They made their instruments sing...

A few years ago, I wrote about my discovery of a hugely talented musician, Ludovico Einaudi (pronounced Ludoviko Ine (like in wine or dine) Audi (like the cars) ). Since then, my interest in him and admiration for his composing skills have continued to grow. Last Friday, I had the privilege of seeing him perform live.

It was one of the best concerts I have ever been to in my whole life. Spellbinding is the word I would use. He is primarily a pianist/composer and usually sticks to solo piano work. For this concert however, he had an orchestra with him to carry and emphasise his beautiful melodies. I went with my fab Mum to see this, and she described the experience as being in a place where together, Ludovico and his orchestra "made their instruments sing".

Earlier this year, he performed a warm up concert in London for this tour and a sample of this concert is available to watch online here. Obviously, it doesn't capture the full atmosphere of being there live, but perhaps if you watch it in full screen, switch off the lights and turn the volume up, it'll go some way.

Here's my favourite one, available on the video, "Waterways" is below. I hope you can spare a few minutes to watch it.

My all time favourite song of his is I Giorni, which he did play at the concert I saw, but it's not available in the video linked to above).

Thank you Ludovico for a magical night out. I won't forget it.

Alive and Drumming

The rush of playing live in a band.....

Alive and drumming

Stepping forth into the arena,
A band of merry gladiators appear,

Brandishing our weapons and ready to fight,
A vibrate sound we shall play here tonight,

Swords of different shape and size
Cheers from the crowds making our prize,

Oozing blood sweat and tears,
The reggae and funk fill our ears,

Chemicals rush into our bloodstream,
Charging with weapons at fullsteam,

Smiles and happiness fill the air around me
Did I just hear "have another cup of tea"?

Phil, You Great Big Cry Baby!

I get quite emotional a fair bit and I think that's very positive actually. Why be alive if you can't experience feelings? Very rarely though do I actually cry. It's not some sort of macho thing (anyone who knows me know I'm not macho!) that says I don't believe a guy can cry, it's just with me, whatever chemical reaction that has to happen in that moment to cause crying often doesn't take place.

Several songs, moments on a film/TV can get me all choked up and I feel that lump in my throat. However only once can I remember actually crying when watching TV. Rather humerously (and embarassing now!) it was when Kylie Minogue's character on "Neighbours", Charlene, did her final scene. It was 1988 and I would have been five or six years old (are you saying "awwww bless" yet??) and she drove off in an orange mini leaving her friends and family behind on Ramsey Street that I shed many tears. Awww! (ohh it looks like I'm not the only one)

Today, aged 28, I cried for the first time when listening to a song. As I say, there are many songs I could list (which I will provide if asked) that give me a lump in my throat. However, something in this song below caused that rush of whatever hormone it is to flow into my blood stream today.

The song in question is "Someone Like You", by Adele. It's so beautiful, accounting an experience of unrequited love. The lyrics are so powerful and return you to a moment experienced by many yet so personal to oneself.

This line in particular strikes a real chord with me:

"I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited but I couldn't stay away I couldn't fight it."
It reminds me of the time I turned up, unannounced at the home of the person for whom I had unrequited love. I was 14 years old (which turned out to be year 2 of an 8 year thing I had for her!) and I went up to hers with the aim of confessing my feelings to her. I chickened out at the last minute.

So, get a tissue at the ready, watch and admire.

Ray LaMontagne

I've just discovered this singer, Ray LaMontagne, who I saw for the first time a few weeks ago on Later...with Jools Holland.

He's the type of singer I really like. One who's songs have a poetic quality to them. I think musicians such as this are a rare breed, who are actually poets that use their instruments instead of pens in which to write their works of art with.

I only feel sorry for the fact that my ears did not discover him sooner!

This is (so far) my favourite song. Beautiful.

This Is The Way We Play The Caixa

You know, it's weird how a person, a place, or an experience you don't think anything of at the time can evolve to become the inspiration to pen (or type) a poem.

Recently, I have started going to a drumming/percussion workshop on a Sunday evening put on by the London School of Samba (although ironically I'm not going to tonights as I have man flu). I don't attend the dance or costume making things as I'm not into that (two left feet, only wear jeans). I've only been to the drumming one three or four times so far, but I've really enjoyed the atmosphere created when a room full of people come together to make some (organised!) noise under the instruction of the "conductor" called Fred (I believe there's another one as well who conducts but it's always been Fred by chance on the weeks I have been).

