Alison Burns' Blog

Alison sings with RLPO

2010-12-01T06:55:00.001-08:00

October saw Alison singing with the Royal Liverpool Philarmonic Orchestra and the Guy Barker Big Band at the Guitar Festival of Great Britain. Alison sang Leonard Cohen's 'Dance Me To The End Of Love' and the Peggy Lee classic 'Black Coffee'. Here are some photos:

Event for Prince William

2010-12-01T06:53:00.000-08:00

Martin Taylor, Alison Burns and Prince William

Alison Burns played a star-studded concert for Prince William at Windsor Castle in advance of HRH announcing his engagement to Kate Middleton. The event which was also attended by Sir Michael Parkinson, Alan Titchmarsh and Gosford Park writer Julian Fellowes was held to raise awareness for the Child Bereavement Trust, of which Prince William recently became Royal Patron.

Holiday Half Price CD Offer

2010-11-30T09:52:00.000-08:00

AlisonBurns.com in association with P3 Music are offering you the opportunity to buy Alison Burns' latest CD album '1:AM' and get her album 'Kissing Bug' half price. Here are all the tracks on the albums:

Alison Burns & Martin Taylor - 1:AM

Again
Because of You
He's a Tramp
Sophisticated Lady
The Man That Got Away
Do You Love Me?
I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do
Drop Me A Line
True
How Long Has This Been Going On?
If I Keep My Heart Out Of Sight
If It's Magic
No One Ever Tells You
I'm Confessin'

"With a canny selection of songs, mainly standards plus one of their own, this is a sparkling set." - The Observer

Alison Burns - Kissing Bug

Kissing Bug
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
The Good Life
But Not For Me
Love Me Or Leave Me
Cry Me A River
No Moon At All
By Myself
Too Good To Be True
Shadow Of Your Smile
Can't Help Loving That Man
The Thrill Is Gone
The Way You Look Tonight

"Burns confirms her pedigree with the lightest of touches" - The Guardian

So what are you waiting for. Click here to order now.

** This offer ends on the 31st December 2010 but it is recommended that UK customers order by the 20th December and those outside the UK order by the 10th December.

An evening with Sir Michael Parkinson, Martin Taylor MBE and Alison Burns

2010-04-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

An evening with Sir Michael Parkinson, Martin Taylor MBE & Alison Burns
Saturday 11 September 2010

Join Sir Michael Parkinson, Martin Taylor, MBE, and vocalist Alison Burns at Gleneagles for a sensational evening of lively chat and jazz.

Sir Michael Parkinson

Jazz aficionado, Sir Michael’s award-winning talk show, Parkinson, ran for over 800 shows, during which he interviewed more than 3000 famous people. He was awarded a knighthood for Services to Broadcasting in 2008.

Martin Taylor, MBE, and Alison Burns

Award-winning guitarist, Martin Taylor, who received an MBE for Services to Jazz Music in 2002, as established a musical career as an internationally acclaimed solo jazz guitarist. Alison brings her unique interpretation to traditional jazz standards and classic contemporary songs.

Prices, from £650 per couple sharing a Sovereign room, include:

Cocktail reception at 7pm in The Glendevon Room, attended by Sir Michael,
Martin and Alison
4-course dinner in the Ballroom accompanied by live music
After dinner, Sir Michael will present Martin and Alison performing on the
Ballroom stage, after which Martin will chat with Sir Michael about his love
and passion for jazz, with the opportunity for some questions from the audience
To round off the evening, The Glendevon Room will be transformed into a
Jazz Bar, with the opportunity to personally meet Sir Michael, Martin and Alison
Dress code : Black Tie or White Tie
Wines and after dinner drinks are to guests’ own account

For those attending the event, make a weekend of it and stay on Friday 10 September and Sunday 12 September, The cost each night is £215 per Sovereign room, based on two adults sharing.

For more details and reservations, please call Resort Sales on 0800 704 705,
email resort.sales@gleneagles.com, or visit gleneagles.com

2009-08-31T03:21:00.003-07:00

James in the famous Forte's Cafe in Dundee

2009-08-31T03:21:00.001-07:00

Is sitting n Forte"s Cafe in Dundee famous for its hot milky coffee and hot scrambled egg rolls! Tuck in! X

2009-08-31T03:16:00.001-07:00

James in the famous Forte's Cafe in Dundee

2009-08-29T23:00:00.001-07:00

Is heading to the gym very early. James is doing a 55 mile cycle today. Gorgeous day for it

2009-08-27T11:26:00.001-07:00

has had a good working out her next trip to Shanghai for some concerts

2009-08-25T00:07:00.001-07:00

I'm glad to see sun is shining for the Marcus Bonfanti album photo shoot today. Exciting!

2009-08-17T06:37:00.001-07:00

Had a bonfire at the weekend and now singing jazz in French!

2009-08-14T13:59:00.001-07:00

Is heading home listening to Marcus Bonfanti's forthcoming album on the Guitar Label! He is Hendrix reincarnates no doubt about it!

2009-08-13T15:45:00.001-07:00

rehearsing for going into the studio next week to sing on Martin Taylor's new Spirit of Django album.

2009-07-13T05:33:00.001-07:00

Alison is very excited about James' birthday present arriving. A beautifully hand crafted wooden hammock stand. He already has the fancy hammock!

2009-07-10T09:42:00.001-07:00

Just spotted a man in Charleston Dundee with a Kajagoogoo hairdo! Dundee what are you up to!

Italy, Fleece Jazz and The Worshipful Company of Musicians

2009-07-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hello from a very hot Scotland!

Over the last couple of weeks I've been doing concerts in London and Stoke by Nayland. The first was The City of London Festival and I did a concert with Martin Taylor in Finsbury Circus in the sunshine! It was lovely! I saw sitting in the audience a very well known BBC presenter who seemed to be enjoying the music.

We all then got checked into our hotel rooms and then hit the dizzy heights of London for dinner. We had been invited for dinner from The Worshipful Company of Musicians which was a really great evening. Food was great and company fabulous. We shared a table with other jazz musicians including Tina May! Unfortunately Cleo couldn't make it.

