Wind And Rain

When two elements join together they can create discord.

Or they can create harmony.

If those two elements don’t make something drop dead gorgeous then it ain’t really harmony. Doesn’t mean it won’t get there eventually. But there will be a helluva lot more time and effort involved.

Definitely worth it though.

Wind And Rain.

Dark Night Of The Soul

I will probably periodically mention this guy, Mary Cigarettes (aka Gregory Gray), who died without his songs being known a fraction as much as they should be. Of course he’s not the only one.

I’ve found it fascinating to learn a little bit about him retrospectively, mainly through the words he writes below the youtube videos he posted. Always worth a read. I think there is still a blog of his up somewhere too. I love his songs, which are only available, as far as I know, on the Library of the Internet.

It’s not really going to matter to any of us if our music is discovered after we pass. But it’s nice to think that people might do so anyway, and care enough to share.

So here’s a link to Mary’s Dark Night Of The Soul, which has a stonking retro soul sound and a great wee video.

Have a good weekend.

In A Land Of Boys

Our granddaughter was born after a long line of sons, foster sons and grandsons.
And in an established tradition Romie has now got her own song.

The more I write songs, the more I’ve come to enjoy writing ones to celebrate the people in my life.

There are an awful lot of songs out there, and a lot of songwriters too. But not everybody has got their own song.

If you’re a songwriter, why not write one for somebody?

If nothing else there will be at least one person who will probably remember it when you’re gone. ;-)

The Other Thing Is Better

Be With Each Other?

I’m an introvert at heart. I get energy from spending time in my own company.

Often, it can be a relief to be alone.

But Too Much Alone Doth Also Make Jack A Dull Boy. In fact it makes Jack quite an unhappy boy. Because most of our memories, the thing that says to us “I Woz Here”, even for the most Kermit - In - A - Cave like of us, come from stuff that happens when other people are around. That’s what gets our mental and emotional juices flowing the most.

Ooh, and by around I mean … Physically Present. Strangely, although I’ve had some very nice online interactions, the recollection of them doesn’t last a long time.

That’s not to say they don’t count. When they are all we’ve got, we cherish them.

But they are not all we’ve got. The other thing is better.

A Perfect Storm

It’s cosy here in front of the computer screen.

And the computer, and the little men behind the curtain, are increasingly trying to keep things that way it seems.

They’ve both been helped by a certain pesky virus. And, of course, by all of our “honourable” governments, and their “honourable” voice to the masses…The Media …who must both, AT THE VERY LEAST, always be seen to be doing and saying something.

Anything.

And mostly that “anything” has been about encouraging us, urging us, coaxing us, scaring us, and sometimes making us…. to keep our distance from other people. From our family, our friends and our neighbours.

“People of all ages. Stay away from each other!”


And probably some of that was necessary. But all of that, along with the direction in which our online technology is being guided, has become some kind of a Perfect Storm.

And it might well be blowing us, slowly, almost imperceivably, towards a new world, in which actual real live contact with people becomes a bit … you know … Meh!

In which people themselves are a bit … Meh!

A bit… too much effort.

Because it’s become a bit of a drag, going out, don’t you find.

I don’t want to be a prophet of doom, but I think a lot of us who think and care about the world, are feeling the same thing. The world and our way of living in it is changing. And not in a very good way at the moment. We aren’t “back to normal”. Because “Normal” is changing.

As, in truth it always has.

But the people who most benefit from our compliance and from the new normal …those little men behind the Googles and Facebooks and Amazons of this world … are gaining more power and influence in front of our eyes. We’re letting them to a large extent.

And I believe that those of us, in particular, who are older, might well have a duty, a quite urgent duty, for the sake of the younger generations, our children and grand children. A duty to actively promote and honour our physical world. More than we are doing.

To resist. To not religiously follow the comforting siren voices of virtual reality and artificial Intelligence.

To get out and about. To Walk. Celebrate. Hug. Dance. Sing.

To make all of that an important Thing. The important Thing.

