2004

Netherlands

By Martin NeilMy StoriesNo Comments

29th Dec.-13th Jan 2005 San Diego & L.A., U.S.A.

We flew out to San Diego to be at the “City of Refuge” again (we were with them in Feb. ’04 and also 28th Sept.-4th Oct.). During our time there we led the team on retreat for 5 days and generally got involved with their weekly routine. This included packing up food to be distributed to the poor and homeless and visiting a large night shelter where we played music and chatted with the homeless. There were also two weddings of people who have been part of the project so Martin was seconded to play along with other musicians. The rest of our time was kept busy with helping people move house, drum circles and lots of one to one times with people from the team. As ever we left feeling that we had been amongst people of similar hearts and that we would be back…… Read More

8. November 2004

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The States and Kelowna, Canada

By Martin NeilAmericasNo Comments

Martin travelled, on his own this time, to record a C.D. with Jo Vogels. Martin has played on and produced an album for Jo before, and they’ve been friends for a number of years. (In August Jo flew over from Australia and spent a week with us at our home, doing pre-production work. We had a lot of fun with Jo playing his songs and Martin making suggestions about style, timing, dynamics etc..) Whilst out in the States we even had time for some paddling …… Read More

9. September 2004

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In a world such as ours ... it is necessary to understand why a madrigal by Gesualdo or a Back Passion, a sitar melody from India or a song from Africa, berg's Wozzeck or Britten's War Requiem, a balinese gamelan or a Cantonese opera, or a symphony by Mozart, Beethoven, or Mahler, may be profoundly necessary for human survival ..."

John Blacking

20. July 2004

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Kaua’i, Hawai’i

By Martin NeilOceaniaNo Comments

22nd April/30th May

Reflections from the Garden Isle.

He wai ua, ua ka ua

(Indeed, it rains. It rains upon the land.)

For six weeks the island of Kaua’i, one of the oldest Hawaiian islands became our home. Known as the garden isle for its amazing plants and stunning fauna, and also renowned for being the wettest place in the world. An extinct volcano stands high in the middle of the island and is nearly always topped with rain clouds. Because of its beautiful beaches, rugged terrain and tropical climate, the island has become a tourist haven, famous for the number of films that have been set within its shores. Read More

7. June 2004

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Canada and Cre8ed schools work

By Martin NeilMusic from the NationsNo Comments

11/20th April Canada.

Our time in Canada was again a time of catching up with friends and helping with music for a conference in Abbotsford. We had a wonderful opportunity to go and observe a Native American pow-wow with our friends Jerry and Leslie Chapman from the Sto’:lo people. www.jerrychapman.org Here’s a (badly recorded) clip of their powerful drumming and singing.

23. April 2004

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Drumspeak

By Martin NeilDrumsNo Comments

Jerry Chapman hand-crafts First Nation style drums and whilst visiting he allowed us to use his instruments and joined me playing percussion on a couple of the conference evenings. They both spend some of their time taking musical teams onto Native American reservations.

14. April 2004

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Cre8ed schools work

By Martin NeilMy StoriesNo Comments

With some nerves and trepidation we entered the imposing 9 foot high green school gates. “Who the f*** are you?” queried a young child ….. we had arrived at Vernon House! Read More

21. March 2004

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Forward Edge International

By Martin NeilMy StoriesNo Comments

So what of our last trip ……well this was an amazing trip with many connections with people of a similar heart, a time of real encouragement, lots of laughter and generous hospitality. Thanks to Mark Riley who put this trip together and was a great comrade in mischief!!!! www.markrileymusic.com Read More

9. March 2004

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Recording Sweden

By Martin NeilEurope, Music from the NationsNo Comments

Visited Claire and Graham Wilson who are now based in Stockholm, and worked on a Swedish recording project with Viola Grafstrom.

This will be Viola’s first recording in her heart language, Swedish. She has recorded a number of albums in English. Only a few gospel albums are recorded in Swedish. Check out a song from the project below.

Vår Herre vår Konung

11. February 2004

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Rwanda – Inanga

By Martin NeilAfrica, StringsNo Comments

On my travels in 2000 I picked up this instrument called an Inanga. To be quite honest I call it a “canoe with strings” …. but really it is a lyre like instrument known as a trough zither.

Interested in more traditional Rwandese music? Then check out Cecile Kayirebwa’s album called Rwanda.

4. February 2004

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Rwanda recordings

By Martin NeilAfrica3 Comments

2/3rd Feb Malmesbury, UK, Rwanda recording

I had a great couple of days recording the latest CD project for Rwanda with Dave Bankhead. This is the 3rd recording that I have been involved in for Rwanda. The recordings have helped build reconciliatory steps between the Hutu’s and Tutsi’s since the genocide over 10 years ago.

Dave has now been out in Africa to record the vocals and got a great response from the people. They are looking forward to using the songs in a celebration of 10 years of peace in July in Kigali. You can check out these projects at www.weareone.org.uk