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Feb 22 2021

TO WHERE I AM NOW

I awoke to the sound of life. Olivia opened the window to hear the cacophony more clearly – the crowing of a cockerel, a mad barking dog, sirens, home improvement drills, seagulls and somewhere what sounded like that distant hum of traffic which seemed unlikely as we enter our sixth week of lockdown. Out of our window, I could see the dense cramping of structures and that that’s recognisable in southern Europe – washing lines in the cities hanging outside the buildings. This is something you never see in northern Europe and although it’s still winter here, it must be the habit of quick-drying in the Mediterranean climate that stays warm for many months. North of here, sure, it gets hot in spurts but there’s always the expectation of rain even in the summer, the message: Dry the clothes inside unless you’re really sure. The clouds were a surreal painting, billowing over a blue backdrop and as I opened the window a light breeze moved the curtains and I imagined them as tall extraterrestrial beings robed in green materials, hovering in the corner. In the bedroom the silhouette of a ladybird on the net that doubles up against the cloth, the promise of spring. In the distance beyond the city, you can see the mountains, the advantage of living high on the fifth floor seeing above the buildings instead of having them looming over you, dominant and suppressive. That escape to the mountains is coming.

Out of the window, I see unpainted buildings, ragged and peeling like they used the wrong paint and patios with attempted gardens, plant pots, and summer chairs. There are mixed trees, firs and palm trees in the same backyard and others I don’t recognise but I was never good at trees anyway. I see a beautiful ruined house next to a row of inhabited coloured blocks. The regular two seagulls sit on the low-corrugated roof, eternally waiting as if they’ll never see the sea again. Pigeons sporadically join them, aware that there’s something going on noticing that they are waiting for what might just be food. Food, the demon food, that which we are over-consuming right now as we stay in and don’t get enough exercise. I did nip to the bakery for pão da avó today but they were sold out and bought three other equally appealing rolls instead, part of the reason I went was to see the day, however brief it might be after late bed last night and late rise today, plus an interview with Naomi at Louder Than War at 4.30 PM, takes away the remaining light. Lastly on the bakery, yes, I did manage to avoid the scrumptious Portuguese cakes.

One of the usual ‘ladies of the day’ strolled around outside on the opposite side of the road and by the recycling bins, there is an old lady in complete contrast who is also often there but with a rather different approach to the universe. She is always brushing the pavement, cleaning up but today the wind took everything out of her dustpan as she approached the bin and blew it all back onto the pavement. But she just left it and walked away, as there was so much garbage around the bins anyway. She has her spot that she keeps clean but usually, a lady like this would be in front of her house where she’d lived for decades but this lady sweeps in front of a communal garage and an arcade, it must be general civic pride.

Later when I looked out of the window again, the clouds had gone and the sky was a rich blue, and there, high in the heavens was a clear moon, partly shadowed but firmly posing the question, ”What the hell is going on in the universe?”. You could see the craters, the scars of a dead world, and as we now reach Mars one wonders will we ever find out about other life in the galaxy either buried in the past or approaching from a distant star careering towards us from the future – friend or foe?

Music today has been Denmark’s Burnin’ Red Ivanhoe, a fascinating blend of Blues, Psychedelia, Rock, Progressive, and Jazz in true Scandinavian style that makes them stand out against bands south and west of Denmark. I started today with their 2nd self-titled album (1970) and it reminded me of Traffic, something there strangely both reminds me and separates me from them, I think it’s the soprano sax and as Traffic fans will remember Chris Wood played flute and sax (but not soprano). Co-produced by John Peel and Colosseum bassist Tony Reeves, the lineup is below:

Ole Fick – electric & 12-string guitars, vocals
Kim Menzer – mouthharp, trombone, tenor saxophone, flute, percussion
Karsten Vogel – soprano & alto saxophones, organ, piano
Jess Stæhr – bass, acoustic guitar
Bo Thrige Andersen – drums, percussion

This is a band that is so off the radar. Although they were formed over 50 years ago and made so much great music there is no English Wikipedia page. This was the first album I heard by them with its prescient title – W.W.W. and with the same lineup it succeeds in this odd mixture of styles. Really great – if you like this kind of thing.

Music Of The Daze

Written by Marty Willson-Piper · Categorized: Blog

Missing

This is my stolen 1965 Rickenbacker 12-string, serial number EB157. If there's any chance of this guitar coming back to me before I go to meet my maker, then that would be wonderful. Please contact me if you have any information.

