A wonderful few days as nations gathered to share their stories and songs on the Torres Martinez reservation, hosted by the Desert Cahuilla. The Cahuilla people have lived in southern California since the early 1800’s. We were welcomed with the singing of “bird songs” – songs that speak of their stories, journey’s and creation. It was a day where every nation got to share their songs and stories, eat together and build new relationships. Very thankful and honoured to be invited onto their land for the first time.
I want to introduce a fantastic initiative called Urban Praise Project. Mark Tate writes “Everyone in the video is from the community and so we acted out people giving up some of the hardships that people face on our estate. The video culminates with community coming together signifying unity and letting go of the hard stuff.”
New track from our good friend Mark Riley. He writes, “Sometimes things in life leave you without words. I wrote this song after my daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Through this I realized that many people are faced with similar situations, and just need to know that God still loves them and so do the people around them. No matter what the circumstances look like. Sometimes those are the only words we have… ‘God makes a way, so be thankful and pray…’
Whilst walking near a friend Kent’s home in Sweden I was inspired by the natural sounds that surrounded me. It was a beautiful early morning, and the air was very still, except for the tops of one silver birch tree where the leaves were shimmering, dancing, singing in the wind. It was a very light, high-pitched sound – delicate yet very noticeable. It reminded me of a line I had read – and the trees clapped their hands.
Read MoreOne of my favourite songs from the album of the same name written by Mark Riley. When we recorded it almost 20 years ago I was never pleased with the mix due to all sorts of reasons and I dreamed that one day we would revisit it. A few years ago after the very sad death of Marks amazing son, Lucas, we decided to to do just that – dedicating it to his son. Our great friend Kevin Penner remixed the CD and we also re-mastered the whole project. 2 years later, we were amazed when it was nominated for a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award in Hawai’i by the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts.
A huge THANK YOU to all our friends out there in cyber world
Veselé Vánoce – ᖁᕕᐊᓱᕕᒻᒥ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒋᑦᓯ – Feliz Navidad – Mele Kalikimaka – Merry Christmas – God Jul – Joyeux Noël – Feliz Navidad – Fröhliche Weihnachten – Heri ya Krismasi – Prettige Kerstdagen –
Thanks for all your encouragements, posts and support.
Drums-a-gogo!!! Mobile recording @ Jerry Chapman’s wonderful barn. As well as being a singer/songwriter, percussionist he is an incredible drum craftsman, pioneering new techniques and ideas based on his Stó:Lō heritage. I am working on a new recording with Jerry and the last few days have been spent getting samples and recordings of all his drums, shakers and clapper sticks.
Ezra Kwizera wrote this beautiful song Mama, honouring mothers – Thanks Graham Ord for sharing.
What a fun time i had bringing some sounds from the commonwealth to this track in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee. Thankful for my huge collection of percussive instruments from around the world. There are 56 independent countries that make up the commonwealth, from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. I decided I would try and use percussive instruments and sounds from every continent. So here’s a list – Yidaki (didgeridoo) Australia, Tuelle (log drums) Pacific islands of Fiji and Samoa, various African drums and shakers from Tanzania, Rwanda and Nigeria, Ankglung (Malaysia), First Nations drum (Canada), shakers (Europe) and Clap sticks (Guyana).
On Thursday 24th February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Five days later, this fanfare was composed by Torbjörn Hultmark, and the score sent to friends to use as they saw fit. Our good friend Chris Mitchell has added his creativity to the piece.
Incredible use of brass and modern dance beats – wow!
The Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, which caused a sensation at the Proms in 2008, is the product of an extraordinary music education system that has been running for more than 30 years. Children as young as two get intensive music lessons designed to steer them away from the dangers of the street. Thanks Tim for sharing this clip.
Now that’s church 
Get your dancin’ shoes on!