The next day I had a flight to Italy to check on the house and also meet with our Italian agent. The weather was a bit all over the place - sunny in the morning but the heavens opened up in the afternoons!! Strange weather patterns! We also had quite a few earth tremors where we are, seemingly still the aftershocks of the big earthquake. Thankfully the house hadn't slipped down the hill or developed any cracks!

After a night just outside Rome in Rocca di Papa, an early flight got us back to the UK after an hour and a half delay.

Next - Stoke by Nayland and Fleece Jazz. It was their inaugural jazz concert in their new venue and it was a full house! The sound engineer make some really nice comments on my Milab microphone - he was very impressed with it!

My next concert is again in bella Italia in Servigliano Pizza Roma. Can't wait! Must get my Italian grammar sorted out!

Ciao for now

Alison
x

2009-07-03T03:37:00.001-07:00

On my way to Stoke by Nayland for concert tonight with Martin Taylor. On a nationalised National Express train east coast. Why is it that waiting rooms smell really foostie!!!

2009-06-25T07:54:00.001-07:00

Never mind one day we'll all be living the life of Bryanair!

2009-06-25T07:53:00.001-07:00

Ryanair update - one aborted landing and dodgy electrics

2009-06-25T04:54:00.001-07:00

Ryanair charging for duty free if it doesn't fit in your hand baggage! What a shower!!!!

2009-06-25T03:39:00.001-07:00

It was a really fab concert yesterday at Finsbury Circus City of London Festival. It was lovely to be singing in the sun and a great event at night at the Worshipful Company of Musicians. Rome now!

2009-06-24T00:39:00.001-07:00

3 am start today to get to London for a concert in Finsbury Park.. Sun is shining. Looking forward to singing in the sun

2009-06-08T08:34:00.001-07:00

Alison is looking forward to getting home. Tired in Barcelona and in need of non fried food !!

2009-06-07T06:01:00.001-07:00

Listening to Gotan Project in sun in Barcelona

2009-06-07T05:53:00.001-07:00

Alison and Lynne are sitting in the sun in a hill top restaurant in Barcelona. Beautiful! ......dos cervezas por favor?

2009-05-25T03:08:00.001-07:00

Investigations into the Tack Attack at the Etape cycle race in Pitlochry. Taggart is taking up the case " there' been a Puncture! Tyres cut up pretty bad".

2009-05-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

We spent a little time in Italy last month and saw this beautiful Wisteria desplay outside a shop front. Bella!

2009-05-11T07:49:00.001-07:00

31 miles cycled on Saturday. Dundee to Arbroath and back. Yes it was chucking it down - soak to the skin I was!

2009-05-07T15:36:00.001-07:00

another 3mile run tonight. legs of lead. check out the blog tomorrow for fresh updates...

2009-05-04T07:51:00.001-07:00

Just cycled to St Andrews with Lynne. Windy but made it!

2009-05-02T07:19:00.001-07:00

Sir James the great thinker graduates today with an MBA. A lot of hard work and brain power.

2009-05-02T07:08:00.001-07:00

Haven't seen the new Duffy ad yet but I know I will hate it! Hee hee. Its us that are begging for mercy against her! The Duffer!

2009-05-01T04:04:00.001-07:00

Honestly its making me gag! - -
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device

2009-05-01T04:02:00.001-07:00

There's nothing like the smell of nicotine riddled passengers sitting in front of you on a bus. Squiggly lines!!!!!! - -
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device

2009-04-30T14:52:00.001-07:00

He's a wee monkey...

2009-04-30T14:45:00.001-07:00

Lunch at Gleneagles today. Fabulous.

Plumaudan France, Jazz Alps and New Friends

2009-04-05T03:59:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 1st April 2009

Show Day - slept a bit later and then did a little shopping in Dinan. We met up with some friends for coffee , Dr John - who a few years ago had given me some medical attention when I fell down the stairs in our house in Kirkmichael. It was the first day of the KIGF 2002 - I had stupidly worn some hotel slippers and slipped on the top step of our stairs - fell down on to my bottom on the top stair - winded myself and then passed out and proceeded to fall down the whole staircase - unconscious at the bottom. James thought I was a goner - eyes were wide open but there was no response! Eventually I came to - a head X-ray confirmed that all was OK but Dr. John was at the festival that year and he raced down to our house to examine me! So that was my introduction to Dr John.

We all jumped into the car and drove to Dr. John's new house - which is in the process of being renovated - wow - it will be amazing when it's finished and of course we are all invited to the house warming in June! Hope I can make it!

The gig at night went well and I met a lovely girl called Julie who lives next door to Martin - her daughter, Aiyana who is about 2 years old, comes into Martin's garden when no one is there and kisses the Buddha in the garden. How sweet is that! Julie passed in some pictures of Aiyana kissing the Buddha.

Julie and her husband and Aiyana are all moving to the Alps to set up a new business which sounds really exciting - will keep in touch with her and maybe see her again sometime in France.

Tomorrow back to the UK - ferry to Jersey and a flight back up to Edinburgh. Pick up the cat at the Cat's Hotel and home!

Je suis pooped!

Alison
xx

France Mont St. Michel and Jazz

2009-04-05T03:43:00.000-07:00

Monday 30th & Tuesday 31st March 2009

After a fabulous soya latte and raspberry muffin in Bean Around the World in St. Helier Jersey - James and I said our goodbyes to Jersey Jazz and headed to the port to catch the ferry to St.Malo for the next leg of our journey.

We arrived late afternoon and chilled out at Martin Taylor's house in France. Day off tomorrow so we'll do a bit of work with lap tops and try and do some sightseeing.

The weather was great and we got up fairly early to drive to Mont St. Michel - what an amazing place! We walked up to the top and I almost collapsed with aching legs!

A well deserved coffee that cost an arm and a leg was had and we set back to Martin's house for dinner with friends.

Gig tomorrow night - so need to sleep a bit later to be properly rested for the show.

