Martin Neil, Author at Voices from the Nations

Cyprus 2016

We were back in the mountains of Moniatis with the Gateways community for another year of sharing with the 2nd years on culture. This year we had also been invited to a wedding of one of our previous students. Read More

26. April 2016

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Speaking in Tongues

By Martin NeilMy StoriesNo Comments

This morning I was stopped in my tracks by this powerful piece of art in Chichester Cathedral from Paul Benney called ‘Speaking in Tongues.’ He has ‘”depicted the apostles as people who are known to him – friends and contemporaries. ……………… from different ethnicities and religious backgrounds together, as they collectively experience a profound spiritual awakening.” Read More

29. March 2016

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At the risk of sounding hopelessly romantic, love is the key element. I really love to play with different musicians who come from different cultural backgrounds

John McLaughlin

26. March 2016

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Tanzania relief – second truck arrives.

By Martin NeilTanzaniaNo Comments

A wonderful Easter present as more maize arrives for the village of Mnase. Due to the continued famine the prices for a sack of maize was still very high but Seth managed to negotiate for 124 sacks. He says “When the big truck of maize slowly entered the village, I could hear shouting all over the place. Martin, it was a very big surprise for all the villagers.” So thankful to all those who helped make this happen.

25. March 2016

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I can't hear what you are saying because what you are doing is speaking so loudly to me.

First Nations proverb

26. February 2016

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Recording Pueblo (Native American) chanting

By Martin NeilFirst NationsNo Comments

A wonderful couple of days recording drums and chanting with Carol Kiger-Rice and Joseph and Martha Manzo. Joseph is from the Pueblo people and Martha is Inuit. We were @ Lower Warehouse studios thanks to my good friend Joel DeWitt who was engineering.

Every recording situation comes with it’s own unique struggles and this time it was discovering how to capture this beautiful drum without some natural squeaks and booms – always a creative process, I learn something new with every experience!

7. February 2016

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The Well Pennies

By Martin NeilStringsNo Comments

Friend Tony Green and the Well Pennies are currently organizing shows around the country where they play with local youth orchestras & string programs!

5. February 2016

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Music4Change

By Martin NeilMusic that inspiresNo Comments

Great to hang out with David and Leslie Gereghty from Recreational Music Center. They have pioneered an incredible non-profit school that encourages music learning and performance in the San Diego area. They have also started an initiative called Music4Change which, in their words, “brings quality music programming, free of charge, to individuals and groups who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play an instrument or experience live music performances.” Please support this amazing couple and if you are in the area check them out @ Liberty Station.

Music4Change™ is committed to empowering the community through music education, cultural enrichment, and social service.

5. February 2016

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Tanzania relief 2016

By Martin NeilTanzaniaNo Comments

I have been asked “Can we still give to the Tanzania relief fund?” Yes, we are planning to send more out in a few weeks. If we don’t get a truck full we will be sending smaller amounts out to the people most in need.

In the UK you can give via https://my.give.net/tanzaniarelief and outside the Uk via Paypal – using the email voicesfromthenations@nullhotmail.com

19. January 2016

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Exciting news – Maize delivered

By Martin NeilTanzaniaNo Comments

We are excited to announce that 141 sacks of maize were delivered to Mnase village, giving 6500 people around 2.5kg each – enough for a meal a day for a few days. They are very thankful. Read More

18. January 2016

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Tanzania relief news

By Martin NeilTanzaniaNo Comments

So thankful to all our friends out in cyber world. The first truck load of maize is heading to the village of Mnase in the next couple of days. Sadly news from the area is not good and people are dying in some of the villages around Mnase. So lets keep telling the story and dream that we can help more villages in the area.

Seth writes :- “Two hours after sending you email tonight,The local radio reported that several People died at the Villages nar Mnase, Mlebe, Chahnumba and Kikombo, the Villages you know and visited. The problem is worse, and seem will take Very long Time before People having harvest, PLEASE What I ask on behalf of this Dying Communities, if you may have, some people you know from any other part of the World please Ask some food support”.

13. January 2016

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Israel – Heartbeat

By Martin NeilMusic from the NationsNo Comments

Ruth Fazal and I have been working together for a number of years and this is our first instrumental, violin and percussion collaboration – recorded at Pluto studios in Tel Aviv. Whilst recording 3 other projects during a 10 day period we decided to try and capture any spontaneous ideas – this album was the result. This track is called Seven.

Tanzania Relief 2016

By Martin NeilTanzaniaNo Comments

Dear friends – the Gogo people of Mnase village in central Tanzania are again bracing themselves for food shortages due to another severe drought, which damaged food crops, resulting in a much reduced harvest. We have learned that there is already hunger in the villages and the cost of a bag of maize has already doubled in price, and it is expected that the situation will get worse. The next harvest season will be March – if the rains are sufficient. Voices from the Nations have been partnering with the Wagogo people of central Tanzania for the last 12 years. (Check out the “Sing to the Well” CD and DVD). We are looking at sending money to buy maize before the prices soar – and we need your help – if 500 people gave £10 each we would be able to send roughly 150 sacks of maize to Mnase village. We so appreciate your help – Asante sana.

Donate

15. December 2015

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Uganda story

By Martin NeilAfrica, My StoriesNo Comments

Friends Marcus and Ellen (Sweden) told me this story about when they were travelling on a local bus in Uganda with a pastor. They got off and gave 500 to the pastor for the journey – the bus driver suggested that the pastor could have charged 1000 and kept the money because they are mzungus (white people) and they don’t know the price. The pastor says that if you charge the correct fare to the mzungus then you will be blessed. The driver is not convinced and drives off but a few stops later the whole bus empties and another group of people fill the bus – another stop later the same thing happens – this means the bus driver gets a lot more money than he expects – he is amazed saying this has never happened before – and he asks who were these mzungus that have caused this blessing to happen – the pastor replies that they are men and woman of God. He is overheard later telling other bus drivers of his meeting with the people of God and the blessing that he encountered!

15. November 2015

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Martin’s Musical Mystery Tour 16

By Martin NeilMusic that inspiresNo Comments

Martin’s Musical Mystery Tour 16 – I am back in Sweden, this time on the East coast and for this blog I take a look at the unique Sami expression called joiking. Check out tracks from Sweden, Finland and Norway that all use this vocal technique.

Sofia Jannok is a Swedish, Sami artist, singer, songwriter, TV host of the radio and reindeer herders from Gällivare in northern Lapland. This song – Snölejoninna- was released on Sami National Day, 2015. Read More

8. November 2015

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