Al Goodwin

Well how are you all? hope nobody suffered directly from the riots.

Lewisham where I live got it bad, in fact I left to drive to York on Monday and I watched the news upon my arrival and could not believe I was seeing cars ablaze at the end of my very own street.

These people are the shame of England, how do we get our values back?

I myself was a bit of a rogue as a youngster but a kick up the arse, strict teachers and local police kept me in tow.

In York to support my brother who is having treatment for cancer and being at the hospital really brings you down to earth, seeing kids fighting for survival is very humbling. So to see those shits on our streets stealing, terrorising hard working people made me squirm.

Maybe the only way is to draft them into the army (never thought I'd say that) but something has to give as our system just does not work.

It has been very confusing times of late, I am now back in the family home and now aim to get some normality back, I'll be back to London tomorrow to get the house back in shape and concentrate on my children and of course music.

Seeing old mates in York who I used to play in a band with made me realise how much i miss that creative interaction so looking forward to rehearsals with acoustic bass player and mandolin player. I'll be developing the sound of my latest album and working towards more gigs and another record.

Life really is just too short and the last few days although disturbing have given me a kick up the arse I was not aware I needed, health is everything and opportunity is a bonus not to be scoffed at.

Gonna throw myself head on into the remaining summer and simply enjoy, appreciate and not get too thrown by the last few days.

Hopefully a few ales tonight in York, I'll go see my bro again tomorrow and wish him well for the coming months on what we hope will be the road to recovery.

Hope my next blog will be less of a rant and some good news is around the corner.

Love and music.

Al.