Part 4. The next day of Writing in Perugia with Athena and Marti Pellow
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So, I looked up at the fire place, and it read, " Marti, Vivien and Athena".
It was lovely because Athena and I had wanted to write with each other. We didn't get the chance to the year before in Italy, so we were all smiles. Obviously, the fact that I would be writing with the great Marti Pellow also made me happy. Some how, I was thinking to myself, between the three of us, that I didn't expect we would be writing an "up- tempo" song. I knew it would probably be a more sentimental song.
We all met up in the huge studio barn. It has massive glass windows that slide open as doors.. like a huge green house. They have a grand piano inside and lots of space to walk around and feel inspired in.
I highly respect these two musicians, Athena and Marti. I respect everyone highly, but I had a sense of pride in me, because not only had I gotten my chance to write with Athena at last, but I was about to write with a very famous Scottish man! ( I knew a few of my sisters and aunts and friends would probably be envying me if they knew also - but today for me, was about writing a great song with these two great musicians)
We talked about life and love for a few hours. Marti tried a wee chord out on my guitar. ( one I had never played or heard before) It sounded great, so we started the song off with it. I quickly learnt it, with a little help from silver sticky tape underneath the frets! ( or whatever you call them) Poor Athena was in a tender frame of mind. I almost feel like Marti and I were guiding her into love and happiness.. well trying to .
I don't think Athena thought the word " love" would make quite as many appearances in our song, but we soon all agreed on it, and that love 'does' infact concur everything. So I hope we have won you over Athena! ( I think we have)
Athena was talking about how she was watching the stars the night before and how it had inspired her, and made her think about things.. so we put that in the song also.
It was great. Once we had the structure down, and the chords. We then could focus on the singing of the song. Athena was perfectly suited to the verses, and then Marti and I joined in at the chorus. Three part harmonies! Not bad eh?
It's odd. I felt strangely well behaved writing with these two. I felt all seriouse.I guess I just wanted the best out come of this amazing day - I did not want to mess it up.
When I was little, I used to save up my pocket money and buy framed pictures of dogs. Exciting, isn't it? I was never interested in putting posters up on my wall of 'famous' faces and musicians. I was never that sort of person growing up. (This is where I fit in that my sister Julienne used to LOVE Gary Barlow from Take That)
Now, even though I was never fazed by the famous, and have never understood the hype.. can I just confirm to the ladies, yes, I admit it, Mr Pellow is a bit of a swoon. I never thought I'd say that!
Well, we performed our song first that night. Thank goodness, as I'd been rehearsing all day with those funny new chords, I did not want to get it wrong by forgetting it all. So it was good to get ours over with first. Everyone else's songs that day were great. I love listening to everyone's creations, while drinking red wine, or beer, or whisky, or whatever it is that is in my glass at that time!
What a great day over all. No catching the sun, just writing a masterpiece with two great writers all day long. I still cant quite believe my luck. We also went up to the pool. I went in for a swim to do some lengths, remembering that I am on "Weight Watchers" ( weight who?) . I thought I'd been doing well, but then, looking back at the pictures, with all the super slim beauties around me, making me look ""massivo"" - I've still got a LONG way to go! I'll get back there though.
Well, this was Wednesday, the next day was the day off. Strange for me though, as I didn't feel like a day off yet, as I'd arrived a day later than everyone else, apart from Linda Lewis though, Linda arrived just an hour after me on the Monday.