Bye for now
Alison
x

Jersey Jazz, Rum Ba Ba, Chicken in a Basket, Prawn Cocktails and a New Line Up!

2009-04-05T03:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday 29th March 2009

Jersey jazz - all going well. Line up for both nights included Alan Barnes on saxophone and clarinet, Dave Green on double bass, Martin Taylor on guitar, James on drums and me on vocals!

It was really great to be working with Dave Green again - he is such a fabulous player and for the first time to be working with Alan Barnes. That was absolutely the best! Loved it!

James and I sat down for dinner at the hotel - it wasn't too inspiring to say the least. Macaroni Cheese without the cheese and some vegetables that had been on the boil since September last year!

The menu was mental - see pic! It was THE menu that has been stuck in the 70's since pineapple rings first found their way onto Gammon Steak - shortly followed by the plastic cherry on top! I'm always concerned when I see on a menu - "Vegetarian Dish Of The Day" - what that really means is either Mushroom Stroganoff, Goats Cheese Timbale or Vegetarian lasagna!!! On this occasion it was Macamessie Cheese with virtual Cheddar! Hey but the hotel had wi-fi! With it on some things!

Fantastic stuff! Food was a real blast from the past but the jazz was great! Well done to Ernie who organised the festival!

We chilled out after the gig for a wee while then off to bed for a fairly early start to get to France tomorrow. Well not too early but James and me will try and squeeze in a coffee at one of the cafes before we head on the ferry to St. Malo.

Pip pip

Ciao for now
Alison
x

2009-03-28T07:49:00.001-07:00

talking Jazz, Spinach and Angel Delight http://ping.fm/aHiw0

New Microphone, Milab LSR 3000

2009-03-28T07:30:00.001-07:00

Saturday 28th March 2009

I have been trying out a new microphone - Milab LSR 3000 which is great! I tried the mic out in Australia, firstly at The Basement in Sydney and it sounded amazing!

The sound engineer at The Basement, Chris, was also really happy with the sound - so I'm a happy bunny!

The guys at Milab have been great - as they let me try the mic out first. Yes it's a great mic and I will certainly be using it all the time now!

Will post up a link from my site so as you can have a look at it! With some pics of the mic in action!

My Milab!

Alison

xx

Jersey Jazz and Spinach, Angel Delight and Evaporated Milk!

2009-03-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday 28th March 2009

I arrived in Jersey yesterday to acclimatise!! I asked James if I I needed to adjust my watch to a different time zone - he said set your clock back 30 years!

We're struggling a bit to get veggie food - but I was successful in sourcing some spinach for lunch - it was OK but expensive - 2 spinach leafs deep with a suggestion of mozzarella quivering under a blushing tomato the size of a 1 pence piece! All in all - I used more energy eating it and left the cafe more hungry than I was when I went in!

Still - the hotel will be providing dinner tonight so I'm braising myself for a choice of Sir Loin steak, fish cottage pie, gammon steak with Penelope and a cherry on top! Followed by Angel Delight and Carnation Milk! As my dad used to say "Eva-ported milk"!

You know how the old saying goes - "red sky at night, shepherds pie for your breakfast"!

So sound check soon - then DINNER! Will take some pics of foodie and the show.

More soon.

Alison
x

After the Tour - Jet lag, the Cat and Cycling!

2009-03-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

It has all been a bit odd dealing with the jet lag - I've had it before but almost like a dream sequence!!! Squiggly lines as the scene changes!

No I'm not on drugs!

Glad the cat didn't go in the huff for too long - he did ignore me for a while then he went into security mode - just in case someone or thing attacked me. A bit of cupboard inspection (that's the cat's job anyway!) and he was on my lap giving it big purrrrr! He's such a sap! But very cute!

After wiping down the Aga - James and I went out for a cycle - around Lintrathen Loch and then Peel Farm for tea and scones! We almost didn't get the tea and scones - James had stuffed a £10 note into his very funky cycling gloves - he forgot the dosh had been stashed there and when he pulled his gloves off - unknown to him the £10 note blew away in the wind!

Don't worry though we scrambled around for a few minutes and luckily found it between 2 trees and a pile of country dung! How nice! So we got our tea and scones in the end!

Back to the ranch and off to Glasgow for dinner with friends!

I think I'll be sore tomorrow! Saddle sore!

Ali B
XX

Back in the UK - Thursday 19th March 2009

2009-03-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hello from Bonnie Scotland!

The sun is shining for a change and I arrived back from Oz yesterday mid-day! After a bowl of soup and some cheese puffs I fell asleep and didn't wake up until 6.00am today - 17 hours of big kip-la!

Still feel a bit weird today like I have just landed from another planet but no doubt the jet lag will pass over the next few days.

More stories to come.

Lots of love

Alison
xx

Day Off in Perth - Monday 16th March 2009

2009-03-19T05:32:00.000-07:00

Hello from Sunny Perth!

Last full day in Australia and it's a day off! Hurrah! All shows done - tour has come to an end and it has been fantastic!

I must say that I am very taken with Australia. We had a fantastic lunch with Christine, Bruce, Carolyn and Todd at award winning restaurant called Zafferano - highly recommended - food was out of this world!

Then a trip down the river to Fremantle and back - and a tour around the fab areas of Perth. I could live here!

So homeward bound tomorrow!

Sad to leave Australia but also need to get home and sort out that cat of mine!

Speak back in the UK

Lots of love

Alison
xx

Fremantle Show - Sunday 15th March

2009-03-19T05:20:00.000-07:00

Ellington's last night was great! We had Hank Marvin and his wife there with Nunzio Mondia - his accordionist and also our very good friends from Scotland Christine Stewart, her daughter Carolyn and Kirsty with her partner Todd!

It was great to catch up with them and spend some time after the show talking. They are all coming to the Fremantle show as well.

The show went really well and the last set finished at 7pm which meant we were heading back to the hotel early.

Now how's this for a coincidence - I met with a couple from Dundee who were at the show and who absolutely know everyone that I know back home!! Rhod and Anne Ogilvie from Dundee - we had a great catch up and the stories were fabulous! I have a pic ture above with them and will drop them an email when I get back. They were on the button! Great to see you Anne and Rhod! When I'm back in Perth I will certainly look you up and be in touch.

