So, did I mention that I am going to Mexico on Christmas Eve..? The Spanish is still a hoot...the teacher taught us (and made us sing!) Happy Birthday...it was a bit of a hoot - you know, a brain surgeon singing and all...but, anyway...November...


1st - 9th November So, my wee girls went back to Jersey...not before they'd left me the all singing, all dancing halloween wizard who breaks into a version of Pinball Wizard everytime you cough! Thanks girls, so sad to see you go and, oh, how I wish you'd taken the wizard with you!!!

Now, I don't know if I told you, but last year I recorded a version of The Pogues/Kirsty MacColl's Fairytail of New York. I hadn't heard much from the guy who'd asked me to do it but all of a sudden, he was trying to arrange a day in Glasgow to film a video for it. I recorded it with a band/guy called Scoobie, who is also putting together a video of some great footballing moments...it all sounds very odd...but, hey, at least I kept my clothes on - right?!

We did the video in my wee living room, with the gorgeous winter sun shining in...then...next thing you know, Gerry, my window cleaner, is behind me, outside the window waving in...a nice wee touch I'm sure, but one they'll edit out no doubt. I think the guy is going to come and sing the song with me at the Tron gig soon. A single of the track is due for release on December 8th...funny that, cos that's just in time for Christmas!

On Friday of this week, I had another Jersey visitor...my friend Nigel (who always turns up at unlikely gigs and takes photos for Jo to put up on the page!). He came specifically to see some music this weekend...and that's exactly what he saw.

On the Friday, I was guesting with Martin Stephenson who was playing at the Tron. The idea was to play my version of Crocodile Cryer and one other. It was great fun and Martin Stephenson is an amazing performer...its just like he's on the stage singing to you...no-one else...just you. The jokes seem to be for you also. Then, for a wee encore, we did Dolphins and Martin goes '...and I think Eddi's going to sing along...is she?' And, next thing you know, I'm on stage singing and playing with Martin Stephenson and Eddi Reader...okay, so I was no longer in the Tron, but in heaven. All this and Nigel got to see it too...that's the kind of thing he really loves.

We went to see some comedy too...well, you know, there aren't many comedy clubs in Jersey...and certainly none like the ones in Glasgow. We got to the Stand in Woodlands Road. Great, I love it and I know I have talked about it before, but this night was diffrerent - it was kinda rubbish but the Glasgow audience weren't letting anyone away with anything. The headliner (can't remember his name-phew) was a massive big African-American guy. He had on a big duffle coat (although it was boiling in there) and a hat. Well, he bombed and folk were getting restless...then it started - the Glasgow patter

'hit's lick lissnin' tae Lenny Henry in a parka...'
'come on son...make us laugh...'

oooh it was painful. I felt rotten for the guy, but he didn't do himself any favours by getting all grumpy with the audience after that. Hmmm, my first bad 'un at the Comedy Club - still, that's the first since it opened.

However, the whole point of Nigel's visit was to see Erin McKeown - a singer we had both seen and were blown away by while we were at Glastonbury this year. She was playing in King Tut's and we were both really looking forward to it.

So, off to the gig - just in time to see two guitarists from Mexico City - well, that was good right away, cos you know how I'll be living there soon!

But no, there were two of them, no singing, just playing guitar and tapping any hard surface within close proximity - including their guitars, the floor, their knees - and creating such a buzz that everyone who was at the gig found their jaws dropping. It was incredible and awe inspiring. Their names were Rodrigo y Gabriella. Please, look out for them, they are tremendous - and I cannot overstate that. Nigel and I both purchased their CD. In fact, I have been playing it through the PA at the past couple of gigs. Erin McKeown was great too. A really warm, confident and endearing performer but for me it was the first act who grabbed me.

I don't think Nigel was complaining too much...we had a busy weekend of party and fun...and some fantastic music. In fact, at Martin's gig on the Friday night, David Rogers (manager) had come into the house with CD cases 'just to sell at the gig'. And I thought, 'nah, that's too uncool...selling our CDs at Martin's gig' and David's busy telling me how great these new CD cases are and blah blah blah...and in my head I could hear me telling me that I should just humour him, look in the effin CD cases and make him feel better...and...so I opened one and there it was - Carol Laula - To-Let! Magic! and I know its very uncool, but, even thought this is my fifth release, there is no better a feeling than the actual tangibility of your work...very satisfying. (And of course, you get David there all smug cos he managed to catch me out - nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!)


10th - 16th November I had a few bits and bobs this week, my usual workshops and classes and stuff...but mostly, it just saw me rehearsing like mad for the gig on the Friday. Suffice to say that playing a whole new set leaves me just a wee bit nervous. I knew I wanted to play most of the songs from the new record, but didn't know which older ones to do...no need for a dilemma, just ask Pam and Gwen...!

'naw, we're no doin' that wan - 's ancient! Nah, that's one's crap! Stars? Aw come on, no way...'

Well, thanks girls...glad I was never in any doubt about my ability!

And, well, that's the way it goes when you work with those people...you have Alby and Stuart talking about their kids...Gwen just beems when you mention wee Max's name and Pam is in heaven and enjoying her new hoose with her man...and then there's me, having a crisis about my songs!

And, that was it...we were ready (or so I thought) for the New Album Launch in Paisley Arts Centre - ta da...

The place was absolutely mobbed, not a seat to be had. It was going to be me, Stuart, Alby, Pam and Gwen. David and Acoustic Roots had set up all this new artwork and merchandise stuff and I felt all posh and professional and then came the gig...the audience was absolutely magic...laughed at all the jokes...took all my cheek...and wanted more...

