W E D N E S D A Y 28.12.05 The earth meets in a single silence to mark a thousand tragedies...a time for looking back and sharing the grief of the ones left scanning the skies for the reason why. S

T U E S D A Y 22.11.05 A veritable feast of concerts and gigs this week- and each totally different from the last. Thursday saw us down at St Swithun's Centre, Bournemouth- a truly beautiful venue with stained glass windows and high soaring walls. The song FAINT took on new meaning in such a place. we needed no added reverb to our vocals- a first! Friday found us playing an impromptu gig at our local school in aid of Earthquake Relief in Pakistan- the kids were so excited to come to their first live gig- great to see them jiving away to those African rhythms. we did most things uptempo and with energy, and it was fun to hear Daniel trying to explain Vermeer's Astronomer in words of one syllable!! We did a fun slot of Show and Tell with the percussion instruments which went down well with parents and kids alike. Well the whole evening saw £1600 going out to Pakistan, so we were all dead chuffed. Saturday night was a chillout cafe style evening run by a great GP- needless to say it was faultlessly organised!! Thanks Paula. And many thanks to our team who gave up valuable worktime and put in much hard graft to make these gigs happen and happen well. Here's to a fabulous 2006!!! S.

After three years and two successful albums to its name so far, Note For a Child embraces change as Daniel Goodman, co-founding songwriter, announces his departure from the band.
Susie Beattie will be leading the band forward into the New Year. She says:
"I am very sad to see Daniel leave, as weâve had a great deal of fun and enjoyed some really stimulating, challenging times of writing and performing together. I know I speak for the whole band when I say we wish him all the very best in his life together with beautiful Anna.

I feel passionately that the great collection of songs that Daniel and I have crafted over the last few years demand to be performed - they have so many miles left to run! And now, at this point in NFaCâs history, I am really excited at the prospect of seeing the bandâs performance transform and mature, as we play an increasingly busy gigging schedule in 2006.

Daniel will continue with the band until December 2005 and is then planning a winter wedding, marrying Anna in January 2006. He says:
"I have really enjoyed my time as part of the band, it has been great to spend so much time with a group of really close friends, traveling the country, ministering and playing, meeting people and even collaborating with some. My highlights include playing in the big top at Spring Harvest 05, and the surprise I felt when we received such a warm welcome at New Wine.
I feel my time as part of Note For a Child has come to an end partly because I want to put the emphasis in my life in different places, for example I am about to be married! I also think I need to take a step back for the moment and listen to what God would want me to be involved with next.
I would like to thank my dear friends, Paul and Susie Beattie, who had the vision and made this wonderful journey possible.

NFaC are adding to their live strength by welcoming a second percussionist, David Gane, to join forces with established NFaC drummer Nick Rutter; his recent first outing in London was storming!

Kathie Brown will increase her role in their live sound, with vocals, violin and tambura, as will the talented Andy Cross (acoustic/electric/Ebow/slide guitars), Paul Hunt (keys, synths, loops) and Ian Newman (upright/electric bass).

The band are looking forward to taking NFaC songs old and new into 2006, and giving them space to be heard and felt by audiences around the country, as Susie says:
"I am certain that there is much journeying left to be done with the poetry already written and with new material on its way."

T H U R S D A Y 08.09.05 A couple of nights ago Anna and I went to see 'Crash', an excellent film, 'Traffic' meets 'Heat' meets 'Sideways'. The band are keeping me entertained at the moment because they are each having to answer 'Five Minute Interviews' for the new website, I won't give any answers away but lets just say some of them don't understand the concept of a one word answer! (Tee hee!). The next few months look like they'll be alot of fun, gigs, publicity, new website, new album! We've got lots of ideas to make the whole thing great fun all round so keep an eye on the site for a major update with plenty of new info, images and plenty of freebies including mp3s! D.

W E D N E S D A Y 07.09.05 OK kids, some family news... on August the 18th 2005 at sunrise, Anna Robbins said 'Yes'... I AM ENGAGED! The girl with the sky in her eyes has made me very, very, very happy. We are going for a winter wedding at her college chapel here in Cambridge. D.

T U E S D A Y 30.08.05 Tomorrow and tomorrow...this week sprang past and then there was all that is Greenbelt. This month we have had the pleasure of performing at three New Wine Weeks in Shepton Mallet and Harrogate, Living Water Festival in Norwich and then last Sunday on Cheltenham racecourse at Greenbelt Festival. It's weird how different the performances can be when we are basically doing the same set of songs with the same team of people give or take. Some sets were storming and we came off with a real buzz, and others felt like really hard graft. I think that is the nature of the beast that is live performance. I know that tiredness, morale, heat, length of available soundcheck time and on stage sound all play a part so you've just got to be able to get in the zone whatever and just deliver the songs and their meaning no matter what. Debriefing and letting off steam over post-gig curry an ESSENTIAL and a great incentive to pack down and load the van quickly after the set, lest the local curryhouse has locked up for the night! Playing the Performance Cafe at Greenbelt and New Wine week B have to be my favourite moments, although packing three press interviews, two gigs and five hours of driving into the Greenbelt day has left me a little worse for wear. Being the doc, I guess I should know why you feel low when you're tired. But I suppose it wouldn't really help. Think I need to go for the sleep option again; so will sign off...oh, for live pics at Greenbelt already just hop on their site. Well done lovely band...S

T U E S D A Y 23.08.05 A break in the blog could mean anything from the longest holiday ever to so much going on and no time to write....well, Eternal Curve is written, recorded, mixed, remixed, remixed and remixed...long late nights, much fun, some frustration, much exhilaration, some unspecified number of tracklist changes.... with trembling fingers I sealed up the envelope for next day delivery to the Isle of Skye where Denis Blackham was to master it. What returned was such a delight..I can only say that his skill has won the bigger tracks over and added cream to the rest. Thanks Denis. We are so delighted to have had our friends and fellow musicians add to the creations and to have collaborated with Mark Edwards in four of them. That man is a genius! Need to sign off to sleep. Greenbelt this weekend; will tell more about our 'live' journeys tomorrow. So much has happened...S

T H U R S D A Y 16.06.05 Just back from the foothills of the Pyrenees.. my parents treating us to the holiday; breathtaking, refreshing. Lonely house surrounded by hillsides of early maize; gentle weather, breakfast outside every day; clear air, unrestrained birdsong; olive oil, sun oil; shocking cold water to cool in and float under blue sky. Thankfulness rising from a free mind emptied of routine. Grandparents like children again with the kids in the pool.. touching me deeply. Great holiday...S

T U E S D A Y 31.05.05 Last week we had the photo shoot for the new album. Simon 'Paris! Paris! Paris!' Earwicker (who is our Louvre obsessed photographer) did a great job of making hundreds of meters of brown muslin look good. In an attempt to avoid the word 'brown' we have been coming up with alternatives along the lines of 'mushroom', 'chocolate', 'latte' and 'burnt gold'! Any other suggestions? On a postcard please. I'm doing a new dance today called the ipod shuffle and it is really favouring Neil Finn and Crowded House, I'm not complaining! D

T H U R S D A Y 26.05.05 Thankfully Daniel liked what I had done to the songs while he was away; and they are moving on again since his return. It IS such a journeying process though..real breakthroughs which excite as the songs take a new turn of colour and then times when things just get taken apart and look broken and so far from ever being finished and whole again! Well it's my turn to take a break now...a week in France with the family. July/August is so full with NFaC stuff that we are going away now for our holiday.Bliss...S