Now Linda was quite a character. She had this beautiful long cloak on, with a massive picture of Hendrix ( I think - I hope!) on the back of it, with sparkles all over it. It was so rock and roll. Linda really looked the part. She had gorgeous big hair too, and sometimes she would put purple sparkles in her hair. The songs I'd heard her sing so far, were happy and up beat sounding. I wondered if I wrote with her, if we would write a happy song. The first ever happy song I'd sing or wrote ever! I'd have to wait till Friday to see who I was writing with though. Tomorrow was the day off. I'd already decided I was not going into town. As I've seen Italy loads. I used to go every summer with my family since I was 8 years old. Infact we used to live in a place only about an hour away from where Monestrevole house is. We owned an old mill house, " Il Mulino di Tapabuchi" near Becarino, outside Ponte a Poppi. My sisters and I used to get up to all sorts of trouble there every summer. I'm sure my Mum and Dad knew most of what we got up to, but maybe not. I wont tell you now, as I know my Mum reads this blog! ( Hi Nancy - leave a comment)
Anyway, the next day arrived. When I was in the shower, all of a sudden, something hit home to me. I'd been wanting to sing a certain song for many years, but I just had not written it yet. Its funny, the night before, when I was drunk over at the studio with everyone else, I was talking to a few of the writers about a certain topic maybe they could write about, but it was only when I was in the shower, that I realised,
" wait a minute, its ME that should be writing it". I hadn't realised. You wont believe me, but my shower was only about 8 minutes long but in my head, I already had the melody for my new song, chorus and all, and I already had the first verse written out in my head also. I got out the shower quick smart, and shuved some clothes on then sat myself down at our kitchen table in our apartment. I frantically started to write and could not stop. I'd nearly written the whole thing in 15 minutes. I took a break and went up to the main kitchen for water, then saw Chris Difford was there. I asked if he was free to help with some lyrics, and he said he would be later in the day. Great! But within the next 5 minutes I'd written the whole darn thing and was already running through it. I guess it's one of these songs you need out of your system and nothing will stand in your way until it's out.
Anyway, so I left it at that. Soon it was time for us all to go out for dinner in the nearby town. Valeria's parents, I think, owned this restaurant. Chris D gave us ladies a lift down in his very fancy black Audi, with it's tinted windows. Chris Sheehan played us some tracks from his new CD/Album. It sounded beautiful, and just matched the whole mood of the winding roads down from the mountain sides of Umbria. I could hear Melvin's lovely pedal steel playing on one of the tracks that was played. So although Melvin could not make it to Italy this year, he was there in spirit.
(Chris Difford and Chris Sheehan at the village Gelateria)
The food was amazing at the restaurant. However, I must admit, soon after we arrived, and we were sitting at the table, I started to feel all sick and wooshy. After a breather outside and some food in me, I started feeling ok again. Or was it the white wine that made me feel ok again?
I wondered if we would all get drunk tonight and have a disco in the studio, and to be honest, I cant remember. Oh, actually, I can. I was last in bed at officially 1:05 am. Not bad for my books. Usually it's a LOT later. Everyone must have been zonked after all the food at the meal that night.
I felt so calm going to bed that night. I think this was the night I called Melvin. He mumbled a little, then while still on the phone, he fell asleep again. I listened to him snoring away for about 15 minutes, just as if he was there. ( that will be why my mobile phone bill is sky high this month!)
Some nights, Sisco the little new puppy would clamber into either my room or Madelaine's. Its all very sweet for the first 30 seconds, then when he starts chewing your wrist, pillow, sheets, hair and wont stop, its time to carry the little puppy straight back out again. He's fine outside. It's warm and the other big dogs are there somewhere too. I put a little bowl of water for him outside our door, incase he needed it. Still found no bugs in my bed.
I took some videos while I was away in Italy too. I have one of Sisco and Alice the dogs sleeping away and the surroundings in the courtyard of the house outdoors. Its beautiful. I'll try to up load it.
Part 3. The Diary Continues..I’ve arrived in Perugia and The Writing Week Begins....
Category: Life
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I'm in Perugia at Last!
So, I've managed to persuade two Italian men to leave me alone and that "no", I don't believe they are taxi men. They said I seemed very grumpy, and I guess I was. I was at the end of my tether, and I was not going to be made a fool of.
So hearing Valeria calling out my name was such a relief, and soon, I was on my way.
On the way there, we stopped off at a cafe so I could buy a bottle of red wine for the evening, then we carried on. The journey in total took about 40 minutes, and soon we pulled up in the mini bus outside the big beautiful old Italian house.
It was starting to get dark. It must have been about 8:30pm I think. I could see everyone was down at the pizza oven, at the bottom of the garden eating pizzas. Chris Difford had started to make his way up the grass to greet me. Had a wee cuddle an then I saw Kenton Hall coming to say hello too. Soon Athena, Claire , Jim, Rachael and Marti all appeared. It was heard to see people's faces as it was nearly dark. I'd already heard two other Scottish accents; Marti and Jim! Infact Marti and Jim had been writing together today, so soon I'd get to hear their song and everyone else's later that night in the big studio.
