Well as everybody seems to know my 60th birthday is on February 26th. I never thought I would reach such advanced years or that I would be so excited about it. This is definitely going to be the most fun birthday so far. I am going to celebrate throughout the year doing all the things I love best with all the people I love best. I am going to create special memories that will last until I am in my rocking chair or Zimmer frame - whichever comes first.
The feeling that supersedes everything is one of gratitude, particularly to those who have made my life such an amazing experience. So bearing this in mind I am going to give presents throughout the year.

To celebrate with all those people who have enjoyed my music I have a very special gift. It will be available exclusively here for free download for 60 days starting February 26th. It is a song which has been the source of much grief, hilarity, circumspection and I have to admit, financial reward for many years. Yes you know the one, ‘Puppet on a String.’ But this is like you have never heard it before. Courtesy of my very good friend, Howard Jones, who spends much time locked up in a recording studio with his vast array of technology nowadays, I have completely turned everything around; so much so that I am really proud of my efforts. It actually sounds super cool. Yes I know that might seem a contradiction in terms but it really does - you’ll see, or rather, hear.

I went to visit Howard one day and he was sitting at his keyboards playing around with some really beautiful chords and he started humming a bit of a soulful melody over it. ‘That’s nice.’ I remarked. ‘You try it,’he suggested. I did and it felt really good. I suddenly realised that this was the dreaded ‘Puppet.’ ‘Don’t loose your nerve,’ he coaxed, ‘let’s see if you can change your karma.’ So we finished it off, recorded it and sent it to a young, hip producer/mixer, Andy Gray who re-arranged and mixed the track and voila! I am cured! I really love it - I hope you do too. It is my very special birthday present to you on my 60th. Please tell your friends to come to the site to pick up their gift.

David from Inverness sent this: