Music

110212 Durford Walk

Posted on by Duncan Toms

I really enjoyed this TED video of Benjamin Zander that my friend Seppo put me on to. Zander’s measure of success is not wealth or fame but how many shining eyes there are around him. He speaks with real passion about his notion that classical music is for everyone. I know next to nothing about classical music but his descriptions and playing makes me want to understand more. What a character!

We went for a walk this morning over to the Rother the other side of Petersfield at Durford Mill. We started at the old bridge:

The east along the old Petersfield Midhurst branch line, a large sandpit to the south on West Heath Common. Get off my land, warn the children:

Not just lava, but boiling lava.

We went south to Down Park Farm where there were many dead rusting vehicles, including a couple of Fordson Majors:

Then back west to the Rother, enjoying the sun as we trekked across open fields, glad of the non-sticky sandy soil, passing some friends:

And to Durford Abbey Farm:

With the usual happy hostages:

Another varied walk not far from home. There was a feeling of spring in the sunshine with the birdsong reflecting the change of mood.

This afternoon we got the flat together, with the desk and drawers now in the bedroom by the window and the large bookcase in the living room. I am really happy to live in such surrounds, internally and the countryside.

Steps stepped: 9477

110211 Tibetan Singing Bowls

Posted on by Duncan Toms

Awake in the night again last night. Listened to perhaps the most profound music I have ever heard. Profound in its effect on my body. The music was by Danny Becher, using Tibetan Singing Bowls. It began at root of the spine and slowly proceeded up the body all the way to the crown. It was very definite, the effect on each part of the body, as though that part was hearing those particular tones rather than my ears. Several times, many times, my body shook and the chest lifted off the bed and then my head involuntary went forward or back, sometimes staying like that for minutes. When the tones and music went up to the neck and head, it struck my lower jaw and the tension there was incredible, like nothing I have ever felt. I tried to move it but it was locked in such tightness. Then as quickly as it came, my jaw was free and loose and not at all tense. At the end of the piece, the tones were harmonious and my whole body felt relaxed and tingly. I then slept deeply until 0930.

This morning was assembling the IKEA drawer unit for my desk, and staining the pine table I bought as a desk. My flat still isn’t up together but tomorrow I can get everything in place and finally find a home for everything. C came over after her driving lesson. It’s her birthday so we went out with CC to Portsmouth for a meal again. There was no movie we all felt we wanted to see, so did a little shopping then back to Brockwood, avoiding the Motorways.

This two home situation is going to work out so well. My nights are very different without another being lying next to me. Somehow it frees up the chance for the night t be more restful and more to happen, exploring tension and relaxation. I am aware that for a long time I have desired to be asleep. If there’s nothing going on I want to be doing something or asleep. How is it just to lie still and breathe? Or listen to some ancient bugged out healing music made with bowls:

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This is some evil shit right here – people seemingly OK with Assange being murdered.

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Steps stepped: 5085

30 Jan 2011

Posted on by Duncan Toms

More driving practice for C with a run over to Harting Down. How delicious is it up there, especially with the sun out, blue skies, and the crisp morning air. We walked for a couple of hours over to Beacon Hill then down into the valleys to the south.

View of South Harting and beyond:

The climb ahead to Beacon Hill:

Views east along the downs:

Catkins in the sunshine:

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If you used to watch LOST and are feeling a little incomplete, all you have to do is answer these questions to tidy it all up:

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Polar Bears Status. Sad news of declines:

Don’t think global warming is real? Think the data is wrong? Think it’s a conspiracy to keep us in fear? Think it’s not man-made but a natural cycle? Regardless what you think, here are Met Office Observations Consistent with a Warming World:

And sea temperature anomalies data from eight different sources:

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Favourite track at the moment is The Roots Feat. Joanna Newsom – Right On. Great merging of styles, bass line on the chorus and that live drumming ticking along. Newsom’s voice is really growing on me.

“Right On” by The Roots (feat. Joanna Newsom & STS) from Bigger Than Blogging on Vimeo.

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Steps stepped: 8877

X Factory 4

Posted on by Duncan Toms

There was something missing in the performance tonight
You are a star
I had a wicked time doing it
He’s gone from pub performer to world class star
Week after week she’s come out and performed in every single way possible
I’m very very proud of myself
He’s got to find something to pick at
As always, worked hard, delivered a fantastic new version of the song
The Beatles were the ultimate boy band
They’ve gelled as a group
You so made it your own
You seemed a little bit nervous
I felt like I had to do it justice because I am from Liverpool
That was up there with your best performance
It was very emotional, I believed every word
That’s the type of music I love doing
You performed it very very well
You’re likeable, you’re loveable, I want to squeeze you and hold you tight
I’m glad I proved myself this week
It was the worse version of a Beatles song I’ve ever heard in my life
Not everybody loves you but you have a big fan base out there
Only Louis likes me
Lyrically, it was absolute genius
I’m hoping that the people at home really give me a chance at this

