I flew from Victoria this time and the on to Seattle, from
there I took a Delta airbus 330 to Amsterdam, and then on to my home town of
Birmingham.
I arrived in Brum, and was picked up by my good friend
Chris, who then dropped me off at school.
On this tour I had changed my tack. Instead of traveling
around to lots of schools and doing one hour shows, I decided to work in just
three schools, but spend 5 days in each school.
I arrived at St Andrews, and met up with my old friend Kath
Price who is now the Head teacher there. Kath had kindly agreed to be the first
school to pilot my new project ‘musical in a week’.the idea is that I write
songs with every class and then we do a big show, that we sell tickets for, and
record a dvd and a cd.
I had a chat with the staff, and we planned the timetable,
and then we headed off to get me a new phone and then I went to bedataround
5.30pm UK time. I woke up at about 8.30pm , and then some chap came into my
bedroom to fix the radiator , all a little surreal, but then it would be after
being up for 39 hours.
The rest of the week went so well. I met every child in the
school, we wrote songs together, we played guitar, the strings played with me
on Cohen’s classic ‘Hallelujah’ the whole school were really into it, and I was
constantly amazed by the enthusiasm and energy of the children and staff.
After school on Wednesday the scheduled staff meeting was
handed over to me, so we rehearsed an ABBA medley, the staff were so good, we
had a great dance, and I even did some choreography…..my kids all watch ‘SoYou
think You can Dance’…and I think a little has rubbed off on me!
After school on Wednesday I went to see my old mates in the
school I used to work in. Every Wednesday was soccer day, so we had a good game and I ran [mostly], of course there are a lot of
new [younger] staff now, and I
found myself on the old fogey team…premature grey does have its drawbacks.
The first show on the tour was in Coventry, at the Trump
Folk Club. My good friends Dominic and Mary live just down the road and so it
was great to see them and all the family.
The gig went well, there were some great floor singers and I
got to see an old friend Sam Cornwell, a respected singer songwriter around
Brum.
The week went quickly, we sold out all of the tickets in
advance, and the buzz around the school was obvious.
On Friday I had a show in Burton –On- Trent, I popped in to
see my old band buddy
Joe Murphy. The
two of us went to the show together .Joe and I met when we were about 16, and played
together in the Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra, and stayed friends and
colleagues ever since.
The folk club in Burton was really lovely, like most of the
clubs I visit , they are so welcoming and so nurturing of the tradition they
love so dearly. Carol was a wonderful host, and I really enjoyed listening to
the songs and the tunes played by the floor singers.
I got Joe up to do a few tunes with me on the fiddle, and it
was like the old times again. We had a great chat, put the world to right and
then I headed back to Kath and Chris’s house where I am staying
Saturday was a day off from school and music. I had a long
sleep and the woke to find a beautiful autumnal day. Kath, Chris and I went for
a walk on the canal path next to their house and we ended up in the most
amazing garden center I have ever seen. It’s called Akamba, and it is an
African garden centre…but that doesn’t begin to explain it or give it credit.
It really is more of a theme park, there are incredible metal replicas of animals
you would find in the jungle.There is a place to eat and of course buy all of
these exotic trees and plants, one of the best things I have ever seen in
Birmingham, no, actually the whole of the country.
I had arranged to go and see my brother and his family on
the afternoon, and afterwards we went to see a bonfire party, afterwards Chris
and I went to ‘The Red Lion’ in Kings Heath to see all of my old friends there.
The Red Lion is an institution in the folk world, it has been there for 20 odd
years, and before that it was at the Hare and Hounds, the pub has told the club
it cant have Saturdays anymore, so the club is faced with either moving venues
or , moving the date to Wednesdays. After the Red Lion we went for one of those
essential experiences when you visit Birmingham…a curry. OOOh it was great, a
mushroom Biriani [not sure about the spelling], if you ever find yourself in
Brum, you simply have to go and eat at a curry house, cheaper the better!
On Sunday I agreed to go out running with Chris…this was
perhaps not the greatest idea, on two counts, Chris is a marathon runner, and,
I had had a curry only hours before..I survived..barely, the legs were
definitely wobbling by the end of it all, but it felt great to run around the
wonderful Earlswood lakes. The lakes are where all the local fisherman gather,
especially on a Sunday morning.
I had said I was going to see my niece and nephew again , and we ended up in Akamba again,
God I love this place.We had a classic game of hide and seek, amidst the African
flora and fauna.
Monday meant I started a new school, St Dunstans school in
Kings heath, I am really enjoying the work in schools, so many eager children.
