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25.11.2003 -
Hi everyone! I
know it's been a long time since the last letter but I have been
incredibly busy. I have so much to say about the last three months.
Fanny, Pablo and I moved house again which was quite stressful. The
house wasn't ready so we had to stay in a hotel for ten days. As you
can imagine it wasn't easy with Pablo because the last thing he needed
was to have his routine changed. It wasn't too bad because we were
staying at the Grosvenor House on Park Lane (that's opposite Hyde
Park) which was a great location. We were just near Oxford street with
all its shopping. While I was walking I stumbled upon 'The Spanish
Guitar Centre' off Oxford Street. I was rummaging through rare CD's
and some sheet music and found this Baden Powell CD (famous Brazilian
guitarist). On it he plays a Bach prelude. The reason I find this
fascinating is because I didn't know he was, like me, a Bach fanatic.
It all makes
more sense now, my influence that is. While in the hotel room, and in
my boredom and frustration I decided to learn this piece by ear, kind
of as an exercise or mantra. (Poor Pablo will probably have flashbacks
is he hears this when he's older). The interesting thing about the way
Baden Powell plays it is that he is trying to be strict or classical
but is failing ever so slightly. This is what I find endearing. After
learning it note for note the way he played it I thought I should put
my own character into the interpretation. It's amazing working on a
piece of music because while I'm in there I always feel this is the
most important day or discovery of my life. So whoever speaks to me or
calls me is subject to a mad look or reaction from me because I am not
really 'there'. This is why some people find it hard to live with
musicians. Chris Botti calls me at such a moment and says Decca want
me to do a collaboration with him on a bonus track for the USA and
Rest of World release of Shapes. He asked me what we could record. He
caught me in a Bach moment so the answer, naturally, was Bach Prelude
number 1.
We went to NY
to do the Victoria's Secret show with Sting. I would love to describe
how that was. Actually it brought back a child memory of looking
through the window of a music shop and seeing a lot of shiny guitar's
I would never have (or would have me). Quite frustrating. Guess who
was there... Chris Botti. How does he manage to get into these things?
Anyway the next day Chris and I go into the studio to record the Bach
Prelude (yeah, that's all I have to say about Victoria's Secret... ask
Chris) number 1.
What's next...? Oh yes, a world tour with Sting. Here we go again
folks. Fasten your seat belts and don't look back. This is going to be
exciting I know. The music is as inspiring as ever. Of course it's
going to be very tough being away from my Rufus, Otis, Harley, Misty,
Pablo and Fanny, but this is what I chose to do. Actually this is what
I dreamt of doing and I can't think of a better job for someone like
me. I really look forward to seeing some of you because without you it
just wouldn't be worth it.
I love you all!
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