The US tour is over and we’re now scattered all over the place like autumn leaves in the breeze. Most people go away for their holidays – we go home.

The best perk of what I do is to travel. I remember as a kid thinking that I would never ever be able to afford a ticket to America, that mythical land where great music came from. It seemed such an impossible dream. Some time later, in 1972, I became blasé about it, bored, sitting in a lounge at Heathrow on the verge of yet another DP American tour – spoiled rotten. These days I relish the thought of traveling and never lose sight of the fact that I am lucky enough to be places that most will never see. As if that wasn’t enough we receive such welcomes when we get there. What did I do right?

Anyway, it’s been a busy year of touring (how unusual!) but earlier, in January, I started work on my next solo project. Peter Denenberg is again my engineer and co-producer and we spent five days in Acme Studios in Mamaroneck, New York laying down tracks. It sounds like a lot in five days but I had a lot of the material already recorded in demo form on my home system (Mac, ProTools, a couple of microphones, assorted guitars, basses, keyboards, tea and smokes). A couple of these demos will probably not be touched. Several were enhanced by the ‘band’ and the rest we recorded from scratch, live in the studio. The musicians present were Randall Bramblett (vocals, keyboards, sax), Joe Bonadio (drums and percussion), Oz Noy (guitars), and Gillian Glover (vocals and co-writer of some of the songs). Extra work was done by Harvey Jones (who specializes in creative keyboard noises) and Joe Mennonna (sax and arrangements). Of the roughly twenty-three original ideas I started out with, only about fourteen remain as I have thrown out the weakest. The vocals so far feature Randall, Gillian and me. I include some snapshots from the studio.

Touring with DP put a halt to my solo album although I continue to tinker with it on the few days I get to be home. My hope is to finish it over the winter and have it ready by early next year. The title (of course, always subject to a second look) is CLOSE-UP.

The European and UK tours were amazing. To play in such a band is a joy every night. Again, I met so many friends and fans and am always reminded that our extended family is as diverse as could be and yet united in the commonality that is music.

The US tour was a lot of fun and the chance to hook up with many new and old friends, some of whom I haven’t seen in thirty years or so. It was good to see Paul Buckmaster and Rupert Hine in Los Angeles – my old friend Don Bernstine showed up a few times – Greg Rike and Doree Rice (in whose studio Slaves and Masters, Purpendicular and Abandon were recorded) – John Kay from Steppenwolf – Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom (Blue Oyster Cult) – Dan McCafferty (Nazareth) – Prairie Prince (the original drummer of The Tubes) and Elliott Easton, both now with The New Cars along with Todd Rundgren. We were also honoured by LtCol Mark Bryant, whose retirement medallion (presented to each of us) included a DP symbol. That’s what I call devotion!

The Radio City gig was a marvelous night; not only a great gig for us but for the fact that the original Vanilla Fudge reformed (after over twenty years) for that show and blew us all away. Enough can’t be said about what a role this band has played in the evolution of rock music.

I have been a fan of Edgar Winter since his first album (Entrance) came out in the early 70s and it was superb to see him play and then to meet him (with his wife Monique) and discover what a fine man he is. He is a fabulous, multi-talented musician and with a great band behind him put on a superb show, every night. I only wish we could have had more gigs together.

I also include an odd collection of pictures and images from the US tour.

Next… I’m looking forward to playing at the Sunflower Jam with Ian Paice, Jon Lord and many others. Also, Jon called me the other day and asked if I would be interested in performing the Concerto with him as part of the 2007 Malcolm Arnold Festival on the 7th October.

Good luck,

RG