Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Liverpool ahoy!
Last Autumn I visited Liverpool as a guest of Pete from the Big I Am who had kindly arranged for us to a couple of venues including that ancient pub The Pilgrim from which wayfarers set of for the New World. Patrick from France and his artist girlfriend Christiane came too, and we had a wonderful time. I remember a particular bowl of meat stew in the local tea room was enjoyed, and Pete cooked us a lovely chicken dish as well. Here's a pic from when we went to Birkdale Sands. That's an Anthony Gormley in the sea.
Bonny Prince Billy
Ah - just seen BPB is at the Shepherd's Bush tonight and there are tickets left ... wonder if Matt will want to go.
I'm watching BPB and the Cairo Gang do 'Troublesome Houses' on Youtube. I admire the way he fits the text over the music. It's a blindingly good example of how to make prosey lyrics match a musical arrangement. And in delivering it with compelling physical and vocal style.
Gosh I'm quite gushing. I love it when you get a thing for a song. It's so all-consuming for a little while.
If you want to know the version I'm on about it's at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyfnDNUP6Do
I'm watching BPB and the Cairo Gang do 'Troublesome Houses' on Youtube. I admire the way he fits the text over the music. It's a blindingly good example of how to make prosey lyrics match a musical arrangement. And in delivering it with compelling physical and vocal style.
Gosh I'm quite gushing. I love it when you get a thing for a song. It's so all-consuming for a little while.
If you want to know the version I'm on about it's at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyfnDNUP6Do
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Singing saluang songs
I used to sing to the saluang when I was in Sumatra Barat. When I was talking about it to a friend yesterday he asked me what one is. The most that Westerners usually know of Indonesian music is the gamelan, or gong orchestra.
The saluang is a bamboo flute which is played using circular breathing. It's very beautiful. It has a soft breathy burble. Then the singer joins the saluang in a nasal tone and sings almost in unison, but there is so much ornamentation and interpretation this is not unison as in the Western interpretation.
I love singing saluang music although I haven't done it properly for such a long time. I have some old cassettes but they don't have the power of music made sitting cross legged in a street market and singing to the mountains as the sun goes down.
It's the instrument of the Minangkabau. I loved staying with my menang friends. They are a real matrilinear people. The house stays with the women who run the household, not just in a cooking/cleaning capacity. The men are traditionally welcomed as guests and very much feel this. They are honoured, served the meals etc, but they also feel that transience of their existence in which they are almost a visitor in the home. Often they have to go off and earn their living. Of course this is my impression but it was a very strong one.
Here's a chap playing a saluang at the kind of gathering I used to join in with. Although we didn't have so much techhie equipment in my day.
The saluang is a bamboo flute which is played using circular breathing. It's very beautiful. It has a soft breathy burble. Then the singer joins the saluang in a nasal tone and sings almost in unison, but there is so much ornamentation and interpretation this is not unison as in the Western interpretation.
I love singing saluang music although I haven't done it properly for such a long time. I have some old cassettes but they don't have the power of music made sitting cross legged in a street market and singing to the mountains as the sun goes down.
It's the instrument of the Minangkabau. I loved staying with my menang friends. They are a real matrilinear people. The house stays with the women who run the household, not just in a cooking/cleaning capacity. The men are traditionally welcomed as guests and very much feel this. They are honoured, served the meals etc, but they also feel that transience of their existence in which they are almost a visitor in the home. Often they have to go off and earn their living. Of course this is my impression but it was a very strong one.
Here's a chap playing a saluang at the kind of gathering I used to join in with. Although we didn't have so much techhie equipment in my day.
Monday, 2 August 2010
An itch, an annoying itch
Oh, yes, it is that time of year when ankles and feet get bitten on the lawn when you're oblivious to the pain because you're having a nice evening drink in your garden with your boyfriend. I have had various advice on how to stop the itching (antihistamine, cortisone) and on how to stop getting bitten (B12 tablets, Citronella spray) none of which I have put into practice yet.
I have also noticed fleas hopping around the dog's curly beige coat. So he's had a flea pill this morning, sneaked into his gravy rich can of dog yum. So easy to get a dog to eat up a pill. So hard to do the same with a cat ...
I have also noticed fleas hopping around the dog's curly beige coat. So he's had a flea pill this morning, sneaked into his gravy rich can of dog yum. So easy to get a dog to eat up a pill. So hard to do the same with a cat ...
Black cab 2
Drove a Fairway today around the carpark. It's awesome. You're seated really high, so you feel really in control, and it turns on a dime. It even has a little light that says 'TAXI' which I can take out and put 'SOLLY' the name of my Bedlington terrier.
Can't wait to be a 'civilian' cabby.
Can't wait to be a 'civilian' cabby.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Thank you Billy Bad Brakes
That witty lad, Billy Bad Brakes, has written Doodlebug Alley a jolly fine review on Amazon. I am moved by the effort he's put in, he's clearly had it spinning a number of times. Awwww, thanks BBB.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doodlebug-Alley-Jude-Cowan/dp/B0039BD928
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doodlebug-Alley-Jude-Cowan/dp/B0039BD928
Black cab - question for bloggees
Hmmm ... I'm thinking of getting a black cab to ferry around my dog, daughter and various musical gear / musicians. It should make it possible to play gigs in weird out of town venues. Anyone got any thoughts on owning a Fairway? Have you ever driven/owned one? They're supposed to be great on petrol and very economical. And I know folk rave about that legendary 'turning circle' for negotiating town traffic and the winding city streets. I shall have to test drive one and see how I feel sitting up there as drunks and suits try to flag me down to take them home or to that expensive bijoux bar in Mayfair.
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