(Available for download on all usual digital platforms from 5th March 2021)
Taken from the forthcoming album ‘Ojai’ –
Available for pre-order form 5th March – Released 25th June, 2021
London-born, UK singer songwriter Michael Armstrong, announces the forthcoming release of his 3rd studio album ‘Ojai’, with the release of this stunning new single ‘Matters of Heart’.
Steeped in his influences, and a modern take on the ‘Yacht Rock’ genre, the track has that Californian feel that has spawned some of the finest music of our times. Think Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and Christopher Cross and you’ll be in the right ballpark. And that West Coast sound is no accident, as Michael explains: –
“In 2018 I was invited to join US singer songwriter Ben Folds at a retreat in Ojai, California. I jumped at the chance, being a huge fan of Ben and his music and having never been to that part of America before. It was a truly life changing experience – I literally came home a different person. We spent several days writing new songs, finishing old songs, and generally just having a great time.”
“I fell in love with the quaint town of Ojai and the whole vibe and sound of the West Coast, where so many of my musical heroes made music which stands the test of time.”
‘Matters of Heart’ is the first single to be taken from the forthcoming album and, as evident in the video, is an extremely personal song for Michael, written partly in homage to his parents: –
“My mum and dad have been married for over 50 years and are, and always have been, an inspiration to me. They were children of the baby-boomer period after the 2nd World War and started out with very little. They’re both highly intelligent and incredibly hard-working and forged out a wonderful upbringing for my brother and I, and a fantastic successful life for themselves. It wasn’t always easy, and they had more than their fair share of ups and downs, but they stuck at it, and most importantly, stuck by each other. I would not be who or where I am today had they not been my parents.”
Having previously worked with top record producers Keith Bessey & Warren Bennett on his earlier albums, Michael decided to take on all the production duties alone for this record, which was completed during the lockdown of 2020. But, using the wonders of modern technology, he was still able to continue his tradition of utilising some of the finest musicians in the world to play on the tracks. Once again, US No.1 saxophonist Ed Barker takes the horns, and string arrangements are courtesy of the legendary Simon Lockyer. For the first time on Michael’s recordings, fans are introduced to French guitar maestro, Antoine Saults, recently described by The Who’s Pete Townshend as ‘the future of music’.
‘Ojai’ the Brand-New Album – Released 25th June 2021
There has been endless evidence that sleeping with dogs is good for your health, and our very own television Royalty Debbie Arnold is walking proof.
‘I didn’t intend to have 4 dogs, in fact if you said to me what breed of was my least favorite, I would have said a chihuahua or a Labrador… how the Gods must’ve laughed! – Its no wonder when you are friends with doggie royalty Paul O’Grady
Debbie and the gang
So how did this happen…. I’ve always been owned by dogs. First of all there was Ricky who was a poodle. I met him when I was 7 and he was my friend/brother growing up. Then came Lover. He was the first dog I chose for myself.
I was starring in a play in the West End, was newly divorced and had decided that a dog was far better than a man. Lover, true to his name, adored taking my underwear and I’m sure my neighbours at the time were quite shocked to hear me screaming ‘Lover drop my knickers NOW’ – God knows what they thought went on on my house.!
Then came Legend, a beautiful Tibetan Terrier rescue. Our first dog as a family. He was diagnosed with diabetes aged 5 and we had to give him injections him twice a day. Due to our vet’s incredible groundbreaking treatment he changed the way diabetes was treated in dogs – so the name Legend was perfect. He lived till he was 13 -a gorgeous, brave and wonderful dog.
When we lost Legend I decided I wouldn’t get another dog, especially not a Tibetan. But 3 weeks later I was at the rescue home again and came back with his doppelgänger…the vets were so shocked when they saw him as he was his exact twin. We named him Disney, and he was my beautiful ‘crackers’ boy!
