Peter Gabriel – Live!

Peter GabrielOne 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. Watch the videos now >>
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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?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE5M8743a1s[/youtube]

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

Daniel Lanois - AcadieThe 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. Continue reading

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

earth.jpgThe 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.

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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 Continue reading

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Light Of Love – Download the full studio version

Light Of Love – I wrote this song at 17 years old and it came out of a deep feeling for the sadness in the world as well as myself. It gives us a look at love from 3 different perspectives.

  1. Self (or doubt in it)
  2. Relationship
  3. Parents and their connection with children.

The chords were a real experiment too that certainly makes for an open sound. By the way the recording is quite recent so I am obviously performing it better than I did then, however the arrangement and the lyrics are unchanged.

I think this was when I started to realize that music could be a strong form of expression for me and could communicate a powerful sense of understanding and intensity that matched my need to express. Continue reading

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Drum n Bass Ramblings – short prose

(A short piece from the archives)

Drum ‘n Bass Ramblings

Im sitting here at home, is this my home? Anyway its raining. We have really needed it.

The subtle tone of chilled out drum and bass tunes wafts through the house, daring me to dance. Music to move to, whether that be dance, gardening, driving, or sensuous sex with someone groovy, it has its way with you and you will never be the same. Continue reading

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Something Missing – Blossomhead – Punk Rock Music Video

This may not be one of my songs but I am playing everything except the drums!

Greg Reid – Vocals
Herrin – Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Jason McGowan – Drum

My dear friend Greg Reid aka Blossomhead wrote this song in some kind of nervous frenzy on an acoustic guitar never dreaming it would become a sharp, short punk rock anthem for the hole within us all.

Check out Blossomheads music by going to www.blossomhead.com

Something Missing – Blossomhead – Psychedelic Punk Rock

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUglDUrBocg[/youtube]

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Naomi Wolf – a powerful talk about fascism and democracy

naomi-wolf.jpgI really follow the news quite closely, although in these days of the information age you can choose your source rather than just get it all from the television or from newspapers.

I have found YouTube to be a great place to get a broader perspective on the news. The pure volume and choice can be daunting though and it comes down to the search terms you use as well as getting good leads from friends. Continue reading

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