Photo © Dominic Miller

18 December 2003

Hi everyone!

Last night I did the Bolivar House concert with Neil. I must say it was a success even though it was half full (or half empty). I must also say I was very tired because of jet-lag from LA. I had been up since 5am. The best thing about the show was seeing some of you there. Stepanka came all the way from the Czech Republic. But the distance prize, once again, goes to Manami who came all the way from Japan. Thank you Manami and for your generous gifts which we always enjoy. It's amazing the contrast between playing last week at the MGM Grand arena in Las Vegas in front of 15,000 people to playing in front of... 50. This is what keeps my life ticking and interesting. To me, all performances have equal merit, be they in front of thousands or very few. Performances are like bricks on a wall of experience. I have now built something like a fortress (...could they be a song there?).

Next stop is Cologne. I am very excited about this show because it might be the last time I do something like this for a long time. As some of you know, I am quite busy next year. This will be a great chance to try out some Third World tunes. William Topley (from The Blessing) will come up on stage with me for a couple of songs. Neil will be there as always, and Rhani (Sting's percussionist and Cologne resident) will be joining me. It will be a fun atmosphere I am sure and I will be sure to talk to all of you.

I must say it's been a fantastic year for me and one I will never forget. I seem to have achieved many goals. A new Sting album, an album at the top of the classical charts and a 'third' album. Added to this a new baby. Oh and of course, thanks to Dave and Wendy a new website. I have felt the warmth of all your support this year. I have and will continue to read your letters with great interest. It feels like a good club we belong to which I am proud to be a part of.

Finally, I want to wish you all a great Christmas and may many of your dreams be fulfilled in 2004. Hopefully I will see you on the tour.

That's it for now,
Very best wishes

25 November 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!
 

27 August 2003

Hello everyone,

Long time no message I know but do I have a message for you now! Fanny gave birth to a beautiful boy yesterday (26th August). Pablo Miller. Mother and baby are recovering well. I am exhausted. I celebrated this news in the pub last night with my eldest son Rufus. Yesterday I was in the studio recording Third World when Fanny called me to say it was happening. My studio is five minutes away so I rushed home and took her to the hospital. This is my fifth child and I am so proud to be a father again. I can't imagine how painful it must be to give birth. I think all mothers are heroines. I am also about to give birth to Third World any day no which. I am mixing and it's going really well. It will be ready to send out in early October. It's like a race in time because I start rehearsing with Sting next Thursday. Now I am going to see Fanny and Pablo. Take care all of you and see you soon.

Very best wishes,

14 July 2003

Hi everyone.

I had a fantastic time at the Salzau festival in Germany. Great to see Gitte, Stepanka, Diana and few other fans. You know I like it when you are there. It makes me feel at home. Thanks for travelling all that way. I hope you feel it was worth it. I certainly enjoyed it. Wasn't Omar fantastic? I seem to have been blessed with the opportunity to play with the greatest living drummers. He is way in there. A true artist. Pino was as solid as ever and I am not alone in thinking he is the greatest bass player of all. And what about the special guest? Talented? Gifted? Skillfull? Bastard? I agree. Pat Metheny we are not worthy (repeat three times daily). The amazing thing about having him on stage is he used the Roland guitar synth. I have to be honest and say I don't have many of his albums but I do have and love Offramp which features the synth. It was like a dream come true having him on stage with me playing one of my riffs. I will now go out and get more albums. Wouldn't it be great to record with him? 

I am about to start work concluding Third World. Yes, that's the title. Believe me I have been through every third imaginable. This one came to me in a dream which I managed to retrieve. It was staring at me so I had to go for it. I somehow think it might inspire the direction. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Hope you are well,

2 July 2003

Hi everyone

It's 6am now and I'm waiting for a car to take me to the airport to go to Germany. I'm not very good this early in the morning. I really don't know what to expect with this gig being a jazz festival. It feels like I am on a musical tour at the moment. One day I'm a classical guitarist playing in the Albert Hall, the next I am off to somewhere I've never been doing a Jazz festival, next I have to play at being a "rock star". It's the variety I like though. Maybe I should get into country. (Anyone who saw the All This Time DVD will know what I mean). I won't take my computer but will check and reply to your Workshops when I get back.

Best,

30 June 2003

I am back now having had a fantastic rest. It's a sad feeling in a way. Ending of a book (three actually), sun-tan lotion tube empty (I have a nice tan, freckles have joined up), credit card takes a bashing, coming home to be greeted by bills etc. I took my guitar with me but didn't play it much. There were moments I was sitting in the hotel room staring at it contemplating opening up the case. It gave me back the same look a dog gives its owner when it wants to go out for a run only to be let down. But not rejected. The loyalty never dies. There is trust. But on this occasion not much action. The reason I took it was because I have a concert in Germany on the 4th of July (couldn't it have been America?) and I wanted to be in... wait for it... "Shape". Ah well, I can always practice all day of the show. By the way, I will be joined by a very special guest and it's not who you're thinking. You'll just have to wait and see. What else... oh, "Shapes" is still number 1 in the classical chart. I can't believe it. Four weeks. So I am over the moon. I am meeting Pino later to go through some riffs for the show so I better sign off. I will be posting a note in the next couple of days to tell you about "Third____". I am going to complete it before Christmas and I have a title.

Speak to you soon,

18 June 2003

Hi everyone,

I am finally going on holiday to the South of France on the 20th of June and get back on the 29th. I won't be taking my computer so I'll be out of contact for a bit. But as soon as I get back I will respond to your notes and letters. Check out some new pictures I added to my photo album. These were taken at my apartment while recording "Third____". Then I stopped to record Shapes. But like I said, I WILL finish it, hopefully soon.

Very best,

16 June 2003

Hi everyone,

I had a great week at the Pizza Express made all the better for having some of you down there. Neil and I only managed to rehearse four new tunes but we chose some good ones. I particularly like playing The Last Song. I think it works really well even though it's a real tear jerker. The Bach was a bit scary and difficult, but worth it in the end (mistakes and all). Presto is a nightmare to play! Thanks to Wanda for the pictures which are always good. Thanks to Manami for the tea. My parents and I always enjoy your kind gifts. To the rest of you who came, thanks you so much for your support. Without you there it wouldn't be so much fun. 

If any of you are going to Germany on the 4th of July (Viva America!) I'll see you there.

Take care!

13 June 2003

Hi everyone!

Finally my site is up and running. It's taken about six years to do this which I am somewhat ashamed of. Being so busy I haven't had the time to do it. Until now. Thanks to Dave and Wendy the site is working and more importantly I finally have a way of communicating with you all. It is important to me because I care what you think about what I am doing with my career.

My album Shapes is out and I am overwhelmed at the positive response I have had. I won't go into detail as to how or why I did an album like this because you can find out on the interview I did with Sophia for Sting.com. But it really was a great experience. You may have heard it topped the classical charts AND made it to 38 in the overall pop chart. I am over the moon. But there's one thing I want you all to know. I WILL do another more intimate 'Dom' album ("third ____"). It's just a question of when. You know who will be touring in January which I want to be a part of so there isn't much time. But I have already written six pieces for it. Maybe I'll get lucky and record them quickly but I can't make any promises. I will keep you posted.

It's amazing the difference it makes having a major label behind me to promote the new album because as you know First Touch and Second Nature had no marketing and were mostly sold through the internet and by word of mouth. To put it into perspective, what First Touch sold in six months is the same as what Shapes did in one week. The great thing is that I am with a label with nice people who I like hanging out with.

Finally, I will be checking the site daily and reading your notes and letters which have, and always will, mean a lot to me.

Very best wishes,    

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