tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258840542024-03-07T19:18:57.208+00:00Xan PhillipsBroadcaster, journalist and photographerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-69738450030935921202009-05-21T08:12:00.001+01:002009-05-21T08:14:30.138+01:00This blog has movedThis blog has moved to <a href="http://www.xan.co.uk">www.xan.co.uk</a><br /><br />new rss feed@ <a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/xanphillips">http://feeds2.feedburner.com/xanphillips</a><br /><br />subscribe by email: <a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=">http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-47043703852204188542009-03-26T21:33:00.006+00:002009-03-26T22:37:11.607+00:00Live Review: ‘Loz Bridge and the Box Social’ supporting ‘The Boy Least Likely To’Another fulfilling night at The Joiners in Southampton where we discovered some happy pop mixed with social blues and jazz.<br /> <br />A thin crowd were throughly entertained by the first act of the evening, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lozbridge">Loz Bridge and the Box Social</a>. Although sometimes it’s a bit disconcerting when the band sit and the audience stand but that's the case when it's their acoustic line-up.<br /><br />Featuring Loz on piano, Andrew Foster on guitar/banjo and Matt E sitting on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_box_drums">cajon</a> - a Cuban/spanish box drum which you play with your hands. <br /><br />It’s a remarkable instrument which adds enough bass to the mix so that you are not too disappointed about the missing double bass player.<br /><br />Also missing were my table and chair, glass of wine and a smoky atmosphere which would have really suited the mood as Loz and the band mix blues and jazz with a touch of modern day reality.<br /><br />They had everyone’s attention with the haunting ‘Sarah & the Wolves’ a song about unfair dismissal and a subject rarely covered by bands like Coldplay, or even Radiohead. <br /><br />And then you have ‘Witches’ which has the catchy “I hate my job” chorus and is no doubt the anthem for most musicians unable to make a living from their art.<br /><br />My only complaint is that Matt E had to “sit out” the song ‘November’. I’m sure he could find something percussive to gently waft while Andrew Foster uses his effects peddles to wrap sonic landscapes around the crooning Loz Bridge.<br /><br />Maybe he could just read a book. Something dark to suit the mood; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe">Edgar Allan Poe</a> is a suggestion. <br /><br />Due to conversations with the above and others I missed all but the last song of the second act "The School" so can't really pass comment apart from my usual "more effort in the stage gear required".<br /><br />The night's headliners were ‘<a href="http://www.theboyleastlikelyto.co.uk/">The Boy Least Likely To</a>’ who I was ashamedly unaware of but they were such a fun act they won me over very quickly with their infectious, good time stomp and harmonies which seemed to spark up the pleasantly full room.<br /><br />Formed around the duo of Pete Hobbs (instruments) and Jof Owen (singer) this seven piece smiled their way through a set of merriment that quietly hides a dark and sinister side.<br /><br /><blockquote>“A lot of our lyrics are sad anyway,” Jof told me, “that’s kind of our trick to undercut the upbeat stuff.”<br /></blockquote><br />They describe their music as ‘Country Disco’ which does it justice but there is also a pure and natural Englishness about their sound which might be why they are loved in America and little known in the UK.<br /><br /><blockquote>According to Jof: “America seems to understand us a little bit better. They seem to get the tongue in cheek, they get that we are not entirely serious and the sounds that we use are because we think they are quite funny.”</blockquote><br />It’s the kind of aural flavour that gets XTC such great respect but enough awareness among the general public and it fills their second album “the law of the playground” which has taken two years to release thanks to legal wranglings with their former record company. <br /><br />In fact in the past two years ‘The Boy Least Likely To’ couldn’t have record any new tracks as their old company would have owned those as well. It is a valuable lesson to anyone who still wants to get signed to a record label and maybe the resolution of these problems brings out the big smiles on stage.<br /><br />From the new album the best example of their dark side is the song “I box up all the butterflies” which says enough really. The lyrics are wrapped up in the shades of summer that only an English band can create while hiding the definitely un-politically correct content within.<br /><br />They are definitely a band for the economic crisis as plenty of people need uplifting and even if the feeling only lingers then at least music, in this case, has done its job.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-983334681399094062009-03-24T00:23:00.003+00:002009-03-24T00:31:56.223+00:00CD Review: Loz Bridge and the Box SocialThe debut EP “Witches” from <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lozbridge">Loz Bridge and the Box Social</a> kicks off with the stomping sing-a-long title track whose memorable and resonating chorus has the immortal line: “I hate! I hate! I hate my job!”<br /><br />Loz Bridge's song is the natuarl anthem for the frustrated musician who needs a day job to survive and has to suffer the pain of the 9 to 5.<br /><br />The former Suburbian singer wrote it from the heart and office chair and it is naturally an audience favourite although in this time of financial crisis I am sure many people will be singing along while hoping that the boss doesn't hear their true feelings.<br /><br />The second song on the EP is the set opener China on which Andrew Foster on banjo and Matt E on drums drive it along with a true head nodding vibe.<br /><br />Its a perfect EP to re-create the live experience and any new fan will be delighted with the purchase.<br /><br />But for me this collection wins with the two songs that some people seem to causally pass by. Both “November” and “Sarah and the Wolves” are classic songs that ooze a blues/jazz feel yet hold a commercial edge.<br /><br />They are also a place where Loz's piano and Andy Booth's double bass can add their charms. <br /><br />Maybe its the age I've reached that sees me leaning towards these tracks but there aren't many people writing with this kind of feel and, if I had a record company, I would be pleading with Loz to deliver an album full of these songs.<br /><br />However it is unlikely I could persuade him as the forcing of songs into straight jackets is something he did with Suburbian and now he says: “I made a contentious choice not to go in that direction. I'm keen to go in whatever direction is appropriate for the song. Either people like it or they don't.”<br /><br />Either way you'll love this EP and, if you do hate your job, you'll have something to hum as the boss walks past.<br /><br />Here's what they look like in the flesh...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m4trDP_wNoM&rel=0&border=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m4trDP_wNoM&rel=0&border=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-42299307303384913262009-02-17T07:43:00.002+00:002009-02-17T07:47:08.209+00:00I Spy A Super VillainOh Hollywood come hither! I bring you a script suitable for Bond or Bourne because there has to be a super villain out there toying with our security services, proving the extent of his or her evil abilities, because recently...<br /> <br />Two satellites have collided in space (<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/space/4598466/Two-satellites-collide-over-Siberia-creating-huge-clouds-of-debris.html">first time ever</a>) and also a pair of nuclear submarines have 'touched' mid-Atlantic (<a href="http://blogs.news.sky.com/frontlineblog/Post:3f900929-7191-456b-99c8-190370b1f237">equally rare</a>).