Tuesday 2nd August 2016 ‘Edinburgh’…spent the day soaking up the pre festival atmosphere in the city.
…a couple of hours in the National museum of Scotland, in Chambers Street, followed by shopping in Princes Street… Later a quick catch up with Gordon from ‘The Music Kitchen’.
…Now back at ‘the ranch’ in the South side of Edinburgh…..a warm bath and then snuggled up in bed …” Zzzz”.
Much love …J ♡ xx
Saturday 16th July 2016 ‘Top of the city’ – spending the day in London…
First, a tour of ‘The Shard’, London’s tallest building (approx 1016 ft high), with a glass of champagne at the top! 🙂
Next up…a climb (harness attached) over the O2 building in London’s docklands area – amazing views!!
…the sun shone most of the day, as I strolled along the embankment, soaking up the atmosphere and taking in the sights.
Finally a drink in ‘The Dickens Inn’, with some friends, before heading for Pizza 🙂
Heading back to the car park now for my 2.5 hour drive home…..
Hope you’re having a great weekend, wherever you are in the world, and however you’re spending it 🙂
Sending much love
J xx
Just a quick one to say a very big thank you to everyone who has been streaming on Spotify 🙂
The record company in Hong Kong had called to say that this particular track had been showing some dramatic increases in streaming numbers, and I just wanted to acknowledge this by thanking you for your support – it’s very kind and much appreciated 🙂
Wishing you a great weekend!
And sending much love, as always
J xx
Just a quick message to say that the new website is up and running!
Apparently the original one had security issues (what doesn’t these days! LOL) and so had to be taken down for the past few months.
Anyway, a very big thank you to Willa and all at Evolution for building a new one! 🙂
All the usual stuff is on there, including a ‘words’ section, which mainly contains the ramblings of a crazy Scottish female (that would be me! LOL).
Anyway, see what you think, if you get the chance, and let me know if you have any good ideas for developing it further 🙂
In the meantime, wishing you a fun, fab and chilled (if it’s possible to have all a once!) Weekend 🙂
Sending much love ♡
J xx
P.S. I didn’t know about the “Scottish Star” bit – that’s just made me laugh!! 🙂 good to see the Web designers have a sense of humour!
Just a last little message from here in Scotland, as I snuggle up in my fluffy dressing gown and prepare for sleep (heading back down South tomorrow).
It’s been a really busy week up here, dealing with family stuff (mum is in hospital and my sister and I have had to clear the contents of her house for sale – she needs something smaller / without stairs now, following an accident she had a while back). So, not only has it been tiring, but also somewhat emotional as this all very much feels like ‘end of an era’ stuff. It’s amazing we got anything done at all really, as we seemed to keep stopping to look through old photos, or laughing, as we found something funny from childhood. The most poignant thing though, was finding a Valentine’s card that my Dad (who passed away a few years back) had given to my mum when they first got together – it was so full of love that I could feel my eyes start to well up as I felt the emotion of it…so tender and touching. I guess that’s truly, ultimately what it’s all about on this little ‘tour of duty’ to planet Earth – Love 🙂
Feeling somewhat melancholy and sad about leaving – I always do! LOL
Anyway, trying to sooth my soul with some late night listening. A beautiful song, which never fails to make me cry. Maybe it just fits the mood tonight.
Sending much love
Wherever you are in the world.
Sweet dreams
J xx
Driving home to my sister’s place (about 25 mins away), having spent a few hours catching up with one half of the Dynamic duo (Gordon Campbell), at his apartment in a rather beautiful old building in the south side of Edinburgh.
It was great to have the chance to relax and catch up over a couple of drinks – Gordon was on wine, whilst I was on tea as I was driving, maybe next time 🙁 LOL
Anyway, it was nice to reminisce and share the laughter for a little while, as it’s been a pretty busy week for me with family commitments.
Early in the morning here in Edinburgh now and the streets are very quiet, so listening to this song (link below) on the way home – a very beautiful track, which almost sounds very Celtic, due to the beautiful whistle parts (played by Davy Spillane).
Sending much love
J xx
Sorry haven’t been in touch for a few months – been in Cancerian hibernation for a while (it’s becoming a habit! LOL) … hope all is good with you 🙂
Anyway, up early this morning as packing my bags and getting ready to drive to Scotland – yes, the M6 is calling again!
Heading Northwards for a week, to attend to some family stuff and hopefully grab a chance to catch up with Gordon from The Music Kitchen.
Actually have been spending quite a bit of time in Scotland recently, although this is the first time for a while I’ve decided to drive rather than fly. I’m guessing by the time I’m 4 hours into this trip I’ll probably be fantasizing about a 55 minute flight to Edinburgh!! LOL.
On another note, looks like there is movement once again on the ‘Italian’ album. It seems as though we may now be adding some additional instrumentation in Scotland, with additional vocals to be recorded either in Scotland, or as previously discussed: Seattle (get the feeling it will be the USA).
At least it looks as though there is some definite momentum to finish this project now, which is positive news 🙂
Will catch up again from ‘North of the Border’! In the meantime – link below to the first track on today’s playlist for the trip!
Sending much love
J xx
Today the airwaves are filled with the songs of Prince, as the world of music reflects upon the passing (yesterday) of yet another iconic musical talent.
Leaving the world with so many uplifting pop songs, it is this song – written by Prince and covered poignantly, beautifully by Sinead O’ Connor, that I think of today.
Sending much love… as always J x
Just landed at Edinburgh Airport – a few days up here to visit family.
Pleasantly surprised by the fairly mild temperature up here tonight – no need for thermal underwear after all! LOL
Sending love from Scotland ♡
J xx
‘Seattle?’ Starting the process of strengthening my voice following the op – sitting at the keyboard and beginning to work my way through some scales. Apart from the time I lived in London and had a great singing teacher (who was an opera singer), I’ve tended to be a little lazy about these kind of vocal exercises, even though it makes a huge difference when you do them regularly! I’m determined therefore, this time, to look after my voice a little bit better and have some kind of regular daily regime…..guess we’ll see how my self discipline works out LOL! 🙂
On another note (admittedly a random one!), a slightly strange synchronicity a couple of days back, when, for absolutely no reason at all, I started to think about Seattle…and a family holiday where we’d spent a few days there when I was a kid. For some reason, I was thinking about the space needle and remembering having my photo taken standing at the base of this thing. One thought led to another, and bizarrely I found myself
‘googling’ some images of this iconic landmark on my phone (I have no idea why!!)
Anyway, shortly after (less than an hour), I was just getting in the car when the phone rang. It was the record company in Hong Kong, calling to talk about finishing the ‘Italian” album and asking me “what do you think about maybe finishing the vocals in the USA?…. at a studio in SEATTLE? I couldn’t believe it! there had never been any mention of this before, then all of a sudden that name/place had somehow been brought to my attention twice in the space of an hour!!
I admit, it seemed so ridiculously bizarre at the time, but it is also pretty cool when these little synchronicities pop up in our lives! Carl Jung would be pleased! LOL 🙂
So, yes, it seems like I might indeed be heading to Seattle in the next couple of months to finish the vocals and maybe record some other bits and pieces with musicians from the Seattle area.
Will keep you posted.
Sending much love and best wishes
J x
