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At
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24
November 2007
Boys & Girls,
Unfortunately the two shows in Mumbai have been cancelled due to problems
with the Blue Frog venue. I was really looking forward to these. I am
disappointed about this but will make sure I visit India as soon as
possible. I love the country and its people so I WILL be there one way or
another.
I did something I haven't done in a long time the other day. I took the
family to lunch at a popular fast food restaurant starting with the "M"
word. While I was ashamed at myself for eating in this way it was...
fantastic. Eating like this is kind of like having sex in the back of the
car... apparently. Now I know why they call it a "happy meal". I even
enjoyed a cigarette after the meal.
I had a great show at the Bolivar Hall in London. I find doing solo concerts
difficult because there is no safety net (the band) and I have to be
responsible for everything. It's much easier when you are either backing
someone, or with your mates. But it's a good challenge nevertheless and
getting it right is rewarding. Playing solo is a balancing act between being
in total control and totally out of control. To find the "zone" you really
need to go out there. But if you go too far out you risk losing the plot
completely (which I did a couple of times). It's a gamble. I made a few
mistakes but I am generally happy with it. I had a trick up my sleeve with
Misty and Claudia. Let's face it, they stole the show. How do I feel about
that? Great!
I had the comfort of doing a concert with my band at the Wirral Guitar
Festival last week. But I was sick as a dog with a bad cold and sore throat.
I experimented with doing this show without a set-list. I just let the tunes
evolve from each other. I must say it worked really well. Sometimes the guys
in the band made suggestions on the spot and I took them. I like this
concept of keeping it open and letting be what will be. I really enjoyed
this show and will try this way of working again next week in Cologne.
Thanks to all of you who came to Racine. Misty and I really enjoyed spending
time with you. She agrees with me that I have some great fans. She loved all
the gifts (especially the personalised M&Ms).
Speak soon,
Love,
26
October 2007
Boys and 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
23
September 2007
Hi there you lovelies,
I have brought a new car! A Peugeot 206. This is my second 206 (I sold the
last one). There's something quite refreshing about new car smell. Maybe I
could add that to my collection of scents (along with "baby head"). The
colour is dark grey with a shade of blue. Kind of shark colour. The best
thing about it is it has a CD player. My last one had a cassette player
which had a "Go West" cassette jammed into it. I could only listen to side
2. Couldn't get the damn thing out. Don't ask me why it was in there in the
first place. I can't for the life of me figure it out. But the car is my
favourite place to listen to music I am working on. When I am working on a
track I make rough mixes and listen to them subconsciously as I drive. I can
always spot the flaws. I have been using my iPod during the Go West era. Now
I can pop that CD in. The luxury!
I went to the supermarket at the start of August with Pablo and Eva. Advice
to men: Don't forget the list. The check out girl was giving me strange
looks like "are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?". What she scanned
was a blow up shark, blow up crocodile, new arm bands, a Bay Watch type of
surf board, some plastic bowling pins (multicoloured), balloons, some DVDs,
colouring books with an assortment of felt tipped pens and crayons. microwave
popcorn, potato chips, gallons of Coke, sweets, candy, goggles, a new pool
towel for Eva (pink), plastic cups, Power Rangers sword, a pint of milk, and
some butter. I was feeling quite proud of myself with the shopping in my new
car (loads of space in the trunk of a 206) until we arrived at the house...
Fanny wasn't impressed. Cut to me going shopping again, with a list and
without the kids. Hey, any excuse to drive in my new car, with my new riffs
(There are quite a few now. Watch this space).
My vacation was cut short by some intense session work. I recorded an album
in Paris with William Sheller. The guy is a genius. This is one of the most
exciting projects I have ever worked on. Please check him out. Google him
and watch his videos. Really great stuff. I then went to work with Otto
Sauter in Cologne, Germany. We recorded his album in a few days. In both
sessions the musicianship was at a very high level. Great players. Some of
them were fantastic chess players and I am happy to say I got my arse kicked
on a regular basis.
I have been doing some sessions with Kipper in London for a very exciting
project. More about that soon. I had a great gig in Gateshead with Mike and
Rhani. Sadly Nicolas couldn't make it. Great venue, The Sage. Antonio
Forcione joined me on stage for a few numbers. I am hoping to do some more
with him in the future. It was kind of strange headlining a guitar festival
with these really awesome players. I had to be on form. I went to Modena
(Italy) the next day for another guitar festival. I had a great clinic with
some students. I enjoyed the experience. Later I did a solo performance
which went... ok. It was hard because I went on very late, much later than
expected. This is because the opening act decided to play for what seemed
like hours. They were very good, but the point is they went on too long. By
the time I was due to play, I think the audience had had enough guitar
music. Maybe I had too.