The X Factory 3

Posted on by Duncan Toms

That was such a wrong song choice.
I was happy with my performance, you know, maybe the song wasn’t so great.
I don’t think vocally it’s the best you’ve sounded.
Having said that, you have great presence.
It’s not the same as the original, it’s my version but it’s not so far away that people won’t recognise it.
Rocked it.
It was a little bit pub-singerish but because you have a heart, it worked.
I thought I put on a hell of a performance tonight.
She’s living her dream. I want to change her life.
I admire your resilience.
I hope I did enough.
You’re hanging on by a thread.
You keep getting stronger and stronger every week.
It felt like you were singing that to me and it was just spot on.
I really had fun with that.
After that you are 100% back in the game.
I’m privileged to be working alongside you.
I was on a proper downer today but now I’m like on top of the moon.
I’ve seen some strange things in my life but that tops it.
You remind me of a young Elton John.
I genuinely believe a group are going to win this competition.
It felt absolutely brilliant.
The boys are leading the pack and that makes it exciting.
That was so damn classy.
It’s a show like this that will give you the chance.
You’ve gotta stay grounded.
I love the fact that she doesn’t know how good she is.

X Factory 2

Posted on by Duncan Toms

After last week, I’m a little bit disappointed
This was a little bit copycat
I got three really good comments
She knows what I said was right
Tonight, for whatever reason, you didn’t feel like you were inside the song
I thought you sang it pretty well
It just didn’t happen on-stage
She’s a real talent, a real person and there’s nothing fake about her
I vibed off of the audience and I vibed off of my emotion
I love her, you know, I think she’s fun
I think you are the perfect pop star
I’ve got party moves because I’m happy. I did well, I think
That’s absolutely made my night, you were full of bubbles
It was without question your best performance of the competition
I was so nervous before I went on
I was really good, I was so proud of him
You’ve got such an effortless vocal
It’s an absolute pleasure to be working alongside you
I can’t believe the comments, I’m like, oh my God
I’m actually concerned that I actually liked that performance
I think it proved to your critics that you actually can sing
Anything could happen, he might sing in tune
That absolutely blew me away, that was amazing
That was completely and utterly stunning
I’m crying but I’m happy; they’re good tears
You always come out and you give it 100%
What you’re missing is that passion and belief
I want to stay and I want to win this competition
It’s hard to be confident sometimes
You could be the next big band
You absolutely cheered me up and brightened up my night
It felt the best ever

The X Factory

Posted on by Duncan Toms

You can sing absolutely anything
I can take a challenge
You nailed every note
I think it was indulgent
You need a bit more credit for what you do
When you hear it back, the vocals were not on track
Girls don’t like girl groups
You’re the perfect ambassador for Britain
That was a brilliant performance
I had such a good time
You and the song were having a punch-up in the middle
I didn’t do so well
It was a little bit out of time
What are you drinking?
The songs he chooses really suit me
You’ve got it all, mister
Yeah, I really felt that one
Some people were born to be on the stage
I really think I belong now
She’s quirky and she’s fun and she’s cool with it
You make Vampire hot
There’s a wave behind this band now
The performance of the entire season
The most amazing comments that I’ve ever had in my life

Solar’s Power over GURU

Posted on by Duncan Toms

This interview with former Jazzmatazz trumpeter, Brownman, is full of horrible info on Solar’s dominance of GURU. Here’s a disturbing extract:

To be honest, I didn’t feel any fear about Solar until I actually saw him punch Guru in the face. Solar didn’t know I had seen this go down. It happened in a back alley behind a club after a gig in Europe. I was heading back to the hotel post-gig, cutting through the backalley of the club as a shortcut. After a gig Guru and Solar often stayed behind, and the rest of the group would head back to the hotel. So I’m walking down the alley heading to the hotel, and suddenly the back door of the club flies open and Guru comes stumbling out like he had been shoved, Solar right on his heels yelling at him like a little boy. By now, this was a fairly common occurrence for me to see, but what happened next left me paralyzed. Guru seemed to be quietly arguing back. Clearly he felt that whatever had happened didn’t merit such a response from Solar, and it seemed like he was trying to explain himself. Solar – who was already knee-deep into the habit of cutting off Guru and not letting him complete full sentences – asked him:
“are you talking back to me Guru? Are you?”.
“No Lord, but you just need to understand… ”
“oh *I* need to understand? Me? You’re telling me that *I* need to understand???!!! Shut up Guru. Shut up right now!”
“… ok, I will. But let me just explain…”
“What did I tell you Guru? I said SHUT YOUR MOUTH?”
“… but lord…”

BAM.

Solar swung on him… hit him in the mouth. And then again in the head. I was frozen. Far enough away that they couldn’t see me, but frozen in my tracks. I took a step forward, but I didn’t know what to do. And then Guru seemed to sort of shrug it off. Until that last year of his life, he was a tough, well-built guy, but I did think it was weird he didn’t fight back. And I’m pretty much a peace-loving pacifist… not a fighter… and none of this was my business. I was hired as the Jazzmatazz trumpet player, not as the Jazzmatazz judge and jury – so I swallowed hard and left, disturbed by what I’d seen.

Full interview here. It also goes into just how Solar gained so much power over the legendary rapper GURU.