Last night we drove into Elephant and Castle to visit Territorial Headquarters. It was fun.
The purpose of our trip was to prepare and practise for our gig at the Royal Albert Hall on June 9th. We're playing a short set in the middle of the Salvation Army's Gospel Arts Festival and we're hoping it's going to be really good!
Last night we played through our song 'Take Broken Me' which we're performing live with the International Staff Band - which for those of you who don't speak Salvationist means 'very-musically-able-Salvation-Army-brass-band'. Hope that clears up any misunderstanding.
Whilst we went in a little apprehensive and nervous, we came out really positive and excited as the song sounded so beautiful and full. We're really looking forward to the night now - it should be amazing!
The sales pitch: if you would like to get tickets to come to the Gospel Arts Festival then please visit the Royal Albert Hall Box Office Webpage. We'd love to have your support on the day!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Duke Special - last night
Last night we went to see Duke Special at the Shepherds Bush Empire and it was blindingly good. It was a bit of a last minute thing really so we phoned mid morning to find if there was any room left - there was! Four seats - second row back - stalls! Proper brilliant!
The bloke in the middle at the piano is Duke Special - also worth pointing out is the bloke on the left who is Ben Castle. Even though we were second row there was no one on the front so we were really close!
I did take some video. The sound is slightly dodgy though and in no way reflective of the quality of the musicianship and show.
So there you have it. The bloke is a genius. Whole heartedly recommend you keep checking out what he's up to. Hope he goes from strength to strength!
The bloke in the middle at the piano is Duke Special - also worth pointing out is the bloke on the left who is Ben Castle. Even though we were second row there was no one on the front so we were really close!
I did take some video. The sound is slightly dodgy though and in no way reflective of the quality of the musicianship and show.
So there you have it. The bloke is a genius. Whole heartedly recommend you keep checking out what he's up to. Hope he goes from strength to strength!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
I hate Eurovision
It's pretty obvious really. An event like the Eurovision song contest is pretty easy for anyone to hate.
Unless you are Serbian.
Then you love it.
This year was a first for me - I have never watched the Eurovision before...I've made it to my 27th year and finally I have got round to making a date of it. I started off enjoying - hopeful even. Hopeful that uber-camp SCOOCH could well 'pull it out of the bag' or even have 'slotted it home' or whatever cheap semi-inuendo bingo line they wanted to 'squeeze in'. It was not to be. Eventually our tact changed to hoping that the UK would not get any points at all! But that was not to be either...thanks to the Irish and Maltese. Shame really - we could have been the runaway failures...but now we're just also-rans.
But seriously, I know nothing about European politics but it strikes me that objective appreciation of a decent performance or tune has very little to do with where one ends up at the end of the night. Every neighbouring country giving their neighbours a pat on the back and 12 points to boot. Obviously not having any neighbours can't help us. Maybe the Maltese just like us because, like them, we're also an island? Or maybe people don't vote for us because over history we've probably attacked every one of them at least once and nicked all their best inventions and claimed them as our own. Or is it because we don't use the Euro yet and we're being punished through pop music!? Maybe we just didn't have enough goth in our entry?
But aside from my bitterness - what can we do to sort things out next year? I suggest there are three options:
1 - Start a petition to not put in an act next year - leave them to it. They only good thing about it this year was the staging and the Germans...and they got pathetic points too. And they haven't got anywhere near as chequered a past as we Brits...have they?
2 - Put in Coldplay. They're not doing anything else at the moment. Chris Martin can do some activist promo at the same time. 100 million viewers in one hit? Nailed it! Could be embarrassing if they get nil though...
3 - Send the Beckhams. They'll sort it out - and they're not doing much at the moment either. Everyone loves the Beckhams. David can sing. Victoria can pout and do keepy ups.
Perfect.
It's ours for the taking next year - you mark my words.
Unless you are Serbian.
Then you love it.