I was pretty hungry once we got back to the hotel but we had just missed last orders at a Thai restaurant that had been recommended. So we caught a Vietnamese restaurant about 5 mins from the hotel! I had a heap of tofu - which I absolutely adore! Being veggie is very easy in Australia! I could easily move here - need to work on James though!

With the last show done - we have a day off tomorrow which we will spend with Christine and Bruce. Can't wait!

Night night!

Alison
xx

Perth Shows - Ellingtons Jazz Club - Friday 13th & Saturday 14th March 2009

2009-03-19T04:48:00.000-07:00

Perth - oh lovely Perth!

We were picked up at the airport and taken to a lovely hotel overlooking the Swan River. First show tonight and all is going well apart from Martin's guitar which has sustained some damage and doesn't seem to want to work.

One of the Perth Guitar Society has donated a guitar for the night - so the first night went well.

Second show was great - Hank Marvin and his wife Carol and his accordion player Nunzio Mondia all came along - fantastic!

A good squad back stage - pics with Hank and Carol - really nice people - and they want to come and see us at the last show in Fremantle!

Ellingtons - what a great venue! Graeme Annie and Stella and all the staff were fabulous!

Tired but looking forward to the Fremantle Show.

Alison
xx

What

Adelaide Show - Thursday 12th March 2009

2009-03-19T04:36:00.001-07:00

Well here we are after an unbelievably early flight from Sydney - we have arrived in Adelaide!

The hotel wasn't up to much so we had a change of plan - much better - Holiday Inn in the centre! I nipped out after checking in to get my sister's friends Wendy & Jos a wedding present. I settled for a gift voucher not knowing what they may have needed for their house or to suit their taste!

I had a quick soya latte and we headed off to the sound check. No point in unpacking as we are away from here tomorrow very early to fly to Perth for the last shows.

It was funny - even although the first hotel was pretty bad - before we changed - we passed this bonkers looking place on the way to the venue - The Squatters Arms - where you get strippers followed by a "sausage sizzle"!!!! Whatever can they mean! Anyway - I'm glad we're not staying there!

Show went well and I saw my sister's friends, Wendy and Jos after the show as well as neighbours of mine from Scotland who happenned to be in Adelaide at the same time!

Bedtime - and early start for Perth tomorrow!

Alison
xx

Avalon Show - Wednesday 11th March 2009

2009-03-19T04:27:00.000-07:00

After the day off - I had to get to a medical centre to sort out some madical attention - the burn on my hand was a bit more painful today but OK!

Anyway - I got it all sorted out and we kicked about Sydney for the day before getting ready for Avalon. I had to get my suitcase sorted as we had a very early start the next day for Adelaide.

James is heading home tomorrow - so I'm not looking forward to that as I really wanted him to be here until the end of the tour! But someone has to hold the fort back at the ranch!

Avalon was a very strange gig - however it all came out in the wash and and we had a full house yet again!

As a farewell to Sydney James and I had our last night aftershow party at Harry's Cafe de Wheels - where we munched our way through veggie pies, mash potatoes, mushy peas and gravy! We ate it by Finger Warf and people watched for a while - it was great!

Next - Adelaide!

Alison XXX

Day Off in Sydney - Tuesday 10th March 2009

2009-03-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

Well after the mad day yesterday - what with being electrocuted and having to do the show somewhat shaken. We arived at our day off - still breathing!

I had to see the doctor in the morning and was immediately put on medication to stop infection. Also had to go to Medicare Centre just in case I needed extra attention later in the tour! So with my hand all bandaged up - James and me headed out to see some of Sydney. We had lunch with my cousin Gillian at Bill's Restaurant - it seems to be the place for good food. But Sydney has the most amazing restaurants!!

Spectacular weather and we had a good walk around the city - Sydney Opera House and a boat trip up the bay! Just wonderful. We took some amazing pictures and then had a dring in the outside bar at the Hilton Hotel. Then off to a great Thai Restaurant for dinner - Chedi - run by Greg and Shanya Richardson - he turned out to be a guitarist who knew the promoter who arranged the show in Bangkok! Small world - really exceptional food - you must go there!

So a relaxed day before the next show in Avalon!

Pip pip

XXX

Second Show in Sydney, The Basement - Electrocution and Day Off!!! - 9th March 2009

2009-03-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Well we arrived back in Sydney after The Gold Coast concert. My gosh it was hot on the Gold Coast!

Was this my lucky day or what! We got back to the hotel and I started to get ready for the show at the Basement - as normal I was drying my hair with the hotel hairdryer and it exploded in my hand. I got quite a substantial electric shock through my hand and up my left arm - oh and and also sustained a rather large electrical burn on my hand. Lucky I wasn't killed!

Emergency measures taken immediately by James - running cold water over the burn for 30 mins we called the hotel manager and he called the doctor - hey hair still wet no make-up and a sound check happening in 1 hour. I must admit I was very shaken and shocked! Well actually shocked in 2 dimensions - electrically and physically/mentally! Or is that 3?

Bandaged up - we headed off with the tour manager to the Basement for the sound check - The Show Must Go On!

I was very shaken throughout the show and it all felt like a bit of a blur! I wondered if the audience noticed? They certainly noticed the bandage!

My cousin Gillian and her friends came along to the show and had a good chin wag afterwards. Singer Emma Pask was also there and it was lovely to meet her as I am a fan of hers! See pics!

Anyway - I will see the doctor again tomorrow and see how the burn is manifesting itself. was I ever so glad to finish a show and get to my bed!

So - life's rich tapestry! But I've never been electrocuted before a concert - may never be a need to charge the mobile again!

Get your lucky white heather!

Yours electrically

Alison
xx

Gold Coast Show and Sunshine - 8th March 2009

2009-03-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Well after 3 successful shows in Melbourne we caught an early flight to the Gold Coast for a late afternoon concert in the Arts Centre.

