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Jan 01 2022

TO WHERE I AM NOW

Oh my, the future is now. I can’t believe it’s 2022 and to tell you the truth I’m quite disappointed that we still don’t have flying cars, robot help in the home, matter transmission and all Earth’s problems solved. Then there are the missing planetary colonies, the trade with Venus and watches that you can talk into and see your friends…wait a minute I think we did that one. I think one of the most disappointing things about this future that doesn’t follow the Star Trek model is the corruption, pollution, racism, power-hungry maniac Earthlings that still inhabit the 21st century. I suppose Deep Space Nine had its share of problems too but as it was in fact just a TV series it had to not just portray a utopian view of the future but also the reality of potential inter-creature conflict, cultural misunderstandings and general suspicion like we have on Earth. What I didn’t expect is the fighting between those who are supposed to be on the same side. It’s as if the hierarchy has as much in common with its historical enemies as its subjects because ultimately they are in the same roles, just in different systems. Good people everywhere, bad people everywhere but now we live in a world of factions where the factions have split into smaller factions as the details, the philosophy, the reasoning, the version of truth differs – it’s why there are so many versions of God.

But on that subject and on something on a happier note I got out of bed coughing and spluttering but slightly on the mend, my body doesn’t hurt anymore (any more than usual) so that’s a result. I put the kettle on and turned my computer on and accidentally found the BBC and yes, you guessed it, New Year’s Day entertainment in the shape of The Sound Of Music. It had just started, I’d missed the bit where the nuns sing How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria but Julie Andrews hadn’t made it to the von Trapp family home yet. So I sat there transfixed by the whole thing, the plot, the kids, the filming, the puppet scene, the political side and of course the amazing songs written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. My Favourite Things was always my favourite – the lyrics, the melody and from a musical point of view I discovered that the early verse is in A and later in Am, a genius songwriting stroke – and the lyrics. So without going through the whole film, I can tell you that I sat there till the end, completely forgetting about tea, breakfast or anything else. Olivia arrived towards the end (the concert), she’s seen the film lots of times. She told me an interesting thing – in Germany this film is not particularly known and in Austria, it was ignored for decades.

On the subject of music. I have another project out today. So be ready for the psychedelic sunshine pop of Afridi/Willson-Piper’s debut single Plastik. Ahad Afridi and I started working together through the sessioneer series with initial conversations in 2017. Ahad writes the songs and sings them, I co-produced with Dare, we also sing backing vocals as does Olivia who plays the violin, Ed, our regular drummer for MOAT and Space Summit plays the drums and I play all the guitars and bass. We also have some session players who we will list when the album is released proper. The album is called In The End, The Birds Will Sing. At this point, it will only be available as a digital release after two more singles. Watch this space for more details. Enjoy.

Music today has been the rather wonderful first, self-titled, Argent album, released in January 1970. Recorded in London in 1969 after the demise of The Zombies. Keyboard magician, songwriter and sometime lead singer Rod Argent teamed up with vocalist-guitarist Russ Ballard who’d played the guitar with Unit 4+2 who’d had a hit in 1965 with the song Concrete And Clay (Australians will remember Martin Plaza from Mental As Anything’s version of the song reached No. 2 in Australia in 1986). Drummer Bob Henrit also played on that record. Bassist Jim Rodford later played with The Kinks and the reunited Zombies. He sadly died in 2018 after falling down the stairs at his home after returning from US Zombies dates, his son Steve is currently The Zombies’ drummer.

This album is one of the great lost classics released in the fading light of the sixties and the new world of the seventies. It has the traits of both, catchy experiments, dense, easy, complex, deep, skilfully produced, beautifully played and sung, great songs, nods to The Zombies, love it.

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.

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Rockin' the MOAT t-shirt next to the real deal! #m Rockin' the MOAT t-shirt next to the real deal! #moatband #poisonstream 🤘🏰

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Photo by @oliviaelektra 

#schoolkidsrecords #nikoröhlcke #wellscathedral
Peter Walsh and I getting down at the Heron Tower Peter Walsh and I getting down at the Heron Tower disco 🕺🏻 #heyday
Soundchecking at Birmingham Symphony Hall, 10th Fe Soundchecking at Birmingham Symphony Hall, 10th February, 2001. All About Eve supporting Fairport Convention.

📷 by @derektimbrell
Thanks to The Wernickis for a little glimpse into Thanks to The Wernickis for a little glimpse into their new New Mexico listening space 🌵 #nightjar #schoolkidsrecords
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

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📷 @argirgirl 

#paisleypark #prince
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Songwriting & Guitar Guidance with Marty Willson-Piper
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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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