11209512_1669022976719710_7288437867089763325_n

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Redeyed lad of the lowlands 🎵 📷 @oliviaelek Redeyed lad of the lowlands 🎵

📷 @oliviaelektra 

#danelectro #danelectrobass #redeyerecords #pleasantrylane #pleasantrylanestudio
You usually don’t spend the day in the studio an You usually don’t spend the day in the studio and the night at a gig but if you put the studio next to the gig then there’s a greater chance. So @salimnourallah did just that, he put the gig and the studio next to each other and made it possible for me to spend the day recording and the evening playing live 🎵

📷 @drewliophoto 

#galacticheadquarters #happinessarecordlabel #pleasantrylanestudio #salimnourallah #oliviawillsonpiper
TO WHERE I AM NOW A visit in the studio today fro TO WHERE I AM NOW

A visit in the studio today from old mate Mark Burgess from The Chameleons who has been hanging in Texas recently. I was thinking about the two of us growing up in the northwest of England and all these years later finding ourselves in such an unlikely spot together. We fixed a few issues in the universe and I carried on recording some guitars until Mark had to leave. Mark had played at the Galactic Headquarters next to the studio this year as Olivia and I had four years ago and this reminded me to remind myself to remind everyone to remind their friends that we will be playing there with Salim on Saturday, New Year’s Eve, for the ultimate in intimate performance. You can get tickets here (follow link below).

CONTINUE READING: https://martywillson-piper.com/2022/12/to-where-i-am-now-1045

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📷 @salimnourallah 

#markburgess #thechameleons #chameleonsvox #pleasantrylanestudio #happinessarecordlabel #martywillsonpiper #oliviawillsonpiper #moatband
📷 @argirgirl 📷 @argirgirl
TO WHERE I AM NOW Sadness manifested in a buildin TO WHERE I AM NOW

Sadness manifested in a building, today we went to visit Paisley Park. Prince built Paisley Park in Chanhassen, about twenty minutes southwest of Minneapolis. It opened in 1987 and he recorded his later albums there. Apart from Prince, REM also recorded and mixed Out Of Time there, recording Kate Pearson’s vocal on Shiny Happy People vocal. Madonna had Prince play guitar on three songs from Like A Prayer and the two co-wrote Love Song, finishing it remotely due to Madonna not being able to stand the cold weather and the rather desolate location of the studio. Of course, there are things around but it’s not in the city and it’s not in the countryside, it’s in a suburb, no distractions, just what Prince wanted.

CONTINUE READING: https://martywillson-piper.com/2022/12/to-where-i-am-now-1032

KEEP IN TOUCH: https://linktr.ee/mwillsonpiper

📷 @argirgirl 

#paisleypark #prince
Marty & Pablo! 📷 Rod MacQuarrie Marty & Pablo!

📷 Rod MacQuarrie
At last, a proper door stop. 📷 @judgeschamber At last, a proper door stop.

📷 @judgeschamber 

#grammysitting 👵
🌵 Texas Acoustic Dates 🌵 31 December - DALL 🌵 Texas Acoustic Dates 🌵

31 December - DALLAS
7 January - CELINA
12 January - HOUSTON
14 January - AUSTIN
15 January - SAN ANTONIO

With @salimnourallah and @joereyesmusic

More info here: https://mailchi.mp/e47ede06acd6/texas-acoustic-dates
Doors & Delays 🎸 @workshop21_guitarclinic #the Doors & Delays 🎸

@workshop21_guitarclinic #thedoors #fenderstratocaster #fenderhotroddeville #nashtelecaster #rickenbacker
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"These are awesome sessions that I highly recommend for guitar players of all levels. Very informative, frank discussions on everything related to guitar and music in general. Definitely a must for anyone pursuing songwriting."
(Stephen G., VA, USA)

"Marty knows how to bypass scales and get to the heart of feel and timing. His musical knowledge spans multiple cultures and genres. Perhaps most importantly, Marty is a cool dude. I highly recommend his guitar guidance." (Jed B., MN, USA)

"Ok, so you’re sitting in your home and Marty is across the world but is actually right here teaching you how to play guitar and write songs. He is a delight to talk to and he is your teacher, meaning he wants to see you get something out of his lessons. You know he’s paying attention and wants to steer you in the right direction. I am so grateful and humbled that he offers his time in this manner. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone who admires anything from his enormous body of work. How often do you get to learn from somebody that inspired you in the first place? Amazing." (Ann S., CA, USA)

Missing

This is my stolen 1965 Rickenbacker 12-string, serial number EB157. If there’s any chance of this guitar coming back to me before I go to meet my maker, then that would be wonderful. Please contact me if you have any information.

11209512_1669022976719710_7288437867089763325_n

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