SLACK is what you call it: almost
finished the American tour and only just posting the insider on the
Autumn European tour! MUST IMPROVE: WILL DO
BETTER!
I suppose, to make up for it, I’d better offer a juicy little
competition, not an easy one mind, but one that has a nice goodies
bag to go with it: tour t-shirts, album and tour programmes signed
by all the band, tour jacket and any other bits I can get hold of
for you as we move through Japan and then down under to Australia.
Now, what do you have to do to get your hands on these precious
little bits and pieces?
Not another crash the Ferrari competition I hear you wail. Yes,
quite right, no one ever did get that one right. What about a prize
for the best review (it can be a critical one, in fact I love of bit
of hard talk) of the new Tank Tribe track –
Got to Go?
Yes, yes that’s a good one. Let’s have first, second and third
prizes. Review to be posted to me at
solasco@mac.com
and final date for receipt of entries is 31st December 2005 so that
the winner gets a nice little parcel in the post in the New Year!
Anyway, enough of that, what can I tell you about the autumn tour?
I’ll just give you a quick run through because I want to hurry up
and get the American low-down up for you to get your teeth into.
Wanted, in this blog summary, to give you a photographic sense of
just some of the behind the scenes sights and personalities …….
September 7 Birmingham NEC
Shame about the booming sound at the NEC - not ideal - but its great
to be back on the road. Got my mind on what’s happening in New
Orleans. Can’t help but feel that those poor people are getting no
help because they’re poor and black. Am I surprised? NO: the open
wound of American society is exposed again and it’s shameful. Funny
how it takes a natural disaster to reveal what’s really going on in
America – the super-power of the world and they are no closer either
to closing the gap between rich and poor or really addressing the
legacy of slavery’s past. Having said that, I know so many Americans
who will feel appalled and ashamed about the way those people in New
Orleans have been treated by the government. So, while America keeps
its mind on Iraq – trouble brews on the domestic front - maybe this
is a wake up call?
September 9 Glasgow
What a crowd! As Jay said, ‘If only we could take the
Glaswegian crowd with us everywhere on tour, then I’d always
be happy!’ I guess everyone needs a little extra attention
now and then…. The venue has had a face lift since we were
last here; the dressing rooms are very cosy and comfortable,
which really makes a difference to the musicians because
there is always so much waiting around for us back stage.
This photo is of Andy – Derrick’s drum tech and Simon,
percussion tech and fellow football maniac – nice photo eh?
Honestly they’re not as good looking as this in real life!
Absolute big up to all the techs behind the scenes doing an
amazing job to keep the show on the road
September 10 Manchester Arena A corker of a show! 14,000 fans rockin’ – makes it all worth while –
it’s an honour and a privilege to do this job on nights like this.
Finally hooked up, after the show, with my most wonderful website
designer – John Sinclair Willis and his lovely daughter, Verity, and also
met up with the very talented young graphic designer and hardcore Jamiroquai fan – Rory Couper.
September 11-14 AWOL! Sorry people…..
September 15 Arrived safely in
Dublin, Ireland. End of the the first week
of touring. First UK tour in what? 4 years? Loving Dublin, party
capital of Europe! Also I really get the urge to just buy a car over
here and spend some time driving through the countryside, taking in
the beautiful scenery and soaking up the vibe of the people. It’s a
really special place, gives me the same feeling as Scotland and
Wales – something mystical in the air and the soil – call me a
romantic, but I don’t care, I’m lovin’ it –coming back for more.
September 17 Lille
Loud and funky! Sold out and totally happenin’.
Driving overnight to Hamburg. Everyone on the tour bus is on
the Apple Mac vibe. Seriously, Apple could film an ad for
their laptops on our tour bus – absolutely everyone, except
perhaps one person, has got one. It is a total Apple Zone.
This muscle man with the open shirt is Aidey – guitar tech
extraordinaire! Also not as good looking in real life! And
we won’t say anything about Derrick’s ankle socks will we?
September 18 Hamburg A serious near miss for Jay last night; he seriously damaged his
wrist when he fell on the tour bus and ended up in hospital. It’s a
miracle that it wasn’t a more serious accident and consequently we
are all very happy and relieved to find out that he is ok and,
despite everything he is determined for the show to go on. There’s
no stopping him; he’s a legend – in his own lunch hour – and,
restricted though his movements are, which will mean less dancing
tonight, he can focus more on his vocal performance and more energy
in those vocal chords works wonders and, as usual, he knows that
we’re right behind him on stage.
