|
11.09.2006 -
Dear boys and
girls, first, I need to clarify something. I am informed there has
been some concern shown among some of our members surrounding the
disappearance of a freckle from my forehead. I would like to assure I
have about two million others and the freckle in question is actually
a mole. The reason it's gone missing is because the photographer, who
did the press shots for Fourth Wall, took it upon himself to photoshop
it out without me knowing. Maybe he thought it didn't belong to me. Or
it didn't suit me. I can't be sure why and I am perplexed (if not a
little offended) about this. But I would like you to know it is still
there. Not for long though. My doctor always asks me about it: "When
are you going to have that removed" he says. I am thinking about it.
Madonna had a similar mole on her lip. Sting had something removed
from his bottom lip not long after I met him. I guess one has to be
careful with moles. The question is how and when do I do it. If only I
could get the photographer to come by and "photoshop" me in real life.
While he's at it we could work on other areas. Wouldn't it be great if
surgery were that simple? The problem would be a lot of people in
their nineties parading our beaches in speedos and G-strings. Then
they would spontaneously die.
I had a great vacation in France. The journey there was awful though.
My family was already there so I travelled on my own right after the
tour ended. After the last show we flew to London and I left first
thing the next morning. I arrived at the airport with plenty of time
to spare as I always like to be early so I can browse the book shop
for a novel I will probably not read, or maybe spend half an hour
looking for some new shades to leave in a cab. Trouble is, everyone
was early. The place was packed. I was still calm though because I
checked in electronically (clever me) so all I had to do was drop the
luggage off. As I passed the poor commoners (or civilians) queuing up
to check in, I admit I gave them a little smirk. Wouldn't they be
impressed to know who I am? As I arrived to the luggage drop off stand
I noticed the queue I was feeling sorry for was is fact, for "fast bag
drop off" customers only. I could suddenly hear tragic music in my
head. Maybe Russian because suddenly it looked like the kind of bread
queue you might have seen in post war Stalingrad or Moscow. Thousands
of people desperate to feed their children. I felt cold. Now they were
all looking at me, thinking, "who the **** do you think you are, some
kind of rock star"?, or so I thought. My world crumbled as I made the
sad walk to the back which was about one kilometre (not kidding). In a
way It was a Montypythonesque moment because believe it or not, I saw
the funny side. I only just made the flight. The contrast of flying
around privately eating sushi (or pizza) and this, is quite something.
It might interest you to know that these are the kind of things that
inspire me to write. Not sunsets in Cairo or hanging out backstage at
the Victoria's Secret show... did I just say that?
The holiday was great although it was broken up by two concerts I was
committed to. One was in Narragansett, NY with Sting and the other in
Pantelleria which is a small island between Tunisia and Sicily. The NY
show was surreal as it was a private affair for the rich. I felt like
I was in a Tommy Hilfiger photo shoot. Clean and rich looking people
who I couldn't make any connection with (although I might actually be
richer than most of them. The thing is I don't have to look it). It
was strange but actually quite fun. The second was on the most
beautiful island I think I have ever seen (try google-earthing it). My
band joined me for this show which was organised by my "celebrity fan"
Fabrizio Ferri. He is the world's top fashion photographer who also
happens to be a huge fan of my solo albums. Although it was a
breathtaking experience I was without my family which kind of
cancelled it out. But my son Harley was with me which made it easier.
I returned to my vacation which is when I began to relax. I stayed
away from the sun more this time because I have been reading horror
stories about skin cancer so I didn't do any power sunning like the
guy in Apocalypse Now. But once again, I managed a fairly good tan and
put on some weight as I haven't been doing yoga as religiously as I do
on tour. It was shorts and flip-flops for the rest of the month.
