Samaritans; teenagers; wolves

A friend of mine from a couple of years ago, I'll call him A, used to work for the Samaritans.  When I say work, I mean volunteer, man the phones as it were.  I used to think then that it was a very hard thing to do, to try and talk someone out of ending their life - emotional and very draining, the same as working with people with special needs.  I greatly admire people who work in that area.

Now called just 'Samaritans', they are having a special awareness drive at the moment.  They are one of the few 'unspoken' charities.  We don't like to admit that they even exist it seems, although they have since 1953.  There are various ways in which you can support them, including buying merchandise.

It was a running joke with my kids that they knew the number for Childline; anytime they didn't like a decision that we made they were advised to either call Childline or find new parents and get adopted.  One phrase I'm sure every parent has heard - so and so's parents have let them!  It's so unfair.  Obviously the remarks were flippant and meant jokingly, which would annoy them even more when they saw you weren't going to bit and get angry yourself - reverse psychology, works almost every time.  The security though of having someone to talk to is so important, especially children in danger, so both charities, Samaritans and Childline, deserve our support.

When I think of the lids growing up, I can't help but think of the classic Harry Enfield sketch when 'Kevin' becomes a teenager.

http://youtu.be/dLuEY6jN6gY

My brain totally wasn't in gear this morning, thought it was February 1 today!  Wishing the year away.

Recording with Tim today.  Heavy skies, trying to snow here but don't think I'll be needing the huskies any day soon.  Huskies remind me of wolves, I love wolves.

A few years ago I happened to be talking to a friend of mine Jeremy.  The last three nights on television there had been films that featured wolves, including of course Dancing With Wolves.  I mentioned this to Jeremy and my love of them and he told me to go and see him the next Thursday.

Jeremy is a vet, very passionate about animals and their welfare.

So I turned up at his surgery on the Tuesday as agreed and was told he would be back soon.  Sure he enough he came in a few minutes later and asked me to go out to his car with him to help him, which of course I did.

Laying in the back of his estate was - a wolf!  Jeremy was the vet for Wildwood, an animal park in Kent.  As he and I carried the sedated (thank God) wolf into his surgery he told me that she had broken her leg and he had put in a splint and it now had to come out.  We carried her down to the operating room, and he allowed me to shave her leg so he could put in a drip.  Sad to say I still have her fur in a bag on the wall of my studio.  He was of course baling assisted by the people who worked for him.

What I remember is the sheer power in her legs.  Mishca was two years old.  Her teeth?  Well as I typing this I am smiling as it reminds me every time of Little Red Riding Hood.  After the small operation, I helped carry her back upstairs and weigh her.  I was in so much awe of the sheer beauty of her.

This is an actual picture of her, she is the face for Wildwood.

I helped carry her back out to the car, and said goodbye to her, and Jeremy, and thanked him so much.

He left, I sat in the car, and I cried!  I drove back to the theatre, clutching Mishca's fur in my hand and when I got back I couldn't talk about it.  Without any doubt, one of the most special milestone memories in my life, one I will never ever forget, to be that close to such a majestic wild animal, amazing.

Here's a small clip from one of the best films ever made, Costner's Dances with Wolves, with music from the late, great John Barry, my favourite composer.

http://youtu.be/m5C-fBGeAtQ

Jack in the Box; Mondays; dreams

A certain Irish man who lives just down the road from us had a lot of success with a song I Don't Like Mondays - some other project seemed to hijack his career?!?!?  (actually my favourite of his is the wannabe Springsteen track Rat Trap).  He got the phrase for Mondays from a San Diego school girl who had gone into class years ago and shot fellow classmates - when asked why she simply replied "I Don't Like Mondays."

Mondays are possibly the hardest day of the week, especially after a lazy weekend.  Bailey was unable to get up this morning and was running late for school, whilst CJ and I were out of bed and dressed, or at least I was!!! by seven, ready to take the dogs for a walk, but it was hard doing.  Your body soon gets into a routine though and I'm sure by the end of the week seven won't seem so bad!!!

It's harder to get up when it's so cold.  That's one thing I miss about living in LA, the warmth.  There's a survey out today that ex-pats, who now live abroad, say what they miss most about the UK.  The BBC apparently was one? Not sure why, you can get it online, albeit with adverts!!