This year was a first for me - I have never watched the Eurovision before...I've made it to my 27th year and finally I have got round to making a date of it. I started off enjoying - hopeful even. Hopeful that uber-camp SCOOCH could well 'pull it out of the bag' or even have 'slotted it home' or whatever cheap semi-inuendo bingo line they wanted to 'squeeze in'. It was not to be. Eventually our tact changed to hoping that the UK would not get any points at all! But that was not to be either...thanks to the Irish and Maltese. Shame really - we could have been the runaway failures...but now we're just also-rans.
But seriously, I know nothing about European politics but it strikes me that objective appreciation of a decent performance or tune has very little to do with where one ends up at the end of the night. Every neighbouring country giving their neighbours a pat on the back and 12 points to boot. Obviously not having any neighbours can't help us. Maybe the Maltese just like us because, like them, we're also an island? Or maybe people don't vote for us because over history we've probably attacked every one of them at least once and nicked all their best inventions and claimed them as our own. Or is it because we don't use the Euro yet and we're being punished through pop music!? Maybe we just didn't have enough goth in our entry?
But aside from my bitterness - what can we do to sort things out next year? I suggest there are three options:
1 - Start a petition to not put in an act next year - leave them to it. They only good thing about it this year was the staging and the Germans...and they got pathetic points too. And they haven't got anywhere near as chequered a past as we Brits...have they?
2 - Put in Coldplay. They're not doing anything else at the moment. Chris Martin can do some activist promo at the same time. 100 million viewers in one hit? Nailed it! Could be embarrassing if they get nil though...
3 - Send the Beckhams. They'll sort it out - and they're not doing much at the moment either. Everyone loves the Beckhams. David can sing. Victoria can pout and do keepy ups.
Perfect.
It's ours for the taking next year - you mark my words.
Friday, May 11, 2007
New Project
It's really likely that we'll be doing a new album this year. Probably going to be into the studio in September - which means I've got some writing to do...
Is there something that you would love to hear a song written about? Anything at all?
Ideas on a postcard...
Or a comment...
(Phil L - I've still got yours on the back burner)
Is there something that you would love to hear a song written about? Anything at all?
Ideas on a postcard...
Or a comment...
(Phil L - I've still got yours on the back burner)
Monday, May 07, 2007
ROOTS day 3 - Sunday
Bedtime seems to be getting later and later. Tonight we finished a busy day with a tasty, tasty midnight feast at the curry house. Pasanda, Mushroom Pilau. Always. Beautiful.
Earlier on the day we spent a good chunk of time with Katie Pearson (and those two other folk who hang around with her). Katie was extremely cuddly and we're sure she's gonna grow up to be a lovely and fantastic person - especially with parents as cool as hers. God bless you Pearson family!
Session was good tonight. After a mighty long time of sung worship (about an hour) we had Sandra Ryan in to remind me how far I've got to go before I live like Jesus. Wowzers. I think everyone should be supplied with a flak jacket and body shield to hide behind when people like Sandra speak. We were all transfixed but I'm sure that everyone was wondering whether she might do something crazy any second - and maybe pick them to do something very public and shameless.
Even the illustration she started with was fairly coarse. Before saying anything she picked 19 people from the congregation to stand in a line at the front and then asked them if they believed in God. And if they didn't they had the option to go back to sit down. She used these guys to talk about the 19 who were responsible for the 9/11 acts of terrorism - which Sandra pointed out that, whilst they were horrendous acts of violence, they were also incredible acts of faith. You don't see faith like that - she repeated.
Then the venue shut down and we went outside to pray during the sunset. Nice. Must...remember...challenge...
Earlier on the day we spent a good chunk of time with Katie Pearson (and those two other folk who hang around with her). Katie was extremely cuddly and we're sure she's gonna grow up to be a lovely and fantastic person - especially with parents as cool as hers. God bless you Pearson family!
