Added on Wednesday 13 May 2009

I'm looking forward to meeting Otis Gibbs next Monday (18th) at The Twisted Wheel (Queen Street Glasgow) as part of the Glasgow Festival of Americana. I'll be opening the show for Otis. Check his music - and revealing biog on myspace at otis gibbs myspace

Should be a great gig - put it in your diary if you fancy a good night out - it will be great to see you there.

Been busy, busy, busy lately with all things musical. Last weekend we (i.e., myself and Pat) went to the Moniaive Folk Festival; played lots of music, hung out with good company (hi to Mary Kathleen Burke and Iona Macdonald and Paul Tasker from Doghouse roses) and learned some new guitar chords thanks to Paul. We were glad we didn't decide to go camping - as we got some horror stories from those who endured the Friday night ('freezing to death' would be the cheeriest of quotes). We drove up on Saturday in a rainstorm - but by the Sunday the weather was glorious - quite a contrast. Moniaive is a great setting for a folk festival; the village itself has a lot of personality.

The other thing of note to pass on was writing a song at the request of Ann Morgan; a good friend of both myself and Pat. Ann is raising funds for a memorial garden in Old Kilpatrick to remember all those who have taken their lives by jumping from the Erskine Bridge. Ann's husband Hamish took his own life in that manner. The songs is to be performed at 'The Butterfly ball' - a fundraising event Ann is organising.

I didn't think initially that I would be able to take on such a responsibility - but with Pat's help I think we have created a beautiful song. The words were always going to the most important part of this song; hopefully we have been up to the task. I sent Ann a rough recording of the song and she said 'We love it' - so that's great to know.

The song is called, 'You can't catch the butterfly'

Your life is short, but beautiful
you do not fear the dying day
flying free, warm summer breeze
from flower to flower your path is clear

You display your colours, for all to see
and it's nature's job just to keep you free
but fragile thoughts are just like a butterfly's wing
so easily torn, and with a troubled soul
there's the pain that brings

But you can't catch the butterfly
it's always on the wing
so don't shed a tear
your memories will keeps them near

An innocent, magic man
so many gifts, so full of charm
you heard him laugh and tell his tale
gave his family love
gave his friends the same

You can't catch the butterfly
it's always on the wing
so don't shed a tear
memories will keeps them near

Your life was short, but beautiful

On the radio

I was on Alex Jenkins Celtic Music Radio show as part of Celtic Music Radios outside broadcasts a couple of weeks ago. You can hear the entire show on their listen again feature at celtic music radio listen again

You will have to excuse my croaking voice; we had been getting work done in the house and the dust had got to my delicate chest and lungs. The croak gave my voice a bit of character - though I found it very hard to sing; unfortunately I did sing a bit out of tune on The handle's broken.

Learning to record at home

I've posted some thoughts related to my attempts to learn how to record at home on my website blog at hacoustic blog

That's all for now. Have a good week.