2007

Fri 21^st December

I went up Great Hill today and it reminded me a lot of Siberia as I imagine it. It made me feel wide awake, which was the desired effect.

Well I’ve enjoyed all my gigs recently very much, though the ones with James Buddden, in Blackpool + in Wigan, were very promising indeed. We made some big steps forward in going where the music is taking us I reckon. He must have cursed me at times for throwing him in at the deep end (in the way that I do) though he came out with flying colours every time. I can’t wait for our next musical adventure…

Oh yes, if you visit Dave Spikey’s site at www.davespikey.co.uk you’ll find some of my music on there, which I have to say I’m chuffed about. Thanks Dave…

Anyway I’m going to try and do my accounts now, before the madness of Christmas really does kick in. If you’re out for a pint tonight, have one for me will you. We’re just on a bottle of wine here.

All the Best - Jon

Fri 14^th December

Hooray. I can access my website again. D’you know I felt I was about to be on a roll with this diary after my last writing but then I couldn’t change the pages due to the server. I mean, I know I could have written it anyway and then there’d have been loads of backlog for you all to read, but I don’t find it as exciting when I know it’s not going straight up, live. Just ask Hugh Edwards, he’ll know what I mean.

Anyway I’m back, but I’m off to bed now.

Goodnight - Jon xx

Quote for the Month - “I carry your smile in an old worn out photograph…” - Martin Jenkins

Thurs 29^th Nov

How’s it going? I was looking through my records today at my Dad’s house when I found one that I’ almost given up on ever seeing again. It’s Martin Jenkins solo album, Carry your Smile. There’s real magic in the sounds contained on that vinyl and a couple of songs I’m gonna learn. Also one that I’ve said Mary should have a go at singing too. I’ve got tonnes of eighties folk in my vinyl collection, half of which I may have listened to once, but when I go back to it, it’s very refreshing. Especially that one.

Yesterday was a crackin night at the open mic in the Cherries. It’s great playing with Stu and Rory cos for all three of us it’s an aside from our main projects if you like. That means that we have great craic and are dead relaxed about it. Stu is a terrible showoff though. When he gets going on that guitar he takes it way too far - being good I mean – leaving the rest of us with no chance, the posing b@$#@£d!! You’re a gem Mr. Clark. And Rory’s not phased by nuffing. I bloody love it.

The weekend was magic though. I was stood on Chorley bus station playing songs with a bit of amplification for cancer research whilst celebrating the art of the one and only Mary Jules Clark and her ‘Colour makes you Smile’ exhibition which is currently hangin on the walls there. It’s a high class form of busking, and if you see busking as something to be aloof of, then you’re missing out. It’s amazing. Thanks to all who came to that and the open mic. Let your spirits live. Here’s to buskers all over the universe. See! The computer doesn’t recognize ‘busker’ in it’s spellcheck. The sad fecker.

Anyway, I’m off to bed so have yourselves a good weekend.

Take care - Jon

Thurs 22^nd Nov

Hello there. First I’d like to say thanks to everyone who went along to Worden Arts Centre last Thursday and gave your support – especially James and Caroline for performing and the Graham and the team for organizing. I really enjoyed the night.

Also, I’ll be running the open mic this Wednesday with Rory and Stuart at the Cherry Gardens so if you feel you want to perform get along there.

I did a guest spot at The gentlemen of leisure club this Tuesday gone and one fellow came up to me after and said how he used to go to concerts on his pushbike when he was younger, he looked at my gear (which was less than half of what I’d often take) with a kind of disbelief….. I’m sure I’ll remember that concert for a heck of a long time. Long into my next lifetime….

We managed a little trip up o Lancaster and Glasson Dock last week. Little escapes like that even for a couple of hours can keep you sane I find… I’d never seen the tide so high up The Lune, and the sunset….

