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I Believe I Can Change My World

In 1995 I bought an album called “Tall Blonde Helicopter” by Francis Dunnery. Last night he played most of it in my living room.

Accompanied by stories about the events and people that inspired the songs he was singing Francis managed to engage and entrance an audience largely made up of people unfamiliar with his work. Well, to be honest, apart from Chris and Tom (who came with Francis) I was probably the only one in the room to have listened to more than one or two of his songs. But at one of Francis’ house concerts it doesn’t matter whether you know every chord (and word) of every song or if you’ve never heard a note of his before. With wit, warmth and an infectious enthusiasm he draws everyone into “the jacuzzi” and shares stories, insights, philosophy and a side order of therapy to entertain and inform. For the best part of two hours he had a room full of people firmly in the now and not worrying about their pasts or their futures. What a top bloke. What a top evening.

Then to top the night off rather than jumping in the car and driving off with the last notes of “Good Life” reverberating around my lounge he stayed and chatted, signed every CD of his that I own and was a total gentleman.

I’ve been telling the 70s Throwback that I was going to host a House Concert for the best part of two years, but didn’t really think it would happen until the last few days. And when it did the evening lived up to every expectation. Certainly the finest gig I’ve ever been to – even better the Midlands Arts Centre in June, 2002. To puff myself up a little I think a few of the people who came have seen the light and are joining the Francis Dunnery fan club.

If you ever have an opportunity to attend, or even better host, a house concert then don’t hesitate – just jump into the jacuzzi with both feet and be prepared for a fantastic night.

Thanks again to Kate, Erica, Chris, Tom and Francis (of course). Thanks also to everyone who came, it wouldn’t have been half as good without you.

Update We’ve made it onto the news page at FrancisDunnery.com. Apparently I make a killer chilli which is very nice to hear. Francis doesn’t tend to keep archives on his site so if you visit and can’t see the bit about us don’t panic.

Two Growing Boys Month 3

Welcome to November, and here is the monthly shot of JFGP and MIGO presented for your “haven’t they grown” pleasure. Note the particularly fine outfit that my youngest son is wearing, the only way to get it off him at the moment is to offer to mend the holes in it. Pretty soon the whole suit will have more repairs than original material. The competition now is for you, dear reader, to spot the differences between this month’s picture and the one from last month. Answers on a postcard, or in the comments below.

To aid browsing these photos I have put them together in a gallery.

House Concert

On Thursday the 19th of November we are hosting a night of music and entertainment and you’re invited.

Francis Dunnery has been making music for the best part of 30 years, first as the singer and lead guitarist of It Bites and since the early 90s as a solo artist. He combines great songwriting and virtuoso playing that never fails to entertain. In his spare time he has played and recorded with such artists as Robert Plant, Carlos Santana and the Fugees.

On the 19th of November he is bringing his acoustic guitar, some truly great tunes and a lifetime of stories and insights to entertain us in our lounge in Sydney.

Francis’ house concerts have a theme that he explores through anecdotes and songs. You don’t need to be familiar with his music to enjoy the evening. But if you do want to familiarise yourself with his work I can happily suggest a playlist of songs that will demonstrate his style and body of work.

If you would like to join us, and we would love you to, there will be a small ticket price of $20 to go towards the cost of hosting the evening. For that you get an intimate concert with Cumbria’s finest singer songwriter, assorted nibbles and the pleasure of my company. Spaces are limited so please let me know by email or phone whether you would like to experience the concert of the year.

For more details of Francis’ tour down under take a look at the House Concert page on his web site – http://www.francisdunnery.com/house.html

Should Have Gone to Blackpool

We have made it to our holiday destination. Unfortunately the weather would better suit an English winter than an Aussie spring. The good news is that the driving rain and southerly wind are due to come to an end. The bad news is that the bureau of meteorology are saying that this is going to happen just as we are packing the car and heading home.

So we are having a typically British holiday. The jumpers are on and any child friendly facility that is indoors is on the agenda. Photos may be forthcoming if I don’t ruin the electronics by getting them too damp.

Two Growing Boys Month 2

I appear to have missed September, sorry about that. But here is the second in our series of pictures of two small boys growing up. You can see the first one here.