Things I miss when I'm living there are our bread, our chocolate, our cheese, all things I'm not currently eating so that's good!  Marmite, although they get vegamite, the Australian marmite.  Nashville doesn't have the choices though of LA.  Cream is hard to find, single/double cream, as is nice cheese.  I love their bacon, (another no at the moment) but love ours too, just totally different as are their sausage links.

The world is definitely more accessible now though; ingredients are much more readily available.  Mountain Dew was always something I missed whilst living in the UK but its in most stores now.  I miss Jack in the Box, my favourite fast food burger chain, although with milk shakes at over 1,000 calories it's probably a good thing too.

Not that I'm going to die but if I ever do my kids know to go to Jack in the Box on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, opposite the pier, and have a burger and shake and then walk over to the pier and throw me over!!! or at least scatter me in the Californian sunset, just like a scene from a TV show.

TV is almost the same now on both sides of the Atlantic, some shows run later in the UK.  I've mentioned One Tree Hill before.  Now in its last season, season 10, creator Mark Schwann has consistently kept the standard high.  I caught an episode yesterday morning from a few years back and was again totally blown away by the writing, directing, the whole production and the use of songs, wow!  All very inspirational.

This week my own writing will include the new story Sleeping with your eyes open, tag is Dreams Come True, even when you don't want them to .......

plus recording.  

Can't believe it is the end of January already!  Where has this month gone?

Is it only Monday though?!?

Lee Child; writing; Holly Hunter; It's A Wonderful Life

In a recent interview, writer Lee Child explained how he writes his hugely successful crime thrillers.  He starts with a line, or a phrase, sometimes even a word, and then lets the story unfold naturally, and write itself.

Child's books feature an ex-military cop Jack Reacher and are all based in the states, although Child himself is British.

Yesterday I wrote the first draft of a new story, Counting Mississippi.  6,000 words in 4 hours, the story just came, the twist out of nowhere, all from someone's status update on Facebook last week. 

I've just been accused this morning of being too observational but I don't think you can be.  People watching is a great pastime and a huge learning experience I think; how people react differently to same situations, or unfamiliar situations (fish out of water).  It also teaches you how to deal with people or accept them and not be judgemental perhaps.

One key element that is always thrown around is "write about what you know" which I think is possibly true. In Nancy Miller's case it certainly was and proved highly successful.

Nancy comes from Oklahoma City and is the creator of an outstanding and original TV cop show, Saving Grace, which stars Oscar winning Holly Hunter in the title role, a role she obviously relished.

Grace Hanadarko is a quirky, likeable police detective in Oklahoma City who is promiscuous and a drunk, mainly due to her being raped aged ten by the family priest.  Jessica Walters (Play Misty For Me) plays her mother.  Grace is supported by her own guardian angel, Earl, who chews tobacco and looks as if he lives on the streets.  Strange premise I know for a show, I said it was original, but it actually works.

There are many references to Oklahoma, particularly the 1995 bombing.

The show aired in the States until 2010 but the second series had just started in the UK on More 4 on Thursdays, following Julianna Margulies' excellent The Good Wife.

The idea of angels in shows is of course not original - Highway to Heaven and even the recent ITV drama about angels who are barristers?  and of course you have It's A Wonderful Life.

Here are the final scenes of It's A Wonderful Life

http://youtu.be/0k_Vsmqf6X8

and finally I believe snow is forecast at last for next week!

Now to the second draft of Counting Mississippi.

Rain

This morning was the first morning we've had rain whilst walking the dogs.  This is in three weeks, very unusual for this time of year.  It does seem to rain less often now, climate change?  As a kid walking to school used to get soaked, and then have to sit in cold classrooms all day wet.  Okay, slight exaggeration.

Rain is one of a writer's favourite 'tools' - always atmospheric, sometimes cleansing.  Thunder and lightning and a great storm, perfect.

Writing today, Counting Mississippi, and then working on harmonies.

Here's a link to my favourite song about rain.  The band were out of Florida, and this song is great for driving - just watch out for the speed traps and cameras!

Nuclear Valdez, Summer

http://youtu.be/lYuKrsHpOSE

Whilst getting the link for this there was an ad for iTunes - Vaccines, Foster the People and a couple others, CDs for under four pounds!   Taking bets on HMV not being around next Christmas! 

Banshees; Enid Blyton

Did you hear the sound of a banshee yesterday?  In legend, a banshee is a fairy woman who begins to wail if someone is about to die.  The word Banshee always reminds of an Enid Blyton book i had as a kid, that featured the Five Find-outers, and a dog, there was always a dog in her books, called Buster!  The leader of the 'gang' was Fatty! Can you imagine her being allowed to call a character that today?!!


