Journeyman?

[David W]

Hi Maart,

I wonder what you feel are the best and worst things about being - what one may describe respectfully - as a journeyman musician?

David

[Maart]

Hi David

I love the variety that journeymanism brings me. I get to play some great music with some great musicians and songwriters. On this current tour I get to play with Beth Nielsen Chapman AND Marcus Hummon, two giants of songwriting, and in Glasgow we had Darrell Scott, yet another, who incidentally will be playing with Robert Plant on his next tour. I have been in bands as you will know, and it's fine, but I find it hard playing the same things every day. Playing different stuff all the time keeps me fresh, and I learn a lot from playing in different combos which helps me when I'm producing other people. It also means I have a network of musicians that I can call in for different jobs. And I get to meet some of my heroes.

I love travel, so the touring life is ideal for me. It means I get to see the world with my mates and get paid for it. I have been away too long sometimes though, and there are times I just want to be home, especially as where I live on the west coast of Wales is so spectacularly beautiful, but this passes as I get stuck into my job. Like the song says, it's very nice to go travelling, but it's also very nice to come back. Another thing I like about touring is that I get to see old friends more regularly than I could otherwise, and I'm still chums with some guys from school, who I will see soon on this tour.

Maart

[David W]

Cheers Maart,

It's interesting to hear that you love the touring and make it into such a positive time, many folks seem to bemoan touring, hours in the van, living in hotels etc.

David

[Maart]

And then there's the sightseeing! We were in Glasgow for a week so in spite of Celtic Connections I managed to get to know the city well enough to want to go there for a holiday. Yes, a holiday in Glasgow! Then we were in Belfast for a week, and I got to explore and go sightseeing. I went to Amsterdam for a couple of days in the middle and went exploring there too.

[Jack Westwood]

I say, old bean, were you having the slightest of digs at Glasgow there!!

Maart, found yet another restaurant for next visit too!!!!!

Jack x

[Maart]

Hijack!

Not a dig at all, but who would have thought it even 20 years ago? I look forward to you showing me the next port of gastronomy. What was the name of that amazing fish restaurant? The sign is so small I can't read it on my phone photo. Tell all the nice people where it is so they too can check it out. Fab stuff.

Right, I have to see to Marcus Hummon who is coming to the end of his first set of the tour then get Beth ready for hers.

Traa a bit
Maart
St Albans