T U E S D A Y 10.05.05 Something happens when one of us is away.. I guess a bit of single minded space and the capacity for vocal experimentation without the other rushing in wondering whether the noise indicates distress!! We've been checking out 'singing' down a long cardboard tube into the mic' to try and evoke a kind of voiceless sound if you get me...well when you hear the completed album you hopefully will! What a privilege to be creating..we've entered the 'can't stop working on listening to thinking about' stage of producing the second album, although Daniel is taking a much needed break in Greece this week. I know he will still be turning it all over and over in his amazingly creative brain. Come back to me Dan with the essence of greatness for the final push!!...S

F R I D A Y 29.04.05 Beautiful sunshine this morning in Cambridge...have a great Bank Holiday weekend Brits! and a fine weekend to those who read this from more distant shores...S

T U E S D A Y 19.04.05 Time to reflect, find the way again. Thanks to all the band of merry men (and Kathie), to John and Paul who drove over 2000 miles and without whom the NFaC Spring Harvest experience would not have happened and to Nick who drove the extra from Bournemouth to drum. You are all legends. Time for other work now but also to breathe; how like a mist the rain at this time of year, clear and significant the air in the evenings, quiet walking alone with the moon.S

W E D N E S D A Y 6.04.05 Amazing amazing amazing time playing the Easter festival, Spring Harvest...Minehead and Skegness, opposite sides of the country, seven performances across three weeks...a blur of travelling, soundchecks, playing/singing in front of thousands, meeting some great people; much laughter, yawning and card playing interspersed with highlights of emotional intensity and times that will never be forgotten. Just Minehead tomorrow then the last Skegness gig on Friday..playing Centre Stage for these last two so hoping for big crowds and our best performance. Come on lads, let's go for it!...S

T H U R S D A Y 24.03.05 Sang Impossibly Beautiful to a good few thousand people last night in the Big Top at Spring Harvest. Amazing experience!! Then a great gig in the After Hours programme at 10.30pm. A considerably larger audience and venue than last year which was challenging and stimulating at the same time.Great to meet people at CD signing afterwards and thanks to the guys at ICC for keeping the shop open late for us to sign at. Cheers Denise and Andy. And thanks to Steve the After Hours coordinator who really looked after us and has a great smile! Morning chorus of a waking world by the time we got home. Tired today.Six more festival slots over the next couple of weeks and thousands of miles to cover so blogging may be patchy!...S

T H U R S D A Y 17.03.05 Weather warming, birds noisy, windows open, lovely. Our Spring Harvest engagements start next week so the studio hums with preparation!! Who is going to go where, with whom, in which vehicle, at what time and what are we going to play with which movies and loops...? Meanwhile the composing continues and as I grapple to get my head and voice around the meaning and metre of the lyric 'esoteric influence', we laugh... and look for some way else to express ourselves!!...S

M O N D A Y 28.02.05 Husky, smokey or just plain croaky, my voice had a good airing this weekend so trying to make a few phone calls as poss today lest convulsive coughing takes over and the call ends abruptly...reminds me of school speech days when in the hushed silence some poor class mate develops a tickly cough and just can't keep quiet but is stuck in the middle of the row of seats and can't leave either! Well if you must go to public school what can you expect, I hear Daniel murmur in the background!!Sang with a new band on Sat night, just standing in as their singer I hasten to add.'Wasabi Obsession': interesting name, interesting musical interpretations. Loved it, loved the use of the Kaoss pad for vocal effects (good call, Robin)and the Andy Warhol samples. A great bunch of musicians..we had fun.Thanks for having me! Did a Note For a Child set just before Wasabi Obsession played so I wore long white skirt with hair up and chopsticks, then hair down and black short for Wasabi. Apparently I managed to convince at least one of the audience that I was two different singers!!...S.

F R I D A Y 25.02.05 Can't fake illness any longer.. Back to the grindstone of making beautiful music! Shame to have cancelled Tues night's showcase up in Birmingham but kinder to everyone that way..still coughing like a horse, some say cow I prefer horse, but ready to sing husky at tomorrow's charity gig. ripples of song writing excitement. First reprint of Imposs Beautiful due to arrive next week..3000 copies, this time needing 2 stickers to be applied to each case and a freepost insert. Have a bunch of faithful friends coming round for a 'Sticker Party'!! Thanks guys and girls. It's a funny thing..felt so lifeless and down when I was ill but as health returns the simplest things feel so good. the intoxication of health. S.

T H U R S D A Y 24.02.05 George La Tour's the Penitent Magdalene in Disney's The Little Mermaid! I love stuff like that. Art in art! Of course I've read Dan Browns books... I think of them as fast food for readers. Immediate and salty but ultimately unsatisfying! Anyway the last two were interesting to me as someone who enjoys art history. I love the idea of referencing other works in order to benefit from their meaning. It acts as an extension, giving something more 'room' for meaning. For example a song only has, say, two hundred words or so (or in the case of 'Every Part of Me' a great deal less!) but by referencing a book you suddenly have hundreds of pages added! As long as the person has read the book or wants to dig deeper. Not really sure what I'm going on about today. I woke up this morning to hear a 'severe weather warning' in my area on the BBC, I looked out the window to see a solitary snowflake drift gently past my window, settle on the ground and promptly melt. Yes, I thought, the English have a world famous obsession with the weather which is simply beyond comprehension D.

T U E S D A Y 22.02.05 Last week Susie was off 'ill', yeah sure Susie (if that is your real name!), 'ill'! Good one. How about you have a week in bed and I'll do all the work?! Eh! I ask you with tears in my eyes! Anyway... ssshh! (stage whisper) she's back now...'Hi Susie, soooo nice to see you back! Feeling better? You look lovely!' (Let's just keep this between ourselves, ok?). D.

T U E S D A Y 15.02.05 I have spent the last two hours crying. Simple. The Passion of the Christ. If you have seen it you know what I'm talking about. I had been following the film in preproduction for a the last five years or so through a friend who used to get an American journal, it looked interesting and I was impressed by how Mel Ginson had kept going with the project even thought (at the time) we has struggling to get any interest or distribution. But by the time it came out I was a bit less enthusiastic, the Christian Right were associating themselves very closely with it and it became a bit too ubiquitous for my liking. Also I was just too busy to get the time to see it on my own, and I think you need to see it on your own. Well I've seen it now and it broke my heart. It broke my heart. D.

F R I D A Y 4.02.05 Dead essential. Of course they are. Planning/strategy meetings are essential and we are having them every week at the moment with business-minded husband, Paul, and a thoughtful, experienced friend, Ben. It feels like we are focussing ourselves and plotting our creativity and gigging output for the coming months. All highly worthwhile if a little tiring at the end of a day. It's all good. So my task for today is to gather contact details of all the University Student and Christian Unions around the country and dates of forthcoming mission events...give me strength! Happy though because Daniel and I have reviewed all the developing songs for Eternal Curve and even put together a provisional track list...it must be that the new album is really happening and WE LOVE IT! Gig in Dorset tomorrow, then the chilled atmosphere of a Cambridge College chapel on Monday, can't wait...S

T H U R S D A Y 3.02.05 GGGGGREAT! Last night we had an excellent practice, it was one of those great times when things just gel and everyone had a ggggggreat time. We had Kathie back with us for the first time in ages because she has been in India, and Andy gave my new amp a twirl and it sounded good. We were practising for Greenbelt Angels Weekend which is going to have an 'acoustic' vibe so we were all very chilled out. Artwork for Eternal Curve is coming on nicely, can't wait to get it out... still lots of songs that aren't finished yet though... I wonder how they'll turn out. Keep safe. D.

