All things Brighton beautiful
Mar 21 '07
Back home, the tour behind me, my life back to Brighton. And how was it? I enjoyed the tour and it was so lovely to see people out at the shows, I thought we did a great job considering we played so many nights back to back. Would I do it again? Time will tell.
Here at home the Squeeze furnace is being filled with wood, the early sparks are flying and things are looking good for the tour at the end of the year. There are rumours about more shows this summer, all will be revealed very soon. I'm off on the road here in the UK this week, up to Bury and then to Brecon, Frome and points west. Back to reality as they say. Its good to be back and I want to say thank you to all the lovely people who came to see us on tour in America, I hope I can return again in the not to distant future for some more shows, until then…some cheese on toast.
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Ok Milwaukee.
Mar 13 '07
Milwaukee.
Shank Hall is famous for hosting a night with Spinal Tap, the Stonehenge is still above the curtain at the back of the stage. 25 people came to see us play, it was a cosy night, a Sunday night. The other night worth a mention from the past was when Glenn played here, he asked all the men in the audience to remove their trousers to show that they were men. Tonight a very different night, no removal of clothes, no dancing on the bar, I can safely leave that to Glenn. The last show, so why not top it off with a solid 16 hour drive to New York. In the car and zoom off we went down the road towards the daylight and the moon hanging low in the night sky. Tour over, almost. A few days off in New York to wonder about and think about the journey, its been a good tour I'm pleased it has happened, but now I want to be home, frustratingly we have two days before we can get our flights.
The tour has proved many things to me, and has revealed much to me about myself and how life revolves. I just met an old friend in the street, he remembers Squeeze on our first tour, and together we hugged a street corner and looked into the past with wine coloured glasses, because the past is like that, it’s a treasure that cant be re discovered. Back in the hotel here in new York I think about the tour, I grasp my bed sheets and try to sleep, I look at my phone, I see the sky, I hear the traffic. I'm lucky to have this in my life. And i would like to thank Dorie for being the lovely Diva of Royal Berkshire, Melvis for being so togther and creative, Staurt for his friendship love and devotion. Harry for all of his hard work and sound.....one more journal to follow before i fly home. Love and crackers....
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Chicago
Mar 13 '07
Chicago.
Another day in the car, but the weather was fine so it was pleasant enough. Chicago is an impressive sight as you drive towards it, in some ways equal to New York. The gig was in a pub called The Abbey, we had a good crowd and we played well, we were back in the car by 10pm and out the door up the road to Milwaukee where our hotel was. Inside the hotel a very impressive atrium, if you like heights you would love this. Me however hated it, the glass lift finished me off. I sank into bed and held on tight, this way was like two days, too long. The I want to go home button is lit green, next Thursday seems miles away, the final two shows are always there to test the nerve. It was in 1993 that Squeeze played its first show without me here in Chicago, there are tapes of it on the internet, I was in Promis and I know that I made the right choice at the time. All these years later. I'm sorry I let so many people down back then and most of all Glenn, but this was the journey I had to make to be here tonight, to stand on the stage and sing with my own voice.
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Indianapolis.
Mar 10 '07
Indianapolis.
Just for fun we drove all day, another six hours to the next gig, stopping only to eat. We chanced upon a lovely tea house in Columbus where we rested for an hour. I called the kids and told them about Squeeze going back out on the road. Grace said ecstatically, ‘ I have been waiting for this since I was four years old’ her voice was full of happiness. Good news all round then. The show tonight was in a venue built on to the end of a mall, next to Barnes and Noble the book shop. Inside it was fairly large and our audience had loads of room to spread out, they could have had at least a row of chairs each. A tiny crowd, and a tiny show. Nice food and some funny moments from Melvis, who is in great form, and is playing out of his skin. Nothing much else to report, nice weather, no more snow, t shirts and jeans. Well not for me. I really hope we have another six hour drive tomorrow, it would be so much fun!
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Cleveland.
Mar 09 '07
Cleveland.
10 miles from the hotel, in downtown Cleveland, is a small venue in the suburbs, it looks ominous as we drive through the spooky streets, but inside a warm and wonderful little club emerges. Our first deli tray of the tour appears, see picture. Our set was laid back and quite, I dedicated a song to John Ingman who died today, people looked perplexed. We played well, and I think I relay liked it. Stuart thought the show was good tonight, I fluffed a load of things but I think we may have reached a very silly part for the tour where tiredness creeps in all too often and steals the show. Melvin is being Allan Partridge all the time and Dorie is being his side kick, home is in sight and the madness of touring traps each passing moment. This last week is one bridge that’s proving hard to cross. Cleveland rocks, as they say. Nice hotel. Long drive, very tired. Sleep for the just.