September 19 Travel day to
Dusseldorf. Loving the travelling on the bus
because I’m completely addicted to the American drama called 24.
Can’t get enough of it! If you’re lovin’ it too – tell me – what
d’you love about it? I can’t get enough of analysing it. I’m feeling
an online film club coming on…
September 21 Berlin Hey, my brother came out from the UK for the show – big up to Segun
and his mates – it’s always a special gig when family members come
out to check and support us.
September 22 Travel day to
Paris Spent the evening with my dear friend Lokua Kanza – some of you must
know of his music? He is one of my all-time favourite musicians – a
beautiful singer, songwriter and guitarist, originally from Zaire.
Get onto Amazon and order his albums now, especially the first one –
absolutely beautiful. Lokua is also a beautiful soul – one of those rare people in the
world who always manages to make you feel better about yourself -
not many of those in the world – he chases your doubts away and
fills you with self-confidence and self-belief. He reminds of that
saying – which says that there are two kinds of people in the world:
those who need to use you to make them feel better about themselves
and those who know that the really difficult challenge in life is
working out how to help other people feel better about themselves.
It’s so important, when you are a creative person to keep on meeting
up with like-minded souls and to interact with people who can push
you to a new creative space and who aren’t afraid of your ideas. If
you want to hear the musical expression of that relationship then
check out my work on Lokua’s latest albums.
This photo is of my rig – quite nice – luuuverly! Makes you want to
reach out and play it. Notice the awesome Mr Derrick Mckenzie in the
background – givin’ it some.
September 23 Bercy Paris 16,000 people making a hell of a lot of noise! For me, without a
doubt, the French crowds always charge up the evening creating a
vibe for us before we even come on stage. It always pays off and we
always enjoy ourselves. The aftershow party was happenin’ too. Apparently Prince was there –
but I missed him – no pun intended. ……maximum respect to Prince, I
wish I’d hooked up with him, I have been a huge fan of his for year
and years, since I was a wee lad! How talented is he? Awesomely
talented. Imagine spending a week in the studio with Prince – that’s
a dream. I will never stop being inspired by one of his protégés –
Percussionist Sheila E – oh my God, if you don’t know about her, get
onto google and prepare to get inspired. Also noticed Mohammed Al Fahyed …. Oooooh hanging out with the
really important people – jokes.
September 24
Travel day to Metz
Series 3 of 24 – gets better all the time.
Tonight’s gig was extremely fluid. We went for slightly
different approaches to some of the songs – Space Cowboy was
especially rocking. Jay really stretched himself into a
different space vocally and when we’ve been playing a song
for nearly nine years and every time we play it, it sounds
and feels different, then you know that you’re in a top
class band. Really felt like I was hearing the gig with
fresh ears tonight. Pushing the groove and the dynamics to
reach for a different feel – luuuverly! The challenge is all
about seeking new and exciting interpretations.
Check out this photo of the tour trucks which carry all the
equipment – don’t mess about – SERIOUS TRUCKIN’
September 26 LOUD IN LYON – another rocking crowd. France rocks. Big up to
Aurelie – a close family friend and her mate Sophie, who came to the
gig and caught me back stage.
September 28 Zurich
New venue, called Hallenstadium – a very impressive building
– hi tech – airport facilties etc. Just under 10,000 people.
I think we made up tonight for a performance we gave in
Zurich a few years ago where Jay’s voice was shot to pieces
and we struggled to get through the performance – thank you
Zurich for patience and support – sometimes we just really
need that.
This photo shows you what the load-in is like, when all the
gear has to come off the trucks and into the arena for the
stage to be set up, notice all the flight cases which keep
the gear safe in transit.
September 29 Milan Rocking show and nice to see familiar faces – big up to Leo,
Marcella etc. Shame that we don’t get the ace football talents out
to the shows: Shevchenko, Kaka etc but they’ve probably got strict
training schedules – no need to emphasise how much football is my
first love – yes even before music – can’t even believe that’s true
myself, but it is. Really fancied myself and the Nigeria’s answer to
Pele for about the first ten years of my life, quite handy on the
pitch, a bit out of shape, but seriously expecting that call from AC
Milan all the same!
