The CD of the album ‘Good Fortune, Good Weather’ has finally arrived.  I am now surrounded by boxes.  The timing could have been better but there’s nothing I could do about that. I was stupid and pretty much everything that could go wrong did, but out of the criminal incident came Michael Seymour, and out of the printing nightmare came knowledge.  I just wish someone had told me sooner that the art work was in the wrong format.    David Baron has worked tirelessly to finish this album of mine so next year it’s going to be very much my turn!

Blighty Xmas Extra Jane Powell 1954

I have, in the meantime,  turned my attention to videos again.  The first film for a song called ‘Sanctuary’ off the new album, was directed by a very talented film director called Andrew Marshall in Brighton. I found him quite by luck on the Gumtree.  I was looking for a video and he was offering.  Here’s a clip of the car which is a Pontiac Firebird and there aren’t that many of them in this country! Check out the lights:

The second is one I have made for a song called ‘Swirl’. I have just done it at home but I like the look of it very much. The third I’m working on this week so I will complete videos for every song on this album.

I have finally chosen a release date – April 4 2012 as this is the day London goes ‘digital’. This is the day where four million people switch on BBC2 to find that the channel has gone followed by three others on the 18th.  We will either be able to re-tune our TVs  or we will have to chuck them out.  The analogue antenna at Crystal Palace built in 1957 will be switched off and the streets will be paved with sad, unwanted TVs (remember the story of the Little Fir Tree).  It marks the end of an era and gives me over six months till the end of the world on December 21 2012 (end of the Mayan calendar).

You Auto Be Here

I have an idea to go down to Streatham Ice Rink tomorrow to say goodbye. I used to work in Streatham and I am sad to see it go. It’s been there for 75 years. I worked for MCPS back in the day next door but I never went ice skating but I find it incredulous and depressing that it should be knocked down to make way for another bloody Tesco. Here are some images from Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley:

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Cover Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Inside Cover Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Page 3 Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Page 4 Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Page 5 Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

Winter Wonderland Empire Pool Wembley Page 10 Souvenir Programme Wembley published by Holiday On Ice (Great Britain) Ltd (Copyright)

I am also going to join the Ephemera Society. More and more I am becoming interested in this field of social history and the people that are involved. Many individuals I meet at these fairs are experts and are often called up to consult for films and provide programs and set accessories to fit into the times. It continues to fascinate me in this digital age. One day these photographs, postcards bits of paper will no longer exist.

White Christmas from 'Holiday Inn' Sheet Music Words and Music by Irving Berlin

I met up with Brian Kavanagh and he is going to do a little work on my website. I am going to try and do a mailing list widget as I do not have one and I think it is important! In regards to the live shows, I would like to do some but only if there is an audience to do some to!! I do think the album will do well – it doesn’t sound like anything else and I really hope people buy it.  My brother and my godfather (who will feature in the new Mini Cooper advert as a character called Reggie in gold leggings) are my patrons and have helped me so much as well as David Baron recording and producing it for nothing.  David and I were lamenting the demise of myspace which is all but a graveyard now because if it hadn’t been for myspace I would never in a million years have met David nor had the opportunity that was given to me.

Anonymous photograph from Hamburg

In with each hard copy of the album I sell I shall be putting in several postcards from my collection some of which are quite valuable.

Anonymous Photograph of boy playing guitar at Christmas

I often think about the person’s name and address  and include a postcard related to that or just whatever I can think of. In the end I will charge probably about £6.50 (to include postage) and it will be worth it because the music quality on a CD is far superior than that of digital MP3s online although that will be available too.  Here are some British postcards that all seem to be to a ‘Miss A Dickenson’ most of which date before the First World War which is when postcards were at their most popular- later in the postcards she seems poorly and I hope she didn’t get the Spanish Influenza that was so deadly after the War:

Dear Annie just a line to wish you a Happy Xmas and many more of them from your sincerest friend Emily

To Annie With Love & Best for a Happy Christmas from Lizzie

The Wishes We Send 24 December 1917 'Dear A, just to let you know that I have not forgotten you with love and best wishes from Lily'

Here’s one from Russia:

Unknown Russian Christmas Postcard

I’ve been to several interesting talks lately one of which was Hugh Cornwell.  He was reading from his book ‘Window On The World’ (which I read in two sittings its that good) at the Worlds End Book shop and secondly last night a talk by Will Dobson who freelances for the Redstone Press who have a pop up shop at 102 Portobello Road.  Every year they create these great diaries with a theme which are beautifully designed.

Redstone Press Dairy of the Senses 2012 edited by Julian Rothenstein and Adam Lowe

I urge you to go and visit it as they have the most wonderful things to buy for Christmas.  My friend felt this could ultimately save marriages!

The Household Box New Ways To Enjoy Your Home Relationships Family and Life by Will Hobson published by Redstone Press

The Household Box New Ways To Enjoy Your Home Relationships Family and Life (back) by Will Hobson published by Redstone Press

And now for some lovely recipes- doesn’t this turkey look appetising?

Good Housekeeping Menus 1954 Copyright The National Magazine Co Ltd Christmas Dinner 1

Good Housekeeping Menus 1954 Copyright The National Magazine Co Ltd Christmas Dinner 1 Recipes

I went to see Stewart Lee at the fantastic Leicester Square Theatre which is just the best place ever.  He was dry as a bone, brilliant. A very cerebral comedian and one of the best around.

I also saw my friend Jude play at the 12 Bar with his band Subterraneans which I enjoyed very much!  He helped me record parts of this new album on his 8 or 12 track recorder (I forget which) in London.  It was great to record that way on a few of the tracks.

Here are some Christmas videos I have found in the depths of my computer.  They are rather old but somehow I can’t resist putting them up – getting into the festival spirit.  I am much better on the loop pedal now!

And my little Christmas candle an early demo of ‘Turnaround’ on my casio:

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!

(click on images to make larger)

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“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!