I’ve got a sore left eye. Resting tonight
Getting up early tomorrow morning
To look after Josie. Losing the fight
To write tonight, even though I’m feeling
Both bored and guilty. Once again fleeing
Responsibility. Consolation
In the Proms live on TV. This screening
Contains works by Berlioz and Mendelssohn
With such musical treasure, being alone
Is not such a big thing; rather, a flight
Through history, emotion, suffering…
I must mention the weather. Evening sun
After terrible downpours that have quite
Drenched July, and are still continuing
Thur 30 July 2009
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Friday, 22 April 2011
1054 - Siren
An endless siren calls through the night air
An ambulance? A police car? No, neither
It’s someone’s house or car alarm I hear
Maybe they’re on holiday, unaware
That their property’s causing such a stir
How fortunate that I’m not next door. Hey!
It’s stopped, and there is peace on earth once more
It’s just as well, for just about to play
Is Akiko Suwanai, backed by the
Orchestre National de Lyon: they’re
This evening’s Prom… Oh, not again! I hear
An ambulance or police car on its way
To some Salford emergency; despair
Somewhere, but who cares? There’s the orchestra!
Fri 24 July 2009
An ambulance? A police car? No, neither
It’s someone’s house or car alarm I hear
Maybe they’re on holiday, unaware
That their property’s causing such a stir
How fortunate that I’m not next door. Hey!
It’s stopped, and there is peace on earth once more
It’s just as well, for just about to play
Is Akiko Suwanai, backed by the
Orchestre National de Lyon: they’re
This evening’s Prom… Oh, not again! I hear
An ambulance or police car on its way
To some Salford emergency; despair
Somewhere, but who cares? There’s the orchestra!
Fri 24 July 2009
1050 - Stranded
Oh ye of little faith, fear not I’ve gone
I’m merely cut off from the internet
BT won’t take over my landline phone
Till Friday evening; till then I can’t get
My new broadband provider changed from shit
Pipex to O2, who should be better
And, next week, when I do, I shall post yet
More sonnets on my site, and update a
Networking site or two, to have greater
Coverage and include the things I’ve done
In the last month or two, such as a set
Of new songs. It’s quite good that I’ll get a
New email address: less junk mail will come
Yes! I’ll be back soon, so, my friends, don’t fret!
Mon 20 July 2009
I’m merely cut off from the internet
BT won’t take over my landline phone
Till Friday evening; till then I can’t get
My new broadband provider changed from shit
Pipex to O2, who should be better
And, next week, when I do, I shall post yet
More sonnets on my site, and update a
Networking site or two, to have greater
Coverage and include the things I’ve done
In the last month or two, such as a set
Of new songs. It’s quite good that I’ll get a
New email address: less junk mail will come
Yes! I’ll be back soon, so, my friends, don’t fret!
Mon 20 July 2009
1048 - Homework
A busy day at home… What did I do?
It’s all a beer-soaked blur now, finally
Amazingly, I cleaned all my windows
I’ve now got windows through which you can see!
I’ve almost finished a new track, to be
Called ‘Couldn’t Think Of Anything To Say’
It needs remixing, keyboard part, maybe
And after four hours doing that, a play
On the guitar, the first for many days
Watched Monty Python, ‘Elizabeth’ too
Cate Blanchett in love with Walter Raleigh!
Walter, he chased the Armada away
No sign of Francis Drake…But that’s how you
Keep the Yanks interested in history!
Sat 18 July 2009
It’s all a beer-soaked blur now, finally
Amazingly, I cleaned all my windows
I’ve now got windows through which you can see!
I’ve almost finished a new track, to be
Called ‘Couldn’t Think Of Anything To Say’
It needs remixing, keyboard part, maybe
And after four hours doing that, a play
On the guitar, the first for many days
Watched Monty Python, ‘Elizabeth’ too
Cate Blanchett in love with Walter Raleigh!
Walter, he chased the Armada away
No sign of Francis Drake…But that’s how you
Keep the Yanks interested in history!
