Category Archives: Musings

Sun and Rain and Wind Again.

Musings
Diana (Poodle) Stone at the Piano
















Wet day at the Piano again

I played a retirement home last week with Orchard our trio incarnation. It was good fun though I had the feeling some of the people there were actually younger than me and it earnt me 6 Bottles of wine worth of folding stuff which whilst not a kings or queens ransome will come in handy. The musical outlook is much less bleak than it was this time last year in terms of live performances and opportunities’ to generally which is heartening. 2 years ago I honestly thought at one point I would never be playing any gigs again. I actually have 6 acts if you include Jon Bickley the Folky and stuff with Irish Martin and the “Also Rans”). All rather different from each other and its stopped me from becoming a purely internet/bedroom artist whilst also helping with my mental and physical health generally. Like many people the covid restrictions were hard going for me and have left

I did an interesting exercise. I made a list of the people I know at present that I am actually in face to face contact with. There are 15 that I could have a good chat with about stuff and about 4 I could have a chat of a more personal sort. 13 of then are working pro or semi pro musicians or of a musical bent. So I am not doing to badly considering . That’s a lot of people by my standards. A lot of people get to my time of life and become quite isolated.
Having bipolar doesn’t help and it is very difficult on any sort of relationship/friendship from personal experience. I have what’s called “Rapid Cycling” so my mood can change from very low to quite happy (life and soul of the party) to extreme paranoia and anger though fortunately not too often these days. I can sort of function well enough but if I get over stimulated, very busy, that sort of thing it can kick off. That’s why much as I love live music I need to be a bit careful what I take on. It’s frustrating at times though. Keeping friends requires some care too.

Whist writing this I am feeling a bit ropey and hoping its not covid again so I will do a test in a moment. I have been out and in company quite a bit recently so I would like to eliminate that possibility at least. And it’s clear so that’s OK.

I am recording a very silly grungy track at present (almost moronic in its essence), because why not. Sometimes you have to. it might be rubbish, who knows? One annoying at present is the damp, I know the trees and plants need it but it really makes me ache so much and the only fix is turning the heating up or going to bed. The last few years at this time it’s been pretty warm.


Here is a song I recorded from a couple of years ago

Play Times Over



What’s to be Done?

Musings

We can’t slow down time but some people seem to just give up at a certain point in life. Perhaps they are perfectly content in some bovine manner to chew cud and wait for the slaughter house? Makes you wonder at times. I would rather be doing until I am done so to speak. But sometimes it’s difficult. Yesterday my back kicked off after I unwisely spent a couple of hours watching TV seated on the sofa and could hardly stand up. That was a shock to system dear reader without doubt. A bit of a worry.

And guess what another tune. Not quite sure what this is exactly, a sort of semi modal, jazzy thing. So here it is then, “Don’t Trust The Spring Dance”

My various band projects are steadily making progress at the moment which is very pleasing too. Beyond that is just keeping on keeping on. At the time of writing this it’s now 4 years to the day since Vicky Martin died after a gig at the Slaughtered Lamb and the whole routine of regular gigs seems a world away from what I do now. “Things ain’t what they used to be” by any means now. I have made new friends among my musical co-conspirators which is pleasing.

Spring is trying get going just about now which makes things look a little more cheery too.

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts”.

Marcus Aurelius

Roman Emperor



Aprils Here, Say Hello

music, Musings

A few more gigs and guest spots in the last few weeks makes it feel almost like the old days again in some respects. But lots of different people to work and play with which is really pleasant. My mental health is slightly fragile again, so I need to pace myself a little and not get over stimulated too much. Nothing too serious but an error in judgement gave me a bit of stress earlier in the week. Hopefully things will be OK now but I didn’t see it coming. I can usually manage my ups and downs pretty well these days on the whole, but I got caught out.
Whoops. Hopefully not too much damage has been done in the longer term.

So music, music and more music. So here is a new tune:

The lyrics for this song were generated by AI after I fed it with a theme for the lyrics and certain key words and phrases. I have to say I was quite impressed with the results. Amazing.

In other news, well to be honest there is not much other news at present. My adjustment to being a proper pensioner seems to be pretty much underway now, though I don’t really see myself that way and yet I am now well into the foothills of golden oldie territory. It sneaks up on you unbenounced. I am still sitting here with the cage door open and not doing much more than popping my head out at times I feel. Having the pension coming in has made a huge difference of course but I still feel a little bit at sea. I still need to make a couple of local acquaintances as there is stuff I could go to but I dont fancy it on my own. I hope I can fix that with luck. What odd is that I didn’t seem to seek out company quite as much as I do now these days. Maybe when I was at home I was busier a few years back? Something is different.