Samhain

Samhain blessings. I hope last harvest finds both your physical and metaphorical barns stuffed full with all the things you desired from the seeds sown earlier in the year. Flags, Flax, Fodder and Frigg y'all

Mudeford sunset #13

Mudeford sunset #13 A sunset of autumnal hues.

Sentient @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 29.10.2016

It's kinda like Déjà vu, man, back at the King Arthur to watch Sentient, but then not so. Yeah, the King Arthur's the same, a public house/venue par excellence, populated with friendly, funny and vibrant staff and punters (more of that later).  Such are the frequency of our visits for gigs, it's taken on a very comfortable homely feel. But Sentient, man, Sentient! They may have been the same four fellows up there on the stage, four musical giants of boundless talent and originality, but each time we see them they bring something new to the party. A tweak here, a nudge into a new direction there, a familiar sound forged anew. What I'm trying to say is, each time we see Sentient they just keep getting better. How the fuck do you consistently improve on what appears perfection? All I know is that they do! For those who don't know, Sentient are: Steffe Sharpstrings on guitar. Steffe's a purveyor of many musical flavours, although he's probably best known for his work with Here and Now and Planet Gong, his glissando and noodling skills are both instantly recognizable and outstanding. Bass is provided by the legendary Mike Howlett, possibly most famously of Gong, although he has many more strings to his bow. When it comes to great bass players look no further, Mike's passion and skill on bass (to my mind) are hard to beat. On drums is the magnificent Steve Cassidy notably of Planet Gong and currently Here and Now. Steve's drumming is clean and powerful, able to drive and maintain the most rhythmic of numbers. Finally on keyboards and synth, Mr twiddly knobbery himself Joie Hinton. You'll know Joie from Ozric Tentacles, Eat Static and currently Here and Now, and, man, does he know his trippy noises. Yeah, I think you've guessed it, Sentient are a kind of counter culture super group.

The room was packed (and, why wouldn't it be!) when Steffe and Joie took to the stage and together began to create some wondrous sounds. Steffe's glissando was bliss, as was his noodling, top shelf stuff and then something new as Steffe played this guitar in a style I'd not heard him play before, fast clean rock shred licks on a jazzy tip (or some such), far out!  All the time Joie, leaning into the keys was watching for cues, smiling, twiddling and tweaking, forming textures for Steffe's guitar to glide across. Way good, man. It's amazing what wonderful musical textures and soundscapes a guitar and keyboards in the hands of great musicians can create (for another great guitar/keyboard combo check out Music of the Andys.) Steffe and Joie played two tracks, both really really nice.  Now Steve and Mike took to the stage to join them, and of course the sound took on new dimensions and directions. The tracks (whether they're 'tracks' or rather the framework for improvisation) appeared to have a stronger funky jazz flavour to them this time around (maybe Mike Howletts influence). I'm not complaining, mind, you gotta love the funk. The sound was rich and deeply layered, inspiration being drawn from diverse musical wells. As well as the funk and jazz elements, there's a dub, space rock, psych feel, as well as the unmistakable echo you hear in a Gong family band. It was bloody beautiful, man, the magic flowed! I love Steffe's guitar style, so natural, he makes it look like a meditation, it's pure guitar poetry, and he looks like he's loving every minute of it, feeling every note. Throughout both sets his glissando and noodling was flawless. Joie was on good form tonight too, his twiddling and tweaking consistently hitting the spot, adding some fantastic synth textures and forms to the mix, which are always welcome. As for Steve's drumming, what a very understated drummer, looking calm and relaxed whilst maintaining a solid unfaltering groove, dropping in great accents and embellishments, as and when. He drove the tracks along. Even when he's going like the clappers, he looks decidedly pedestrian, boss drummer for sure. And then there was Mike Howlett, bass player of behemothic talent and standing.  What a musician, man, his funky bass licks and riffs were something else, with a consistency which was amazing. You couldn't help but stare in awe at his style and presence, faultless bass on every number, the bass flowing through him. I said it last time; the Howlett/Cassidy combination gives Sentient a rhythm section beyond compassion, and that was only re-enforced this evenings performance. I loved the glances the band throw each other, how good a musician you must have to be to improvise and freestyle to such a standard as these fellows achieve. Justifiably, the end of each track was met with loud and sustained applause, the audience were fucking loving it, it was a good audience too, as I previously mentioned, the room was packed. Then there was then a break for refreshments. I noticed a couple of musicians in the audience this evening, Andy Roger of Music of the Andys and Here and Now, and Cary Grace, whose fantastic new release 'The Uffculme Variations' (review to follow) features Steffe (it's an earworm of an album). At the end of the intermission Steve took to the stage and performed some nice solo drumming for us, before the band joined him and they were off again. The second set continued along similar lines to the first, there was a nice reggae-ish number, a rich feast of psychedelic rock flavours with thick layers of jazziness, and plenty of funky flavours too. The band were laying down some seriously sumptuous musical vibes. It was all just so good, man, such a tight sound and yet so free flowing. The band looked to be enjoying it (always nice), and the audience certainly were, most people were up dancing and everybody was certainly having a damn fine time. The evening finished off with a reworking of an old school Here and Now track, and the crowd loved it.  What a spectacular performance, stellar stuff!

