Ah Vienna... Conferences & Heat

Well, July has been a bit of a blur... in fact, more of a heat haze than a blur. Boy, it's been a hot one (and this is from a man that loves the Mediterranean climate!). In fact, I finally got round to mowing my lawn on Friday (I had a day off and thought I'd tend to the jungle). The last time I tackled the clover and thistle undergrowth - AKA my back garden - I managed to leave the Flymo as a smoking orange hulk on the lawn... but on Friday that pretty much described me! Now where did I put that factor 600?

I've just got back from a six days in Vienna, mostly work-related (running a stand at an international conference) though last Saturday involved a 7 hour hike round the city punctuated with stops for the odd Shandy... er, Austrian Beer (with a thirst reminiscent of Ice Cold In Alex, if you remember the film!). Now, at this point I have to take issue with Midge and the Ultravox boys and that line "It means nothing to me... Ah, Vienna", 'cause the place is absolutely awesome! And what nice people too. I really can't remember going to such a friendly place (apart from the obligatory Greek Islands which are always populated by some of the most hospitable and easy-going people in the world... that's the locals, not the Brits abroad, by the way!). So yes, Vienna is a must for another visit.

OK... finally on to music. I'm really busy writing on a few projects... as usual. I'm working on more songs for Paul Jeffery (who's already working on his follow-up album to Lost In Love Town) and I'm starting a new dance co-write (or three) with Richard Cory. These tracks may well become part of the Sundance Songs stable when finished. Paul and I are also working on a couple of new songs and some co-writes for Georgie (Georgina Carter). I'm also anticipating working on a couple of new tracks for Glenn Tollett, as the previous co-write seems to have gone down really well. (Please check out the links: Love To Love Again / Fammi Innamorar'!!)

Anyway, hopefully more news soon!

Look after yourselves and enjoy the summer whilst in lasts!

Italian Opera, Thai Curry & A Cr*p Football Team

Well, what a few days it's been! As a man who firmly believes that footballers are a bunch of ridiculously overpaid, completely talentless and inarticulate to**ers, very little has dissuaded me otherwise lately. Having watched the St. Trinian's girl's second eleven... sorry 'ten'... kick penalties like they were playing in the back yard with their neighbour's six year-old daughter, all I can say is that I'm glad there's much more to life than that pitiful waste of time! What makes me really angry is I'm sure I could have kicked the penalties better myself... and I'd have done it for a fraction of the price! Football! Thank God it's over for another four years!

Anyway, just got back from the fantastic Thai at The Travellers in Holmesfield near Sheffield... a guaranteed top meal for anyone who likes really authentic Thai food. Yep, I love Thai food... and hate football. That's me... a man with taste!

Maybe all this eating out and downing lots of cold lager (yep, that Singa's nice!) is getting me in the right (physical) shape to really appreciate opera too! Perhaps I should accelerate things and strap a pillow to my belly, don my old tuxedo (from pharmaceutical sales days!), a bow tie, wear a cummerbund and start trying to warble like a poor man's Pavarotti. Nope, I really haven't the voice for it! Unlike the wonderful Scott Davies who has recorded the vocals on the latest track to be featured on the Lyrico website.

Scott who sang in Phantom Of The Opera for 3 years, has recorded both an English and Italian version of an Opera-Ballad crossover song that I co-wrote with Glenn Tollett, founder member of The Enid. Yes, this is a slightly new direction (a bit like some of those penalties!) for me, but it has been a wonderful experience.

This evocative ballad (described by Glenn as a vocal tour de force) has been translated into Italian (under the title Fammi Innamorar'!!) and is being marketed to some of the top international classical/opera/ballad singers... you no doubt know the names! The English version is Love To Love Again. Please just click on the track titles to hear them!

More soon... when I've recovered from the embarrassment of being English! Only joking... The music's great, just shame about the football!