Peter Gabriel - Digging In The Dirt (1992)

New Photoshoot - Friday 13th Nov `

Yo Yo Ma with James Taylor in the studio

I've always loved the deep feeling style of James Taylor and what a beautiful idea to combine on of the worlds most tasteful Cellists as well!

This short clip shows them both working on a 3/4 time version of the George Harrison song, "Here Comes The Sun" . From a program called "Yo Yo Ma & Friends: Songs of Joy and Peace".

Within Me - The Spanish Love Song (English)

I once played this song at a wedding where the groom had helped me translate the lyrics into Spanish. It went down very well and I did not forget any of the words! So there is a Spanish version of this around somewhere I will have to find!

Let me know what you think.

Interview with Seth Godin about the "Music Industry"

Turns out one of the best marketing minds today is also into music. Who isn't right? But I mean into marketing music. He at one point started a record label of his own. He emphasizes 2 things for me:

1. Music is still important distinct from the "Industry" that is trying to ensure its survival.
2. Creativity is something that should be brought INTO the business and a sense of what you do that is special and making that a tribal movement of some kind.

In short connect with people and be authentic.

http://www.rollogrady.com/rollo-grady-interview-seth-godin/

Peter Gabriel - Live!

One of my musical heroes, Peter Gabriel has been pushing the boundaries of musical recording and performance for over 20 years. First in the band, Genesis he adorned himself with flowers, hats, costumes and anything to get peoples attention. Fortunately he also had powerful concepts and a unique voice that demanded open ears and hearts. One other thing about Peter Gabriel is that he had the sense to work with brilliant musicians. Tony Levine - Bass, Manu Katche - Drums - David Rodes - Guitar. Some truly innovative and highly skilled musicians that brought passion, flare and texture to his message. Speaking of message Peter Gabriel also often touches on subject such as Politics, Love, Loss, Personal Freedom and Human Rights. He is responsible for the founding or co-founding of the following organizations.

• REALWORLD - A fantastic world music record label with artists such as, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Geoffrey Oryema and Shila Chandra.
• WOMAD - World Of Music and Dance, shares the World music around the globe in a 3 day event of rich folk and indigenous music and arts performances.
• WITNESS - A global organization dedicated to revealing Human Rights violations by giving ordinary people video cameras to document and publicize events.

Alan Watts - Atheist Spirituality

Alan Watts. A man that excels at simple but profound observations about nature and how we see ourselves.

This type of language has the ability to clarify and reveal the matrix of our own thinking and social structure. We soon learn that thinking is very much a collective activity as well as an independent one.

This video was compiled by Matt Stone and Trey Parker of Southpark fame. Or is that infamy?

 

Daniel Lanois - Producer, Musician and Sound Explorer - A powerful influence

The brilliant, the one and only Daniel Lanois. Producer, Musician and Sound Explorer, this one man has influenced my work and sense of musical possibility more than any other artist. Apart from his own musical works (which are fantastic) his list of production credits are awesome. Bob Dylan, U2, Peter Gabriel, The Neville Brothers, Robbie Robertson, Emmylou Harris and Brian Eno are just a few of the people that have created their best work (in my opinion) with him as their production guide. Read a great interview with Daniel Lanois here. Or see more to view some videos.

Blood of the Earth - A call for environmental awareness - Download the full song free -

The Blood of the Earth is the Oil that our western society is addicted to. And we take it as if there is no end to it. This is of course completely untrue. Albert Enstein said,

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

Still I don't think the lyrics take a completely pessimistic view do you? Feel free to comment.

A Ship Called True - A song waiting to happen?

Just combing the archives and discovered this little abstract piece of prose. What does it mean? I rather think that this evokes feelings and settings that would make for an interesting song. If you think the same let me know and even perhaps suggest a musical style that might work. Until then I will ponder the words and the mind of the writer. Who is he?

A ship called TRUE So you’re talking in a language not defined Reading the words, reading your lines A good actor in a play thats just no fun Breaking the web before its spun