To be with each other.

Especially for the sake of a generation who don’t really know what they might be losing.

And all of the above, like all of my bletherings, dear reader, is mainly a message to myself. Perhaps I’m over reacting. But, damn, sitting here in front of this computer feels like such a SAFE place to be.

What Next?

The confession:

I’d rather be playing at a live, in person, Homesong gig than hosting one. Even though I’ve enjoyed all the one’s I have hosted at our house. But at the moment, and with the ongoing uncertainty stemming from Covid, I’m finding it hard to muster up the energy to get going with hosting again.

The conundrum:

I have hosted far more Homesong gigs than I have played at, and I don’t know how to turn that around. Should I stop focussing my time and effort on hosting gigs in my house, and try to find people to host me? Should I renew efforts to find more hosts here in Kintyre? Should I be trying to connect more with existing homes anywhere, who already do this sort of thing?

The vision:

Is still for a large connected network of Homesong gigs in homes who are prepared to host a variety of artists and promote music and community. I know (I am sure!) that people exist who are far more suited to becoming Homesong hosts than I am.

But times are weird, and progress is slow.

And the truth is that I don’t know exactly how to move forward at the moment.

Being Useful: Labi Siffre

I’m well aware of my ignorance of some of the great music and the great artists that have created that music. I don’t know how I’ve managed to stay like that, considering how much I value songwriting. But I’m slowly chipping away at that ignorance.

I knew absolutely nothing about Labi Siffre and his contribution to our musical heritage. Didn’t know he was British. I had hardly even payed any attention to his biggest hit Something Inside So Strong. What a gorgeous and profoundly moving song that is.

My attention was awakened first thing today when I happened to bump into this article about the man while drinking my morning cuppa. I found it inspiring. And this quote I found particularly interesting:

”all I actually wanted was for my work to be useful …. the reason why you’re on the outside is because you’re actually trying to be useful.”

I find that striking. “Usefulness” is not a very flashy aspiration for a creative artist. In fact it’s not an ambition you hear expressed by music makers at all. It has nothing to do with fame and popularity. Nor money and influence. It doesn’t seek the spotlight or ask to be the headline act.

But I can honestly say that I hope my music manages to achieve those heady heights.



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The UnGrateful Dead

Here’s a description of the book “Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead”. (Which I don’t possess, but was recommended by someone I respect).

”The Grateful Dead broke almost every rule in the music industry book. They encouraged their fans to record shows and trade tapes; they built a mailing list and sold concert tickets directly to fans; and they built their business model on live concerts, not album sales. By cultivating a dedicated, active community, collaborating with their audience to co-create the Deadhead lifestyle, and giving away "freemium" content, the Dead pioneered many social media and inbound marketing concepts successfully used by businesses across all industries today.”

Perhaps, THOSE were the days. These days, I don’t think that there are many rules left to break.

And maybe there is not even something new left to say. That can feel disheartening to wannabe creatives and innovators. You look out there, and it seems like it’s all been done.

But if it’s all been done…if we learned everything there is to be learned, and said everything that needs to be said…why does it sometimes seem like the human race is crashing around blind drunk on arrogance. Like the UnGrateful Dead.

The truth is every new age, each new day, we have to find a way to say old truths in a way that works for these times. With kindness.

Well, we don’t have to. But life gets shitter when we leave a few deluded, self-serving and compassionless parasites to decide the future.

It’s still possible to start a Ripple.

Hands Free (Mostly)

When the storms arrive it’s time for a lie in. Today I am trying to dictate this blog in bed. The process is causing me much amusement. I hope you can picture the scene.

I am trying to learn this new skill because this is a daily blog. There will be times when I won’t have access to a keyboard. I am not a young thing who possesses the uncanny ability to type on a phone faster than most people can talk.

To be honest I’m quite impressed with the accuracy of the dictation software. The problem lies with my own ability to construct coherent sentences without using a keyboard.

It feels strange.

Full Stop.

