Dinosaur Thing

Goodbye Johnny Too Bad

I've just heard that one of my musical heroes has just died. John Martyn quite literally took years to convince me of his music having first bought his Phil Collin's produced "Glorious Fool" way back in 1983. His style of singing and guitar playing were unique and inspiring, his songs at first impenetrable that just slowly seep into your heart. I was lucky enough to see him live on 3 occasions. First in 1992 a few days before my dad died and lastly at the Jazz Cafe in London at the end of the 90's. I had the misfortune at a Clapham Grand gig to stand right in front of him and asked to hold his "cigarette" for him in between songs. Being the least likely person and the biggest crapper ever when it comes to drugs I quickly shuffled it to the guy next to me with a "get it away from me" expression. He spotted me doing it and suggested the whole audience may as well have a drag. A very wild guy with an amazing sense of humour. I will miss his music and the wild stories.

Well that's one demon sorted

Way back in 2001 I had a real horror of a car crash when I hit black ice just outside of Redbourn in Herts. I was saved by an old fashioned stone milestone that swung the car around and stopped me flying up some banking and killing myself. As one of the guys said "probably the only milestone I've ever met. Arf !arf !". For years afterwards I've replayed the event in my head and if anyone has driven with me in a car when road conditions worsen you'd know just how scared I get. So yesterday I finally plucked up the courage for skid pan training with the rest of the guys in my team up at Alconbury Airfield. Apart from sending me in a terminal skid that just never seemed to end that I had no chance of controlling it was a hugely rewarding experience and one that I'd recommend anyone to do. Apart from anything it just drills home to you how dangerous your car is and how careful you need to be.

45 Not Out

It's my birthday or so Plaxo, Facebook and myspace seem to be proclaiming. It really is funny when you get more social networking based well wishes than cards but hey ho. I'm now officially in the next demographic (you know the old fart one !!). I haven't written for a while so here is a big update. I'm currently in the best mood I've been in about 18 months. I'm working on 5 virtual worlds projects now with a few more in the pipeline and you will be able to find out more about them at the Virtual Worlds TL&C conference in Washington D.C. in April 20th/21st when Tony O'Driscoll interviews me on stage. I have finally sorted out some new sequencer software (Logic Express) and will be rebuilding my midi studio in the next few weeks around it. So hopefuly will be recording some of my backlog of musical ideas soon. Finally I've been invited on the trip of a lifetime in the next 8 weeks and I hope to give you progress on my preparation and my experience. All in all looking like its going to be a fun year !!