I had a great show with my band in Munster. I was really happy to do this
one and the feeling was good. I was particularly happy to see some of our
members there. To me, a show is only meaningful if there is a connection
made with the audience. If you have this, then it doesn't matter how
accurately you play. I would rather have mistakes and make that connection
than do a flawless performance with none. This is why I am not a big fan of
live albums. I couldn't put out the Munster show as an album because there
are too many errors. The vibe was great, but it wouldn't transmit to CD.
That was our vibe; the audience's and ours. By the same token, I wouldn't
put out a tight show if there was no relationship with the audience.
Pointless.
I went to LA to work with the composer and pianist Peter Kater. He really is
an awesome musician and I am sure we will do more together in the future.
More about that as it materialises. I then flew back to London to do some
small shows with Sarah Jane Morris. They were fantastic as always. Once
again I was happy to see dom.com members there. I will be writing some songs
with her for her new album in October. Soon I will be doing some shows in
Sweden with the great cellist, Lars Danielson. As you can see it's all
pretty intense these days. Reason being, I have been taking everything that
comes my way. Maybe too much, who knows. But my message to anyone wishing to
go places in this industry is don't be too picky or the industry will be
picky with you. You never know who you might meet or what something can lead
to. I say, if you're free, do it! I have a lot of craziness ahead of me. The
diary is pretty much jammed until Christmas. I will keep you all posted with
all this madness. But am I having fun? Hell yeah!
Boys and girls, try this one for size: Your partner goes back with the ex
and then invites you and a few others to join them for dinner. Would you go?
...I will be seeing The Police in Paris on the 29th.
Love,
Dom
PS: Misty and I are really looking forward to seeing some of you in Racine.
27
August 2007
This is the third track recorded with Misty. Some of you (Mi Fe) will
recognise the music. Misty heard this and wanted to sing on it. I really
like what she has captured with this one. It's a feel good summer song. She
will be coming with me to Racine, Wisconsin in October to sing with me. I am
sure she would like to meet anyone who is there, especially the Mi Fe'ers.
Summertime
2
August 2007
Here is a second track featuring Misty. Once again she improvised this one.
The second verse was more organised. I really like this track perhaps even
more than "It Will Last". I particularly like the coda (or the end bit).
I Want To Go Home
28
July 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,
23
July 2007
Here is a new track with Misty as promised. Just some background about the
tune... She and I were in my studio and I asked her if she would improvise
over a backing track. She asked if she could listen to it and I said "No".
She then asked if it was slow, fast, medium whatever and I just asked her to
put the headphones on and just sing whatever came to her - it didn't matter.
She agreed. What you hear is Misty listening to the intro, and then singing,
with made up lyrics. I was completely blown away. Speechless. The beauty of
this track is that it isn't controlled. It's just a thirteen year old girl
acting purely from instinct. It comes from the heart.
Hope you like it (click the icon below to listen).
Love,
It Will Last
16
July 2007
Boys and girls...
The Diana concert was a great experience for me. The best part was the
opportunity to work with such great musicians. They really are the best
players here in UK. Of course I enjoyed working with the artists, but it's
the musicians who gave me the biggest thrill. Take That were perhaps my
favourite of the artists because they were fun to work with and their songs
are solid. Of course I enjoyed working with Tom Jones. He is a true artist
and gentleman. Natasha Bedingfield and Will Young were great too, but
unfortunately they had their sets cut short. Shame, because the public
missed out. Doing the Andrew Lloyd Webber songs with Andrea Bocelli, Josh
Groban, Donny Osmond, Jason Donovan, Anastasia, Sarah Brightman (talented
Diva), and others was a good experience because it showed me how good the
songs were. It's not until you get inside the songs that you see what they
are made of. All the above impressed me. It's good for me to do a variety of
styles because it makes me a stronger musician. I am very fortunate to be
able to play with such great musicians and artists. The only downer was the
attitude shown backstage by a well known rapper with a silly name from the
States who thought the show was all about him. Diva with no talent. What a
wanker!
