August in Euroland....

Well, having just read my last entry about the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, I’m now very firmly in a European frame of mind as I write this update, taking in the various festivals we have been booked to appear on. I’m taking advantage of staying put in Europe for the month of August thereby alleviating the constant pond hopping across the Atlantic. In any case, Connecticut, during the month of August can be brutally hot and humid. So it’s a good idea to get outta town and head for somewhere cooler.

I’m currently looking out of the window of an ancient German castle, surveying a very swollen, fast flowing river Rhein. Two weekends ago, the band and I, were in the eastern part of Serbia and then in the space of the following weekend, we found ourselves in the depths of the Oxfordshire countryside playing the Cropredy festival. Directly after that festival date, we headed down to Dover to catch a ferry to Calais in order to make the Dutch Pink Pop Festival. Confused yet? I certainly am. I gave up years ago, worrying about what day of the week it is.

Now, taking a leisurely drive down along the banks of the Rhein having just played in Holland. But then, on Friday, it’s back to Blighty for a brace of gigs in Doncaster and in the Cambridge area for the Cambridge Rock Festival.

Excluding Serbia, where the bandwagon literally had to dodge a guy walking with two oxen and a cartload of firewood, the main feature of the road trips, on the larger roads, has been traffic jams. There are simply too many cars on the roads these days. I do however like the European idea of banning trucks on the weekend. Can you imagine this in the USA? I tell you though, it really helps take the stress out of driving, that’s for sure.

I want to really thank promoter, Srdjan and his crew, most of whom I’d worked with back in the 80’s . They were incredible and we were lucky, since the rain held off right until the end of our set. It’s amazing to see how these Serbs, who after all, had their lives interrupted by a war, are now just getting back into the swing of things. Great hospitality and a pro outfit. Srdjan and I found that we had mutual friends and acquaintances from the old Miles Copeland days. Back then for example, Srdjan had personally organized a retreat for Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits on the Croatian coast, where they put together the Brothers in Arms album. Their old manager, Ed Bicknell had been our booking agent, back in the day. By the way, big thanks to Matt McDonough who took on the drum duties for this Serbian show, since Joe was unable to make the date.

Then there was the Fairport Convention festival in the U.K. What a pleasure it was to play Cropredy. This is such an English festival; it really seems to be for all the right reasons and there is something about the atmosphere. I think the people there (and it really is a crossover audience but leaning heavily towards folk obviously) really liked what we brought to the proceedings. This was born out by the long line for the signing session after our set. This year’s festival was being promoted to host Fairport’s 40th anniversary as a band, with original members like Richard Thompson guesting. We played the Thursday afternoon, along with the Jools Holland Orchestra featuring Lulu. Actually, we were booked for the Saturday night but couldn’t make it due to a scheduling cock-up by yours truly!







The very next day we played in an arts centre in Heerhugowaard in the north of Holland, after a 12 hour drive from Calais, with several traffic jams en route. The Sunday finally saw us at Pink Pop Classic, along with Willie DeVille, Status Quo, Marillion and Steve Harley. We’d first played the original Pink Pop back in 1972 so it was interesting to make a return. Excellent weather and faultless organization. Hi Dave, The Dutch Hammerheads, Blixa and Ruraigh! Big thanks to Big Harry for all your help and good vibes. Muddvigstein bought along his daughter Rosita (herself a guitarist) and there were more Scotsmen there than on Hogmanay. (sp?)