Well, I’ll catch you soon…

Take care - Jon

Tues 6^th November

Looking at what I wrote last time I feel I have a fair chance of surpassing that in terms of quality. You see there’s so much to tell you. Firstly though, my next album is underway and I’m very happy with it up to now. I laid down a load of songs with double bass player James Budden down in Somerset and musically we hit it off like a crack shot at a coconut shy(!!!). It’s all my own songs this time. And there’ll be more on all that but in the present I have the excellent news to tell you that he’ll be coming up here to play at the Worden arts Centre concert in Leyland on Thurs 15^th. We sorted it out today and I am now dead fired up for that gig.

On a very different subject, I had a tooth taken out last week and it was massive. My dentist showed it to me and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. So on the upside of having lost a tooth, it is now something more impressive to show people than it used to be…

On the way home from Somerset I took a diversion to it’s north coast and at Porlock Beach I had a little stroll and made my self a cup of tea by the sea. That just sorted my head out after the intensity of recording – good and proper.

Anyway I’m off to bed now but I’d say see if you can get yourself along to Worden a week on Thursday and you’ll catch something very new and exciting…

All the Best

Jon

Tues 9^th October

Hello there. I’m trying to write something here but I keep going back and starting again cause I don’t really feel like saying anything. I tried like, but it’s not working out tonight. I think I’m just too bolloxed. So I’ll catch you soon…

All the Best

p.s. I have put a couple of new photos in the gallery though…

Quote for the Week - “Uncle Joes Mint Balls keep you all aglow”

Thurs 13^th September

Hello out there. I’ve got something to write about a very special experience that took place today in the Ribble Valley. Mary and I were driving along the A59 on our way to Ribchester, a place where I rightly guessed we would be able to do some nice relaxing in the sun, when we passed a farm that had a sign outside that said - Mrs Dowson’s Dairy Ice Cream. I just had a feeling it’d be good.

We got to Ribchester and after having a peek at the Roman Baths went to find a shop to see if they had any ice cream and sure enough the first place we got to sold Mrs. Dowson’s. We were looking through the small tubs when the lady came over and said there’s some Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls flavoured ones underneath. “Well being from Wigan I’ll have to try that one”, said I. Mary too was intrigued… Much as I love and revere the Uncle Joe’s Mint Ball, I wasn’t prepared for the taste when it hit my mouth as we trundled down the street. Stunning. Absolutely expletive superlative it was. Mary hadn’t yet tried hers and I had to see the effect it would have on her face. I loved watching it light up as it did. In fact that ice cream was so good that we’ve still got one of the empty cartons downstairs and every time I see it I just have to sniff it because it brings back that experience.

So thanks Mrs. Dowson you made our day special.

Also I’d like to say thanks to all who came down to The Cherry Gardens last night, I enjoyed everyone who got up, and it was great to see some old friends turning up without warning!

Till later

Jon xx

Quote for the Week - “I’d like to write something off the top of my head but I can’t see it” J.Brindley - have you got a mirror

Tues 4^th September

Hello again after an eventful last two or three weeks, or is it four. There’s been tones of stuff going on but I want to tell you about my something that pleased me today. It was when I bought a new pen. There were all one’s with different names and I bought Jade, after Jade City, but it aint no ordinary pen. You can fold it in two and what is more there a little carabina attached to it which you can hook it on to your jeans with. I’ve not felt so happy at a quirky little novelty like that since I was about ten. It’s still a proper pen as well. What joy.

Also I’ve been down in Yeovil, Somerset recording guitar for Pete Morton’s forthcoming album. It’s all songs in different languages and he’s got right behind them. That’s what brings all the songs together – that they’re all sung by the same man with the same passion. I can’t wait to hear the finished product - Casa Abierta

Anyway that’s where I’ll be recording my album in October, and it’ll be all my own songs, because this time I think that’s what’ll work best. The collection seems to work well together up to now. I think it may take quite a few months to complete but I’m going to put down performances with a bass player in October.

Thanks to everyone at Tommyfest for all that work again. I took more of a back seat this time (well I was already knackered when I got there) but really enjoyed getting up for my set – even if I did have to follow Nick Unlimited on blazing form with a great lineup. Once more it was great to absorb all the music of great local bands giving it everything.

Anyway I’m taking the boy to school tomorrow (that alarm hit me like a brick this morning) so I’ll bid you a fond goodnight.

