Category Archives: Delta Ladies

A few thoughts on playing and composing music

Delta Ladies, Diana Stones Songs, Musings, piano works, whatever

I took myself out for a brief ride in the surround countryside today. It’s all looking wonderful out there. I didn’t take any pictures today though.  Life goes on pretty much the same as ever at the moment. A steady rhythm, week in and week out as the seasons change.

A few thoughts on playing and composing  music:

Weirdly I accidently learnt a Flanagan and Allen song, “Forget me not lane” I was playing through a late 1940s songbook. Original paper published music (piano copy), not a reprint. And played it a couple of times and I have now memorized it. The piano copies were made relatively easy to read so usually not more that 5 note harmony and never anything more than 3 ledger lines above the treble clef. Also most things I hear I can play a version of on Piano almost straight off. I could always do this to an extent but the ability to do it seems to have improved a lot. Violin is of course easy to do as mostly it’s only one note with the odd double stop. Its as if my subconscious does all the work now.  Also with the current collaborations I am having to stretch my music muscles a bit to learn the new material.  It’s still predominantly USA listeners to my online music at present. I think this is because its loosely either rock towards prog and or folk or jazz/blues influences. Europe tends towards pop/dance more. A few outliers in the east of europe and on to the far East. Of course the stats only really show listeners with an account in the main so the actual geographical distributions may be a bit skewed.

I realise that one thing I would like to do again is work with a lyricist. I always have music bubbling up but words not so much. In the 80s I use to get people to send me lyrics (in the post) which I would set to music and send them a cassette tape back. 

So How Did We Get Here

Delta Ladies, Diana Stones Songs, glass cage, history, music, Musings, other

The last couple of years have been a rough ride mentally for me and have left me somewhat exhausted.  One foot in front of the other and all that, a  day at a time and other cliches.  It’s hard though. I have learnt a few things though, mostly about myself. Things like, you can’t like or understand all of the people all of the time and trying to messes your head up. I have given up on trying to figure out other people’s motivations or at least trying to. I am also having trouble trusting people and getting perhaps a little paranoid. That’s I guess the effect of years depression sadly. I suppose it may make me seem just a bit unfriendly but I used to be a lot jumpier a few years back unbelievably.      

I have just got my latest release approved “Moving Through The Vale” which will be available on Amazon Apple Spotify and so forth from October 22. The title is a bit ambiguous but what’s life if we can’t have  a little mystery. 

This track is not on the release though.

I am spending far too much time watching old retro TV at the moment. Its comfortable like an old blanket on the sofa perhaps.  It  is an aid to sanity in a small way. Easy access to the familiar. I used to wonder why so many older people seemed to live in the past. Now I know though I never thought I would feel that way.

Diana Stone Sunny uplands
Diana Stone at the Keys 2020
Diana Stone and Ralph Stephenson
Indeed
Diana Stone Is Trouble
Diana Stone making a phone call

   

   

       

Well That Was Different.

Delta Ladies, Diana Stones Songs, disabilty and health news, glass cage, music, Musings, other, whatever

The day prior  writing this I was making a video of a live performance of what will be a promotional tool for Jon Bickley’s forth coming CD. We played through the tracks in sequence and shoot it outdoors at a secret location.  It was quite fun to do and the weather held out remarkably well too. We also had some still shots done for the prospective   album cover and other publicity purposes. Then a drive back up the M1  and home.  Playing a set of songs to an audience of one (our cameraman) was weird though. 

I just did a covid test so at the time of writing I am clear.  I have had 6 clear tests since July. I only really have interaction with a couple of people but my partner is in contact with a few more folk in the weekly social groups.  Its my belief that I may have had a mild covid infection in early 2020 but I have no way of  proving or disproving this unfortunately.  I was in contact with several people who may well have been infectious for some time and others who subsequently went on to get it within a short period of time.  Was it just luck or had I quickly built up immunity somehow? Do i still have if so and whats my level of risk to both myself and others?

We are now at the start of September and the weather is very uncertain. We may get a  touch of late winter sun, but it’s been a bit gloomy and the urge to say in bed is difficult to fight right now.  I am getting on with stuff though just going day by day though. What else can one do ultimately. 

A friend of mine is still very much concerned with the possibility of getting a serious covid infection.  So they are keeping themselves away from as many people as possible. Logical but as they have been double vaccinated they may actually be more at risk through not having any additional exposure to continue to build their immunity.  I understand their concern but wonder  if ultimately they may be in a riskier position due to this attitude.   Still we can really only make our own informed decisions about all this and advice whilst it may be given may really not suit someone else’s circumstances.

I had a visit from Danny (Delta Ladies percussion and Oud player) and he played his Kora. We recorded a couple of tracks and chatted. We went through what we had been doing for during  the various lockdowns and restrictions.   It must be about a year since Danny was last here.  That was a pleasant change. it feels like time is standing still in some respects though. 

I am not sure if there is a way forward from all this personally.  I feel it would be tempting fate to make any plans frankly. It would be nice if there was but I am not counting on it.  Maybe I need to be a bit more zen about it all and see where I end up? 

“ Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”

Marcus Aurelius