My trip to LA was a success. I was only there four working days. I managed
to record the guitars on all of Alejandro Lerner's album. Quite an
achievement (if I may say so myself). Lyle Workman lent me his gear for this
trip. Thanks mate! We cut twelve tracks. I didn't really see anything of LA
except the studio, my bedroom and Alejandro's swimming pool. No Paris
Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, or the Four Seasons and all its celebs that I am used
to seeing. We just got our heads down and went for it. I made a good
discovery in the local pharmacy. Teeth whitener strips! My God, this means I
will be able to smile more often. I now have LA teeth. They look like
chicklets. Smell fresh too! My teeth were beginning to look like the tuning
pegs from my '61 Fender Stratocaster. Then I went home. I flew economy
which is a new one for me. (I am a self confessed spoilt brat). Alejandro is
a good friend so it was FHB syndrome (family hold back). I think I was
sitting in 48K. Never been that far down the alphabet. I didn't even know
they had a "K". Normally when I get on a plane, I turn left, and sit in a
large seat that is single digits and doesn't go further than "C" (that is if
I go commercial... ok, enough). But actually, it was fine in the end. The
trick to flying economy is to show gratitude at all times. Then the
stewardesses look after you. I had extra peanuts.
Jet-lag was brutal (and back-ache) but I went to rehearsal the next day with
Sarah Jane Morris. She can SING! What a voice! She also has the personality
to go with it. I am off to do some Italian dates with her in a few days.
This will be my last bit of work before my vacation.
Life is good!
Miss you all,
Love
24
June 2007
Hi there,
I am having a lot of fun rehearsing all month for the Diana memorial concert
which will take place on the 1st of July. I have been working with some
great musicians: Ian Thomas on drums, Trevor Barry on bass, Pete Murray on
keyboards, John Parricelli on guitar and Paul Wickens ("wix") is the musical
director who also plays keyboards. He is most known as Paul McCartney's
keyboard player. These guys are the top session players here in London. We
have been working with the likes of Take That, Natasha Bedingfield, Tom
Jones, Will Young and more. I am most impressed with Take That because the
songs are great and the guys are surprisingly easy to work with.
The day after the show I will be flying to LA to work with Alejandro Lerner
which I am really excited about. Hopefully we can come up with another Mi
Fe. I was supposed to go to the Vatican after that to do some intimate
concerts with a "special audience". But I think this may have been cancelled
for reasons unknown to me. I am reckoning it may have something to do with
the volume of sins I have amassed in my life. I was going to take them with
me to see if I could have them forgiven. I may have been practicing my Hail
Mary's for nothing.
I will definitely be doing some shows in Italy with Sarah Jane Morris later
in July. The dates should be up on the site. She is a fantastic artist and I
am really pleased to be working with her.
I have done some more songs with my daughter Misty. Maybe I will put one of
them up on the site soon. What do you think? I have also been writing more
material for what looks like being another album. This album feels different
in that it is sort of coming together without any real direction, unlike
"Fourth Wall". It feels like it's kind of merging into something. The more I
work on it the clearer it's becoming. We will see.
At the end of the month I will be going on holiday again to the south of
France. This is my favourite place to be. We are staying in the Luberon
region which is in Provence.
I will get back to you soon,
Love,
13
June 2007
Honey, I'm home!
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"An old 60's Ford Mustang..."
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Hello there you lovelies. This feels like a good time to get back on track
with you all (or y'all in America). One of the reasons I have been
incommunicado for so long is because I needed to detach myself from...
myself. What I mean is I am done or bored with the whole Dominic Miller
thing... "you know, the acoustic guitar guy who sometimes plays with
Sting"... "Oh that guy... not him again, that's so old". As you can see, my
own jury is out on me. I find the subject of me so incredibly boring these
days and can't understand how I have bought it for so long. I cringe when I
read old newsletters talking about my place in the universe (although I
don't regret any music I have created). Who gives a £$%@? How did this
happen? Let me try and explain.
I felt the only way to move forward was to stop moving at all. The engine
needed cooling down. Upon further investigation I came to the conclusion the
engine probably needed replacing. Quitting smoking is an example of that.
What about the rest of the package? Well, if we stay with this analogy, and
I am an old 60's Mustang (always liked them), you could say I needed some
work doing. New paint job. I have tried a few different liveries. My heavy
metal excursion could be an example of one. There is major bodywork needed
(cycling). Maybe a different brand of oil and petrol needed (dark chocolate,
more greens, or less cholesterol).
My problem is, part of me doesn't really want to re-build this old wreck. I
would rather leave it the way it is, to be saved for a rainy day, than
rebuild it from nothing. But I know it needs to be totally deconstructed and
rebuilt to last even longer. This is where I am now and this is what I have
been doing. It's not a bad place, just different and more challenging than I
would have imagined. Some of the parts are so dated, they have gone out of
production (romantic Latin tinged guitar riffs).
So there you have it, for now. Before I sign off I want to give a special
hug to the European ghulz contingent who are so lovely. I really enjoyed
seeing you all in Wartburg. What an amazing place! I hope to see some of you
later this year in Wisconsin. Other than that, please check the site for
dates. Dave and Wendy will keep you (and me) informed.
Love always,
© dominicmiller.com 2004-2008 |
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