I hadn't met everyone yet. I already knew Athena, Kenton, Chris D, Rachael and I'd met Claire before too, so it wasn't a big shock to the system. I still had some others to meet though that I didn't know. There was a "Linda" to arrive an hour after me.
I went off to find my room when things had quietened down, and then headed straight for the shower. When I was in there I heard a call from the kitchen,
" Hello Vivien?" " I'm Madeliane who you are sharing with, hi!"
"Hello!"
How lovely it was to have a shower after all the travelling and heaving my big heavy guitar case and luggage around for about 14 hours that day. (No wonder I lost 2 pounds of weight while I was away!)
I'd met the dogs again outside for the first time; Verna and Alice. And there was a new arrival, Sisco! A little black lab pup. He must have been about 3 months old, so not that little, but apparently, someone had dropped him off at the house just a few days before all the writers arrived, so he was nearly as new us us! He seemed to be enjoying himself though, chasing the cats and kittens, play fighting with the bigger dogs and lying underneath the huge pregnant horse!
Valeria had called out the window to her husband Alessio, to please make me a pizza. So I walked down a wee while later and had my pizza. Delicious. It was so calm. The house is on top of a hill, and all around is valley and fields and trees and just the calm breeze.. if there even is one! It is so still and peaceful there.
Later, I took my glass , and my bottle of red wine to the studio. I could sense the tension in everyone. The feeling we all get when it's the first day, and you've spent all day writing a song with someone you probably don't know and have never met, then you have to sing it to everyone - while it's being recorded at the same time! So, no pressure there then. When it all began, it was lovely to sit back and just watch and listen.
Before long it was all over. A few people left to go to bed, while a few stayed back to sing some songs. Eventually I made myself go to bed. What was I thinking not getting to bed early?! I was just so glad to be there.
The next day, I rose at about 9:30am, or was it 10:30 am..? I'm not sure. I went for breakfast up stairs in the main kitchen. I had natural yogurt and a slice of bread with jam, and a glass of orange juice. Just right for the start of a day's writing. I looked at the piece of paper that sits on top of the fire place every morning, and read that I was teamed up to write with Madelaine Hart and Jim Byrne.
We met up outside in the sunshine, by the swing bench. We began to write. We based the song on a true story/ situation, and we gave it a soft country kind of vibe where we sang three part harmony most of the way through. The big white and pregnant horse must have been feeling lonely, or maybe she loved hearing music, as she kept creeping right up to us, and stuck her head in the middle of us three and just bowed her head, closed her eyes, and stayed there. It was a little awkward at times, and sometimes we had to gently try to guide her backwards so we could concentrate. It was very surreal. I took some photos of her, and also how Sisco would just sprawl himself right at her hooves without a care in the world.
After lunch, we chanced the scenery, and moved to Jim's apartment ( palace!). You could tell Jim was proud of his place, it was funny. Massive stone fire place, huge mural on the wall, and a hammock right in the middle of the living room. It was very impressive. A great place to write and sing. Brilliant acoustics. This apartment was by far the best in the whole of Monestrevole.
Part 2. Elba Island and on to Monestrevole to Write songs for the Week.........
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Off To Elba Island
This next leg of the journey was for Melvin to attend a gig. We were going to be getting the ferry to Liverpool and then I'd sleep at Stansted and get my flight to Perugia, where all the others for the writing week were going to be picked up.. however! Queen's manager, Jim Beach, was holding a 60'th for his wife, and Melvin was a crusial element in the band - "The Chase". I didn't want to be the mean one and stop that from happening just so I could get to "my" writing week, so we both got a flight from Dublin airport to Rome. There was a small panic at teh airport, when Melvin announced he may have lost ALL the earnings from the Ireland gig, which I was relying apon to get to my writing week... he was suprisingly calm, where as, I was boiling up inside. We went back to the car in the car park, and thank the lord!!! The money was there!
After a wee glass of red for me, and a guiness for Melvin, it was time to board our plane. I loved being on a plane with Melvin. Infact I think that was the first time in over a year. Usually one of us is flying in the oppposite direction.
