Totally rocking show at the Aladdin Theater in Portland Oregon last night! Two sets and we gave Lady Jay and Persephone an airing for the crowd. They seemed to like this. Right from the first song folks were on their feet ready to party. We'd already met up with quite a few of the audience members and longtime Ash diehards in the bar next door, where we had our usual table. I had to be careful because fans were buying me drinks already and it was still early in the evening. Dr. John drove in from Boise Idaho and regaled me with stories of his alternate universe on Maui. Hawaii has been quite the subject lately in the band. We were due to play there on this tour but finances would not pan out. Anyway, the owner of the Arcadia Blues Club, Bobby Bluehouse has invited me to his home on Oahu's north shore where I'll be given a program of yoga in the mornings with some long boarding in the afternoon. God help me. Maybe I'll get to meet the good Doctor while I'm there.  Many of you will know that John is the main reason that I got things cranked  back up in America after some tough times here. He kept the fan base  intact all those years through USASH our fan club, and he and I together produced a great little book back in the early 1990's called the Collectors Guide to Wishbone Ash. It came complete with all kinds of info about our recorded output plus my anecdotes from the road. The book and encouragement I got from people like Dr. John and especially Leon Tsilis, was what kept the flame alive through those tough days and without a doubt people like these were the  impetus behind the band's slow resurgence with the Illuminations album, for example,  which has all led to where we are today.  Incidentally, Leon has been going through yet more rough health issues lately so I'm sure you'll all join myself and the band in wishing the Godfather of Wishbone Ash, good vibes and improved health as he gets to grips with things. The band, former members and current members alike, all owe the good doctor and Leon a huge debt of gratitude. They made things happen for us back in the day when no one in the business gave a hoot for the band, including those former members who'd themselves given up on it.  Anyway, John  and I will be driving together to the Satsop festival today. I'm looking forward to catching up with him. On another note, yesterday, I heard from our dear friend and guitar slinger supremo, Ben Granfelt, up in Helsinki. This is a guy who injected huge energy into our much loved band during his 4 year tenure in the early years of this decade. Ben was recently the victim of a savage attack in the city while trying to get a taxi. He was sucker punched on the street, mugged and kicked unconscious by this huge guy who also did the same to a couple of other people that night. Currently Ben's recovering from a chipped tooth, vision problems and nerve damage to his hands. Please join in with me in wishing him a calm and speedy recovery.  Unfortunately, we missed another long term Ash veteran, Ray Weston,  when we were in Laguna. He was flying to London with his California family but we raised a glass to him on the beach where I remember he took us some years ago. Ray was another angel who stepped into the breach when Steve Upton couldn't finish the Strange Affair album back in the day. Ray gave many years of service to this band before settling in California with his wife, Kelly. Ray is very active teaching drums and producing as well as gigging.  Hey dude!                           

Next post: Andy on Bob Harris Radio Show
Previous post: The Show Goes On!