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Martin Neil

New roof for Mnase Dispensary

By Blog, TanzaniaNo Comments

After 16 years of use, the Mnase medical dispensary has had a big upgrade. Earlier this year destructive rains and winds brought leaks in the old roof sheets and many windows were broken in the storms. We replaced some of the windows earlier this year but after inspection by Seth, we decided to replace all the windows and the roof! We are excited to report that the work has been completed.

10. May 2024
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Oud

By StringsNo Comments

I want to introduce you to an instrument that my friend Steve is learning to play as he spends 6 months of the year in Greece – and it is stretching his very knowledgeable musicality. The oud has an incredible history stretching back thousands of years to Ancient Persia, Arabia or elsewhere. Around the 1300’s the medieval lute appeared in Europe differing in nature as it had frets and a larger neck unlike the Arabic version – no frets and smaller neck. There are different types of ouds such as the Arabic oud, the Syrian oud, and the Turkish oud. This video takes a tour of the instrument and the wonderful musical scales that give it it’s unique sound.

21. February 2024
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New Windows

By TanzaniaNo Comments

After a month of flooding and storms in Tanzania 6 dispensary windows were broken. This meant that some of the medical services were not able to be provided. This is the third time that we have had to repair windows – so we decided to use this mishap to bring an upgrade to the building and the old windows were completely replaced with strong aluminium frames. Hopefully these will stand up to the strong winds that they get at certain times of the year.

17. February 2024
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Release party for Wake Up

By First Nations, My StoriesNo Comments

Saturday was a very special day for Jerry ‘Drumspeaker’ Chapman’s CD release party. People travelled as far as 8 hours away to be here in WA to celebrate. An afternoon feasting together and sharing the songs and stories from the recording. It was a memorable way for people to experience this new music and I was so encouraged by the response. Some great chats afterwards as musicians wanted to discuss with me how I had captured different sounds on the project.

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12. January 2024
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Wake Up Sleeping Giant

By First Nations, Music from the Nations, My StoriesNo Comments

We are excited to announce the release of ‘Wake Up Sleeping Giant‘. We met Jerry in a unique way whilst playing in Canada. I asked one of the organisers as I was setting up equipment if anyone had First Nation drums – he said no, but a voice from the auditorium shouted back, “I have a van full, do you want to borrow some?”. Since then we have spent time with Jerry and his wife Leslie, playing together at various events, learning from each other drum building techniques and dreaming about recording some of his songs. The results can be heard on this new recording released ion January 6th 2024. Jerry is from the Stó:Lō nation and is a drummer, First Nations drum maker and designer, singer and songwriter.

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6. November 2023
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It is said that anyone that is not well and feeling bad and anyone that is mourning, the sound of the drum will revive them and make them happy.

Peter Le Claire – Ponca tribe
30. October 2023
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Nations gather

By First Nations, My StoriesNo Comments

A wonderful few days as nations gathered to share their stories and songs on the Torres Martinez reservation, hosted by the Desert Cahuilla. The Cahuilla people have lived in southern California since the early 1800’s. We were welcomed with the singing of “bird songs” – songs that speak of their stories, journey’s and creation. It was a day where every nation got to share their songs and stories, eat together and build new relationships. Very thankful and honoured to be invited onto their land for the first time.

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28. October 2023
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If I Could

By My StoriesNo Comments

New track from our good friend Mark Riley. He writes, “Sometimes things in life leave you without words. I wrote this song after my daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Through this I realized that many people are faced with similar situations, and just need to know that God still loves them and so do the people around them. No matter what the circumstances look like. Sometimes those are the only words we have… ‘God makes a way, so be thankful and pray…’

24. April 2023
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And The Trees Clapped Their Hands

By Music from the Nations, My StoriesNo Comments

Whilst walking near a friend Kent’s home in Sweden I was inspired by the natural sounds that surrounded me. It was a beautiful early morning, and the air was very still, except for the tops of one silver birch tree where the leaves were shimmering, dancing, singing in the wind. It was a very light, high-pitched sound – delicate yet very noticeable. It reminded me of a line I had read – and the trees clapped their hands.

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8. March 2023
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Carry Me On

By My StoriesNo Comments

One of my favourite songs from the album of the same name written by Mark Riley. When we recorded it almost 20 years ago I was never pleased with the mix due to all sorts of reasons and I dreamed that one day we would revisit it. A few years ago after the very sad death of Marks amazing son, Lucas, we decided to to do just that – dedicating it to his son. Our great friend Kevin Penner remixed the CD and we also re-mastered the whole project. 2 years later, we were amazed when it was nominated for a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award in Hawai’i by the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts.

30. January 2023
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Carry Me On – Video

By Music from the NationsNo Comments

One of my favourite songs from the album of the same name written by Mark Riley. When we recorded it almost 20 years ago I was never pleased with the mix due to all sorts of reasons and I dreamed that one day we would revisit it. A few years ago after the very sad death of Marks amazing son, Lucas, we decided to to do just that – dedicating it to his son. Our great friend Kevin Penner remixed the CD and we also re-mastered the whole project. 2 years later, we were amazed when it was nominated for a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award in Hawai’i by the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts.

28. December 2022
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Happy Christmas

By My StoriesNo Comments

A huge THANK YOU to all our friends out there in cyber world

Veselé Vánoce – ᖁᕕᐊᓱᕕᒻᒥ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᒋᑦᓯ – Feliz Navidad – Mele Kalikimaka – Merry Christmas – God Jul – Joyeux Noël – Feliz Navidad – Fröhliche Weihnachten – Heri ya Krismasi – Prettige Kerstdagen –

Thanks for all your encouragements, posts and support.

24. December 2022
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Fujara – the Shepherd’s flute

By WindNo Comments

This unique instrument called the Fujara <foo-yah-rah> can be as tall as a man and was originally used by shepherds. It was played whilst tending their sheep in remote pastures in the mountains of Podpol’anie, Slovalia, guiding their sheep and communicated to other shepherds across the mountain slopes. Read More

21. November 2022
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Recording in Washington State

By My StoriesNo Comments

Drums-a-gogo!!! Mobile recording @ Jerry Chapman’s wonderful barn. As well as being a singer/songwriter, percussionist he is an incredible drum craftsman, pioneering new techniques and ideas based on his Stó:Lō heritage. I am working on a new recording with Jerry and the last few days have been spent getting samples and recordings of all his drums, shakers and clapper sticks.

25. August 2022
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