Andrew Giddings' Diary - June 2004

Hello Dear Readers, Listeners and Viewers,

How have you been? It’s been a while since I last had the time to sit down and write, but hopefully you’ve all been as busy and are fit and well.

So I find myself today (May 28, 2004) in Bucharest, Romania, after riding the crewbus over night (and over the next day too) from Serbia. A fifteen hour drive in a submarine punctuated by border stops involving the evacuation of all aboard at unheard of times of the morning, and various gaseous outpourings from neighboring bunks. I think you get the picture.

Getting My Wings

I think the last posting I made here was about my ride with The Blue Angles, the short video resulting in lots of emails requesting hard copies of aforementioned viewing. I have to ask: Why would anyone want to see their normally composed keyboardist in a state of total facial uncontrollability, accompanied by the sounds of early man learning to talk?

Anyway, for those who are still interested in my aviation activities I can happily report that I began my PPL Pilot License Course in December 2003, got my wings (solo) in January 2004 and completed my Cross Country Qualifier in March. All that remains is to take the final test which I hope to do as soon as I get back to Blighty. Editor's note: Andrew passed his final exam in the air on June 6th and now holds his Pilot's Licence.

As a brief background, when I was about ten years old my best friend Tim and I had already decided we were going to be Pilots when we grew up. That was until our math teacher informed me at least that my mathematical ability left a lot to be desired. (They actually said my math sucked and that I would never fly a plane). So thirty years on, I would like to meet that teacher, show them my license and hard-wire their Zimmer Frame into the mains outlet! Just kidding! You have to be so careful about what you joke these days, don’t you?

Vyktoria Keating CD Released

 In other news, you will remember that some time ago I embarked on a musical cohort with one Vyktoria Keating. I can tell you that the polished results are now gleaming with musical ambiecence, (made up word) and available through her website www.vyktoria.com.

The CD was a while in the making, mainly due to the fact that I was the whole band and orchestra, and of course our schedules only allowed for intermittent progress. Anyway, the album is called ‘Things that Fall from the Sky’ and contains a collection of wonderfully written songs, and some half-decent sounds too J. You can order online from CD Baby.

Here are some reviews:

 "Whether wrapped in the luscious textures of Andrew Giddings' production or lonely as a new-born lamb at Chritmas with only a well-travelled acoustic guitar for company, Vyktoria Pratt Keating never fails to deliver the message.  The touching, provocative and observational songs pierce the heart, the soul and - if you buy this record - the wallet. Truly the troubadour, VPK combines age-old songstress eduction with technical expertise and offers up the musings of the thinking, feeling and sometimes vulnerable female presence, so much a part of contemporary music making."
                                                         -- Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, April 2003

From the ethereal progressive rock of "Disembodied Voices on Tape" to the exuberant pop-ness of "Spider" and the sci-fi syncopation of "Black Helicopters," this otherworldly music seems  at times to have fallen straight from the stars. Things that Fall from the Sky blends both acoustic and electric instrumentation, featuring Vyktoria's unearthly vocals and guitar with lush, artistic production. The songs are rich in unusual subject matter including paranormal and fortean imagery, showcasing her gift for writing intelligent, inventive and surreal lyrics.

"Utterly enchanting"  14 out of 16 Stars!
                                                        -- Progression Magazine

"Andrew has produced what I feel is one of the most wonderful
albums I have ever heard."
                                                        -- Gene Godfrey, Classic FM radio

"The death of comprehension demanded by the mass consumption of soul-less, song-less, pseudo-sexual harpies fostered on the public by a dying culture is the antithesis of the state of mind demanded to listen to the offerings of the true female artist. And It is such art that flows from the mind, heart and soul of Vyktoria Pratt Keating."
                                                        -- Roger Bianchi, Mind Candy Magazine

"Carefully avoiding musical cliches and forging his own path, Andrew has created a truly unique sound for Vyktoria. This album is one that, come 20 years from now, you won't be able to tell when it was recorded."

                                                        -- Patrick Lydon, Tullworld.com

So please visit Vyktoria’s website and check out the new product. It is to date the closest thing to an A.G. solo record, and for those who are still asking I may actually try to put one together before the end of this year. Yes! It could start with a big crash of something and then slide into a ripply thing and then…………..

Back to the tour in hand there are three shows left to do: Bucharest tonight, Sophia Bulgaria tomorrow and Istanbul Turkey on Sunday. Then Ian is making me get up in the dark again to fly back to England! One of these days I’m gonna try going to bed before 3.00am….

We look forward to seeing you in Western Europe later this year, then in the USA in November, brrrrr.

 Bye for now, take care and be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

 Andrew Giddings, Romania, May 28, 2004