Life can be shit sometimes, man, unrelenting heaviness can drag your spirit down; it's nights like this, that help keep that black dog muzzled. The energy from these evenings resonates far beyond the gig itself. I think Abba hit the nail on the head with, '(music) who can live without it. I ask in all honesty, what would life be?'. Word! The power of a good gig to raise and renew ones spirits cannot, and should not, be underestimated. I am truly grateful for the music. And yeah, I referenced Abba, so what! And the 'Arthur', well, as always it was a joy, every box ticked and many stars awarded. The sound guy was on top form again, you wouldn't believe the sound quality for such a small venue, clean and clear, bravo that dude! Now, if you've read any of my reviews of previous King Arthur gigs you'll know we always meet lovely friendly characters. Tonight whilst sitting in the comfy sofas towards the back of the pub, we spied a familiar face (usually we never seem to meet the same people twice). It was sweet Annie (literally from Frome) from our last visit, she was completely bewildered as to who we were, though after chatting a while I think the mists cleared. We recounted our last encounter, and remarked she was more together this time, to which she replied 'Annie, similar, yet not the same'. You've got to laugh. It was lovely to see Annie, you can't beat nice people, especially in to today's world.

Anyways, another top night was had, for which I give big love and thanks to all involved. If you've not seen Sentient or visited the King Arthur, you really need to rectify that.

Glastonbury Wild Hunt 2016

A few photos from Glastonbury's Wild Hunt. A great day with groovy people, in a vibrant town that knows how put on an event. It all appears so natural. Avalon really is a magical place.

Injection

Injection Vol 2 continues, as with Vol 1, to be a real page turner. If you're not aware of the premise, 5 geniuses in their fields: a strategist/agent,  a scientist/genuine genius, a logician/ethicist, a AI expert and a cunning-man (wizard), are brought together by a government/corporate group (Ministry of Time and Measurement and Force Projection International) to form the Cultural Cross Contamination Unit. The  government and their corporate friends are worried that the 21th century was entering a period of stagnation, our five geniuses are tasked with finding a solution, to make the 21st century more interesting and thus stimulate development, their solution.......the injection. Yup, you've got it, it goes terribly wrong. You can't go injecting magic and stuff into computers, messing with reality, you must know how that's going to go. 

In this volume we focus on Vivek Headland (and his reluctant though resigned assistant and heavy 'Red') as he investigates an abduction, a missing ghost lover who exists in a photo and a lonely messed up rich guy, there's human ham and weirdness of plenty, all courtesy of the injection. It's essentially a detective story, though a strange and bizarre one. We also get to peek into how and what the other geniuses are up to. I loved it. Warren is such a fantastic writer, so engaging and his dialogue carries the story along beautifully; Shalvey's art is wonderfully expressive and conveys emotions perfectly; whilst Bellaire's colouring brings the scenes and characters to life. 

I think you could enjoy this read as a stand alone, having not read Injection volume one, just as a detective story. Then again, maybe not, I don't know. Shit! Get them both, you wont be disappointed.

Mudeford sunset #12

Mudeford sunset #12
Oh yeah! 

