Three more additions to weareallghosts

First up we have the first episode in the 'dronescape' series ... a series of longform drones that clock in around the 60 minute mark. This is Cousin Silas' first real attempt at a drone and I think it is something special indeed. He was impressed too ... and has agreed to release 12 over the space on 2013.


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We then have the first of two releases by Jack Hertz ... 'Gilded Skies (waag_rel014a)' features 8 tracks of wondrously delightful ambient electronic goodness ... whereas 'Gilded Sky (waag_rel014b)' features a single longform track that follows the theme set by waag_rel014a very nicely indeed. Both are truly exemplary of ambient music.





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Enjoy. Tx

My time is now!

My time is now!

Finding coins on the ground while out for a walk with my grandfather

One of my lasting memories of my maternal grandfather was that he was a walker. Not a Zombie in the parlance of “the Walking Dead” nor was he a goretex clad gimp with walking poles out to “bag a Munro” ... he just liked to walk around his community in a rural Scottish village called Law. He knew most folks by name and was well respected ... stopping to speak to everyone he knew ... from the Sikh shopkeeper who kept some seriously strong pepper for him to the wee wifey across the street who he help with firewood.

I used to love going for a walk with him. I loved it because of all I described above. I felt important, somehow ... I was connected to someone so well known.
I also loved it because of what we’d find.

My grandfather lived at a time when things weren't built to be thrown away. He’d look for blown-down trees and cut them up for firewood. He’d forage for wild fruit for my gran to make jam or for him to make his cider. He’d also look for plants that he could take cuttings from to replant in his own garden - I think that's how he came about his rather extensive rhubarb patch and how I, in turn, have a real soft spot for rhubarb pie.

One thing I used to love when out walking with him was my inexplicable propensity for find small change on the ground. Seriously ... I'd find 50p here and 20p there. Somehow if I missed it, my grandfather would always spot it. I thought he had some sort of sixth-sense for finding money. It was remarkable. That was until I caught my grandfather tossing the coins in front of me.

I still think he had a talent for finding money ... but the majority of the cash he “spotted” he had flung there himself for me to find.

I am currently recovering from a massive disappointment. I went for a job that was a near-perfect fit for my skills and where I am in my career at the moment. I want to develop into a communications role. I see it as a great fit for all I do outwith my job. I no longer feel like an analyst ... I am more of an encourager and want to use my skills to encourage.

While faced with this disappointment, the one saying that keeps going through my head is “what’s for you, won’t go by you” ... it's a very Scottish thing to say ... and it is a saying that is extremely frustrating when you are in a moment of disappointment.

However, I have been thinking on it. I’m old fashioned in many ways ... I believe in God and believe that He has a plan for my life. I don't think everything is mapped out ... the plan is more like a “choose your own adventure” story where the story develops as you make your choices ... but the whole is written down.

Choice is vitally important and I believe in choice. The reason why I believe in choice ... in the freedom to choose ... is that it is in our action that we can understand what is for us.

If we take “what’s for you, won’t go by you” to an extreme ... you could argue that no action on your part will matter ... that you are pre-destined to be or do something and it will happen regardless. I don't believe this.

I believe that in our action we can understand what is for us ... just as I would never have found all that cash on the pavement if I had sat on my backside, back at my grandparents house, and watched the telly. I needed to get out there and look.

What's more, I needed to remain aware and to look with a sense of expectancy. There is no point in looking for something if I don't expect to find it. I understand sometimes we find things we aren't looking for or expect ... but that comes from the act of looking in the first place ... from being aware.

I guess the learning I have taken from this whole period is to keep on trying ... to keep looking ... to remain vigilant and aware of what is around me. I can’t seize an opportunity I am given if I don't see it or recognise it as an opportunity in the first place.

I was beaten by someone more qualified than I am. I can get that. I can choose to get bitter and angry ... complaining to anyone who will listen about the lack of opportunities to learn ... or I can accept it as an actual opportunity to learn in itself and move on ... remaining open to any further opportunities that may be flung my way.

I believe my time will come because of this simple fact: my time is already here. I have a tremendous wife, a great family and a terrific set of friends ... some of which make up my wonderfully caring church community in Airdire. I have a job I enjoy ... working with people who I consider friends (not all of them, mind you, but a good chunk are fab) ... and some seriously great side projects like weareallghosts. I have too much to eat and too much music to listen to. I have my health and a rather extensive collection of Tolkien books. My time is now ... and it shouldn't take a crushing defeat to make me realise this.

The coins are on the ground. I just need to get out there and find them ... and one day I will. Thanks Papa!

Tx

What I listened to in January 2013

Above is what I listened to in January 2013. Some interesting pieces ... predominately in post-rock, neo-classica and ambient genres.

Late Night Venture were a particular hit - I had them for a review on This Is Not A Scene.

Tx

February 2013's calendar / wallpaper

A timely reminder that the sun always rises... and that, as fallible humans, our greatest glory is not in never falling over but in rising each and every time we fall.