It was a great night, but for the first time in ages, I felt as though we, the band, were just good, as opposed to really good. No formula to follow, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...

...but on the upside, Jake Cogan opened for us. I know I have said it before, but I believe she is a truly wonderful and gifted singer. Pam and Gwen too were mesmirised by her effortless voice and again, she blew me away. Not only me though - my dad too! I think he was trying to be nice but he said to me the next day...'that Jake was amazing' he said (she sang Fat Cigars with me at the encore) 'she sang your song better than you'. After I got over my pain, I realised he was totally right, she does it with such ease and at 18 years old, she sings like a woman who's being performing for years...incredible! It was great to hear Pam and Gwen sing together too, that's the first time in ages and they were great. Always encouraging me and each other...Alby was magic too. I guess it was just Stuart and I...you know the two who should've known the songs better than anyone!!!!


17th - 23rd - November Anyway, over that one now...

This week was a week where I should have been really upset for Caitlin (my wee goddaughter) cos she was off school for the full week with some mystery virus. Well, of course I was upset and sad for her...but I was delighted for me because she came to my house to be ill. It was great fun...er...I mean, it was really hard...making her a bed on the couch...putting her to bed every evening...making her lunch and dinner...running her hot baths and showers...and just generally hanging out. By the end of the week, she was feeling a lot better (damn!) so we were playing all these board games like Frustration and Scrabble. Poor wee Caitlin was dying and I was in heaven...!

Also this week, The Arts Game was up for an award in Paisley. That was pretty cool. We didn't win it, but it was a great night and I got to see all those mad mental people with whom I'd spent the summer. It was lovely - mind you, I was told to dress up because it was like Renfrewshire's Oscars...hmmm...no sign of Cameron Diaz or Russel Crowe anywhere! Just famous people like my Arts Game-rs.


24th - 30th November Hooray...today's the day...New Album Out.

Well, I remember when my first CD came out - Still - I got hunners of bunches of flowers and cards and I got my hair done and had a nice big lunch. I also had a wee party in my house. That was the same for my second CD...today, No5 hits the shops and I got up, kept my jammies on, did my accounts, my admin, my filing and had a nice long bath. Well, I don't know if I'm just getting older (which I'm NOT) or if I'm a little more blaze...but it was a very nice and chilled day...nothing to get my pulse above 60bpm!

That night I went to the movies. Tim Robbins, Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon in Mystique River. I like the movies, I like to go and get lost in the surround sound and watch the big massive screen. This may have been a good movie, but I don't know...I met up with David & Yvonne Rogers (quite by accident) and I was with my friend Emma...well, it was like a night out with the kids!!!!

David & Yvonne talked constantly through the movie and everytime the screen went dark, Emma (who'd finished all her sweets before the movie started) got all jumpy thinking something scary was going to happen...OH MY GOD! I had to move seats cos they were all doing my head in so much! Okay, maybe I am getting old!

I also did a lot of rehearsing this week...I wanted to feel good and fulfilled after the up and coming Harbour Arts Centre Gig - no need to worry there. The gig was absolutely magic fun. The girls didn't come but Alby and Stuart played a storm. It was like we were all at the same gig. Not only that, but the audience (as is always the case in Irvine) were great fun. There were a lot of kids there too and at the end, I'd asked the 'wee people' for requests and one wee guy - Jamie, I think - was about to shout out for Bring Down the Rain, but realising we'd already played it, he asked for Happy Place...although, I'm sure it was his mum who made him ask for that - 'if you don't ask for happy place, yer gettin' nae pressies from Santa!'. Apparently, his mum e-mailed and told me, he'd gone home and held up five fingers and said 'Carol Laula looked at me twelve times'. What a lovely wee story...mind you, his first gig, at seven years old, was Carol Laula. At seven years old, mine was the Osmonds - and Donny didn't look at me ONCE!

That's almost it, except to say, I went to see the god-like Johnny Cameron on Sunday Night, it was his album launch and he had some folk up to sing and play songs and stuff. Alby and I went up and sang You Think I've Gotta Problem and Restless. It was just lovely to play with him, he is such a fine, accomplished and humble musician and it felt great to be there, joining in and sharing in his special night...he says he will be joining us live soon, so, fingers crossed.

And that is it! There were another few things...like the fact that its absolutely freezing on the scooter. Also, on that subject, I was ripped apart by a van driver who believes that those 'flippin things' (scooters or women? - I don't know) 'Shouldny be on the effin road'.

I'll finish by saying that I love this time of year...I love it when you drive by houses who are all decked out in the decoration and trees. Everywhere looks so warm...mind you, I think Mexico will be a little warmer!

And, on that note, I will be off. Again, I hope that you have a great time at Christmas and New Year and that 2004 is peaceful, happy, healthy and prosperous for you. If you have family or friends away fighting wars, then I wish you peace at this time.

Here's to it!

Carol

ps - regarding Mexico and speaking Spanish...well, there I was, looking through the guide book -

'hello, my name is Carol' = hola (silent 'h'), me lliamo Carol

all good useful stuff...then we get to the part about the cockroaches...

'there are cockroaches in my room...they are biting me' hmm, getting a wee bitty hot under the collar, but hey, I can do cockroaches. However, the next few phrases really have me sweating...

'I don't know how the drugs got there' - ! Eh? Well, okay, that could be useful when bordering South America...yep, someone could use me as some sort of courier...

but then came the really useless AND slightly worrying phrases

'prepare to die'

and

'you killed my father...'

okay...so...I'll see you in January...I hope..."