KT Tunstall Diary

13th December, 2007

December 13th: San Fran, Al the man, and Peace Prize partying.

Just arrived in San Fransisco after a full-tilt
thrilling trip to play at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo. There were very good vibes there, and I have to tell you, Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change, joint winners of the prize with Mr Albert Gore) is my new hero. “There is enough in the world for eveybodys need, but not everybodys greed. I am known as Pachi to all the scientists, and I’m sure often described as such”. We’re lucky to have him in charge.

I met some great folks – wonderful Annie Lennox, man of the moment Al Gore (I refrained from telling him he nearly ran me over in his hybrid at Live Earth. Inches away from my legs. Inches I tell you.), Melissa Etheridge, Alicia Keys, A-Ha Morten H…Kenny managed to get us all a bear hug from beautiful Uma, and I will never forget saying the sentence, “Kevin – this is my mum; Mum, Kevin Spacey”. Class.

Played Hold On with a full orchestra which totally ruled; timpani drums, tubas, pizzicato plucked string section, and then all of them clapped like the clappers along with us at the end! I wonder how much it would cost to take them with us…

Hilariously, I wore a little lined sequin skirt on the night with shiny leggings which turned out to be a misguided mix of fabrics…you know that ride at the fair…The Rotorator perhaps…where you spin round and the floor gives way and you’re stuck to the wall, but you slip down a little bit (well, this is what happened to my mum when she was 16) and your skirt stays where it was originally, but your body is lower? Well, that happened. During my performance, it shuffled around on it’s axis 90 degrees and was determined on becoming a belt. Shame was kept at bay thank god.

What else has been happening. Oh! I’m very excited that Seasick Steve has asked me to sing a song with him. You must check out his Jools Hootenanny performance; 3 string woohoo brilliance. I’ve found checking out his stuff most inspiring and it makes me want to get back to the blues influences. Dog House Music is a good ole album.

Talking of blues, I was lucky enough to have the seat next to Ronnie Wood for dinner the other night, and he’s promised to give me some slide guitar lessons. Not bad for a first guitar lesson I say. Luke used to be in a band with his son Jessie who was also there, and it was a strange circle of time and turn of events in the grand scheme of things to find ourselves round a table together.

It’s been bloody nice being home. Feels like we’ve been away a loooong time. Good to see familiar faces, play in a pub in Birmingham, play outside under the Westway for a tv show, get lost in BBC centre again and try to spend the 2 £5 vouchers you’re given for tea. (I’ve still found it impossible – bought numerous packets of mints and rice pudding and dinner and still only made it to £5.60.)

Went to see An Evening With Billy Bragg at the Queen Lizzy Hall to celebrate his 50th birthday – what an absolute diamond geezer. He played old records, sang tunes and spoke of his past. In a great bit he said, “the whole family always used to do the Hokey Cokey round my grans house, and it struck me the other day; what if that IS what it’s all about…”

I’ve failed a little on the short and often diary entries, but I’m getting back on it.
Bought my fake tree that will hopefully last for decades, and decided on a white one and plan to cover it in black baubles! Slightly evil perhaps, but it looked very cool when I was christmas jumper shopping in Bloomingdales. I found the most hilarious men’s christmas jumper section…proper little green, red and white wintry scenes and knitted skiers. Alan Partridge a-go-go. At one point I actually said “Oh My God” out loud.

Saw my favourite film of the year the other day – No Country For Old Men, the new Coen Brothers flick. Absolutely fantastic script and acting and poise and soundtrack and actors…Kelly McDonald rules OK.

Currently playing ‘Walking In The Air’ at all soundchecks until someone in the building does an Aled Jones impression.

Big love, K to the T xxx

Posted by KT on the 13th December, 2007

KT Tunstall Diary

13th December, 2007

December 13th: San Fran, Al the man, and Peace Prize partying.

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