T U E S D A Y 1.02.05 Great news today as we hear that one of the tracks from Late and Alone is going to be used for an ad on mainstream commercial Australian TV at Easter. A 30 sec clip of Loving You now will reach the ears of milions of unsuspecting Aussies. We are buzzing. Much else happening..Impossibly Beautiful is going for reprint as we have run out of the 3000 first produced;a great position to find ourselves in. Much rehearsing of new material for the gigs ahead that appear to be coming in thick and fast. What a way to start the year... S.

F R I D A Y 28.01.05 I've been up to my eyes in strong coffee and paper... the house is full of the rich beautiful aroma of FairTrade Coffee and my hands are covered! Why? Well we're working on artwork for the new album, ETERNAL CURVE, and coffee gives paper a great antique look, so I've had a lot of fingerpainting going on and then scanning it all in. I'm supposed to be a grown-up! Anna bought me a Nando's T Shirt! Oh dear... D.

W E D N E S D A Y26.01.05 Yesterday I bought a beautiful Marshall Guitar Amp, mmm. I have been borrowing a guitar from a friend in the band and it is quite a piece of work! Pink paisley! I'm not even joking... very cool... well very pink... it plays like a dream. We have had a great couple of weeks, some changes in the ay we do things live and behind the scenes, the team just gets better and better and I'm so looking forward to putting out the new CD and having a great summer of gigging and laughing. 2005, BRING IT ON! D.

T U E S D A Y 25.01.05 Just got back from the shops with some amazing material- beautiful colours and designs- to be made up into new dresses and skirts for performing in. Daniel has created some great designs with the new album in mind and a seamstress friend of ours will make them up for us. so excited! S

F R I D A Y 21.01.05 This weekend I am looking forward to seeing 'Ray', the long-awaited biopic of Ray Charles, legend of soul/gospel and boardroom brawler. He was one of the first artists to stand up to record companies and establish a good and fair working relationship with them. I had a few gremlins in the studio this morning (it's just an expression! don't need any disapproving emails from you well-meaning-religious types!). Anyway, I am looking forward to doing some more recording and writing over the next few months as sessions for Eternal Curve pick up. I'm excited about ordering a Fender Telly! My first electric guitar! Woo Hoo! D

T H U R S D A Y 20.01.05 I've moved house! It is so nice to finally be in and unpacked! Christmas was wonderful, A and I went to Oxford and then Bournemouth to see the parents and we had two weeks to just wind down and have fun. She bought me a beautiful framed print of Vermeer's Astronomer for Christmas and then for my birthday she gave me Vermeer's Geographer! Amazing.We have had a great response to Late and Alone, which is selling well and people seem to really like the new songs; it is so good to hear back from people...somehow it makes it all feel more real.Yesterday we went to Eastbourne to see our distributor and it was great to hear what they had been up to promoting us and Impossibly Beautiful- nice to feel part of a team at last! Sessions for Eternal Curve are under way and the writing has well and truly begun. D

S U N D A Y 2.01.05 ...remembering those affected by the terrible loss of life in recent days after the Asian quake. Praying for God's mercy and help. S.

Saturday 18.12.04 Despite an apparent three month absence from the blog, Daniel and I are still alive and writing! Apologies for those who have enjoyed the odd glimpse into the workings of the studio and live shows and our gentle ramblings. Three months of great happenings and excitement...we have signed with ICC for the distribution of Impossibly Beautiful and are dead chuffed to be working with such an enthusiastic honourable team of professionals (thanks for the massive tin of celebrations to welcome the album on board, guys!). We have been working hard on our new material- more than an album's worth now- and are really enjoying playing the new songs live and seeing how they colour up. Thrilled too to have recorded a little unplugged EP Late and Alone in time for Christmas...five tracks of naked Note For a Child, three new ballads and two acoustic versions off the first album. Thanks for the great feedback already from those who have heard it... two hundred of the 1000 copies gone in the first week! it feels somewhat odd that a song that only began a month ago on my piano back home is now out and about in such great measure...wierd, and wonderful. Loads of gigs, showcases and festivals booking up for next year and we are keen to do alot of duo touring which will be fun. So if you would like us to come in your direction to play... at church, in a coffee bar setting or to do a workshop, just get in touch! Need to finish...the studio is moving house next week so much packing and organising of random chaos to be done!! then a couple of weeks break.Daniel and I areoff to our respective families to chill out in a big way hopefully! New Year resolution...to blog more regularly!Blessings...S.

T H U R S D A Y 16.09.04 It has been a strange week... a strange, strange week. (Maybe I should just leave it there?!). Last week we had our forst meetings with Record Companies and that was quite an education... you'll have to watch this space for news on how that all develops but we are VERY excited... then on Saturday night Bob Harris played 'September Song' on Radio Two, two friends I had not spoken to for years phoned up to tell me and we even got an e mail from Whispering Bob himself saying he loved the album! On monday night we had a band night out and we wnet to (no, not Nandos!) a great Indian Resturaunt, we said 'good bye' to the talented Mel K, (who does some of the dancing in our live visuals) she is moving to California for a year to study dance. We have had people in recoding alot aswell, on Friday night it was Kathie puting down some great violin and vocals before she leaves for India and yesterday Andy Lee came in, again violin and vocals, each very different from 'traditional classical' musicians but equally different from each other, we are so blessed to have so many fantastic musician friends. On saturday I went over to Zoo Audio Studio with Andy Cross and he put down some electric guitar and we've had him here doing some more so we're keeping him busy too, another great musician. I've been swimming and walking and running lots so I feel abit low on energy and althought that all sounds like it should add up to a great week I can't help feeling alittle... well I suppose I'm just tired. Tired but happy. P.S. I did watch David Lynch's film 'The Elephant Man' and I think it made me sad for a week! D.

M O N D A Y 06.09.04 Swimming is the new running. Last week I had '...a mild case of plantar fasciitis...' (according to the resident Doctor Beattie!), anyway my foot hurt so I couldn't go jogging so I went swimming, nice! I'm on my fourth Dan Brown book at the moment and I think it is safe to say that he has got one great book and three other books with the same story but different titles. Oh well. Went to see the Bourne Supremacy, excellent music, brilliant camera work and a thundering car chase to end... suprisingly good. Lots of new material coming together at the moment which is great fun and hard work! Hopefully going to see the Finn brothers soon, I'm looking forward to it. D.

T H U R S D A Y 02.09.04 Summer festivals done, time to put our feet up?...no, here comes the next wave of writing and creating! I remember listening to a guy talking on the radio about how he wrote songs. Every Saturday morning, without fail, for two hours he would sit himself down and compose whether he felt like it or not. Daniel and I are well at the other end of the spectrum, writing only when the mood is upon us. And unexpectedly and unplanned by us, it certainly is! In the last few weeks, many a 1 am has found Dan whispering melodies into the Rode mic (lest he wake the neighbours) or seen me at the piano with the mute pedal firmly on scribbling down chords and lyrics in the dark. It's like a kind of happy madness that awakes and takes over and pushes all else aside to get out; that defies tiredness, early nights; that demands feeding with chocolate, diet coke, books, films and walks; that wants to speak in words and abstract associations and sounds and rhythms and space. I will stop. bit blotto today as Paul Hunt, our keyboard wizard, was with us til past midnight grappling with the mysteries of midi and why cubase did not want to record him. Got there eventually, thanks Dr. Solitech. Will try again tonight!...S

T U E S D A Y 31.08.04 Last week Anna and I spent an afternoon in the Saatchi Gallery in London, there were some really beatuiful installations, some clever ideas and some uncomfortable images. Then on monday we were in the Fitzwilliam Museum and Gallery in Cambridge, they have some amazing pieces including works by Titian, Cezanne, Degas and Picasso. Inscribed on the piano lid in Vermeer's 'The Music Lesson' is a latin phrase, translated it reads 'Music is the companion of joy and a medicine for suffering'. D.

