24th January 2021
NEWS!!! WE HAVE ACTUAL NEWS!!! AND, QUITE REMARKABLY, GIVEN THE TIMES WE ARE IN, THE NEWS IS GOOD!!!
And the news is… it’s only taken a year… but the recording of our show at the Queen Elizabeth Hall last year is finally available. Here is the iTunes link…
And here is a shot of the cover…
Other news, I have a new song for lockdown, the film of which is being edited right now. Will post as soon as it’s ready which should be the end of next week.
And the three of us were on zoom for several days re-writing an old song of ours with a view to a VERY interesting collaboration across the world with other alt-cabaret artists. Watch this space… the song and the personnel with whom we are collaborating are under wraps right now but here is a picture of us happily zooming.
The lovely Ms. Pulman was very pleased with the results of her Christmas song as it raised a goodly sum of money for Help Musicians UK. Christmas may be long past, but it is always the season for a beautiful rendition of a lovely song, so you can still watch and listen here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORm2Gl0ycbU and if you are moved to donate, here’s the link. https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/support-our-work/make-a-donation
Meanwhile, we are trying to get used to life without our wonderful friend and producer, David Johnson, who died shortly before Christmas of COPD. His death is a great loss to our end of show business – the quirky, the tricky, the odd and the one-offs. But it’s also a greent loss socially – he was so much fun and thought there was nothing nicer than seeing a great show and going for dinner afterwards with friends. His business partner and best friend, John Mackay, will continue to produce us but if it’s left a hole in our lives, it’s left a Grand Canyon in his.
Whatever horrors 2021 may bring, surely we are better braced for them than we were in the innocent spring days of 2020?
I have been horribly inactive on my blog, https://shityoudontneed.blog, as I’ve been somewhat undermined by melancholy. I find everything such an effort… but I did give the opening keynote speech at the London South Bank University virtual Sustainability and Climate Action Event in November. You can view it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCaCRAzfseM&list=PLwuMjzwXhzSeHdfWrMwvFD9Peuv_Iljo5&index=1
Finally, if you haven’t seen it yet and fancy a cathartic weep, check out our recording of anold song of ours, FLOWERS IN WINTER. We recorded it in October knowing that Remembrance Day was approaching, and we were all inspired by the fund-raising efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore. So it was a perfect time to re-record it and let Liza’s beautiful voice truly illuminate the lyrics. The Hatfield & Askern Colliery band added its rich warmth to Michael Roulston’s lovely piano playing and our friend Marco Alessi compiled a marvellous video to go with it. Steve Walker wrote the gorgeous brass arrangement, and then it went back to Michael Roulston for mixing. It really was a fabulous team effort and reminded us all what a lovely family Fascinating Aïda has gathered over the years, which makes the loss of David seem all the more poignant.
It’s also up on the various streaming platforms if you want to download it.
Obviously, we won’t be touring in February and March, but the May June bookings still stand – but who knows? Cross fingers… We can’t wait to get out on the road again. Working together from time to time is great for group morale, but nothing beats the sheer joy of gigging. Any changes will go up on our Facebook page so do keep an eye on that. https://www.facebook.com/fascinatingaida/
Stay safe, friends.
Xxxx
Dillie
I already LOVE LOVE LOVE Flowers in Winter, but this is a whole new level of wonderful. I’ve only heard it with the piano backing before, and the addition of the Band and the photos make it even more poignant and evocative. What a beautiful tribute to the people who gave so much for us and who we remember with respect and love. Thank you all for this; it’s just what I needed to put other things in perspective.
We were thrilled the way it turned out, tbh. We released the film a little late for it to be taken up by the media, but what the hell, it’s timeless and there is always next year. I always say Fascinating Aïdas work would be shallow without these quiet songs that say who we are. SO glad you like the new version. xxx Stay safe in the meantime… dillie
Pray for Joe indeed. From another heathen.
We prayed for Joe and it worked – but did we pray for America as well?!!! Still on tenterhooks here… Stay well Julia! x DK
I absolutely love “ flowers in winter” poignant and evocative and truly beautiful. Thank you all
Ahh, yes, we love it too. Thanks so much xx DK
A lovely tribute at this time when the world seems very strange indeed. The generation who lived through1939-1945 endured much and perhaps we owe it to them to grit our teeth and carry on.
Thanks Gill xx DK
So lovely!
Thanks Pat – Stay well! x DK
Hello FA.
Glad you are feeling a little more postive Dillie. I have a cheeky little shiraz to toast Joe Biden victory.
New song is beautiful, thanks to all the team.
Can’t wait for a night of FA!
See you on the other side.
Oh, a little Shiraz cures an awful lot of ills… See you on the other side, Maureen. xxx Stay well! x DK
Fingers crossed this nasty Covid will have been dealt with by May and June. Tickets bought for Cheltenham.
