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08-May-2010

'New Blood' at the Hollywood Bowl

So that was the end of the short but sweet promo tour of 'Scratch My Back', with the 'New Blood' orchestras.

We really had no idea if it was going to work back in November. I have never seen Peter more nervous than at the production rehearsal back in March, he really was sticking his neck out. Then, here is the end result, a sold out show at the Hollywood Bowl, such a great ending to this story. The audience were a lot more 'up for it' than in New York, I guess that's California for you.

It was not the perfect show production wise, we did have some problems on and off the stage. For one the stage hight was not great enough for our large screens to be seen from the back of the Bowl. You could see 3 quarters but not the whole screen, due to the catwalk over the stage. This was a big issue for our ever optimistic lighting and video team headed by Rob Sinclair and Blue Leach.

After the sun went down and the temperature changed the PA went all hash sounding, which was a big problem for our 'cooler than a cucumber' front of house mixer Richard Sharrat and his assistant Jamie Pollok.

But on stage I would say Peter had never sung so well. He was on top form, really going high and letting rip on both sets. This was also due to the crazy fixed orchestra that we had, all L.A. session musicians, that were on top of their game. The girls were on it too, very strong. Ane's 'Don't Give Up was top class.

Oh yes we were also joined by Shanker who came and sang and played on 'In Your Eyes', playing his great electric double violin and high vocals.

We also had a visit from Bob Ezrin, I'm very glad he saw this last one, it was in my book, the best. It just all worked, gelled and came together.

Now for a short break before we get on with making a record of the second half of the show. We all know it really well, so it's going to sound fantastic. Then we can get ready for our possible new European dates in September.

Meanwhile I'm off to Vancouver to see my friends. I hope the crew get back home, I hear we have ash clouds coming in again. DC

06-May-2010

We have come quite a way in the last few months.

It all started back in November with Peter saying that maybe we should promote this new album and go out and try a few of his songs with an orchestra. Then we expanded our list of songs and worked flat-out on new arrangements right up
until our first production rehearsal at Shepperton Studios, outside London in March. Then we went to Paris to the Radio France sessions, then on to Berlin with our British players. After a short break we reached Montreal then New York, just the other day with the great St. Luke's players.

Here we are now in the centre of the US film industry with an amazing session orchestra. These musicians are playing on all of the big Hollywood films and are very 'on it' and loud too. From a quick sight reading of 'Heroes', just now, we all got the chill factor with the power of these players in the room. Just perfect for the Hollywood Bowl. We can't wait. Our great core players are fitting in very well and helping things along as usual.

Meanwhile our Production Manager and Stage Manager Gary True and Pat Gatly are here, busy working out how to get all of our gear back to the UK. It looks like its all going on a boat to be sure of getting back, that volcano seems to be on the move with that pesky smoke again. Lets hope we all get to fly back too.

Yes this fridays show is going to be the peak of our work. Talking here to Tom Cawley, our wonderful piano player, he can't wait!

I am off to the LA guitar centre now to prep for Peter. He is going do a Q&A session this afternoon.

04-May-2010

Radio City. Show 2

As normal on this tour the 2nd show was better than the first. We had no problems, all departments worked great. Well done every one.

Red Rain is starting to really work well, in a better place than last night, before 'Darkness'.

Peter was really happy this time and opened up more, singing great. We got Lou Reed in to do his 'Solsbury Hill' cover and it made a great contrast in the second half. He wanted it to be as loud as possible, so I hope the audience coped with it.

The St. Luke's Orchestra that we have been using totally set the standard for the LA session people that we will pick up tomorrow. They went really loud and went for it.

Blue Leech did a great job hand mixing and colouring on the video, we could see it due to the side screens for the show being at an angle just outside othe stage area. He has a great combination of handmade and hi-tech ideas that along with Rob Sincliar's lighting direction give the show great visual contrasts.

So a great show , ready now for the Hollywood Bowl. We rehearse with the L.A. session orchestra for 2 days then do the Bowl on friday.

The lovely Dan lavi and I now have to safely transport the score to Los Angles as our hand luggage, we need them first thing tomorrow.

Better get our sun lotion ready. L.A. here we come.

Then we can look at a possibility of another outing in the autumn. We hope.

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03-May-2010

Radio City. Show 1

Here we are at the end of the first New York show. Was it good? I think so, but it's hard to tell in this venue.

We have achieved a new idea by putting an orchestral show into an arena type venue. Now we bring it back to a theatre, and we are thinking, "was it the right place to play?"

The New York audience were into it, just not as much as Paris or Berlin and certainly not as much as in Montreal. Radio City is a hard venue in which to get an audience response due to the acoustic. In an arena such as those we have been inso far, when you hear the audience, you really hear them. Here in this venue it feels somehow a little removed.

Peter was really trying to get the audience warmed up in the first half, and it did seem hard to get them all going. I'm sure we will see some good feedback on the forums today.

After a fast bit of work from Peter and John we added 'Red Rain' to the set. it worked, we think, but felt in the wrong place coming before
'Solsbury Hill', so we need to change that. Apart from that it was a great day as the Radio City crew were very helpful, as New York local crews are, and got us up and running as quickly as they could, making sure we had lots of extra help. I also had an extra person put on to watch me work and make sure I had everything I needed during the show.

Ane and Mel sang great. Peter and Mel did their new duet on 'Washing', which is starting to come together nicely. Our conductor Ben is starting to relax a bit and dance with PG during 'Solsbury'.

The St Luke's orchestra (our New Blood orchestra) really did us proud and came up with the goods last tonight. I guess it's a home show for them and they were really on fire.

OK lets see how tonight night two will turn out.

Also my ankle is ok so far, it hurts a bit but I have this great strap that's keeping it supported really well. My panic about not doing the show is over, it's all good.

02-May-2010

Break a leg.

Oh dear last night I tripped and sprained my ankle just by walking out of a restaurant in New York.

Luckily I was with my friends Anna and Becky. Anna convinced me to go to Accident and Emergency and more than luckily Becky has a friend in the A and E unit who got me seen really fast. So thank you to Dr. Dean Straff and Dr. Kenneth Yu at New York Presbyterian A and E unit for being so kind and helpful.

This means that I can't do my normal zooming around the backstage area sorting things out for Peter. I will need the help of the rest of the crew in my setup and during the show. I can still mix and do my other show calls from where I sit. These days Peter comes off-stage to speak to me anyway, so all should be good.
Just always look where you walk and be careful of stupid hidden gaps in the flooring ...I will.

Right around the corner from our hotel there was a car bomb that the NYPD did a great job on diffusing. I had walked past the place in Times Square right before they cleared the area. Scarey stuff in these big cities.

Looking forward to our first Radio City show. It's going to be great, despite everything, local bomb scares and all.

Me (Dickie Chappell) with Dr. Kenneth Yu. Thank you!

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