Once again this GORR is a little late in posting and that’s once again because we were waiting on all sorts of news that we felt was worth waiting for.
............and so, starting with Journey to the Centre of the Earth, it is now well into production. The musical template for the new 52 minute version is complete and the orchestrations are being done as I write the GORR and will be completed by the end of the month.
The band is booked in the studio for three weeks time as indeed are the orchestra and choir for September, so every green light is shining.
I’m really happy the way the new additional music slots in amongst the original, (and not a note of the orchestration will be changed in the original either), and the two new songs seem to match those original ones very well and the whole thing is seamless. Mind you it took more than a year to get it like that!
The album will be completed by the end of September and details of the release will be in next month’s GORR.
Losing so many friends this year has been really tough. Robin Gibb, Erik Sykes, Geoffrey Hughes and of course my very dear friend Jon Lord.
Jon and I became very good friends indeed over the last few years and as many of you know, planned an album together. His last performance we did together at the Sunflower Jam at The Royal Albert Hall and it will forever remain etched in my memory and heart.
Jon was one of the loveliest guys you could ever wish to meet. A stunning musician, composer and pioneer and long may his music live on.
What losing so many friends has brought home to me is how fragile life is. Musicians will never complete their musical dreams because they will always want to create and so I have made a decision not to put off until tomorrow what I can do today and creativity must take control.
To this end, I have compiled a list, (which will continue to grow and be added to), of what I have to do musically, artistically and in my life. So far the list will take me to around 2039, which means I will be 90 and so I’m going to have to get fit as well!
There are some other fun things happening in August. My Golf Day at Burhill is going to be somewhat different this year in as much as instead of the usual cabaret style of entertainment after the dinner, this year, son Adam and myself are going to do an hour’s concert together for the first time for many years! A couple of keyboards each plus banter for days! Should be a very nice one off.
I have decided that as well as those who have played in the tournament and are at the dinner, we can sell, (with every penny going to the Sparks Gt Ormond St Charity), some extra standing placers for £15. Concert will start at 9:45pm. There is a bar as well.
Full details as to how to obtain these limited available tickets is on the site. The date is Friday August 24th.
The next two months are going to be very much “Journey” led but there will still be time to fit in the composing and recording of the music for a film entitled The Haunting of Harry Payne plus an appearance at the Cat Awards in London, (wonderful event especially as I adore cats ), and the local village Gardener’s Question Time which is such great fun!.......and which reminds me, time to plant out the winter brussel sprouts!
Cheers,
Rick