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Mar 31 2023

TO WHERE I AM NOW

Oh no, Gentle Giant’s Ray Shulman has died aged 73. A major influence on me not as a player but as an adventurer, making me see that music could do many things. He was a multi-instrumentalist who played violin, viola, bass, trumpet, guitar, recorder, keyboards, drums, percussion, and vocals. As a producer he worked with Ian McCulloch, The Sugarcubes, The Sundays, and Trash Can Sinatras and whenever I hear that bass line on the opening track of Octopus (1972), The Advent Of Panurge, I remember thinking how he had groove as well as technique, aware of the mood, the tone, the accuracy, and the feel. He wrote the music for A Cry For Everyone, one of my favourite tracks on the album (inspired by Albert Camus, one of my fave writers), and three of the four tracks on side two. Another sad day for music.

I woke up early for me, 9 AM, but all I could see was a small room too full of stuff that needs to be sorted out and moved out into a bigger room full of stuff that needs to be sorted out – the electricity and water-free Archive. We didn’t expect to be waking up in another new place in Porto but here we are and the first stop today was Nuno the landlord to get a measure of what’s going on with getting the utilities sorted. We spoke, he’s cool, should be the middle of the month latest. In the meantime, we are doing what we can in the premises. Today I was building a record shelf whilst Olivia was chipping away at loose plaster on the wall. I opened up the windows at the front and the back to get airflow through the place and I opened up the blinds to get some light in. The plant was happy with that and the bottle of still water that we poured onto its feet.

We went back to the hotel and packed up everything that we didn’t need into two suitcases and then ordered a Bolt XL and took it all down to the place with the Taped Wonder. It was getting dark so we had to use torches in the back but the front was illuminated by the lights of a busy Friday night city street.

From there back to Suribachi for dinner, two nights in a row but it’s halfway between In Deep and the hotel, healthy, friendly, and good. Back at the hotel, I was shot and ready to sleep, still recovering physically from food poisoning, travelling and finishing the British dates. It’s not often that you play thirteen shows in a row, I was asleep before I could say I’m going to bed.

Music today has been Gentle Giant’s Octopus (1972). What a classic, from the songs to the themes to the Roger Dean album cover (in England), Charles White (in the US). RIP Ray, sadly missed.

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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Fabulous Poodle Bob and his Poodle Bentley droppin Fabulous Poodle Bob and his Poodle Bentley dropping by the studio today 🐩

📷 @salimnourallah 

More about what Bob's doing in Dallas: https://rb.gy/o86gi
Amplify Me! ...is a brilliant song by sessioneer @ Amplify Me! ...is a brilliant song by sessioneer @blueburstmusic and makes for a fitting caption as we are currently recording sessioneer projects in fabulous studios in Minneapolis & Dallas. What's a sessioneer? Well,... https://www.songwritingandguitarguidance.com

#theterrariumstudio #marshallamps #fenderamps #fredargir #blueburstmusic #thesessioneerseries #songwritingandguitarguidance #moatband
Arno Sojo of @sweetgumtreemusic fame has a fabulou Arno Sojo of @sweetgumtreemusic fame has a fabulous son, Tim. Meet Tim.
And another two. Thanks, Anna at @nocturnaphotogra And another two. Thanks, Anna at @nocturnaphotography 

www.nocturnaphotography.com
www.post-punk.co.uk (in-depth interview coming soon ⭐)
Great one of Olivia - by Denis Copeland 🖖 #UKto Great one of Olivia - by Denis Copeland 🖖 #UKtour2023
Here's a snapshot from our recent UK tour, courtes Here's a snapshot from our recent UK tour, courtesy of @nocturnaphotography 

www.nocturnaphotography.com
www.post-punk.co.uk (in-depth interview coming soon ⭐)
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
Redeyed lad of the lowlands 🎵 📷 @oliviaelek Redeyed lad of the lowlands 🎵

📷 @oliviaelektra 

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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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