Session was good tonight. After a mighty long time of sung worship (about an hour) we had Sandra Ryan in to remind me how far I've got to go before I live like Jesus. Wowzers. I think everyone should be supplied with a flak jacket and body shield to hide behind when people like Sandra speak. We were all transfixed but I'm sure that everyone was wondering whether she might do something crazy any second - and maybe pick them to do something very public and shameless.
Even the illustration she started with was fairly coarse. Before saying anything she picked 19 people from the congregation to stand in a line at the front and then asked them if they believed in God. And if they didn't they had the option to go back to sit down. She used these guys to talk about the 19 who were responsible for the 9/11 acts of terrorism - which Sandra pointed out that, whilst they were horrendous acts of violence, they were also incredible acts of faith. You don't see faith like that - she repeated.
Then the venue shut down and we went outside to pray during the sunset. Nice. Must...remember...challenge...
Sunday, May 06, 2007
ROOTS - Day 2... which is Saturday.
What a busy day!
Morning session. Lunchtime magazine. International Development seminar with Mel. Evening Session. Gig. I feel like I've been carrying a guitar around with me all day long.
So, ROOTS is half way through already. Feels like we only got here...two days ago. This event is seriously short! What a lot of effort for 3 days worth of event. (1/2 day Friday - 1/2 day Monday)
Anyway, pretty tired now so I'm going to go to sleep like a wise person.
Hopefully this night will be quiet and peaceful with no sleep talking to write home about!
Morning session. Lunchtime magazine. International Development seminar with Mel. Evening Session. Gig. I feel like I've been carrying a guitar around with me all day long.
So, ROOTS is half way through already. Feels like we only got here...two days ago. This event is seriously short! What a lot of effort for 3 days worth of event. (1/2 day Friday - 1/2 day Monday)
Anyway, pretty tired now so I'm going to go to sleep like a wise person.
Hopefully this night will be quiet and peaceful with no sleep talking to write home about!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Friday 4th May - ROOTS Day 1
No incredible revelations today - certainly nothing as exciting as the castle room! Upon further research today though it turns out that this room is the poshest one in the hotel...I suppose you could call it the honeymoon suite. I think that says something pretty special about mine and Jon's relationship.
The afternoon has gone pretty smoothly. Once a few venue things were ironed out and we were soundchecked I was pretty well relaxed for the rest of the evening. Songs this evening were:
Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
Wonderful so wonderful (Beautiful One)
Lord You are good
There's no condemnation (I'm alive)
Strength will rise
Open the eyes of my heart Lord
Blessed be Your name
That's not interesting really - but it's nice to keep things recorded proper like.
This evening we celebrated Shawn's 33rd in style at Nandos. Complete with chocolate caterpillar cake it was proper good. Good chicken and good company. Had a nice chat with Suz about her trip to Zambia - sounds pretty amazing. You should chat to her about it some time. Here are a few of the animals she encountered while she was there:
As you can see she encountered some fairly scary stuff over there. Hopefully she will leave a comment at some point to explain her experience in more detail...or summit...
And finally, here is a picture of Me, Glyn, Michael Owen, Chell and Suz on our way back to our respected sleeping venues...being taken there by the Goldmember. As you can see we are still very happy at this point. Long may it continue.
The afternoon has gone pretty smoothly. Once a few venue things were ironed out and we were soundchecked I was pretty well relaxed for the rest of the evening. Songs this evening were:
Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
Wonderful so wonderful (Beautiful One)
Lord You are good
There's no condemnation (I'm alive)
Strength will rise
Open the eyes of my heart Lord
Blessed be Your name
That's not interesting really - but it's nice to keep things recorded proper like.
This evening we celebrated Shawn's 33rd in style at Nandos. Complete with chocolate caterpillar cake it was proper good. Good chicken and good company. Had a nice chat with Suz about her trip to Zambia - sounds pretty amazing. You should chat to her about it some time. Here are a few of the animals she encountered while she was there:
As you can see she encountered some fairly scary stuff over there. Hopefully she will leave a comment at some point to explain her experience in more detail...or summit...
