Finishing a book of memoirs and memories of great characters I’ve met and I’m also preparing songs for my next studio album.
Best thing a cabbie has said to you?
‘You are the greatest songwriter that ever lived.’
Who is your musical hero?
I have many musical heroes, too many to mention, but one would be Davy Graham, the great blues guitarist and singer, who died several years ago. He lived in Camden and we had the wake at a pub by the canal.
Best meal?
When I was doing a workshop for my musical Come Dancing at the National Theatre I used to eat at La Barca in Waterloo — the penne arrabiata is the best I’ve ever had.
Favourite shops?
The small independent corner shops where you can buy milk at 2am — where else can an insomniac do their shopping? I like Brick Lane for clothes and I used to go to Bar Italia in Soho for an espresso but now, because of all the hype about coffee, I’ve started to use instant. I frequent as many independent record shops as I can in order to keep them open, particularly the Muswell Hill record shop Les Aldrich. My favourite video store is Archway Video. I’d much rather go there than rent from LoveFilm.
What do you sing in the shower?
I don’t unless there is somebody with me who can appreciate it.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I can’t remember the first record I bought, but the first record I stole from a friend’s party was called Honky Tonk by Bill Doggett, and it has given me the blues ever since.
Ray’s new album and book will both be out later this year. The Konk gallery is preparing for its next exhibition
