Seven days a go we were heading to Edinburgh for the first gig there for a very long time. The above picture was taken at the Scottish border. Thanks to every one for their very kind emails. I am glad you enjoyed the shows. Some of your comments were very kind and very encouraging. We experienced some real northern winter weather on the road and today it is bitterly cold here in the south, as it seems to be every where in the UK. As bad weather moves in bringing rain the journeys from show to show take on a very different colour. Fortunately Spadge, our very accomplished driver, never surprises us with stupid on the road moves. I never wake up from a doze to the sound of squealing brakes which for a seasoned travelling troubadour is an extremely unnerving and wearing experience. As the miles mount up over the years it seems the need to be able to not worry about the driving becomes mandatory. We have always had great drivers so we all very spoiled. Some times the back room guys don’t get the credit they deserve so plaudits galore to Spadge who is one of the most level, skilled and industrious companions we could wish for. He is very highly regarded by all of us. Thanks for every thing Spadge. Also big ups to Rick merchandise sales person with attitude and drum technician. Rick is fun and a great travelling companion. An outrageous character and when teamed up with Luke and in full cry, the fun starts in earnest. He does fall over a lot and bumps into things with regular frequency. The rest of the time he is always checking some thing and feeding back to us with all kinds of useful info as well as making friends with all and sundry. It is important our people make a good impression. Good manners are very important to us.
It was so nice to meet up with old friends and connect with new ones and folks who had waited a long time to see us. It was also very gratifying to see how well the new songs were received.
Soon we will start recording them. The first song on the schedule will be Six White Horses. Pre production is well under way on that and soon I expect three or four other new songs will be ready for recording. We plan to use a variety of methods to record the songs including some programming. Soon Steve will begin programming drum tracks in earnest and in a way we haven’t ever employed before. I think the right mix of technology and a methodology that will allow the power of the live EBB to come through in a final mix, will be the goal.
Speaking of goals the 3.0 drubbing by LFC of Newcastle was very satisfying earlier this afternoon.
New labours recent disasters have surely left no one very surprised. When targets become the sole goal there is a lack of clarity, duty of care and finally abject confusion. These are the early stages of steep decline in the value of our elected representatives. The loss of personal data of so many citizens is a disgrace and when the conditions and circumstances leading to the screw up are released no one is surprised that it happened and no one believes it won’t happen again. Targets prioritised over commonsense will lead to far worse. I am afraid the recent reporting of health care in Norfolk and the inability to admit and care for patients needing hospitalisation will inure people to sliding standards. We shrug and try to work round such events caused by poor government when we should be lining up in the newly liberated Parliament square ( thanks Gordon ) to give ‘em hell. We seem to accept the reality of people pulling their own teeth, decreased refuse collections, jammed prisons, piracy masquerading as free enterprise as in the case of the railways and the postal service, BT and British Airways to name but a few. Teachers are under the cosh, social workers are leaving the profession in droves because there are not enough resources to do their job effectively. What is on offer to needy, minority groups, especially people with disabilities, is decreasing as I write. It seems the so called rationalisation and reform of every public service results in a poorer service and less support for all who need it. A very disturbing out come of all of this is the growing alienation and disillusionment of undervalued professionals in the public sector as essential services are run down. Recently I have been depressed and generally having a tough time emotionally. Some of it is due to unreasonable demands made of me by people driven by concepts completely alien to me so last weekend was a real tonic. Probably not quite what the doctor ordered but definitely a boost for the spirit. It will be some time before we see most of you again. We have a record to make and it could be one of the most significant episodes of our existence so far. I have every reason to believe it will be and I am inspired and encouraged by all of your support and kindness to us over the past two years since we went back on the road. See you soon ?

Peace


copyright e d g a r b r o u g h t o n 2007