<br /> <br />No doubt these two incidents have been demonstrations of a dastardly device created by an 'evil one' (possibly Dr Collido) just to prove how she, or he, can control our best machinery and make it look, well, stupid.<br /> <br />So if Big Ben strikes twice at one o'clock then no doubt our leaders will have given in the demands of the deranged Dr Collido. <br /> <br />And if, dear Hollywood, this scenario is too simplistic for our cinema goers, why not add a twist of science fiction with meteors flying over Sweden and Texas as seen below. <br /> <br />We could call the film: "Dr Collido's Moon Threat"<br /><br />Sweden<br /> <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pX6KXsdGsR0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pX6KXsdGsR0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /> <br />Texas<br /> <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4QIdmzL_Miw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4QIdmzL_Miw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-6760846537204225182009-02-12T08:07:00.004+00:002009-02-12T08:16:52.341+00:00Miracle Star seen around world<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFdxaJUZIWCyKbvdXAvSh4GOsS8eoQ4qGoGU9yC6fhqan1CLKSvlFw5gKvUGioNWkJ1jwyX5OtkG6Z_li5wb_8WTdHySh1HcdePZyScFtTUvxjVxq1ABx9UsSP7SNES2XH4Sf/s1600-h/star_oslo27_1_09_small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFdxaJUZIWCyKbvdXAvSh4GOsS8eoQ4qGoGU9yC6fhqan1CLKSvlFw5gKvUGioNWkJ1jwyX5OtkG6Z_li5wb_8WTdHySh1HcdePZyScFtTUvxjVxq1ABx9UsSP7SNES2XH4Sf/s320/star_oslo27_1_09_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301819607662308322" /></a>The first pictures of the ‘miracle star’ have been published on Share International’s web site and there have also been some videos surfacing in various forums around the internet.<br /><br />This picture was originally printed by Norwegian newspaper Harstad Tidende and the others from places like Miami. Costa Rica and Pakistan. <br /><br />The pictures show a bright object in the sky which some say “looks as big as a tennis ball in comparison with adjacent stars.” You can seen the full set <a href="http://www.shareintl.org/maitreya/Ma_starsign.htm#Anchor-Pictures-49575">here</a> <br /><br />The background to this story is fascinating as well as deep but if you are new to this story then here is a brief summary:<br /><br /><blockquote>Share International’s editor Benjamin Creme says we are about to see the Emergence of Maitreya, a World Teacher, who can guide us to a much better future than the one we are on course for.<br /><br />Although Creme has been preparing the way for the past thirty years there hasn’t been a right moment for Maitreya to appear.<br /><br />However thanks to the global financial crisis, and its serious implications to everyone on the planet, now is the time.<br /><br />And to mark the start of Maitreya’s Emergence it was announced by <a href="http://www.shareintl.org/">Share International</a> at the end of 2008 that: <br /><br />“In the very near future a large, bright star will appear in the sky visible to all throughout the world – night and day.” </blockquote> Well they couldn’t have picked a better or worse time.<br /><br />The good news is that 2009 is the <a href="http://www.astronomy2009.co.uk/">Year of Astronomy</a>, marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first peak through a telescope, so no doubt many eyes will be looking up at the celestial wonders above us. <br /><br />However the bad news is that Venus is resplendent at the moment and, to be honest, it has fooled me on a number of occasions. (I have found the <a href="http://www.neave.com/planetarium/">Neave Planetarium </a>invaluable if I am unsure as to what star or planet is putting on a display).<br /><br />This planet has also sparked wild debate on the Internet and where you find someone discussing a strange star in the sky you’ll also find someone pointing to Venus.<br />When I last looked the thread “<a href="http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message700038/pg61">STRANGE VERY BRIGHT STAR LIKE THING</a>” at <a href="http://www.godlikeproductions.com/">www.godlikeproductions.com</a> it had run to almost 70 pages of discussion, insult and argument.<br /><br />However in that forum this video was posted (you’ll find more <a href="http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CDF42D4A2EA2EB38">here</a>)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VZeRDd2zHSo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VZeRDd2zHSo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />The next event to look out for is Maitreya’s first interview which will be on American television. In the Jan/Feb edition of Share international, Benjamin Creme’s Master writes:<br /><br /><blockquote>“On that open, public occasion, still unannounced as Maitreya, the World Teacher will present His views on the economic and financial chaos which now grips the world. He will explain its origins and final outcome, and present, to some extent, His recipe for amelioration of the present heavy burden on the poor of the world. Thus He will prepare the way for a more detailed and specific announcement of His ideas.<br /><br />How will viewers respond? They will not know His background or status. Will they listen to and consider His words? It is too soon to know exactly but the following may be said: Never before will they have seen or heard Maitreya speak. Nor, while listening, will they have experienced His unique energy, heart to heart. Also, this is a unique time in history with whole nations stunned and apprehensive for the future. Therefore it can be assumed that many who hear His words will be open and eager to hear more.”</blockquote> <br /><br />Exciting times! You can read more here: <br /><a href="http://www.shareintl.org/magazine/old_issues/2009/2009-01.htm">http://www.shareintl.org/magazine/old_issues/2009/2009-01.htm</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-29590747600252735472009-01-29T00:25:00.008+00:002009-01-29T13:54:17.269+00:00File sharing works “Wonders” for unsigned duo.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC8Rnfi4_wwzMfwqEB8ftrC7Z3cp67c3dU1eelEukWbPFNctI1os50O-1PdwXURAwvmFwhT5rF-Ylt8U5kV6S70A1E8tn_J4ry_wgaiyWY-iZj7PZOsbcKZ3zGdtGF_tM4uBG/s1600-h/georgiawonder.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC8Rnfi4_wwzMfwqEB8ftrC7Z3cp67c3dU1eelEukWbPFNctI1os50O-1PdwXURAwvmFwhT5rF-Ylt8U5kV6S70A1E8tn_J4ry_wgaiyWY-iZj7PZOsbcKZ3zGdtGF_tM4uBG/s320/georgiawonder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296506440514786834" /></a>Last year the unsigned UK pop duo <a href="www.gwonder.com/">Georgia Wonder</a> tasted minor but traditional success through supporting Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall on his first solo tour.<br /><br />This year an unconventional approach has seen their debut EP “Hello Stranger” downloaded over 30,000 times in four days by users of <a href="http://www.frostwire.com/">Frostwire</a>, one of the file sharing programmes the music industry would prefer to shut down rather than harness.<br /><br />For Georgia Wonder’s vocalist, Stephanie Grant, the opportunity was irresistible: <blockquote>“What Frostwire helped us achieve is incredible. Their support has put our music into the hands of tens of thousands of potential fans in a matter of days.” </blockquote> And all Frostwire did was add a link to the duo’s songs on the programme’s welcome page, their spokesperson Kademlia explained (via email) that Georgia Wonder was an act they believed in: <blockquote>“When we first heard Georgia Wonder's EP, we couldn't stop humming 'The Girl You Never Knew' (see below). We knew there is something unique about them, because this doesn't really happen within our team. Another interesting thing was that we immediately felt the need to share the word about them.”