September 30 Milan The band rolled on today, but I stayed behind in Milan for a private
percussion session booking with the Italian producer Federico
Montesanto – it was my pleasure - ten tracks in one and a half days
– that’s a mission. Not impossible, but intensely challenging and
productive. I often produce my best work under those conditions.
Stayed overnight in Milan and was then driven to the next venue in
Bologna.
October 3 Munich Bank Holiday – still quite busy around the place. Watched a DVD by
Tonex – a religiously inspired project with seriously talented
musicians – do you realise how many of England and America’s
talented black players have come out of the church? I’m not a
Christian man myself, but I have so much respect for those players
and the history of the music they pay homage to in their sound,
either in the church praising God or in soul music, for example,
feeling and digging deep for groove and emotion. In Africa it is the
same, the church plays a pivotal role in the community and music is
at the heart of that way of life.
For some, taking that music out of the
church and away from its original function, which is to
praise God, is forbidden. Have to say I am completely
fascinated by all the various ways in which humans practice
their religions around the world. Someone said that there
are 999 names for God and just as many ways to offer praise;
and on the other hand I know so many good people who are
living in peace and are completely anti-religious, which
raises the question of whether you have to have God in your
life to be a good person. I don’t think you do, but then
there’s the question of moral education ---- anyway, bla –
give me some feedback people – how are you feeling – GODly
or not?
Check out this shot of my box of toys – looks like a
Shaman’s briefcase – I’d like to think I can conjure some
magic out of there
October 5 Frankfurt It was a pleasure to meet Meike the Cosmic Mouse tonight, hard core
Jamiroquai fan and facilitator of a Jamiroquai online forum based in
Germany with hundreds of dedicated members. Big up to Meike who was
so patient in helping me to test out the download link of the Tank
Tribe track. Meike has a young son who is mad about drums and
percussion and I’m looking forward to being able to stop by and give
him some one to one tuition next time we’re in Germany. That’s what
we need – lots more young percussionists coming through – we’ve got
to fight the battle against electronic loops, which is killing the
live drum and taking away the incentive for young people to take up
percussion as a life long craft.
October 6 Rotterdam
Five years since our last visit to Holland – I’ll never
forget our live recording at the Paradiso club – what a
vibe.
Met a lovely couple – newly weds – in a
vibey little health food shop in central Rotterdam and the
husband has been a huge Jamiroquai fan for years so we got
talking and I invited them to the show – big up to Deborah
and Lesley.
This photo shows you the setting up of the awesome stage
lights set. Notice the ever diligent bass player, Paul,
getting his sound sorted – looks a bit lonely up there
doesn’t her?
October 8
Final show of the European leg. Met up with Mario Goosens -
a brilliant drummer – and Kobe Proesmans – a dedicated,
Cuban inspired percussionist whom I hope to work with very
soon.
So, another leg of the tour bites the dust – everyone
arrives home in high spirits after a wicked few weeks in
Europe. A short break in the UK and we’re heading to the
States. Crazy thing is, with only one week off, you just
feel like you’re starting to unwind and then you’ve got to
start gearing up to get ready to go on the road again. What
about my long suffering border collie and ever faithful
friend Skye, she’s like – are you ever coming home? Oh, Oh,
he’s home and then it’s like – please don’t go!
Sounds like a glamorous life, being on
tour, but it’s also hard sometimes, to be a constant nomad –
constantly seeking, hunting for the perfect gig – the
perfect sound – the ultimate performance - living out of
suitcases and putting down no roots. Check Derrick out –
he’s like – no, I can’t do it, I can’t go on, I won’t do it,
I won’t listen – I’m not movin!
Still, we keep on rollin’, we can’t
wait for the gigs in the USA and the show must go on …… I’ll keep my
beady eye open for you at the gigs….
P.S. ALL THE PHOTOS FOR THIS BLOG WERE TAKEN WITH THE ABSOLUTELY
AMAZING, TOTALLY WONDERFUL AND WICKED NEW SONY ERICSSON MOBILE
PHONE.
Latin Tour 2006
