award for "Best Songwriter" or "Best Song" which is a surprise given that that, is what we are ultimatly listening to in the first place is it not? . . . . Great to hear all this new talent, but I like to sing the song long after I've turned off the radio or switched off the CD, but I'm finding that is happening less and less!