Ladies & Gentlemen …

First things first, I must apologise for my absence over the past few months.  I’d like to say it was because I was producing an album or working with the blind in Africa, but sadly its because the over zealous IT team at my new job have blocked my ability to upload files from an external source.   Ashamedly, I don’t actually have internet access at home … technophobe that I am.  So I’m sure there have been many a disappointed visitor to my site over the past few months

So what have I been up to? Asides from my new contract accountant role, treating patients with acupuncture and shoehorning in the odd jazz jam/open mic, I enrolled and completed a short drama course … but that’s another story (more to come in a separate post).

My biggest piece of news is that I have written my very first song! Well, my first song since G.C.S.E Music, many musical moons ago. I have, over the past 16 years, attempted to write the odd song but I never got that far before my lyrical talents quickly eroded any pretty chord sequences I managed to conjure up.  Surely not (I hear you say) – not with your clever quips and literacy magic!  But seriously: “The cat sat on a mat, with a hat” pretty much sums it up.  I seemed to oscillate between horrendous ladybird book rhyming or cheesy, corny lyrics that would make any self-respecting soul hurl into the nearest bucket.

But last night, something happened.  Having had a nice soak in a hot bath, I sat at my piano in my spotty, furry slippers and pink dressing gown (all the key ingredients) and I suddenly remembered this photograph sitting on my parents mantelpiece.   The words seemed to just trip off my tongue … the chords eloquent yet simplistic. 

I stayed up til midnight toiling away on the back of an old bank statement and had one of the most restful night’s sleep ever.  It’s been a landmark in my musical journey.  And today I can’t help but think why, why now?  I have admittedly been playing a lot of the Beatles and studying their lyrics (although I’m not comparing myself to the Beatles!!).  But obviously there is a story behind the photograph, and one that is pretty close to my heart following the recent flair up of a rather messy divorce.  Sometimes (and this is a corny cliche), there aren’t words to describe how you feel.  Somehow my emotions throughout the years built up, slowly & gradually & became entwined in the creative process (now that is poetic, if not a little self-indulgent). Maybe I’m going to have to wait another 20 odd years for a similar eruption?

So am I going to post it for you perusal?

HELL NO.  I’m still in my songwriting pampers.