Taken on my iPhone5 using the panorama feature then darkened in Camera+. It is noisy but then life is noisy sometimes.

Usual flavours are below.

Tx

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Classic Albums: "J" for "Journey Into The Morn"

What can I say about “Journey Into The Morn” by Iona other than wow ... this is one truly inspired and inspiring album.

Whilst it works well as a collection of truly beautiful tracks ... it is, in my opinion, better consumed as a whole ... from “bi-se i mo shuill (part 1)” all the way through to “when I survey”. I realise this may be an alien concept for some folks ... especially in the day and age of single tracks rather than albums ... but it is really the best way to enjoy what is being presented.

I can't express how much this album means to me. It is an album based on the hymn “Be Thou my Vision and, as such, it is my kind of “religious” music. It expresses my faith in such an eloquent manner... describing common moments beautifully.

I’m not a big fan of contemporary “worship music” ... there are exceptions but in the main this kind of music leaves me cold. It tends to be overly emotive and sonically dull.

Iona, on the other hand, with their particularly delightful blend of progressive rock and folk music get me every time ... and “Journey into the Mourn” is my go-to album when I need a lift or when I feel in need of contemplation.

The combination of Joanne Hogg’s vocals, Dave Bainbridge’s instrumentation and Frank Van Essen’s percussion is truly a partnership made in heaven (pardon the pun). Add to that Troy Donockley’s pipes and wow ... amazing just doesn't quite express it.

It is for me what music should be ... imaginative, creative, progressive and wild-of-heart ... music that is full of feeling and poignant significance.

I would recommend this release to anyone - a member of the Christian faith or not, a fan of prog rock or not - it transcends all these earthly shackles. And I, for one, am grateful to Iona for recording this album.

Tx

Classic Albums: "I" for "In the Court of the Crimson King"

In my ongoing journey through my iPod looking for ’classic albums’ we have arrived at "I" and immediately King Crimson spring to mind with their seminal 1969 release "In the court of the Crimson King".

Wow. This album still sounds vibrantly fresh today and definitely holds its own.

Opening with the tour de force that is "21st Century Schizoid Man", it still sounds as vital as it did when I first heard it.

But the album is more than this track, good though it is.

"I Talk to the Wind" is a masterpiece of melancholic wonder … deliciously downbeat with some truly amazing instrumentation. Delicate and yet so powerful.
As is "Epitaph" with it's earnest lyrics and some seriously heartbreaking instrumentation.

The abstract nature of the instrumental - "Moonchild" - is possibly the only downside. It seems out of kilter with the rest of the album somehow. It has never settled with me but doesn't take anything away from the rest of the album … especially when you consider it is the precursor to the album's title track - "In the Court of the Crimson King" - a truly magnificent journey into sound.

 To dismiss this album as "prog" is to lose out of something very special indeed. I've come late to it ... but I'm glad I did eventually arrive.

Tx

My review of "Helios Remixed" is up on thefuturelements.com

"/... I think this album works because it is consistently good. There are no ’bad’ remixes, nothing sticks out as being inconsistent from the rest. They are all good and all showcase the source material very well.

It is at this point where I fail as a reviewer: I am not familiar with the source material and can not pass judgement on the remixes as they stand in comparison with the originals. But then maybe this is a good thing, because I have approached these tracks as tracks in their own right rather than a reworking of something else, and as tracks in their own right they stand tall, very tall indeed.

This isn’t so much a remix album as a compilation of some really great music. In some ways I am actually loathe to hear the originals as I don’t want to spoil my appreciation for the work presented on this disc.../"

My review of Helios Remixed is now up on thefuturelements.com ... check it out then have a wee listen below...

Two recent releases from weareallghosts

"Cousin Silas' 'thank you' to me becomes my 'thank you' to you ... to everyone who has made weareallghosts what it is.

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""Coming From The Void (waag_rel013)" is a deeply immersive piece of music … one that entices, enthrals and then enwraps the listener in an otherworldly soundscape. 

It is perfect for moments of solitude or for extended periods of deep concentration. It provides the listener with space to think and to become."

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Take time out to enjoy these longform drones ... and support independent music by downloading them, spreading the word and, if possible, leaving a wee tip.

Tx

Loving David Bowie's new single ... the Album cover, not so much

This morning I bought the new single from David Bowie. It is lovely ... in a melancholic kind of way. It really meanders nicely before building around the 2:40min mark ... in a truly effortless kind of way ... into something really special indeed. I really like it and am hopeful for the album when it is released in March. Have a wee listen below...



I am, however, not so hopeful about the cover. Whilst no one can argue that it isn't innovative ... albeit not as innovative as the video ... it just doesn't sit well with me. It seems lazy and lacking in imagination. I really hope it is a temporary cover and a better one will be unveiled when the album is launched.

I'll happily do one for you, Mr Bowie? Happy Birthday, btw.

Tx