After looking after a very sick dog for so long, it was fun to have a lunatic around. He was 2 years old, had never been housetrained, and had never been inside a house, so when he saw me go upstairs he followed in trepidation. Then when I went back down, he looked at me from the top of the stairs and threw himself doing a double somersault down the stairs, and landed by the front door. He never really mastered the art of climbing stairs!
Adventures with Disney were hilarious. One day when I was trying to housetrain him, I let him out on the large balcony outside my bedroom for a wee. It was around 5am and I didn’t want to go downstairs – I went back to bed, fell briefly asleep, and then went to open the door to let him in. He’d disappeared. It was the summer and it was quite light. I looked in the garden thinking he may have jumped down, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Something made me look up and there he was standing on the roof! I have no idea to this day how he got there, but there he was. I woke my husband up screaming ‘Disney is stuck on the roof’. He went into the garden, and climbed up a ladder onto the roof to rescue him. I was yelling ‘Dont Jump Dis stay where you are’! Another challenge for the long suffering neighbours! On another occasion Disney climbed down the wisteria after he locked himself in another bedroom. He certainly had adventures!
Disney’s life totally changed when my eldest daughter brought home Beanie the chihuahua. This 12 week old puppy just melted his heart and he adored her – he was 10 when she arrived and he was running around like a maniac. My daughter went on tour and Beanie stayed with me. We were a lovely canine family of 2 for six years when my youngest daughter had a breakup with her boyfriend. So we all felt that a good way to recover from heartbreak was for her to get a dog of her own.
This is how Lady arrived. She was a young Springador puppy – needing loads of exercise. Disney was 16 by now and pretty grumpy so greeted this new puppy with great hostility. He was an old man after all. Meanwhile, Beanie was fine as always – a very amicable little soul.
But when Lady was 5 months old Disney died and our hearts were broken. He really had been the best boy who’d brought us so much pleasure. He had a fantastic good long life and a very happy one, but he was sadly missed.
Both daughters are performers and were away from home a great deal, and so there I was caring for 2 dogs that technically were not mine.
Then 2 years ago Lady fell in love with my son-in-laws’ lab and they had 8 puppies. As an avid dog lover, I in turn fell in love with two of the puppies, and the rest is history. I am now the proud owner of four dogs.
Smile for the camera
Finally, and you have probably guessed what I am about to tell you, all four dogs now sleep with me. Is sleeping with dogs good for your health? It’s a resounding yes from me, and in fact I would thoroughly recommend it.
Whilst we wait for the day we can travel abroad again and taste all the flavours the world has to offer, you can image you are in the Land of Smiles, with this quick and easy recipe for Tom Yum Kai (Hot & Sour Chicken Soup), which will transport you to the wonderful land of Thailand with its authentic flavours and taste of Asia. Delicious on its own or served with rice or noodles for a more filling meal
Ingredients
Serves: 4-6 people
680ml chicken stock (from Cube or fresh)
1 tablespoon tom yum paste
1/2 clove garlic, finely chopped
3 stalks lemon grass, cut into 1” pieces
2 kaffir lime leaves
2 chicken breast fillets (skinless) – cut into thin strips
110g fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 medium sized tomatoes (cut into 8ths)
2 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoons Palm Sugar (or use brown sugar)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon chopped fresh green chilli
1 small handful fresh coriander, chopped
1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped
Method
In a large saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil.
Stir in the tom yum paste and garlic, and cook for about 2 minutes.
Stir in the lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves. Place the chicken in the saucepan, and cook 5 minutes, or until cooked through.
Mix in the mushrooms and Tomatoes. Add the fish sauce, lime juice, and green chilli.
Continue cooking for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat, and serve hot with the coriander and basil sprinkled on top.
Serve and enjoy.
Substitute the chicken for prawns for Tom Yum Goon
Mix in cooked rice noodles for a more filling meal
September 25, 2026 1872 William Faulkner 1929 Ronnie Barker 1944 Michael Douglas 1946 Felicity Kendall 1951 Mark Hamill 1952 Christopher Reeve 1961 Heather Locklear 1968 Will Smith 1969 Catherine Zeta Jones
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