As promised I'm back with a few more memories from our spring trip, though I've decided to cut back on the enormous amount of information I gathered at that time as … quite frankly … you really don't need to know it all! So here are a few more high-lights and anecdotes:
Our first week or so in the States were taken up traveling to Vancouver, Portland and Seattle as we followed Corinne and the band on their first flurry of shows supporting The Sea. For those first handful of dates, she had a young all male acappella band from South Africa opening each show – Overtone. Their enthusiasm and openness, not to mention their raw talent … made them many new friends and converts. The story of how they came to be in America in the first place is an interesting one: Overtone were first noticed by Dina Eastwood, none other than Clint Eastwood's gorgeous wife. Mr Eastwood was so impressed that he decided to use them on the sound track to his wonderfully inspirational movie, Invictus which he filmed in South Africa last year. Dina was so enthused by the boys that she offered to help manage the band to get a foothold into the North American market.
Dina and Bob got along like a house on fire – of course! When we returned to LA and Corinne and the band carried on touring further afield, Overtone had their own gig at the Hotel Cafe in West Hollywood. Bob and I and several of our friends went along to show our support. Little did we know at the time that Dina's other half would also be attending! Eek! Not only that but sat in the dark recesses of the dimly lit venue sat Mr Morgen Freeman!! Though I managed a little Flip footage of the boys strutting their musical stuff, it was far too dark to capture Mr Freeman or Mr Eastwood – I tried! In the throng of excitement at the end of Overtone's wonderful performance, Helene Muddiman (an extremely talented - and recently nominated for an Ivor Novello award! - film composer and also I'm delighted to say, new bosom buddy) and I, literally bumped into Morgan Freeman as he was leaving – honest guv! Helene, being much more up front and unfazed by this exciting experience, immediately shook his hand, thrust a copy of her film score "Skin" into his outstretched palm and introduced us both! My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and I'm sorry to say all I could get out was a very girly giggle! He was amazingly calm and collected and genuinely happy to meet us – no really! I think playing God and Nelson Mandela has had a very positive effect on him!
Overtone rock the Hotel Cafe LA! from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
As we moved ever closer to the exit, the seething mass of humanity that is a gig-going audience, swept us along, right into the path of Clint Eastwood's smiling face … and just at that,moment as-if-by-magic, Dina turned up … and introduced us – just like that! Wow. He too was all twinkly-eyed smiles and understanding and I was quite over-awed. I did have the foresight to give Dina several of my cds as we were leaving, with no real thought to the notion that Clint himself might actually hear them! And in my utter excitement to tell Bob who we'd just met, I called Mr Freeman ... Norman! Then several days after these momentous meetings, Bob and I received emails from Dina saying that they were both listening to one of my cds and that Clint was soaking it all up! OMG! They both like my voice – I'm stunned into humble silence … ;-)
At the first CBR show in LA hosted by KCRW (as blogged in my last installment - see below) I met some rather wonderful women who produce shows themselves on KCRW: Ariana Morgenstern – a passionate, musical mover and shaker and long term broadcaster/producer of Morning becomes Eclectic and Liz MacDonald one of the regular producers who contributes enormously to the general running of this highly successful college radio station. Both extended an invitation to witness a live broadcast of Morning Becomes Eclectic – one of their long standing and most influential shows. I looked at their list of up and coming performers and picked out what looked like the most interesting to me while I was there.
The first session I went to was for Pepi Ginsberg and her wonderfully eclectic and fabulously energetic band. Interesting heart-felt songs sung and played with real passion and fire. I loved her! And several weeks later Josh Rouse … subtle and sweet and utterly mesmerising, I could have watched and listen to him and his super talented band all day! It was a real privilege to be in such close quarters with both these connected and creative musicians. Thanks go out to both Ariana and Liz.
For some of the trip Bob flew off to the east coast to catch up with Corinne's tour which left me free to explore Santa Monica itself and do a little writing. I had several sessions with Mike Slamer, in which we wrote a couple of short songs for tv libraries he's involved with. I loved the experience and hope to do more before I leave this time as well. We also managed to finish a song we'd been working on over the past 18 months! It's called: "Edge of the World" and We both love it … I'm hoping to include it, along with 2 other songs we've written together on the next tour cd.Whenever Bob was back from his touring duties we'd stroll along Santa Monica promenade just to see what we could see and sometimes it was quite a lot!
