Red sky at night... shepherds alight - November 09
Shepherds Bush show
Gary at Shepherds Bush
Amanda at Norwich show
Steve and John Hackett
As the tour bus hurtles meteorically towards tonight's show at Buxton, I'm recollecting our first UK gigs in Falmouth, Exeter, Shepherds Bush, Norwich and Milton Keynes...
It's a great feeling to be treading the boards again at many of the places we've done before and to be welcomed back with so much love from old friends and new is always an emotional experience. Your support is priceless!
Every place we play feels like a high point and it's great to have such a fantastic band, able to switch instruments and genres at the drop of a hat. We've now also got the beautiful voice of Amanda Lehmann working with us and making the vocal harmonies more vibrant, particularly on stage favourites such as Every Day and Serpentine Song. It was also great to have my brother John join me with his magic flute at Shepherds Bush... and yes, we are recording shows! I can't wait to hear the multi-track tapes myself.
From the wild night at the Bush to the anticipation of hitting Scotland again, it's been an extraordinary time so far on home turf. Driving along I'm reminded of what a beautiful country this is as we pass war memorials and fountains, and the sun is now out!
It seems only yesterday I sang at my primary school prize giving day at Caxton Hall in London where my parents were originally married, singing "Rose of England..." As we murdered the song there wasn't a dry eye in the house...
By contrast to that dim and distant childhood memory, the tour has an incredible energy. Shepherds Bush was a wonderful high point, where so many friends both old and new converged, along with an impressive Italian contingent, making Italy feel like part of it all.
It's great to be welcomed by the British fans again, and we anticipate the rest of the tour with Great Expectations...!
Captain's blog stardate 17 November 2009
Blogging through Chesterfield!
Shepherds Bush show
