I always try to make my diary entries revolve around
some kind of theme.During the last few months I seem
to have renewed one way or another several long lost
musical acquaintances.The last time I bumped into
original Tull bassist Glenn Cornick was some 20 years
ago during his original Wild Turkey days.The bar at
the infamous Stoneground venue in Manchester no
less.Recent emails across the big pond to Glenn's home
in U.S.A. show how easy it is to be in contact these
days.Anyway a treasured Wild Turkey in concert poster
from Manchester's Stoneground 1973 has now been
downloaded and will be appearing on Glenn's website
very soon.I should perhaps add that it was Glenn who
indirectly influenced me to try the guitar..4 string
variety all those years ago.I think I made the right
choice.
In late 1988 I had the pleasure of being introduced
by Dave C.to Leicester guitarist Barrie Stones.Within
weeks Barrie had joined the band and also brought his
mate,drummer Mick Whatley to the fold as well.Barrie
remained with Cold Flame for approx. four years and
during this time Cold Flame recorded the 'ON THIN ICE'
cd..Barrie contributing two original compositions to
what was a very successful and enjoyable first
album.Increasing work committments forced Barrie to
leave the band in 1994 and we sort of lost touch
somehow over the years.It was a great thrill to
receive an email from him recently and again,through
modern technology we have been catching up on band
memories during the last few weeks.
During the recording of my second solo album SANDS
OF TIME in 1995,I met a very special and dear friend
Karen Heywood.Apart from amazing good looks and a
lovely voice ,Karen had played in a number of folk
bands in the Stockport area and her input into the
album was invaluable.Recently partly as a result of
the 'Byards Leap' story ,Karen and I have been
discussing a couple of music possibilities which are
likely to evolve later on in the year.More details to
follow but this is connected to the idea of Cold Flame
looking to broaden horizons by playing more
semi-unplugged gigs in the future and with guest
musicians.
Anyone aware of my early musical background may
vaguely recall a four piece band I formed in Glossop
in the early 1980's called 'NOTHIN DOIN'.This band
developed into a rather more ambitious five piece
called 'LANDING PARTY'.The singer in both these bands
was called Neil Fisher.About 10 years ago ,Neil went
to the U.S.A to work.Minding my own business in Old
Glossop recently, Neil nearly ran me over on his
mountain bike complete with pleasingly grey hair,extra
weight and silly helmet.Yes,he is back in Glossop and
together with his guitar we have discussed some
autumnal musical collaborations again with the semi
unplugged Cold Flame gigs in mind.
Derek Clayton gets a mention not for his musical
abilities which have always bordered on the minimal
but because again here is a guy I grew up with who due
to his world travels ended up marrying a ballet dancer
in Peru of all places.Now there is inspiration for a
song.Derek has returned to Blighty for a few months
and it has been good to see him even if he does now
resemble Rod Steiger on a bad night.For those of you
who remember really far back Derek and I biked all
over the country prior to me having that silly
arguement with a single decker bus on Dinting Road.He
was even featured in an early Cold Flame rocker we
used to play entitled 'ONE FOR DC' and no we won't be
playing it in the near future.
Following Keith Bonthrone's departure from the Cold
Flame hotseat and prior to Dave joining the band a
couple of years ago we auditioned a number of north
west drummers,the best of whom was Pete Macdonald a
well respected drummer based in Stockport.Pete and I
have remained friends ever since despite the fact that
Dave pipped him for the gig.Pete is now in a new
Stockport based band called 'REAL LIVES'.I cannot yet
give you their website address unfortunately as they
are still constructing the site but you might like to
check the band out by coming to see Cold Flame's Tull
Show at the Witchwood on August 3rd when 'REAL LIVES'
will be supporting us.The following weekend sees
everyone in the know going down to Cropredy for the
annual Fairport Convention Reunion Festival and if
ever there was an opportunity to reconnect this just
has to be it.See you there.
