Gosh a mighty, forsooth tis Christmas time again. Cease-fire per chance. That would be nice don’t yah think. Will the bombs be falling on Christmas day this year? Looks like it. Somebody prove me wrong. Please. At the time of writing they are. I am trying to not think about it, but that is really hard. I watched the Christmas Dr Who, fun but very silly as you might imagine. Also likely to upset the the GB News fans of the J the Mog and assorted gammons. It will be fun to see the reviews, though most so far have been quite positive. I opened a couple of low key Christmas presents. Its hard going though with no social stuff for a while.

Christmas is always hard work for me. But it doesn’t last too long really. I am starting to get that loose wire in the junction box feeling as if something is shorting out, sparking, leaking to earth or needs tightening up or possible re-soldering. I am chasing my tail a bit at the moment to be honest. I have just been to put the rubbish out and its very quiet here. “Still” as they used to say. I have had a few Christmas messages on various WhatsApp groups and the usual Facebook stuff. On days like this it is easy though to feel like an outsider I find. Necks aching now too. I have fallen behind with my exercise routine too which is very important for me to keep mobile and keep certain pains at bay. Having taken a short stroll, gosh it is warm for December, but very, very quiet. Also I seem to be suffering from slight gastric over indulgence too as well, and my stomach has made conversational sounds. Though I really am not the type for gluttony in the main.

I had a thought about music. or more specifically I think as an experiment I may try and write/create/record songs that are a little more obvious in 2024. I have have tried this on one number recently and it was well received, Also I tried out the vocal effect box on my last track which was a bit weird and not my best effort but the vocals worked in the context of the music in terms of production very well. Working on you own gives freedom but it can also lead to dead ends and a lack of connection to the common experience. have been carrying on as per normal today, mostly music related as you might expect. My energy is a tad depleted to put it mildly. Sometimes in artistic and creative terms you get to a point where you feel like you are just chasing your tail.

At the End of the Day

Its a Violin and Orchestra thing, (fake orchestra as I couldn’t get a real one in my bijou studio room) or on the staircase like Joe Meek 🙂

I have just been figuring out the sampling function on my new keyboard. Its very basic but I did manage to get it going and it might be useful once in a blue moon.

A friend asked about bass as they play a little bit and there were asking for advice. Always dangerous, especially asking me about. I also play bass but not often and hardly ever live. But despite not being an authority on such matters I proffered the following. Some bass parts are almost a melody. The best ones are often a counter melody. But equally well there is a lot of root and 5th stuff. Motown often was just a root note played very rhythmically and percussively with a pick. Rock bands (60s and 70s)often had a lot of movement in the bass. PM played a lot of bass parts that were “tunes” in Beatles songs. Anything goes as long as the phrasing is right with a good feel. So a song mighty have root notes then a walk up or down to the Chorus , and maybe something like a counterpoint thing in the bridge. But double stops should be used with care as should arpeggios generally speaking. As to what is correct? Well that’s a matter for who ever wrote the tune or is leading the band…. Jazz bass walks a lot obviously. What’s correct is what serves the song. Some songs almost have the melody played an octave or two down. Some bands the bass just plays one note in the chord and that’s that, (usually with the bass drum). Piano often has contrapuntal movement in the left hand. So what maybe just do whatever you think works and hopefully everyone else will think it works too. With no disrespect to bass players generally, for simpler music you don’t need to be a genius. Just feel the music.

We carry on as normal at Christmas pretty much but have a veggie Christmas Dinner of sorts, open a couple of presents. Maybe watch a daft film if there is one that appeals to both of us. So very low key this year. That’s Ok really though.

My life is fairly staid these days. Making music at home for online distribution. Playing live a bit and just rolling along with no particular ambition. When I am not depressed its more than enough for me really now. I know I couldn’t gig the way we used to as I don’t have the same stamina. That doesn’t mean I can’t do things, but a more measured approach seems to work. Enjoying what I can do and not getting too down if I have a bad day. or even week which can happen. I am now the same age Vicky Martin was when she had the quadruple bypass op and I fid I just cant compete with people in there early 40s anymore in terms of energy, (mental or physical) so a bit of coming to terms is required. The incident with my eye was a real reminder that I am ageing. In 2022 I was trying every possible musical opportunity and it got frustrating in the end. This year I had to an extent given up and its worked out OK mostly. Next year is as ever in the lap of the gods of course, If I am spared…..

I never was good in the mornings

Just a quick song that came out of nowhere as they often do. More of a demo than the finished article to be honest.

The season is upon us and there’s nothing we can do. At present that’s exactly what I do. Something rather than nothing. That’s why I don’t stop. When I feel that I really cant be bothered anymore I will feel my race is run. In winter each year I do often get slow and morbid. The kindly voices say to me, “it’s ok you’ve done enough”. They are the kindly siren voices of doom, so I must not let them lure me on the rocks just yet. One day though they will be right of course….

The wind did wake me yesterday about 04.00. My energy is a tad depleted to put it mildly. Sometimes in artistic and creative terms you get to a point where you feel like you are just chasing your tail. I finished recording a song and I am not sure about it all. I though it was good when I started it, but I suspect it may be pants after all. Only you the jury can decide. My head is full of thoughts that I cant control, that I was hoping would have faded a bit. Even when you are past it, are you really past it?

And in the news:

Proof the worlds gone mad in the Telegraph newspaper: “Britain has pinned its hopes on Donald Trump for a US trade deal after Joe Biden scrapped early stage talks. Whitehall sources told The Telegraph ministers hoped a post-Brexit free trade agreement (FTA) could be revived under a second Trump administration after next November’s US election.”

Surely he can get elected if he is under house arrest or something, though it is of course the “Land of the Free” apparently.