Regular visitors to the site may recall a series of tour blogs we ran at the beginning of the year written by Boo Hewerdine as he toured the country with Drever, McCusker and Woomble. Boo has recently announced his first album with a studio band in 10 years, so we thought it was high time we got back on his case to keep us updated about what he’s up to, as well as when he finally gets back on the road for his own show.

I’m back! Yes, since I last spoke to you in February many things have happened. Many, many things. Really, quite a number of events have occurred. What with one thing and another it has been an eventful few months. All those things that happened! Numerous would be a good word. Things, things, things. One after the other. No really!

The exciting news that I have to share with you today is that I have a new album coming out. It’s called God Bless The Pretty Things or, as one Japanese site has it, God Bless The Pretty Thin. And why not? Why shouldn’t the quite slender have an album they can relate to? Rarely in the history of human expression have the ‘not chubby, but not exactly scrawny’ had something they could call their own. God bless ‘em!

I’ve already had some extremely positive reviews for the album. One described it as “aural watercolour”. That had me punching the air, I can tell you! I’ve had a few complimentary remarks about the artwork, too. “You’re looking well”, said one family member. Well, that’s because it’s not me but an Eighties Swedish Action Man (the one with the beard) wearing Joe 90 glasses and carrying a tiny guitar. I believe he made his debut in one of my earlier blogs. Strewth, it’s like I’m invisible! I thought people would say, “My, what a scream, you’ve made an action figure of yourself!”. “Actually”, I would reply, “it was a Christmas gift from my wife and I thought it would make an ideal album cover”. But no, they think it’s me. In their minds eye I must have disproportionately large hands, ridiculously big spectacles and be only nine inches tall. I honestly thought I’d made more of an impression on my nearest and dearest than that.

Anyway. It’s out on October 26 and I shall be doing a big old tour. I’ll put the dates up next time if you like. On October 25 I will be appearing on the Andrew Marr television show. I get to sing a song live at eight on a Sunday morning. I sense disaster. I’m never at my best that early and I’m worried that once I have joined Baroness Scotland, or whoever, on the sofa that I shall be asked a simple question about current affairs and will be as lucid as a four year old who’s been on the G and T’s. “So, Boo, what do you think of the bonus structure debate?”. Blank stare, dead air and then, “My leg feels funny and I need the toilet”. Ghastly silence. And everyone will carry on thinking singers are stupid people who should NEVER EVER talk.

Well, it’s great to be back and I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts and feelings with you as I travel this road which we call life. You can use that if you like. You see, every now and then you see something that makes you stop and take stock. “Why are we here? What’s it all for?”. If you happen to be in Morecambe I urge you to place a small floral tribute at this gravestone. This was a man after my own heart. I believe I may have found my next album cover.