Sat 18 July 2009
1044 - I woke at noon
I woke at noon - that’s a recent record
I’m still offline, though - have been since late June
That makes you feel cut off, as though the cord
That binds you to the world has not been thrown
To you, drifting in the ocean, alone…
Put up my photos on the computer
Watched video that I’d shot of Irish town
And country; a new musical idea
Came to me, but the track hasn’t appeared
Yet, except in my head; hard to record,
Tricky arrangements, more than just a tune
A blend of classical and rock, a near
Nightmare, but hopefully they won’t be bored…
Gave Andy late lift from airport to home
Tue 14 July 2009
I’m still offline, though - have been since late June
That makes you feel cut off, as though the cord
That binds you to the world has not been thrown
To you, drifting in the ocean, alone…
Put up my photos on the computer
Watched video that I’d shot of Irish town
And country; a new musical idea
Came to me, but the track hasn’t appeared
Yet, except in my head; hard to record,
Tricky arrangements, more than just a tune
A blend of classical and rock, a near
Nightmare, but hopefully they won’t be bored…
Gave Andy late lift from airport to home
Tue 14 July 2009
1043 - In Ireland 5 - Banter near Bantry
Stayed up listening to music and talking
And life plans and whatnot and feeling high
At the way my Irish trip was ending
With my music being liked by Tor and Ky
And invitations to return, to try
Recording my songs with good production
And also, and this could be fun for me
Taking part in group improvisation
Slept on the sofa at DarkWorld.com
Only a short sleep, second night running
Croissant for breakfast; Ky was looking tired
She had some work. Andy and me went down
To Durrus for a pint and sandwich. Things
Have ended up all right, then, finally
Mon 13 July 2009
And life plans and whatnot and feeling high
At the way my Irish trip was ending
With my music being liked by Tor and Ky
And invitations to return, to try
Recording my songs with good production
And also, and this could be fun for me
Taking part in group improvisation
Slept on the sofa at DarkWorld.com
Only a short sleep, second night running
Croissant for breakfast; Ky was looking tired
She had some work. Andy and me went down
To Durrus for a pint and sandwich. Things
Have ended up all right, then, finally
Mon 13 July 2009
1041 - In Ireland 3 - Cork and Kerry mountains
Torrential rain all day, till around six
Drove from Killarney to good old Bantry
Across the Gap of Dunloe, with its tricks
Of tight bends, sheep and rain, incessantly
Caught sixty winks down by the Bantry quay
And then found Bantry Boys’ Club (That was hard!)
Tonight was a good night for poetry
It seemed to go down well, seems to have scored
A local hit: a succession of bards
Some more traditional, some with music
Even some kids and food, additionally
And afterwards… What happened afterwards?
Oh yeah, more drinks and chat with the poets
Who’d come from all Ireland and overseas
Sat 11 July 2009
Drove from Killarney to good old Bantry
Across the Gap of Dunloe, with its tricks
Of tight bends, sheep and rain, incessantly
Caught sixty winks down by the Bantry quay
And then found Bantry Boys’ Club (That was hard!)
Tonight was a good night for poetry
It seemed to go down well, seems to have scored
A local hit: a succession of bards
Some more traditional, some with music
Even some kids and food, additionally
And afterwards… What happened afterwards?
Oh yeah, more drinks and chat with the poets
Who’d come from all Ireland and overseas
Sat 11 July 2009
1036 - Painful birth of a sound engineer
Been busy re-recording, last two nights
At least now you can hear the words properly
Whereas Sunday it all seemed a delight
Tonight saw problems with Audacity
(Sound recording software): it won’t let me
Use delay when I want, and I had to
Keep re-doing things, until finally
I had to give up. Disappointing, too
Was the new mic, when amplified: much too
Rough and distorted to use, though my flight
‘High Over Liverpool’ used it briefly.
The CD’s improved, however, thanks to
My curiosity on Sunday night
Finding sound effects on Audacity
Mon 6 July 2009
At least now you can hear the words properly
Whereas Sunday it all seemed a delight
Tonight saw problems with Audacity
(Sound recording software): it won’t let me
Use delay when I want, and I had to
Keep re-doing things, until finally
I had to give up. Disappointing, too
Was the new mic, when amplified: much too
Rough and distorted to use, though my flight
‘High Over Liverpool’ used it briefly.
The CD’s improved, however, thanks to
My curiosity on Sunday night
Finding sound effects on Audacity
Mon 6 July 2009
1031 - Summer rain
A hot day, once more with heavy showers
How long till flood reports come flooding in?
Meanwhile my net connection’s lost its power
I can’t post blogs or do my emailing
I put my Irish musical backing
On a CD and took it round Louis’
And emailed the tracks from there: here’s hoping
Ky gets them in the form of MP3s
I sacrificed Hebden to finish these
Out Thursday and Friday, so few free hours
Tomorrow it’s the slam competition
Friday, the school barbie. Eight burgers please!