</blockquote> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VkNx3_LboDA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VkNx3_LboDA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Even though this altruistic attitude has given a massive boost to Georgia Wonder’s listener base, Frostwire’s software is also helping a vast amount of people share music that should have been purchased.<br /><br />When you read the latest statistics you can’t blame record companies from gnashing their teeth over the huge sums of money they are potentially losing.<br /><br />Figures recently published by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (<a href="http://www.ifpi.org/">IFPI</a>) showed that forty billion files were illegally shared in 2008.<br /><br />As these statistics are based on results from only 16 countries the extent of their problem is potentially much bigger. <br /><br />Sharing this many files has been made very easy thanks to the “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_(protocol)">BitTorrent protocol</a>” which allows a computer programme to download a file from many sources instead of the traditional one point of contact.<br /><br />For example: if you were using the BitTorrent protocol to buy a book in the physical world, individual pages would be sent to you by hundreds of people instead of the whole book delivered from just one shop. <br /><br />This type of data transfer is known as Peer-to-Peer (P2P) with the “peers” being thousands of domestic computers running programmes like Frostwire.<br /><br />If you visit the charts hosted at “<a href="http://thepiratebay.org/">The Pirate Bay</a>” you’ll see what is currently popular in the BitTorrent universe.<br /><br />Heading music’s Top 100 is Pink Floyd’s full discography – all 27 albums wrapped up in a file that is just under 4 gigabytes in size.<br /><br />Also in the charts are established groups such as U2, Metallica, Coldplay and The Beatles as well as a host of present day artists.<br /><br />Unbelievably, unsigned Georgia Wonder are rubbing shoulders with these giants and, during the period their EP was available on Frostwire, they broke into the Top 20 – which is a remarkable achievement.<br /><br />It would take many months for Georgia Wonder to reach a similar number of listeners using networking sites such as MySpace, YouTube, ReverbNation and Facebook but at least with those places a firm relationship can be developed with the visitor.<br /><br />However, as Frostwire only promote music they believe to be a worthy listen, they themselves will form a relationship with their users and that level of trust will mean many more digital artists knocking at Frostwire’s door.<br /><br />As Kademlia points out: “Music just seems to be the natural thing to share and young and up-and-coming musicians seem to be first to understand and utilize the advantages of peer-to-peer distribution. After all, today's new artists are the pioneers of the future music industry, one which will not be controlled by a hand full of record labels.”<br /><br />With this type of success it won’t be long before the music industry embraces P2P trading and, with yearly downloads of 40 million; even fifty percent of that traffic would be a tidy sum.<br /><br />For Kademlia the future is obvious: “P2P has been proven to be an effective media distribution technology. It's been embraced by millions organically. Hopefully, the music industry will evolve and figure out way to use it, instead of fighting it.”Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-10028645198227022432009-01-19T07:46:00.001+00:002009-01-19T07:48:07.579+00:00Goodbye to Dark Age 2The inauguration of Barack Obama sees the world start a new and more positive chapter in its life.<br /><br />For the past 100 years the planet has experienced its second Dark Age: two world wars, a cold war, the incredible rise of materialism and the ensuing deterioration of our environment.<br /><br />It seems that humanity has been wandering around with an executioners sack on its head, waiting for the chop. Since the arrival of Barack Obama, people are beginning to feel the sun on their face and the light in their eyes.<br /><br />His arrival also sees the beginning of the retreat of the people who have been holding the world back.<br /><br />George W Bush will be remembered for his financing of the fight against Aids in Africa but had he approached Afghanistan, Iraq, Wall Street and the environment with the same conviction we might be looking back fondly on his eight years in power.<br /><br />However for many his tenure will be seen as the cold part of the night just before dawn.<br /><br />The new President will still face opposition to his message of hope in the Parliaments and Presidential palaces where the idea of change conflicts with the desire for power. <br /><br />Within those walls there is a belief that the current system will survive the financial meltdown and that eventually Obama will be drawn into the fold; in a similar way Tony Blair succumbed in the UK.<br /><br />Blair was also elected on a wave of optimism and hope but it wasn’t long before he was enthralled by the financial world and men of money who seemed to be saying: “If you make change it will be bad for the economy!” <br /><br />The financial crisis has drawn the rug from under that argument and no matter how many billions are pumped into the system it seems that nothing can stop the collapse. <br /><br />On one hand Barack Obama brings hope and great expectance and but also the knowledge that we have many miles to travel before we can relax in a rebuilt world.<br /><br />It was written somewhere that wisdom is intelligence with love, in Barack Obama that love of the people shines through and will hopefully saturate us all.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-78887060683941017472009-01-12T11:38:00.002+00:002009-01-12T11:44:33.515+00:00How To Stop a MiracleAs we slowly roll into the middle of January the “Christmas Miracle” that Benjamin Crème predicted seems reluctant to appear.<br /><br />If you are new to this story some background links are available at the end but, in summary, December’s issue of Share International and a subsequent press release announced a Christmas Miracle was expected: <br /><br /><blockquote>“In the very near future a large, bright star will appear in the sky visible to all throughout the world – night and day.”</blockquote> This “Miracle” would signal the beginning of the open Emergence of Maitreya, a person who will guide humanity to a golden future. Soon after the star’s appearance Maitreya, under a different name, would be interviewed on American television and start delivering His message of hope and change.<br /><br />According to Benjamin Crème, editor of Share International, Maitreya is the One awaited by all religions who’s Emergence has been ongoing since His arrival in London in July 1977. It’s potentially a massive news story.<br /><br />People who naturally deride this whole story see this new star’s non-appearance as yet more proof that Maitreya and the Masters of Wisdom do not exist as well as proof that Benjamin Creme has been deluding many people for many years.<br /><br />However if Maitreya is of the stature that Crème suggests, someone who seems to be saving humanity from humanity, then no doubt any “opposing forces” would try to stop, or at least delay Him. They have been blamed before. <br /><br />In 1987 twenty-two journalists gathered in Brick Lane, in the East End of London, to hopefully meet Maitreya or one of His envoys. <br /><br />Crème has always stated that Maitreya needs the media to invite Him forward because He cannot infringe humanity’s free will. Which is why Maitreya is unable to launch Himself unannounced on an unsuspecting public during the final of major sporting event. <br /><br />Maitreya sees the media as the true representatives of the people, so instead of “take me to your leader” it’s more like: “put me in your leader”.