When we collected our bags and my guitar from the belt, we left to find our taxi. the plane was nearly an hour late ( no apology - no worries Ryanair) so we were not sure if our taxi would still be waiting for us. It was though. Although, it said in big letters,
"BEACH PARTY"
I thought, "what on earth?". Ive come all this way for a beach party? I should be at my writing week! Well, as it turns out, that is Jim's second name....Beach... so " beach party" ( as in group) get it? Took me a while
The taxi man didnt talk all the way. Now, in looking at the photos, I now know that Melvin sneakily took a picture of me while I was sleeping, with my mouth gaping open. The monkey! The journey was a good 2 hours long. I was knackered. Completely zonked. I dont usually sleep in cars while they are on the go, as I cant take my eyes off the road, but I was just too tired out by now.
We arrived at the ferry port. We'd missed the 8:30pm ferry,becasue of the plane being late, and the next was at 9:30pm. Melvin led the way. Ten minutes before boarding. Walked under the red and white barrier.. which usually means " no entry", and clambered on board. I called on him that we probably should not have been going on the ferry yet. He was already hunting down the showers, oblivious to it! Sure enough, a man with a hoover stomped over and proceeded to shout,
" out, out, out!" to us.
It was a wee bit funny. We felt like children. We left, but I had a bit of a huff on me. I dont like being spoken to like that. There is nothing wrong with being polite.
We arrived on elba an hour later. Another taxi with " BEACH PARTY" written on it was awaiting. I thought, " what on earth is it going to be like when we get there?"
45 minutes later. It was around 11:10pm. We pulled up, and eventually we were at the venue. There were about 60 people there all dressed up in fancy dress. Men in drag, women as fairies... THe band hadn't started yet. They were waiting for Melvin ( I think). They started soon after, and were brilliant. A cover band, led by Melvin's good friend Vince. But by this time, I was totally spaced out. I found a corner, and tried to stay in it.
Then after the gig, at around 1:30 am, it was time to get into the van, and it was off to "the house". The girls were telling me about some goat track we have to walk down in order to get to the house, as there is no road. Apparantly there are wild boar that walk around this track too. I was starting to feel a bit like the woman off Crocodile Dundee! I felt slightly led a stray. But I just went along with it. Everything was so surreal by now, all there was to do was just to go along with it and accept it all. Sure enough, the van pulled up, and before I knew it, I was clambering down a rugged dirt path amongst Italian trees and flowers, in my heels, with my guitar case, and my luggage!
15 mins later, we arrived at the house. I cant really remember going to bed. I was soooo tired. There was no plans made for me getting to Perugia the next day, and I knew the chances of having it worked out in the morning were slim.
The next morning it was time to set up for another gig. Looked like no writing week for me yet! The gig was to be held at the house we were at. Jim Beach's house( QUEEN manager). It was beautiful. They had their very own little beach down below. Blue water, a speed boat, decking.. and the loveliest dog ever, Rabbit. She was a long haired black alsation. I saw her going in for a swim, then coming out and rolling around in the rubble afterwards.
All the men had to hoist tonnes of equipment from the speed boat, down below on the beach, way up to the top of the house. They had a long wire taht led from the bottom, with a small open cage attached to it, that by the press of a button from above, hoisted the whole lot up... well, one by one. There were a LOT of amps and guitars and all sorts. It took hours. I'm glad Im a woman!
I thought being a lady, there must be something I could be useful for, so myself and another girl who was there... we picked some yellow flowers and put wire round the banester on one of the levels of the house outside, and arranged the flowers round the wire. It looked just lovely. I bet the men couldnt have done it! Mind you, Tony helped us with the picking of the flowers. Lovely man.
The band set up on the hill side, and the sound check was amazing. It just bellowed out accross the sea and onto other distant islands. By this point, I was starting to realise where my uncle was coming from when he told me once a story about when he went to Dave Gilmour's house in Greece. I know exactly what he means now. These places actually exist! Magical.
The night arrived. Apparntly Queen's drummer Rodger Taylor was there. Standing listening and watching the gig right infront of me. However, I only remember the name, as Ive googled it. But I realise how important it was to the band. I heard through the grapevine that someone there, thought that Melvin is the best Pedal Steel Player in the world. Well, I second that! I just wish he would put together an album of his own.
