The time has come to retire… after so many gigs, so many miles travelling from one end of the country to the other, limp and lifeless in the back of an old van. No, I’m not talking about me but my faithful keyboard “case”. Such was the emotional heft of its burial that I felt moved to burst into song… “someone left a case out in the rain // I don’t think that I can take it // cos it took (Katrin) so long to make it”. But out with the old and in with the new. And so, it was in honour of the first gig of this year’s John Hackett Band tour that we headed off to Chelmsford Social Club last Friday with a brand-new case for my Korg Triton (which is itself in need of a few joint replacements).
Being the first gig where we were to present highlights from ‘Voyage Of The Acolyte’, there was a certain feeling of trepidation. Fortunately, our host Nick and his excellent team (pictured below) were there to support us all the way. So, when Duncan’s foot pedal fell apart help was immediately on hand (thanks, Roger!). And when Jeremy’s bass guitar also decided it had had enough (is the universe trying to tell us something, I wonder?), it seemed a fitting moment to soothe the band’s nerves with an impromptu rendition of Debussy’s ‘Syrinx’ for solo flute. It was one of those Cliff Richard at Wimbledon in the rain moments, though I suspect he had more people singing along…
Oh, and I mustn’t forget to inform those of you who are interested in all things JHB that our new album ‘Red Institution’ is now available to order in advance (or pre-order whichever side of that heated debate you are on) from https://hacktrax.co.uk/ . The official release date is the 11th of April at The Greystones, Sheffield where we’ll be launching the album – tickets here https://wegottickets.com/event/627475/ . I’m pleased to say that the stock is already here and all copies ordered from Hacktrax will be signed by the band. Meanwhile, I’m off to Grimsby this Saturday with The Book of Genesis so I’d better get back to practising that tricky bit at the end of ‘Supper’s Ready’.
Finally, thanks, everyone, for all the lovely messages (and commiserations) I received on my 70th birthday!