Wednesday, 16 July 2008

11:53
I've played Full Sutton and Wakefield so far, both maximum security prisons and and I'm just on my way to New Hall Womens prison... I've played there before so I have an idea of what to expect, but at the same time I'm guessing the women are probably quite unpredictable!

I'll update you later tonight, providing I can get internet access...

Saw this in Wakefield...



20:56
3 down and 1 to go... New Hall was an experience.  It never ceases to amaze me at the breadth of people you get in prison.  There was one Asian girl in particular that looked about 15, she was obviously older as she was in the adult wing, and aside from how young she looked, she also had an overt innocent look about her.  I don't think anyone would ever look at such a girl and think anything ill of her, or that she would be capable of anything worthy of imprisonment.  It's an odd feeling because I can't help my mind from running through all the things that these folks might be in for.  I'm told that it's normal at first and that the desire to know leaves after a while.  As I sit here in my hotel room (in the most bizarre town I've ever encountered) I don't see the benefit of knowing their crimes...but yet every time I meet one of the prisoners that look like butter wouldn't melt..!  I find myself pondering what crimes they may be capable of... the thing is... if I found out, it would be of no use to me or them.  the whole idea of doing these gigs is about the human to human aspect of it, that being aware of someone's wrongs is not going to help at all.

Again, there was a bit of unrest in New Hall today... anytime I sang a line remotely romantic or sensual, there'd be a chorus of "oh yeah!!"... don't get me wrong here, I'm under no illusions that the girls think of me as some sort of heart throb... I'm fully aware that it's just a case of "any port in a storm!"...  The question time was interesting as always, aside from the usual questions like "will you take your coat off?" and  "can you come back to my cell?" they ask the question that I get asked every time I go in to do this sort of gig;  "why are you here?"    I'm not gonna bullshit you, in the same as I don't bullshit them: the main reason is a mystery!   Some people fancy George Clooney or Brad Pitt while others prefer Shane McGowan  or Iggy Pop...

I fancy singing in toilets and prisons!

There are other reasons of course but this is the primary one; as selfish as that sounds.

One of the young girls (15 i think) at New Hall created this piece of work... it jumped out at me like a diamond in a coal fire...



I went out to get a bite to eat tonight in this odd little town.  It's the sort of place that sets a great scene for a horror movie... like werewolf in London or something.  Anyway, I was out looking for somewhere good to eat and the best thing I could find was this Indian restaurant that had about 6 tables in it but room for about 20... not a single thing on the walls, just white paint... all the tables were pushed up to the windows like they were just about to hoover the floors if it wasn't for the pest of customers.... the carpet was really old and fusty but most notably, it didn't reach the walls in certain areas!  We're not talking centimetres here, we're talking feet... and it exposed a dusty concrete floor...on top of this it had a huge front window, but you couldn't see into the place as it had yellow-ing blinds from left to right and top to bottom, presumably so that people couldn't look in and be put off walking through the door... it rather made one quite curious actually so you wanted to see if it actually was an operating establishment, and the second you walk through the door they give you a pint and a menu and show you to your seat before you've said a word... charming little place really.  If only I could say 'well at least the food was good', but nah; can't even say that.  However, I kept reminding myself that all the people I've been spending time with over the last few days would be over the moon with such liberties, so I enjoyed it for what it was... i.e. an experience!

Here it is in all it's invitational glory:



How could I resist really!?