It’s a bit more than the calendar says, but we will call this month 2. I would try and give you a running commentary on changes, but apart from hair a bit longer (MIGO) and shorter (JFGP thanks to a haircut) I can’t really say that a lot of things have actually, you know, changed. See you next month.

High Days and Holidays

At about this time for the last couple of years my lovely wife’s thoughts have turned to holidays for the family. Spring is approaching, the weather is getting warmer and we can look forward to getting away as a family for some fun in the sun.

In appreciation of the delights of the global financial crisis and the corresponding impact on our incomes we aren’t going on a big summer holiday this year. We may ‘go large’ next year and given a following wind and a decent bonus are planning to visit the UK next July – mark your diaries dear readers.

But this year is going to be more modest. Last year SWMBO and I had a couple of days away and followed it up with a week on the Gold Coast. In October 2009 we are being more modest and spending a long weekend in Port Stephens. This year is the first one that we are constrained by school dates, but luckily my birthday falls in the middle of the final school holiday of the year. So that is when we are going. And burglars, we are leaving the large, hungry pet dinosaur loose in the house in case you get any smart ideas.

This presents a dilemma for you, of course. Because you will need to get my birthday cards and presents to me early. No pressure.

There is one other slight adjustment this year. The wish list is no more. Well, at least not for you. By some strange mystical force everyone who bought me things from the list ended up buying multiple copies of the same thing. So to avoid this I decided to replace the list with something that I would absolutely love multiple copies of. If you are thinking of buying me a present and you live in the UK I would love as many packets of KP Dry Roasted Peanuts as you can send me. Trust me when I say that this is one present I can never have too much of.

Two Growing Boys Month 1

I have decided to start a project. With two small boys in the house and around all of the time its hard to see the changes that are going on in and around us. They must be growing because the food bills are staying high and only the other night JFGP told me that I would have to get a different pair of pyjamas out for him the following night because the ones that I had provided were too snug. Although he did graciously allow that he would wear them for one more night because it would have been too much bother to change them now that he had got them on.

So I got to thinking about keeping track of the ratbags as they grow up. I do have lots of pictures of the eldest boy and the other one, but I haven’t taken them nearly regularly enough. Until now. My not so cunning plan is to take a photo a month, in a similar pose, so that you can see how the apples of their mother’s eye are growing up. Here is the first picture, nattily entitled ‘Month 1 – August, 2009’.

A little bit Rock and Roll

One of the things that has been keeping me away from writing on this blog is a little bit of rock and roll. I’m pleased to announce that on Thursday the 18th of November, 2009 we will be hosting a Francis Dunnery house concert.

I’ve been a fan of his for (more than) a few years; starting with discussing Big Lad in the Windmill with Craig Elston in our Economics class in 1987, watching It Bites at the Birmingham Hummingbird in 1989. The 70’s throwback introduced me to his solo album Fearless in 1994, and I bought every album he has put out since then. Other highlights include the best live concert I’ve ever seen at the Birmingham Mac in 2002 and a great night at the Union Chapel in Islington including an appearance by Chris Difford. Heck, we even played his music at our wedding.

Which is all a long winded way of saying that I’m very excited to be welcoming him into my home for a performance and hope that you, dear readers, can join us. I think it would be pretty good if it was just SWMBO and I but it will be even better with a room full of friends to experience it with us.

Party in the Park

It is July and the ankle biter’s birthdays (JFGP turns 6 and MIGO turns 4 in the next week) are fast approaching. Small boy’s thoughts then naturally turn to presents and parties.

Luckily SWMBO was on the case and organised a sports activities party for the boys and a few of their close friends. Presided over by Terry the small people got to run around for a couple of hours, interrupted only by breaks for light refreshments and the odd rain shower.

Everyone had a good time and we only lost a few of the helium balloons. The rest of the pictures are up at Flickr.

Visitor Lunch in Darling Harbour

The boy’s great Aunt and Uncle are in town so we met them at their hotel and then went for lunch in Darling Harbour. Whilst we were waiting for our food JFGP decided to try out the new video camera.

Many apologies for the speedy pans, you have been warned, but his Mum says that he is a natural and will be turning out ninety minute feature films before you can say “Alfred Hitchcock”. I’ll leave it to you to decide on the quality of his work, which you will find here.