All this is a preamble to the 99.9% certain news that John is to sign a recording contract with RSO Records in the United States.  If you look at the story printed on the back cover you will have quite a bit of background information on this. However, I can fill in one or two more details.

On Wednesday 15 September I received a phone call from John telling me he was keen to be signed to RSO, but the Company's president, Al Coury, had not yet made up his mind.  Could I organise a few letters of support?  Of course, I could, and duly did so.  Then on Saturday 2 October a letter from John told me that these and other letters were having the desired effect and Al Coury ".....seems to be leaning towards making a deal."  The big news came on the evening of Thursday 21 October in the form of a Western Union cable that read "RSO BASE ESTABLISHED.  THE EAGLE HAS LANDED."

I haven't spoken to John since then, but my spies in California have told me not to expect a new album until the NewYear. Buoyed by the prospect of recording again, John is doing a lot of writing to add to the long list of unrecorded songs he already has.  I have heard some of these earlier ones, and could believe they had not been considered before.  At least three of them were stone cold classics, ranking along with the very best we've heard already.

Remembering how "Wingless Angels" turned out, the role of Producer will be crucial on this first RSO album.  I have heard one name strongly tipped for the job, but apart from saying that his recording pedigree is most interesting, I'll say no more for now.

One final thing on this.  I don't think it would do any harm for a whole bunch of you to write to..... Al Coury, RSO, Suite 505, 9200 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90069, USA congratulating him on his perceptive signing of John to the label, at the same time urging him to send John over to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe as soon as possible to do some concerts.  I do hear that Gene Clark has also been signed to RSO, so maybe they could come over together.

On to other matters, and a chance to catch up with some of John's former sidemen.

Dan Dugmore first, as he is over here playing steel for Linda Ronstadt while this is being written.  I've already spent several hours with him, including three hours of taped interview.  The fruits of the latter will be seen in the next issue of OR, there being just the small matter to come first of getting it transcribed and then knocked into some coherent shape.  I'd like to thank Dan for being so patient and generous with his time, particularly as I've already managed to wake him with three separate telephone calls.  Not that I was phoning at outrageous times, but I had failed to realise a) the effects of jet lag and b) the fact that they had all spent a night partying with Keith Richard.  Anyway, I'm sure many of you will have seen and heard Dan's fine playing at Linda's concerts, and will appreciate how disappointed John must have felt at losing him from his band.

Then there is Jonathan Douglas, variously drummer and keyboard man for John around the time of recording "The Phoenix Concerts".  He left to form his own band which is called Dancer, and recently had their first album released in America.  This, too, is called "Dancer" and is on A&M SP 4585.  Jon is writer of four of the album's songs, and co-writer of two more, and is credited with vocals, keyboards and rhythm guitar.  I've only just received these details from Mike Sutcliffe at A&M over here, so have not yet heard the album.  For the present, therefore, no further comment.

I am delighted to be able to bring you up to date news from Arnie Moore, however.  Arnie had moved house and lost my address in the process, which accounts for neither of us hearing from the other for so long.  Here are a few quotes from his letter.

"I've been rehearsing with Spanky and Our Gang for some time now....there's been a big personnel turnover in the band and we're looking for a new record deal.  We've had a few 'break-in' gigs, but we still only have about 15 songs presentable so far.  It's a new experience for me, being a member of a group as opposed to a sideman, and I'm enjoying it very much. Musically and especially vocally it's a good challenge for me (tight arrangements and 5 part vocals).  Also the material is very uplifting and fun....However, I've learned my lesson and will not put all my eggs in one basket.  I'm also playing other gigs. You might recall a hit from the early 6o's, 'Angel On My Shoulder' by Shelby Flint.  Well, I'm working with Shelby and her husband, Ian Jack and The Sand Band.  She's got a great voice and is something of a combination of Joni Mitchell and, let's say, Jackie de Shannon, if you can dig that.  All this, along with record sessions I get, has been keeping me very busy."

Final words from me.  If you write to Al Coury, try to let me have a copy of your letter which I shall pass on to John.  And Compendium Bookshop, 240 Camden High Street, London NWl are selling "The Phoenix Concerts' Songbook" for 2-60 pounds, plus postage.  You owe it to yourself to have a copy.