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28.07.2007 -
Had some great
shows with Sarah Jane Morris in Italy. Once again I was
fortunate to work with some stellar musicians. Martyn Barker on drums
(I used to play with him in King Swamp), Henry Thomas on bass, and
Tony Remy on guitar (Annie Lennox' guitarist). Henry is a fantastic
bass player with a fantastic feel. He is easy to play with and is a
wonderful bloke. Tony is an awesome guitarist. I hate him. I love him.
Maria, Mauro, Gitte, Stepanka were there to give me support. Thanks
for being there for me. You know I like seeing you and you make it
much easier for me to play. Sarah Jane is one of the best singers I
have ever worked with. She is totally unique in every way. Even though
she has incredible vocal chops she sings from the soul and is an
absolute joy to work with. I am really looking forward to doing more
with her and will jump at the opportunity every time she asks me to
join her.
It was quite
difficult for me in many ways because not only did I have to learn an
entire two hour set, but I found myself in the unfamiliar territory of
having to learn a discipline I have not practiced for about twenty
years: How to make my gear work. While Martyn, Tony and Henry were
fluently setting up their equipment in less than five minutes, I was
looking at mine with worry and insecurity. I am sure the others
thought I was either meditating or had some kind of minor stroke
because I wasn't moving. I imagined what it would be like to land a
jumbo jet on my own or fly a helicopter. Clueless. I managed to figure
it out in the end. Basically, I have been spoilt for too long with
some of the best guitar techs (roadies) in the business. Some of them
are more famous then me. Normally I just walk on stage and everything
is there working the way I want it. It's not like I didn't know what I
was getting into. I knew it would be tough. Once I figured it all out
I couldn't hide my pride when I had everything working (while doors
opened). All I had to do now was play the right notes, in the right
order. Or so I thought...
On the fifth show, I broke a string in the fourth song. Normally it
would be a routine drill: Take off guitar, hand it to my tech with
right hand while he hands me the other with his right. Arm myself with
other guitar with my left in time for the next chorus. Nobody even
notices. It's our own choreography comparable to watching the Ferrari
team do a pit stop in 8.9 seconds. Not this time. I thought to myself:
"Houston, we have a problem". While Sarah stopped the show I was on
stage changing a string. Trouble is, I was using a guitar I hadn't
played before and had no idea how to change it. It is one of those
complicated, but brilliant bridge and nut systems I hadn't encountered
before, or since I last changed a string. It was probably invented by
someone who was in nappies around the time I joined Sting's band. To
cut a long story short I changed it in the end while Sarah was telling
her life story. As she was approaching the part about her fifth
breakup I was finally tuning the guitar, and fast because I know that
story. All said and done, it was a great show. Lesson learnt? Figure
out how to change a string before and not during a show.
I am on my way home now and leave for France tomorrow. I will get back
to you at the end of August. I hope you all have a great summer.
Love,
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