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'Sailboats'

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:25 am

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Here's another short composition I did a short while ago, that some of you might want to hear.

I live close to where the two river estuaries Taw and Torridge meet by the sea. Instow and Appledore are perched on the edges opposite each other, where the rivers join, and is a favourite place for yachting - not massive luxury craft, just smaller conventional one or two person boats.



Almost all the way up to Bideford, the estuary is home to moored craft, and at high tide some of them hoist sails and start out to sea, bobbing along, each following the one in front. Once in open water they do a slow dance, zigzagging across the bay.
That's the scene I've tried to capture in this piece of music I've called simply 'Sailboats'.

http://www.box.net/shared/gnccohaxgm

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'The Devon Suite'

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:43 am

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I have a more serious musical side - sometimes, I'm afraid, maybe a little over emotional.



The problem is, I'm so in love with Devon. Returning here to live, which had always been a dream for decades, but one which never seemed to materialise for various reasons, was the biggest 'dream come true' for me.
Back in the 50's, before we left for South London to enter the adult world and step on the first rungs of our chosen careers, many happy childhood days were enjoyed playing on the beach, having adventures only kids in their pre-teen years appreciate fully. Secret hideouts in the woods, pretending to be this or that fictional hero. Great times.
A couple of months ago, my 'serious' side of composing music kicked in. I wanted to try to capture some of the love of Devon in music, and believe no-one has done anything in that respect.
So I set to on something I call 'The Devon Suite'...just a few musical sketches, finishing with 'An Anthem For Devon'.
For me, the pieces capture the beauty, fun, love, and a little past sadness of this part of the world.
I hope you enjoy listening to it, as much as I enjoyed composing it...



'The Devon Suite'

No. 1 'Climbing' high onto Exmoor, two streams start to trickle, toss and tumble towards a peaceful but sometimes turbulent marriage...remembering the disastrous floods at Lynmouth in 1952, claiming 34 lives...
http://www.box.net/shared/yg0knre0yz



No.2 'Gardens In The Sea', exploring the rock pools at Combe Martin beach...

http://www.box.net/shared/soynq02jj9



No.3 'The Cream Tea Trot'. Business is brisk at the Olde Village Tea Garden, under a warm June sun. The traditional Devonshire cream tea consists of scones, clotted cream and locally made strawberry jam...

http://www.box.net/shared/duts7ikzvs




No.4 'Departed Friend'. The last steam train bravely leaves Ilfracombe Station, forever...destination, the scrap yard...

http://www.box.net/shared/7tncticmbt




No.5 'An Anthem For Devon'...

'Of all the Shires I see,
My Devon shares most beauty,
Two arms of gold, embrace the still or stormy seas.

Whilst strolling Devon's paths,
The treasures she affords me,
With jewels set in time for all the world to see.

From fortressed harbour walls,
To purple hills, majesty towering.
Out spreads a tapestry,
A rich legacy most empowering.
I humbly hold her hand,
In landscape green and grand,
With love for thee.
Hoping ever...I'll forever,
Be.'
http://www.box.net/shared/0jbu6hvil7

Last edited: Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:00 am

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So...eight months on. Now, where was I?

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:32 pm

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I don't know what happened there. I sort of went all quiet for eight months. Well, not for all of the time of course. Trouble is I get caught up in other things. But I'm still here. I think.
Music has become a bigger part of my life this year than gardening.
The garden creation was finished and, being easy to maintain, it wasn't enough to keep me occupied. So I got into composing music instead.
Since my last entry (way back in very early summer!) the weather has been a roller coaster, and hopefully the last of the extreme conditions have now passed with the last lot of gales a couple of days ago.
So, where has all the time gone - and on what? Had a stab at oil painting, with gross results (I think I'll stick to watercolours). Started building a model railway in the shed...boy's stuff, I'm afraid, ladies - hard to explain why.
And the rest of the time pottering around on my keyboard. Oh, and I picked up an old Wurlitzer organ which is now working great after an engineer stuffed a screwdriver into it and gave it a good talking to.
And now we're heading at a rate of knots for Christmas. Another year almost done with.
And heck, how will I ever catch up with all the Gardenstew forum posts (16825!) Gulp.
Never mind.
I believe I did say at the start of this blog that it would be a 'now and then' thing. Sort of proves my point.

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