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Rochester
Mar 09 '07
Rochester.
Back on the road and in the snow, five hours and right into the club, a small venue with plenty of parking, well it did tonight. Our audience were very nice to us, not many of them but that’s ok. We played a very tight set and did our thing. We eat after the show in a Tapas place, I was in a bad mood, all day, it was the hangover from New York I think. After some fish it was back to the hotel which was full of kids, all about 13 14 years old, eating Pizza and drinking cokes running up and down the hallways and hogging the elevators. I slept with the heat on, outside it was minus millions. This last week appears to be a long one, many, many miles of driving and through a part of the world I know little about. Squeeze played all over the mid west, I see the road signs and recall the gigs. Cocooned in my room I hear the whisper of darkness and the 7 days that loom over me like mist, and then I will be back on the beech in Brighton. Home is where the heart is.
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New York
Mar 09 '07
New York.
Being here is so magical, after all Squeeze spent so much time here in the past, it became almost like a second home. A sacred day off, but no, we had to do a radio show, which was fun and very worthwhile, and then we all went out to diner with my manager Peter and his wife Jane. We had some nice food and it felt good to just relax, for a second it seemed. The next morning meetings about the future, and what great things are coming, all to be revealed. B.B. Kings is close to Times Square, my name was in lights above its door, quite a thrill. Inside we sound checked and met the good people from Road to recovery. Gradually the room filled up, the kettle was on the boil. It was so great to be on stage in New York, it had been 11 years I think. I could see many faces in the crowd I recognised from the past, and some new ones too. Francis Dunnery was there, he who re invented me, like some velvet Frankenstein from the ashes of music management. The good news is that he loved the show, and it was so nice to see him. Nicky Perry who grew up with Glenn and I and now runs Tea and Sympathy, a very popular place in Greenwich village. She was so sweet to me, she said some lovely things about the show. Jon Birge, long time supporter and general great person, and so many others, it was wonderful. We played well, and the sound was great, which makes it easier. We covered Some Fantastic Place tonight for the first time, and I'm afraid I lost it, tears took over in my eyes as I remembered the love of Maxine and the time when Glenn and I first met, it was a very special moment one I will never forget. I came over all Judy Garland. After the show everyone agreed it had been a good night. My daughter Natalie tried to take me out with her mates, but I was too tired. Back to the hotel and bed for me. She is miss New York these days and it suits her, she looks good on her New York diet. Back at the hotel I sat and reflected on the evening, I looked out of the window and saw flakes of snow falling, this had been a good day, I'm so happy to have such great friends and people around me. Can I go home now please.
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Piermont NY
Mar 05 '07
Piermont.
Two sets and some carrot cake, not much sleep and into Manhattan all by 10pm. Not a bad day. The first set was respectful, its always odd playing in daylight hours for some reason, from the stage I could see people walking dogs past the club entrance. The second show had more verve, maybe because by then it was dark. The owner of the club John was lovely and made us feel very at home. Sunday shows are so different from the rest of the week, I think the body clock slows down, we rest more and idle. At least today we got out of that smelly hotel. Tonight we are in the city being treated to the Tribecca Grand, at last a real bed and some space to dance like a fool in the privacy of my own room. Time to un-bag the washing and send it off to the river for beating, time to relax and count sheep while the New York traffic passes below. My daughter Natalie came to the show tonight, Dorie asked her what it was like working for Robert Di Niro, she said ‘he’s just like Dad, grumpy and always playing on his phone’ its nice to be likened to such a great man. So for tonight at least some peace from the touring madness and some time to reflect on the great unknown. As I relish the retirement of others that have gone before me I balance the day with the night, the water with the will and the longing for the longed.
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Pawling
Mar 04 '07
Pawling.
Our hotel is under the freeway, its full of Hispanic people dancing to Salsa, the rooms are rank and I cant sleep due to the traffic noise. Niyak is north of New York on route to the gig, so this is where we rest out heads. One hour away is Pawling, sleepy and covered in snow, very lazy and calm. We sound check at 4pm and then hang around for five hours until we go on stage. The room was full, everyone eating at tables. We played well and another great show, although my hand seems to be getting worse. We lost two songs from the set, and that helped. We were supported by the lovely Jen Clapp, we know each other from my songwriter workshops, she is so great. As is Rebecca Martin who came down to say hello, it was lovely to see her, we chatted for awhile before the show. What lovely people. The owner of the club was very nice too. And Nick from Boston drove down to see us, it was a night of familiar faces and nice cake. But now I'm back in my room its 1am and I cant sleep for toffees, I feel beaten into submission by the circumstances. I'm very grateful that I am having this experience, especially with my friends here on tour.
