Wintry walk - snowy abandon

Wow, so deliciously tiring walking in the park with Solly and Matt. Had a wonderful winter afternoon trudge followed by hot apple cider with cinnamon. That's what everyone's drinking in New York apparently. Followed by a lovely comforting later afternoon sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Jam in an artist studio

I've just had a lovely jam with some wonderful folk in the art studio workshop home of Larry and Mary. Thanks Larry and Mary you were so kind. I joined the regular session of artist performers with harmonica, guitars, flute, keyboard, bass, kazoo and more. I suggested some Carter family, and others led on a Bo Diddley song and a bit of Hendrix. I haven't had a jam for ages, it was great and the people were so nice. Claudio took pictures and video on his hot up-to-the-minute camera.

Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop

Oh oh, I had lunch today with Daniel Carlson, superfab songwriter and photographer./ He took me to Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop. Nice choice. Loved the seats, let alone the food. Oh yes. I had house salad with pastrami on top. Good choice. With hot chocolate.

Thank you for a New York lunch supreme, Daniel, hope to do it again soon.

The Spy

Mitch Friedman and I have spent the afternoon recording our joint musical composition 'The Spy'. He's done a wonderful arrangement, very John Barry-esque, inspired by 'Diamonds are Forever' and 'You Only Live Twice'.

I also did a short interview with Mitch for a little package for the radio show Naomi Woddis and I do for Reel Rebels Radio. We talked about our experiences on the Ray Davies songwriting course, where we met, many moons ago, and about the music scene in New York for an independent songwriter.

MOMA and Rockerfeller's

Wow. What an amazing day yesterday. I forced Debs to come with me downtown to the Museum of Modern Art. We saw the two painting and sculpture galleries. I was particularly taken with the de Koonings, wow! And the Picassos. And the Motherwells.

I got introduced the American artist Andrew Wyeth for the first time. Very cinematic, very open air. Really transports you to that open skies and fields, the big American scenery.

Debs loves the pregnant goat in the sculpture garden. She used to sit there and eat her sandwiches by this Picasso.

Took a video of Deborah waving through the legs of a Futurist sculpture. Might post it on Youtube when I get home.

Strangely, I found a new toothbrush on the road outside, just what I need. My old one has died a death.

Afterwards we went to the Rockerfeller Centre, saw the huge Xmas tree, and darling chocolate shops, the cool Angels and all the people ice skating around and around.

Didn't have enough money to go in the Russian Tea Room (apart from poking my head inside the foyer) but I did pose as a teapot in the street outside.

Sidewalk Cafe

Tonight I'm playing the Sidewalk Cafe on the Lower East Side. I'm hoping to play the piano as well as the uke for the first time ever at this kind of gig. So this is a big evening for firsts for me. First ever gig in America, first ever gig in New York.

I'm off

NYC here I come. If I ever pack. It is so snowy it is hard to concentrate.

Good morning world!

A pink rosy dawn is beckoning beyond the park. I think I'll manage to give the dog a walk today with his early morning friends. He will wrestle Coby and probably run off down the street after cats and give me the runaround.

Up early trying to contact people/venues in New York for gigs in advance of my New York trip Dec 4 - 11. If anyone has any ideas/contacts do let me know.