On its way to the USA?

Dawn Neely Randall My British friend David Wilson's book, Left Field, was recently released, though it hasn't found its way to the U.S. yet. I want to change that. My goal is to get a copy to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since it is very much music-based. I also want to share it with friends so there is a demand for it to be picked up by the American market. It's a brilliant piece of work. If you're interested, you can look it up on Amazon (David Wilson, Left Field) to see if it's available in Kindle edition. For now, this is a snippet of what it says on Amazon here in Europe: "As the co-founder of War Child, he was instrumental in bringing a mobile bakery into war-torn Bosnia. In 1995 the charity gained prominence with the release of the Help album. Contributors included David Bowie, Brian Eno, Paul McCartney and Sinéad O'Connor. Help captured the world’s attention and brought the healing power of music to young people whose lives had been devastated by war. Left Field is an engaging and humorous memoir which will inspire not only Wilson's generation, but also today's young people who are campaigning for a better, fairer world." I'm pretty much in awe of David this week. Amazing how I've known him for four years now, but had no clue about all his major accomplishments and activism or all the people he's helped. Or, all the music stars he's friends with. Yep, it needs to make its way to the U.S.A.

Left Field - the film

                                                                    click on pic to view film

You can buy the book here ( just launched )

& thank you Eugene Skeef and Vanessa Lucas-Smith for agreeing to perform at the launch party for 'Left Field'

here are the Calais Sessions in session in Calais

David Bowie & War Child

How David Bowie helped War Child. Between September 1994 and February 1997 Brian Eno and his wife Anthea organised three exhibitions and auctions for the charity. The first was 'Little Pieces from Big Stars'. It included Paul McCartney's driftwood carving and Linda’s photographs, Bono's music box containing sunglasses, Charlie Watts' drawing of a hotel telephone, Billy Bragg's brass rubbing and Pete Townsend's model of a Rickenbacker guitar. David Bowie exhibited 17 computer-generated prints. This was followed nine months later by ‘Pagan Fun Wear’, described by Brian as being one of the ‘all-time weird events in London’s recent cultural history’. The idea was to model costumes which would then be sold at auction. Iggy Pop designed penis sheaths; Jarvis Cocker modelled his own shoes; John Squire designed his own underwear; Brian, his coat and pants; Dave Stewart, a bikini and mac. David Bowie contributed ‘Victim Fashion’ which consisted of a model wrapped up in bandages. The third event, ‘Milestones’, held in February 1997 involved, as Brian put it, ‘the usual suspects’. Pavarotti sent a handkerchief on which he’d drawn Enrico Caruso. Graham Cox of Blur did a homage to Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd. Paul McCartney, a drawing of Buddy Holly, aged 60. Bono’s inspiration was Frank Sinatra – a music box containing Jack Daniels, shot glasses and a blue napkin. It was signed ‘To Frank, Love, Bono’. Sinéad O’Connor’s tribute was to Bob Marley. Brian contributed his musical dedication to the Velvet Underground and David Bowie's dedication was to the Walker Brothers. As well as contributing to all three fundraisers David Bowie was a patron of War Child. All this is covered in "Left Field". Geat and brave final recording from Bowie here Lazarus

From Glastonbury to Greeks against austerity

Dubioza Kolektiv's visit to my Spanish 'party' gave me the idea for the final chapter in 'Left Field'. I thank them for that, but more importantly wish them all best for their Sunday night gig at Glastonbury. If you are there go to Shanri-La stage . If not there catch them on TV. They are very exciting and not to be missed. 'Left Field' is packed full of musicians and their stories – from DK to Rachid Taha/Brian Eno, from Tom Morello to Matt Black & Coldcut, Eric Clapton to Elton John. Read about the Pavarotti & Friends gigs, Paul McCartney in St Petersburg and the War Child 'Help' album. Order your copy of LF here. STOP PRESS: Support the Greek people in the bailout referendum on 5 July. They are at the cutting edge of the fight against austerity.