Month: March 2004

Yeah, I know – it’s tragic, but I have to flog my pride and joy to stay afloat for the time being. If you’re vaguely interested, or know someone who might be, here’s some brief specs:

Saab 900 SE Turbo Coupe 2.0, L reg (1994), 70,000 miles, *Full Service History*, electric everything – sunroof, windows, front seat adjustment, etc. – air conditioning, trip computer, cruise control, grey leather interior. Very quick car, very comfortable, very shiny, just serviced, lots of new bits & pieces, alloy wheels, metallic burgundy paintwork – if you want any more details just mail me. Asking price will be somewhere around £3500… Be nice!

Oh dear. I’ve had wrenches at the old heart strings when flogging a vehicle before, but I reckon I’ll be bawling my eyes out once I sell this one. Never mind – there will be other cars. Those ever-elusive millions will be mine – oh yes, they will be mine…

On to happier things! I’m off to Ireland for a few days of drinking and general debauchery, and I’m well looking forward to it. First of all, I’ve got my dad’s retirement party (which it’s seeming more and more likely that I’ll be doing a couple of songs at!), then I’ll be recording at Julien’s place with Simon & Eric of Velcro Fly fame – the rest of the time, I’ll probably be drunk, he he…

Actually, that’s not true. Unhappily, my laptop is coming with me, making it something of a working holiday in my more sober moments. Desperate times, etc. – I refer you to my previous statement about elusive millions!

Anybody managed to catch John’s fleeting appearances on Fit Farm yet? We’re all rooting for him to get a lot more limelight – go celebrity chef! I’ll be setting my VCR to tape it while I’m away – if I can figure it out. There seems to be some kind of formula which dictates that your ability to operate a VCR declines in direct proportion to your increasing age – five years ago, it wouldn’t have fazed me, and it’s the same bleedin’ VCR! Gawd awmighty…..

Well, stay tuned for more fun & frolics in the coming weeks. I should have more news on potential performances with the people with whom I’m supposed to be jamming (still not happened yet, though!), and quite apart from that there’s the usual wittering on that I do, which I know that you’ve all grown to know and love. All *three* of you… 🙂

Had a mighty fine evening on Monday; I went to the Royal Festival Hall to watch Peter Cincotti perform. If you haven’t heard of him, he’s the latest in a new wave of young musicians (he’s 20!) to draw from the well of the ‘old school’; this time it’s jazz – and he’s pretty damn good at it too.

Peter Cincotti is in fact in a position where he’s had to interrupt his studies at Columbia University in NY to do this tour – oh, the pressure! I was accompanied to the gig by the lovely Andrea, who’s an alumnus of Columbia, so feels a certain affinity with the guy, in fact almost an obligation to go along and support him – not that there was a single ticket unsold for this gig!

All in all, a very talented guy, and well worth watching to see where his career goes. Banging away ably on a Steinway grand piano, and backed up by an exceptionally talented band of drums, double bass and tenor sax, he rocked the joint. Oh, I do love seeing live jazz – yessir! I noted from the RFH’s literature that Chick Corea will be playing there in the coming months – might just have to go along to that one…

Back to life, back to reality. Working hard, playing – well, medium hard when I get the chance, and starting to really look forward more and more to what 2004 has in store. Recording, jamming, a potential gig in April (but whisper it; it might not come off – I only heard about it an hour ago!), as well as murmurs of some exciting stuff in the world of business. Bring – it – ON!

Ooh ooh – news and gossip happening practically on my doorstep: long-time mucker and fabulously talented chef John is currently engaged in dress rehearsals for his TV appearance next week – and five days a week for the next 12 weeks! My mate the celebrity!!! He’s taking part in a show called Fit Club, which for the Stylites among you is a show where people lose weight to win prizes. And they get to have John cook for them, the lucky buggers. Starting next week, I’m told at 6:30pm Monday to Friday, and I *think* it’s Channel 4, although with my sieve-like noggin, don’t quote me…

Well, nose back to the grindstone – head down and bum up, as my mate Kiz would say (although I’ve always thought that sounded particularly rude, but nevermind!); got a lotta fun ahead, and I’ll keep you posted on the news as it happens.

“This is Alan Cunnane, for Happenins News, in Beckenham…“