I’ve been listening to Harvest, Neil Young’s 1972 album, on repeat. It’s incredible. Oh to make an album that sounds that good. The drum sound!
Anyway, I meant to write a bit about Spain, because as infrequently as this is updated, I would at least like to document all the countries visited. I took lots of photos, which you can see here.
I started in Valencia where I went to my friend Jean-Baptiste’s wedding. JBM and I were both quite interested in Windows RPC protocol analysis; we met in Paris a couple of times some years ago (he’s also quite a Metheny fan so, I mean, how many other people are into starting at packet traces and Pat? possibly only Denny Dias!) So yes, it was very nice to be invited to the wedding. Here’s a snap of Valencia:
Particularly noteworthy was the mojito stand. I haven’t enclosed a photo as it might remind me of the slightly more excessive than usual amount of alcohol I consumed last night.
Certainly, Spain feels quite different to Germany, the weather and the sea make a big difference I suspect. And, of course, staying with family who (however distantly related they might be) were completely welcoming.Viviana and Bernat, who visited Australia last year, were great tour guides. And I ate like a king. Really. (And tapas is not outrageously overpriced like it is at our favourite places in Melbourne. Nor is there any of that Melbourne pretentiousness because – it’s just what they eat.) This is them in their apartment:
and this is the view out of their apartment:
Love the outside clothes lines! Very Spanish. Wouldn’t fly with my body corporate back home (sorry, I mean Owners’ Corporation). Very fond of these colours, good album cover material methinks.
Culinary highlights: tortilla made by Maria Jose with potato and egg; this amazing Sardinian “pizza” with tahina; lots and lots of fish; and some jamon (yes, I broke the rules, I’m not making this a general pig exception though!).
And the obligatory picture of a traffic light with a Gaudi building in the background:
A highlight was visiting Montserrat, a mountain of particular significance to the Catalan population. It’s a decent walk, but the view is fantastic. I’ve always wondered what clouds looked like too (must be the name).
I recently wrote some music for Hush, the Royal Children’s Hospital charity project, which was recorded with Len, Slav, Tim Stevens, and a small orchestra conducted by Ben Northey. There are some photos here. I haven’t heard it yet but it’s going to be interesting, a real privilege to have them play.
I’m planning a couple of other recording projects which is possibly foolish given I’ve hardly done anything with the Icelandic solo stuff, but hey, one must make hay whilst the sun shines. Or whatever the saying is. Deadlines, important. Also trying to learn some repertoire to play with cello- and opera-playing friends; possibly taking on a bit much but at least it gets the fingers moving. Of course, this is somewhat contingent on getting another visa, but hopefully that is going to be possible!