This Is The Way We Play The Caixa

Brigadier General Fred takes his place,
Standing high above his troops,

"Today soldiers, we go forth to face our enemy,
Be ferocious in battle, but magnanimous in victory,

Tame the beast, make friends with it,
Its name - The Samba. Now let us commence",

Our army's name: The Bateria,
Our weapons are cleaned and ready for use,

The order to move up is issued by our commander,
"Standby, standby, GO!",

The engines of the Surdos roar into action,
As intimidating as any tank should be,

Following on in their masses - the Caixas,
The ever-present loyal and skilled infantrymen,

Bolstering the Caixas are the Repiniques,
Specialised in both weapon and hand-to-hand combat,

Supporting these forces, the Tamborims,
Diligent and competent engineers,

Combining their strengths are the Agogos and Chocalhos,
This signals corp defines our regimental march,

Our strengths are numerous,
We hold the ground,

Chanting the spirit of,
Dagga dagga da boom bang!

(I'm not in any of these ones by the way, but gives you an idea of things!)

John Monteleone

Time for another treat from Mark Knopfler.

Rather than me waffle on (and regular readers will know I'm good at that!), I'll simply encourage you to listen attentively to Mark Knopfler's commentary before playing the song "Monteleone", a song about instrument maker, John Monteleone and his passionate craftsmanship. Mark is clearly a very clever guy!

The song, inspired me to write my own version (though no where near as beautifully scripted), "Don, The Carpenter".

Mark Knopfler at The Royal Albert Hall

So, folks this is how I spent my Wednesday evening.....!



The fact I have a "markknopfler" label suggests I'm a rather big fan. That suggestion would be correct!

The setting for this auspicious event was the Royal Albert Hall in London. I have never been inside it before, seeing it only from the outside and a few times on TV. If you haven't been, a suggestion for you.....Go! I think this is probably now one of my favourite buildings in the world, primarily because of its interior, though its exterior is distinguished too.


- Source, Wikipedia: Photographer "Snowmanradio"

Known famously for its hosting of The (BBC) Proms, The Royal Albert Hall which opened in 1871 has a Victorian grandeur charm about it. If you click on the "Virtual Tour" (more 360 image than tour), then after your gasps of "Wow, that's beautiful", click on "Grand Tier". This was the view we had for the Mark Knopfler concert. Not bad eh!

Mark Knopfler as is always the case, was on top form. It's true that he's not as quick as he was back in his Dire Straits days. However, he is still a very talented musician who wowed the audience with his skills. I won't reveal the full set list as the tour is still ongoing, but he performed a mixture of old Dire Straits songs, and many from his solo albums including his most recent, Get Lucky.

One feature I particularly enjoyed was during one song (I don't think it's spoiling it to say it was during Sultans of Swings as this is an essential number for him to perform during any tour!), was a special camera placed at the top of the guitar (where it's tuned - I don't know the name of it, so I'm going to call it the shaft!). This pointed downwards to show his finger picking and projected onto a giant screen. Though I said he had naturally slowed down over the years, when this image was displayed I quickly thought "Slowed yes, but not by much!".

He led into Sultans of Swings from Romeo and Juliet. Melodically, Romeo and Juliet is not one of my favourites (it's still high up there, I just prefer the more upbeat ones), lyrically it is by far my favourite. If you read the lyrics, I hope you'll agree that it's a beautifully crafted work of art by a man who arguably is as good a poet as he is a musician. His performance of this live, had a particular poignancy for me because of the good friend (and my unofficial adopted sister!) that I went with. Years ago when she was going through some tough times, I used a line from the song to convey my offer of help, should she need it. I said simply "I can't do everything, but I'll do anything for you". I think, and hope that stuck in both of our minds and so being able to hear that in her presence, sung live by the composer was a touching moment.

So, overall a wonderful evening. Great talent, great seats, great venue, great company, great music, great Mr Knopfler!

One of the five nights he played was recorded and available for purchase. I bought the USB stick. Well worth it! Technically it was from a different night, but it was exactly the same format and if I hadn't seen it was from the 30th May rather than June 2nd, I'd not have been able to tell any difference. If you like Mark Knopfler, do whatever you have to do (sell a kidney, sell your body!) to be able to buy this!.

Here are a few pictures (sadly not great quality as taken with a cameraphone and you really need a proper camera for these kinds of shots).....


Outside the Royal Albert Hall



Photo provided by my unofficial adopted sister.



The view from our "box".



The view from our "box".

Unprepared For Your Golden Heart

Well now my little cherubs (cherub?!), it's been far too long since I posted a Mark Knopfler video. So here is one.

I just love the lyrics for this song, they're so beautiful (as they all too often are from Mr Knopfler!). Full lyrics (which I strongly recommend reading) can be found here at MarkKnopfler.com

"Nothing in the world prepared me for your heart,
Your heart,
Nothing in the world that I love more,
Your heart,
Your heart,
Your Golden Heart"


A slightly higher quality video of the song is available here. I just didn't use it because "Embedding disabled by request".