Anyway the banshee was me, singing, (my friend Mike Estes when he records vocals calls it strangling the cat!).  Good day though recording yesterday with Tim, laying down scratch vocals, seven songs, now working on harmonies, more banshees!

Blyton was a major influence for me.  By the time I was ten I had over 200 hundred of her books, she was hugely prolific, apparently not the nicest of people though, awful to her own kids.


Best known probably for Noddy or the Famous Five, my favourite series of hers was the Enchanted Wood.  Her imagination in these three books is remarkable, and whilst her actually writing was not brilliant, she was writing for young children, which is why so many millions identify with her books.


As for my writing, finishing To Kill The Dead today, final draft, and then starting Counting Mississippi, a thriller, and then the third story in the new trilogy has just named itself, Sleeping with your Eyes Open. 

Dreams; benefits;

I like dreams; I like dreamers, I'm one.  Each night you get your own private movie show, free, right there in your head on your pillow.  I try to control some of my dreams, story outlines, see where they will go.

Dreams can be very creative - McCartney woke up and had 'written' Yesterday in his sleep, the melody at least, he originally called it Scrambled Eggs - it went on to earn him $30 million, over 5,000 versions of it.

But what about personal dreams, goals and ambitions?  Here's a question, or two -  are you today where you hoped you'd be ten years ago?  Where do you want to be in ten years time?

I do take each day as it comes but I also have life 'road maps', in my head, ambitions I've yet to achieve.  It's never too late.  I still have the energy and drive I had when I was fifteen, but now I have, allegedly, the experience of life, of people to refer to.  I still feel the same as I did when I was fifteen, perhaps that's my problem?!?  But I'm still very excited by the future, what this year brings, next year......

It is said that a week in politics is a long time, let alone ten years.  The number of people going into politics must be getting smaller all the time - the scrutiny of the media, the people.  When a mistake is made, it's magnified significantly.

The current row of benefits rages on.  I personally can not see how someone like the woman on BBC news last night can attack the plans to cap benefit at £26,000; that's over two thousand a month!

There's a fine line - people need to be encouraged to follow their dreams, start up their own businesses, from scratch.  Some go on to be hugely successful, so why should they support the lazy few who play the system; that have a load of kids they can't support, thinking that the state can?  How can they afford name brands, sit in the pub drinking every day and so on - because of the benefit system in this country.  Without a doubt there should be one to support genuine people but it is abused and it is the abusers who are complaining but being supported by a few do-gooders.

The woman on the news last night stated she was a single mum with two children and asked why she had to move and change her life style?!?!? I can't believe she actually asked that on camera! I know of people who have used their homes as collateral for a loan for a dream, a business venture.  Dennis Waterman did, so did Shane Ritchie.  Luckily they didn't lose their homes but some do.  People who lose their jobs downsize all the time so why does this lady think she shouldn't?

This is not political.  Just reward success, punish laziness and greed. Let people follow their dreams.

http://youtu.be/YEi7GPkxfsE

Jack Daniels; PJs; and Mexican food

My shelf above where I type has four Jack Daniels' bottles, although in my defence one is empty and the other one nearly is.  Birthday presents I hasten to add, all eagerly accepted though.

I'm not a heavy drinker, far from it, a bit of a lush - a couple of drinks and I'm yours!  Well, not quite but I also know my limit.  Having run a nightclub and a theatre with two bars I've had access to alcohol and I think in those situation you can either go one way, teetotaller, or the other!!!! I know a couple of publicans who went the other!

When I bought our land in Tennessee it was purely coincidental that it is on the same highway that leads to Lynchburg where of course Jack Daniels is produced.  Lynchburg, (an awful name for a town; (how it got its name one can only imagine), is actually a dry county, you can't buy alcohol - Mr Jack obviously had problems with workers who like to sample their produce!

In the part of Tennessee where I live you can't buy wine or spirits, only beer.  For wine and spirits you have to drive about fifteen minutes over the county line into Davidson where you can buy anything; crazy isn't it?  Its a religious thing I believe, but Jesus drank wine, in fact turned water into wine!

