Martin Neil, Author at Voices from the Nations

A new look for Mnase dispensary

Another upgrade happening now!!!!! Check out the video. It is amazing how music connected us to this Tanzanian village over 20 years ago. Last year, due to storms and 16 years wear and tear, Mnase medical dispensary got a new roof and windows. This year the inside roof panels where the leaks had damaged ceilings have been repaired and everything has been painted, and soon they will have new seating, curtains and a flat screen TV in the waiting room for patients’ education on health, news and entertainment.

2. April 2025

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A new look for Mnase dispensary 2

By Martin NeilTanzaniaNo Comments

The first set of pictures are before the work was completed – showing the years of wear and tear. Door handles broken, seats worn out, leaks from storms damaging ceilings and paintwork crumbling. The second set – after the repair work. Very exciting to see it all looking a new.

2. April 2025

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Oh Great Spirit, help me never to judge another until I have walked two weeks in his moccasins.

Beautiful Sioux Prayer

15. January 2025

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A new rhythm – Bossa Nova

By Martin NeilBlog, DrumsNo Comments

One of the first Latin rhythms I had to master as a young drummer when playing cabaret nights, was the bossa nova. Developed in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s in Rio de Janeiro, the literal Portuguese translation is “new trend” or “new wave”.

Known by some as the “Father of Bossa Nova” Brazilian guitarist Joao Gilberto was pivotal in coming up with this original take on samba. His classic 1964 recording with Stan Getz, titled Getz/Gilberto, brought bossa nova to a worldwide audience and the magazine Rolling Stone included the recording in its best albums of all time.

Happy Christmas 2024

By Martin NeilMy StoriesNo Comments

May the story of Christmas be a blessing to you all.

Nadolig Llawen – Mele Kalikimaka – Merry Christmas – God Jul – Joyeux Noël – Feliz Navidad – Gezegend Kerstfeest – VESELÉ VÁNOCE – Fröhliche Weihnachten – Prettige Kerstdagen

We want to say a big Thank You to all those who have kept encouraging us with your correspondence, friendship and support throughout the year.

20. December 2024

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Last trip of the Year

By Martin NeilMy StoriesNo Comments

A very special time sharing thoughts and stories from our travels in the nations – in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Met amazing people, ate incredible food, heard stories from people who face intense persecution and enjoyed the wonderful Thai culture. I shared at an international school for a week, a teenagers after school program and a school for underprivileged children. If that was not enough i picked up a couple of new instruments and saw some amazing critters. Very thankful.

8. December 2024

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Freestyle rapping with Mark Riley

By Martin NeilMusic from the NationsNo Comments

Another old clip of Mark Riley and band this time using Bob Marley’s Jammin’ as a backdrop to freestyling rap artists. We were playing at the 3rd Annual Spring Gala at Plantation Gardens in Poipu, Kaua’i. KUGA was a wonderful hip hop dance collaborative and we were playing for their annual fund raiser.

8. November 2024

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An oldie but goldie – Mark Riley and band

By Martin NeilMy StoriesNo Comments

Just found this old clip of Mark Riley and band singing Rise Up. We were playing at the 3rd Annual Spring Gala at Plantation Gardens in Poipu, Kaua’i. KUGA was a wonderful hip hop dance collaborative and we were playing for their annual fund raiser.

8. November 2024

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A great read, Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius

By Martin NeilEuropeNo Comments

“Stöld” är en vild och vacker berättelse om en ung urfolksflicka vars familj är samiska renskötare. Hon blir vittne till hur hennes kalv brutalt dödas, och som så ofta händer utreder inte polisen brottet.

“Stolen” is a wild and beautiful story about a young indigenous girl whose family are Sámi reindeer herders. She witnesses her calf being brutally killed, and as so often happens, the police do not investigate the crime.

This wonderfully written book is now a Netflix film although I would urge you to read the book first.

25. September 2024

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Workshops and music at the Fête de la Musique

By Martin NeilEuropeNo Comments

We will be travelling to France to take part in Fête de la Musique. Excited to lead a creative songwriting workshop. Fête de la Musique is an annual celebration of music on the 21st June. On this wonderful day, music is promoted throughout the country. Everybody is urged to play music outside, in their neighbourhoods or in public spaces and parks. Many free concerts are organized and musicians play for fun and not for payment.

18. June 2024

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Nations gather for summit at Muckleshoot reservation

By Martin NeilFirst NationsNo Comments

It was an honour to be invited by Grand Chief Lynda Prince to help at a summit of First Nations grand chiefs, chiefs and tribal leaders in Seattle, USA. She had called the event to meet the leaders of the new and first ever Indigenous Embassy that will be situated in Jerusalem. The gathering was celebrating its opening with traditional protocol and ceremony.

The Summit included tribal leaders from many different nations, Metis/Algonquin, Carrier-Sekani, Coast-Selich, Ojibwe, Inuit, Cree, Haida, Apache, Cree Mohawk, Hopi, Cowichan, Lakota and Piaute, along with representatives from South Africa, Hawaii, Tahiti, China, Fiji, Kenya, Taiwain, Mexico and Borneo. We had a wonderful time of celebration with the sound of the drums, music and dance.

1. June 2024

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New roof for Mnase Dispensary

By Martin NeilTanzaniaNo Comments

After 16 years of use, the Mnase medical dispensary has had a big upgrade. Earlier this year destructive rains and winds brought leaks in the old roof sheets and many windows were broken in the storms. We replaced some of the windows earlier this year but after inspection by Seth, we decided to replace all the windows and the roof! We are excited to report that the work has been completed.

10. May 2024

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The unique sound of the Oud

By Martin NeilStringsNo Comments

I want to introduce you to an instrument that my friend Steve is learning to play as he spends 6 months of the year in Greece – and it is stretching his very knowledgeable musicality. The oud has an incredible history stretching back thousands of years to Ancient Persia, Arabia or elsewhere. Around the 1300’s the medieval lute appeared in Europe differing in nature as it had frets and a larger neck unlike the Arabic version – no frets and smaller neck. There are different types of ouds such as the Arabic oud, the Syrian oud, and the Turkish oud. This video takes a tour of the instrument and the wonderful musical scales that give it it’s unique sound.

21. February 2024

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New Windows

By Martin NeilTanzaniaNo Comments

After a month of flooding and storms in Tanzania 6 dispensary windows were broken. This meant that some of the medical services were not able to be provided. This is the third time that we have had to repair windows – so we decided to use this mishap to bring an upgrade to the building and the old windows were completely replaced with strong aluminium frames. Hopefully these will stand up to the strong winds that they get at certain times of the year.

17. February 2024

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Recording release party for Wake Up

By Martin NeilFirst Nations, My StoriesNo Comments

Saturday was a very special day for Jerry ‘Drumspeaker’ Chapman’s CD release party. People travelled as far as 8 hours away to be here in WA to celebrate. An afternoon feasting together and sharing the songs and stories from the recording. It was a memorable way for people to experience this new music and I was so encouraged by the response. Some great chats afterwards as musicians wanted to discuss with me how I had captured different sounds on the project.