Dartmoor

Dartmoor, forever you hold a piece of my heart captive; captivated as I am by your natural beauty and tangible spiritual energy.  I don't visit Dartmoor often any more (something I must rectify), though when I do my spirit soars. Today we took the path from New Bridge on the Holne side of the Dart up to Dartmeet. A path which starts of broad, then narrows and narrows, down to uneven and rocky winding single track, until finally the path exists only in your imagination, though you push on still. The moor is drier than I've known it at this time of year, and the walking easier for it. It's warm too, well, down in the steep closely wooded river valley anyway (it was a different story later when we made our way out of the valley and up onto the open moor above).  Immersed in this hidden woodland world which carpets the amazing River Dart valley, I feel connected to the land and nature in a tangible yet inarticulable way.   My imagination wanders, flitting from idea to idea like a coked up butterfly, I'm focused (you have to be walking in such a hazardous environment) and at the same time lost in each moment, each new vista, each new wonder. Lost in the enchanting wildness of it all. I strike out and have soon left my companions behind (if you walk with me, you'll know it's a bad habit of mine, unintentional, but still), I don't mean to, I can't help it, the land takes me, and I'm off, so absorbed.  At every turn there was something beautiful to see, it was magical. Noticed a couple of prime wild camping sites, which it would be rude not to investigate, in say, spring.

After an arduous 5 miles, or so, of rock jumping and scrambling up and down, we reached Dartmeet and the stepping stones on the East Dart. Last time we were here at this time of year, they were all but submerged in the torrent, not today though, where the river remained at summer levels, the stepping stone stood proud. We took the opportunity to cross the East Dart and visit the nearby ancient clapper bridge, which was nice. Soon though, after a short break, it was up out of the wooded Dart valley, up onto the exposed moor and Combestone Tor. Combstone Tor is not particularly grand, nor is one of the highest at only 356m asl, although it does afford some spectacular views down the Dart valley and over the moor. Man, the wind, though. It drove the chill air right through you and we didn't hang about for too long before deciding it would be prudent to return to the calm and relative warmth of the valley.  We didn't go all the way back down to the river at first, favouring instead a path running along the contours of the valley just within the woodland. This path had been well constructed (I think to carry a water pipe from the nearby Venford Reservoir), though now had fallen into disrepair in some sections and become overgrown in others, nevertheless, it was a lovely path and gave lovely views of the river below, as seen through the autumnal canopy. Man, the colours of the canopy! After a while we left the path in search of the Venford Brook waterfall, which we found with ease, although due the lack of water on the moor it wasn't as spectacular as it could've been; that said, it was still lovely and well worth the detour.  Then it was back down to the river and its hypnotic roar, past the deep clear pools and rumbling rapids, imagine walking through Rivendell, it was like that (I imagine).  The light was fading as we approached the car park, tired after an arduous 12 miles, our elation slowly replaced with the acceptance that the walk was over and the sadness that brings. Funny, however tired you feel walking, when you get near the car you always think 'you know, I could probably do a couple more miles'.  Too late for that though.

What a lovely day. I promised myself I wouldn't leave it so long before visiting again, I'm going to try for once a month.

Don't be fooled.

The Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina) is a common sight in both broad leaf and coniferous woodlands and can appear in large quantities, though edible, their flavour is slight, although they do look good in a risotto. The laccaria family is large and the Amethyst Deceiver gets its 'deciever' label as when it weathers it looses its distinct colour making it harder to identify.  Edible yeah (I've eaten them countless times) though one cautionary note, apparently it can bio-accumulate arsenic. 

Mudeford sunset #11

Mudeford sunset #11

Moon-shroom

I looked down only to find the moon had fallen from the stars and was now just lying there in the grass. I think it called to me, that's how I found it; I've always loved the moon, enjoyed moonlit walks and felt its pull on me. Down here it didn't look so big, that said, it was still quite beautiful. I'll check the sky tonight to see if it has returned to its celestial station.

Shrooooom

Mushroom season has been an odd one this year, some have been coming along well, some appearing intermittently, others only just appearing in any numbers now.  Oysters and Ceps, although not about in large quantities (on my roam, at least), have been fairly consistent, Chanterelles and Parasols have been relatively common, and Hedgehogs are only just appearing. A mixed season. Today I saw psillies for the first time in moderate numbers, no doubt I'll be coming across groups of youth, some with tubs of magic mushrooms and others with their mixed bags of tiny mushrooms, some which may give them a gippy tummy, though frequently none of which will give them their desired effect. Bless.

