California

Have just got in from playing the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, California. Had a really great night, superb sound system (Meyer rig for those who know) and a great audience. It’s kind of interesting to play here because they so heartedly agree with everything I’m conveying! There is little sense of tension that seeps through at other gigs, they just nod heads and say ‘yep, agree with that’. This part of California is the home of many Liberal whatever’s so I’m singing to the converted!The California branch of Friends of the MST have also attended gigs and we have been able to distribute leaflets about the MST and its work in Brazil. I have played three shows in three days here, Berkley tonight, Santa Cruz last night and San Jose before that. Monday was a busy day with a flight from Calgary to Vancouver, then another from Vancouver to San Francisco. An hours drive later and I’m walking around the campus at Stanford University before sound checking at the Espresso Garden Café. Only had a small crowd that night but played hard for them and enjoyed it. Did two radio shows in Santa Cruz the next day (KUSP and KZSC) and had a full house at the Cayuga Vault. At KUSP, I was interviewed by Ray Price who is from Wales! I have really enjoyed all these gigs and I’m grateful to Sally Greenberg and Laurie Longenecker for working so hard to make these shows happen. It’s still a thrill to show up on the other side of the world and have folks turn up for gigs. Old Greenbelt friends Dave and Wendy Batstone made it to the show tonight, as did Kath Webster who I hadn’t seen for at least fifteen years when she lived in Cardiff. Ok, two days off now before the next show in Davis on Saturday, so tomorrow I’m off to hug Redwood trees, I’m becoming a true folkie! Missing home a lot, kids are on their holidays now and I’m not there, cant help but feel bad about that.