These kids just love to perform, and often it is the most unexpected children
who present themselves as performers.
That night I managed to meet up with my old mate Mark, and
my sister in law and her daughter…lots of catching up with friends and family
is one of the best parts of playing back in England.
My next date on the tour was at Katie Fitzgeralds in
Stourbridge. I had played this venue before many times and I always enjoy it. I
love the Black Country people, they have an honesty that I find very
refreshing.
I had a chat with a young guy who was out of work and
thinking about emigrating to Canada…I gave him both barrels and said do it. Go
on John boy.
On Friday we had the school show, which was actually
performed in the secondary school next door.The school had a purpose built
theatre, complete with lights and smoke machines..the kids and adults loved it.
Big thanks to Paul Gray who was the tech for the whole show, and he engineered
the album we recorded the previous day…you were awesome Paul, I have never
worked with someone more professional and more caring.
From the school show I jumped in the car and drove 40 miles
to my show over in Chasetown. Just made it , thanks to the sat nav.
My sister and her husband were at the show as were my good
friends Dom and Mary from Coventry.The evening went well and was made memorable
by an abundance of free jaffa cakes…please don’t ask…
I drove back to Brum after the show and went for another run
along the canals with Chris, my goodness he is fit.
I popped in to see my Godson Jimmy D, and then headed up to
Nottingham, where I was doing a show with Jez Lowe.
The gig was in Lowdham, and it was a fantastic night,
brilliantly organized, and a packed house.I did the opening set and was joined
by my old mate Emily Sanders on fiddle for a song.
Jez and the Bad Pennies are a truly great acoustic show. Jez’s
songs are wonderful snapshots of northern life, the band are tight but not
pretensious and the confidence and assuredness just oozes from the stage. I had
a great night.
I spent the night in the pub across the road from the
village hall, and had a super breakfast in the morning.
On Sunday morning I had the long drive to the Holy Island of
Lindisfarne.I always try to visit the island when I am in England because it is
the most amazing spot I know of in England.
I drove slowly and took lots of detours, managing to find my
way onto the old coastal road, stopped off at the small fishing village of
Amble. There was a great market there and a fab fish and chip shop, I had
Haddock and chips, and also realized that Dec from Ant and Dec and Jackie
Charlton had also eaten at the chippy.
The road to the island is tidal, so you have to time it
right. As it happens I had about ¾ of an hour to wait until the sea had
subsided enough to let the road be passable, I just love the fact that the sea
tells you when you can go onto the island.
I got to the Manor Hotel on the island, and introduced
myself to Lynne, Lynne booked me for the show last February but was actually
away on holiday when I did the show, so it nice to finally meet her.
I got a real taste of Island life as soon as I arrived,
Lynne told me that there had been two deaths on the Island in the past few
days, and that she wasn’t sure that it would be right to have the concert go
ahead.
I was reminded of how close knit Island life here is
particularly on Lindisfarne..I waited until about 8 o’clock and then Lynne felt
it was alright to play.
The crowd was small, but I had a great time. Back in
February Kal and I had teamed up with the schoolteacher for a few tunes. Rob is
a newly qualified teacher and had landed one of the best jobs in the country.
Rob and his lovely girlfriend Zoe, both came to the show and
we ended up playing together for most of the show…even the song in Ab major!
The evening finished and I had a good philosophical chat
with Paul from Liverpool.
Woke up at 8 the next morning for breakfast, then headed out
for a walk, the weather was pretty bad, but somehow that makes Lindisfarne even
more magical.
The next legge of my journey was up north to Scotland. The
drive was pretty grim, despite the spectacular scenery, but it was spoiled by
the driving rain and powerful winds.
I stopped off in Dunbar, the birthplace of John Muir. John
Muir is remembered as the man who started the national parks of America, all
those parks , like Yellowstone are
as a direct result of his vision.
The show was at the Glenfarg hotel, and I was playing a few
songs with Steve Tilston who is a terrific guy and fantastic singer songwriter.
The show went well, and I got asked back to the club to play a main spot in 2010.
I stayed at the hotel, the room was cold, despite the red
light being on the heater..a cruel hoax unfortunately, the breakfast was huge
and featured a vegetable I hadn’t seen before on a breakfast plate, actually
come to the think of it I hadn’t seen it on any kind of plate.. I didn’t eat
it, in fact I didn’t eat most of the breakfast, simply because it was so big, I
had some time to kill so I drove into Perth. A pretty town, but I was carrying
the guitar and bag around with me, and combined with the cold and rain, I
really didn’t enjoy Perth.I bought a few essentials and the headed off to
Dunfermline.
