Shifting Skies and American Pies
North America tour blog 1 - November 2015

Manhattan Skyline under a big sky

Albany show
Photo © Anthony Tassarotti

Spirits of the past in the Tarrytown venue

Through a haze of jetlag we kicked off our North American tour in Westhampton Beach NY, but the enthusiastic crowd energised us so much that we played a great gig! So on to Albany, a place of extraordinary buildings, amazingly lit at night like fairytale castles or the Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz, all contrasting with the Space Age Egg, venue for our second show.

After whizzing back down South to Westbury, we played to one of the most ecstatic crowds ever!

Although we didn't play in New York this time, we must have driven past that iconic Manhattan skyline at least five times... Always fun to watch the changing scenery...

So on to picturesque and historic Tarrytown, region that inspired the legend of Sleepy Hollow. You can imagine the headless horseman racing through those heavily forested slopes just outside the town. The old Music Hall theatre has a sense of history and charm, and you can almost see those spirits gliding through the auditorium...

A few hours South, we reached majestic Washington DC. The Lincoln Theatre is a beautiful venue, with another extraordinary crowd. Our joy that evening was only marred by the spine chilling news of the monstrous murders in Paris. I've played at the Bataclan which had a special intimate atmosphere. It chills me to think that such horror took place there and my thoughts remain with the victims and their families... I dedicated the show in Wilkes-Barre to France and to those who suffered and died.

It took a while to come back from the shock of that news and all of us were affected emotionally by it. It's vital to keep the flag of music flying...

Following a lively gig at Newton NJ we had a couple of days off in Wilmington DE. Nad and a Roine joined Jo and me for a river walk, where old industrial buildings have been renovated imaginatively... The Wilmington show was one of the most powerful to date with an ecstatic crowd!

This was followed by three equally strong shows in Lynn, Glenside and Collingswood, where we also met up with some special friends we've made in the States in recent years. It was great to celebrate with pals cooking us a meal worthy of the most delicious Thanksgiving feasts with fabulous stuffings and pumpkin pie...

A pleasure as well to meet Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash at the Fairfield venue. I always enjoy Connecticut, a beautiful State with its rocky hills, forests and falling golden leaves. Then back in New Jersey we were knocked out by the breathtaking scenery at Red Bank! After another fabulously well received gig we set off on the long journey to Canada, watching clouds change as we approached the winter wonderland ahead...