The Heart of everything that is – Bob Drury & Tom Clavin
This book is more than the story of Red Cloud, the great Sioux warrior; it is a history of the Great Plains, chronicling the story of the land and it’s tribes. The ancient way of life is forced to change as a trickle of pioneers from the East coast turns to a rush of settlers to the gold fields in the West. This book is an incredibly honest narrative of the men and woman behind the stories of intrigue, councils, trade, betrayal and confrontation.
Martin’s Musical Mystery Tour – I have just been in Mexico and met a young conga player from the Dominican Republic. One evening we shared music and I got to hear some incredible sounds from his Caribbean home. So this month’s blog is a pick of his suggestions.
Juan Luis Guerra is apparently one of the most internationally recognised Latin artists of recent decades. I love his style of merengue and Afro-Latin fusion which has given him considerable success throughout Latin America (this You Tube clip has had 7 million hits). He is also credited for popularising bachata music on a global level and is often associated with this genre.
Nothing to do with music – but hilarious! English humour at it’s best!
Aster Aweke is a popular Ethiopian singer born in Addis Ababa and now living in the USA. I love this track that shows her incredible range and vocal versatility.
Sitting chatting and listening to You Tube clips from around the world with our friends Martha (Inuit) and Joseph (Pueblo). They showed me this wonderful clip from the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada.
Remember reading a book written by Daniel J. Levitin, a rock musician who turned his attention to cognitive neuroscience. This clip ventures down the same paths to try and explain some of the theory behind the musician and his brain.
Beware the panic effect that accompanies the high cost of studio time: one becomes increasingly oriented toward results, and progressively less inclined to engage in experimental activities that might not lead anywhere. As a result of this, one focuses one’s attention on the safe bet, on the tried and tested techniques.
Enjoy this fantastic French documentary called Latcho Drom (“safe journey”) that brings a little insight into the journey of the Romany people through musicians and dancers (there is very little dialogue). I love how the musical sound and styles have evolved as the communities have wandered from India, to Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, France, and Spain.
Martin’s musical mystery tour – This month’s blog comes from Switzerland. I have just come back from Geneva where I have been working for the last 10 days – also had a couple of days exploring inland and re-visiting Montreux, a lakeside city that has had links with the music industry since the 70’s – Smoke on the Water!!
