A wonderful sign in Sweden!!!! – Translates “We are sitting here talking crap!” These 2 strangers enjoyed posing for the picture – Tack!
Whilst traveling on a coach between Dar Es Salaam and Dodoma – there were endless TV soaps, which are loved by locals and always bring much laughter. Enjoyed this simple story ..
A coffee shop owner brags about a cat he has taught to do many things. He gathers his friends to show them all the wonderful things the cat can do. Everyone is very impressed until one of the guests throws a rat into the shop and the cat forgets its job and chases the rat. The guest says, “The cat may be able to be taught many things but he will never forget what he has been made for.”
Rob May from Community Albums invited myself and Phil Barker (bass player) to join him on a trip to Burundi to help train young musicians. Staying with the Salesians, a Catholic order whose focus is on schooling for children, Rob has been building a studio. One of the priests (a passionate guitarist) has been encouraging young musicians and then finding them work in the local bars and clubs. Over the years he has become a father to many, many musicians – in fact every night we visited a different club and he seemed to know all the musicians!
A wonderful documentary on the life of Pete Seeger – a troubadour who revitalised folk music in America, gave voice to the Vietnam war, used song to clean up the Hudson river and whose overriding passion was to bring people together to sing.
Martin’s musical mystery tour – The highlands, lochs and glens of Scotland have been a fertile ground for many musicians. Every time I step into this land I am aware of the incredible legacy and the unique sound that comes from this nation. The musical story of any people is always evolving and I am very thankful to Hazel Hewitt for pointing me in the direction for this blog of some inspiring new tunes.
An incredible story about music created by inmates and their guards in Zomba prison, Malawi. Writing music that helps tell their story, bringing hope, inside a place that has been called the “waiting room of hell”.
Sad to hear the news of a great Canadian poet / songwriter passing on today – here’s one of his most well known songs sung by Klezmer artist Daniel Kahn in Yiddish.
Martin’s musical mystery tour – It’s been almost a year since my last music blog – WOW! Time does fly. So here are three very different pieces of music from the Czech Republic, inspired by various people I met and a concert I recently attended whilst in the country.
It’s that time of the year here in Czech – some call it a national sport – mushroom picking! We have a couple of days off in the highlands and the forests are full of people with their hopeful baskets, apparently 70% of people go mushrooming at least once a year. A skill past down from generation to generation, but those of less experience beware – we saw some, only to find out that they were highly poisonous – think I’ll stick to fish and chips! 
Interesting trailer to a documentary called The Pass System that tells the story of a 60 year period when First Nations people of Canada had to have a pass to leave their reservations. For those in Canada check out the screenings on Facebook.
This morning I was stopped in my tracks by this powerful piece of art in Chichester Cathedral from Paul Benney called ‘Speaking in Tongues.’ He has ‘”depicted the apostles as people who are known to him – friends and contemporaries. ……………… from different ethnicities and religious backgrounds together, as they collectively experience a profound spiritual awakening.” Read More
Great to hang out with David and Leslie Gereghty from Recreational Music Center. They have pioneered an incredible non-profit school that encourages music learning and performance in the San Diego area. They have also started an initiative called Music4Change which, in their words, “brings quality music programming, free of charge, to individuals and groups who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play an instrument or experience live music performances.” Please support this amazing couple and if you are in the area check them out @ Liberty Station.
Music4Change™ is committed to empowering the community through music education, cultural enrichment, and social service.