They say that Walsh will win the slam, so there’s
My prediction… but upsets have been known…
Wed 1 July 2009
How long till flood reports come flooding in?
Meanwhile my net connection’s lost its power
I can’t post blogs or do my emailing
I put my Irish musical backing
On a CD and took it round Louis’
And emailed the tracks from there: here’s hoping
Ky gets them in the form of MP3s
I sacrificed Hebden to finish these
Out Thursday and Friday, so few free hours
Tomorrow it’s the slam competition
Friday, the school barbie. Eight burgers please!
They say that Walsh will win the slam, so there’s
My prediction… but upsets have been known…
Wed 1 July 2009
1028 - Sunday, Sunday
Sunday’s here again, scruffy attire
Sunny, mainly hot, and quite a lot done
Another poem soundtrack Kylyra
Will hopefully like over in Ireland
Especially when I read out the lyrics
Live in Bantry in July, lent a hand
By local backing vocalists; the sticks
Will rock that night; it should be a great mix
Of people and of styles. Was phoned by a
Piano teacher: Josie’s lunchtime fun
Starts Monday or Tuesday, with Amy picked
As her playing partner. And then, a choir
Of me, Pearl and Louis sang songs till ten.
Sun 24 June 2009
Sunny, mainly hot, and quite a lot done
Another poem soundtrack Kylyra
Will hopefully like over in Ireland
Especially when I read out the lyrics
Live in Bantry in July, lent a hand
By local backing vocalists; the sticks
Will rock that night; it should be a great mix
Of people and of styles. Was phoned by a
Piano teacher: Josie’s lunchtime fun
Starts Monday or Tuesday, with Amy picked
As her playing partner. And then, a choir
Of me, Pearl and Louis sang songs till ten.
Sun 24 June 2009
1025 - Look at last night
Last night went quite well; I did my three songs
Or rather, a short medley of the three
And then my poem. I didn't have long
Just 5 minutes had been given to me
Not many there,as far as I could see
Apart from performers, such as the band
Who turned up without amps, saved luckily
By Rob Goodier, who had two there on hand!
As usual, things did not quite go as planned
Refreshment-wise, things had turned out all wrong
Drove to buy cakes with Alex hurriedly
Then straight on stage, Rob's guitar in my hand
With which I did quite well, with my three songs
And at half-time, handed out my CD!
Thur 25 June 2009
Or rather, a short medley of the three
And then my poem. I didn't have long
Just 5 minutes had been given to me
Not many there,as far as I could see
Apart from performers, such as the band
Who turned up without amps, saved luckily
By Rob Goodier, who had two there on hand!
As usual, things did not quite go as planned
Refreshment-wise, things had turned out all wrong
Drove to buy cakes with Alex hurriedly
Then straight on stage, Rob's guitar in my hand
With which I did quite well, with my three songs
And at half-time, handed out my CD!
Thur 25 June 2009
1024 - Busy day off
A sunny summer’s day… They do exist!
And I was off work watching Jeremy Kyle
Then Trisha, then I had a shopping list
Then finished reading ‘The Color Purple’
Lent by ex-girlfriend not seen for a while
Had lunch and also watched Monty Python
Still not rehearsed for tonight (that’s my style:
Leave it till last moment…) Watched Wimbledon
But conscious now of the time moving on
I realised the chance was almost missed
To practice for tonight. Decided I’ll
Do a medley of three songs (two are on
My CD) and a poem, one that dissed
Comedians, and contained appropriate bile
Wed 24 June 2009
And I was off work watching Jeremy Kyle
Then Trisha, then I had a shopping list
Then finished reading ‘The Color Purple’
Lent by ex-girlfriend not seen for a while
Had lunch and also watched Monty Python
Still not rehearsed for tonight (that’s my style:
Leave it till last moment…) Watched Wimbledon
But conscious now of the time moving on
I realised the chance was almost missed
To practice for tonight. Decided I’ll
Do a medley of three songs (two are on
My CD) and a poem, one that dissed
Comedians, and contained appropriate bile
Wed 24 June 2009
1023 - Testing - one, two, three
My music’s still not finished, still not right
I’m chucking away the CDs I’ve made
I’m rerecording them for the third night
Till all the bum notes in them are erased
Still, that’s perfectionism. I’ve replaced
My microphone with a better version
Tonight and tomorrow won’t go to waste
I won’t stop working till the CD’s done
And when it is, I’ll start another one!