M O N D A Y 30.08.04 We are in the ZONE! over the last few weeks we have had some great recording sessions with excellent muscians/singers, I don't want to give to much away but we're really excited about the new material and with an autumn tour a possibility we may even get to gig some of it soon! Walked out of 'Arthur', worst film ever, do not go. Played Greenbelt this weekend and had a really good time, again there were lots of people who came to see us so we were really pleased and humbled. It is a slow process but we're loving it... gotta go now, Susie has turned up for a meeting! (On time as always!) D.

T H U R S D A Y 12.08.04 It has been a crazy few weeks, really busy. Lots of highs and, to be honest, few lows! At one of our concerts we had a really good sound check and were all geared up to go on stage when my brand new in-ear-monitors (which enable me to hear myself and the loops etc.) just broke down, I had to do the gig with no monitor as I had nothing set up on stage! It was actually a great gig and I really enjoyed it! We had an absolute blast at New Wine Week 2 were 600 came to see us. It is beginning to feel that poeple are no longer 'hearing about us for the first time'! At both weeks of New Wine I met old friends which was nice, and Anna and I give a big shout to the Christchurch Massive (!) especially Darren and Jo who put us up for the night, thanks guys. We've been doing some writing and are playing with ideas as always, I love doing this! I know you've all seen it but three words, Lost in Translation. D.

T U E S D A Y 20.07.04 I've got a new camera! Simon came up for the weekend and we spent some time talking about photography and cameras and the like and we both ended up getting some new gear! Of course he had to teach me everything from scratch as he is the professional but I really enjoyed learning it all. I had my SLR stolen a few years ago and have not really had the resources to replace it but now I've bought a nice little Canon G5, a good digital compact with lots of nice features. Si also lent me his 35mm SLR which I look forward to using as it's more like what I'm used to! I saw Mike Moore's new film and found it very moving in so many ways, no matter what you think of the man (and I have very little against him)or Bush, you should see the film as a reminder of the horrors of war. Very powerful. I'm not preaching, it's just that that is how it made me feel, very, very sad. D.

T U E S D A Y 012.07.04 Working at stuff in the studio, listening to Eva Cassidy...what a most exquisite voice, what expression and beauty in every turn of her golden voice. If I could give half as much as she gave in her short life and has given subsequently as her music is published, well, that would be awesome...S.

T U E S D A Y 06.07.04 It should be easy, you know...every day you just come into the studio, sit down and do the weblog. You know like a habit. Well it appears we have both got out of the habit. So what's been going on down at the Note For a Child Central Office, Studio of sound and all things creative? The fact is we haven't really been here that much... weekend before last, we had the great pleasure of playing our duo set at the Cafe Sozo down in Exeter, hosted by a great couple with a great vision for a beautiful place to just drop in and have a long cappuccino, draft of beer, eat, look at original art and listen to excellent music. If you live in the South West and are ever in Exeter then do check out the Perrymans' place...Cafe Sozo, 1 Polsloe Rd, Mount Pleasant, Exeter...an artistic, creative eating/drinking haven open every day except Monday. Great work guys, and thanks for inviting us as part of your live music programme! Last Saturday found us driving (with Paul, Ian, Andy making up the band) back down the M5 at 5am headed for the New Eden Festival, Torquay. I was feeling sick with a stomach bug (thankyou, God of Heaven, for Imodium 2 caps qds!), but what I do remember is standing on stage (big stage, lots o' room, great techicians, high inflatable dome over us, good strong lights) singing 'I am a boat on the sea all alone..' looking out over the beautiful sea, sun on the water, waves, sails on the horizon, rain clouds sweeping across like mist....singing to the sea. What a moving experience. There was an audience as well obviously, but beyond them this great view panning out. Thanks to John Hall who drove the second vehicle for us tired muso's. Dedication. It has to be said that he drove with various pigeon parts deposited on the front of his car all the way down..unfortunately a dozy bird came to grief fairly early on in the journey.. John SAYS it was an accident. Daniel and I continue to form new music and song. We had fun playing 'solid jazz' at a GP Refresher Course last Thursday.. Daniel on drums, Paul Hunt on keys, Ian double bass and me doing Ella! A time to let our hair down and have fun with some great eternal ballads and tunes...now just preparing for more festivals. Check out the gig guide and come and join us, why don't you? And if you had a minute to write to us on the messageboard...do. Blessings...S.

F R I D A Y 25.06.04 "Would you want me when I'm not myself? Wait it out while I'm someone else?" -'Not myself' by John Mayer, SONG OF THE MOMENT! I'm listening to the Room for Squares album alot at the moment and it really is outstanding. Also bought Nitin Sawhney's album which is sooooo good! I recommend it to you whole-heartledly, he also has killer website. England go out of the football... well I'd lost my voice after the first couple of matches and Susie had made me promise not to join in the chanting so it was geting a bit boring anyway! We are of to Exeter this weekend, just a duo show but our first for a few weeks as Susie was on holiday, I'm looking forward to it. If you want to see a side splitting movie check out 'A Mighty Wind' out now on DVD in the UK, it is brilliant. My dad used to be in acouple of bands back in the day and some one somewhere ahs reissued one of their albums, if you're interseted just do a search for The Pilgrims. D.

W E D N E S D A Y 09.06.04 Hello..It's me, back from an amazing two weeks full of hot weather, summer fields, rhododendron forests...bike rides, walks, gazes at the moon and wonderings...cappuccinos, chocolate walnut cake and emotions...horses, dogs, shocking cold streams and barefeet. A great time, greatly appreciated by a tired mind. Back at the studio Daniel's in cracking form, a happy boy; and we are both finding writing coming out of us- drum loops, guitar riffs, lyrics- in response to our desires and emotions. Exciting. Simon sent me a CD of the photos from the last gig in Cambridge.. showed them to my parents who were really chuffed, although they didn't completely grasp the need for four costume changes and Dad was 'intrigued' by the pink tutu/army jacket combination I wore to open the set. On that subject, Dan and I were really pleased with the performance as we felt we had pushed forward with more sophisticated lighting (masterminded and programmed by Solitech genius Paul 'keyboards'Hunt and run by John 'I've just flown in from Japan and I will konk out any minute'Penton), movies and soundtracks...thanks again to all those who helped; can't wait for the festivals now. CD sales increased with great coverage this month in Cross Rhythms and review by Christianity and Renewal Magazine..have sold 800 copies since the album was released at Christmas, just through the web and sales at gigs which is encouraging. We are looking at future plans for distribution and tours just now. If you want us to come and play in your neck of the woods, do drop us a line and we will see whether we can fix it up!!...S.

W E D N E S D A Y 02.06.04 I've been doing a little bit of design work recently and I love it! It has been really fun to get the pen and paper out and play around with images. I've been in bed with flu too which is not quite so fun but it does give you time to stop and think, I keep getting snatches of new songs and that is exciting, I've started about three but so far can't get past the fist couple of lines on each one, still, it's a start. D.

W E D N E S D A Y 26.05.04 Susie is on holiday! That means I get the studio to myself! I've written four albums and a new book... well not quite, that is to say I miss her lots and don't have anyone to talk to! However, I do happen to have lots of excellent CDs on the go at the moment, from AIR to UNKLE, ROSANNE CASH to RED SNAPPER, and I'm loving it. I seem to have hit a couple of weeks of pure design work and its so nice to get lost in the music and just play with images and type. I love dance music when I'm designing because it creates a great atmosphere and sets a good pace. If you're thining of seeing 'TROY' you might want to reconsider... that's all I'm saying. As for reading, I'm looking at 'Desiring God' (John Piper) again, that book changed my life, if you haven't read it go to amazon now! D.

