At sometime early in May, I was approached by my partner here at Sire
Craig Aaronson and Ryan Whalley who does A&R about writing a continuous
blog relative to my ongoing adventures and my past experiences. I’m not
saying the idea did not appeal to me, but it seemed like a major
undertaking, especially for someone totally inept at sending my own
emails.
I could not even attempt to do this without the total support of my
already overworked, trusted assistant Eric McLellan who among other
things helps me communicate with the outside world.
My legendary and long-standing sign off “Dictated, but not read.”
appears at the end of all my emails (and the faxes and telexes of
previous generations that preceeded them).
This weekend, my first back in NY in a while, I spent a good deal of
time at the movies playing catch up. Saw “The Time Travellers Wife” -
it was good and 500 Days of Summer (Sire Soundtrack) and Adam, but the
one that move me most was Julie and Julia starring Meryl Streep and Amy
Adams(?) which was just a perfect flick and very much all about
blogging. For me, it was inspirational so here I am; Ready to blog.
Since May I’ve been globetrotting – first to New Orleans where I did a
key-note at Jazz Fest. Heard some great music with my friend – musician
CC Adcock and put on many pounds with some of the best and most
distinctive food in the world.
Back in New York for a few days and less than a week later I was off for
a couple of days in London. On the evening of the day I arrived I had
dinner with one of my UK Indie label heroes, Geoff Travis together with
Ryan Whalley. Geoff is one of the pillars that the 1970’s wave of
Independent labels was built upon. Rough Trade was one the most
important labels of the era with signings that included The Smiths,
Astek Camera both on Sire, Scritti Politti, Robert Wyatt, Stiff Little
Fingers, The Fall, and Cabaret Voltaire. I have Geoff to thank for
tipping me off to The Smiths. So strong was my belief in his ears that
without hearing a note I flew over to catch their gig at London’s ICA on
the Mall near Buckingham Palace. I got hit in the head with a few
gladiolas thrown by Morrissey and signed the band on the spot.