An Amazing Melody

Wanted: An amazing melody.

I’m on the look out for one as I write this song. I know it’s around here somewhere. I think I’ve just mislaid it.

So for now I’m chirping around on familiar ground. Don’t get me wrong. The familiar ground is nice. Very pleasant.

But it’s not amazing.

Might have to go and have a scratch around in the attic. Perhaps it’s up there.

Or perhaps I need to stop trying too hard.

Who knows?

I’m serious. Who knows?

Answers please via: postcard, pigeon, email, twitter, facebook, whatsap, instagram, morse code, beer mat, smoke signal, telepathy or any other modern method of communication.

The Mute Button

You’d think that after doing something one hundred and eighty seven times a fella would be perfect at it. Some of us are very slow learners though. And sometimes a new way of doing a thing, brings up new learning experiences.

Last night we had our first three person format Homesongs4Life (which is probably why I completely forgot my “daily” blog yesterday).

I really enjoyed the extra level of interaction with the new format. Great fun. But, of course, there is always something new to learn.

Last nights lesson? Don’t forget to mute the non-performers.

(Also, Graham Norton is really very good at his job…this hosting lark is definitely not an easy gig.)

Stick Or Twist

Mr or Ms. Singer/Songwriter is talented.

They can write a tune. They enjoy doing it. And as time goes on they get even better at it. More consistent. They record their songs and put them “out there” into Social Media Land. Perhaps they have a website. They perform their songs when they can. They get better at performing. They get a little bit of recognition. It’s a fun and rewarding hobby.

Is it enough though?

They know there is a path to going professional, because there are clearly professionals out there. And they think that their work stands up well alongside music that is making money. God, it’s better than most of the pish on the radio, surely?

But questions remain. Are they obsessed enough to put in the amount of work needed to sell their product to the people who pay the money? Have they developed their talent enough to make them quite that remarkable in a highly competitive field? Are they prepared to make the sort of artistic compromises that may well be needed in order to write commercially viable music?

Are they prepared to drop almost everything else they are doing?

Very occasionally (but far less today than every before) people slide relatively smoothly from music as a passionate hobby into music as a professional career.
But in the vast majority of cases there is a massive cost in crossing the line from dedicated Hobbyist (who perhaps makes a bit of spare change on the side) to bonafide Professional. And absolutely no guarantees.

It is possible to try and cross the line, but to completely lose the joy that came from making the songs in the first place. And still not to make any money.

That doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. But it’s an important consideration.

Perhaps Mr Amateur Singer/Songwriter is in a better place than they might have imagined.

Minus the fame and fortune, obviously.

One Becomes Three (Four Becomes Two)

This Wednesday on HomeSongs4Life we are having a change of format. One artist performing 4 songs, will become 3 artists performing 2 songs. Along with a little bit of chat.

One of the best things about HomeSongs4Life has been the support that artists have given each other. But many of them have never even met online, and I hope this new format encourages and strengthens the sense of community, as well as giving the listeners a little bit extra each week.

The online Homesongs was originally supposed to be a stop gap, until life went back to “normal”. We’re in the habit now though. I do think it’s become a thing in its own right. I hope over time we can improve the technical quality of everything.

A little bit more polish wouldn’t go amiss.

The Passenger

The bus driver knew the route.
The road carried him
Called him
Lured him.
Familiar places and faces.
Over the years they
Built him a life, a role, an authority
Born out of the responsibility
For the lives that he carried daily.

He was proud of that.
But it was all over now.
He was on a new journey.
The one that would take him from
The end of his working life
To the Final Destination.

Standing at the harbour
On a Sunday morning in January
He gazed out at it all.
The present, the past
And the future horizon.

”It’s mild for the time of year” he said.
”We’re lucky.”

”How many more stops?” he thought.
”A few more I hope.
It’s nice to be the passenger for a change”.

Give ‘Em Smiles

This Saturday morning Give ‘Em Smiles. By Norman Lamont. This song has been putting a smile on my face the last few days, as do the rest of his songs.

