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.
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.
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!
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
Martin’s Musical Mystery Tour – Ok so this month’s blog was inspired by a joke! Like drummers, accordion players also get the brunt of them, and so let’s take a listen. We start off with Greek singer and composer Magda Giannikou, who is joined here with the band Snarky Puppy. Check our her group Banda Magda.
Thanks Seth Gidiony – just got sent some pictures from Mnase village showing the dispensary storm damage and then repairs being made to the broken windows. So thankful to all who bought the CD Sing to the Well project. Finances still help with continued community support.
I am back after a Swedish tour with musician friend Mark Riley from Hawai’i. During a couple of days off, I got to capture some video of this beautiful country. I also met up with Annelie Westerlund from Alingsås, who talked about the resurgence of folk music. She also told me some great stories of how music had impacted her life and how she was able to use music to encourage others.
After many trips to Sweden I finally got a chance to sit with a Nyckleharpa player. I had heard the stories and seen videos but this was the first time to see the instrument up close – and what a work of art. The making of instruments always fascinates me and I could see the influences of the hurry-gurdy that must have inspired the inventors way back in the mists of time. This particular instrument was made by Annelie Westerlund’s father. Read More
I found this curious sand hourglass in a church on Skaftö Island, Sweden. In days past, an hourglass was turned when the priest started preaching. Apparently, if he didn’t finish before the sand ran out, permission was given for people to leave the church!
This remote island community of around 2000, explodes during the summer vacation to over 20,000! Arriving after the storm is like walking into a very beautiful ghost town, almost all the shops are closed and only a few tourist stragglers are to be found enjoying the peace and quiet. Read More
Fragile Warriors (New Zealand)
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Carry Me On (Hawaii) CD - Exciting news - Remastered version available NOW
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We Face into The Wind (Northumbria)
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Sing to the Well (Tanzania) CD & DVD - 100% sales to Tanzania
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These Things of Love (Hawaii) CD
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Steps and Stones (Hawaii) CD
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The Finer Things in Life (Kevin Prosch & Bryn Haworth)
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