Just passed the county line is a fine Mexican restaurant, Los Tres Amigos, I've mentioned them before.  On Friday here in the UK we enjoyed a meal at a nice Mexican Restaurant, but it was so expensive, which, given that Mexico is one of the poorest countries, it shouldn't be.  As CJ said, it is peasant food, wonderful ingredients, but cheap ingredients, so why is Mexican food so much more expensive here than say Indian, when it really shouldn't be?  At Los Tres Amigos it usually works out at around $12 a head, less than £8, that includes drinks and desert, (deep fried ice cream! I know, said it before, heart attack on a plate, but what a way to go!).  Their main, usual Chile Colorado for me, (tender pieces of steak), includes tortillas, refried beans and cilantro/coriander rice and you usually have to end up taking a doggy bag home the portions are so big.  You get free salsa and chips and bottomless soft drinks, or a large pitcher of lager will cost you $5.  No wonder I'm on my diet!

Had a bit of a lazy day yesterday, a PJ day we call it.  Did do some work on a new story.  After the blog the other day about Courtney counting Mississippi during a storm (good luck Courtney for today at B.M.I.!) an outline of a story came to me, a thriller, crazy boyfriend chasing ex, driving towards her, in a storm.  The ex is with her daughter who is counting Mississippi to see how close the storm is, and its coming closer and closer, as is the boyfriend who has murder on his mind.  Love this picture of lightning over the Mississippi, will make a great cover.

Counting Mississippi; Obama and the Reverend; Memphis;

I love the sound of rain, on a roof.   The heavier the better.  I love a good storm too, thunder, lightning.  Nashville is experiencing storms at the moment, and Courtney's status this morning was "I can't count any Mississippi's inbetween the thunder and lightening. Scared."  Bless her, sure Elvis looked after her.  The pic shows lightning over the Bat tower in Nashville.


Courtney will get to vote for the first time this year in the Presidential elections.  Politics aside, there's a nice clip of Obama yesterday, singing the opening line from Al Green's classic Let's Stay Together - http://youtu.be/T-hDt2E8MoE .  Green, now the Reverend Al Green was in the audience.  His church is in Memphis, on the Mississippi.  Last time I was in Memphis was with Tim last year, very bleak day, Beale Street was quiet, which given what Tim was wearing was a good thing!!! ha ha

Obama is at his best when it's just him talking to an audience.  Again, no politics here but my feeling is that the election is going to be for the Republicans to lose, rather for Obama to win.  He promised so much, and then the reality struck.  We'll see.


Here's a clip of how Let's Stay Together should sound - taken from a TV special with Justin Timberlake, who hails from the area, with special guest Al Green - enjoy! http://youtu.be/F4Q2VTGLgq8


Time for a new Timberlake album???

Cold Case, Cardiff High school, songs, milestone memories

Have to admit to loving the Universal channel, lot of great shows, for me anyway.  The standard of US shows never fails to astound me, and like them or loath them only a fool would not be impressed by their standard - the writing, directing, editing, acting, the whole production, and they produce twenty-two, 45-minute episodes a year - yes that means we watch fifteen minutes of commercials every hour!

Last night's Cold Case ended with the use of Gordon Lightfoot's If You Could Read My Mind.  Played in full the lyrics perfectly complimented the storyline and end scenes.  The use of music in television, or in particular songs, is growing fast, catching on over here now.  Perhaps the best example is the finale of Season 3,  episode 22, of One Tree Hill, which uses Led Zeppelin's Babe I'm Gonna Leave You to breathtaking effect - here's a link to the clip http://youtu.be/DOtN5Iuhv3w

Songs or music act as milestone memories for me, for all of us really - you hear a certain song and it reminds you of an occasion, a happening in your life.  If You Could Read My Mind will always remind me of Cardiff High school, the Eisteddfod, rehearsing it -  it's a truly beautiful song - http://youtu.be/Of4i1aaBXm8

The song, or music, that perhaps provokes most emotion for me is Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade, my father's favourite song, played at his funeral - always brings tears to my eyes.

I am perhaps rather sad - I remember the place and time when I first heard many songs - 10 c.c's I'm Not In Love for example or B.O.B./Bruno Mars' Nothing On You (okay, that was only two years ago, but you get the point).  They act as milestones for me and bring back vivid memories associated with the song, milestones that are passed like a journey on a long road, but important all the same, Fate Boulevard, our destiny our destination.  I think its sad in most cases that people hold grudges, how people who were once lovers and/or best friends now no longer even acknowledge each other or the milestones that they passed together.  Its rather sad, and unnecessary,  just remember the moment, that special moment.  Here's a sentimental link - http://youtu.be/GNEcQS4tXgQ - the song needs no introduction from me, nor does the singer, probably the finest female singer who combines technique with emotion like no other.