Does Whatever A Blog Post Does

Check out this wonderful piano composition of The Simpsons theme tune.

Spectacular skill!

Play That Funky Music White Boy

I've always wanted to learn to play the drums, maybe one day I will.....This is so I can live out my secret (and now public) desire to be a drummer in a rock band.

A bit like this guy...

Ludovico Einaudi - A Master at Work

You know how sometimes you're watching TV and an advert or programme trailer will come on with backing music that really appeals to you? Well one recently for a BBC show had a piece of classical piano music that struck a chord with me (well many chords in fact!). So as many "smartphone" users like myself do nowadays when this happens, I whip out my phone and use Shazam to find out what it is.

The song in question was "I Giorni" by Ludovico Einaudi, an Italian composer and pianist. I did some searching on iTunes for other songs he had composed, and it turns out he also wrote "Le Onde" which I seen on TV and thoroughly enjoyed. And so, I have bought one of his albums; "La Scala Concert 03.03.03" (opens in iTunes).

Here are my two favourite songs, "I Giorni" and "Le Onde" below, on YouTube.

Beautiful.

Road Trip or Midlife Crisis?

Today I bought this - Best Rock Anthems.....Ever! (opens in iTunes)



I don't know if this means I am entering the early stages of a midlife crisis (at age 27!), or if it's just my romantic view of a road trip across the United States being stimulated! Either way, there are some classics on here!

Our Shangri-La

Well now, well now boys and girls (maybe just boy and girl, maybe even just boy i.e. me!), it's been at least a few days since I mentioned Mark Knopfler!

This song, Our Shangri-La is in my opinion one of Mark's most beautifully composed songs - both melodically and lyrically. We all have our "Shangri-La" and likely this song will take you to yours (YouTube video is at the bottom, but it's there because I strongly encourage the lyrics are read first!).


It's the end of a perfect day
For surfer boys and girls
The sun's dropping down in the bay
And falling off the world

There's a diamond in the sky,
Our evening star
In our Shangri-La

Get that fire burning strong
Right here and right now
It's here and then it's gone
There's no secret, anyhow.

We may never love again
To the music of guitars
In our Shangri-La

Tonight your beauty burns
Into my memory
The wheel of heaven turns

Above us endlessly
This is all the heaven we've got
Right here where we are
In our Shangri-La

Tonight your beauty burns
Into my memory
The wheel of heaven turns
Above us endlessly

This is all the heaven we've got
Right here where we are
In our Shangri-La

In our Shangri-La
In our Shangri-La


Lyrics from MarkKnopfler.com
© 2007 - 2010 MarkKnopfler.com

Sultans of Swing

So, yeah as previously mentioned, I am a massive fan of Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits.

This week, I had the very good excuse of looking for my favourite Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits songs - and the good versions of them.

If you watch one video today, let it be this one!

If This Is Goodbye

I am a massive fan of Mark Knopfler. He is my favourite musician and in my opinion one of the most gifted songwriters of all time. Songs such as Money for Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, Sultans of Swings, Going Home (theme from Local Hero), Golden Heart, Sailing to Philadelphia and Remembrance Day are all examples of his landmark pieces of genius. I would list all the ones I like, but my fingers would get tired from all the typing!

Recently, he performed an intimate concert for the Prince's Trust, which was shown over Christmas on the Biography Channel

In it, he talks about one of the songs on an earlier album titled 'If This Is Goodbye'. Although, I have listened to it many many times over the last few years, what I didn't realise about it, was that writing this song was Knopfler's way of discussing 9/11. The song is basically about those phone calls made from the twin towers and the planes, and although completely tragic, what can be taken from those calls is that whatever happens to humans - whatever is thrown at the decent folk of the world, our ability to love will always triumph, and it is that which should be taken from the attack. This is the article written by Ian McEwan referenced by Knopfler in the video below.

I will never be able to listen to that song in the same way again.

Here are those lyrics:


My famous last words
Are laying around in tatters
Sounding absurd
Whatever I try
But I love you
And that's all that really matters
If this is goodbye
If this is goodbye

Your bright shining sun
Would light up the way before me
You were the one
Made me feel I could fly
And I love you
Whatever is waiting for me
If this is goodbye
If this is goodbye

Who knows how long we've got
Or what were made out of
Who knows if there's a plan or not
There is our love
I know there is our love

My famous last words
Could never tell the story
Spinning unheard
In the dark of the sky
But I love you
And this is our glory
If this is goodbye
If this is goodbye


From Oldielyrics.com

The performance is also available on YouTube