Rob May from Community Albums invited myself and Phil Barker (bass player) to join him on a trip to Burundi to help train young musicians. Staying with the Salesians, a Catholic order whose focus is on schooling for children, Rob has been building a studio. One of the priests (a passionate guitarist) has been encouraging young musicians and then finding them work in the local bars and clubs. Over the years he has become a father to many, many musicians – in fact every night we visited a different club and he seemed to know all the musicians!
It is said that history books are written by those who win wars! This short video tells the story of the pilgrims from a Wampanoag perspective. Ships had been trading with Native Americans for fish, furs and people for 100 years before the pilgrims arrived to set up camp. Squanto, a Wampanoag, amongst many others was kidnapped and taken into slavery 6 years before the pilgrims arrived. He was taken to Spain and then became an interpreter on an English boat, eventually escaping back to his people – sadly, returning to his people, he found his village Patuxet, and everyone he knew, dead, from a plague and he ended up becoming a type of servant with another tribe. When the pilgrims arrived he became their interpreter and guide, and helped negotiate a treaty with the most powerful local Native American confederation, a peace that lasted more than 50 years.
My dear Again Yesterday Sunday 22nd January 2017 I was in the Village for Service and taking time with the Villagers as we are their servants in both Physically and Spiritually, All the Time we took with them it was really so important to encourage and pray with different families in the Village due to the famine and severe droughts. Also we learned a lot from them and about the whole situation. The famine actually is becoming very hot and already affecting many poor families in the Community. The crops prices are fast going very high one tin of maize with 18 kilograms is now sold for 25,000 Tshs, that makes one sack of maize to be sold for between 140,000 and 150,000 Tshs regarding how many kgrms it contain. We never had this price price before it is the higher price never crops reached the most sad thing is very fast shooting up,no rain raining and the Government Taking no any step nor precautions at all. And the reality is Dodoma is among the mostly affected Regions in the Country. The Government people are just silent say nothing instead they are not honest to the community they are politically orienter as I hope you briefly Understanding our politicians. It is only We Spiritual Leaders Trying to open our mouths praying and Console the people and if possible calling for the help.
Voices from the Nations have been partnering with the Gogo people of central Tanzania since 2003.
Sadly, the lack of rain at the end of 2016 has caused the failure of crops and in the last few days, even cattle are dying. This has promted the Catholic church to call the country to pray for rain.
Can you help?
We are looking at sending money to buy maize before the prices soar – and we need your help – if 1000 people gave £25 each we would be able reach our target and send maize not only to Mnase but all the surrounding villages. We so appreciate your help – Asante sana.
In the UK you can give via https://my.give.net/
A wonderful documentary on the life of Pete Seeger – a troubadour who revitalised folk music in America, gave voice to the Vietnam war, used song to clean up the Hudson river and whose overriding passion was to bring people together to sing.
Martin’s musical mystery tour – The highlands, lochs and glens of Scotland have been a fertile ground for many musicians. Every time I step into this land I am aware of the incredible legacy and the unique sound that comes from this nation. The musical story of any people is always evolving and I am very thankful to Hazel Hewitt for pointing me in the direction for this blog of some inspiring new tunes.
An incredible story about music created by inmates and their guards in Zomba prison, Malawi. Writing music that helps tell their story, bringing hope, inside a place that has been called the “waiting room of hell”.
A wonderful interview with Cindy Ruakere, who has asked deep questions about what it means to be Māori and walk out a journey of faith. Interview starts @ 9min. Thanks for passing on the link Keith Newman.
Sad to hear the news of a great Canadian poet / songwriter passing on today – here’s one of his most well known songs sung by Klezmer artist Daniel Kahn in Yiddish.
After a morning of recording in San Diego we went to my favourite Mexican restaurant to find a wonderful group of six girls and one guy playing wonderful mariachi music. The group is called Mariachi Divinas worth checking out if you are in the area.
It was great to be part of a wonderful band of musicians for Saturday nights concert. This video tells the story of the recording project we have been working on in San Diego with singer/songwriter Ammee Pearl.
