Music... the language of friendship

Music is the language of friendship

Last month I had the opportunity to play in Paris.

When I go out to play I sometimes have my friend Richard Burrell play the second guitar. but for the most part, I am a solo performer....My guitar and I 

One of the challenges i find with playing on my own is that I sometimes feel uncomfortable (or maybe it’s just nerves) playing with other musicians especially if I've NEVER played with them or heard any of their work.

It was suggested that I play with four Paris based musicians on the last day of the tour.  My initial reaction was of course erm… nope.

I finally said yes when I was told that the bass player had been rehearsing the songs for a few days and the flute player asked for a set list to start her own rehearsals.

I figured that the least I could do when musicians had gone the extra mile to listen to my music and book a rehearsal space was to give it a listen and perhaps add another dimension to my experience in Paris.

Rehearsals was set at Sybil’s (the flute player’s) flat.

A few weeks before the tour, I was asked to write a song for an event GELE TEA a couture fashion event that helps raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. I wrote and performed the song “MEMORIES” at the event and have since played the song at gigs. 

The song apart from it being about the obvious subject matter of memory loss, for me, it also is a song about trust and friendship.

Rehearsals felt like I was playing with long lost friends. It felt VERY familiar.

Shafik (the drummer with the warmest smile) did put a wider smile on my face on the train home when he said 

                  “I don’t speak English but I speak music”

Enjoy the video of us rehearsing “MEMORIES” below 

SHAFIK PERCUZONG - Percussion 

SYBILLA BARTHES - Flute

NATHALIE DURAND - Bass 

Lánre - Live In Paris (Part Deux)

This time last month, I was preparing to play my final show, of a 6 date tour in Paris 

I met up with three amazing musicians I had never met before, they reminded me of why I do what I do.... I will tell you more about that in a different blog.

For now here is a short video of some of what happened behind the scenes; 

From pretending to play a piano to free styling with the lovely Doréa in the hope of getting people to come out to the final gig. 

Every artist needs a Doréa.... (will tell you about her some other time ;) )



ENJOY x

MÁ GBÀGBÉ

Má Gbàgbé

VIDEO DIRECTED BY Olan Collardy

SONG PRODUCED BY Goz-I-am 

Inspiration

Inspiration is so beautifully intriguing.....

sometimes it comes looking for you, sometimes it hides and you have to dig deep to find it. One thing is for sure, when it finds you or you it and you come together as one, something really special happens. 

I now describe that thing as 'Divine'

I came across actor Lukas DiSparrow on Facebook (you may have seen him in the Harry Potter or Sherlock Holmes movies) Apart from his passion for acting, he is also very passionate about telling stories through his lens.

He heard my song 'inspiration' and came up with an idea for filming the song.

We fixed a date, got our tickets and made our way to Bournemouth.


We spent the best part of the day on the beach. My guitar, notebook and pen in hand, Lukas directed and followed me around with his camera. 

He captured his visual interpretation of the song and below is our whole day zipped into four minutes and twelve seconds. 

Hope you like it as much as we do. 

L O V E is...

Just when I think I know what LOVE is, I come across Ian & Larissa's story....

and my perspective is challenged AGAIN. 

L O V E is...

more than a F O U R letter word.

                                              

Singing for Change

I sing 

of the beauty of Athens

without it slaves

of a world free of kings and queens

and other remnants 

of an arbitrary past 

of earth 

with no sharp north 

or deep south without blind curtains 

or iron walls

of the end

of warlords and armouries

and prisons of hate and fear

of deserts treeing

and fruiting 

after the quickening rains

of the sun radiating ignorance 

and stars informing 

nights of unknowing 

I sing 

of a world reshaped 

I Sing Change by Niyi Oshundare for World poems on the Underground 

Music that inspires

As someone that makes music I always hope that somehow my songs touches someone and helps make their journey in life better.

Even though it sometimes sounds cliche, music does make a difference. I want MY music to make a difference.

I watched this short video by "Music and Memory" and got me thinking about years from now (say 50 years) if our music will bring joyful memories to others like it does to Henry in this video.

WATCH and enjoy

Still learning...

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.

I've learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.”

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

- Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928)

Eyes that listen

Let's listen with our eyes not just our ears - Christine Sun Kim.




A Selby Film...

HOPE

One of the most amazing things that happened to me a couple of years ago was finally realizing....

"I think I have found my voice"

Then i came across "HOPE" by Foy Vance; I said to myself....

"this is what I want"

Foy has something really special that I can't seem to place my finger on. His songs was exactly what I needed to show me what was possible.

A few days ago, I was thinking about what it means to be inspired by someone else.

As we walk our own journey, we inspire others to walk their own path.


That's exactly what I want to do!


Listen to Homebird by Foy Vance

Stone Collector

The only word I can use to describe the feeling you get when you have just written a song or a poem or a story is....LIGHT

and that's exactly how I feel right now. I just finished writing my first song in 2012.

"Stone collector" currently sounds dark, moody and beautiful.

x

Stay focused, DON'T stop believing.

when you are weak, your faith will take on a life of its own to keep you going.

Don't you ever stop believing. The below video my Tyler Perry is a great reminder.

Thanks Mr Perry X

I think i like Denver

".....pitch a tent in a cemetery inhabited by highly vocal ghosts"

From the forward of Beloved by Toni Morrison

Reading 'Beloved' for the second time another character has caught my attention..... Denver

What language does your soul speak?

Dance is the hidden language of the soul - Martha Graham

Dogwood Blossom

I was introduced to "Dogwood Blossom" by This is England '88 and it's by Fionn Regan

Since then I have listened to this song at least every other day

A few of my favorite things...

These are a few of my favorite things...

I love to get lost in a good book. Great storytellers inspire me to write. A good book transports you to a whole new world. You find yourself visiting a country or a place that probably just exists in the writer's imagination and now yours.

I am currently reading The thing around your neck a collection of twelve short stories by Chimamanda Adichie



There's nothing like a good cup of tea, especially during the winter months. I am currently on my second cup today ;)



I love live music especially in intimate spaces. to me, it's similar to reading a good book with music playing in the background. I am currently listening to I often think of you by Jack Day



It is often said "we are all on a journey" which is true and I one day though to myself, why not be a colourful traveler while we are at it? I love to colourful accessories; whether it's in my hair or on my feet. Check out ajalá



Writing... songs or stories; I plan to do those at least everyday or every other day.

Reading and meditating on a verse or scripture from the bible; I plan to do that everyday or every other day.

what are the few of YOUR favorite things?

care to share?

I WON'T GIVE UP...