<br /><br />So this group of expectant reporters met in a curry house at 8pm on 31st July hoping to start the ball rolling. Unfortunately for everybody concerned nothing happened; at least in that room.<br /><br />An explanation from Benjamin Crème’s Master was printed in Share International (September 1985) and might well give some insight as to why the “Christmas Miracle” has yet to be seen. <br /><br /><blockquote>“The advent of a Being of the stature of the Christ is an event of planetary and even cosmic importance and is governed by certain laws. Inevitably it also inspires the opposition of those materialistic forces, seen and unseen, planetary and cosmic, who stand to lose the power which has kept humanity in thrall for untold ages. <br /><br />On that day, beginning about 12 noon, an initiative was launched by these forces which took the total attention of Maitreya and His Brotherhood of Light to contain. This was not achieved until about 3 am.<br /><br />The unanimous advice of the Masters was to postpone the contact. This decision was finally made about 9 pm. It was decided that the reception through the news media channels would not be of the best, evoking more disbelief, opposition and fear than was desirable.”</blockquote> As we have no idea what was happening in the unseen areas of our planet we have to look elsewhere and a search of the Internet reveals two “seen” events which could have a bearing on the above explanation.<br /><br />In Mecca 400 Iranian pilgrims were killed in clashes with Saudi Arabian security forces and in Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) calls July 31st 1987 Black Friday because of a very strong tornado: “…the weather in Edmonton is reaching biblical proportions: torrential rains, rivers rising and severe hailstorms.”<br /><br /><a href="http://archives.cbc.ca/environment/extreme_weather/topics/1713-11760/">Deadly Skies: Canada's Most Destructive Tornadoes</a><br /><br />Another event that is probably unrelated, but still would have caused extra activity in the media, was the UK’s Attorney General deciding to sue the Sunday Telegraph over the publication of details from Peter Wright's Spycatcher novel. <br /><br />That aside there are parallels with the previous two events and a couple surrounding the Christmas Miracle that Creme predicted. <br /><br />The festive time frame for the miracle was only announced in December’s issue of Share International, although it was first mentioned at Crème’s public meeting* in October but then is was expected “soon” and not a specific period.<br /><br />Since the press release was sent out, two situations have shaken the world: Israel has attacked the Palestinians in Gaza and the Russians have cut off gas supplies to many homes in Europe.<br /><br />No one is suggesting that the leaders of Russia or Israel are in league with “the other side” but the influences of the forces of materialism were blamed before, so have they sown seeds of discontent and suggestion again?<br /><br />* <em><strong>Benjamin Crème’s next public meeting is Thursday January 15th 2009 at Friends Meeting House, Euston, London, doors open 18:30. (free)</strong></em><br /><br /><strong>Background reading:</strong><br /><br /><a href="www.share-international.org/maitreya/Ma_xmasmiracle.htm">The Christmas Miracle Press release</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.share-international.org">Share International magazine</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.lucistrust.org/en/publications_store/ponder_on_this/ponder_online/contents">“Ponder on This” A compilation of extracts from the books on Esoteric Philosophy by Alice A. Bailey.</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-16744136941905410512009-01-02T13:23:00.003+00:002009-01-02T13:35:25.645+00:00We need more journalists like Mick BrownIt was good see journalist and author Mick Brown write in the Daily Telegraph’s blog about the expected “Christmas Miracle” (<a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/mick_brown/blog/2008/12/16/bright_star_shines_for_second_coming_possibly">Bright star shines for Second Coming. Possibly</a>)<br /><br />He has also covered the Maitreya/Creme story in his book “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Tourist-Personal-Odyssey-Through/dp/158234034X">The Spiritual Tourist</a>” and once made a revealing documentary for BBC Radio 4 in which Crème not only spoke about his life’s mission to bring Maitreya to the public’s attention but also revealed what is was like to work with a “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascended_Master">Master of Wisdom</a>”.<br /><br />But even though a writer of his standing is bringing this story to people’s attention you are left wishing that there were other journalists of Mick Brown calibre prepared to stick their neck out and create more awareness of Maitreya and the possibible benefits his emergency would make around the planet. <br /><br />However "the sit back and wait approach" is apparently the way forward as Maitreya (under another name) will be interviewed on American TV a week or so after the “<a href="http://www.share-international.org/maitreya/Ma_xmasmiracle.htm">Christmas Miracle</a>”. <br /><br />Yet here we are, two days into the New Year and still no sign of any bright lights in the sky.<br /><br />However I still haven’t stopped looking up at every opportunity hoping to catch that first glimpse of this new celestial object. <br /><br />I’m usually looking to the north as logic dictates that if you are going to cause people to look up in awe, day and night, then away from the sun would be a sensible idea.<br /><br />And we’ve had some lovely clear days and nights in England, almost perfect conditions since Christmas but still nothing. <br /><br />Although remember this: Christmas is twelve days long and the last day, <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/epiphany">Epiphany</a>, is on January 6th <br /><br />I only recently found out that Epiphany in Greek means "to manifest" or "to show". So there is always hope of impeccable timing.<br /><br />Yet the disturbing situation in the middle-east could prove a hindrance. With the Israelis attacking the Palestinians in Gaza I’m wondering if a cease-fire is needed before any light comes from above. Or would a new star in the sky cause people to stop their war?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-50622237869106005882008-12-15T08:05:00.003+00:002008-12-15T08:11:36.518+00:00Showcase UK's first podcast<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVA0i_x5ynbNOg9Z2L124r6FD1pqIKoirdrJPUw4tfkEWAsoBXh0aK7O7Dn2BHHfh86kffR00yJrMZbWNsmjci3BqOKJ4bNjrhUEtPnac4aTH6gKEa4T7wCc9EJBRiaDHz56x/s1600-h/Stephen_Kalinich_300.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVA0i_x5ynbNOg9Z2L124r6FD1pqIKoirdrJPUw4tfkEWAsoBXh0aK7O7Dn2BHHfh86kffR00yJrMZbWNsmjci3BqOKJ4bNjrhUEtPnac4aTH6gKEa4T7wCc9EJBRiaDHz56x/s400/Stephen_Kalinich_300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279925304053165506" /></a><br><br />American poet Stephen Kalinich is the subject of Showcase UK's first podcast.<br /><br />Stephen spent 2008 working with two British musicians: maverick classical guitarist Richard Durrant and dance producer Cal Gibbson.<br /><br />However 2008 also saw Stephen release an album he recorded 40 years ago with beach Boy Brian Wilson. The album was a never released classic of its time. Maybe its time has come?