Baden-Wuerttemberg Germany

During the last year I have played concerts in Baden- Wurttenburg Germany, and met up with Rudi Buttas, guitarist and Jo Crawford, Bassist from the German band 'Pur'

I spent some time in Dumfries with my son Alex who is intending to record one or two of his songs with Malcolm Dunn of Beaufort Productions and 'Up' Records. Alex was excited as this was his first experience in a proper recording studio. So I just sat back and observed Alex sing and record his songs with the minimum of fuss and produce something really special. If you care to visit his link on the main web pages theres lots more information to share with you.

I'm hoping to work with Foster Patterson again in the next few months on Writings from the wall'. This CD will accompany a book of 'writings' written and compiled by myself while residing in Chile and undertaking an international expedition in 1987. Within the writings are several songs, and it is intended to offer both the book and the CD on the site in the not so distant future.

The making of the new album 'Europe'.

This year has seen the production of my 'comeback album' entitled 'Europe'. We began work initially in January,but due to unforeseen problems the schedule was changed and I took on the sole production of the album in it's entirety. This was to pose a huge challenge for me, as I'd initially began work in the 'West country' and Oxford in one format of recording,and ended up in Glasgow Scotland as the sole producer working in quite 'another'. This required some considerable adjustment but thankfully there were some amazing musicians and engineers at hand to help out.

Brian McNeil,the engineer on the album at Cava Studio's in Glasgow was one 'incredible man' To work with.

Not only is he one of the best engineers around,but also a very good musician in his own right. Brian was able to give my music the empathy and sympathy needed in order for it to 'live'.

I was lucky to travel to Budapest and work with Nikola Parov. Nick and I are close friends and from the moment he played his special 'flutes' I could hear the imput on 'The Drifter' .

Foster Patterson is on Keyboards, from the moment 'he' stepped into the studio the world and the music became a different place. His imput on the song. 'Star,You and Me' will remain one of the highlights of the album.

Alan Thompson and Arran Ahmun are featured on Bass and percussion, though Alan produced numerous other 'skills' from the closet which included slide guitar,electric guitar,acoustic guitar lyrical bass guitar vocals and anything else one chose to give him to play, while Arran played a whole array of percussive instraments to include triangles and conga's.

'Foss' one day announced that the only person capable of doing a particular part on a slow number entitled 'Europe' was Phil Cunningham, one of Scotlands finest musicians. So Phil arrived at very short notice sporting his wonderful accordion. (The rest is history!) Just to observe Phil work on this track made me aware of the depth of this musician.

Presently we are in the final stages of completion for the album..At the end of the month I am due to arrive at Abbey Road Studios London for the 'mastering' which will be undertaken by Geoff Pesche.

This year I have been lucky to re kindle my association with one of Chile's most famous solo artists Oscar Andrade. I met Oscar while touring Chile in 1987. Hopefully we will collaborate on some music together in the next year.

Finally I will keep you posted on the progress of the new album 'Europe' It's an exciting time and everything I've dreamed of!