W E D N E S D A Y19.05.04 Ok, Ok, Ok! Damian Rice is good, I have to admit it. I don't like the clinking glasses and it gets abit samey BUT the good songs are VERY GOOD. Andy Cross introduced me to The Pixies which is good too, a famous designer did all their sleeves so I knew all the albums before I ever listened to them! I'm listening to the soundtrack from 'Monster's Ball' alot, very ambient and beautiful. We've been recording some stuff, doing lots of gigs and generally enjoying everything lots and lots! The Day of Your Return is now on a surf video AND on a compilation album! yeah! And at eh last gig Susie let me sing Impossibly Beautiful so I was very pleased. D.

S U N D A Y 25.04.04 It's a sunny Sunday afternoon with the promise of summer, freckles and warm skin...bliss to relax after a high energy week. Glasto was an amazing day... we were treated like royalty, met some great people (including the BBC who filmed the whole affair!) and had a fun time together as a band in the run-up to the evening's competition. Suffice it to say that the best band won and that was not us, but we were chuffed to feel in no way out of our depth...and despite our short track record as a live outfit, we were real contenders amongst the others. We came home without first prize, but plenty of glow having played and real expectancy for the future. Many thanks to those who came with us and to those who held us in their thoughts- it made the day...S.

T H U R S D A Y 22.04.04 The eve of the Glastonbury Festival Final day and we are feeling remarkably chilled about it. Tuesday night's rehearsal with the full band had a reassuring/reassured air about it with tight rhythm from the guys and some beautiful solos from Kathie on violin, Paul on piano and Andy on guitar. It is a delight to play the songs 'live'... it's if they deepen every time we return to them! Nick drove up and back from Bournemouth for the practice...a truly dedicated dude, thanks boy! So, tomorrow, early start with a quick slot on Radio Cambridgeshire at 8.05am then...to Glastonbury. Had a number of goodly friends email and phone today to wish and pray us well...SO many thanks, you don't know how much Daniel and I appreciate that...and you. Perhaps I will have that glass of wine now...S.

S U N D A Y 18.04.04 It has been quite a time since Daniel and I have been relaxed chez studio, hence no weblog for a while, sorry! On returning from Easter breaks, it was full steam ahead preparing for two consecutive nights of performance at a split-site festival called Spring Harvest...first night in Minehead, Somerset, and the second in Skegness on the other side of the country. It was a fantastic time and we had a great team with us. We went for a more intimate, organic, stripped down feel as a four piece, with Paul Hunt on keys and Nick Rutter on drums. James G was a master on the sound desk as usual and John Hall joined us to work some video magic. Esther was my RIGHT HAND WOMAN who amongst many other things made the setups and sound checking run like clockwork...'...Er, Susie shouldn't you REALLY be getting changed by now??!!' Thanks Est. I think the prize for most insanely dedicated service has to go to Paul Hunt who did more travelling in those 48hrs than any individual would ever wish for...Paul you are a star! We all returned home happy with how things had gone and thrilled to have sold 200 cds over the festival! Now we look ahead to this Friday's final for the Glastonbury unsigned bands comp... Nick is travelling up from Bournemouth to practice with us on Tuesday... a long way to come for five songs but well worth it and we are grateful Nick. WE ARE ALLOWED TO BRING 20 SUPPORTERS TO THE GLASTONBURY FINAL THIS FRIDAY 23RD TO CHEER US ON...IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME, PLEASE LET US KNOW. WE SO APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!!!...S.

T U E S D A Y 30.03.04 Hello! Hello! From Galviston's West Beach, Texas! The immense power of the internet has made this possible! (But as I learned, these tools are only useful if you can remember your password! Thanks Susie!) I am here in the US for a friends wedding and have taken the opportunity to visit New Orleans with Simon, and let me tell you... it is a buzzing place. There is music and art everywhere! EVERYWHERE! What a blast. Blues and Jazz dominate which is a desperately needed break from Country (no offence meant). I'm writing and sketching, running and swimming, eating and drinking and, of course, missing Susie! x Looking forward to getting back which is a good sign. Big shout to P and A, you KNOW what I'm talking about. D.

T U E S D A Y 30.03.04 Been ill but no gigs for a couple of weeks, so no matter eh?!. Pianist Paul and bassist Ian have been dropping by for toasties and tea on and off which has been an absolute pleasure. Nice to be able to chat aimlessly, away from the pressures of rehearsal and sound checking! Have just emailed Daniel so he can put up some of his American adventuring onto this weblog page...so watch this space!!...S.

T H U R S D A Y 25.03.04 Preparing for a nice quiet day when the phone rings...Hello, it's Glastonbury here. Wanted to give you the news that Note For a Child is through to the final of the Glastonbury Competition for unsigned artists, Acoustic Stage!!!! How cool is that! Daniel is somewhere in Texas without his mobile phone, uncontactable (unless he reads his email).. so YOU know before he does!! Andy Cross, our electric guitarist is in Australia until a week before the final, so let's hope he reads his email too! Friday 23rd April...amazing, I feel so excited and honoured . What did Glastonbury say on the phone..."we think your stuff is excellent and would sound just great on the Acoustic stage at the festival". And now, Spring Harvest have phoned offering another two dates at Minehead around Easter. We are going to be busy bees alright! and I've only one thing to say, "if you're out there and can hear me...DG PHONE HOME!"...S.

W E D N E S D A Y 24.03.04 Well, here I am, studio all to myself. Daniel is, as I write, flying over the big blue pond to Houston, Texas for a friend's wedding and two weeks' holiday. Yes, I hear you say, nice for some! He's gone with the great and lovely Simon who is official photographer at the wedding...or so the story goes! Seriously, I trust they will have a really fun, relaxing and revitalising time; there has been much hard work done in the Note For a Child camp over the last year; it's been exciting and rewarding but pretty stressful and demanding at times, and more just of late... so here's to a brilliant break, guys. As for me, I had an amazing weekend at a kind of five-star leaders retreat thing, near Stratford, at the weekend. I was invited at the last minute(like 3pm Friday!) and wondered what it was all going to be about, and in fact why I had said yes in the first place. Turned out to be an utterly inspirational 'rare bird' of a time. Met some truly phenomenal people from various walks of life with differing spheres of influence...all very thoughtful, articulate. Much reflection, vulnerability and laughter. Never have I spent so short a length of time with so talented a bunch of strangers and been so completely understood and energised in the process. A big thank you to two of life's heroes David and Meryl Stanley...may you continue to inspire in the next of life's chapters, a chapter as yet untitled. Planning to spend the time while Daniel's away continuing in that restorative, creative place.S

T U E S D A Y 23.03.04 Spent the weekend in Bristol which was excellent fun. I burnt my finger quite badly (doh!) when we went out for a meal but I have now been introduced to the healing powers of Aloe Vera! Amazing. Anyway, feel much better now. Looking forward to the US trip! YEAH! Saw 'The Killing Fields' yesterday, very moving film by Roland Joffe, who of course directed the brilliant 'The Mission'. I wonder what they'll show on the 'plane? D.

