Maida Vale

A fascinating yet mood-settling visit to the BBC’s historic Maida Vale Studios in north west London today in the company of MU National Organiser for Orchestras, Jo Laverty, and photographer Jonathan Stewart. We were there to support the BBC Singers who received the devastating news last week that the BBC were axing the entire group after ninety-nine years of top class performing and recording.

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Rimshot

Another enjoyable visit to Rimshot Studios in Sittingbourne, this time to finalise the inclusion of the remixed Promises at Midnight in the Waterloo Sunrise album, in the delightful company of master engineer Mike Thorne and producer Greg Fitzgerald.

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Power Station

An impromptu day proved rewarding as I marked my birthday with a trip down the Thames in the company of my wife Julie, my son Ben and my stepdaughter Lisa. The destination being Battersea Power Station with a view to seeing what had been constructed, following all its years lying empty since the legendary landmark was decommissioned in 1983.

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Studio 2

A superb afternoon at Abbey Road courtesy of Revival, as producer James Reynolds steered the team in completing vocals, bass and piano for their next set of releases. On hand were star names Jools Holland and Emeli Sande, who joined us to add their world-renowned talents to the tracks, plus Mousse-T and choir leader Peyton and his host of excellent vocalists.

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Lyric sheet

A productive morning with Steve at Prinststore in Kingston preparing a lyric sheet as an insert for the Waterloo Sunrise album. This gave the opportunity to include more of Jonathan Stewart’s superb photographs on the reverse, as we were able to fit all of the lyrics on one side (albeit at 7 point!)

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Album notes 1

What inspires a song lyric? And perhaps the melody too? Well, here are some thoughts on the tracks I have recorded with Greg for my new album: Trust, Quids in, She reminds me of you, Promises at midnight, Nashville, Tennessee, Girl on the train and the title track: Waterloo Sunrise (theme).

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Promises at midnight

A lovely afternoon at Petham in Canterbury with producer Greg Fitzgerald and his partner Jenny. I was originally visiting to collect a pair of shoes that I had left during a video recording session! However, our attention quickly turned to one element of my forthcoming album.

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ENO videos

I spent the late afternoon with Jonathan Stewart and his assistant Charlotte at the Coliseum in Charing Cross Road, interviewing some of the musicians in the English National Opera orchestra who have been affected by the severe cuts in funding for the organisation.

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