It's been a while since I've posted and a great deal has happened. A new president, and he's a White Sox fan, Brad and Angelina are about to split yet again,(I know this cause I was just at the supermarket) there's more evidence of global warming (llinois politicians hot air increases are risks) and last but not least it appears Rounder Records is releasing the U.S. version of "One Hundred Years From Now" in April. Some of you may have believed that there was about as much chance of this CD being released stateside as America electing an African American president...

     The delay was due to many factors not the least of which was the unexpected amount of time needed to work on the Hunchback. It's extended run and Jefferson Award for Best Musical were welcomed but not anticipated situations. When we extended the show a new cast was required and rehearsals became necessary. This did become quite time consuming. Here's hoping I always have these kinds of problems. 

     With the addition of the German tour, which by the way was quite a spectacle, I performed about 70 concerts last year and added two new tracks to One Hundred Years. Caution: Do NOT have an album you have already finished siting in your home studio for nearly two years. You will hear the sirens sweetly singing, luring you back to the mixing console to fix all the little things that you didn't like about the album. Note to self, if you're looking for perfection son, you've come to the wrong planet. I did remix some tracks on the original CD and I believe I have improved them, however my left ear is still periodically spotting blood. Which I guess is still an improvement over that Van Gogh dude. 

     As for One Hundred Years From Now the song, those of you who have written me and expressed your desire to hear me sing it by myself, you have gotten your wish. The president of Rounder Records John Vi rant has held that opinion for over a year, this after I'd sent him the all English version with me singing both parts.

     After performing this song in concert by myself and with three different French artists I realized that when the original vocalist who performed on the record is not available it seems a bit odd. Problem solved, I intend to be there now every time I perform it. Well nearly. 

     The two new songs are Private Jones and There Was A Time, welcomed editions both. I did drop one song from the Canadian version, My Sharrona, I admit it was a bit repetitive. 

Random thoughts:

I have to confess that I really do like the recording artists, TV and movie sites on You Tube. I have never looked at any of the other videos other then the ones pertaining to entertainment. But its truly amazing the history that has been uncovered to the public. I love the old Beatles stuff and the interviews with the artists and performances that I never knew existed, fascinating. One thing I have learned in watching old footage of myself while in the band was Hey, I'm better then I remembered. I guess that's one of the annoying parts of my personality, that in the moment I always feel I should have done better, you know not quite up to expectations. But upon further review when I thought I might cringe at what I was about to see and hear I was instead pleasantly surprised. (Wardrobe aside of course. I mean who in the Sam Hill dressed this guy, Mr. DeYoung Shaky's Pizza called, they want their clothes back: note to all you youngsters with the tats and pierced body parts and new ways to wear your hats askew, your future awaits you)

     Also I noticed that the band's most watched video's are Come Sail Away, over a million views, Babe over a million views(although unfortunately this week it appears to have been taken down) Lady over 700,000 views and had Mr. Roboto not been taken down earlier this year it would now most likely have been over 1,500,000 views. I based this on the fact that Roboto always substantially led all of our other video's including Come Sail Away by a wide margin. That Roboto, he's like the Energizer Bunny. I wonder what the process is as to the comings and goings of these videos? Perhaps Babe and Roboto are resting peacefully in cyberspace plotting their return so they might continue to annoy a small group of people who somehow believe these tunes were a mistake. If they were I wish we would have had another 10 mistakes just like them, and I mean it. It is so difficult to write a song that first passes muster with your record company,(they will need to be convinced, see "Lady", Lorelei and Sweet Madame Blue as examples) then radio,(who are skeptical that anything is a hit record)to finally satisfying millions of strangers who must then go forth and put down their hard earned cash on the counter, well you get the picture. So when it does happen and then has the good fortune to remain popular for decades, I say fall on your knees and give thanks for your good fortune, cause that's what I do nearly every day. To all of you who have supported me these 37 years whether from the beginning or since last Thursday I offer a heartfelt THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.

     I will be touring this year as I have since 2003 although who knows what the economy will be like. My time spent in Germany, England, Belgium and Italy this year informs me that after the USA jumped down the rabbit hole the whole world gladly went with us. To all of you who have been hit hard by the greed and stupidity of those supposedly watching the store I wish only good things, and though it sounds corny, health is always the most important thing. May the wind always be at your back and may the Bird of Paradise not fly up your nose.

There's that damn Paradise word again, I swore I'd stop using it...