I started to get to know Norman through HomeSongs4Life, and last summer we had the chance to get to meet in person when he came to play some Homesongs here in Kintyre. A fantastic songwriter, and performer, and a lovely bloke.

Give ‘em smiles contains great advice for any of us who have a tendency to take ourselves too seriously, and think that everybody else should too.

Here is the cool story behind the song:

”I had a dream in which I was sitting in a theatre while an elderly blues/jazz singer in a sharp suit sang this with a jazz trio. He sat at the front of the stage, the band stood at the back. Between them were three characters - I'm not sure if they were people or apes, but blindfolded - chanted an odd distorted backing vocal. When I woke up I remembered the chorus and bits of the verse, along with the feel of the backing vocal. I put this track together pretty quickly and married it with two American health promotion films from 1939, courtesy of the Prelinger Archive website”.

At The Same Time

It’s the tune that makes a song memorable and stirs our emotions.

It’s the rhythm that moves our bodies.

And the very best ones get our brain working too.

It’s that ability to speak directly to the head, the feet and the heart at the same time which makes a song such a potentially wonderful art form.

It speaks to the whole of us.

In a great song, the words, the rhythm and the music need an equal amount of love and attention.

No Change

Sonny played his first gig with his band at our house when he was 16 or 17. Now he is away studying music at university. He’s writing an essay at the moment about music in the community, and sent me some questions to answer about Homesong.

I was happy to oblige, though in all honesty I could have given the first one a very short response.

In what ways has Homesong changed since you started, excluding the changes made due to the pandemic?

None.

It’s still just songs in someone’s home. I need to organise another one soon at our house.

Sing Something Simple

There is a house, in a forest.
By a tiny stream.
That I visit, sometimes.
But only in my dreams
That house is full of hope.
That house is full of…
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Sing something simple.
Help me understand.
Coz I’m walking backwards.
In a complicated land.
And I don’t know, no I don’t know
Anything, anyone at all.

There is a hill, with a valley.
Where the grass is green.
Because it rains sometimes.
If you know what I mean.
That hill is where I go.
That hill is where I….
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Sing something simple.
Help me understand.
Coz I’m walking backwards.
In a complicated land.
And I don’t know.
No I don’t know
Anything, anyone at all.

Camping In My Garden

I slept in the garden last night. Well, part of the night. It’s usually the sort of thing 9 year old boys do. But in this case it’s something a 56 year old men did as part of his journey to getting comfortable with the darkness… (which is part of his planned Homesong walk to Iran!).

It was a failed attempt, but not because of anything to do with being on my own in the dark. I did almost everything right, but one part didn’t work. And that part sent me back inside at 3am in the morning.

So:
I managed to set up a tarp tent using knots I’ve taught myself recently. A tarp is open to the elements on a couple of sides, but provides shelter from the wind, and rain cover.
I had a warm sleeping bag.
I had a bivi bag (a waterproof sleeping bag cover) as extra rain protection.

And I had a sleeping mat. It was the sleeping mat that did for me. It was a small blow up mat, but I’ve had it a long time, and it kept going down. It was 4 degrees centigrade before windchill, and though I would have been plenty warm enough with my sleeping bag, the cold coming up from the ground was enough to make me cold to the bone by 3am.

I usually take cold showers in the morning. Not today. I felt a bit crap. A combination of lack of sleep, and frustration at a failed experiment.

But, I’ve learned something. Which never happens without trying something.

Onwards.

Back In My Day

Our 11 year old foster son made me laugh out loud on Sunday morning, as I sat with a book and a cup of coffee.

”Look, at you” he said “always reading a book. Back in my day we used to go on the Technology”.

He’s a smart, funny boy.

Right now everything is moving fast. I don’t think anyone really has a grasp of what is happening and where it might lead us as individuals and as a society.

But things will settle. They always do. Maybe future generations will have a healthier and more balanced relationship with this thing we call “Progress”.