And finally, here is a picture of Me, Glyn, Michael Owen, Chell and Suz on our way back to our respected sleeping venues...being taken there by the Goldmember. As you can see we are still very happy at this point. Long may it continue.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
ROOTS - Thurs 3rd May...the day before
Soooo, just arrived at Southport for ROOTS 2007. Tried to get into the venue - but it was locked...so we went to the team gathering which was already in full swing. It was lovely - a few crisps, a few prayers, a few videos, nice to see a few friends too... and then our short evening had to come to a close. Hence, it was bed time...
Which meant going to the hotel that will be home for the weekend. Which only turns out to be the best darn-dest hotel in the whole of Southport! I arrived to be taken through a rigourous door opening routine (3333 - clever eh? Don't break in though...)
And then...the room...this room is...amazing!
Take a deep breath and see below...I'll walk you through it...
IT'S A MEDIEVAL ROOM! This is angle 1 - on the left you can see the four poster - with curtains. On the right is the en suite. Complete with turrets! And you can see the hatched ceiling effect! I wanna train some clematis over that bad boy!
Here's the view looking back to the door. Note tapestry on the left hand side and most importantly (although hard to grasp the beauty of in a stationary photo) the moving, fire effect wall lamp! How can this get better? It can!
This is the bathroom. This is the view from THE OUTSIDE! Yep - stained glass windows on the bathroom door. Hence Jon and I can watch each other taking a dump...in technicolour!
This is gonna be the best weekend EVER!
Which meant going to the hotel that will be home for the weekend. Which only turns out to be the best darn-dest hotel in the whole of Southport! I arrived to be taken through a rigourous door opening routine (3333 - clever eh? Don't break in though...)
And then...the room...this room is...amazing!
Take a deep breath and see below...I'll walk you through it...
IT'S A MEDIEVAL ROOM! This is angle 1 - on the left you can see the four poster - with curtains. On the right is the en suite. Complete with turrets! And you can see the hatched ceiling effect! I wanna train some clematis over that bad boy!
Here's the view looking back to the door. Note tapestry on the left hand side and most importantly (although hard to grasp the beauty of in a stationary photo) the moving, fire effect wall lamp! How can this get better? It can!
This is the bathroom. This is the view from THE OUTSIDE! Yep - stained glass windows on the bathroom door. Hence Jon and I can watch each other taking a dump...in technicolour!
This is gonna be the best weekend EVER!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Block
I am at a total loss on what I should blog. I am experiencing blog-block. I dislike it when this happens. What I have been trying to do is store up a few ideas that I can blog about for when I have moments like these, but it would seem that the part of my brain that stores those bits of information has been blocked as well...
The other night Glyn was taking notes on what I said. That is, he typed everything I said onto a laptop, and then he read it all back to us. I think I might be his hero - I'm sure that's not normal behaviour? Oh hang on, it is Glyn... Anyway, I did wonder whether a similar principle could be adopted for moments such as these. So to demonstrate I will now type everything that comes into my mind for the next few minutes:
What do you other bloggers blog about when you feel you should blog but the ideas aren't forthcoming?
The other night Glyn was taking notes on what I said. That is, he typed everything I said onto a laptop, and then he read it all back to us. I think I might be his hero - I'm sure that's not normal behaviour? Oh hang on, it is Glyn... Anyway, I did wonder whether a similar principle could be adopted for moments such as these. So to demonstrate I will now type everything that comes into my mind for the next few minutes:
- I hope Glyn has booked his hotel room for tomorrow night
- I really must phone Will and tell him that Matt and I don't need to stay over tonight anymore
- I hope my flowers will not have been eaten by pesky rabbits when I get back from ROOTS
- ROOTS!? Must think about that some time soon...
- I hope Jeff Lucas doesn't comment on my blog again
- I really must stop saying stupid things
- My PC is making a funny noise
- I aught to listen to that CD I was given
What do you other bloggers blog about when you feel you should blog but the ideas aren't forthcoming?
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