Where did January vanish to? It seemed that no sooner had it started, than it was over! February always seems to be an awakening month for me and 2025 is no different. Suddenly the mornings are getting lighter earlier and that seems to wake my brain up!
I didn't waste January though, well I hope not anyway, and spent a lot of time at the piano writing music for the new piano album and which I have found really inspirational. I have already spent 2 days at the Granary recording the wonderful Steinway Model D and a further 10 days are planned over the coming weeks.
At the beginning of the month Rachel and I had a really productive meetings with those heavily involved with Saving Strays including the amazing Peter Egan… Rach and I plan a visit sometime soon to Bosnia, (Rachel has already been) and I am also planning a trip to South Vietnam to visit the Moon Bears and perform a concert for them… not humans, just the bears! We hope to film the whole trip and concert for television as I think it would make very different viewing!
I have three fun nights at Trading Boundaries with a couple of Korg Nautilus Keyboards and a microphone! Always lovely to spend a few days down in Sussex, close to the Bluebell Heritage Steam Railway and seeing old friends and occasionally, some new ones.
On Sunday it's off to the Grand Order of Water Rats for a lodge meeting and a trustees meeting. I'm so proud of the charitable work the Water Rats do and the help it gives to those in need. Personally, I think the Water Rats deserve more recognition, but that's not for me to say.
On Friday 14th it's off to Bristol for two days at the Slapstick Festival where I am part, and a very proud part I must say, of tributes to both Neil Innes and also my old best friend, Ian Lavender. I'll also being accompanying a 20 minute silent Laurel and Hardy film on the piano. "Such fun", as Patricia Hodge used to say in Miranda.
Then from the 17th onwards, it's back recording at the Granary, and nearer the end of the month I will issue an announcement as to what it's all about.
On Friday 21st, I am doing a Q&A session at our local village Hall which should be fun. There's an extremely nominal charge and what is collected will go to Saving Strays.
The rest of the month is made up of composing and meetings before leaving for Italy for a series of piano concerts.
- February 27th - Thiene
- February 28th - Legnano
- March 1st - Seriate
- March 2nd - Parma
- March 3rd - Forli
- March 4th - Rome
Hopefully, there will be more tour dates to be announced in next month's Ramblings…
Bye for now...
Cheers Rick