Pigs doing their thing

They're here! The pigs are out to pannage. This group were wandering about the wooded environs of Red Rise Brook (which as I suggested yesterday were back to normal, all the flood waters gone and the gravel bed of the brook exposed in places), and there was plenty for them to forage for. They were quite a friendly bunch, more interested in us than anything. I wish we hadn't sanitised our countryside, it's one of the aspects of re-wilding which most appeals to me, the idea of reintroducing once common, now absent wildlife.  Yeah, I know it would cause problems initially, but we'd get over it, we'd adapt. Other countries retain wild animals, some dangerous, and they get by. It's a real joy seeing the pigs out, if you're lucky, you'll spot pigs, ponies, cows and deer, all mingling together. I did. I say 'if you're lucky', as I've only seen that twice, it was cool, though.

Wet Woodland

Yesterday I walked through these woods and they were bone dry, I crossed the Red Rise Brook with ease, gravel shoving in many places, today though after a just little rain, the stream exceeds the boundaries of its banks and it's woodland fringe is wet woodland. It's a testament to the effectiveness of the restoration project, as a few years ago this water would have been whisked out of the forest by the straightened dredged streams and drains, now the land hold the water and slowly releases it. If the rain holds off I'm sure it'll be back to normal tomorrow. It makes you think though, the forest can become problematic to traverse very quickly, I'd imagine centuries ago the forest would have been a wild and forbidding place in wet season, impossible for those who didn't know it to travel through, and awkward for those who did. Still beautiful though.

Look at my nut sack!

Shame on you! It's not that sort of blog. No, the sack of nuts I was referring to, is this sack of Sweet Chestnuts. It's a mixed season, some trees good, some not so, even on individual trees there's quite a range in size. But the good sized ones are shop sized, though why people would buy an easily forage-able resource is beyond me. It was a seasonal tradition to go out Chestnut collecting when I was young. How disenfranchised we've become as a people from nature and her cycles and bounty. Anyway, I've postulated that the larger nuts are to be found around and just beyond the canopy's fringe. I reckon it's because they're big, when the case hits the ground they bounce out. It's not a 100% rule, but I'd say 70% of the good sized nuts I found fitted my hypothesis.  If you want some, get out there soon, the woodland folk are going through them at a pace, around some trees all there was to be found were gnawed shells.

Mudeford sunset #10

Glorious, man, just plain glorious.

The fall begins

The fall begins, as nature disposes of last seasons fashions, opting instead for nudity. Where a fallen bough lays across Red Rise Brook, fallen leafs have gathered blanketing the stream. You'd get a moist surprise kicking through these autumn leafs.

Acorns

After last years poor acorn crop, it's good to see many of the Oaks sporting fair sized fruits and plenty of them. I've noticed though, I've not seen the pigs out at pannage yet. Pannage started nearly a month ago (12th September), and traditionally I've seen pigs snuffling about the Oak stands of Red Rise, both sides of the brook by now.  Maybe they're hiding from us, that said, they'll often chase you about....which is fun. 

Kangaroo Moon @ The Square and Compass 8.10.16

I was asked when I last saw Kangaroo Moon, and I reckoned it must've been 20 years ago! But, na, man, that's far too long, I must have seen them more recently than that. Anyways, whenever, I had been looking forward to tonight’s gig; great band in a great local(ish) venue, why wouldn't I be. The venue was The Square and Compass in Worth Matravers, a beautiful pub that we've visited more times than I can remember over the years, for pints whilst out walking, usually, and of course, their wonderful cider festival.  Now,  the Square and Compass is not the most expansive of establishments and the small room where the band were to perform soon filled with both people and anticipation. 

This evening Kangaroo Moon were Elliet Mackrell on fiddle (is calling it a fiddle wrong? should I say violin?), David Williams on loads of things with strings and other stuff, Gem Quinn on drums and of course, Mark Robson on keyboards, dijurido and vocals. I say 'this evening Kangaroo Moon were' as the band has a lot of associated musicians who perform when and where needed. I don't know how you'd adequately describe Kangaroo Moon's music, it defies labelling. I could write a long list of 'they're a bit...', but I'd never be sure I'd finished it, so I'm going to label them organic (I know, even though I just said they defied labelling). Organic feels right, they're music's deep, rich, wholesome, full bodied and filled with a myriad of intense and piquant flavours.  I dig that! 

