Very exciting news for all fans of Vinyl records, a good friend of mine has kindly put together my first album as a double album due for release in mid May.

There are four extra tracks, the demo versions of Cowboys and Tightrope, plus Take me im yours recorded with Paul Inder in London with Dorie Jackson. There will only be 500 copies pressed and numbered. 011/500. If you would like to pre order please email the link below. Signed copies are also up for grabs as a collectors item. Im excited, and off to buy a record player!

America is a wonderful place to tour, over the many years we have been there things have changed so much but the overall feeling of freedom and good time vibe manages to still pour over us when we take to the stage, the curious are those who expect things to change, we plough the oldest fields for it is they that reap the healthiest crops. Change is for those who expect nothing more than curiosity and today im evenly balanced between the change the spinning ball. Meanwhile im off for my tea.

if you would like signed copies of my album please visit these pages. A bell ting’s on a computer next to my desk and the rest is down to the postman of the world to deliver.

Handwritten lyrics will follow shortly, framed or rolled.

Its a shop, but not as we know it.

best as ever,

Chris Difford.

( oh she works hard!)

Didn’t get where i am.

Boo Hewerdine is such a great person to work with, he sits by my side, i type the words, he strums and sings. Its like having a suit made. He cuts the cloth and within a few weeks im mincing about in the songs we have crafted, side by side over a cup of mint tea and the odd fag break for Boo. He gets me. So why did i not let Boo work on this album with me, his demos are far more the deal than the CD that gathers dust on my mantle. The reviews spoke in hushed tones. Tones i could only hear if i were a dog. I knew in my heart i did not deliver despite having a great team by my side. The writing and the studio, the cost of it all, i was out of my head on a kaleidoscope of distractions, i was not present officer, i was not guilty but yes i did murder the album, i was under the influence of hurt, i caved in and went behind the curtain and hoped for the best. It was me that done it. A few of the songs embrace me, but as a whole the album was all in the demos, and in Cambridge. I should have listened to my manager to myself and to Boo. I should have done a lot of things, but i cant live in the world of should or could of. Thats not fair, but its a fair cop that hosted me by my own short and curls’. Goldfish was lovely to record with my lovely friend Kathrine. Wrecked said so much, it could have said more. The song about my Dad and my brother made me cry, but it could have made me weep. I was getting away with it. It cost a fortune to make and in doing so i never will see a shilling from it, i fear others are broke too. Lessons come at you from all angels in life and this one made its mark on me, i was banged to rights with a tattoo on each wrist. All i can say is sorry, it wont happen again. How could it, who wants to make albums like this, the getting away with albums that come back to grass you up. ( this review was written from the point of view of someone who did not give of themselves and in no way desires to upset anyone who worked on the album. Its a mood and a feeling, not a reality)

Boo Hewerdine is such a great person to work with, he sits by my side, i type the words, he strums and sings. Its like having a suit made. He cuts the cloth and within a few weeks im mincing about in the songs we have crafted, side by side over a cup of mint tea and the odd fag break for Boo. He gets me. I remember being in Brighton and meeting Boo from the station, we would sit at my desk and write and then eat and then write more, and then we would find a studio and cut the tracks with our mates, what a great idea, a thrill indeed. John Wood who recorded Squeeze back in the day and Nick Drake further back in the day came down from Scotland to twist the knobs and record the songs, it was such a pleasure working with him, but sadly he got caught up with Pro tools and the massive handbook it came with, it was like watching a postman try and deliver a baby. I loved his work on this album and all who sailed in her, Tim Wellar on drums, a big thrill for me to work with, he was thoughtful and focused. Boo did most of the playing and laid down the guides for me to sing with. Hard work indeed. Eastbourne was our home while we recorded and the nice sandwiches from next door. I had brass on a few tracks, i was on fire. Who would have thought. Boo and i toured and once again Dorie came to hold my voice in hers, how lovely for me and how lucky. She is such an angel, the vocal headmistress. We toured around the country with our songs all wrapped up in the small rooms with tiny PA’s. It was where we were supposed to have been. Stiff put the album out for me and today it gets played alongside its predecessor in the car. Boo and i have a suit, we wear it well, i sometimes wear it in my everyday, when i stand alone on the stage i try to lean on the shadows of my great friends who helped me get where i am, with all the temptations that fall at my feet. Im a lucky bugger, and Boo is a busy bugger.

