Where I am finding the time to write this post is beyond me. It is kind of like life has stood still for the last week or so. I am in no doubt that this will catch up with me and I will crash and burn into exhaustion at some point but I’m gonna ride this high a little longer…
So a week ago this time I was in Nashville - Tennessee, rounding up a week long road-trip with one of my favourite friends. We did the classic hire a car and drive East thing. NOLATONASHVILLE. The trip had it all… jazz, drinking, gumbo, cemetery tours, chicken shops at 3am, dancing, singing, bachelorettes, nearly missing flights (Robbie), coast roads, u-turns, detours, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, late night pizza, beach seafood shacks, oysters, crabs, scallops, dolphins (seen not eaten), theme parks, Harry Potter, Butterbeer, Fort Lauderdale, Biltong, Stoney, MIAMI, blue water swims in the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Lauderdale (again), clubbing, Zack/SanFran/Macedonia/Brooklyn/Dawid/Argentina/Greek, firearms, frogs, hostel chaos, Pina Coladas, Nashville, book buying, tree lying under, peace, Budweiser, guitar, Pinewoods, BBQ, fried catfish, banana pudding, Jack D, ID, Dancing (again), hotdogs, Printers Alley, hooters, guitar (again), omelettes, Grand Ole Opry, cheerleaders, rifles, shooting, cowboy boots, Sonic, the Bluebird Cafe, Dolly Parton, Mexican, more guitar, Broadway, ACME/STAGE/PARADISE PARK, Button downed shirts, The Legend (The Unicorn), Printers Alley (again), more guitar, sleep, flight, CANADA, downtown Toronto for 2 hours, flight, London touchdown.
All in all a crazy week and a HALF. I am now back to reality though. However, I feel more like the Amber I know and love than I have in a very long time. There is something about spending time with a friend who has known you for a real long time that reminds one of who they are and who they should be. One WEEK with Laura and I feel like a better person. Besides that the peace of properly disconnecting from life and relaxing (although getting minimal sleep) washes away all the stress, all the worries and all the anxieties of everyday life. I was fearful when I boarded the plane in Nashville that I would get back to dreary London and the weather would be miserable and the holiday come-down would be unbearable…. to be honest I am still concerned that will happen, however, this week has consisted of not one but TWO incredible gigs.
The ODD Couple – Paul Simon and Sting. The O2 London. Wednesday the 15th April.
What does one say about either of these men individually, let alone together? SPEECHLESS is the word! Sting is way taller and fitter than I ever imagined. Paul is way shorter than I ever imagined. Both of their voices still have the ability to command the attention of 1000’s of fans. Remarkable evening that kept me dancing with diamonds on the soles of my shoes for hours into the night.
Then Ben Howard. Ally Pally (which CANNOT be classed as a London venue even being as pretty as it is). Thursday 16th April.
He is better than he has ever been. His new album live is better than the 100’s of times I’ve listened to it on Spotify. He’s humility and smile as the crowd sings along is awe inspiring. A musician that I see myself following for years to come (not in a weird stalker kinda way….but hey if I was gonna stalk I think he’d be a good pick…).
Anyway… the best hits from the last week or so….
Cupid Shuffle - Cupid
Lucky Now - Ryan Adams
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes - Paul Simon
Fields of Gold - Sting
To Be Alone - Ben Howard
