Durutti

Meeting Vinne Reilly was a real treat: I am happy to report that as warm and decent human beings go he is very much the business. In fact, we were getting on so well, like a couple of school mates window shopping for guitars and effects; but then, just as I was starting to feel at home I went and stole his capo by mistake which very nearly delayed the start of the show! The entire dressing room was turned over in an attempt to find the thing. That’s right…it was in my pocket all along, doh! Naturally, retribution will follow…he has promised me thus! But seriously Vinnie and the band have made me most welcome and display none of the serial egotism that can affect those for whom the words legendary and genius have been applied on occasion. I’ve caught about half their sets so far but expect to see the whole show in London which I’m really looking forward to. I’m also looking forward to seeing Tim and Helene and their cat Charlie, it’s just the driving that is less than appealing as I invariably get lost in the capital and end up in the exclusion zone. Only two shows into this mini tour and I have ashtray throat, a little flu and am not all together well. I spent yesterday getting pampered by my parents which was nice, and on Monday night my daughter took me to see Billy Liar in a teeny tiny Malvern Theatre which was just perfect. I have the day off but tonight we are back in the studio finishing the brass. Both the Manchester and Birmingham shows seemed well received so if you were there thanks very much for that. Did anyone catch the 6Music feature I did with Rob Hughes on Saturday…but alas, I was recording, three words my parter will be glad to see the back of come the end of the month, a normality of sorts will return in the summer, VPx