W E D N E S D A Y 17.03.04 What a strange day. The last couple of days I've been running and I've got this one run that takes about 45mins and I've been coping with it but tonight I did it and nearly threw up I was working so hard?! What's with that? I had to lie down for about thirty mins just before I could have a bath, I really thought I was going to cry or something. Recorded some new guitar parts for Susie, last night I was recording matches being struck and singing as stranglerocesscould! Well what do you expect from a 1am recoding session!? Why ENYA?! Why not the amazing Lisa Gerrard? (Don't worry, it's my problem, I'll deal with it) Moby's got a new video out that is amazing, keep missing the name of the song, but it's great. Today on Radio Four one of the presenters said to this guy "...are you a scientist or just an artist?" and he replied "...well,...I'm not JUST an artist!". I ASK YOU. D.

W E D N E S D A Y 17.03.04 Today has consisted of two fillings in the dentist's chair and two new reviews in our inbox. Happy about the fillings...didn't hurt...very very happy about the reviews, particularly from Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms... of the new album he writes 'staggering..breath taking..towering quality, gripping..delicate fusions..haunting streams of invention' and finishes with a 10/10 rating. Oh thanks Tony! You've made my day. Spent a fun time with Cambridge University Radio yesterday- an hour on air with the amazingly articulate and funny Emma Baker, and her mate Geoff...'Banter with Baker' was the show, and we certainly did!...S

F R I D A Y 12.03.04 How glad I am that I have a heart that feels...and how amazing...true, loving and close friends to spend time with, to get to know and be known by. What a strong colour they bring to my life. A year ago this week, a friend of mine died. Just remembering her and talking about her with someone whom I'm enjoying getting to know, but didn't even know a year ago, a close friend. Thinking about it all...grateful, thankful, sad, satisfied.S.

T H U R S D A Y 11.03.04 Last night I had dinner with the Newman family and it was fantastic! Penny cooked rice with a sweet and sour chicken dish and Matthew made a swiss roll for dessert. Ian played me a CD which I really enjoyed by Liz Simcock, she has a wonderful voice and she gives her guitar a beautiful voice aswell with her skillful playing. I think you can get her album 'Seven Sisters Road' from her site, lizsimcock.com. I also did some recording after getting my second wind at about 10pm. Just sat infront of the mic in the dark with a candle burning. There may be some ideas in there, we'll see. Yesterday was a rest day in terms of running so I'm looking forward to doing something energetic today. D.

T U E S D A Y 09.03.04 Radio four is wrong! The sun IS shining! A beautiful morning. Today we have a big meeting to plan for the future which is always exciting. We'll get the new site up this week... let us know what you think. D.

M O N D A Y 08.03.04 KEVIN PROSCH BABY! Wow what a start to the week! I have been a big fan of Kevin's amazing music and today he send us a message saying he thought the CD, was '...absolutly delightful...great...', I am on cloud nine. We both are!

Other than that? Well, what else matters! I saw '21grams', beautiful guitar soundtrack, very harrowing story but very well shot (super grainy) and the editing keeps you concentrating hard, not for everyone but I enjoyed it. Went for a run this morning, got muddy and cold, the way I like it. Feeling very fat so I've started a new regime of fruit and veg and lots of fresh air. 100 days as a target, day 1... going well! D

F R I D A Y 05.03.04 One day later and Daniel and I are still friends, phew! He is strumming guitar at the computer, working on some new ideas (but don't tell anyone!) and I am liasing with the distributors at Spring Harvest to get our stuff on sale in the bookshop as we are now playing there (we passed the audition last friday when the SH organiser came to our launch gig!!). Also fixing dates to play again in Cambridge, Bournemouth and London. I do it, but I am not good at it and have no system...one day, one day we will have our own personal/personel organiser. Roll on that day!! And thank the Lord for diet coke and twix's...S

F R I D A Y 05.03.04 'What really knocks me out about a book is that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it.' - The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger.
OK, so Johnny Cash RULES! Si gave me one of his last CDs (sadly,Cash died last year), on American Records, called 'The Man comes around', very good. There is a video for the song 'Hurt' on the CD and it is very moving, it shows him as he was just before he died and has home movie and TV clips from his life showing gigs, family birthday parties, his wife, his children even his short spell in jail. One scene shows his office with old torn promotional pieces, awards gathering dust and gold record in a broken frame in the corner on the floor. One line goes... 'I hurt myself today to see if I could feel', I really wish I had him as a terrific friend , he lived a really full life. Isn't it great that though he's gone we've still got all his music...D

T H U R S D A Y 04.03.04 Yes, we did meet conflict head on yesterday and I bowed out for a short walk...when the conversation was in mid-flow. Don't think I've ever walked out on someone before... but reconciliation was swift and sweet. This last week of planning, promotion and performing has been high energy and along with that fairly high stress...but the rewards have been great all round! Thanks for all the emails and messages on the site. Do keep talking because that's part of what it's all about...people speaking to each other...S.

T H U R S D A Y 04.03.04 Yesterday was a busy but wonderful day. As I'm sure you can imagine, creative relationships, such as the one Susie and I have, sometimes have to go through periods of 'creative' tension. I'm not saying that Suse and I do, I'm just saying relationships like ours do. I think people in a relationship like ours may have found yesterday difficult and may have had to hold their breath and count to a hundred to try and stay calm. I'm just saying a relationship like ours, so there's no confusion. Anyway we do love each other and we had a lovely day in the end, because sometimes you need days like that don't you? I mean, to get things in the open and talk frankly and realise again how different men and women are. I think it's the women who are different but I'm assured it works both ways. Then we had this SCA Band Competition Final in the evening and that was great fun. One of those events where you get ten minutes to sound-check and then get to spend the rest of the afternoon just hanging out with the band and meeting other bands. The organisers did a great job but we had a man on the inside who let us down badly. Andy Cross who is in our band was asked to be one of the judges because of his high standing in the community and his all-black wardrobe. So we had to play without him, sad it's true, but you would have thought he would have worked harder at giving us the Gold Cup. All I can say at this point (I just feel the pain is too close still) is that next time we gig together he may just find that someone has put the wrong fuse in his amp so it blows up at the right/wrong time, that's all. Let me leave you with a snatch from one of my favourite poets...D.
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
ee cumings

W E D N E S D A Y 03.03.04 It is still early but I have spent the last half an hour looking for poems online and it is just amazing to be able to access the works of so many great poets with just a few keystrokes! The democratisation of art is here! I'll post up some favs over the next few days. Yesterday I went for a great run just before sunset, it was beautiful. As I ran past a couple of school children they started running with me, why do we change so much when we grow up? Anyway it was very funny. Then I had supper with Andy and Jenny King, I was Andy's best man and he is a great songwriter, I asked he to play me some of his new songs and after a few shy excuses he got his guitar. AMAZING. One was for his wife and was beautiful 'Let's wait for the stars in their patterns and forms as a new constellation is born' not exactly word for word but it was the first time I'd heard it, beautiful. I have to put up with alot of people coming up to me and telling me that 'Andy King is a good songwriter'!... I know! Truly breathtaking. Well today we have a gig at the Uni with some other bands, I'll let you know how it goes, should be a laugh. Paul Hunt dropped in for cake and tea yesterday which was a nice suprise. He is a great guy, a REALLY GREAT GUY. PAUL HUNT, keyboard master. (You see Paul, we DO love you.) If I have to put up with comments about Andy then Susie has to put up with comments about Lucy Bunce! Susie hears this alot 'Susie, don't you think that Lucy is a good singer?'! Poor Susie! Thank you, thank you, thank you to Lucy for putting me on to this poem...D.
'Thine age asks ease, and since thy duties be
To warm the world, that's done in warming us.
Shine here to us, and thou art everywhere;
This bed thy centre is, these walls, thy sphere.'
From 'The Sun Rising' by John Donne

