Stuttgart

Since there was a huge shopping area next to the hotel, I did some shopping. Not much, a couple of t-shirts, a hat and some cool sunglasses. As I was walking back the crowds were starting to gather for the world cup game. Germany vs somebody. Oh heavens I can’t remember. Anyway I beat it back to the hotel cause to was going to get crazy. Oh and Germany did win that night. The horns honked all during the show!

Dresden

Again after a full travel day of driving, delayed flights and then flying and driving to the hotel. We pulled in right at dinner time again. We stayed in a beautiful old hotel and the immediate surroundings were very pleasing indeed. A lovely square with dramatically lit stone churches, statues, squares, parks, lakes and a river. We had dinner at a local beer house. We sat on the roof of the restaurant overlooking the river. I had bratwurst, sauerkraut and beer of course. (When in Germany….)

Warsaw

We arrived at dinnertime the night before the gig. At the recommendation of the hotel, we went to a restaurant called 99, just a five-minute walk from the hotel. We enjoyed a great meal. I had homemade ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and a fine glass of Chardonnay. The dessert was the best of the tour so far. Vanilla ice cream swimming in caramel sauce with fresh strawberries on top. The best!!! The next day I treated my self to a full spa manicure, pedicure, facial, massage at the Pearl Spa on the top floor of the hotel. Very expensive but very worth it. Paulina was my esthetician and I would recommend her highly. I never made to the old town like the others did so I guess I’ll have to go next time. The gig was just across the street and went over very well. A special hello to Magda who was in the audience that night!

The Hermitage...

I walked so far today that I am totally exhausted! We visited the Hermitage Museum home to some of the great art masterpieces. Da Vinci, Monet, Degas, Rembrant, Picasso, Michelangelo. They say it would take years to view all the art they have inside. Afterwards I went to the The Church of Resurrection AKA Savior on Spilled Blood. A stunning tribute to Emperor Alexander on the very site he where he was killed. It's a pretty fantastic piece of work. The mosaics on the inside are incredible. Later that evening, I did two things that I've never done. I studied Russian history and watched the world cup game...at the same time. I conclude that this town loves to drink vodka BUT they've had a hellafva last 300 years. Hopefully things are on the rise. Real estate is still a bargin here and you can buy a fantastic fixer upper mansion near the Catherine Palace for around $100,000.

Sight seeing in St Petersburg

a group of us drove outside if town (me and Ben Taylor pictured) and visited the summer palace and the Catherine Palace. Here are some pics!

St. Petersburg, Russia

I am finally here in Russia for the first time! It's very different. It was very hot when we arrived. The traffic was heavy and the exhaust fumes were quite overwhelming due to the lack of smog checks. The pretty girls trapezed up and down Nevskij Prospect Ave wearing everthing from sophistcated attire to fully exposed bras with shortest of short miniskirts. The smells in air in a mix of exhaust, b.o., smoke and vodka. Now, that being said, I have seen amazing historic buildings yet to explore and we did enjoyed two meals so far on the roof of our hotel that were lovely. Our sweet Russian waiter, Dmitri, couldn't have been nicer. I just returned from this evenings festivities and the sun has only just went down at 12:30 AM. It is the White Nights Festival now. Of course I never realized that meant that the sun never goes down in the summer. So no one sleeps here.... or in Scandanavia. Apparently in Helsinki during summer solstice, the women strip naked and roll in the grass....hmmmmmmmmmm very interesting! Tomorrow we do the town.

Helsinki (Prancer beware!!)

Warm weather! I was a little burnt out fromt he travel so I opted out of sightseeing today for a three hour nap. Upon arising Quinn, our gifted drummer and also a wonderful composer, invited my out for dinner where discussed the interesting life of being an music artist and a sideman. We wandered alittle around town and found a jumping out door club where the cover band was blasting out a pretty good version of "Celebrate". Again, that seems to be the theme of the Scandanavian summers! The only unsettling part was seeing so much reindeer on the menu. I could actually order a reindeer ceasar!! Yikes. Not for me.....

