DAVE MOHAN *

June Friends

Gaelic language version of the original song. With many thanks to Eileen Coyle (Irish Gaeilge vocals) & Ciara Hall (translator):

The isle of Inishmore and the other Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland hold a mythic significance within Ireland’s cultural heritage (it’s where the great Irish playwright Synge, amongst others, went to immerse himself in the Irish language and its creative spirit). This tribute is something of a dreamscape inspired by the strength of the Celtic soul and the majesty of the scenery. The imagery and poetry are intended as a general homage (the visual images are taken from a wide range of locations both within Ireland and further afield – they’re intended to conjure up something of the haunting grandeur of the west of Ireland rather than being a literal representation). The themes embodied - exile, love/longing and the dream of redemption - are elemental within Irish poetry and song. If this little offering adds anything to enhance the special place which Ireland holds in many of our hearts (or soothe, even for a moment, any of its wounds) it will have fulfilled it’s goal.

Lyric Vid link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdFp6Drq9JA

Inishmore (Gaelic version)

A vocal duet reworking of my Time and Tides original. I felt the spirit of the song is perhaps even more apt for the present than when first conceived.  If you’ve learned to value those close to you a bit more in these troubled times; or known something of the enduring loss of so many - this one’s for you! Of love and loss:

You're in the rain
You're in the air I breathe in
You're in this fire inside my brain
You're here again
In every silent moment
That's when I hear you call my name...

Lyric Vid link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OXJnkeLp-4

Time and Tides (Re-Vox Version)

- A musical offering for cello & piano - 
where words fail, let music be a prayer 

"for peace comes dropping slow,
dropping from the veils of the morning
to… the deep heart’s core" (W B Yeats)

[CAOINEADH: from the old Gaelic for crying or to lament]

Many thanks to all who contributed to this one, not least Andy Walter for adding his usual magic and mastering down at Abbey Road Studios.

Lyric Vid link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MhnsDoYHFE

Caoineadh for Ukraine

Seldom does a day go by but I return, at some stage, to Bach. I recall the magic of first hearing the D minor Chaconne, the glorious opening mvt of Cantata 140, the slow mvt of the double violin concerto... the opening Arioso of Cantata BWV 156, to which I owe the inspiration for this particular little offering.

I've never subscribed to the notion that Bach's music is more cerebral, less emotionally charged than the music of later generations. Despite its transformation into a contemporary love song I'll be delighted if something of the romance and warmth of Bach's original shines through here. The final section of the song resorts to a simple vocalise elaboration of the Arioso melody. A heartfelt tribute to the composer who, more than any other, set me on a musical journey (from classical roots to folk, rock, jazz, fusion... and back) that still, so many years later, feels like it's only just begun.

A very special vote of thanks to the many others who've contributed to this recording, including:
Carolina de la Muela (vocals); Nicholas Ojeda (Dble Bass). Strings - Nightsongs Studio Strings. And not least, to Simon Gibson down at Abbey Road Studios for his customary prowess in the final mastering.

Lyric Vid link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOD8gMqJoKg

Arioso in Red

Here's A remix of Purple Microdot The Allure Pt.2 
by https://soundcloud.com/ipg1 


Here's the link to the original track;

https://soundcloud.com/ipg1/purple-microdot-the-allure-pt2


Here's the link to the original vocal;

https://soundcloud.com/ipg1/purple-microdot-the-allure-pt-2-vocals-135-bpm

IPG1 - Purple Microdot The Allure Pt.2 (RiZLiX Remix)

Thank You for 1000 plays ❤️

In the late 1980s, I had the opportunity to watch in the cinema Godfrey Reggio's documentary "Koyaaniquatsi" with music by Philip Glass and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, and I became a fan of the soundtrack from this film.

A few months ago I was watching the third season of "Stranger Things" and suddenly, in the third episode, in the last scene, I heard familiar sounds. Without checking, I could tell I could hear Phillip's music. And so it was. My fascination was revived and I felt the urge to create something similar to his style.
Unfortunately, my creativity and time has its limits and I haven't been able to make a full song... yet ;) But I'm sharing with you an idea, or rather an introduction to this piece. I hope you like it at least a little :)

Looking Through the Glass

2nd track taken from the EP, 'Poppy Seed'.

Poppy Seed EP

Very Moody Duchess

method: layering
narration: the term CHTHULUCENE was coined by Donna J. Haraway, see https://mosayebi.arch.ethz.ch/en/thesaurus/chthulucene/ 
apart from that: listening to too much Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) lately has momentarily clouded my ability to avoid silly rhymes (as good as their music is). Sorry.  
Image: self-shot and self-gimped

poem / copyright jo richter

adopting a circular angle at interrelations
we are created by our creations
‘though you can‘t put your finger on it right now
we‘ve always been earth, co-existing with the plough

averting your eyes, alien shadows will rise
while accountants still stammer out weird alibis
there is no reason to avoid one another
the same remains different, no need to bother

recording no time cannot withhold seizures
reality leaks in through multiple fissures
good manners are naughty, abstraction's obscene
arachnoids welcome the chthulucene

chtulucene

chthulucene

The isle of Inishmore and the other Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland hold a mythic significance within Ireland’s cultural heritage (it’s where the great Irish playwright Synge, amongst others, went to immerse himself in the Irish language and its creative spirit). This tribute is something of a dreamscape inspired by the strength of the Celtic soul and the majesty of the scenery. The themes embodied - exile, love/longing and the dream of redemption - are elemental within Irish poetry and song. If this little offering adds anything to enhance the special place which Ireland holds in many of our hearts (or soothe, even for a moment, any of its wounds) it will have fulfilled it’s goal.          

Lyric Vid link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIDCC6J1fdg

Inishmore

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” (Martin Luther King Jr)

A song offered as a tribute to all those who’ve championed the cause of social justice. For those who continue to dream; who will not be silent; whose voices continue to ring out:  

Like a flame 
Like the wind 
Like the waves rushing in
Like the sun after rain
Like the world born again

(Listen to the peace – it’s the song of the free!)

Lyric Vid Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8cD1Mu_A2Q

Listen To The Peace (Song of the Free)

Sometimes introspective; always driven by a wider social conscience and a sense of human fragility. Touching on topics that tear at the heart of the human condition (loneliness, love and loss, homelessness/poverty, social exclusion).  And, there again, what’s a songsmith if not a conjurer of dreams? Dreams to lift us, if but for a moment, above the dull vicissitudes of life. Dreams of a world reimagined, that brave souls will always aspire to whatever the cost (Martin Luther King Jr...). A glimmer of unfeigned empathy. A glimpse of sunshine after rain. Music offered as a little healing for troubled times; a solace for the soul; a little heartfelt scattering of dreams - tread softly! 'Our life is no dream; but it ought to become one, and perhaps will' (Novalis)

Listen To The Peace (Song of the Free)

Dave Mohan