I had arranged to stay with Gifford Lind, local historian,
singer songwriter, and organizer of the folk club.
I spent a few cold hours wondering around Dunfermline in the
kingdom of Fife. Dunfermline I learned was really the centre of ancient
Scottish history. Robert The Bruce is buried in the Abbey, as is the wife of
William Wallace, as well as 7 of the great Scottish kings.
I found Gifford’s house thanks to the sat nav, and after
dinner we both headed out to Montrose, to see a band called Malinky.I also did
a small spot a the show, which seemed to go down ok.
I was shattered when we got back to Dunfermline after the hour and a half
drive. home, and enjoyed a super sleep.
The next day I played a few tunes with Gifford in the house
and then I went back to see Robert The Bruce, but the church was closed…really
Dunfermline, you have to work on that self esteem and sell your city a little
more. The very nice lady in the tourist office told me nothing of the towns
incredible history, except about a gaudy looking Abbotts house, perhaps she
assumes everyone who visits Dunfermline already has bothered to realize the
bloody obvious about all the incredible stuff you can see in the town and only
the very stupid [me] will actually go into the tourist office oblivious.
That night I played at the Dunfermline folk club…a fairly
quiet night, the weather was atrocious, and to add to the atmosphere Ireland
played France in that infamous game….I hate you Henry, really and truly , you
deserve to be remembered forever for cheating…shame shame ..you can tell it
upset me a little can’t you?
There were a few interesting floor singers/players , one
chap who built his own instrument. It’s always a special type of folkie who
faced with the plethora of wonderful acoustic instruments out there decides to
actually build his own…I can’t really describe it to you…I have tried but I
just can’t. If you are interested head down to Dunfermline folk club and it
will all be explained…..I think.
The next morning was going to be a trip to Falkirk. I
changed my plans and instead headed south via Edinburgh to Hardraw in glorious
North Yorkshire.
I love the dales so much…I love the Green Dragon, and I love
Mark and Yvonne who own it. I don’t drink anymore, but this is the pub that
challenges me every time I enter it. 700 years old, stone everywhere and beams
and an open fire, and locally brewed ales…need I go on…they just don’t make ‘em
like that anymore.
I arrived in torrential rain having driven in the worst
motorway conditions I had ever experienced. Britain, or more specifically
Cumbria suffered the worst floods in a 1000 years , and the water levels just
kept rising.
The weather was bad in North Yorks but nowhere near as bad
as in Cumbria. I arrived fairly late but I wasn’t playing that night, I had
arranged to stay two nights at the wondrous Green Dragon. I had a lovely cuppa and veggie lasagne by the open fire, I was given Bertha’s
cottage and I couldn’t have been more comfy.
I had a walk into Hawes on Saturday, and didn’t get too wet.
had a lovely piece of Yorkshire quiche, and popped into the local second hand
book store, where I bought [for the second time] Tony Hawkes hilarious travel
book, ‘Around Ireland with a Fridge’ If you haven’t read this book do yourself
a favour, it really is the most funny of books.
The show at the Green Dragon was fine and I got a relatively
early night. After a hearty breakfast I made the 4 hour drive to Norfolk. I
went and visited my old mate Rob Howes and we had a lovely catch up chat.
I was playing that night in Foulden. the gig was good and I
actually got to see Blues beat Wolves on Match of the Day after the show.
On Sunday morning I go the sad news that my amazing Aunty
Kitty passed away. I cannot say enough good words about her. She taught me
about hard work, service, humour….I will miss her, but she had a wonderful life
and was surrounded by her family at the end.
I did a radio interview and a lunchtime show in Norwich and
then drove 200 miles to Stoke on Trent.
I had arranged to meet up with Louise’s family on Sunday
night, and it reminded me of why it is great to come back to England to work.
We stayed up until the wee small hours [mistake] chatting, I was very tired on
Monday morning, the morning I was about to start at Walton Hall school in
staffs.
I had visited Walton Hall back in February and I loved every
minute of it.
I began the day with a concert/assembly, and the energy of
the children was great. After the show I spent an hour with a small class and
once again marveled at the patience and love the teachers have towards their
charges.
During lunch I started the usual concert and auditions, this
is the most important part of the day. All the children are relaxed because it
is lunchtime and that helps get the children who might not ordinarily come up
and sing or dance in front of their schoolmates, participating.
The whole school after lunchtime is really fired up and it
sets the tone for the whole week.
After lunch the key stage 3 kids had a two hour session, and we wrote a school
song…great fun was had by all.