On a lighter note, in the UK a house has a living room; does that mean that it also has a dying room?

Lyrics, tornado, Welsh and Dave Lee

Creative day today; tidying up and editing/writing lyrics, and then second draft of To Kill The Dead story - ready to go for next week, cover is done.

Tornado warning in Nashville yesterday, heavy rain, severe storms.  I must admit to loving the rain, thunder and lightning, all three feature in To Kill The Dead.  I find it almost soothing, certainly romantic, perhaps not in some seedy motel room in Mexico as in To Kill though!

When we lived in LA my Spanish was getting quite good, forgotten much of it, as I have my Welsh.  Loved that in Gavin and Stacey a few years back Brydon's character said the same line I can remember, exactly - Do, i ddim yn hoffi yfed coffi - sure that's not right, should be Yes I do like drinking coffee - hofii coffi, love it, something Annie my parrot would say.  Always loved that they mentioned Bumpers in G & S, the nightclub in Castle Arcade.  Ruth Jones frequented it apparently.

Sad news about comedian Dave Lee, who died yesterday after a battle with cancer.  For those of you out of Kent Dave was the main factor in the annual panto in Canterbury for years, but was also Jim Davidson's warm up man, for Davidson's old shows on the BBC - Generation Game, Give Me a Break etc.  I only met Dave a few times, he was going to play the theatre with Davidson for a private function, but he was always a gent and worked tirelessly for charity with his shops in Kent, raising money for underprivileged kids and families.

Aliens, ghosts and litter

I don't believe in ghosts, yet I've seen one; I don't believe in U.F.O.s, yet I've seen one.  This morning on our walk I saw a light in the sky; obviously a plane flying out of Gatwick.  I turned to call one of the dogs, turned back - and it had gone, yet the sky this morning was perfectly clear, no clouds, and it did seem to be travelling very fast?  if it had been a plane it simply could not have disappeared like that - (this is when the theme from the Twilight Zone kicks in!).

Some years ago when we lived way out in the country by Watership Down (yes it does really exist) I used to go to a small village pub called the White Hart with a good friend of mine Charlie.  We would drive home together through the smallest of country roads through some very bleak countryside, and one night we saw something we couldn't explain, a light in the sky, very fast, and then gone, and no not a plane.  Too many beers perhaps?  but for both of us to see it?  Sure there's a logical explanation......

I met someone a few years back who was convinced his phone was tapped by the MoD, and that his house had been broken into by MI5/6 because he had sensitive research - all very X Files, but he seriously believed it.  Who knows?  I am sure we can not be the only form of life in the whole universe but I like my aliens to be like ALF, from the TV show years ago - ALF standing for Alien Life Form.

And then there are ghosts - or are there?  We used to live in the oldest house in Laurel Canyon at the foot of the Hollywood Hills.  One night I woke up and saw an old lady sitting in a rocking chair, as clear as can be.  Now, did I dream it?  If so how come I can remember perfectly.  Yet, I don't believe.

Houdini and Conan Doyle used to argue about spirits, mediums and the like - mediums are sales, without any any doubt, they prey on the vulnerability of people who have lost someone.  Houdini tricked Conan Doyle trying to convince him mediums and the like were fakes.  Houdini was so obsessed with the subject that he and his wife agreed to 'come back' through a medium but have a secret code that only they knew - 'Rosabelle believe'.   After his death his wife went to many mediums, but her husband never managed it seems to escape the spiritual world and send her the message.

One message I'd like to send is to all the people who think it's okay to just throw litter out of their cars.  Driving around over the weekend I was appalled by the amount of litter -  beer cans, fast food bags, anything and everything.  I know of no other comparable country that has this problem.  In the states the fine for littering is $1,000 and you hardly ever see so much as a sweet wrapper.  One difference is bins for your trash and rubbish.  In a mall at the weekend I had a soft drink, finished it, and yet could I find somewhere to put it?  No.  It becomes then tempting to just put it down somewhere.  Budgets are being cut everywhere and perhaps councils prefer to see litter on their roadsides rather than paying to either clean it up and/or provide proper facilities like bins - get them sponsored by the local radio station - the one I used to do a show for sponsored all the trash bins on the beaches of LA.  There's always an answer - except when you come to ghosts and U.F.O.s!   

