|
26.10.2007 -
Boys & Girls,
I am going to come clean. I started smoking again. I couldn't help
myself and had that first one which did the damage. I can't remember
why or how, especially after nine months without a cigarette. It's
baffling. But I have to say it's @#$%ing great! I do know I will have
to try again soon though. The next time it will have to be for keeps.
So there you have it.
I was in Rome airport the other day waiting for my luggage when I
noticed two guys staring at me. I figured they recognised me because
they looked like the guitarist type. Kind of a vacant look. I smiled
back at them signalling them to either stop staring or just get it
over with, do the autograph and picture. Eventually they came up to me
and said what an honour it was to meet me which was nice (and
something of a relief). One of them asked me to sign my album.
As he was reaching into his bag I was quite pleased to know he had one
of my records and I was wondering which one. "First Touch"? "Shapes?".
Maybe a Sting album? What he presented to me was Mike Stern's last
album. I thought that was strange as I was fairly convinced I didn't
play on it. I told him so. Silence. "Ah, you not Mike Stern?" I said
"No, me not Mike Stern". Then they walked away and gave me a strange
look of shame as if how dare I not be Mike Stern. Anyone who's not
Mike Stern is a loser. That's the look they continued to give me while
our bags were the last to arrive. How strange. Do I really look like
the guy? He's always smiling as far as I can remember. I would like to
hear from anyone whose bags come first. I would also like to hear from
anyone who's arrival gate was never two kilometres away from luggage.
Anyone who can say they have enjoyed both gets a free Mike Stern
album. Signed by me.
I had a fantastic experience in Gothenburg, Sweden. I didn't really
know what I was getting into. All I knew was that I would be playing a
piece by Lars Danielson with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. I
don't think they realised when they asked me that my reading is as
good as my comprehension of say, reading an Italian menu. I can kind
of understand it and can get away with it, but it's limited. What I
didn't realise was that I would be one of the principal players, to
the right conductor, and in front of the first cellist. The eighty
piece orchestra were eager to see and hear this virtuoso guitarist. I
arrived to the first rehearsal to a round of applause from the
orchestra. Now what? I was shitting myself. I looked at the page which
was dense with crotchets, quavers, demi-semi quavers etc. I looked at
the sheet music with fear and waited for my moment (bar 37). The
conductor gave me a gesture signalling to play my little part. I came
in. Then he stopped the piece, and in front of everyone said: "You
must come in WHEN my baton reaches the bottom, NOT before". All I
could think about now was where was the Andrex. In an orchestra it
seems like everyone comes in much later than the conductor's signal.
In pop music we play in time. They were in a different time zone. But
they were together. My better judgment told me to accept it and move
on. The musicians made me feel much better with their encouragement
and my confidence grew to the point I could get away with it. I
checked my underwear after the rehearsal and it looked ok. The shows
went really well.
I met the pianist Yaron Herman in Gothenburg. He is one of the five
most incredible musicians I have ever come across. He is 25 and from
Israel. He started playing when he was 16. It goes to show it's never
too late to start playing music. I urge you to check him out. I made a
very good connection with this guy and am sure I will meet and work
with him again. I might even go so far as to say he is a genius. A
word I don't use lightly.
I am in Racine, Wisconsin at the moment with my daughter Misty. I had
a great day yesterday working with the high school and middle school
kids at Prairie school. Misty spent the day with some 8th graders in
class which was great. She loved it. We will do more of the same
today. I know some of you are either here now or on your way. Misty
and I are really looking forward to seeing you and spending time with
you. I feel very privileged to have such a great fan base who are
willing to travel so far to come and see us. I don't take you guys for
granted. So in advance, thank you so much for coming all this way.
Until Saturday,
Love, Dominic and Misty
More blogs >> |
|