Making this album was like putting slates on a roof while its raining, i knew it had to be done and i knew in the end everything would be wonderful and covered. Francis changed my life in a way no other man has ever done, he held my fat little hand and led me to the microphone, he had the patience to guide me home. Each song was crafted and loved into place by Francis, his vision captured me like a sculptor captures the image of a face. The roof was being tiled upon a building full of dark images, a past so wonderful no man could match, only admire. We did this. The team around us included the wonderful Phil Brown who has a history that could sting you. Dorie Jackson, our voices came together here. Ash Soan, a drummer who cuts a mean hedge as well as a tender drum. Matt Pegg played majestic bass, he was employed by FD and i trusted and was rewarded by his choice, My journey really began with this album, its why i sing so much these days, i never used to, i could have don but i chose not to, lazy sod. I like my voice now and wonder where i went. The album sleeve notes tell more than i could now here at my desk, my review simply tells of a time when  making records was more than just having a label and a tour waiting in the wings, this was standing still with both engines on full pelt. Chocks away. I play this album in the car and i can hear the far cry of me in my childhood, the early years of my solo person. Francis nailed me to the mast, there was no getting away with it. I did that. The only song i hear and want to change is No show Jones, i think it was enough to say nothing. I was promoted by future. When the album came out i went on tour with Elvis, i was backward coming forward, but i stuck with it and thanks again to FD i did the best i could have done with some love and devotion. So long ago it seems. I can swim in this album, and now the tiles are all on the roof of my heart i can close the door and light a fire.

Sign up day is always  revealing, the cabins have the information leaflets and i have been on the ships TV talking about the songwriters workshop. 100 people came to sign up and about 70 of them took part, from all walks of life and of all ages. The morning went quickly as we worked our way around the room getting to know each other. Lunch. After lunch and its time to wriggle everyone into groups, Simon seems to be missing, he stayed up late last night and is feeling sick today, we march on. Groups of 10 with their mentors Angie, Chris, Amy, Kate, late Simon, Geoff and John B. The room was filled with heaps of expectations and tomorrow the real writing takes place, so its all very exciting. The ship ploughs through the Atlantic in a force five, and for the first time some sunshine up above. The wind is knocking the ship from side to side, its ok i love it. Afternoon rehearsals in the bottom of the ship ran smoothly, everyone mucking in with each others songs, its a great group all pulling for each other. Meanwhile in my cabin i have the door open as i try to let the world enter the space which i have, its a fine room. Cunard to a T. Oddly one side of the bed shakes and the other is still, i will get used to it. Life is good in this moment. I have nothing at all to complain about. 19 knots. Tonight after dinner we played in the Golden Lion pub, each of us played a song or two from our own cannon. It seemed to do the trick and everyone at the bar gave us a generous round of applause. I ended my day with Face time and Lou many miles away in London. Its been a good day, five more sea days to go and im sure some good and creative days lay ahead. Life is returning. I have my window open and the sea can be heard crashing along side the ship, the wind prowls through the door opening with its hush and whistle, outside blackness and the Atlantic, deep and mysterious. The ships rolling and the clocks go back another hour tonight. Once upon a time there was a young Prince, he lived in a forrest with his horse and his sleeping bag, which lay on the ground upon some fallen leaves. He was asleep looking up at the stars which he could just see through the rooftops of the bushy trees. From time to time a cloud would pass above him and block his view, but mostly he had a clear watch of the stars as they twinkled. He lay on the ground thinking about where he might find his home, he knew that one day it would reveal itself to him, but there were so many tracks in the forrest that he never knew which one to take to his destination. He fell asleep looking at the stars, they pointed down in an arc to a path just beyond where he lay. In the morning he climbed on his horse and walked slowly through the trees down the path that had been pointed out to him by the stars above. His horse knew the way. They walked together into the light and there he saw for the first time what he knew to be his future, a kingdom at the bottom of a hill in a small valley, and there he rode. He passed into a place where there was music and laughter and there he saw a face that made him shiver with excitement, he saw a smile that beamed towards him like the sun coming up on a clear day. He smiled back. This was a face that would guide him from his dark forrest to the house of love and welcome. His horse was stopped by the road, she fell asleep, he fell asleep too and when they woke the next day they looked at each other and held out their arms to embrace. From the forrest came calm, from her sadness came joy, from their harmony came the music of hope and future. The Prince returned to the forrest for seven days but while he was gone he knew that on his journey he would never meet someone as wonderful as her. She knew that while he was gone she would not meet anyone as charming as him, the horse took him on his journey. Love made the journey worth while, and when he returns in the future the past will be graced with memory and hope. A journey they both had to make, the stars he had to see, the happiness she had to find, the greatest of all reflections of two people in search of the same reflection found only in each others hearts. Ships speed 20 knots. Sunrise 4.22. Force 6. Bed.