By this point I was well and truely ready to get to the house in Umbria to start writing. Thats why I was in Italy after all. Thankfully someone was travelling early morning in their car to the ferry port. So it was a 6:30am rize, a climb up the hill side, a 40 min drive to the port, an hour journey on the ferry, then I was left on my own to get on with my journey.
I checked the times and how I would get to Perugia. I'd to get a bus to Firenze, then a train from there to Perugia. the bus wasnt till 1:20pm, and at this point it was only about 8:30am. Great. So I tried to sleep on the metal benches in the terminal building, but it didnt work. Then I found a way to charge my phone by using one of the plug holes in the building. Eventually I gave in trying to sleep and just waited outside for the bus.
The bus took about 2 and half hours to Firenze. This is when I started to realise just how slim Italian women are. I thought I'd been doing well with my weight watchers until about the third skinny lady in a row passed by me on my seat. I figured it must be the Italian diet. I was about to try the Italian diet for 6 days so I'd find out for myself. (as it is, I lost 2 pounds while being away!)
We arrived in Florence. Right in the middle of it. I got out the coach, got my guitar and bag. Oh fuck! My hand bag with my purse and everything in it!! Luckily the bus was still there by the time I'd come off the phone to my dad. I got it back. Thank god!!
I had no idea where I was. I knew the place was called Florence, but where was the train station, and would it be the right one, and would I make it on time??? I only had 14 minutes. I got a bit tearful, but reminded myself of my age, and to 'get a grip' of myself. I asked an old man where the station was. He looked at me like I was nuts. I found it. And after waiting in the info que for 10 mins ( Italians skip the que...very annoying) I somehow worked out it "was" the right station, and my train was "over there". I clambered over, with all my gear. My back soaking with persperation and effort.
Got on the train, no seats. Sat in the door way and listened to three grown Italian men disputing what they would ask their wives to cook for dinner, or maybe they could all just go to Antonio's house and his wife would cook for them all. The train was packed. But after about an hour, I looked around, and noticed I was the only one left. I went into the carriage, and relaxed. I shoved my guitar and things away, out of the way, accross from me. It was only now that I started to feel very greatful, and full of the wonders of life...and Italy! The senery was amazing out the train window. I could open my window wide adn stick my whole upper body out it! I took some photos. the train maybe took about another 2 or so hours, I cant remember.
The most beautiful thing happened ever, appart from when ELlie was born, but all of a sudden, through the window came wooshes of fluffy white "wishes", I call them. Perhpas it was pollen, Im not sure. They looked like angels and fairies. They filled the WHOLE carriage. They wirled and wooshed and rushed towards me aswell. I felt I gained so much energy from them. I felt so happy and enlightened. It was like they were reminding me why I was on this train. Why I was in this country. And that I was going to have a wonderful time, because I deserved to. They were so beautiful. I grabbed my throw away camera and took a picture. I knew they wouldnt show up on it. But the picture is below. I dont think you can see them on it.
Soon, they all left, and the carriage was empty again. I felt quite privileged.
Eventually the train quietly pulled up to Perugia. I'd recieved a text that I'd to get on another train to Umbertide. I can understand a good bit of Itlian, but Im not too good at speaking it. ALthough, I wasnt understanding what the ticket man at the desk was telling ,e. He was saying something like, " go to the shop round the corner, and get a ticket for a seperate train, then go to that train station and get on the train there for Umbertide". I did not understadn. I went to teh shop round the corner. The man pulled out tear off tickets and presumed I knew what on earth to do with them and where to take them, but I couldnt take it anymore. My phone rang. It was Chris. I broke down. I was close to having a panic attack.I was scared, tired, exausted. Thankfully he told me someone would come to pick me up.
The hour that I waited outside the station, I was approached quite a lot by Italian men, asking one thing or another, or trying to offer me lifts. But I just sat there, and looked as stern and confadent as possible and Valeria drove up, adn called out my name.
" Viviena!"
At last. It was time to go to Monestrevole. Valeria is such a lovely young woman, and a mum the same as me. She has four children with her husband Alessio. They own the house that we write in every year and look after us so well. It was so good to see her. What a relief. I was nearly there....
