I have been a regular visitor to the town of Glastonbury since my late teens. There is something unique about the infectious energy and esoteric culture of the whole place that is impossible to avoid. Many of the instruments that I use to make my music have come from its unique shops. I bought my first Native American flute in Glasto (encouraged by my good friend Fraser) one rainy afternoon when I took shelter in a music shop. The flute was over-priced as are many things in Glasto but, unlike buying stuff online, you do get to try before you buy and that is a bonus worth paying for. Most of my Tibetan Bowls, a few World drums and various bits of percussion were acquired in Glasto too – and not forgetting a Hang Drum, a large Chinese Gong . . . and a few more Native American flutes too. This is a place where a credit card can suffer serious damage but everything has found its way into the music I produce either directly in front of a microphone or indirectly by helping me to come up with ideas, to develop themes, moods and arrangements.
Assuming you are still reading this, you have probably guessed from the photo that I have been there again. Despite every intention to only spend money on sensible stuff this time around, I couldn't resist a couple of most beautifully sounding and seductive looking Tibetan Bowls during my final day so I guess another TB album could be on the cards? It might surprise you (as it has surprised me) to know that in terms of publishing and streaming, TB has outperformed everything else I have recorded to date with the Shamanic Drumming albums coming close second. Strange to think how this could be in this age of electronic wizardry but there it is.
So – back to Glastonbury, I was there for a week before the festival generally recharging those hippy batteries and doing as little as possible while passing time soaking up the atmosphere in the ruined Abbey (re-purposed as a picnic spot courtesy Henry VIII back in 1539) the lovely Chalice Well gardens and, of course, the Tor. There were only 3 people on the Tor when I arrived somewhat breathlessly shortly after 6 o'clock one morning. I was having a pleasant conversation with one of them until another came bounding over and, very politely, told us to shut up because we were disturbing her sunrise meditation. That kind of thing can only happen in Glastonbury:-) Suitably chastened and after making hushed apologies I started back down the hill only to see a young woman with a sizeable backpack running effortlessly up the same pathway that I had been struggling to walk up a few moments before. A humbling experience on both counts you could say but the view from the top was fantastic and a perfect way to start the day.