I went to see Ron Sexsmith play at the Barbican one of my favourite venues in London. His band were on top form as was Ron, very dry very in tune and distant. The first time Ron came to England he stayed at my house we hung out and played in my studio, we had lunch on juniors farm playing Wings songs on acoustic guitar. Last week i watched  a wonderful documentary about Ron’s life and how its just starting to fall into place after a million tours and 10 or so albums. Back stage he is busy talking and slips out to sign albums, meanwhile i say hello to Nick Lowe and Nick Heywood, two nicks with two very different skills. Both loveable chaps. Seeing Ron reminds me of how hard a climb being a songwriter can be, there he is with such amazing songs only now reaching the ears of the masses via Radio two and his new album, which is radio rental. My quest is simple and discreet. I have a love for performing which is new to me it was discovered in my studio by Francis Dunnery, i thank him for showing the moth to the light. Ron has the voice that soothes and relaxes me into a safe place of love, and love is where we all need to be, by letting go of the past then love can enter centre stage and be part of the song. With both hands, open, i embrace the love, and tonight i felt all the right things for all the right reasons, all to be revealed. The writers week is put to bed, the future is waiting in a bowl of granola and yoghurt, im off to the shops for something, anything. Ron has inspired pen to paper. Its bed time covered in ink.

Everyone arrived last night and off we went to the local pub in Sheep Wash, a sleepy village with a lovely sleepy pub. Easter Sunday. The first night is always interesting as people get to know one another, and some of the old hands on deck helped oil the wheels of friendship. Haroula had flown in from America as had Damien, they were tired, Geoff drove from Glasgow everyone came from all over the place. Arvon is a 800 year old thatched cottage resting in a green valley, no phone signal, slow internet. 20 years of songwriting workshops and im back in Devon where it all began at Huntsham Court which is not too far away. My room has a slendid view across open fields and the house is embrassed by neat and loving gardens. Its heaven. The first day begins with me grouping people together and after breakfast they start the process of putting together a song, the house is alive with music, chords being strummed, voices, laughter, pianos being played and happiness. Its wonderful for me to sit in the garden and soak it all up. I spend the day working on new words for Squeeze and prodding around the house for inspiration. Way too much food, way too much coffee. Lunch was simple and diner was staggeringly good from local chef Chris who is a magician in the kitchen. As are Ollie and Claire who look after the Arvon centre. After diner we all drift back into groups and complete our songs and then in the barn we take turns performing our days catch. Beer and wine begins to flow, more laughter and more hope and happiness. I forgot how much i love being ivolved in this although its my baby as it were it seems to just run itself, my role is to look on and absorb the coming together. Ego’s are left at the cattle grid up the hill, this is a place of celebration harmony and the odd chorus or two. The world outside constantly wrestles for my attention but my head and my heart, for once, are in the right place. The songs are born, they are complete like the day. Blue sky, freshly mown grass, cows and a gentle breeze. Geoff Martyn and Haroula Rose amazing, Alister Kate and Jessica sublime, Chris Sheehan and co wonderful, all of the songs tonight are of a very high standard for a first night. Cheese decaf and some i chat for me. Lots to tell you but all in good time. Back in my room and the heater is on, it clicks into life and its electric waves rise and fall across the room. Outside the voices of people chatting in the garden. My chins hit the pillow and its lights out.

I woke up in my hotel room at 6.02 my view out the window was of the dock in Southampton, i had hardly slept. I was like a 10 year old, so excited to wake up and see the Queen Elizabeth cruise gently passed my window. The sun was yellow and low in the blue morning sky, the roads were empty and i was in my underpants. Not a pretty sight. On hour later and I saw what looked like a whole city moving towards me, it was the Queen Mary, slowly docking like an estate on water with it’s red funnel and blasts of the ships horn to signal the end of a three month cruise around the world. Caroline from Cunard met me in the lobby of the hotel and together we went over to the ship where we met my manager Matt. On the dock side people cued for coaches and taxis, they looked dazed and in a state of constant motion. We borders the ship and spent the next three hours viewing the rooms and taking meetings about my voyage next month with the songwriter clan. it was an inspiring day and Caroline, who is lovely, made out visit run smoothly. I was exhausted by the time we left the ship at one pm. Seems like we walked miles. When i was ten years old I went on the old Queen Mary, i had my picture taken on it while it was in Southampton for the last time. I also went on the QE2 and boasted to my school friends that the toilets had heated seats. I’m not sure that they did. This one certainly doesn’t but I’m really looking forward to our trip to New York, a little nervous of the unknown but I’m sure once I get the salt on my face and the telescope at my eye everything will be relaxed and wonderful. How did this happen?