Part 1 - My travels to Ireland, Elba Island and Italy 08, and of all the wonderful people I met
Category: Life
..I am going to write a story for you about my adventours this last 10 days, however it will take me some time. So I will keep adding to it now and again. It was such an amazing once in a life time chance. I'd first of all like to thank all the people who bought my album, books, and my painting from ebay, which helped me be able to get to the Italy writing week.
My camera arrives back this evening around 7pm. I am setting up an Ireland and Italy folder so you can see where I was and what I was up to. I really want you to witness it, as I dont think you'll believe me otherwize. I'll put all the photos in order of occurance.
The Begining of the Adventour
The Trip to Ireland
Thanks to the help of Bill Stewart, Ireland's best fiddle player by far, and events manager Bairbre, a gig was put together for me in Sligo, Ireland. We also all contacted Ocean FM, a popular radio station in Ireland, and got a live session organised for the same day as the gig.
So, Thursday morning, Melvin Duffy ( who was joining me for the gig also, along with Bill Stewart) and I set off in his little black car to the ferry port in Troon. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I felt very organised. I'd printed out all the info we needed for the whole time away. Directions from one place to another, reference numbers, pictures of the destinations, extra posters to sneak up on our way over... I also felt proud that this year round, I had packed a very small bag indeed. I have realised, that over packing, is mearely an insecurity, and I'm quite happy to go minamalised! Mind you, if you saw how much mack-up and nail varnish I'd taken, you may beg to differ.
I'd also brought a wee kodac throw away camera. I love them. The pictures come out all rustic and always work.
We were on a really fast ferry. Melvin says it hovers over the sea because it goes so fast. So that meant there was only a tiny wee square area you could go out onto on deck. I love ferrys. I love to try to spot whales or dolphins. Ive been trying since I was about 8, but still no luck! Melvin had to lift me up to see over teh wall, as they had to keep it really safe for us curious travellers so no one is wisked over board!
An hour later, and we arrived in Lairne, and embarked on our 4 or so hour journey to Sligo. What a beautiful landscape. I think Ive taken quite a few photos. They like painting bright colours on buildings in Ireland; that is something I noticed quickly. Blue houses, green, pink, black..you name it. The terrain ( if thats the correct term to use) reminded me of the Highlands of Scotland. So I felt quite at home.
We arrived. Had some dinner in a wee cafe. It was wierd. As I was seeing the posters that I'd designed, all over the town. I'd like to think that I am a modest person, but there was something insed me that felt a wee bit proud. I work very hard with my musicalness, and I did feel proud that we had the live radio session the next day on a very respectable station, and then a gig in a stunning venue that night also after the session. It was a bit wierd seeing my face everywhere though. For once, I didnt feel I was doubting myself and my abbilities. Nothing from my past of being in school or anything was creeping in. I felt,
" It's well and truely MY time to live the way I want to now".
We were a little rushed to get to the radio session the next day; Melvin, Bill and me, as our car was blocked in, but that's ok, as we got a taxi in the nick of time. The taxi driver even had Ocean FM playing on his sterio.. a wee bit surreal.
Bairbre, the events manager, and very efficient at that ( thanks Bairbre) was there waiting on the couch, in the Ocan FM building, in a neat white suit.
Ten minutes later or so, it was time to go into the studio. The dj talked us through it. I felt so calm, and a little excited. For soem reason, I love doing radio shows. ( Secretly, I'd love to do a bit of radio dj-ing myself one day) Bill and I performed " Summertime", and then I sang a song on my own, my song " So Cold". The Dj had a good chat with me and I possibly talked a bit too much.
I was really enjoying myself. We did a wee competition for free tickets for the nights gig and a free meal. Lots of people text and emailed in, it was great!
The gig was creeping nearer. I glammed myself up. Melvin managed to get a few shots of me before the gig. Usually this is near impossible, as I am not good at performing for the camera.. you know, all the pose-ing nonesence.. so these shots will be rare. I am realising how important putting a wee pose on is though, as Im in the business where it has to be done.. I'll try my darn hardest to get out of it though.
