Voices from the Nations

Karibu Aloha Welcome Velkomen Bienvenido

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“(Music) is a means of union among people ……. indispensable for the life and progress towards well-being of individuals and of humanity.” ….. Tolstoy.

Welcome to the stories and news of Martin and Rebekah Neil’s wanderings. Voices from the Nations seek to promote and encourage indigenous cultural music and traditional storytelling amongst ethnic groups throughout the world. Giving a voice to those not yet heard (in the West) and encouraging their God given gifts, so that they may help resource their communities. We hope you will have fun exploring and learning from the many unique sounds and expressions of the different people we have encountered on our travels. Entwined in their individual musical heritages are the stories and make up of their societies and communities. Looking through their eyes can give us a different perspective and allow us a glimpse into their world.

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  • We have fostered many musical partnerships that have produced songs and music reflecting traditional indigenous styles and more modern interpretations, a melding of the ancient and the new. Various CD’s available here.♥
  • Read travel reports and see photo galleries from our various wanderings here.♥
  • The drum, often said to be the heartbeat of an indigenous culture. Discover unique expressions of sound often sculpted from resources found in their natural surroundings here.♥
  • Pointers and quotes on the journey here.♥
  • A strange collection of photos gathered from our travels, and a jokes page. Encounter the “Far side”here.♥
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  • Links to friends can be found here.♥
  • You can click on any photo to enlarge it.
  • Below this introduction scroll down to our regular blog.

What’s new?

  • EXCITING NEWS …
  • Digital MP3 downloads of single tracks from the “Sing to the Well CD” are AVAILABLE NOW here.
  • NEW PROJECT …
  • recording in Cambodia /February … check out a preview song and pictures here.
  • Your vote could raise the profile of VFTN

    • Click to Vote

  • Check out Santa’s studio session on the Laugh page …. Ho Ho Ho !
  • Top secret drum corps video here
  • Zao water CD now available in the UK …. see CD page


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Photos from Cambodia

January 31, 2010

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Travelling

January 31, 2010

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The legacy of a regime that killed so many in Cambodia in the 1970’s still rears its ugly head today. Distrust of country rulers and looking after number one is very evident even in the mundane and ordinariness of road travel. Driving licences can be bought on the black market filling the roads with unskilled drivers. Beautiful new traffic lights at major intersections with large glowing numbers count down to red and green changes, yet this is adhered to by some and largely ignored by others causing chaos on the roads.

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It is prohibited to ride motorcycles and tuk tuks without helmets, another law that is flouted by many. When caught by police they are fined but because of the widespread corruption amongst officials this is mostly pocketed – I asked one person if they believed that there were any good policemen and after thinking for a moment they said “Sadly none”.

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December 24, 2009

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HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR ….. Thanks for all your support and encouragement throughout the year. Lots of love Martin and Rebekah ….. from a very snowy, beautiful Northumbria.

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Cambodia – garlands for ashes

November 26, 2009

During the Khmer Rouge dictatorship in the 70’s some of the first people that were taken into captivity were the creative artists. Those that held the traditional stories of Cambodia. In February Voices from the Nations will be filming and recording a new CD and DVD project in Phnom Penh. Working with CCAM (an arts school who give hope to street children by giving them a home and schooling in their traditional arts) we will be collecting the songs and dances of this younger generation who have re-imagined the stories of old for today. This short picture video tells the story so far …..

http://www.vimeo.com/7833065

Here is a link to a previous visit to Cambodia …. photos and music video

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Tsunami alert

September 29, 2009

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Whilst collecting Birthday emails, we overheard a conversation from some Samoan athletes who are here participating in the Pacific Mini-games, that there had been a large earthquake near Samoa and people had died. [click to continue...]

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Cook Island drumming

September 22, 2009

It just happened that one of the exponents of Cook Island drumming was doing a workshop that I was able to sit in on. Dr. Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen, a Rarotongan by birth, who has toured internationally with the famous Betela Dance Troupe. He has developed a unique way of notating the rhythms from the Cook Islands. It was wonderful to meet him and hear his perspective on drumming Pacific style. Below is an example of the unique Cook Island playing.

Check out more pictures/video …… [click to continue...]

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