Mini movie fest, Ashley Judd, Coppola and tractors

We enjoyed a couple of great movies last night.  The first featured one of my favourite actresses, the beautiful Ashley Judd.  Ashley is perhaps best known for Along Came a Spider with Morgan Freeman, but I love Come Early Morning, a small, low budget US independent movie.  Last night's Double Jeopardy also starred another fav actor of mine, Tommy Lee Jones.

Immediately after that watched Somewhere, the 2010 film by writer and director Sofia Coppola.  I've loved all her films, Virgin Suicides and in particular Lost in Translation, which is Courtney's favourite film I think, and stars the wonderful Bill Murray in one of his finest roles.  Somewhere stars Stephen Dorff, a fine actor and this is a stunning performance, along with the remarkable 13 year old Elle Fanning.  At times you felt you were watching a documentary, the film providing a raw look into the privileged yet empty life of a successful actor.

And Play Misty For Me has been a few times this weekend.

Watching Somewhere it struck me that we are now more and more used to 90 seconds to 2 minute scenes on television and in film.  Friends, which I love so much, is a prime example, but the adverse effect is that we now almost expect something to happen; we can't wait for characters to develop so we can get to know them.  There must be so much pressure on directors like Coppola to have more action, less intelligent dialogue, but her films are refreshing and thought-provoking because of this.  Somewhere features long tracking shots, slow zoom outs/ins, scenes without dialogue, air for the actors to breathe and really find their characters.

Busy week ahead, snow possibly mid week.  Applying for our permit for our property in Hartsville this week.  Septic tank!!! yey!  Our neighbour Tom has recently bought a new tractor, which is older than I am so that says something, and he kindly cuts the grass for us, all six acres of it.  

In a book store yesterday I accidentally found a book about the history of tractors which we bought for him and I'm going to send to him tomorrow.  Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours.....

Wakey wakey, colder colder

Definitely colder this morning but this was the view this morning, so well worth it.

Hope (the lab) and Glory (the old English) are now used to the early start and wait patiently for us by the door.

   

The moon over the boats was clearer this morning.  Snow possible for next week so wonder if our early morning walks continue!

Got back to porridge and banana, and coffee - laughed that the box for the porridge said Wakey Wakey in large letters on the side.

Still trying to get the new website domain working, got the name but apparently it takes up to 48 hours, patience is not my best virtue.

Red sky in the morning and the moon over the boats

Catching up on emails and messages before starting on writing.

Just back from the daily walk which this morning was particularly beautiful; the sky was on fire in the east, as we watched the sun rise - red sky in the morning, sailor's warning?  Behind us though to the west the moon was still fairly high, hidden behind the morning mist, but sharing enough light over the creek and the boats.

Breathtaking.

Marmite chocolate

Started first draft of new short today, To Kill The Dead, love the plot line.

Have been using the Moroccan tagine CJ bought me, or possible bought for herself knowing I'd cook some new dishes - had beef tagine with onions and leeks and also made a Hungarian goulash.  Strangest gift though was Marmite Chocolate - still not sure, half a bar left, not as bad as I thought it'd be, and I love marmite, the one thing I miss in the States, but wouldn't be in a hurry to have another bar.

Editing lyrics tomorrow, snow apparently is on the way next week, and also working again on the story.

Heard Gretchen Peters new album, so so good, she's in the UK soon so if you can, try and catch her live and give the CD a listen, a great songwriter, singer and performer, more than ably accompanied by her parker Barry Walsh. The title track is getting a lot of play on Radio 2 and Bob Harris is a major fan.

Caught the pilot again (saw it first on first run in September in Nashville) of Poppy (Without a Trace) Montgomery's solo vehicle, the crime drama Unforgettable last night on Sky.  Nice premise and clever flashback scenes.

01/10

So day two of the resolution, up and out by seven taking the dogs for a walk down the creek - they don't know what's hit them!  I give it a week max.  My legs, back, shoulders all ache.  Beautiful time of the day though and I'm sure my body clock will soon get accustomed to the rude awakening every morning.

Been recording today with Tim, scratch vocals, couldn't find lyrics for one song so that didn't help and nor did feeling rough.  Need to edit a few words here and there, work out some more harmonies but all in all quite pleased actually after playback, all things considered.

Talked about AWT and his shoplifting, very strange, obvious cry for help.

