Greetings from Europe on tour... from the tour bus, in fact!

There are many ways to pass the time while travelling… especially on a vehicle built for 15 to 20 people, a huge enclosed vehicle – the tour bus!

I like to spend my time watching films & videos on You Tube & of course listening to my much loved iPod. I’ll leave the debaucherous acts & stories for others to tell…

I’m gonna keep this trip all about the music…

I feel happiest late at night on the bus, usually after the gig, just listening to more music and watching out for bumps, animals & ghost… the songs I listen to remind me of both good and bad times – they pave the road (if you will).

So it becomes a sentimental journey. I’ve been laughed at a little recently for being so nostalgic… although is it all really that dramatic – I like to think of it as just a warm fuzzy feeling, just an existence to pass the time. ‘Watching The Wheels’ to quote John Lennon, seems appropriate for this story.

I am feeling pretty strong as I/we head to our next destination/gig… Feeling as though the hard work, all the music that has been created & the manner in which we (The Charlatans) just released our latest record ‘You Cross My Path’ is finally paying off.

We initially gave it away for free as a download through the Xfm radio station. A lot of people still don’t get it – that’s their hang up. We felt it was the right move at the right time.

I mean tonight we opened for The Police in Marseille, France! As I was walking off the stage, down a long ramp in a pair of slippery brogues, I couldn’t see through the darkness. Then I saw a hand reach out to help me down. “Thanks Man”, I said. It took me at least 20 seconds before I finally realized it was Sting! ‘Oh it’s you!” I said. Yet to be fair he did have on a cap & was sporting a full beard. Also I have never met him before.

It was a very cool gesture I thought… and then all I could think of to say was, “you live in LA, don’t you?” His response was, “I actually don’t live any where”. (Which I guess if you’re always on tour, you actually, technically don’t). He asks, “Where are you from?” “I’m from Salford”, I proudly state. ‘Newcastle”, he replied. Then we shook hands, and just kinda said, “See ya!”. Which we probably will again (now that we have been formally introduced).

Back on the road looking at magazines – it seems to me that almost every music/popular publication these days always list/repeat the same ‘Top 10’ over and over! I even get tired of everyone’s Bob Dylan’s ‘Top 10’, and he is my favourite! Just seems like no one sticks their neck out any more.

So this ‘Top 10’ from me may seem a little random, but what the heck – let’s dive into it!

CLICK HERE for Tim Burgess’ ‘Top 10’ tour bus tracks!

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