It was a wild and windy day in Santa Monica ... from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
Another highlight for me this time round was the discovery of Yogaworks – a fabulous yoga studio right round the corner from where we were staying. I went along to a Kundalini session one afternoon and came out a complete convert! It is truly amazing and I can't get enough of it. The fact that the teacher, Kia Miller, is stunningly gorgeous and radiates pure joy with her wonderful smiling presence … probably has something to do with it. I've spoken to a number of other yoga enthusiasts about my experiences and some of them really dislike the chanting, breath of fire and singing that are the backbone of a Kundalini practice but for me – obviously! - it's perfect.
I'd also learned about a gig Richard Thompson was doing at the Rhino Records pop-up store – a charity fund raising event run over a month long period, during which many notable artists were performing. I offered my oohing and aahing services and was taken up! Richard and Nancy – RT's lovely wife – also took Bob and I out for lunch at Shutters on the beach in Santa Monica as a celebration of our nuptials. It was a delightful and much appreciated gift.
After our little soiree at Rhino, RT asked if I was available to take part in one of the fabulous shows he'd put together for Meltdown at the South Bank in June … wow! Yes I am! And so I was invited to sing half a dozen songs on the Six Strings night, along side such guitar playing luminaries as: James Burton, Martin Simpson,Nokie Edwards, Dennis Coffey, John Etheridge and of course Richard Thompson himself! And the “house band” consisted of my pal and brilliant bass player, Rory McFarlane (standing in for Jerry Scheff who was ill – bless them both!), an amazing young drummer, Jay Bellerose, fabulous percussion from Debra Dobkin and the incomparable Danny Thompson on double bass! To say I was thrilled is a ridiculous understatement. I was, of course, very excited about the prospect and then … completely daunted when the song titles kept coming in … really you want me to sing that?! Wow.
Before the Queen Elizabeth Hall beckoned … back on the Isle of Man ... I was asked to take part in a strange but thoroughly enjoyable gig on a boat, destined to roll around Douglas bay for a few bouncy hours … anyone easily seasick look away now?! I joined Anna Goldsmith, Christy Dehaven, Simon Rae and Paul Teare – aka Truman Falls, plus Dave Armstrong (bass) and Mark Brabbs (cajon)- my Manx musical ship mates for the event. Here take a look:
Beginners to the Boat please! from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
Anna G Mark B Christy D
For Meltdown I was required to be ready for rehearsals the day before the show – Sunday June 13th – which meant leaving the Island towards the end of TT week! This proved a difficult task due to the enormous amount of bikers moving on and off the Island and meant that we had to leave later than we wanted and also required us to stay in Liverpool over night before taking a train on Sunday morning which landed us at the South Bank with rehearsals well under way! Regardless of the mess up in time, everything went really well and it was wonderful to witness great player after great player take to the stage! A privilege to say the least.
Six String meltdown! from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
Ed Haber 'n' Rory McFarlane, John Etheridge and Debra Dobkin - yay!
Hello Mary Lou, I'm a Steam Roller baby! from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
The day of the gig itself was incredibly long and stuffed full of great musical moments and a lot of laughter. It included a full day of rehearsals prior to the concert itself – for which I had to quickly learn 3 new songs! - which only added to the general state of energetic nervousness associated with being totally challenged! But the ultimate reward was being a part of the most amazing show I've experienced in a very long time. To start the event rolling,Albert White and Beverly "Guitar" Watkins took to the stage and proceeded to wow the capacity crowd with their utter charm and fabulous musicianship. After Albert's delightful opening 20 minute set, he introduced Ms Watkins as a “72 year old cancer survivor”! She was sassy, sexy, soulful and absolutely wonderful! We are not worthy!
Albert White and Beverly "guitar" Watkins - ROCK! from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
I have tried to capture the essence of the day with these few short videos and hope you get a taste of the wonderful experience. Enjoy!
Nokie me 'n'James! everyone! me, RT, Dennis Coffie 'n' Nokie
me and Simon Tassano sound man in so many ways! ;-)
I truly hope I get the chance to collaborate on many more such fabulous artists on other great musical extravaganzas. There's nothing quite like it!
Jesse Thompson BJ Cole Martin Simpson! ;-)
OK that's your lot for now. I still have loads of great moments to share with you before the tour starts in October so keep your eyes peeled for the next installment and make sure you check out the gig list and get your selves down to a show in the autumn! Hurrah.
Take care and hope to see you out there very soon.
With much love
Mrs Christine Collister Miller XX
