(Julia) Paradiso, Amsterdam on 16th Aug 2007.

Amsterdam is an intricate puzzle of elegant buildings and canals, trams that threaten to run you over without a sound, cyclists that sit perfectly upright as though they're astride gymkhana ponies, and the best breakfasts in the world. The American Hotel, resplendent in Art Deco extravagance, where we sat and watched the world going by. And the Paradiso, the most magnificent of all, where we said we'd play one day, not knowing that day would be so soon.

The evening of the 16th August was an amazing orchestra of believers, each with his or her own story and individual passion, the SellaBand guys, laid back and super-efficient at the same minute, promising to make each event more exquisite than the next, and artists as variegated and colourful as the proliferations of tulips along the banks of the canals. Siren-singers, suited instrumentalists, vocal acrobats and songsmiths took to the stage in turn. We stood on that beautiful stage and watched the light change colour against our skins and played for dear life until our blood ran hot and cold and there was nothing left but feedback from the guitars. Those moments are always over too soon. We'll be back one day...

Musicians: A word about the limitless talents of the musicians who joined us onstage - Jay Phelps, Milo Bird, Jessi Maryon-Davies, and Neil Athale. There's never enough time to adequately sing (no pun intended...) their praises during the brief pauses between songs, so: Jay's lyrical and inventive trumpet melodies spelt out gorgeous punctuated lines which wove themselves around the vocals like melted toffee. With crunchy bits in. Milo generously took some time to come play with us, though busy working with the excellent Daniel Ward-Murphy, who also played that night. Despite the difficulties of the sound onstage, he lent his exquisite, sinuous, elegiac cello sounds to Wood - just as he did for the recording of the same song. And it was wonderful. Jessi comes to play with us when she can - an incredibly gifted classical pianist, she makes time in her schedule to add her own delicate and textured interpretations of the songs to the sonic mix. It really wouldn't be the same without her. And Neil - well, Neil has played with us on and off for many years now. We adore him for his attention to the detail of the music, professionalism, inimitable sense of humour... we could go on. But it would be embarrassing. Suffice to say we're extremely grateful to the people who devote time and energy to helping us realise the music in a live context. SP loves them..