Stay safe all of you!
Until we meet again
Jerry x
Oh Jerry, I’m crossing everything – bugger Covid! x dk
How very moving. Wonderfully thought provoking.
Keep safe Fascinating Aïda and everyone else viewing
Looking forward to seeing you next year in Southampton. xx
Let’s hope – here’s to Southampton! x DK
So poignant. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it. x dk
This is a much loved song with a wonderful new twist. Just what we need to bring things into some kind of perspective in these strange times. I absolutely love it.
Looking forward to seeing you in action next year and in the meantime I shall look out for the new dvd.
Thanks so much. xxx DK
Thank you; it is good to remember, with sadness and gratitude and love, those lost and gone for ever. The email linking to this just arrived in my inbox a few days before the anniversary of my mother’s untimely death at the age of 30; and whilst I am remembering my grandfather, killed in 1915. Your song is a lovely tribute to all. Yes, I echo Karen, this puts our petty troubles in true perspective.
Yes, I know many people wanted us to produce a funny song but somehow, this seemed more appropriate for the time – remembering the huge sacrifices of other generations and putting our own sacrifices in perspective – celebrating Captain Tom… and sometimes it does us good to have a bit of a weep too! xx DK
Beautiful! I can’t wait to see you all I. Basingstoke next year!
Basie ahoy! x dk
Greetings from Berlin / Germany,
thank you so much for this wonderful and moving “flowers in winter”. As germans we owe you so much! You´ve saved us from that evil nazi-dictatorship. We won´t forget the bitter sacrifices, your nation has made. Agein, thank you.
With kindest regards,
Michael Kurth
Dear Michael, that is such a generous post. Thank you so much. I have been fortunate enough to perform in Berlin and have fallen in love with Germany. I visit regularly though my efforts to learn German keep hitting the wall! Please God we have all moved on without forgetting. Very best wishes, Dillie.
Sounds lovely and encouraging for the future.
Never seen you live but really would like to.
Take care and keep well.
Ah, you’ve never seen us! Oh dear, well that will have to be rectified. We’re doing our best to stay positive and hope very much to be on the road a LOT in 2021.
Stay well! x DK
Absolutely delighted to hear you are on tour again. See you in Exeter in June 2021(covid-permitting). Friends are delighted to have something to look forward to in these uncertain times! And I love your new look Adele; it’s absolutely brilliant! It really suits you. Stunning!
Thanks so much… let’s hope Covid lets up! And yes, Dame Adele is looking marvellous with her new hairdo. Stay well! x DK
Ah, just watching Back in the Saddle now (having been in the audience!) And so hope to see you all in March at the Festival Theatre…. If we all have to mask up , so be it! Missing you all. Stay safe
Thanks Chris, stay safe yourself. We can’t wait to get back on stage. Cross fingers for 2021…
Ah, just had message that Festival Theatre date is moving. Better safe. Worry not, we shall still be there, front row, cheering you all on!
We’re all so sorry about this… Thanks for being so supportive and hanging on to your tickets!
Can you tell us more about this? I’d care to find out more details.|
I’m sorry, I’m probably having a very stupid day, but what in particular would you like to find out about?
My Dad was born in 1897( yes, honest, and I’m still alive!) and he went through both Wars. He died when I was fifteen, so I never got to ask him about his experiences, which I now realise must have been unspeakably hideous. I’m a tough, macho man who would never cry at something so simple as a song, but . . . well, I must have got something in my eye.
Thank you all so much. It is the quiet, sincere songs among the humour that make FA so special.
Lordy, both wars… How sad for you to lose your Dad in your teens, that was far too young. Thank you for such a generous comment. And hope 2021 is bearable for all of us.
I discovered your blog site on google and also check a few of your very early blog posts. Remain to maintain the very good run. I simply added up your RSS feed to my MSN News Viewers. Looking for forward to reading more from you later on!? Ilene Rafe LeeAnn
Thanks so much!
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks! Farand Serge Zina
I pondered whether to reply to this or not because you’re going to get four emails from me which is VERY annoying. But then I thought it was better to acknowledge and apologise, and let you know that I will inform our web-people (makes them sound like ducks…) and ask them if they can fix it. Personally, I hate it when I get too many emails from any company and unfollow immediately when irked by volume! So I hope to have this sorted for you soon. Cheers, and let us know if it’s cured, the same or – hope not – worse! xx stay safe meanwhile!
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also go to see this web site
on regular basis to obtain updated from most recent news
update.
Hope he subscribes!
I was moved to tears by Flowers. So perfect.. so happy to see you on tour again, we will be there to see you in Harrogate in September all being well.
Cant wait to see you in Harrogate this year 🙂
I can’t wait to see you AND Harrogate this year!