Love Jon

Quote for the Week - “There’s a day to deny, a day to decry

and there’s a day for the man with the wind at his heels…” - The Waterboys

Fri 3^rd Aug

Alright there, me and the lad went up to a place near Carnforth for a walk yesterday. After a memorable ramble we parked up at Leighton Moss where I made a cup of tea in the back of the car. The peacefulness was so unlike any sort of peacefulness you’d ever, ever find in Chorley (or Wigan, or Blackpool, or Liverpool) to the point where he commented on it. He said it was so nice and quiet and that he was glad he didn’t bring his gameboy because then it would be all noisy. I thought at that moment that I was terribly glad he’d not brought it too, and I was very proud of him for his understanding.

Just thought I’d share that with you.

See you soon

Jon

Tues 31^st July

Hello there everybody. I was going to write something in here about an hour and a half ago, but decided that it would only be because I was putting off another thing I had to do. It was too, though it wouldn’t have been fair that would it. So now you have total and undivided and unfettered attention and I’m going to write something really interesting. Well that’s the idea…

Aaah shit. Can’t think of nothing I’m off for a walk.

Till soon Jon

PS If I’d decided to write while procrastinating there’d be reams of stuff on here!

Quote for the Week - “It’s Friday night, I’m within my right, and I want a chippy tea”

The Lancashire Hotpots

Sat 14^th July

Hi everyone. It’s typical as soon as I start writing the diary the sun comes out for the first time in six weeks. There’s loads of things to write about. I know this cos I was thinking about them just yesterday. I forgotten everything though. So I’ll start at yesterday and work backwards.

Mary and I went to Buxton to watch Kim Edgar, wonderful singysongwriter from Edinburgh, except the concert had started at Six o Clock of all times and we were just in time for the next showing, which was a play. We couldn’t be arsed with that and went to the Indian round the corner. It was worth the journey for that alone, plus I showed Mary some of the delights of the area (in the dark and rain). Mind you I ended up doing a heck of a lot of driving and was totally worn out when we arrived home.

Earlier in the week we had a visit from Pete Morton, who wants me to play on his next CD. He was sat in our living room singing ‘Another Train’in welsh. Absolutely mental (unless you’re Welsh)!

I can’t stay in any longer not with this beautiful sunshine. There’s a danger of forgetting what it’s like so I’ll call it a day for now and make the most of it.

All the Best Jon

Sat 30^th June

Yo there. After that tremendous party in Blackpool last weekend I’ve spent a lot of the week in recovery mode. Though I was not well I think that was my favourite of the three party’s I’ve done, I loved playing so thanks everyone for your appreciation and to M + B for looking after us. The night before I only just managed to finish my gig in Egerton because of fever, though the landlord was definitely happy with it….

I went watching Steve Forbert the other week in Manchester. His performance gave me hope, and when he came back on a second time and sang Grand Central Station at the end it was as though a miracle had happened. I was only still there because I wanted to talk to someone, I was certain he wasn’t coming back and that’s the song I wanted most to hear.

Anyway I’m all set to do a bit of recording tonight. Wish me luck…

All the Best - Jon

Thurs 14^th June

Hello there. It’s been all go round here as we’ve been preparing for Mary’s exhibition in Wooly’s next Tuesday. I’m still getting over that she thought of asking them and I can’t wait for it. Another exciting thing is it’s our lad’s special treat this weekend and we’re going to Chester zoo. And I’ve not been there for a long time I can tell you!

I’ve been thinking, I’m going to be getting about and getting myself seen and heard as much as possible over the next while. I feel stronger than I’ve felt for years and that tells me it’s time to shift gears. I was thinking it was time to do that but then the old chicken pox made me shift down rather than up a gear, but I’m well over that now, with only a few scars (craters) which luckily aren’t on my face. I could be a model yet…. I just haven’t got time at the moment.

Anyroad it’s time for my first shave since the pox and I will emerge a new man.

See you soon - Jon x

Fri 8^th June

I’ve taken on something of a dalmation look recently, with a calamine hairdo.

I hope no one turned up to any of the gigs I’ve had to cancel. I believe the open mic night went well though in Wigan so that’s good.

