It's a new favorite. Thanks for giving me the record! Xx

Krystle’s Mary Margaret O’Hara tweet was a boost; jump starting a day of preparation for Fabio’s visit. I immersed myself in a frenzy of cleaning, dusting and mopping entertained by my iPod’s juxtapositions, always a joy.

I was startled awake in the early hours by a missed call and voicemail revealing that poor jetlagged Fabio had been held at the Heathrow gate until he could provide my address. Thankfully after a flurry of emails he was let through and a few hours later he arrived in a halo of Californian sunshine. It was a tonic to have his broad smile and kind spirit brightening short dark November days. We met for the first time passing in the street on the Castro when I lived in San Francisco. We recognised each other from internet chats and this chance meeting cemented a lasting friendship. Fabio is one of the good guys and I’d trust him with anything, including my life. After several days of good company and laughter it was hard to let him go to London but with a fair wind I’ll be visiting him in 2013.

 

Here’s a track from Brighton’s Grasscut who we saw together at the Green Door Store on his first night in the city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWxCJRBIs2E

Returning to a normal routine was a challenge so I chose to be productive and focus on the Christmas CD. Endless listens saw the track listing finalised and my cover idea materialised with the assistance of Mike H, a camera, some plain flour and lots of gurning.

On Saturday 24^th Rufus came to town and the Brighton Dome filled with a liquorice allsort crowd of homos and their friends. I’d managed to bag a front row seat which was exciting but I hadn’t expected to be cruised via Growlr whilst waiting for the lights to go down. This was a virtual first and we agreed to meet and have a real chat about the performance afterwards.

 

Krystle Warren took to the stage first crackling with charm, her voice a vaulting wonder. Adam Cohen followed with a blend of self penned songs and Cohen senior covers and then at last the man we were all waiting for. Rufus started his set with  ‘Candles’ my favourite song from the new record sung unaccompanied in near darkness to great effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8KZO1nsFCA

It’s always just that little bit more
That doesn’t get you what you’re looking for

However with the band in full swing his voice was lost in the muddy sound which was a great shame. It was a good show, but not the best (or the worst) I’ve seen him deliver. The highlights emerged when the band was stripped back to reveal the voices of Teddy Thompson and Krystle performing pieces from Sing Me the Songs That Say I Love You: A Concert for Kate McGarrigle. Something I can’t wait to see when it hovers close to Brighton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUNReQ5mshs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av9PsdKOgsg

I left feeling a little disappointed and met my new friend outside the auditorium. ‘Roodybear’ was a skyscraper of a man who’d come from London to see the gay messiah. He too was a little disappointed which made me feel slightly better. We talked about this and that, but that didn’t happen due to time constraints so I headed home with satiated whistling ears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY_F7Gt7DL0

He will then be reborn
From 1970's porn
Wearing tubesocks with style
And such an innocent smile

Better pray for your sins
Better pray for your sins
'cause the gay messiah's coming

He will fall from the stars
Studio 54
And appear on the sand
Of Fire Island's shore

Better pray for your sins
Better pray for your sins
'cause the gay messiah's coming