T U E S D A Y 02.03.04 Well it seems Spring is making a concerted effort to cheer us all up! The snow is still in patches on the ground but the sun has been shining for a few days now and the daffodils are coming out. I got a fantastic new album at the weekend by 'Unkle', it is a cross beteen Ian Brown, Leftfield and Rob Dougan, nice. Played squash with Phil yesterday and we drew! It was a good game. Also I started reading 'The Catcher in the Rye' yesterday which is very interesting, one of those books I feel I'm supposed to have read! People keep asking me if I read alot of Metaphysical poetry?! I'm not sure what their talking about so maybe I should start! Any suggestions? I ordered two Anime films yesterday. One, 'Metropolis', is supposed to be amazing (James Cameron said 'images from this film will stay with you forever'!) I can't wait to see it. This morning I noticed this... D.
'In the beginning God created...' Genesis 1v1, The Bible

M O N D A Y 01.03.04 The gig on Friday was sooooo much fun, thank you, thank you thank you to every one who was involved! It was the first big one we had done in our home town of Cambridge, UK, and it sold out! I was using in-ear monitoring for the fist time and it made such a difference, it meant that I could hear all the loops and my guitar without having to drown-out the rest of the band, it just made me feel so much more relaxed and I think that for probably the first time we were all just able to play together comfortably without straining our ears. John Hall did a fantastic job driving the visuals which, again, we were using for the first time and they seemed to work really well. All my sisters were there and my mum and dad so it was special one for me on lots of fronts. Today is full of promise, the sun is shining, the studio and office need a very good clean and tidy after a week of mayhem but the future looks bright. I think its going to be a great summer... full of festivals and friends. D.

T H U R S D A Y 26.02.04 Last night I had a dream about an old friend (!) I haven't seen for a long time and it really made me think. Here I am in a house with a leaking roof, my sitting room is FULL of boxes and furniture that I'm storing for a friend who's getting married, the shower doesn't work yet and the none of the appliances are hooked up yet. I don't like TV so I haven't got one, Iv'e got a new laptop on order but it's not here yet so I can't watch DVDs. BUT! But I've got stacks of books, a STUDIO and lots of instruments! I've got great friends and I'm living the dream... if you see the life of a penniless musician as 'the dream'! and I do! Life could have taken me in so many directions, I could have gone different ways but this is the way I went and I'm happy. Maybe it's good to have random and sobering dreams sometimes just to make you take stock.
The following is an extract from an e-mail I recieved this morning, it demonstrates the callibre of thinking that goes into planning a Note For a Child gig (or as we got called yesterday by a big promoter... NOT For a Child!)
... "Reading from the book of Monty Python and beginning in the middle we learn something to our advantage; Dinosaurs are thin at one end, much, much thicker in the middle, and then thin again at the other end. Well let me tell you, this was a revelation, a turning point if you will. It was like in that film (can't remember the name) where a sliding door shuts infront of someone and results in consequences, and then the same sliding door stays open and creates other consequences, these sliding doors are a watershed in the persons life, oh I wish I could remember the name of the film." ... good one Si. D.

W E D N E S D A Y 25.02.04 What a beautiful day to live in Cambridge! It's still early, that kind of 'pale-clear-light, hot-cup-of-coffee, not-quite-awake-yet' time of the day. Two days 'till the big gig and things are going well. My whole family will be coming to town for the show which is just amazing and it reminds me how lucky I am to have such beautiful sisters and such a wonderful Mum and Dad. Dad used to be in a band called 'Out of Darkness' who were very into the excellent blues/rock heyday of the late '60s and early '70s. I grew up listening to alot of Hendrix and Cream and sometimes wonder if he finds what we do a little strange but we've had some good chats and he's really into the music which is great. I phoned mum the other day and she nearly wouldn't talk to me because she was listening to September Song and didn't want to be disturbed... I don't know if I should be flattered or offended! Listening to some very beautiful music by Robin Bunce, a friend who played the new Korg Kaoss Pad on the album. He does some amazing pieces for theatre, film and installation. The piece is called 'Noir', think 'PART', simple piano and beautiful washes of sound. He is a great thinker and we have asked him to write an essay for the site which we will put up when the new one goes live. It's very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing Simon's exhibition at the gig, I've seen the prints but not framed up, they will lokk stunning. D.

W E D N E S D A Y 18.02.04 WOW! I'm so excited! Last night Simon and I did some filming for short movies that we are going to use for the live show. Again we worked with Anna Wells, the dancer from the sleeve shots, and a new dancer, Mel Kauffner. It was a great evening, we projected 'Director' movies onto the dancers and taped it. We also did a few scenes with Anna dancing in white, as in the sleeve. Esther was there taking stills so it was quite a party! This morning we got a new bit of software so we can edit our 'footage' and it has been really interesting, quite a powerful tool. It is fantastic to be able to create visuals in this way and hopefully it will give us a new medium for communicating and expressing. Listened to Moloko thanks to Si, great new CD. D.

T U E S D A Y 17.02.04 I'll do the weblog now, he says. Write about God TV, I say. He writes about...yes, you guessed it, the weather!! Oh and the latest film of course! What a star. Well let me scribble something about our adventures 'up north'last week( to us deep Southerners, Stoke-on-Trent, Cross Rhythms H/Q, is very definitely up Scotland's way!). Accompanied by our ever-lively, ever-faithful photographer, Simon, we spent a very pleasant afternoon with Tony Cummings, Editor of Cross Rhythms, Chris Cole of God TV and their extremely friendly radio and tv crew. Tony interviewed us first for the mag and radio and I got the plum question as always 'Tell me Susie, Note For a Child, that's an unusual name, why that one?'Managed to explain our thoughts and motivations alot more succinctly than in the past...seems to be getting easier each time. A somewhat less predictable one was '...so as a doctor before the music took over, what are your thoughts on divine healing?!' Well, it was all great and kept us on the edge of our seats. Reviewing the photos Si took, need to relax a bit more next time!! Daniel and I were touched by the incredibly positive comeback on our album by the folks that day...builds more confidence for doing Radio Cambridgeshire and Cambridge Uni Radio next week and can't wait for the launch gig on the Friday. I know we are both looking forward to meeting up with those who are coming to the show before and after the performance. That reminds me, need to go and organise the wine and beer and 400 glasses. I'll cast off. See you next week, if you can make it. Come and say 'Hi'...S.

T U E S D A Y 17.02.04 It's raining. Susie is busy packing up CDs to send to Australia and I am taking five mins to have a bowl of 'MiniBix' (excellent breakfast!). This evening Simon and I will be working with dancers Anna and Mel to put together some movies to use as backdrops for the live show, I'm looking forward to it. I have also been working on the new site which is nearly there and some type based movies in Macromedia Director. Last night I went to see 'Cold Mountain' which I enjoyed immensely, the overwhelming sense in the movie is of place. Each scene is so brilliantly put together that you absolutly feel like you're there. The monstrous battle scene, the gypsy's caravan, the church service. Not at all suprised to find out that it was an Anthony Mingella film (sp?) His 'English Patient' has got to be one of the best films of the nineties. Working on scraps of songs in my mind and Susie and I are about to start the writing process again soon. Many people have already been talking about a second album and we are excited about the future although no plans have yet been confirmed. Still raining... D.

F R I D A Y 13.02.04 Last week I spent three days lying in bed feeling a bit run-down. It was a really good opportunity to catch up with myself, get some rest and watch some good films. First of all I made myself feel abit better by watching the Simpsons, series two thanks to John Hall. I also got some Friends DVDs and just vegged. It had been a great weekend what with playing at the South African Embassy and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to be joined by Nick The Russian Rutter on percussion, he is a legend, very good at hitting things. D.