There’s been some crackin music documentaries on telly these last few days, the one about Bob Marley and his time in England being far away the best.

Oh dear I’ve got to turn the light off, I might manage a bit tomorrow.

See you soon - love Jon

Sat 2^nd June

Chicken pox - I’ve never seen so many spots. And they’re all on me. Little feckers.

See you soon,

Jon

Sat 19^th May

just to say thanks to everyone for turning up last night in Lancaster. I’m dead dead satisfied with the whole thing, how it went and all the different elements of it. Thanks for all the efforts.

I dare say that’ll be happening again before too long.

See you later,

Jon

Thurs 17^th May

How’s it goin’? I was on the radio again on Tuesday plugging the gig in Lancaster and I don’t think I sounded a tenth as wrecked as I do on the one below. I’d even say I sounded sharp even though this was morning too. The difference? Well I’d been up all night with toothache and if there’s one thing that’ll keep you alert it’s pain. I don’t mind the suffering though if it’s for the good of the general public. Good people like (violins) yourself…. Once more it was a pleasure to meet Ted Robbins and his crew. I Sixteen Tonned him and the listeners. I’m should get a copy soon that I’ll be able to replace the other interview with.

I’m all ready for tomorrow in Lancaster anyways. Come along if you get the chance. It’ll be awreet on the neet.

All the Best

Jon x

Fri 11^th May

Hello there

now, that many interesting things have been happening to me recently that I’ve given over trying to write about them all, as you’ve probably guessed. The reason for that is that I’ve been afraid that while writing about interesting things I might have missed some other interesting things going on. It’s been that interesting.

One thing that happened was that I went on radio today in Lancaster (Diversity Radio) to plug the concert I’m putting on in The Gregson Centre. I was awake enough to sing and talk even though it was that time of day (morning) that I sometimes struggle with a bit… I enjoyed it and you can hear a song and the unedited interview too on too on these MP3s.

O Reilly’s Daughter Interview

It’s fair exciting you know putting your own gig on, and the more people can make it up there the more exciting it’ll be. Hope to see you there….

Also, Mary and I were totally and astoundingly strengthified and injected with rhythm and music by a concert at the Philharmonic last Friday. It was The Waterboys. Mike Scott’s got a load of new songs which came across brilliantly and they all performed like magic. In fact I could go on about it for several pages how good they were. They were that good.

Anyway I’m going to have to go cos something interesting is about to happen tonight at The Black Swan in Hollins Green near Warrington. Yes you guessed – I’m playing there.

See you soon

Regards,

Jon

Wed 18^th April

I’m back, anybody there, hello,

there you are. Nice to be back again after the trip to Scotland. Mind you we could have stayed longer there quite easily were it not for circumstances. Thanks to everyone who came to the gig, and a great big thanks to Jon + Elaine for making it possible. Also it was tremendous to be dropped in on while we were there by Stephen and Fiona and the two boys from Easdale Island, Stephen being Stephen McNally - super piper and tunesmith, mandolinist, whistler and funny person… Funny ha ha . Ha ha ha ha hee heee hee aaaah STOP IT! Thanks for the tunes there oh and Mary says thanks for the wine Fiona… In fact it was a privilege to be joined by local musicians Sam, Dan and… aargh I’ve forgot your name but you know who I mean. It was the best gig I’ve done in ages and I mustn’t forget the contributions of Mary and my little boy. Top class.

It’s all go round here and I’ve been getting my publicity machine going for the concert I’m putting on in Lancaster. It’s quite daring of me to put that gig on so I’m going to try and give it a mega push. And it’ll be a smashing night I can assure you, Xtof (Christof) has a seductive style, and Dan Wilde really does sing like an angel. I say that voice will get you a very long way alongside your other talents Danny. I’ve found audiences in Lancaster to be very appreciative so I’ll pull out all the stops to put on a performance that will hopefully be very memorable.

Also the concert this Sunday at Mellor Brook with Belshazzar’s Feast is promising to be a right good un’. We’re going to do some stuff together at the end which I’ll look forward to…