Voices from the Nations

October 2009

The Heartbeat of Music

October 3, 2009

“Seemed to me that drumming was the best way to get close to God” ….. Lionel Hampton (American vibraphonist and bandleader).

Preparing for an evening of drums, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.jpg

The drum is one of the oldest known musical instruments, being played in various forms by nearly every people group in the world, producing a huge variety of sounds fashioned in many shapes and sizes, the drum provides the foundation to most traditional and modern day music.

For over 4,000 years drums have been used in many diverse situations, e.g. in religious celebrations, for sending signals or messages, on the battlefield during the Civil War, to help African slaves overcome the boredom of hard monotonous work, storytelling in China, carnivals in Brazil, healing, dancing, and entertainment.

Drum circle in Venice beach, LA.JPG

The words that describe the sounds emanating from this instrument are as varied as the application: powerful, primitive, rhythmic, and resembling the heartbeat.

Drummers as fit as footballers ….. listen to BBC report here. ♥

For more info re. Martin’s touring and recording projects and all things drummy www.myspace.com/lovelyboyneil

You can find info and pictures of drums, percussion and sound makers, just click on link below pictures.



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Laugh

October 3, 2009

“Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one.” ….. Oscar Wilde.

No pooping! Holland.JPG

OK so this is the fun bit! A place to network the best jokes and things that make us laugh. So if you have any send them our way …… Bizarre signs we have collected on our journeys, and a drummers revenge page!!



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Great story

October 2, 2009

Pacific Games.JPG

With only one entrant, Kaisa Ioane, from Samoa in the Fly weight 51kg class he only had to enter the ring to be awarded a medal. The Cook Islands put up a boxer, teariki Samuel who stood to win a silver medal. Samuel was not part of the original team selection but was entered so that the Samoan could participate. However, Teariki did not show up as his mother would not permit him to take part. The Cook Islands were denied the chance of a medal.

Story from ……Cook Islands Herald newspaper

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