My friend Dave Watson is working on something that might result in a Hollywood soundtrack commission. Exciting stuff, and potentially life-changing. He sent me a sample by email and I’m glad he did, for he added as an aside, this poster for Creative Edinburgh, a …

Last week I rediscovered Momus.  This week it was Ronnie Lane, who popped into my mind for I don’t know what reason on Saturday.

Since then, my head has been flooded with his songs from the three albums I bought in the 70s.  He had just left the Faces, where he had written or co-written many of their hits and those of the Small Faces before, and set up the band Slim Chance, a good-time folk-country band. He had chart hits with How Come and the Poacher and, although this was not the kind of music I was keen on, there was something poignant and vulnerable mixed in his vocal with a sheer determination to keep smiling and have a knees-up. He decided to fulfil a long-time ambition and set out across the country with a circus – complete with clowns and trapeze artists – and rock show combined. The tour was a disaster for Ronnie himself and a financial black hole, but it gave me one of the most magical nights I’ve ever had at a gig. It fetched up in Falkirk, on a green in the town centre, one evening in 1974(?).  I had seen one of the few adverts and was among the small audience who turned up under the big top for a range of acoustic support acts, ringmaster, dancing girls and clowns, followed by Ronnie’s band. I’ve been to many gigs where the love generated from audience to performer was almost tangible, but this was one where audience and performer were joined in joy at the sheer delight and craziness of being together under canvas, smelling of grass (not the usual kind at a rock gig), and knowing just about no-one else will believe this.

I’ll get back to full rambling length next week no doubt but for now I have to be brief as work is calling.

Played Edinburgh BeanScene last night which was better than cancelling but not miles better. My voice was weak and disobedient, the set …

Well it’s been a long, slow four days, but I reckon I can get back to something like normal life today.  I used to look …

Whether this is just a sudden heavy cold or flu it’s wiped out a couple of days. Even Madame, who’s known for her indestructibility has gone to the unprecedented length of taking a day off work. I’m on my second day off and we just …