Before the beautiful dawn

In the still crisp air before the next wave
I turn towards the warming fingers of the sun
filled with longing I open my mouth and sing

There was a time out there in the teeming world
when I was a child needing to be safe
so I sang out loud hoping you might see me

As if in quiet reflection at the end of a previous life
there is clarity that a new path is the way forward
and that which was before is not

Some times we are made bright and new in the fading shadows
before the beautiful dawn when what we thought

could be relied on and who we were is gone

peace

days of super chip

Judas Priest! So there we were on telly and on the Beeb. Bless her and all who sail in her. I thought we came across as not really of the same kind as our fellow participants. Not really very metal but we were there and we were always the odd ones out. Must say I was impressed by the way the whole thing was put together as a potted history. All good though I had to smile at some of the interview clips. I thought it was as much amusing as anything else. Should I get back in touch with my dark side – evil, evil – black as night and all of that nonsense? Me thinks not . I am gone down a different path ha ha! I was reminded of strange days watching Mr Ian Gillan speaking. He who once asked Steve if he would mind paying his hotel extras charge before we all set off from Liverpool for the next gig. It was all about a twenty pence phone call in the end. Watch the pennies and all that but it was highly amusing to everyone except Ian. We were touring with him during our Super chip days and by the time we got to the Rainbow theatre Ian ordered his road crew to stop giving us on stage lighting service and he absolutely forbade any more dry ice. Ah! happy days.

Peace

Sonny and the Vikings

Hey! You know what? I am going to let young Sonny’s photos speak for them selves. I’d just like to say it was a real pleasure having you with us mate. It must get a bit much listening to some of us old ‘uns rattling on at times so thanks for your positive vibes Sonny.

peace

the shape of the bergen shows as recorded

The trip to Bergen in Norway was a lot of fun. It started out a little strange when we were checked in at Gatwick with all our gear in about ten minutes and no excess baggage to pay unlike our last trip. The decision by airline staff to charge excess fees seems to be entirely arbitrary. The flight was uneventful and we had a tail wind that reduced the flight time by twenty minutes. Better and better?
Next we were stopped by customs at the airport in Bergen. Their doggy liked us though. Eventually they let us in having established we were neither terrorists nor carrying contraband.

I hit the bed in my hotel room at around 6am after watching the Winter Olympics so I missed breakfast. Steve brought me some to my room which was very thoughtful. It got me started for the day ahead.

Around lunch time Steve, Luke, Sonny and me headed out to the nearby national radio station for two interviews with Bjarte a protagonist for vintage rock music on the Norwegian radio scene .
He was a charming host and best of all he had done his home work. I remember listening to both Luke and Steve and wondering what their answers would be. It was strange lsitening to Luke talking about life and music with his dad. It made an interesting change from some of the inane questions we get asked during interviews.
Later we sound checked and prepared for the Friday evening show. It went well but there were a few small glitches but nothing disturbing.

For some time I have wanted to play a set list where the music starts gently and builds smoothly through the show.

We tinkered with it at the 100 Club. Steve decided to go the whole hog and produced a set list that did that. See the screen shot at top of page.

We moved a song or two around for the Saturday show and that went even better. The audience was very warm on both nights.
As usual it was very nice to meet up with old friends and meet new ones. My good friend Jarle presented me with the gift of a beautiful Sami Kuksa (drinking cup) carved by hand from a birch burl. I will treasure it for ever.
Thanks to all at The Garage for their support and assistance, Special thanks to Torgrim, Dennis and Reino. The Garage is a venue where staff try very hard to service bands and provide a good atmosphere in the venue.
Thanks as always to Spadge and Ric. Gentlemen to the core.
Shattered but content we flew out of Bergen as the snow fell steadily. Very satisfying to see how well the Norwegians cope with this snow stuff. Life just carries on and planes fly
I guess it will be quite a while before we return to Bergen but time will tell. Mean while we are looking to explore the possibility of some shows in other parts of Norway, especially in the north.
Sonny was our photographer for this trip and I will be posting his photographic high lights here later.

Don’t forget we are on telly on Friday the 5th of March, METAL BRITTANIA
at 9p.m. on BBC 4.

Peace

Just got in from the 100 Club on the night bus to Wndsworth. Good night I would say. Still didn't get to take any pics but I reckon nearly every body else did so when they send me some I'll post 'em here.
Well, the new set worked for me but I guess there will be the odd change for Norway next week.
Some one reckoned we did an hour and fifty minutes so that would be about right. Peter Green showed up which was nice. Good to see him about and looking well. Years ago when he was playing with John Mayalls Blues breakers they all came back to stay at our house in Warwick. Mayall had one side of their van as a bed and the other guys sat cramped on one bench on the other side. He slept in his bed that night and the band on the floor with improvised bedding.
In the morning Peter had a look at my old strat and changed the set up for me.
He might not remember it but I do. He was a thoroughly nice guy. I know he has had his hard times but has come through them and he sounds as good as ever judging by a recent live set I saw on The Arts Channel. Look out for it if you like the blues. I wish him the very best of every thing and I hope he enjoyed the show. If you were there I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
More later .............................