I would like a day off though, its been relentless, and I'm not getting any younger. Back in the UK, I'm missed. But the clock is ticking and I will be home soon. Meanwhile the moon was eclipsed by the sun tonight, it looked fabulous from the parking lot in the cold night air. What tiny worlds we live in. Bed!
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Philly.
Mar 03 '07
Philly.
The Tin Angel is a gig I have blown out a few times in the past, for one reason or another, and I'm sorry for that because it was great to be here tonight. An early show in front of some lovely people. A small stage, with Dorie behind me which was not so good, and Melvis to my right just behind me. Jon Savannah and Marie came along to see us, they both look very happy and it was so good to see them. Memories, like the corner of my mind. My hand has swollen up again, all those major chords I have to play, it should be ok for another night if I just keep it still during the day. RSI I'm told by my fellow lovelies. Sushi for breakfast today, a real treat, and a look around the shops in Annapolis before we left town, and dare I say an ice cream from the Penguin shop. Yum. In the postcard shop the girl was playing Squeeze greatest hits, I bought some cards. It was odd to hear us in that way, so casual, and so anonymous. The tour rumbles on show after show, I'm learning a lot about myself and the way I feel about touring, the way I miss home, the way I communicate with people. A learning curve in every sense of the word. The year ahead holds some interesting adventures, maybe this is a taster for the real thing. In the meantime reality, I need to do some laundry and get myself feeling like me again, it could take awhile.
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Rams Head
Mar 02 '07
Rams Head Annapolis.
A lovely town outside of Baltimore, on the ocean, very clean and tidy. the club was spotless and the show was another great one. A lovely crowd of people enjoyed another good show, we were all pulling the power. It was a long day, up at 7.30am for a trip into Washington for a Voice of America radio broadcast. For such an early start we all seemed to breeze through it, and got the thumbs up from the station itself. My left hand is beginning to hurt, I feel a slight cramp when I'm playing and the end of my fingers are turning into rock. Another hotel on the edge of darkness tonight, but this could be the last. Its great being here and Harry and Stuart are doing such a great job of looking after us all. Melvin and his lady whims, Dorie and I being Divas, its such a laugh. We ran through some new songs today for the set, but refrained from putting them in at the last minute. I love the emails I'm getting from people, both from here and on my, My space site. I wish I could answer them all. But its late and I'm off to bed. My room is so lovely….after all.
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Washington
Mar 02 '07
Vienna Washington.
Another day of endless radio searching for a good station, and then reverting to the I pod. At the gig we enjoyed the lovely sofas in the dressing room. A sold out show, wow! and we had one of the best shows we have done as a trio. A very warm reception, I had to pinch myself to believe it was me up there. I met up afterwards with my friend John, we have known each other 15 years and I'm proud to be his friend. I signed loads of CD’s and books after the show and had my picture taken many times, I felt like Prince Charles. The hotel was not a good end to the day, it was 25 minutes from the gig, it was built like a fort, no windows on the outside only on the inside. Dorie and Melvin had to sleep in their clothes it was so cold, poor Stuart and Harry, our crew, trying to put a positive spin on the lodgings, but I was not impressed. See picture.
So, a great night, I'm so happy to be here and to be playing again, despite being completely knackered and beside myself with zoom. Its all happening. We just found out the tour is ending a few days early because a house concert has fallen through, my flight is not changeable. I'm stuck here for a few days at the end of the tour in New York. Any ideas
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And the next night North Carolina
Mar 01 '07
Raleigh.
Car madness seems to be the order of the day, just as we arrive at the show things start to turn weird, and you wish you were on the beach in Brighton. 25 people turned out to see us, and they loved the show we played well and one has to except the things you can not change. Good old pal Robin, who drove our bus on Squeeze tours for many years, turned out to say hello. It was so great to see him, we have not changed. I hope. A lady came up to me after the show and said ‘ hey Jools nice show’ she was clearly pissed. Another great friend, Massimo, turned up to see the show, so all in all the night was a huge success to see my friends and play a few songs to the loving young people of Virginia. The hotel had hookers working in the rooms down the hall, I only found out this morning. I hate staying in such places it gives me the creeps. I miss my home and my family. This is the Cracker Barrel tour, its the only place to eat...full of cotton tops and very young kids in rocking chairs. Im tired, fed up with sweets and eggs....have a nice day.
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