<br /><br /><div><br /> <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" width="210" height="25" id="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle"><br /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://showcaseuk.podbean.com/medias/play/aHR0cDovL21lZGlhNi5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS8xMDUyNjEvdS9TdGVwaGVuX0thbGluaWNoLm1wMw/Stephen_Kalinich.mp3&autoStart=no" /><br /> <param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><br /> <embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerdarksmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://showcaseuk.podbean.com/medias/play/aHR0cDovL21lZGlhNi5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS8xMDUyNjEvdS9TdGVwaGVuX0thbGluaWNoLm1wMw/Stephen_Kalinich.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerdarksmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed><br /> </object><br /> <br /><a style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; color: #2DA274; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: none;" href="http://www.podbean.com">Powered by Podbean.com</a><br /> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-16147785561996673322008-12-15T06:48:00.004+00:002008-12-15T07:01:37.359+00:00Sleeping 9 to 5 (or there abouts)There aren’t many groups, societies or clubs that I belong to, and none that I claim to have started, but I feel obliged to make you aware of people who find it hard to be creative in company time. <br /><br />Their solution is getting up early and working from 5 to 7am. <br /><br />My father wrote his book in the early hours, I’m sitting here in a similar fashion and my friend Carla White has recently used this two hour slot of peace and quiet to create an application. <br /><br />It’s called "<a href="http://happytapper.com/">Gratitude!</a>": a personal gratitude journal for the iPhone. <br /><br />Unfortunately I don’t possess one of these sexy devices so can’t vouch for her creation but Carla is a great coder and, as we are informal members of the 5am club, I feel obliged to point you to her direction. <br /><br /><a href="http://happytapper.com/">happytapper.com</a><br /><br />or download it from <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=299604556&mt=8">iTunes</a><br /><br /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=299604556&mt=8"><img src="http://happytapper.com/images/120_90Ad.png" border="0" alt="iPhone Gratitude App" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-78527237362029306962008-10-30T07:25:00.004+00:002008-10-30T07:33:36.754+00:00Now Is The Time For the Media to Meet MaitreyaOver the coming weeks economic experts will continue presenting ideas on how to resolve the global financial crisis, but not many seem to be thinking about the future.<br /><br />Proof that the city dealers haven’t learnt from this disaster came with the news that billions of pounds have been lost by hedge funds short-selling shares in German car maker VW <br /><br />(<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/oct/29/vw-volkswagen-porsche-takeover">VW goes from the Beetle to the world's most valuable company</a>, The Guardian)<br /><br />Even after all of their losses the city hasn’t learnt and their mistakes threaten our way of life. <br /><br />There can’t be many people in this world who haven’t noticed the recent injustice of our financial institutions receiving billions of dollars in aid, while millions of Zimbabweans are on the brink of starvation.<br /><br />This planetary imbalance of fortune needs to be addressed and there is one person who has consistently provided a blueprint to a better future for everyone.<br /><br />His name is Maitreya and His plan for humanity includes: the end of starvation and war, Peace and Justice for all, with adequate food, housing, health and education as a basic right.<br /><br />Maitreya not only sees our problems as easily solvable but also predicts that by following His plan we can expect this to be achieved within 25 years. All we need to do is see the earth as belonging to everyone and share its resources.<br /><br />He has been generally ignored by the media for the past thirty years but now, with our economies on their knees, is the ideal time to test Maitreya’s ideas face-to-face and see if they stand up to intense scrutiny. We have nothing to loose and everything to gain. <br /><br />However the media have always had a problem with who Maitreya is claimed to be and maybe that is why He isn’t a household name by now. <br /><br />Since May 1975 Maitreya’s plans have been presented by Benjamin Creme during his monthly lectures at Friend’s Meeting House in Euston, London. <br /><br />Along with annual talks in Europe, Japan and America, Creme says he has been “preparing the way” for Maitreya, once describing his role as a bit like John the Baptist but without any baptising.<br /><br />Creme is also editor of <a href="http://www.shareintl.org/">Share International</a>, a magazine in its 27th year of publication and in that time it has never taken an advert.<br /><br />As you would expect the ‘share’ in this case is “Share and Save the World” and for Maitreya this is the only way forward for humanity. <br /><br />In a series of messages given to Benjamin Creme, by Maitreya between September 1977 and June 1982, the idea of sharing was a regular topic: <br /><br /><blockquote>"The answers to your problems are simple indeed. Many times have I told you that the will to share must govern your lives. Once again, I repeat: without Sharing and Justice, My brothers and sisters, man will know no peace." </blockquote><br />(<a href="http://www.share-international.org/maitreya/messages/message_133.htm">Message No. 133 December 16, 1981</a>)<br /><br />So who is Maitreya? And what is His background? On Share International’s web site they claim this about Him: <br /><br /><blockquote>“He has been expected for generations by all of the major religions. Christians know him as the Christ, and expect his imminent return. Jews await him as the Messiah; Hindus look for the coming of Krishna; Buddhists expect him as Maitreya Buddha; and Muslims anticipate the Imam Mahdi or Messiah.<br /><br />Although the names are different, many believe that they all refer to the same individual: the World Teacher, whose personal name is Maitreya.”</blockquote><br />(<a href="http://www.share-international.org/maitreya/Ma_main.htm">Who is Maitreya?</a> Share International)<br /><br />If true this would be the biggest news story the planet has witnessed but maybe a claim the media have found impossible to stake their reputations on with an in-depth investigation.<br /><br />They might have also had a problem with the notion that they need to invite Maitreya forward. Creme says Maitreya can’t just materialise on TV sets around the world as that action would infringe humanity’s Free Will, something a person of Maitreya’s standing sees as sacrosanct.<br /><br />The media are also seen as the people’s true representatives. It is them and not politicians or religious leaders who are needed to put Maitreya’s plans forward but only after thorough testing and questioning of His qualifications.<br /><br />Creme’s first attempt at bringing Maitreya and the media together was a major press conference in Los Angeles on 14th May 1982. <br /><br />After placing full page adverts in newspapers around the world, ninety journalists from the main news outlets gathered to hear Benjamin Creme announce that Maitreya, The Christ and World Teacher, was living as an ordinary member of the Asian community in London, ready and willing to help humanity.<br /><br />All the media had to do was go through the motions of looking for Maitreya and He would be able to start His emergence. In a Share International pamphlet Creme explained: <br /><br /><blockquote>“A well-known journalist would need to be assigned to the task, so that on meeting Maitreya they would have sufficient professional standing to be believed by their fellow journalists.” </blockquote> Unfortunately no one came forward. And in some respects you can’t blame them as the Share International adverts had proclaimed “The Christ Is Now Here”. <br /><br />Now from Creme’s point of view he is telling the absolute truth but it must have seemed a very difficult task for the journalists, returning to their editors with the news: “Well, Christ wasn’t there, but Benjamin Creme says we’ve got to go and look for Him and then he will come forward.” <br /><br />However the story did inspire some freelance journalists and twenty-two gathered at a curry house in Brick Lane, London on 31st July 1985 with the hope of meeting Maitreya, or an envoy.