And here’s Moore guitar…

I have committed a grievous offense. A few days ago I posted a blog about some of the greatest guitarists I have come across but neglected to mention a legend, who after Peter Frampton, inspired me the most to start playing, err… air guitar.

I’m going to put that right now and I hope the atoms that once was Gary Moore will forgive my error of omission. Here’s a song which he co-wrote with Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. There’s a point in the song where he appears to hold or sustain a note for around 26 seconds in some live versions and it has always fascinated me. Seems like a neat trick, but it’s explained quite simply here.

Incidentally, I would never have associated Parisienne Walkways with Figure Skating, but this bit of trivia might interest you. Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan broke his own world record at the 2014 Sochi Olympics skating to Parisienne Walkways, with a world record score of 101.45.

Note: The video above is from 2013, the Fukuoka, Japan, ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final, not the Sochi Olympics.

Shakuhachi

The best possible way to start a new work week is with calmness and serenity. However that’s not nearly as easy as it sounds, especially when having to face that dreaded Monday.

Music normally does the trick for me. I’m talking classy music here, not that dreadful pop variety that the young crowd fill their heads with these days. You know the “artists” I’m referring to. Usually guitar rhythms works a treat, but sometimes I need something more substantial.

And new age or world music fits the bill quite nicely. If it’s from another culture or ethnicity entirely different from my own, all the better. That’s where Shakuhachi comes in.

Shakuhachi

Shakuhachi are wind-blown instruments that produce a haunting melody. Originally introduced from China into Japan in the 8th century, they are traditionally made from the root end of bamboo plant.

One of my choice pieces featuring the Shakuhachi is by Uttara Kuru, titled Wings of the Eagle. Have a listen:

So here’s my proposal: when you want someone to calm the fuck down, just say Shakuhachi. And here’s hoping the rest of your week will be serene.

 

Turning Japanese

It’s just amazing and truly inspiring how the Japanese have maintained their demeanour and poise in the face of the massive tragedy they are currently facing in earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster-ravaged Japan.

I’m trying to imagine South Africans maintaining that level of decorum and all I visualize is people running around like headless chickens, looting, behaving selfishly; the government authorities clueless and unresponsive.

In tribute to these remarkable men, women and children, I dedicate the song Turning Japanese by Liz Phair. It was originally recorded by the Vapors, but I’m partial to this cover by Liz.

The world would surely be a better place if everyone turned Japanese…

Turning Japanese

I’ve got your picture
Of me and you
You wrote “I love you”
I love you too
I sit there staring and there’s nothing else to do
Oh it’s in color
Your hair is brown
Your eyes are hazel
And soft as clouds
I often kiss you when there’s no one else around
I’ve got your picture, I’ve got your picture
I’d like a million of them all ’round my cell
I asked the doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You’ve got me turning up and turning down and turning in and
     turning ’round
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
I’ve got your picture, I’ve got your picture
I’d like a million of them all ’round my cell
I want the doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You’ve got me turning up and turning down and turning in and
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it’s dark
Everyone around me is a total stranger
Everyone avoids me like a psyched lone ranger
Everyone
That’s why I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
I’m turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so
     (think so think so think so)
Turning Japanese I think I’m turning Japanese I really think so

Horror from Japan excites horrid little minds

As the true extent of the damage from the massive earthquake that struck Japan begins to be realized, the crazy warped minds of the world’s religious lunatics are working overtime churning out ignorant theories about the wrath of the gods, the end times, the return of Jesus, and the power of the Supermoon.

Every time there is a natural disaster somewhere around the world, you can bet your bottom dollar that some religious looney-tune is going to mouth off about god’s wrath against gays, lesbians, heathens, Atheists or whatever conflicts with their warped sense of morality.

String together a series of natural disasters, political revolts and other forms of turmoil such as economic downturns, and the horrid little minds of these god-botherers goes into myopic overdrive.

The earthquake in Japan follows the recent heavy flooding in Australia, and earthquakes in Chile and New Zealand and citizen revolts in North Africa. The aftermath of the earthquake resulted in tsunami’s causing destruction elsewhere, a nuclear power plant about to go into meltdown, and a volcano eruption. This much chaos seems to have gotten the religious doomsayers into a monumental frenzy.

Just this weekend I’ve read that god is punishing the Japanese for killing and eating whales, the end-times is very close, Jesus is about to make another appearance, the bible predicted everything, and that the poor old moon is responsible for setting off the whole catastrophe.

But somehow, while god is supposedly laying on the death and destruction everywhere, he’s positively smiling down on South Africa’s favorite convicted fraudster. Schabir Shaik who was released from prison apparently because he was terminally ill, seems to become livelier by the day, as he goes about his way assaulting and intimidating reporters and even worshippers.

Go figure!

Disaster free? Not quite!

With the heart-wrenching images of the aftermath of the massive earthquake to hit Japan streaming in on every possible medium, I’m comforted that South Africa is not situated on or near any major geological fault lines that would make us also susceptible to these types of disasters.

But we do have our own fault lines in the form of a long line of crazy asshole politicians hell-bent on destroying the country. Yes, you guessed right! The ANC are the only major disaster South Africa has to worry about.

Fortunately it is a man-made one; one which can be mitigated, perhaps even without the destruction associated with disasters.