American Skies

Sisters folk festival was a wonderful experience. A small town in a beautiful location, you can walk to all the venues and the audiences were just amazing.Everyone was so generous and kind and in many ways reflect the true nature and spirit of this country that is often distracted from its strong principals by a relative few. I made some great new friends and can’t wait to go back. Amazing skies as well, the light is quite different and little light pollution means a myriad of stars say hello. Driving back to Portland there is plenty of iconic American neon to spoil that, though it too has its charms.I then flew across to the East coast via Vancouver and Toronto and have so far played two shows in New York. The first venue was ‘The Living Room’ on the lower east side and last night I played in Greenwich Village. There is something so special about New York. I have wonderful memories of a long period of time spent here in the early nineties when I was recording the ‘Being There’ album here. The show last night was organised by Lyndon Harris who played a massive role down at Ground zero after the attacks. He developed and oversaw the relief operation at St. Paul’s Chapel that ultimately served over half a million meals to the rescue workers in the course of eight-and-a-half months.It was a privilege to talk to this gentle man and listen to his stories and ideas. As I was sound checking a huge storm rolled across New York which in fact became a Tornado in parts of the city bringing down over a thousand trees and disrupting the City in a big way. I stood by the venue entrance and watched this incredible weather front sweep through. The show must go on though and we had a great night. New Yorkers are tough.