Sacré Bleu!

Following the incredible book launch of Florida Key in The Village of Books (Montolieu) back in June, I finally managed to obtain a copy of the newspaper in which it was covered, for all to see. 

But I didn't really understand what it said, until I got it translated recently.

I read it with eager anticipation. I smiled at the reporting. I laughed at 'Elton John' comment. 

But then . . . WHAT???!!!

Zut alors, mon dieu, et SACRÉ BLEU. PAH!

ONLY THREE TRACKS - So hard to choose

I hadn't seen my daughter Laura for a while until last night, when I mentioned to her about my forthcoming interview on the radio to talk about Harry, and having to choose ONLY THREE tracks to play.

Laura, an excellent artist, had previously helped me with my Muddy Water novel by being photographed for the cover, and in which she illustrated the main characters of the story. When I wrote the book, I included as many Nilsson references as I could get away with.

At my request, she drew the main character as a certain singer-songwriter. It was my private nod to the man.

Last night, when I told her of my dilemma over which tracks I should choose to play on the radio, she surprised me.

I had no idea that she even knew any Nilsson songs, let alone liked any, when she said: "Dad, you have to include 'Sail Away' - it's amazing!"

And of course she's right.

How could I have left that one off my list?

 And what about 'Salmon Falls'?

Because of her suggestion, I've been revisiting the two LPs that those songs come from.

They are SO good.

This is SO hard.

Blimey - where's the time gone?

Jane and Derek getting set

So we returned from La Belle Francaise last Thursday night.

Lots going on there, and here, as always.

Jane gets an exhibition at the fab Maison de Textile in Montolieu. It really IS a fab place. Wish we could be there, but she has ANOTHER exhibition here in Wivenhoe. I can't keep up.

And at the same venue in Montolieu, next Easter, Derek and Monique at the Maison de Textile will be hosting my old mate Joanna Eden to sing a few of her delicious songs. I hope she will sing a few songs from her new album 'Truth Tree'.

I've reminded her that she's duty-bound to also sing a Nilsson song.

And talking of Nilsson, I will be on BBC Essex Radio September 30th, talking a few heartfelt words of nonsense about the American singer-songwriter who I have been a fan of ever since I was 13.

Fab venue for Joanna Eden next Easter