Ten o'clock arrived. There was about 8 maybe ten people there. I felt that was probably normal, as no one had probably heard of me yet in Ireland. I felt greatful that "anyone" had turned up. Bairbre said we woudl wait another ten mins to go. So I did. All of a sudden around 60 folk filled the room. I dont know how many there were by the time I started, but there wasnt really a worry about numbers! Gees. Now I felt I really had to pull it off, or else.
We did about an hours set, maybe a little shorter. Melvin on the acoustic guitar sounded amazing, along with his backing vocals. Bill Stewart sounded just as impressive on his fiddle.. so sweet and giving, and complimentary. We ended the set with a lively happy one. There is a snippet of the song on my page. It's just a demo. I want to get it recorded properly one day with a band. The right band. I'd most likely get Bill over from Ireland to play on it of coarse.
I speant about 2 hours after teh gig talking to absoluetly everyone taht came to the gig. I signed a good few CD's and sold a good number of them too. Melvin sat at the desk with his guiness doing the sales person bit while I chatted outside with lots of the lovely Irish folk that came along.
Then it was bed at 2am, and a 5 am rise for the next leg of the adventour! Today we were off to Dublin airport to fly to Rome, then take a ferry to the lovely Elba Island!
I was lucky enough to write with Marti Pellow, Linda Lewis, Athena and many more..
Hello there,
I am finally back from my travels. It feels like I've been away fro ages!
I have so many photos of Irlenad, Elba ( an Island in Italy) and Italy itself also at the writers week. I would show you them right now, but I left my purse, my phone and my camera back at the house in Italy. Hopefully I will have them back soon though. I also dont have my car keas - they are in Brighton! Ah! I went a good year without loosing anything and now all of a sudden all my esensials - I dont have. Never mind.
I was so sad to leave Italy yesterday morning and it took me a long time to get home. Two flights and two car journeys. It took me a long time to get there too!. I've met so many lovely people and I will fill you in more on the huge adventour soon.
I have put the three songs up on my page that I wrote with other writers while I was there. There was a bit of hasstle trying to get to the week on time, as I was stuck on an island for a day too late then had to find my own way to Perugia, but I made it (just). Then it was my time to begin writing. I wish I hadnt missed a day though. I would have had a whole extra song, never mind. Maybe I'll go again next year. I better start saving now!
Will tell you soem stories soon. I am so tired and need to re charge my batteries I think
Please Read This Review Of My 11 Track CD by Bluesbunny.com....
A talented singer songwriter from Glasgow, Vivien Scotson has self released a new ten track album. It has been a while since there have been any new recordings from her so Bluesbunny decided to do a review of it.
Sometimes you wonder where songs come from. You can appreciate the trade of the song smith as the 3 minute pop classics get knocked out on the ubiquitous portable digital recorders in home studios and bedrooms throughout the world. The results may be magical or they may be mechanical and Ms Scotson's songs, fortunately, tend towards the former category. Her songs seem to come from within her and you would have to have a very cold heart indeed to remain unmoved by songs like "I Love You" or "Mia Principe".
That whole relationship thing features strongly in her lyrics and what's that word again? Love. Yes it is in there too. There is more than heartfelt ballads on offer however with the up-tempo, country flavoured but still sentimental "Set in Stone" standing out. "Love Undercover" -and Bluesbunny believes that he may well remarked on this before - is her finest song. Ms Scotson's version is completely convincing but you can just hear this song being sung by one of the soul greats. Somebody like Roberta Flack or Anita Baker. In the review of one of her previous releases, another Bluesbunny reviewer remarked that he wanted to give her a cuddle as consolation for whatever heartbreak she had suffered. Well, sometime during "So Cold", this bitter and twisted reviewer got the urge to get on his white charger, sweep her off her feet and ride off into the sunset for one of those happily ever after things.
A collection of songs to treasure, without a doubt. Despite the variable sound quality, there is an honesty and humanity to these songs that will charm you. We all know that home made soup is good for you and it would seem that home made music - at least if it is by Ms Scotson - is also beneficial to you. Well worth your hard earned cash so go buy it. Available from her website. It's been emotional.
NEW 11 TRACK ALBUM Available to buy for the first time ever ONLINE NOW!
