Been a bit lax on the blogging front...apologies, but been pretty busy: have started writing songs for Chronicles 2 (as we're calling it)....somehow managed to write three in a day the other week...it's basically the same approach as Chronicles 1: find a title/subject matter, sit round talking & laughing for half an hour, then a hit a G chord and we're off...."Huntin' and Gatherin' (ain't what it used to be)", "Her Ladyship" and "Rant and Rave"....

Great reaction to two of the above new songs when I played them at my first ever full solo gig, which took place at the wonderful Processed Pea Folk Club near Beverley last week...was a bit weird not having Pete (Riley) at my side...the guitar sounded a lot more lonely and scratchy, and the odd bum chord kept the audience on their toes, but it went really well...the chap who ran it, Stuart, said I was the most entertaining person they'd had at the club in their 40 year history (yeah, bet he says that to everyone who plays...also note he said "most entertaining" not "best singer" or "finest musician"!!).....my brother Will joined me on electric guitar for a few songs (we worked out that the last time we were "onstage" together was 1971, on the landing at home, in front of my Mum and Dad).

Also enjoyed playing with Paul Simpson's "The Wild Swans" at their first gig in 26 years....2 nights at Static Gallery in Liverpool....a lot of love in the air, people had travelled from as far away as Wisconsin and Japan, and witnessed a bit of an all star line-up, including Les and Will from the Bunnymen playing onstage for first time in 10 years.
It was strange me being back playing keyboards again, almost forgotten how they work.

A few bits of live news...I'm returning to The Georgian in Coatbridge (near Glasgow) on Aug 29th: we had a brilliant time when we played there in February, and I'm made up to be asked back...Pete will be working hard that night, as well as doing a set with me he'll also be doing his own set beforehand.....and the Biddulph Arms gig (near Stoke) on 23rd September has been "upgraded" to the Biddulph Town Hall (details on gig guide).

Bye for Now
H x