Stockholm

It was a blip. we flew in this afternoon, did the show at the Cirkus and had a little time to walk around. Another beautiful harbor town. Lot's of boats and patio cafes. I would love to come back and visit again. I got to meet my e-mail friend Peter who has been busy garnering some great press in Scandanavia for my newest CD. Great to meet you Peter! the band had a glass of wine with our opener Ben Taylor. Super nice guy and awesome talent.

Oslo, Norway

We had alot of time to explore this beautiful city. My last visit here was quite some time ago and it was winter. summer is quite a different experience. There is an exuberence in the air and everyone is out enjoying the sunshine. The weather is better than the nicest spring day in Southern California. because Norwegians can only enjoy it 3 months out of the year, they seem to revel in the sunshine. The days are also long long long and no one seems to sleep. A vast difference from the freezing dark winters. We visited the Akershus Castle (built in 1299) and the Munch exibit at the National Gallery.

in Hamburg

We arrived in Hamburg yesterday to gorgeous weather. He headed out into the evening for a lovely dinner by the water finished off by an ice cream cone. Todays venue is outdoors and it just started raining. So, we'll be dressing warm this evening for sure. There is the cutest little pug dog here as well. I think it's the venue's mascot named Taylor.
(later...)
Just finshed a good show. The rain stopped which was very nice for us and the audience. I had my glass of wine and a tuna sandwich so it's early to bed as we have a morning flight to Oslo tomorrow.
Good night all....k

BTW Scype.com rules!!!

Hampton Court Palace

We had our second show at the Hampton Court Palace last night. Although we played outdoors and it was FREAKIN' COLD it was still an amazing venue. Rich with history. Refreshed our memory about Henry VIII and his many wives. It is said that his 4th wife Catherine Howard's ghost haunts the palace. She was forced to marry him at 15. He was around 40 something and not very attractive. She was said to have taken many lovers and Henry found out she was banished from the palace then eventually executed in the tower of London. I was fascinated by the picture of Henry VIII with his son Edward at age 12, who died at age 16, Edward's mother was also pictured although realistically that would impossible as she died two weeks after Edward was born. Henry's two older daughters, Mary and Elizabeth are placed far away from Henry in the painting and it's said that they were hardly acknowledged by their father at all. Ironically both daughter's ruled England separately, Mary for 5 years and Elizabeth for 45 years! (6 years longer than her dad) The moral: Never underestimate your daughters!

Show in Bristol

Well our first show went off without a hitch. We all just get on so nicely as a band and it helps that the guys are great musicians too. Tracy was charming and funny and the audience loved her. She got a standing ovation in the sold out show. I had the pleasure of hearing Ben Taylor as well (James and Carly's son) and wow what a talent. It's a little freaky watching him as it's like watching his dad 30 years ago. Of course he has his own thing and it's very cool but the likeness is truly uncanny. He'll be opening on the tour several more times as well.

Our second night in Bath

I am back in the hallway checking my e-mail. We had a very successful set up day. The crew, band and artist are so lovely. I can't wait to play my newly tricked out accordion :) we chilled out tonite afterwards with a couple of glasses of chardonnay. My dear friend Steve Quirk, a London DJ who's smooth jazz show Fusion Flavors on 104 FM is quite successful, added some of my album cuts, as well as "Dja Vu" from Peter White's latest CD that I sang on, to his show tonite in honor if my arrival. The bummer was I couldn't get the station back here in Bath. Oh well. I plan on getting to sleep before 4:30am tonite. We have a full production day at the venue that I want to be awake for. Plus I have to get to town to the Bath Aqua Glass store to pick up something nice for my mom's husband who collects these kind of things. For a complete itinerary of the tour I am on, go here
http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/concerts.htm

until later...

xokiki

Arrived in safely Bath, England

Well we made if safely to Bath England and I am enjoying my lovely room here at my fine hotel. The rest fo the band guys and I had a great dinner downtown overlooking a beautiful river that runs through this lovely Old World town. I am now sitting in the hallway with my laptop because the signal won't reach to my quaint corner room. This after finding out my US T-moble acoount won't cover the UK and Europe. Anyway it's going to be a great our and tomorrow we start rehearsing for our show in Bristol. More photos and posts to come. But I am beat going to sleep now!

xoKiki