The end of the year is nigh- The Sufjan Stevens Christmas box set is out and playing a soundtrack of merry melancholy and mellifluous mayhem (that man is so good damn him) and I always find myself thinking about highs and lows both personally and in the wider world- kind of summing up the year in my head. Though my summing up is a poor reflection of reality I'm sure! It's been a rollercoaster of a year really- Finally launching the Red Tree album back in May was a brilliant time. A great launch party night, some fantastic reviews, and the opportunity to work and perform with some very talented musicians in the gigs that followed- that really is the fun side of the job!! And more recently BBC Radio Two playing of Red Tree on Whispering Bob's (he probably hates that name) Saturday program is definitely a high! The downside has been trying to keep the momentum rolling as it has been a little more stop-start than was planned with more gigs being cancelled by promoters than I've ever experienced before as well as two of the festivals that I was booked to play over the summer also cancelled. It seems that a lot of it has been a direct effect of the credit crunch- I have had many of conversations with others about this. Some are telling me its all in the mind and nothing is changing but it does seem to me (at least from my struggling in the garret to make art type level) to have had quite an impact. That said I want to take my hat off to all of you and those promoters who have carried on regardless and continue to support live music! I personally have been to some fantastic gigs over the year. Leonard Cohen at the Manchester Opera House comes out at the top- but also up in the highs were- Sigur Ros's beautiful soundscapes and mindblowingly stunning display of visuals, Ani Difranco and her performance full of passion and energy, Jose Gonzales intense intricate and unique guitar style songs and Cerys Matthews who's powerful set was full of diversity, self deprecating humour and soulful delivery. All very inspiring and energising!I've opened for some great acts also this year- Jackie Leven being one of them- his storytelling was very engaging. Obama was elected! I almost hadn't dared to hope after the disappointments of the last elections. The great Odetta passed away. Somehow Hallelujah was performed on The X factor- ok so its not the Cohen, Cale, Buckley or KD Lang version all of which wax and wane between mystical and earthy content of the lyrics- but hey its still a surprisingly astute choice for X factor! And finally to wrap these rather randomly assorted thoughts- I want to say something about the current situation in Palestine this Christmas. I guess having worked out there and experienced a little of what life under occupation is like- I can't think of Bethlehem at this time of year (all the carol and Christmas cards etc) without talking about what the situation as it is. I was involved last week in an 'Alternative Carol' event called Carols by Check Point that included traditional carols, alongside re-written versions telling the story of Palestine today under occupation. I've included a bit of blurb about Bethlehem that was in the program on my blog site which read more about here if you are interested www.rachel-t-b.blogspot.com and I'd also would like to draw attention to an inspiring and courageous campaign headed by young Israeli teens known as 'THE SHMINISTIM' who are refusing to do their compulsory military service as they cannot morally partake the inhumane practises of the occupation. This means that they are in and out of prison continually for the 3- 4 years that they do not do their military service and will of course have repercussions on employment opportunities etc… www.december18th.org Follow the link here to the website and find out more and sign their petition letter …. So all that remains is to wish you a Merry Christmas- look forward to seeing you all on the road some place soon in 2009. (oh yes and the live album- well it will happen sometime in 09 so watch this space… as always everything takes 100 times longer than my optimistic forecasting!!)