Also, rehearsing for tomorrow night
Is on the agenda. I’ve not yet made
My mind up what to do when my slot comes
Still, that’s me. Leave it till the last minute
After all, nothing good is done in haste
Tue 23 June 2009
I’m chucking away the CDs I’ve made
I’m rerecording them for the third night
Till all the bum notes in them are erased
Still, that’s perfectionism. I’ve replaced
My microphone with a better version
Tonight and tomorrow won’t go to waste
I won’t stop working till the CD’s done
And when it is, I’ll start another one!
Also, rehearsing for tomorrow night
Is on the agenda. I’ve not yet made
My mind up what to do when my slot comes
Still, that’s me. Leave it till the last minute
After all, nothing good is done in haste
Tue 23 June 2009
1014 - No time to do nothing
I thought I’d slept okay, had energy
To get through the day, starting with tennis
But I’m wiped out now. Maybe yesterday
And today I’ve been so active that a rest
Is what I need. But time is so precious…
I can’t rest while there’s songs to be arranged,
Recorded and learned. I just can’t dismiss
This dream, that, as I get older, seems strange
This dream that I’ll be at home on a stage
You’d think my recent fitness strategy
Would help me to make music my mistress
Push-ups, sit-ups, stretching, walks, sport…The page
Has turned from lazy ways, permanently
Or as long as motivation persists
Sun 14 June 2009
To get through the day, starting with tennis
But I’m wiped out now. Maybe yesterday
And today I’ve been so active that a rest
Is what I need. But time is so precious…
I can’t rest while there’s songs to be arranged,
Recorded and learned. I just can’t dismiss
This dream, that, as I get older, seems strange
This dream that I’ll be at home on a stage
You’d think my recent fitness strategy
Would help me to make music my mistress
Push-ups, sit-ups, stretching, walks, sport…The page
Has turned from lazy ways, permanently
Or as long as motivation persists
Sun 14 June 2009
1012 - The weekend starts here (in the office)
The weekend starts here, summery and light
It's the best time of year, makes us cheerful
There's hardly even such a thing as night
Makes the wine glass seem less empty, more full
Like the belly of the guy sitting all
Of five feet away, talking on the phone
My manager's started on the long haul
To Southport by train, eager to get home
And his manager, she wants to get goin'
We're all sick of our wage slavery plight
They want to be sat in their gardens, all
But me, who has no garden of his own
However, I'll make sure my evening's bright
I'll record some new songs, and learn them well
Fri 12 June 2009
It's the best time of year, makes us cheerful
There's hardly even such a thing as night
Makes the wine glass seem less empty, more full
Like the belly of the guy sitting all
Of five feet away, talking on the phone
My manager's started on the long haul
To Southport by train, eager to get home
And his manager, she wants to get goin'
We're all sick of our wage slavery plight
They want to be sat in their gardens, all
But me, who has no garden of his own
However, I'll make sure my evening's bright
I'll record some new songs, and learn them well
Fri 12 June 2009
1003 - Late night news summary
It’s nearly half-past one in the morning
I’ve been off work, at home most of the day
Then out in Yorkshire this sunny evening
To Hebden Bridge, to sing a song, and say
A poem; both went well. It’s a long way
To go and balls it up, after all. Saw
Live coverage of the House of Commons. They
Were lining up to slag off Gordon. Poor
Prime Minister (unelected). He swore
To end boom and bust, and to start cleaning,
Just like a broom, the dust of years away
Enacting all sorts of complex new law
He must finally now be regretting
Seizing power, without us getting a say
Wed 3 June 2009
I’ve been off work, at home most of the day
Then out in Yorkshire this sunny evening
To Hebden Bridge, to sing a song, and say
A poem; both went well. It’s a long way
To go and balls it up, after all. Saw
Live coverage of the House of Commons. They
Were lining up to slag off Gordon. Poor
Prime Minister (unelected). He swore
To end boom and bust, and to start cleaning,
Just like a broom, the dust of years away
Enacting all sorts of complex new law
He must finally now be regretting
Seizing power, without us getting a say
Wed 3 June 2009
998 - Friday afternoon, late spring
I'm lazing on a sunny afternoon
It's a Friday, and I'm in the office
I'll be making my way home very soon
When there will be no more taking the piss
No, then the real work begins. Mustn't miss
The chance to write some poems, maybe plan
A trip to Ireland, maybe even kiss
Guitar or keyboard with my loving hands
There's a call from the life insurance man
Changing to him could pay me to the tune
Of £100 cashback - very nice!
