AT LAST, I'VE SEEN STEVIE LIVE IN CONCERT!!!

SO amazing. SO wonderful. What a dude. Finally, I can now rest.
I was filled with elation and let out a cry of joy at my friend's studio when I first heard Stevie was gonna be performing at the Hollywood Bowl. This was followed by an immediate cry of utter horror when I thought it conflicted with a wedding. Suffice to say, I was over the moon when I found out I had my dates confused and that I would be able to see the man himself - Stevie, my wonderful musical hero - in person! It was a month ago now, July 7th, but I've been as busy as a bee since then so this is the first chance I've had to share the experience…

I was grinning from ear to ear throughout the show, jumping up and down, clapping and singing along, dancing and being so moved, my heart was bursting. His voice was as good as ever! There were too many favorites to mention, although I will say "If It's Magic" was just magnificent. It was such an uplifting experience, all my friends were gushing after the show about how good the energy was. Looking around at the mixed crowd, Stevie reaffirmed to us all the power of music and the unity and love it brings with its positive energy.

For those of you who don't know, Stevie is not only an extremely gifted musician but he's also a very quick, funny guy. After laughing at the audience for our bad singing (well hopefully not me…but yes, as a collective we were pretty slow and pitchy!), he summoned his son on stage to sing a song (also a wonderful singer, as was his daughter). Before his son began, Stevie asked the audience (and his son) if anyone had ever made 'funky love' to his music! He felt he might be justified in qualifying for the Guinness Book of Records for "most played music during love sessions" - he might be right, all I know is his son was blushing..!

Anyway, pure joy, and at the end he gave a heartfelt speech and mentioned Obama:
"I don't care if he's purple, yellow, or green, I just want someone to bring us all together." Well said Stevie. Right at the very end he also exclaimed : "Don't be afraid to win, because you can, and you will". It wasn't clear if this was intended for Obama but regardless, I think this is a wonderfully simple message for everyone. I've been told fear of success is surprisingly as common as fear of failure. I think people get freaked out when suddenly everything's going swimmingly and subconsciously sabotage themselves! So nice one Stevie, here's to allowing ourselves to have everything we want, to dream big, to stop creating obstacles and drama, and basically get out of our own pea brain way..! ;)

The show was super inspiring and uplifting except for sadly one very poignant lyric in Master Blaster - which I used to cover on tour – "Peace has come to Zimbabwe" which is unfortunately very far from being the case right now. One of my best friends and his wife live there and it is crumbling and no one is taking any notice. If any of you are interested, the following website can help send letters to your heads of state about many global issues including Zimbabwe, it's informative, easy to use, and the least we can do to show we care, so when you have a minute check out: www.avaaz.org
(You can also sign up for the Olympic handshake at www.avaaz.org/en/handshake!)

Hope you like the new album cover, I am super-psyched!
(I'll tell you about the crazy photoshoot another time, lets just say it was like something out of the sandstorm scene cut from Return of the Jedi, but that's another story…)

Onwards and upwards, Happy Friday!
Jem x