First of all apologies for the lateness of this month’s ramblings, but there were a few things I was hoping to able to confirm in time for this month but the first week of April shot by and I was still waiting for answers so these areas will have to wait until next month......but as you’re almost certainly wondering what they were...I’ll tell you.
I was hoping to get confirmation of the Jon and Rick tour of North America in October and November and also some solo dates for me with orchestra in South America......but I didn’t, so we’ll all have to wait for May now!
The Lichfield and Sheffield shows for April have now happened but there’s still Harrogate on the 16th, (just 31 tickets left I’m told as I write this), and Birkenhead on the 23rd.
The remainder of this month sees quite a mixture happening with more shows to do for radio Nova, more filming for Watchdog and yet more recording for various projects which include recording some piano for a very fine singer called Valentina. (More about this recording next month).
I am finishing off writing the music for a double CD of piano which we will be recording at The Granary on my favourite piano. 70% of the music has been recorded so we’re on the last stages now. Hopefully this will see the light of day around summertime.
The A&M Years special edition should be available very soon. This is all the albums I recorded for A&M records, all remastered and “cleaned up” and with additional material as well to create a very special limited edition package. We will also be releasing them separately as well. Keep your eyes posted on the site and also on the Voiceprint site for further details.
Wayne has mentioned to me that he received a lot of e-mails to the site displaying their displeasure at the news that the proposed project with Trevor Rabin and Jon Anderson was not going ahead. I must admit I threw my head in my hands when he told me as it is, to the very best of my knowledge and certainly Jon’s as well, total rubbish.
There are some not very nice people out there who like to stir things up, and believe it or not, we know who some of them are. They are the equivalent to people who start computer viruses and I have no time for them. I have always said that if you hear a rumour, log into this site, and if it’s confirmed here, then it’s true. If it isn’t, then treat it as a rumour started by somebody who thinks they know something, but actually don’t!
Just two days ago I received some music from Jon for the Trevor, Jon and Rick project, and it’s tremendous. I’ve also sent some stuff to both the guys as well, so unless there really is something I don’t know, then all is progressing really well.
On a sad note, many of you who have followed stuff I have been involved with over the years will know of my involvement with the wonderful ballet impresario Francis Francis. He was the most wonderful man and had a very distinguished career within the ballet world and was held in extremely high regard. He managed Nureyev for his Manfred tour and also hosted a dinner in New York at the Tavern on the Green with myself and Dame Margot Fonteyn who loved him dearly. Francis passed away last week at his home in Switzerland, and I shall miss him greatly.
On a happier note, we have had a lot of enquiries for English Rock Ensemble shows after the success of Cropredy last year, so hopefully something will come to fruition and also the possibility of a Journey to the Centre of the Earth performance has moved from the possibility folder to the probability folder which is pretty exciting for me!
Once again, sorry for the lateness of this lot of ramblings, but blame agents and promoters!!!!