<br /><br />A humorous account of the evening was written by Alan Rusbridger, the current editor of the Guardian newspaper, who since hasn’t written anything about Maitreya.<br /><br />No one put in an appearance that evening and enthusiasm for the story diminished but, according to Creme, enough of an attempt had been made to begin the process. <br /><br />In the September, 1985 issue of Share International he writes: <br /><br /><blockquote>“Of course, all of us who have worked so hard to bring this gathering of journalists about were disappointed. From the viewpoint of the Christ, however, the evening was a great success. For the first time, a truly representative group of the world's media, East and West, made themselves available to be contacted. This represents a symbolic invitation from humanity to come forward and immeasurably frees Maitreya's hand to act directly Himself. <br /><br />In the long run, the media have still to make Maitreya known to the world but the work of getting them involved is done. We can now await Maitreya's direct action with added confidence and faith.”</blockquote> Twenty-two years later and with the same optimism and hope for the future Benjamin Creme is still giving lectures in Friend’s Meeting House and at the most recent (7th October 2008) he said Maitreya’s first TV interview was very close. It will be in the United States, He won’t be called Maitreya but he will put forward His views and ideas. <br /><br />Creme even gave the audience a time frame in which this would happen and the details have been printed in Share International (November 2008).<br /><br />Apparently this August, Maitreya gave a bottle of hair conditioner to a woman stall holder the Esoteric fair in Magdeburg in Germany. He told her that: “If you are very sparing, the event will happen before this bottle is finished.”<br /><br />Maitreya also gave her another sign that the moment was near: “The event will be announced by a bright star in the sky, which will be visible for everybody.”Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-7543602678998988322008-10-03T12:45:00.004+01:002008-10-03T12:50:09.140+01:00Familiarity Breeds Yet Again<strong>Since Original 106fm stopped broadcasting I’ve been giving this expression a fair amount of use: "When one studio door shuts, another opens". </strong><br /><br />Although when it comes to continuing the Showcase, which puts unsigned and independent music on the radio, people seem to be cowering behind the studio door, fingers in ears, exclaiming the idea to be “dangerous”. <br /><br />Well, dangerous might be a small exaggeration, but what I’m finding is that playing "new music" on commercial radio is seen as a bad idea because, the theory goes, listeners want familiar songs. Songs that they know and love and have heard many times before. <br /><br />If they don’t hear a familiar song they’ll change channel. <br /><br />And that’s even with the new music put into a “new music show” with a presenter telling you that there is “new music” about to come on.<br /><br />It’s surprising the ‘familiar’ theory is so prevalent because pop radio has been with us for over 40 years and by now we should be used to hearing the occasionally different song.<br /><br />The only person widely associated with broadcasting new music the late BBC broadcaster <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peel">John Peel</a> and bizarrely enough he became popular before joining the BBC playing new and different music on a pirate radio station. <br /><br />So even in the late 60’s pirate radio fell into the trap of playing safe.<br /><br />The message is loud and clear: commercial radio plays music you already know and new music is the BBC’s remit. <br /><br />Commercial television doesn’t have a problem with untried talent. If you went to ITV chief <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Grade">Michael Grade</a> and suggested he should drop “<a href="http://xfactor.itv.com/">The X Factor</a>” and “<a href="http://talent.itv.com/">Britain’s Got Talent</a>” I am sure he’d suggest you did something unprintable. <br /><br />These two shows are their biggest ratings winners and although the format maybe familiar the acts aren’t. It is a sure bet that radio wouldn’t have discovered <a href="http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/">Leona Lewis</a> or <a href="http://www.willyoung.co.uk/">Will Young</a>.<br /><br />I’ve recently been reminded that “radio is a village”. A great analogy to be sure but, to my eye, commercial radio’s current attitude appears more like local gentry, living on a big hill near the village, with a loud speaker on the turret, expecting everyone to love them because of the familiar songs they broadcast. <br /><br />The only time these gentry visit the village is to collect money from traders, or hand out prizes when ratings are being counted. <br /><br />If, on these rare visits, they were to collect a few new songs from the village and then expand on that interaction, they might engender some respect, loyalty and more importantly for the traders - show they have a connection with the community.<br /><br />Advertiser’s current worry is their message falling upon deaf ears because, if people are listening to familiar songs on the radio, are they really “listening”? Are they just treating it as background music?<br /><br />Of course the other question radio should be asking is “How many times do people switch when they hear a song they are familiar with?”<br /><br />Commercial radio is an excellent medium for musicians, listeners and advertisers to co-exist but for me the current trend of safety will widen the distance between the station and the community.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-44553502895086785992008-09-03T11:12:00.003+01:002008-09-03T11:16:22.978+01:00Planning for The National Climate March on December 6th 2008If the points below mirror your thoughts then there is a meeting you should be going to.<br /><br /><strong>No - New Coal<br />No - Heathrow / Aviation expansion<br />No to Agrofuels</strong> <br /><br /><strong>Yes to renewable energy, energy efficiency, low carbon transport, deep and rapid emission cuts, green jobs.</strong><br /><br />The National Climate march is going to be a big mobilisation of people concerned about our climate. There is a meeting on 4th October 2008 in London to plan for the demo as well as the year ahead.<br /><br /><strong>Venue:</strong> Room G2 in SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London. SOAS is off Thornhaugh street, off Russel Square – otherwise approachable from the other side from Malet street.<br /><br /><strong>Nearest tube :</strong> Russel Square. G2 is in the main building where the Students Union is, up the stairs from the central courtyard.<br /><br /><strong>Date and Time:</strong> London, Saturday 4th October, 11.00 am to 5.00 pm <br /><br />The meeting is organized by the <a href="http://www.campaigncc.org/">Campaign Against Climate Change </a>who announced in a recent email:<br /> <br /><blockquote>"The National Climate March on December 6th is also part of a Global Day of Action on climate – last year more than 70 countries were involved. Help us build this international campaign still bigger- both for the Poznan Climate Talks this year and the all important Copenhagen 2009 Talks next year.