I am being nagged to "burble" again, so here goes… I just re-read the last Burblings (spring ) to get my bearings, and now I see why I have been absent.  So much has happened since then, it isn't surprising that I have gone quiet.  Quick catch-up on personal news first:..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

NEWS:

Mama left us on 25^th August to go find Baba up there somewhere.  She didn't quite make it a year without him.  Following another fall and cracked hip (she was already fully metalled on one side) she was recovering well at first, but about a month later she seemed to simply deflate and eventually slipped away.  Once more, I was called by Iro (my sister who has nursed both our parents in their twilight) in time to be there at the end, and once more it was peaceful. I have mentioned before how I felt closer to Baba after he had gone – now suddenly I felt orphaned.  Not counting Vanessa and our children and grandkids, my sister, herself 9 years older then me, and my two nieces are all that is left of the Greek side of the immediate family though cousins and uncles/aunties abound.  Still, life goes on, and within a week I was singing my heart out at Fylde fest with John and Nicole.  I wrote the Miracle of Life to comfort others, but this time I used it on myself and it worked.

Before that, in June, there was another shock with the departure of Paul Gunningham following a nasty RTA and prolonged hospital stay.  His recovery was cut short by MRSA in this case, as I understand, dashing our hopes most cruelly.  Paul had been a friend and fellow admirer of Pete Atkin, and at the request of his best mate I wrote a song for him (now titled "For a friend")  which Paul had thankfully a chance to hear before he slipped away.

And yet another shock on the 31^st August, when another great friend and mentor of many of us in the ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />UK folk scene, Colin Kemp, suddenly went in his sleep.  The UK festivals will not be the same without him, and he left a huge gap in many hearts, mine included.

But meanwhile the day job has helped tremendously to concentrate my thinking.  Things have been getting predictably busier, and more fun at the same time, and I even managed to shake off my siesta habit, re-acquired about 5 years ago.  Oh, yes, I'm "putting in the hours" all right.  But thankfully I still managed to get through a number of musical engagements.  Most memorable moments:

• meeting some of the great Cornish songwriters in Bude; 
• singing with Jim Causley in Dulverton and with Cloudstreet in Fylde
• winning the crowd at Hoy at Anchor (who were expecting John Kirkpatrick)
• hearing Enda Kenny's wonderful cover of "Johnny don't go walking with the fishes" from his "Pearler" album (gorgeous CD, get it!)
• hearing Jim Causley's great cover (with beautiful upbeat arrangement by James Dumbleton) of "Traitor's Love" – and singing on it too
• hearing Bill Whaley's & Dave Fletcher's cover of "Miracle of life" – much better than I could ever do, why, it sounded traditional!
• Recording the new album (No 7) with Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer

LIFESeYes:

…or Lifesize, or something like that in any case – it's the name chosen for my 7^th album.  I hope the "terrible sevens" does not apply there, and having just heard the first mix, I have to say that I am glad I decided to do this with much simpler arrangements and in the excellent company of Vicki and Jonny, two wonderful musicians and lovely people to boot, from deepest Essex.  There are 15 self-penned tracks on it, and a surprise (OK, it's another track but I'll say no more as I don't want to spoil the surprise).  This album marks my departure from Irregular (on the friendliest terms with Robb Johnson I have to say, who is still a mate;  it was just practicalities that forced the move), and my arrival at Wild Goose.  Doug Bailey recorded it at the WG studio, which has recently spawned such great albums as Fenlandia (Mary and Anahata), Lost Love Found (Jim Causley), September Days (Lynn Heraud & Pat Turner) and Sliptease (Vicki & Jonny's latest).  

• planned release date: 29^th February 2008 (I am not superstitious)
• launch concert: 1^st March 2008, at Pinner Green Social Club, Rickmansworth Road, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 3TJ, with Vicki and Jonny of course, hosted and supported by another lovely duo, Moses & The Ref (Christine and Steve).  Entrance will be free, but I will ask people to "book" places with me to make sure we stay within the limits of the hall.  More anon.

GIGS AND THE FUTURE:

Just two engagements left this year;  and I am looking forward to both, for different reasons:

• 24^th/25^th November: Bedworth Festival (http://bedworth-festival.info/ ) – it's the Christmas gathering for the folk community, always great fun, and I am looking forward to singing next to some of the greatest Voices in the UK – 'nuff said….
• 28^th November:  The Magpie's Nest, The Old Queens Head, 44 Essex Road, Islington, London (http://www.themagpiesnest.co.uk/ ).  Sharing the bill with the great Oxfordshire songwriter Matt Sage, I am looking forward to playing in this new club about which I have heard so many good things.  NOTE: It is not often I venture into the Smoke, so your support on the night will be most appreciated, so that I don't end up singing my choruses by myself!

And after a restful (one hopes) December & Christmas, I will start gearing for the big event of next year:  7^th-24^th March, touring Australia once more!  Eight gigs, including two festivals (Yackandandah and National) and a chance to share the bill with Joe Dolce.  To say that I cannot wait to see the many good friends there would be an understatement.  But most of all, those who know me will understand, it will be a treat to see Martin and Becky and Timmy (6) and Abi (2).  And those rozellas that came to represent that great country in my imagination.

Roll on the spring! 

All the best  and have a great festive season