With the room filled and the band prepared, the music began. Humorously, the music did begin although with no vocals, until Robson tapping his mic, then pulling its cable through his hands ended up holding the jack end in his hand, funny bugger.   From the get go the music was a rousing (you can help being roused when a fiddle is afoot) blend of what I'd described as traditional, contemporary and exotic sounds. I wasn't the only one to marvel at the depth and quality of sound produced by the band, all such fantastic musicians. There's something about Kangaroo Moon's music which is warm and engaging, I think it's their blend of traditional instruments and rhythms which touches your soul, as if ancestral memories within are awoken by timeless sounds. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not suggesting they're some sort of tired folk re-enactment, no sir, Kangaroo Moon do what a decent folky (apologies, lazy label) band should do, they invigorate the traditional, infusing it with contemporary sounds and feeling, keeping it fresh, evolving and most importantly alive.  Each track, and they were all gems, allowed each individual band member to shine: Mackrell's fiddle playing was beautifully poetic one moment and the next it was unleashed at a blistering pace, I love the fiddle, it's an instrument which to to heart; David Williams was crazy good, man, I don't know the names of all the stringed instruments he played, but certainly was a master of them and he also had a selection of musical 'things' laid out next to him which he used to great effect; Quinn drummed to perfection, lovely rhythm, I reckon drumming to this style of music must be really difficult, the many changes tempo in each track, Quinn made it look easy; and then there was Mr Robson multitasking, one hand on keys, the other twiddling things, whilst simultaneously blowing through a the dijurido, mad stuff, Robson has a lovely voice, warm and real. Together, well, you can imagine how good it sounded, on which note, for a small room the sound was great.

After several marvellous tracks, as is common place these days, there was an interlude for refreshments, at which point Gem Quinn disappeared out of the window, well, it was the quickest and easiest way out of the crowded room. The room soon thinned though with the exodus to the bar; now, I say bar, it's more a doorway, if you've not visited The Square and Compass, do ere'sso, it has character by the bucket, has a lovely atmosphere, sports a museum (yeah, a museum!), serves top notch scran and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Not sold? Check your pulse. I took the opportunity during the intermission to purchase the bands new album 'The way it is', check it out, it's great, I recognised several of the tracks from the evening. Anyways, interlude over, band and punters refreshed, it was time for some more, and damn fine it was too.  The band finished with a rousing rendition of the old English folk ballard 'Matty Groves', performed to perfection. I, along with the assembled, could have listened to plenty more. Bravo!

What a great night, a big thanks to the band and to The Square and Compass for putting them on. I'm hoping they pass this way again soon.

Swange Protection Camp

It's amazing what a group of folk, many of whom didn't know each other, can get achieved in pursuit of a cause they all think worthy. Today we spent the day at the Swanage Protection Camp in Purbeck, building a pallet shelter for the on site protectors. By sunset most of the structure was complete, four walls, wooden floor and a board roof, all ready to be clad in tarps. It was an uplifting experience. 

Here's a link to the protection camp page, if you can and if you want to, please show them what ever support you can and that their actions to protect this beautiful environment are appreciated. If you pass that way you could pop in and show them your support in person, I know you'd be welcomed. 

Natures palette (Mudeford sunset #9)

Every evening she gives us a unique sunset to enjoy, each beautiful. Then sometimes, sometimes, she gives us something like this, far out!

A Cep

Ceps are about in the forest in growing numbers, though I didn't pick any, so didn't enjoy them in a breakfast omelette, nor in my miso soup, nor with noodles, no I didn't do any of those things. #obey

Protect Purbeck!

To me Purbeck is a magical landscape through which ancient voices echo, I hold it special, sacred. Purbeck is a rare and beautiful natural jewel, World Heritage Site and geological wonder, which for the most part has avoided the destruction of modern times. Now though it's under threat from oil prospectors, who plan to start exploratory drilling in the coming months. And, even though there is plenty of local opposition, and the continued pursuit of fossil fuels can only lead to accelerated climate change, those greedy hollow-men who stand to profit, wish to continue down that dark road and spoil our land. An exploration licence has been granted and the prospecting defilers plan to move in soon. In light of which a protection camp has been set up to what can be done to defend this beautiful land from desecration. 

Below is a link to the protection camp page, if you can and if you want to, please show them what ever support you can and that their actions to protect this beautiful environment are appreciated. If you pass that way you could pop in nd show them your support in person, I'm sure they'd like that. Thank you. 

Swanage Protection Camp