So, item 23 on the new list was something a little bit different, to get John Hackett to play flute on my next album. John is a musician whom I've admired hugely since first hearing "Kim" on older brother Steve's album "Please Don't Touch". His work on "Sketches of Satie" had me hooked, and I also looked out his classical album "Velvet Afternoon".
Thanks have to go to friend and fellow prog-head John Simms for providing the opportunity for me to meet John Hackett face to face. He had just given a beautiful concert at John Simms' then church Wesley Hall, Crookes, Sheffield and was standing at the rear of the church. I took the opportunity to talk to him and we chatted music, singing lessons and general life. He was wonderful to talk to, so when the opportunity came to ask him whether he'd contribute to my next album, after a few email exchanges, I decided to take it, and just see how it went.
He said yes, though he did express some relief that I wouldn't need him for a session particularly soon as he mentioned he's behind on some other promised sessions.
I've just discovered he's playing with his band at The Musician in Leicester on the 17th of April, just 3 days after my 39th Birthday so it'd be rude not to go, especially as his new album "Another Life" is top of my personal list of 2015 albums.
I really can't wait to work with John, and I know that his flute will add a dimension to my music which only his ethereal, beautiful and melodic playing can.