The journey home was something else. We had SO much luggage it was
unreal. I wondered how on earth we would make it back without some
kind of mental breakdown or needing therapy or both. At the airport I
wished I could do it the way "I dream of Jeanie" would (I used to
really fancy her when I was eleven). Simply blink and we are home,
unpacked and happy. Before we left the house I noticed Fanny and the
kids' passports randomly placed on a shelf. I picked them up and put
them in my carry on bag. She didn't know about this. While we were
waiting at the check-in queue Fanny suddenly looked pale. I asked what
the matter was and she explained how she thought she might have left
the passports behind. I looked at her with horror and said, "You
WHAT!!! No way, Fanny!.... Oh God were going to miss the flight
because the place is an hour away". I put on quite an act and waited
until she was ready to cry. That was the point I couldn't take it any
further. I produced the passports. She punched me. I laughed. Pablo
laughed. I think Eva shit herself (or was it Fanny?). She got over it.
If you were wondering how I got the name 'Demonic' I think this might
explain it. We made it home without the need for marriage guidance
counselling. Vacations can be a killer. We survived this one.
It's nice to be back home finally after about three or four months. I
have dismantled my studio and put it in storage. I might take it down
to the Isle of Wight again. So we have a free room in the house. Le
bureau, as Fanny calls it. This is what I called it on the album to
make it look interesting. "recorded at le bureau" has a nicer ring,
don't you think? We had to go shopping as the fridge was empty. I love
shopping on the King's Road, Chelsea and watching people. I often
wonder what goes on in their lives. There was a very comical moment on
this occasion. Some rich bitch was shopping with her limo driver
waiting, double parked outside the store. These drivers cause
congestion which is annoying. She had her kid with her and a shopping
assistant carrying the designer bags. The funny thing was seeing the
shades wearing driver trying to dismantle the Bugaboo buggie. These
things are hard to handle by any standards. They make deck chairs look
easy. This guy could not get it together. It was pitiful but
hilarious. But not as hilarious as checking out of the supermarket
with two full trolleys and me not having my credit card. Karma for the
airport gag perhaps? I wouldn't look at Fanny in the eye because I
could feel the look she was giving me. We left the shopping there and
I paid from home. I had them deliver. Internet food shopping is great
I admit, but nothing beats actually going there and seeing people.
So where are we now? Oh I know, I am doing some shows in Germany to
launch "Fourth Wall". Then I am going to Japan to help kick start it
there with some interviews. I am then off to Korea for two shows. I am
quite excited because the Japanese also want to release a 'best of'
album. I doubt it will be called "Dom's Greatest Hits". More like "...
Greatest Misses". Anyway, I am chuffed. They requested two extra
tracks which I recorded last week. One was Shape of My Heart. With
this one I did some major arrangement changes because I am kind of
tired of it. I asked my young friend Hanif Williams to co-produce them
with me. They were recorded at his grandfather's flat in Brixton over
two days. A track a day. Misty came in and sang Craig David's version,
"Rise and Fall". It sounds great and you will not believe her
performance. She's only twelve! Claudia came in and sang "La Belle Dame
Sans Regrets". Awesome! The Japanese label came up with the track
listing which I never would have. It's their market so I guess they
know what they are doing. I will keep you posted about this project.
I am so looking forward to seeing some of you in Germany next week. I
don't have any expectations with these shows. I have no idea if they
will be full or empty. But I do know this. We will give it everything
we have regardless of who may or may not be there. I hope I get a
chance to meet and chat with you because you know (or should by now)
that I am approachable and dare I say, normal. If any of you have the
Lufthansa magazine shot with you I will be happy to use my sharpie to
insert the missing freckle. Maybe you could try this at home. It's
safe. Promise. Or you could try inserting it above your own eye. Less
safe. You wouldn't need to have it surgically removed. I will.
Enough.
Love always,
PS: A friend of mine called the other day to say how great my
performance on Leann Rimes' record "Last Thing on my Mind" is. I told
him he had to wrong guy. After some thought I remembered recording
that song with Ronan Keating a few years ago but certainly not Leann.
I did an iTunes search on the song and lo and behold there it is. They
obviously overdubbed her vocals on this session. I believe it was a
hit in America so I am quite chuffed. She really has a great voice and
I am now listening to more of her stuff. Hopefully I will meet and
work with her for real one day.
More blogs >> |
|