What a great venue! The concert went really well and afterwards James and I went out on the town with our good friends Pam and Stephen who live there. Pam is a presenter on channel 9 and Stephen is a very successful entrepreneur and property developer in Oz and indeed all over the globe. Their dog Vegas was "Security" for the duration of the trip! He did a great job! - See the pics - security vest gave him the right uniform for the job!

We had a fabulous curry and stayed with Pam and Stephen. Next morning we were up bright and breezy to get back to Sydney.I loved the Gold Coast!

More later - on Sydney and day off!

Love Alison - pics to follow.
xxx

Dizzy's Jazz Club Melbourne - 5th, 6th & 7th March 2009

2009-03-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

We have had 2 great shows so far at Dizzy's. Tonight is the last night.

Here are some pics of Melbourne and of Dizzy's. Left to right - Paul, Steph, me and Adrian - Colin, me and Lydia - Melbourne from a taxi - a lovely couple originally from the UK.

Must sort out my big bad suitcase for that early flight tomorrow to the Gold Coast. I'll see James up there as he is already surfing - not the web - but the world wide waves! Lucky James! No time for that for me though - outta my way spider there's work to be done!

Alison x

The Basement Show - 3rd March 2009

2009-03-06T18:42:00.001-08:00

After a long flight from Bangkok and the Basement show, James and I had a day off in Sydney. I met with a cousin of mine who I had never met before. She told me of some very interesting facts about our family history. It seems that I am a direct descendant of Captain Kidd the pirate!! Well well well! My mum always said that she knew I would run away with the gypsies ( meaning James and his gypsy roots) but James never thought that he was marrying into a family of pirates! Ha ha!

So all becomes clear now - I always wondered what that map with the X was all about!

So the Basement show went very well and we had a day of sightseeing - walked past Russell Crowe's house - which is just across from our hotel. We went up to the top bar in the Shangri La Hotel where we had some drinks and looked at the stunning lights of Sydney - wow pretty spectacular I must say.

In the afternoon we had an interview live on Eastside Radio Station - the lines were really busy with callers and the presenter Eric Gyors played a lots of tracks from 1 AM and also Martin's solo album Double Standards. That's me, Eric Gyors, Wally Wrightman and Martin in the picture at Eastside Radio Station Sydney.

Next day - Martin and I are off to Melbourne - early flight - so a bit of re-jigging the old suitcase. Airports are a pain in the bum! All the liquid stuff is a piece of nonsense. Had all my toiletries confiscated in Bangkok even although I hadn't left the airport from security in Heathrow. I tell you - my bouffant has suffered for it! I'll need to get a stick on one like Amy Winehouse - it would save a lot of bother.

We arrived at Melbourne airport and were whisked off to do another live Radio session at 3 AW with presenter Denis Walter. We played live in the studio and then spoke to callers on air. Seemingly the phone was red hot at Dizzy's - all looking for tickets! Good stuff! Then off to the hotel.

So here we are in Melbourne - 3 shows at Dizzy's and the last show is tonight. A guy from PBS was at the show and was really very enthusiastic about the the music and the concert, so we are trying to set up an interview and some TV if we have time.

With a little bit of sightseeing today and the last show tonight - I'm a wee bit tired but will take a rest this afternoon.

Tomorrow we're off to the Gold Coast - early flight with an afternoon show we don't have much time to catch our breath after the show tonight.

OZ - Sydney - 3rd March 2009

2009-03-02T19:01:00.000-08:00

Hello there from hot Sydney

We arrived safe and sound after a long flight and checked into the hotel.

James is arriving tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to seeing him.

Tuesday 3rd March

OK good sleep - breakfast and James arrived! We headed out for a light lunch and managed to get on line to up date blogs and facebook etc.

Show tonight and we need to rest up for that. Thinking about hiring bikes tomorrow as it is a day off before the back to back dates all over OZ!

News of the show to follow later.

Pip pip
Ali B
X

Travel Day - 2nd March 2009

2009-03-02T18:58:00.000-08:00

Very early start to get to Bangkok airport. The flight to Sydney is just over 9 hours and we'll get into Sydney around 9pm. Time to get a reasonable early night. James arrives tomorrow.

See you in Oz Land
x

Day Off Pics - 1st March 2009

2009-03-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

Started the day by going to an amazing temple having lunch with Tao and doing a bit of shopping. We went to see a massive reclining Buddha and took a few boat trips down the river.

What a great way to end the trip in Bangkok.

Tao and Hucky were amazing and I just can't wait to come back again.

Ciao for now Bangkok

A x

Day of The Concert - 28th February 2009

2009-03-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

Well hello,

Had an early night last night - looking after my voice. Soundcheck at 1pm and it is sooo hot. Managed to get some great pics of the venue. We had a live radio interview to do back at the hotel so sound check went well and then back to base.

Gig went really well. We had one of the main TV stations in to film the first 3 songs and we had a heap of signings to do afterwards. The concert was being sponsored by a number of businesses including AER. Udo from AER was at the concert and we all went out for dinner to an Italian restaurant close to the hotel.

I was really looking forward to a day of sightseeing and shopping on Sunday - which was great. Although we did have some Mango rain at the start of the day but that didn't last long. Visited some temples and had lunch at the riverside. Tao took us to a crazy sukiyaki restaurant for early dinner. We ate from a cooking pot on the table - veggie stuff first so as not to contaminate the stock - then the fish went in. By that time I had eaten a load of veg and millions of beancurd - Mmmmmm!

Must pack for Oz when I get back to the hotel as it's an early start on Monday morning to get to the airport.

Ciao for now and speak from OZ!

Alison
xx

Ancient City, Tigers, Crocodiles. Monkeys and Elephants

2009-02-27T08:19:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a painting elephant, men wrestling crocodiles, tigers walking about and a monkey in a football shirt?

Well it all happened to me today - only in Bangkok . This place is truly bonkers but a good bonkers!

We went to the Ancient City and saw all the attractions of Thailand in one place - in minature. Although minature means just slightly smaller. It was fantastic!