Guitar

Musicians, bands, heroes and villains!

Jan 9

So at the start of the new year I find myself in the very early stages of putting a band together; one key question is where? The UK or in Nashville, perhaps both?  Have discussed with Tim about playing this year, he’s a fine musician.  Determined to play Bonnaroo this year and Nashville and I’d love to play a gig in Cardiff.

I’ve been blessed really with the musicians I’ve played with over the years.  In the very early days in school the guitarist was Ian Pincombe, who had more skill by fifteen than many 40 year old guitarists I’ve seen and played with since.

My first real band I suppose had Nigel Brecon, Wayne Doidge and Paul Holowcynzci (if that’s the correct spelling I’ll be very surprised, sorry).  Had some great nights with that band, including bringing Cardiff airport to a standstill, but that’s another story!  Also Guy Frampton, I remember rehearsing and recording at his house many times, just up the road from Cardiff High.

Another guitarist was Phil, who if I remember correctly was a BT engineer, but he was an accomplished guitarist, used a Gibson twin neck.

When I moved to the States, my first band there included a charismatic drummer Craig who lived in his van on the beach in Santa Barbara.  We played some amazing venues, Santa Barbara County Bowl remains one of the highlights of my life, as does recording at Santa Barbara Sound studio.

I returned to the UK for a few years and was blessed to find a guitarist Tony Crooks to form a band with.  Without any doubt Tony is not only one of the finest guitarists I’ve played with but that I’ve ever heard.  After the band split Tony used the demos we recorded to join a band with Leo Lyons, from Ten Years After (who had been used to the skills of Alvin Lee!).  Tony combines natural skill and talent, with pure emotion.

The last band that I played with was in LA and included a Doobie Brother, and members of Chicago (the group) and Bonnie Raitt’s band.  We recorded at Danny (Three Dog Night) Hutton’s studio in Trancas in Malibu.

I’ve enjoyed watching some fine musicians from the wings over the last few years – Brian Willoughby is an outstanding guitarist, makes me want to sell my guitars and give up, as does Mike Estes from Lynyrd Skynyrd and now Skinny Molly.  They both make it seem so effortless, and they are both two of the nicest guys I’ve met in the industry, as is John Young - Asia, Scorpions, Bonnie Tyler and now The Strawbs.  John’s drive and enthusiasm is second to none.

I can hold my own on rhythm guitar, and ‘rhythm piano’ if there is such a thing.  So many people have taken my breath away though as I’ve stood there and watched them.  Rod Argent is such an inspirational musician, and songwriter, and coupled with Colin, well Colin is Colin Blunstone, who possesses probably the most haunting voice in the business.  I remember Colin warming up backstage every time, he treats his voice with the respect it deserves, never taking it for granted, and never putting in anything less than a 100% performance.   He is also such a nice, genuine person.

Slick Aquilar, Jefferson Airplane’s stunning guitarist brought tears to my eyes once in soundcheck with an instrumental version of Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps.  Drummer Carl Palmer’s dedication never fails to amaze me; every time I’ve seen him he is focused and I know he stills practises endlessly.  He’s one of the few musicians I’ve taken my kids to see rehearse just so they could see one of the world’s finest drummers (but who surprisingly I feel is underrated!).

I know I’ve missed out so many people who have moved me with their songs or their playing or helped make some very special memories – Stan Webb playing Hurt; Simon Kirke playing My Brother Jake on piano; George ‘Zoot’ Money singing Peter Green’s What You Gonna Do; joining Osibisa on stage for Sunshine Day; sharing a piano stool with the gorgeous Julianne Regan from All About Eve as I was working on one of my songs after a show; Geoffrey Richardson playing his own truly beautiful composition The Lighthouse; the list could go on and on ……….

My passion for music is greater today than ever, and it has always been big; by the time I was sixteen I had over 10,000 albums.  I am simply a fan.

So the search begins; Nashville boasts many fine musicians, a lot of Brits are there including fellow Cardiffian, Dennis Bryon of the Bee Gees/Amen Corner, who with Blue Weaver deserves much more credit for the Bee Gees’ success and sound than either of them get, especially from the Gibb brothers.

The facilities in Nashville are outstanding, so we’ll see.  Just anxious to get playing!

New Year

At the start of every new year since I was a kid I've meant to keep a diary.  This year is no different, although now its a blog!  So I will be keeping this up, at least for a week!