Musical memories

What a great end to January 2020!

    In the course of just a few hours, I saw three friends who I've known for nearly 40 years.

    The first was Boz Boorer, guitarist with Morrissey who I was in a band with from 1984 - Max-a-Traxion. I caught up with him at his record shop in Camden.

    Next up was Anthony Harty, also a guitarist who played bass in The Style Council. I've seen him a few times over the years and we even did a gig together a few years ago.

    The final blast from the past was the lovely Barbara Snow - trumpet player when I played sax with The Style Council in 1983/4. We haven't met since we stopped touring, so that's 36 years but it was like I'd seen her yesterday. Such fun.
   

Planning is almost the best bit of the trip!

I have a short trip planned to Poole in a couple of weeks, but the next big trip will be to Vienna in April. Now for the planning!
    Having booked flights and hotel, it's now time to decide where I'm going to spend the four days I've got in a brand new (but very historic) city.
    Having studied music for so many years, it's amazing I've never been to one of the most important cities in the history of classical music.
    I can't wait.

China-bound with @BambuuBrush

Sadly, I couldn't join the @BambuuBrush team in China, but their images and videos tell the story of how each toothbrush is created - from the plant to your bathroom.
    Read my latest blog.

The delightful David Copperfield

So far, my favourite film of 2020 is The Personal History of David Copperfield.
    It's a fantastic, hilarious version of one of a precious book. Charles Dickens - and now Arnando Iannucci - at his finest.
    Dev Patel is enthralling and the marvellous Tilda Swinton dominates the screen. Which is in itself an achievement, given the calibre of the rest of the cast - Hugh Laurie and Peter Capaldi should work together more often.
    But the stunning portrayal of Uriah Heep by Ben Whishaw just demonstrates the skill of Dickens in the first place. He appears to be an insignificant, minor character who turns out to be the villain of the piece. Outstanding work.
    I love seeing previews of films and this was particularly worthwhile, as it was in aid of Children in Need. Dickens would have loved that.

Sunrise over Hitchin

My third eco-brick - done!

 I'm proud of my third eco-brick. It's full of all the plastic packaging that would otherwise have gone into landfill.

A wintry sky in central London

Mozart, Beethoven, Berlioz and Strausses

The stunning St Albans Cathedral was the setting for a great concert to start 2020.

    Ben Goldscheider performed Mozart's Horn Concerto no 4 with the St Albans Symphony Orchestra to a packed audience.
    The second half of the concert was a selection of Strauss pieces, with Beethoven's Leonore Overture no 3, which balanced well with the opening piece - Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture.
    It really was a beautiful musical start to the year and one I was happy to enjoy with friend and fellow writer Carol.
    Let's hope 2020 brings more similar live musical experiences.

The end of a decade

My 2019 ended in Edinburgh, spending time with several of my cousins. The weather was kind - stunning skies and lots of sunshine that made the cold bearable.

    The 2010s contained some of the most difficult experiences of my life but they’re gone now and the 2020s can only be better.

    Now, sitting on a train heading south towards home, I’m looking forward, rather than back. The skies won’t always be clear, but I’ll try to always see the silver lining.