ADAM Masterson

Have arrived in New York City. Staying at my friends apartment in the east village. In the main room having coffee, Ray Charles ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ is playing on the turntable. Six days to go before first gig at Rockwood Music Hall on Sunday 20th.

Strange start to trip. Landed at JFK, no trouble getting through immigration this time with new work visa. Went straight out. It’s fashion week in New York, went to a party at the Longechamp store to meet up with friends. Elle magazine sponsored the night, there was a loud jazz band playing that everyone did there best to talk over, it wasn’t my scene, I said my hello’s but soon wanted to split for a bite to eat.

Outside in the night I chatted to my friend Anna about what I’d been up to in London. I was excited to be back in the city but my throat felt tight again. As we walked down Mercer Street my throat tightened and I felt it spasm, it had come back! By the time we got to Blue Ribbon Bakery i’d stopped talking completely. I ordered a mushroom broth with ginger in it thinking that that might help but no. Friends turned up to join us and I sat like the mute nodding and shaking my head. Frustrating.

Next morning there was no improvement so I booked in to see a voice and throat specialist on 83rd street off 1st avenue. He stuck a microscope down my throat then up my nose which wasn’t very pleasant, asked me to sing certain vowels and sounds, it was all over pretty quick.

The doctor was a severe and funny little man in a starched pink shirt. After the examination he gave a long silent pause and looked me gravely in the eye. ‘Right I’m gonna tell you the truth’ he then told me that my vocal chords were in perfect health, that there was no damage at all. There was some swelling to the throat but that was all. I’d obviously pulled or strained a muscle during the recording and that gradually day by day it would get better, he said the flight would have brought it on again, he said I could talk as normal but just take it easy.

It was a surprise and a relief and put my mind at rest, a little drama to keep me on my toes.

Taking it easy is pretty much what I been up to. Whatching DVD’s drinking yogi throat tea. Watched ‘Dig!’ The other night the documentary on Dandy Warholes and Brian Jonestown Massacre pretty cool till I fell asleep half way through. Been writing, working on an idea for a song called ‘How many Lifetimes?’. Been putting the word out that I’m in town, writing loads of emails… Another gig has come through… The Lakeside Lounge on Ave B Sunday Sept 27th at 9pm

Last night I caught up with Teddy Thompson. We met for drinks and a bit of dinner at ‘il buco’ between Bowery and Lafayette. Teddy’s about to go on tour. He’s playing The Royal Albert Hall in London next week and a bunch of big places across Europe for the next month. Check out if he’s playing a town near you and go and see him. He’s also playing Thursday at midnight here in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall with a side-project band he’s got called ‘Poundcake’ playing 50’s rock n roll and country. I’m gonna go along.

Wednesday I’ve been invited along to see the premier of ‘The Burning Plain’ a film by Guillermo Arriaga which should be cool.

I’m now off to an apartment in Chelsea where there’s a piano I can play on gonna chill out and get ready for my gig

Adam