We then went to the Crocodile farm where we saw men wrestled with crocs - not the shoes, tigers and a monkey in a footbal shirt. There were hundreds of crocodiles - some of them were massive and a bit frightening looking. Then we went on to see the elephants. One of them painted a picture and I filmed the whole thing. Martin bought that painting and I bought one as well.

After that we went to the coast and had dinner before heading back to the hotel. AER are here too so the guys all met up for drinks - but me - an early night as I've got to sing tomorrow.

This place is fab! Highly recommend it and our Hucky and Tao are really looking after us!

Speak soon for more news. See the pics from today.
Love
Alison
x

Interviews Squid Ink Bread and Ravi Shanker

2009-02-26T09:02:00.000-08:00

We had such a bonkers day today. Back to back interviews with press, mags, Radio and TV. At lunch the bread basket had Squid Ink Bread in it - jet back - didn't eat it though - too scared! Would make a fabulous byro. You can't get blood out of a stone but you can get Ink out of a Squid. Mango mad!

Interviews went well then we went for dinner with Hucky and Tao back to Hucky's house and met his gorgeous cat Micky - see pic.

Seemingly I am in Ravi Shanker's room!!! I can feel the vibes.

Alison
x

Arriving in Bangkok

2009-02-25T22:21:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 25th Feb

The flight out of Colombo was at 1.35am on Wednesday - so we were flying through the night. We arrived in Bangkok (for the 3rd time in seven days) at around 6.00 am. Hucky met us at the airport and we were whisked off to the hotel. Rooms on the 23rd floor (the executive rooms) beautiful!

I seemely have Ravi Shankers room - so I'm looking around for any crumbs that he may have left behind! The view from the room and executive lounge is stunning and the staff are amazing.

We had a couple of interviews in the afternoon as well as Thai Guitar TV - an online TV station.

We ate some sushi ( veggie for me) in the exec lounge and then went for a light dinner in one of the hotel bars.

Masterclass & Temples

2009-02-25T22:17:00.000-08:00

A picture from the Masterclass.
A x

Masterclass, Elephants and Interviews - Tuesday 24th February

2009-02-25T11:28:00.001-08:00

Tuesday 24th Feb

Here are some pictures of what we got up to today!

Alison
xx

2009-02-25T11:25:00.000-08:00

Hoppers and Fab Foodie

Monday 23rd Feb

After an afternoon's shopping - we were out to dinner with some friends who live in Colombo. I had the most amazing foodie there - our friends had hoppers made on site!! They are like small deep dish shaped crispy pancakes that you have with curries and other ace Sri Lankan food. Hoppers have changed my life - they are probably the best thing in the world to eat!! I had a plain one and an egg one - out of this world. I just have to come back here again to do hoppers. Can't live without them now.

Tuesday 24th Feb

Today Martin and I have an interview with Steve from The Age newspaper in Sri Lanka. That went really well and I took a pic of me and Steve.

After that Martin and I met a friend who is Buddhist and we went to a nearby temple. We had an amazing tour around and one of the monks gave us his blessing. We met the resident baby elephant and the monks said that I could adopt him . So I sang him a wee song - Hey Good Looking fed him a pineapple and tried not to get my feet stood on. His trunk was unbelievably strong - he really grabbed that pineapple. Then gave me a crazy look.

Back at the hotel I got ready to head to the British Council to do a vocal masterclass. That was very well attended and it seemed to go well. Martin came in for the last 10 mins and played a couple of tunes with me and I stayed on to sit in on Martin's master class.

It was a great day and I'm sorry to leave - we needed to get back to the hotel to pack as the flight to Bangkok was at 1.30am.

Checked out and a car picked us up at 10.30pm. Goodbye Sri Lanka - I will certainly miss you and I just know I will be back soon. XXXXX

Colombo Day Off - ish!

2009-02-23T02:11:00.000-08:00

Monday 23rd Feb 2009

Show was really fab last night and I've managed to sync in with the local time. Jet lag no more!

Breakfast was rice, Japanese sauted potatoes and grilled tomatoes - oh and some really thick fruit juice that I can't pronouce let alone spell! It wasn't the kind of fruit juice to be found in Tesco that's for sure. We get a raw deal!

I met a lovely lady last night, an actress and director - Alison Skilbeck - she teaches at RADA and she's fab! I was trying to wangle my way to doing a show with her as I would love to do some acting again at some point. We hit it off and we're going to keep in touch. I really hope that I'm free to go and see her one woman show at The Kings Head in London 21st - 26th April. I just know she will be fabulous... I just know it!

Gosh big storm brewing here - large bangs and lightening all over the shop!

We went to some of the shops today and I bought a Sarong - sa right. I think it may look not too bad in Perthshire if the weather improves there! Gosh it is hot and humid here.

We met Alison again in the Sarong shop - so we all went for a light lunch and compared purchases.

Back at the hotel I took a picture of the view and then we had an interview with The Age - Melbournes leading morning newspaper. That went very well and the interviewer Jessica was on the button.

Dinner tonight - probably not outside as it is just chucking it down here. Tomorrow we have more interviews with a radio station here and then I am holding a vocal masterclass with 20 or so attendees. I think most of them were at the concert so they have a good idea of what I do on the vocal front.

OK - fruit!

Speak later

Alison
x

2009-02-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

21st Feb 2009 - Saturday

Ok - we finally managed to get to Sri Lanka. Within 24 hours of leaving Edinburgh airport we have been to Bangkok twice, we've been met with confiscation, the plague (Bird Flu), political unrest and terrorist attacks! I knew singing jazz would be trouble!

We left Bangkok on a late flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka. We were a good way on our journey in the air when the pilot anounced that we had to turn back due to the airport in Colombo being closed. I must admit I got a bit anxious to say the least! Martin and I cracked some jokes on the way back.

So we arrived back in Bangkok to see the news that Tamil Tigers were attacking Colombo airport as we were in the air. Planes, terrorists and jazz - not a good mix! Anyway we we're finally allocated rooms in a really beautiful hotel - it was gorgeous. Although I had about 2 and a half hours to enjoy the sleep as we were asked to be back down stairs for news of flights at 6.30am.

