May 03 Newsletter

C’est difficile pour moi:

May is always a difficult and usually eventful month for me. Why? Because the Eurovision Song Contest takes place this time every year – and I go into hiding… It seems everyone and his aunt crawl out of the woodwork for my opinion, thoughts, reminiscences, and sound bites of the dreaded annual event. I have always done my best to disassociate myself from the whole thing. However this year for some strange reason I felt differently. I even accepted an invitation to be special guest at a reception at the Latvian embassy prior to the TV broadcast. Unfortunately a typical French national greve prevented me from attending and hob nobbing with the Latvian posse.

Latvia was this year’s host of the contest and I think this had something to do with my turnaround. I love the idea of Latvia: Christmas trees, snow, mountains and fairy stories. In fact I love the idea of all the eastern European countries that now join in the competition. I also get a bit fed up with the arrogance of British record companies who think that the UK record industry is the only one that counts despite its dwindling sales compared to the continuing growth of the other European territories such as France. Anyway this year us Brits really got our come-uppance.

I decided to join in the circus and be another sad person who stayed in on a Saturday night to watch it all the way through on TV, accompanied by a chilled bottle of Chablis and a hot significant other..

I never realized I was missing so much fun – a sheer European cultural phenomenon. A completely bizarre, weird and wonderful bonanza. I cheered for Russia whenever the Latvian audience booed. I even rang in my vote for Poland (they tried so hard with their peas and lerve message) and Belgium (the only ones who tried to sound vaguely like their traditional music and ended up with a very euro friendly song). I thought the belly dancing rappers from Turkey were sensational, all that waling and wobbling – great winners. I am now cured, converted, no longer a Euro skeptic, and so proud to have been part of this amazing circus.

And the UK? Well it was a bit of a 'the kings got no clothes on' story. For whatever reason, the British duo sang off key throughout their performance, which nobody dared to mention, and the European audience awarded us the grand total of nul points. Well earned I’d say. Great alternative entertainment. Move over Mr. Wogan – I want your job!



The carnival is not over yet:
This month in another strong blast from the past, but this time from down under, I met up with Judith Durham, originally from the Seekers and now doing it for herself. After all these eons we met for dinner in London. And yes, she looks exactly the same, in a slightly more fragile, frail, tiny frame. When she starts to talk she sparkles with vitality. Judith shows herself to be a really bright and thoughtful person who has questioned, challenged and struggled with the extraordinary events of her life. She had a great take on Sixties icons and type casting that she had lifted from Nova magazine who she says described them as
"crystallized in their original immaturity." Judith has recently published a book called The Judith Durham Story - Colours Of My Life, published by Virgin. I wrote a quote for the cover. She is also touring in Britain in July, appearing at the Royal Festival Hall on the 3rd July.


I am really looking forward to hearing her beautiful voice again.