cycling is a massive spectator sport in norway
I had been looking forward to
playing Sandnes in Norway ever since I was asked. The last time I played there
was about forty years ago. I don't remember it well but others do. Anyway, one
of the attractive things about the whole thing was the late flight times. I
hate being at airports early in the day, I really do. In the evening it is
quieter and people watching is more interesting.
I arrived at Stavanger airport
at about midnight BST. This meant the
flight took off at 21.05 pm from Gatwick. Lovely! My kind of timing. I
was met by John the promoter and his lovely wife. We drove to my hotel which
was a delight. Old and formed out of an old factory it was a labyrinth of
coffee bars and eateries all under one roof. My room looked out onto a shopping
street. I like to watch the world go by from a room above the streets.
Sometimes I can sit for an hour or more just being still watching and
listening.
a very expensive sculpture in sandnes for arts sake
After a walk around the
immediate are I met up with my good friends Jarle and Kirsten and we agreed to
meet up later at the Tribute club. A group of ardent fans had travelled from
Oslo and wanted photos with me and for me to sign their EBB stuff. They were a
nice bunch and very sincere.
The sound check was so easy
though I felt the sound lacked a little atmosphere. It's all about the model of
the acoustics of the little chapel I carry in my head. Good enough any way and
that was that.
I began my set at 10.30 to a
very enthusiastic and warm crowd. The onstage sound was perfect. I ran through my list and as usual I was
delighted by the attentiveness and understanding shown by another Norwegian
audience. The Tribute is a very nice venue. It is run a non profit making
co-operative. All proceeds go back in the funds to promote the next event. I
really liked John my promoter. He really has a nice approach to the music
business. I have to say I find it a refreshing change from some of the less
visionary venues of the UK.
What a lovely audience! The songs and stories went down well and a
good few younger people said they liked the new stuff. Many of them only knew
the stories but hadn't seen an EBB or EB live gig. I spoke with a lot of people who liked the
show and signed a few album covers and
tickets then the guy who had first asked for the autographs, on behalf of the
group I had met before the sound check,
came in the dressing room. He told me that he was disappointed that I didn't
sing enough vintage material. I really get that point of view but hey, here I
am, doing what I want to do and most importantly, most people really liked it.
What I found ironic was that he was the guy talking all the way through my set.
You have to listen, at least.
If folk
don't like what I do and say then so be it. I am not about to change. I know I
speak to people who hear me and I hope I speak for them and about them. That will
do for me. We parted on good terms and I expect I will see him again.
Interestingly his friends seemed to have really enjoyed the gig so there it is.
I really like playing in Norway
a lot. They listen, with few exceptions, and they give back. They are a poetic,
lyrical people like the Welsh and like
other scattered tribes in the UK. So here I feel at home.
Gigs end and just as I was
leaving with Kirsten and Jarle to head to their home, a young woman presented
herself at the front door of the club. She kissed me and told me she loved my
music. She invited me back to her place. I gave
her a quick hug and left with my friends. Later Jarle told me she was the woman
that laughed when I was talking about the usage of food banks in London going
up by more than 300% over the last two years. I remembered someone laughing
immediately after I had said that. I didn't think much about it at the time. I
was playing the chords at the beginning the song The Beggar Man. Was the laugh
intentional synchronicity or was it random and coincidental? We'll never know
but it was a very inappropriate expression. I suspect I will probably amplify that small part of a
day in my life for a piece of writing in the not too distant future. Aren't
people interesting?
Back at Jarle and Kirstens home
it was time for a snack and then some cognac and it was a very nice one.
Kirsten had to get sleep as she
was making an eight peak mountain walk later that morning.
So it was Jarle and me chatting
about the gig and the gigs and the songs and the life. Our life.
After a while Anders the
slightly inebriated son of my hosts arrived and then we chatted some more and
drank some more until it was very late. Well I think it was around 8 am when
Kirsten appeared and then disappeared heading for the hills. I went to bed and slept
like a very big baby. Thank you for the loan of your room Ingrid.
the tour de fjords peloton passing Jarles house enroute to the finish in stavanger
Time to leave and a little sad
to leave my very good friends. A short drive to the airport, hugging Jarle and
saying farewell. We shall meet again brother, I know it.
Flying and sleeping and then
the train from Gatwick heading for the
great metropolis. It was all so very enjoyable and there is more to come in
Norway this summer. Yes!
peace