Well - no sleep but great breakfast in the morning and eventually we were taken to the airport to try again for a flight to Colombo.

We eventually arrived on Saturday afternoon - we left Scotland on Thursday so 3 days later 2 1/2 hours sleep - and guess what - a show that night! Totally pooped we did the concert and it was great. Afterwards I have probably the best burrito in the world at the bar then I headed off to my room. Slept the BIG sleep.

22nd Feb 2009 - Sunday

What did I do today?
Slept the great wall of China, reinvented myself as a wheel and ate a banana. Show time - pick up at 5pm and sound check thereafter. What a great venue - outside venue with all the tropical birds doing their thing in the background. It was a full house and we had loads of signing afterwards. Now I can eat! We are being taken to a pretty amazing restaurant and the food was fantastic. Since I only had a banana all day I think I could nosh for an army.

Need to get some sleep now as we are going shopping tomorrow! Shoes? Clothes? Not sure.

Speak soon and drop by for next tour news.

Ciao for now

Alison

Bangkok Post Feature

2009-02-20T01:59:00.000-08:00

Well here we are in Bangkok after 11 and 20 hours on a jet plane sitting next to the the Bird Flu Man who is still on the run! Tired and waiting for connection to Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Listened to Tony Bennett and Julie London all the way - that kept my mind off the people with the plague coughing and spluttering!

Wondering how the cat is???? He boaked up on my lovely silk bedspread when he saw the Big Suitcase coming out! He knows - you know!

Ok here's the transit pic - Mmmm??? One eye on the North Pole and one on a bowl of soup!

Lovely feature on Martin Taylor and me in the Bangkok Post.

Interviews

2009-02-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

Just finished doing a series of interviews with press and radio for Australia. I think I've done around 20 now and more to do when I get there. Looking forward to heading over to Oz soon but before that I've got shows in Thailand and Sri Lanka to pack for. Will miss the cat though!

2009-02-15T11:25:00.000-08:00

I've just returned from doing a show in Durham with Martin Taylor but before I left I got a chance to see Martin playing at the Fife Jazz Festival with Florin Niculescu. Dynamite.

2009-02-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Hi there - I feel really bad as I haven't checked in for some time! Bad Dolly!

Anyway - I'm here now and I thought I'd share my tour news with you. I'm off to Sri Lanka, Thailand and Australia for a long long tour and I'll be updating my blog from the road on a daily basis. There will be pictures and scandalabre galore!

Since my last chat I've been doing a bit a globe trotting doing lots of concerts. I played recently with Martin Taylor's Freternity in Almeria in Spain which was wonderful. It was great to get some sunlight on the eyeballs.

Various guitar festivals, Christmas and a Burns Supper later - I'm ready for the Big Smiley Tour around Asia and Australia!

I've one more concert in the UK before I head off. I'm hoping to meet up with various people in Australia that I know and also some other artists who are out on the road in Oz.

I'm buying a new camera for the trip and I'll be snapping away at every opportunity - so loads to look at when you drop by at the blog.

Ok - in the meantime here's a favourite recipe of mine - try it out and let me know how it goes.

Findus Crispy Pancakes - purchase a box of your favourite FCPs with suitable filling ( I always go veggie) pop under the grill or baking oven in the Aga. Nip out to the chip shop for a bag of chips and a cream egg. Make it quick mind as the pancakes won't wait for you.

Take the crispy pancakes from the grill or Aga and assemble with the chips on a warmed plate. Squirt with brown sauce to taste - Mmmmm!

Cream Egg is your pudding!

Lots of love

Alison
xx

Harlow, Ronnie Scotts and Egg Banjos

2008-06-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

Well what a week! After the BBC Radio 4 show Loose Ends show we were off to Harlow for the Mid Summer Festival on Sunday 22nd June - we filmed some of the festival and it was lovely singing in the sun! The audience were fabulous and I met up with friends from Dundee after the show.

Monday 23rd June - Ronnie Scotts

We travelled into London earlyish and checked into the hotel. Martin and I had a radio session which was really fun and very enjoyable. We had some very good friends coming down from Scotland to the Ronnies show, one very special friend flew down in his private plane to be there! As well as having a long list of press guests and two record company executives from Sony Japan, Ronnies was pretty much full!! We played 2 one hour sets which I think was quite unusual for a week day show - the audience were a real listening audience and there was absolutely no chat while we were playing! The show went really well and we chilled out with our friends after the show. A fabulous young guitarist called Marcus Bonfanti came along too with his partner Lizzie and I was really thrilled to see them.

Tuesday 24th June - Rays Jazz In-store & Ronnie Scotts

Martin and I had an in store at Rays Jazz which was bursting with people before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the show. Not sure what dress to wear - but went for a black and white 50's style number! Short but kinda cute! The show went extremely well - and again we had a load of press people there as well as the execs from Sony Japan. Ready to eat something - we all headed over to Little Italy for something to eat with the Sony Japan executives. I took my Haverhill Lamp with we - just as well as the lights were so low that none of us could read the menu.

Wednesday 25th June - travel home - can't wait to see the cat!

With a couple of days to get back to base and I had a radio interview with Alan Steadman at Radio Tay. Alan is wonderful - I can remember doing my very first radio session with him many moons ago. We had a great chat on and off air. I mentioned that I had just been in Broughty Ferry with my girlfriends including my old singing pals - The Penny Dainties! They were all off to see Sex and the City but I couldn't go with them as I had my interview with Alan scheduled in. I might just go to the Flicks on Sunday.....

My mum came to Radio Tay with me and I was quite excited for her as she had never been in a radio studio before. So there she was sitting beside me while I was chatting on air. I just saw her face beaming. Alan played 3 tracks I think - He's A Tramp, I'm Confessin' and If It's Magic. He has been such a great supporter over the years and he runs a fabulous jazz venue in Arbroath at Hospitalfield - I haven't played there yet but would love to.