Category: Music
(PLEASE LOOK ON THE FRONT OF MY MYSPACE PAGE TO FIND THE PAY PAL LINK TO PURCHASE THE CD)
Hello! Well, I have regestered with the whole Pay Pal thing, and I have it at the ready for you if you would like to purchase a CD.
I'll tell you a little about the CD first.
This is the cover art I made myself. It has a few memories on it. A run down park in Pollok is featured on it, as one half of my family are from Pollok and I lived there with Ellie for a while too. Animals have featured a lot in my life, so there are a few hiding away in there also. And, my two favourite colours are red and yellow.
The recordings on the new CD, which I put together in January 2008, are a mixture of brand new recordings, and soem older ones.
I speant a few weeks re - recording some of my new songs, and not so new ones at home on my own. The new ones are as follows;
Lonely Sea
So Cold
The Moon and the Sea
The songs on the CD that feature Melvin Duffy and I are as follows;
"No Strings" has been recorded again, and this has a band sound to it, with lots of different instruments in it. It is more up tempo sounding than the acoustic version.
Set in Stone is a band sound, featuring the bango as well! This is the lasttime this recording will be put on a CD as we have now recorded a new version in a studio in London with a whole new feel to it. So this track is exclusive dont you know!
Fault Lines has also recorded by Melvina dn I and is an uptempo version of the original rough acoustic version I had. It also has a band feel to it.
Love Undercover was recorded by Melvin and I down in Brighton and features his beautiful Weisenborn.. which is a Hawian slide instrument.
Memories again has a similar feel to Love Undercover and was recorded at the same time and is acoustic also.
I love You was also recorded by Melvin and I in Brighton featuring his amazing musicianship.
The only original recording on this CD is Mia Princepe
There is also a secret track right at the end. But you will only know what that is by playing the cd!
On the inside of the case, there is a picture of Murphy. Murphy is my Mum's dog. The family dog. Murphy means "Man of the Sea", although, he is scared of swimming. He is the size of a bear, without a doubt!
There is also a picture of the worlds biggest bubble blower/maker. I saw him blowing his bubbles at the Green Man Festival last year. Kids kept running into them... I could see he was getting a tiny bit irate! Ha.
Anyway, the cost of this CD is £10 and the postage and packaging goes on top of that. I'll even throw in a few different badges.
The CD's I make are my very own designs and creations. I am not signed to a record label and I dont do any "official release" dates for anything I record either. I dont really understand all that. Maybe one day I will - but for now, I am just doing things my way. The way I like it
Please Look on The Front of My MySpace Page to Find the Pay Pal Link to Purchase the Album.. Thankyou.
A Wee Review Of My BBC Radio Scotland Iain Anderson Show Session
"Vivien Scotson was first up. Bluesbunny knows all too well what Vivien is capable of, and I was very glad to see Vivien full of confidence onstage. With her on/off musical partner, Sandy Devers, she delivered a heart-warming set of folk-tinged gems, as well as her standard Burns song. Vivien will grab your attention, but won't beg for it, like those irritatingly loud and bland indie bands. A solid performance from a very soulful woman."
I Supported Paul Young - Los Pacaminos last night in Portsmouth
Category: Music
hello there
I am a wee bit tired form teh weeks advetours.
I've done 2 gigs while Ive been down that were just last minute.
Los pacaminos did not have a support act for last night's gig, so the manager kindly asked me if I would like to open for them. So I did 4 songs, and Melvin joined in with the last 2. I love it when he is on stage with me, as it makes me feel safe! Just like I feel when Im with my band.. I dont always like being all on my own
I know my music probably wasnt the audiences cup of tea, but I enjoyed being able to play. I think I took easily 300 + photos with Rogers's (the sound man) fancy camera. So hopefuly I can put soem of them up on my websight for you to see.
Melvin managed to get quite a few of me on stage ( looking rather moody - but not meaning to!) So I will have them tomorrow to put up for you.
I am tired, but I think I am taking Ellie up to Lochcarron tonight to my Mum's house. If we leave tomorrow morning it will be so busy with traffic.. but Im not quite sure yet. The only thing on my mind right now, is Chinese food! So I am going to my favourite place to get some. Ive hardly eaten much the whole week Ive been down south, so I will treat myself
