I wrote a couple of days ago about Eska Mtungwazi, a UK based singer/songwriter. Here’s my challenge……. follow this link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brME-eTSdmo&feature=BFa&list=PL91EB9D99DCEA772D) to a performance of one of her songs, listen to it, then try not to sing the chorus for the next 4 days.
I am HOPELESS at this. This song is now part of me!
Jazz singer Eska Mtungwazi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On Monday I went to see the fabulous Eska Mtungwazi perform her latest work English Skies at the South Bank. I went to school with her and even then she was a musical force, able to play any instrument she picked up without a single lesson. When I discovered a few years ago that she was writing and performing her own music ( we had written a few songs together at school 
) I was ecstatic to find that this amazing gift was being shared with the world. On Monday I also felt a little inspired so here is my Haiku for the lovely Eska…
‘English Skies’ Songstress
your music and lyrics join
to lift my soul high
Image via Wikipedia
Wow! February has been a tough month. We had a death in the family, a very long trip to the funeral, plus lots of other drama. I am exhausted and, to add to my woes, depression has slowly crept back into my life.
For that reason February has a lot of non-musical days…….
Wednesday 1/2/2012
Thursday 2/2/2012 Gershwin – Concerto in F
Friday 3/2/2012 I Vow To Thee My Country
Saturday 4/2/2012
Sunday 5/2/2012
Monday 6/2/2012 Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
Tuesday 7/2/2012 Bruce Springsteen – Dancing in the Dark
Wednesday 08/02/12
Thursday 09/02/12
Friday 10/02/12
Saturday 11/02/12 George Michael – Freedom
Sunday 12/02/12 Michael Buble – Feeling Good
Monday 13/02/12
Tuesday 14/02/12 Madonna – Lucky Star
Wednesday 15/02/12 Arvo Part – Speigel en Speigel
Thursday 16/02/12
Friday 17/02/12 Howard Shore – Lord of the Rings – Many Meetings
Saturday 18/02/12 Rebecca Ferguson – Nothing Real but Love
Sunday 19/02/12 Michael Buble – For Once in my Life
Image via Wikipedia
Tuesday 21/02/12 Blur – Girls and Boys
Monday 20/02/12 Coldplay – Speed of Sound
Wednesday 22/02/12 Katchachurian – Toccata
Thursday 23/02/12 Coldplay – Fix You
Friday 24/02/12 Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings
Saturday 25/02/12 Adele – Set Fire to the Rain
Sunday 26/02/2012
Monday 27/02/2012
Tuesday 28/02/2012
Wednesday 29/02/2012 Van Halen – Jump
I was sitting in my car on New Years Day listening to the radio. As I listened I started to think about how music evokes memories and emotions, how listening to a particular piece can set you up for the day or bring you down. I thought about the songs that get stuck in your head and the ones you wake up singing. I thought about new musical discoveries and old favourites.
I’ve always loved music. From my earliest days I can remember hearing music in the house. My father playing Pink Floyd albums loud enough to drown out other sounds. My mother listening to, the then new, Capital Radio as she did the housework. Watching Top of the Pops on a Thursday night ( and I remember the first time I saw it in colour!) If I hear the right song I’m right back in the moment.
My listening habits have altered over the years. I’m aware of how the ear-splitting sounds I loved in my teens at full volume can now alter my heart rate and mood. I’ve always had a wide-ranging taste, but now I listen to Classical music to help me relax and trusted favourites. I still love musical discoveries but rather than listening to an album featuring a great track over and over, I’ll just re listen to the track I love.
I’ve often thought about keeping some kind of journal or diary, but that commitment to writing down your experiences seemed to onerous. So, as I sat in the car, I thought I can keep a record of the song that captures the day for me. Some days there’ll be more than one and I’ll have to whittle them done to one choice. Some days may not have any (I also appreciate silence). But my year will have many, many musical moments.
Image via Wikipedia
Sun 1/1/2012 Debussy – Clair de Lune
Monday 2/1/2012 Edvard Grieg – The Piano Concerto in A minor, Op 16
Tuesday 3/1/2012 Elvis Presley – Hound Dog
Wednesday 4/1/2012 Edvard Grieg – Peer Gynt Suite No.2 (4)
Thursday 5/1/2012 James Morrison – I won’t let you go
Saturday 7/1/2012 The Sugarcubes – HitFriday 6/1/2012 Debussy – Clair de Lune
Sunday 8/1/2012. Justin Bieber – Christmas Love
Monday 9/1/2012.
Tuesday 10/1/2012. Amy Winehouse – Our day will come
Sunday 15/1/2012 The Calling – Wherever you will go
Monday 16/1/2012 Karl Jenkins – Sanctus
Tuesday 17/1/2012 Stanton Warriors ft. Eska – Still Here
Wednesday 18/1/2012 Barenaked Ladies – The Big Bang Theory
Thursday 19/1/2012 The Kings of Leon – Use Somebody
Friday 20/1/2012 Etta James – At Last RIP Etta
Saturday 21/1/2012 Eliza Dolittle – Pack Up
Sunday 22/1/2012 David Bowie – Let’s Dance
Monday 23/1/2012 The Killers – Mr Brightside
Tuesday 24/1/2012 The Maccabees – Pelican
Wednesday 25/1/2012 Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime
Thursday 26/1/2012 Lily Allen – The Fear
Friday 27/1/2012 Levellers – What a Beautiful Day
Saturday 28/1/2012 Muse – Uprising