So I was really looking forward to Saturday - a whole day off and a well anticipated visit to Visocci's cafe in Kirriemuir for Egg Banjos - ie fried egg rolls. If you are curious as to why they are called Egg Banjos - you can ask me if you are really interested and I'll let you in on the secret - hee hee! Visocci's in Kirrie is the best! There is nothing like it!

London Music Show, Haverhill & BBC's Loose Ends

2008-06-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Since last checking in I've been out on the road with the Freternity band in Darlington at the beginning of June. I managed to squeeze in a radio interview with BBC Radio Suffolk before heading to London for the London International Music Show for 5 days supporting the launch of the iTalkguitar.com website. It's a cool new website for guitar nuts a bit like a Myspace for guitarists.

We arrived at the Excel Centre armed with all the exhibition bits and pieces as well as a 12 year old bottle of Glenfiddich whiskey. I saw some great guitarists including Joe Satriani and Paul Gilbert ...oh and Jason Bonham popped past our stand as well as Courtney Pine! It was full on to say the least!. I did find some time to whizz around some of the other stands and came across the Tascam stand where the guys there had a massive jar of retro sweets - Parma Violets the lot! Well I immediately dipped into the jar with permission of course. I thought it only polite to revisit the guys with my bottle of Glenfiddich and some glasses! I was made very welcome and we made "Whiskey O'Clock" at the end of the day a statutory requirement. In fact, we all really hit it off and as a lovely surprise when on the last day of the show the Tascam guys gave me a portable digital recording studio to take back to Scotland with me!!! I was so thrilled .. what a lovely kind thing to do and I will certainly make great use of it! Those guys Rawk! I think that some of them are going to try and get along to the Ronnie Scott's shows too.

We came back from the London Music Show
absolutely shattered with having been on our feet for 4 days but thankfully we had some help on the stand. We had hired in a team of promo girls and guys. It was real team work.

Back from London and with a couple of days to cuddle the cat and catch up on normal stuff I was off to Glasgow to be a judge at the Young Entrepreneur Awards. The teams I was judging were fabulous but for me there were 2 stand out entries, one school from Inverness with their "Eat 5 a day" giant fridge magnets and the other school from Shetland with their GoEco bags! Very enterprising and lovely bright kids! I even bought 3 of the Fridge Magnet packs to take back home. I wonder who finally won the award? I should find out this week hopefully.

So - Thursday 19th June and it's an early flight to get down to Haverhill for a show at the Arts Centre with Martin. I wondered if my new pink suitcase would survive the baggage handlers??? Or even arrive at the airport at all! The Royal Highland Show was on and it was a complete nightmare getting to Edinburgh airport with massive delays due to the shear amount of traffic - almost missed the flight! Phew that was close!

Thursday 19th June Haverhill Arts Center
Martin and I have been doing shows with some props - lamp, table, picture of my cat...... but of course impossible to travel with when it come to flights. As it happens the Arts Centre had fabulous green battery lamps so I managed to pull together the props I needed for the show. I ended up actually swapping the lamp for a couple of CDs ... so I have my own travel lamp now and it looks very retro. All set for Ronnie's now!

Friday 20th June - day off so made the most of it and did some shopping for some on the road essentials.

Saturday 21st June - BBC Radio 4 Show Loose Ends with Clive Anderson

It was an early start to get to the BBC for the show and once we got our sound check done it was straight onto recording. Martin and I played "If It's Magic" and the other musical guest was pop group "James" who played a song from their new album called "Hey Ma". The chat guests were Anne de Courcy author of "Snowdon", actor David Bradley who played the caretaker in Harry Potter, Peter Moffat writer of new BBC Drama "Criminal Justice", Rachael Stirling actress who was talking to Matthew Sweet ,presenter of BBC4 documentary "British B Movies: Truly Madly Cheaply" and comedian Todd Barry from New York who also starred in TV series "Sex and the City". What an interesting day that was! Loads of great chat and laughter after the show had been recorded.

So tomorrow I have a show in Harlow - so signing off for now as I need some extra ZZZzzzzz's!
Ciao for now

Alison
x

A Bonkers Weekend

2008-06-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

Wow what a mad weekend I've just had. Shows in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Vence in the South of France.. It all started with a very early Friday morning 30th May.. off on the road to get to Glasgow for a radio session at Smooth Radio with Martin Taylor.

SMOOTH RADIO

We talked about the new album "1:am" and selected three tracks to be played on the show - True, He's a Tramp and If It's Magic. Martin wrote the music for True and I wrote the lyrics. He's A Tramp is that fabulous Peggy Lee song which is really the anthem for the Disney movie Lady and The Tramp. I've been trying to get hold of a copy of the film - so must get searching around on Amazon! And of course the last track we selected was the version of that wonderful song written by Stevie Wonder - If It's Magic. When we were recording the album we made a radio edit of the track but I think the station played the full version.

Then we were back on the road to Edinburgh to get to the Queens Hall for the sound check. Doors at 7.30 and showtime - 8pm. Have a look at the footage for "Again" from the Edinburgh show.

Saturday 31st May - The City Halls Glasgow.

Well.... this is the first time I've been in this venue although I have played a concert in the Old Fruitmarket which is more or less in the same building. It's a big venue!

Now I do love a little bite to eat but never before singing. My rider is always just water, still not fizzy or as they say in Italy solo aqua. The audience was great and Martin and I both noticed a lot of smiley faces. I recognised a few familiar faces in the audience and I really enjoyed the gig.

Another early start tomorrow, early flight to France so I then headed off to my hotel.

Sunday 1st June - an early flight to Nice to do a show with Bill Wyman and his Rhythm Kings in a Chateau in the hills in the south of France. We were picked up at the airport and whisked off to a remote location up in the hills overlooking the Cote d'Azur. It was a great night, the atmosphere was amazing and the scenery stunning but that early flight the next day is always on the horizon.

Monday 2nd June - not too early a start so there was time to munch on some breakfast before flying back to the UK. I'm saving all the good juicy stories for my book!!! Looking forward to getting home and seeing the cat and I hope my husband has been keeping the Aga wiped over!

Ciao for now
Alison
X