T U E S D A Y 3.02.04 A blustery, wet day and Daniel and I are attempting to put in a dynamic day's work at the studio but not making a very good job of it. Great gig on Saturday at the S. African Embassy with the NFaC team...James and John Grant came up from Dorset to do the sound; Nick the Russianist Percussionist Rutter came and added live percussion to the set; Simon took photos and Esther drove us to Trafalgar Sq in her green mean machine and generally sorted us out when we got there! We sang amongst 800 white lights draped around the stage and the microphones. There was some amazing African dancing and poetry and a top S.A. DJ team (Amabala Records)... a thoroughly worthwhile evening all round. Had to jump start the van to get home and have you ever tried to park 3 cars and a highsided van just off Trafalgar Sq? SO tired today, but good news has just arrived in that we have been shortlisted to play in a couple of band competitions locally...Cambridge Evening News did a nice feature too. Must keep looking on the bright side, eh?...Please speak to us on our messageboard, it's nice, good, helps...S.

T H U R S D A Y 22.01.04 Listening to 'Kings of Convenience' and pottering around the studio waiting to go to a Delirious? gig tonight here in Cambridge. I haven't seen them since Shepherd's Bush Empire back in about 1998! Should be good fun. On Monday Mel (a friend) and I kidnapped Esther and took her on a blindfolded journey involving chocolate, mime, presents and milkshake! All her favourite things. Nice. It was a lovely evening. Last night I dropped into the Arts Cinema on the off chance and ended up seeing a very good film called 'A Mighty Wind', from the team who gave us 'Spinal Tap'! What a winner, it is all about folk music and had me in stiches! So funny! It was my birthday recently and I'm working my way through a pile of new CDs (!yeah!), I'm enjoying that a lot. Jonny Cash is next up, I've wanted to hear more of his stuff ever since he did that song with U2. Well, there's a lot of cool stuff on the horizon for us, magazine articles, radio interviews, even a slot on TV to look forward to! Next week is the first big gig (with the full band) in London, my mum and dad are coming so it'll be a special one for me. Keep well! D.

T H U R S D A Y 08.01.04 And a happy and fulfilling New Year from me too! Can't claim to have spent the vacation in any Italian cities, but I was with my family. At my folks', we lost ourselves in the brown woods and muddy paths of the South Downs... one memorable morning we walked to the very top of a wooded hill and lay in the leaves looking up at the winter sky through the skeletons of trees,the rain softly falling. Time stops. soaking. happy. still. in awe.thankful...'maybe God creates the desert so that man might appreciate the date palms at the oasis.' Returned to much fun at home... let the kids (4 and 5) paint their bedroom, carpet included!, as 'artistically' as they wanted...and at the studio, sending off copies of the album, updating the presspack, practising material for the S.African embassy gig and preparing the ground for the CD launch at the end of Feb in Cambridge. Hoping to get press/radio/TV caught up... 'local doctor meets Bissau-born artist!'...here goes! S.

W E D N E S D A Y 07.01.04 Happy New Year! Can you believe it is 2004?! It has been so good to look back and spend some time thinking about all that 2003 meant for me and for us. I am so grateful to God for what he gives us and how he guides. The last few weeks, whilst officially holiday time, have been manic but excellent. Christmas was spent with Mum and Dad and my three beautiful sisters (see 'The Western Reach') and their families. I saw LOTR 3 with Simon and we both agreed that it was amazing! Then I spent new year in... MILAN! with some great friends. NY eve was spend dodging fireworks and soaking up the Italian way of celebrating! James (who does our sound) came and despite the huge party made me go and look at the speakers they were using! ANORAK! On my return I went up to Manchester with Maggi Dawn and her husband Andy Cross who had invited me to sing with her for a show on BBC Radio Four. The highlight for me was meeting and indeed, jamming with, MARTIN NIEL, drummer of drummers! He is such a nice guy and was very encouraging. Then it was back to Italy (no kidding!) for a day! to Venice. That was fantastic and for only £6! I bought a watch I have been looking for for a long time so I am now wearing it and feeling very pleased with myself! tee hee! Thanks to Mel who inspired me with this thought... 'You cannot jump the chasm in two small leaps. It takes commitment and courage to follow your dreams' Here's to Dreams in 2004. D.

T H U R S D A Y 18.12.03 Well... Today the sun is shining and we have a gig tonight so I'm happy! Ian was going to come with his double bass but illness in his family is keeping him at home, we pray for a speedy recovery. Last weekend we support Tim Hughes in Bournemouth and then did a radio interview for Hope FM where they played two new tracks as exclusives ('The Western Reach' and 'Take Me In', on the same show were Jars of Clay (on the 'phone!) so it was all pretty cool. Esther got caught in aweful traffic so we had to put the shop together without her and she eventually arrived about 5 minutes after our set! Shame. We had huge sound problems, no monitors on stage! Ah, and so we couldn't give it much energy but it was still a good experience. Sales of the Cd have been much better than we could have hoped for and feedback has been so positive so that's great. I'm working on the new site at the moment and then off for a few weeks at Christmas. Come and see us tonight in Wandsworth! D.

W E D N E S D A Y 3.12.03 This morning my little sister gave birth to her second son, Ethan Farrow! Big congratulations to the proud parents (and to the proud uncle Daniel too!). Lots of fun things have been going on at our end which started with me taking some time to be at my parents house in Bournemouth. I took plenty of long walks and had some really good times chatting and relaxing. Simon was around so we went to see The Matrix Revolutions (weak) and we also went to the Russel Coats Art Gallery which was excellent, full of PreRaphelite paintings but also with a few modern peices, very inspiring. Then last week I went to see Peter Gabriel (again) with Sus, Esther and Ian (the bass player). The band were in top form and the gig was great although the set was full of eighties classics (boo)! Also there were alot of loud people! It was good to see him do a smaller gig and it was interesting to see how many musicians had come to see him, loads. On Saturday we had a gig in Ealing which was (from our point of view!) great! James did the sound as usual and was help alot by Joel who installed the system. We did a few from Linited Edition and A few new ones including September Song and The Rain. Kathie Brown joined us on violin, tamboura and voice and I played the Djembe at the end of our encore which was Every Part of Me. People bought T Shirts and ordered the album and it was just so much fun. Paul Hunt (Keys etc.) ate a whole bucket of Malteasers and I managed to remeber where to put my capo so it was a very enjoyable experience all in all! Thanks Sarah, Joel, Greg and Hennie. D.

F R I D A Y 21.11.03 WOW! we have done it..the twelve track has now gone to press. Relief, delight and exhaustion, and nearly every other emotion, all round! 3 weeks ago I was in bed croaking for cranberry juice, Dan was coughing like a cow, all the songs were in a state of disarray for one reason or another and our morale was pretty low. Well it tends to be when you are ill I think, not that I am a doctor or know much about that (could it be that in the dim and distant past I was? can't quite believe it now). While I was out of action Dan worked like a Trojan and then we just pushed hard into the early mornings (or not so early!!)...somehow running so fast and furious helped with creativity and ideas, I guess because we did and thought of nothing else. For me it has been great to share more of the overall production this time, not just vocals, and I think we have sparked off each other to a much greater degree. Well and yes there have been raised voices from time to time as we have disputed over whether the lead vox should be higher, bv's in or out and 'is that bass line flat or is it the guitar...or vocals' Aah we can smile now!! Just a big big thankyou to friends who have been praying for us and to our great God. Peter Gabriel in concert in Brighton next week, can't wait.First of two practices for our gig in Ealing last night. Kathie Brown is playing with us with a tambur