After school had finished I was shown to my house where I
would be spending the next 4 nights. I have been given the ILU…a house designed
to give kids practical experience in living skills.
I went for dinner at Goldstone House. It is one of the
lodges where some of the students board. I had a dinner of chips and beans
[sorry everyone in Canada] and then proceeded to have a good ol’ sing song with
the gals.
I headed back to my house and passed my next door neighbour,
an alpaca lama [is that spelt correctly] who lives in the farm section of the
school. I don’t expect he will keep me awake, although the peacocks may well.
The week at Walton Hall was truly magical..Mandy, Rod and
Derek made the week fly by, with their effortless organizing and help.
There were some real highlights, meeting Lucy and hearing
her sing, getting Steven to sing the Onion song, Patrick’s Polish tunes and
Sam’s incredible stage presence.
I have never felt more connected to a community, and I will
always make it to see them if I am over in the UK.
On Tuesday after school I made the trip to Bristol to play
support to Kate Campbell from Nashville. I had a little difficulty getting
there but the trusty sat nav did its job and I played for about 20 mins before
the show and thoroughly enjoyed myself I was trying to get myself a UK agent
and luckily for me Lorraine came out to see the show and we had a good chat
afterwards.
On Thursday night we had the public concert and it was sold
out as all of the school shows have been. Afterwards, I went back to my little
house and tidied up, because I was expecting visitors .Lars, Steffi and Kirsten
had flown over from Hamburg for the weekend. I had organized 3 shows with the
band. Lars and the girls arrived at about 12, and we had dinner and then a good
chat.
Friday was to be my last day at school, and Lars and the
girls joined in and played for the children, a really special day.
We said our goodbyes and I was truly sad to be leaving
Walton Hall.
We drove back to Birmingham, and headed to Dan and Mary
Mccarthy’s house in Hall Green.
The McCarthy’s were our neighbours when we lived in the UK. They had kindly, some
might say madly, offered to put up the whole entourage, which would be 6
people!
The plan that night was to sample some good old fashioned
Birmingham Friday night fun….curry,
and then the pub…does it get any better I ask you?
A great night was had by all.
Saturday was the first show, and also the arrival of Uli and
Heinz. The gig that night was a low key affair at The Red Lion supporting a
trad band called The Outside Track. The band consisted of two Scottish girls, a
lad from Limerick and two Canadians. It just so happened that I actually knew
one of the Canadians! Mairi Rankin from Cape Breton, a superb fiddler, step
dancer and singer. We had metat a Celtic camp a couple of years earlier in
Nanaimo.
The night went well and the band loved the Red Lion. We went
back to Chris and Della’s house after the show, they had been the organizers
since the venerable McPhee had abdicated. Chris had made some soups and there
was bread cheese and wine to bate the band…cracking!
Sunday came, and that was the day of the shows at the
Kitchen Garden Café . A relatively new place in Kings Heath. During the day we
went to get the gear sorted out and I met up with my dear friend and musical
colleague Jon Small, who very kindly lent us his drum kit and car…top man!
In the afternoon we headed into Birmingham city centre to
sample ……the German market!!! We
had a cuppa on a barge at Brindley Place, right where the picture for my
Plastic album had been taken…the Germans loved Brum, and to be honest it was
hard not to..the city simply buzzed with energy and life, it felt very
different to the city I had left 6 years earlier.
That night we did two shows at the KGC, and both were fine
and lots of friends came to see me and the band, my brother Aidan came and
played his pipes and whistle…all good stuff.Steffi sang ne of my new songs and
we were joined by lucy Talbot from Walton Hall who blew everyone away with her
rendition of The Rose.
The next day was a going home day for the Germans, Steffi
and Lars stayed longest because their flight was from Luton and they had a hire
car so they could travel on their own.
I had a few errands to do myself, and finished off have
dinner with my brother and his family, and played a rather good game of hide
and seek with the children, if I do say so myself…
I went back to see Kath and Chris who had so kindly put me
up for the tour, and we watched a program all about…Vancouver Island, it was
time to go home.
I got up at 4am, and packed the car and headed to Birmingham
airport…via Tamworth….don’t ask me, ask the guy who closed off the junction and
gave no diversion advice??
I flew the 6am flight to Amsterdam, and then caught a plane
to Seattle, and then a short hop to Victoria.
The family all came to see me and then we headed back home,
whereupon I slept and ..slept….
We are pleased to announce that Paul and the O'Brien children, Emelia,Cormac and Fintan will be performing at Craigdarroch Castle here in Victoria as part of the Christmas celebrations at the Castle. Monday December 21st and Tuesday December 29th at 3.30-4.30pm.