England brought the songs out of me. Rainy afternoons, dirty East End streets, the sea at Lyme Regis, gardens and statues, Bobby Fame translating English slang for me. Time to reflect, time to feel blessed and lucky, and plenty of time to miss New York City!
Once I got Stephen Lironi on board to produce (first we had to get a few co-writes for Tom Jones out of the way), it was smooth sailing and routine made the vibes bubble to the surface. The first track we co-wrote was "Black and White Matinee". I came up with the verse standing outside Kings Cross station on a cold morning, watching people on their way to work. Where the hell did all these people come from? And why was an American so fascinated with them and the meaning behind the sign on the Caledonian Road that said "Changed Priorities Ahead"? <br>Next came a fix up of "Falling Down", written on a (big surprise) rainy afternoon in Parsons Green. Looking out onto a small patio, a black cat walked by and smiled at me while the sound of sleeping murmured in the other room.... "it's just one of those grey days". Stephen added the shifting sands to the town with no name, and a new song was born. Slap that baby on the bum! "You're sweet on him" came at 5 am in Marylebone. I was teased by Stephen: "I'm JJ and I know some chords!". Scottish humor, I think. I miss you Michael. "Coming Back Alone" was practically a co-write with your soul. Rest in peace, beautiful hearted brother. TV Advert: "Tired of waiting for .....?" Angel dream...staring at mini-maldive sharks in the hottest sun I've ever experienced...yesterday and tomorrow are dreams..."Today, Today, Today" is reality.

Stephen played all the keys, bass, some guitar, and a lot of perc. I played most of the guitars and sang, sung, singi-fied until I had my fill. Wales-ian Ged Lynch (on loan from Peter Gabriel!) played drums. Dan Mintseris stopped in for piano tinkle-tankles on "Coming Back Alone" during his mili-gap break on tour with Marianne Faithful. A typical day recording - Morning - PG Tips for JJ, Black Coffee for Stephen...record. Lunch - usually Tesco's...I do have a club card you know! But that Jamaican place with the curry chicken, rice and peas...DA-YUM! make it pop! More recording...tube back from Finsbury Park, Victoria line, Ipod, Marylebone Road, Weymouth street, CSI, wake up and do it all over again. You can call that October 2007, JJ Appleton-style. "Black and White Matinee" is here. Get your popcorn and sno-caps. The lights here flicker....