<br /> <br />As well as joining other countries around the world to demand urgent action and climate justice from world leaders the National Climate March will be pushing 3 major issue/demands to the government<br /> <br />No New Coal<br /> <br />No Heathrow / Aviation expansion<br /> <br />No to Agrofuels<br /> <br />While these negatives are balanced by a positive<br /> <br />Yes to renewable energy, energy efficiency, low carbon transport, deep and rapid emission cuts, green jobs..."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.campaigncc.org/">http://www.campaigncc.org/</a><br /></blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-81484479650913637982008-08-15T02:55:00.001+01:002008-08-15T02:57:11.028+01:00Don't Dump! - Freecycle!From pianos to old printers people are turning away from dumping and giving away their “almost rubbish” to people living near by.<br /><br />It’s called Freecycling and these are the groups of people currently doing it in the south’s main towns – there are many others<br /><br /><strong>Winchester - 3305 active members <br />Southampton - 9419 active members<br />Portsmouth - 3685 active members<br />Isle of Wight - 1904 active members<br />Bournemouth - 6472 active members</strong><br /><br />The above are main centres we've picked out but there are many other groups who could be much closer to you for example:<br /><br /><strong>New Forest East - 1634 active members<br />Fareham - 1449 active members<br />Wimborne Minster - 754 active members</strong><br /><a href="http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK">http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK</a><br /><br /><strong>As they say…</strong><br />“Freecycle groups match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them.<br /><br />Everything posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages. When you want to OFFER something - whether it's a chair, fax machine, piano or an old door, simply send an email to your group.<br /><br />Maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself? Post a WANTED message and a group member may just have what you're looking for. Alert the group with a follow-up RECEIVED email.”Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-16625234938380529072008-08-09T00:32:00.004+01:002008-08-09T01:43:02.526+01:00The Best Couplet In A SongA great set of U2 lyrics can be found in 'The Fly' by U2, the first single from U2’s mold breaking album Achtung Baby (1991)<br /><br />There is one couplet from that song which will always stick with me:<br /><br /><em>Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief<br />All kill their inspiration and sing about their grief</em><br /><br />I wonder if Bono gave himself a large pat on the back upon completing those words because in my opinion it’s one of the best observations put into song.<br /><br />The full set of lyrics can be read on a web site dedicated to U2 - <a href="http://www.u2wanderer.org/disco/lyrics.php?id=88">u2wanderer</a> - it is a joy to use this web site for the layout, content and no pop-ups.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-33483719982296782082008-08-08T17:59:00.001+01:002008-08-08T18:00:35.700+01:00Please Let The Pictures Do The TalkingWhat a brilliant opening ceremony the Chinese have presented for the <a href="http://en.beijing2008.cn/">2008 Olympics</a>. <br /><br />I wasn’t able to see it all but the moments I witnessed gave one hope for the future of mankind. The colour, the precision, the costumes and what a finale! It honestly brought a tear to my eye.<br /><br />But what really irritated me was the commentators on the BBC broadcast. They couldn’t stop talking. They couldn’t let the action speak for itself. All sorts of scraps trivia were delivered. <br /><br />It was like being at the cinema and having a couple chatting about production techniques during the whole film.<br /><br />The moment I cracked was during the pianist Lang Lang’s performance and the presenters continued wittering away about banal and inane things.<br /><br />I telephoned the BBC to complain but the line was busy so maybe others felt the same. I’ll let you know if my e-mail gets a response.<br /><br />However should anyone ask you to commentate on such a spectacular event in the future, this handy quote from Confucius should be kept for future reference:<br /><br />“Silence is the true friend that never betrays.”Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-82662084271566156342008-08-08T08:08:00.001+01:002008-08-08T08:08:23.089+01:00The Joy of CompilationsThe first single from <a href="http://www.birdpen.com/">Birdpen’s</a> debut album On/Off/Safety/Danger is released on Friday 15th August.<br /><br />It’s called Breaking Precedent and is available to download from iTunes and Napster.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XhcVH9Yeuek&color1=11645361&color2=13619151&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XhcVH9Yeuek&color1=11645361&color2=13619151&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Birdpen first came to the <a href="http://www.original106.com/showcase">original Showcase’s</a> attention when we received the compilation “The Coming of The Railways” – the best of the south coast’s bands [<a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_nkwZTheQ20ComingQ20ofQ20TheQ20RailwaysQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdoZ">search on ebay</a>]<br /><br />Collections like that are an ideal resource and, as the artists are from the same area, give a great musical snap shot of the local scene.<br /><br />In that 19 band collection I had my first experience of <a href="http://www.subgiant.co.uk/">Subgiant</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/scarletsohouk">Scarlet Soho</a>, <a href="http://www.plastictoys.co.uk/">Plastic Toys </a> and <a href="http://www.sinestarproject.com/">Sine Star Project </a>all of which are Showcase regulars.<br /><br />Last week another fine compilation landed on our desk and not only does it originate from the Isle of Wight but also serves another purpose.<br /><br />Complied by John Cattle, chairman of the <a href="http://www.wight-trash.co.uk">Save Ventnor Skatepark Group </a>the CD “Transitions” is a major part in their fund raising process. <br /><br />They’ve enlisted the help of Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher from <a href="http://www.thebees.info/">The Bees</a> and on this first volume you’ll hear some old favourites of the Showcase: acts like <a href="http://www.jetharris.biz/">Jet Harris</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jacksonanalogue">Jackson Analogue</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thechancersiow">The Chancers </a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theshanklinfreakshow">Shanklin Freak Show</a>.<br /><br />But I have also been introduced to the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/wightlightorchestra ">Wight Light Orchestra</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theshutes">The Shutes</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thefunkypeas">The Peas</a>.<br /><br />This Sunday we’ll be playing three more songs from the album which, for £10, you get 22 bands of varying styles but definitely a high standard. Visit <br /><a href="http://www.wight-trash.co.uk">www.wight-trash.co.uk</a> to buy your copy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-75332433197692341552008-08-06T17:34:00.001+01:002008-08-06T17:36:54.704+01:00NY Arts - The Vision of the ResurrectionBritish painter Donald Pass has recently featured in NY Arts <a href="http://www.nyartsmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=280192&Itemid=752">NY Arts - The Vision of the Resurrection</a><br /><br />If you want to study his work further the video below gives you more images and excerts from an interview I conducted with him a couple of years back.