If there are freebies about, I'm a fan!
Meanwhile, and suddenly, it's almost June
Only half a month now till the solstice
Fri 29 May 2009
It's a Friday, and I'm in the office
I'll be making my way home very soon
When there will be no more taking the piss
No, then the real work begins. Mustn't miss
The chance to write some poems, maybe plan
A trip to Ireland, maybe even kiss
Guitar or keyboard with my loving hands
There's a call from the life insurance man
Changing to him could pay me to the tune
Of £100 cashback - very nice!
If there are freebies about, I'm a fan!
Meanwhile, and suddenly, it's almost June
Only half a month now till the solstice
Fri 29 May 2009
995 - A little night music
I’m not going to Europe this weekend
But what I am doing is what I love
I’m making music that will never end
Yes, music and me fit like hand in glove
Tonight, for instance, after work, a rough
Idea has been laid down, an artist’s sketch
Which will become a sculpture when enough
Time’s been spent chipping away, careful touch
With ears for eyes and hands, trying to catch
Each divine revelation that is sent
From my feminine angel up above
In time, melody, harmony will hatch
Into a strutting cockerel, loud, unpenned
Waking the lovers, making sounds of love
Tue 26 May 2009
But what I am doing is what I love
I’m making music that will never end
Yes, music and me fit like hand in glove
Tonight, for instance, after work, a rough
Idea has been laid down, an artist’s sketch
Which will become a sculpture when enough
Time’s been spent chipping away, careful touch
With ears for eyes and hands, trying to catch
Each divine revelation that is sent
From my feminine angel up above
In time, melody, harmony will hatch
Into a strutting cockerel, loud, unpenned
Waking the lovers, making sounds of love
Tue 26 May 2009
993 - Sunny music
A dreaded sunny day, so rare; so what
Should I do with it now that it is here?
I finished my song ‘The World At War’ that
Has tormented me for half of this year
I improved ‘High Over Liverpool,’ mere
Changes to volume levels on guitar
‘Deborah in February’ was my clear
Favourite to begin work on, but the star
In my heaven was near, in Manchester
And so, rather than start that song, I met
Her for a browse round St Anne’s Square. Yorkshire
Is where we’re going tomorrow by car
Hebden Bridge to be precise. But I put
Some tracks down for ‘Deborah’ this evening. Cheers!
Sun 24 May 2009
Should I do with it now that it is here?
I finished my song ‘The World At War’ that
Has tormented me for half of this year
I improved ‘High Over Liverpool,’ mere
Changes to volume levels on guitar
‘Deborah in February’ was my clear
Favourite to begin work on, but the star
In my heaven was near, in Manchester
And so, rather than start that song, I met
Her for a browse round St Anne’s Square. Yorkshire
Is where we’re going tomorrow by car
Hebden Bridge to be precise. But I put
Some tracks down for ‘Deborah’ this evening. Cheers!
Sun 24 May 2009
990 - Quantum sleep
A good night’s sleep, and I feel right as rain
Well, maybe not quite, more like morning dew
At least there’s dampness in the air, my veins
Are slowly flowing once again, thank you
Thank who? The great god of sleep, that is who
Hypnos, by name, from the Greek pantheon
Has helped my health and by stealth let me do
Normal things like going to work again
And though I’m short on energy, I’ve done
Just that. Soon, I’ll drive down to Josephine
Tonight at school, I’ll get her in the queue
For all-important piano tuition
Something I wish I’d had. It’s such a shame
Cos playing with both hands is hard to do
Thur 21 May 2009
Well, maybe not quite, more like morning dew
At least there’s dampness in the air, my veins
Are slowly flowing once again, thank you
Thank who? The great god of sleep, that is who
Hypnos, by name, from the Greek pantheon
Has helped my health and by stealth let me do
Normal things like going to work again
And though I’m short on energy, I’ve done
Just that. Soon, I’ll drive down to Josephine
Tonight at school, I’ll get her in the queue
For all-important piano tuition
Something I wish I’d had. It’s such a shame
Cos playing with both hands is hard to do
Thur 21 May 2009
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