We have all been shocked by the horrendous happenings in Norway and I have felt for my good friends in that beautiful country. In my thoughts I kept remembering a wonderful singer Hildegunn Vederhus who I had met this May in Norway. She told me some of the stories of her land and sang some of the old folk songs. This is just one (my friend John captured roughly on his Ipad) that she remembered from her childhood.
Here is her translation – very apt after the sadness of the last few days …. Read More
LATEST NEWS – Thanks Dan …. mixing done and dusted. Bit of a marathon as we had music tracks for CD and for DVD. The exciting thing is that the DVD will have over an hours worth of video clips. Now working on the cover design with our good friend Andy at JHarts. Mastering next week at Digital Audio in Skipton.
Thanks Alex for this little bit of madness …. and yes, it’s the cowbell again!
A UN-backed tribunal in Cambodia is holding its first hearing in the trial of four former top Khmer Rouge leaders.
A quick update on the Cambodia project – we are just finishing the last video for the DVD. There will be loads of material for the DVD as this time good friend Jerry Curd from Digital Image accompanied us to film. We hope to include – a clip on Cambodia – another about CCAM and their story – 5 videos of traditional Khmer dances – 3 traditional orchestra pieces – individual instruments – and a photo gallery of life.
Here is a collection of new videos recorded on our 2011 return trip to Tanzania. A great rainy season has brought the best harvest for over 8 years which in turn has made an unbelievable difference to life in the village. Celebration is everywhere, not only for provision, we have arrived at a very special time of year in central Tanzania as Gogo children head out of the village for male circumcision …. the drummers are in full voice, often celebrating all through the night. Their light weight drums are made from a wood called muheme.
Check out more videos ….. Read More
A chance discussion about old sounds resulted in a very special discovery. This instrument is the last one in the village and had not been played for around 20 years. With a dual purpose it gathered maize during the day and was turned upside down and used as a drum for certain occasions. It was mainly used during female circumcision and as that custom has died out completely, the instrument has also now been forgotten.
It’s a very special time of year in central Tanzania as Gogo children head out of the village for male circumcision …. the drummers are in full voice, often celebrating all through the night. Their light weight drums are made from a wood called muheme.
So here it is – THANKS to all who bought the Sing to the Well CD – we now have a finished medical dispensary. The first medical unit in this village. The interesting part of the story is that the government has now been kicked into action and they have almost completed a clinic which will be adjacent to this new dispensary. Unfortunately governmental red tape has stopped the opening of our facility until later in June. The government have promised that they will supply a doctor, nurse and supplies.
Very interesting …. a short video from a documentary out soon about the psychological and economic processes of transformation for a group of outcast/untouchable drummers in rural India.