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7sIWGBH5g0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7sIWGBH5g0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />or visit <a href="http://www.donaldpass.com">www.donaldpass.com</A>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-73530184679677382832008-08-06T16:08:00.005+01:002008-08-06T16:38:44.454+01:00Something big about SubgiantEvery time I meet a band for a Showcase session I am always uplifted and inspired by their art and craft. <br /><br />With Southampton based Subgiant I was also really surprised at the quality of the sound they produced and also the energy that exuded from their performance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4pTScy9qAxGoI7SwHoMejKOXhlffIF3zsZKXFN1w4WfQyPqm1P7I7GvlChhZEkNo2kV66DZsHMqdTXxEO-GV3K866-uC2yyvceig9cOSu7OZixUMj6FFD9HJA8TsI4Pntv5-/s1600-h/subgiant_blog.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4pTScy9qAxGoI7SwHoMejKOXhlffIF3zsZKXFN1w4WfQyPqm1P7I7GvlChhZEkNo2kV66DZsHMqdTXxEO-GV3K866-uC2yyvceig9cOSu7OZixUMj6FFD9HJA8TsI4Pntv5-/s400/subgiant_blog.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231426655597386642" /></a><br />We squeezed them and their equipment into studio 2 and no matter how many technical gizmos you have; to stand out you need the tunes and Subgiant have them in bucket loads.<br /><br />They played two songs in the session “Filthy” from the album Global Control and “Stunt Driver” which is a new download.<br /><br />And if you are a collector of CD’s then get Global Control as Subgiant will only be releasing single pieces of music for a while.<br /><br />This is “a response to what’s happening in the industry.” Bass and keyboard player, Olly Maw, told us. “It means we can talk to the fans more regularly rather than one big build up.”<br /><br />This makes a lot of sense. Hours of time and effort are put into making and promoting an album and once released momentum is hard to maintain.<br /><br />So for bands on Subgiant’s level a track once in a while keeps interest ticking over and continues building the fan base they are picking up from all the festivals they play.<br /><br />This Sunday they are in session on the original Showcase after 6pm and live at Endorse it in Dorset, main stage, 15:00, Saturday 9th August.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-85353340334711873462008-07-29T00:53:00.001+01:002008-07-29T00:53:39.621+01:00Crop Circles point to August 1st Solar EclipseThis summer's crop circles seem to have a message.<br /><br />If you visit the Crop Circle Connector you'll find a very interesting article by Bert Janssen under the pictures of the wonderful formation at Furze Knoll, Beckhampston, Wiltshire.<br /><br />He starts:<br /><br />“Most new crop pictures which have appeared so far in the summer of 2008 have told us about the astronomy of eclipses.”<br /><br />Later on and after some convincing mathematics and astronomy:<br /><br />“…the field alignment of Furze Knoll was seemingly meant to tell us: <br /><br />"Your Sun and Moon will line up on Earth's horizon at 20 degrees east of north, for sunrise on August 1 during an upcoming solar eclipse."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2008/furze/furze2008.html">http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2008/furze/furze2008.html</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-42537975153271966052008-07-18T00:12:00.000+01:002008-07-29T00:13:55.332+01:00Large body of evidence for large UFO in Texas skyThe mission of the Mutual UFO Network is clear: “The scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity.” <br /><br />And they have just released a very thorough report into a UFO sighting in Texas in the early part of 2008.<br /><br />Using the Freedom of Information Act MUFON requested radar documents from the Federal Aviation Administration, military bases and other agencies under.<br /><br />With this evidence and witness statements they suggest that an enormous craft, without transponders, travelling up to 2,100 miles-per-hour and "turning at angles not possible by military aircraft." was seen above the skies of Stephenville and Dublin in the state of Texas.<br /><br />The pdf document can be found here: <a href="http://www.mufon.com/documents/MUFONStephenvilleRadarReport.pdf">www.mufon.com/documents/MUFONStephenvilleRadarReport.pdf</a><br /><br />Or just visit MUFON: <a href="http://www.mufon.com">www.mufon.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-44059122862783866032008-07-16T00:14:00.000+01:002008-07-29T00:15:12.325+01:00Yorkshire Woman Videos Lights In SkyMrs Lorraine Senior lives near Woodkirk Valley Country Club, Leeds Road, Dewsbury in Yorkshire.<br /><br />She's been seeing lights in the sky for quite some time and as she didn't have any proof kept quiet about what she saw.<br /><br />However once she had captured footage of these noctural apparitions she contacted the Yorkshire Evening Post.<br /><br />They have some great quotes from her, this is one:<br /><br />"Sometimes they fly in a triangular formation and shoot off at great speed. I would guess they are about half a mile away. There is nothing in the area but green fields. I'm a believer in them."<br /><br />http://<a href="http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Woodkirk-woman-spots-UFOs.4285639.jp">www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Woodkirk-woman-spots-UFOs.4285639.jp</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-701834383082292832008-07-13T00:15:00.000+01:002008-07-29T00:16:26.677+01:00Hounslow UFO VideoUFO sightings continue to be reported in regional newspapers and these stories are prompting people to come forward with even more reports and occasional some video.<br /><br />On Sunday (6th July) people reported strange lights in the sky and then the Houslow Chronicle (July 11th) reports: <br /><br />“Aaron Rhys Jenkins from Osterley saw three lights hovering above him at the Ashford Roundabout on New Year's Eve at around 3am and recorded them on his camera phone as he watched in awe.”<br /><br />Full story: <a href="http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-news/local-hounslow-news/2008/07/09/more-sightings-of-hounslow-ufo-109642-21303935/">http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-news/local-hounslow-news/2008/07/09/more-sightings-of-hounslow-ufo-109642-21303935/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25884054.post-26810820249005444302008-07-11T13:00:00.000+01:002008-08-06T16:40:25.914+01:00How To Approach A Record CompanyRecently I was asked for advice about approaching a record company. <br /><br />This brought back happy memories of my times in <a href="http://www.myspace.com/nelliedean">bands</a> where we would all traipse up to a record company, meet someone in A&R, and play them our latest demo. <br /><br />These were never successful meetings and I doubt A&R departments still allow young hopefuls through the door so this is how I would approach it now.<br /><br />Find someone whose musical opinion you trust and ask them if you are any good. If they say no then either improve, or give up and stick to the day job.<br /><br />If they say yes find the record label most suited to your sound; the one you would really love to sign to. <br /><br />Then find out who is responsible for new acts and try and speak to them. You’ll need to be charming to get past the receptionist. Don’t be put off by a negative response. <br /><br />Once you have a name; you have a contact. Send this person your demo but make sure the whole package looks impressive: a plain silver CD with a hand written note is going straight into the bin. <br /><br />So maybe send your trusted friend from above the whole package and see what improvements they can suggest. <br /><br />And be prepared for a positive response. If they like you they will want to: see you play live as soon as possible and how many albums of material you already have.<br /><br />Good luck!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14735202217954626665noreply@blogger.com0