Songs with Nadia

Grumpy and proud of it : )
Including my first snoring solo. My first conscious snoring solo that is.
 
Has the whole world gone stupid
Is no one thinking any more
And why is everyone acting as if they were 4



It doesn't make much sense now
Maybe it didn't before
We're  all perpetual children now
Having tantrums on the floor

Grumpy old man


40 winks.........


You tell me I should cheer up
But I think, well what for?
We don't all need inane grins
Plastered across our jaws

Life is a serious business
Thinking is not a flaw
The trivia merchants would have us believe
That that's what we're here for

Grumpy Old Man

It was Dylan's 80th birthday recently!
I thought that a cover of one of his songs would be a nice tribute. He has brought a great deal of understanding and pleasure into my life and the lives of countless others.
I am delighted to be joined by the wonderful Jonathan Beckenstein, on electric guitar, and the amazing Jamie Rhind on beautiful organ. If you don't already know, they are both brilliant and generous musicians, go and listen to their music : )
https://soundcloud.com/jonathan_beckenstein
https://soundcloud.com/jamie-rhind

Base photo for cover artwork by Jerry Schatzberg back at the time of Highway 61 Revisited with a little digital manipulation

Like A Rolling Stone (Dylan cover with Jonathan Beckenstein and Jamie Rhind)

Some more acoustic guitar meanderings : )

Waltz Up?

Cooler (Guitar instrumental)

What was that? 
A shadow dream 
At the edge of your sight
There is nothing there
but you still take care
and nothing can make it right
Your mind is clear
there is nothing to fear
even in the depths of night
The darkness holds
such terrors
that fade with the coming daylight

The lucidity of  wakefullness keeps you sane
It's as we believe it to be
Who could imagine that the monsters that haunt our dreams
Owe their existence to me
The sunlit uplands call and we think the battle is won
But demons lurk there yet when all is said and all is done

How do we just draw a line
between truth and fantasy
As the organs of the internet
tell us this is our reality
Say goodbye to all  the things 
that you believed were sure to be
Obscure is the truth we seek
Why would you listen to me?

Why Would You Listen To Me (with Gareth)

A Cup Of Tea

This is a song written about my childhood friend Paul Bailey. Between the ages of about 8 till 12 he was my best friend and we were inseparable. Then his family moved away and I never saw him again. That was almost 60 years ago. I still remember him and the times that we had, though I am sometimes amazed that we survived, they were very different times......

I am joined by two Soundcloud friends
On stupendous saxophones - wonderful Georg Böhme https://soundcloud.com/georg-boehme
On gorgeous guitar - brilliant Dairv Dubbleyew https://soundcloud.com/dairv-dubbleyew
I am grateful to them both for sharing their time and talent and they really illuminate the song. I recommend going to listen to them, if you have not already : )

Me and Paul 

Me and Paul , down at the waters edge
Throwing clodges* to block up the stream 
We'll make a pond to swim in all summer long
Making a pond the size of a dream
Me and Paul, cowboys and indians
Up on the mountain all day long
Building shanties** and lighting fires
10 years old and going headlong

and ohh, we were wild and free
we did what we wanted
just him and me
Oh we did what we wanted
we were kings of our country

Me and Paul , building gambos*** from old pram wheels
rolling stones at the gates like a hammer blow
climbing the rocks in the quarry behind our homes
and breaking into busses in the park below
Me and Paul, collecting bottles for the money back
spending the pennies on bangers**** and cigarettes
making cannons out of old lead pipes
10 years old and we were going headlong

and ohh, we were dangerous
and most of all we were wild and free
10 years old and going headlong
the wildest desperados, in the Rhondda Valley


I have used Rhondda Valleys terminology
*clodges - a rough turf pulled by hand
**shanties – little hideaways or huts built with anything to hand, stones, earth, branches, rubbish
*** gambos – box carts, built with any old wood or wheels that could be found
****bangers - fireworks

Me And Paul (with Georg Böhme and Dairv Dubbleyew)

Don't Squeak Unless You Are Squoken To (acoustic guitar instrumental)

Owain Glyndŵr (c. 1354 – c. 1415)was the last Welsh Prince of Wales.

Two ukuleles, three guitars, a bass and a drum track

Owain Glyndŵr (Instrumental)

This is an experiment using Zappa's harmonisation method. A simple melody, harmonised using Z's mathematical approach (played by the xylophone) , then run through an arpeggiator and the result recorded on my Strat. It starts with a chromatic harmonisation and resolves to a more diatonic harmonisation at the end. I resisted the urge to make it 'sweeter' : )

Rational (Electric guitar instrumental)

So What?

Time will terminate you
Expectations dissipate you
When your neighbours flagellate you
Just remember – So what!

All your efforts end in errors
All your night times filled with terrors
But when you look in the mirror
Just remember – So what!

This is my life that I'm living
I've put aside all my misgivings
To concentrate on my thanksgiving
Was I wrong – Well so what!

Do the things that you enjoy most
Leave your worries on the bed post
We will all just end up compost
just remember – so what!

So What (with vocal)

let the colours of the sun come and cover me,
In this radiant world, where dreams are spun, 
In their vibrant embrace, my soul forever free. 
I find solace, beauty, and a love that's never done. 


Can the colours of the sun come and cover me
Take this weight from my soul and let this man be free

The sky turns to purple in its gentle grace
Moonlight bathes the world and paints dreams upon it's face.



Background art for cover by Sean Sinclair on Unsplash

The Colours Of The Sun

My friend  Sergio Párraga joins me on congas . Thanks Sergio! 
Go and listen to his lovely music @sergioparraga

One One

Where, where, where will you be
I sought permission for some hyperbole
One one
Coconut for tea
I got permission for some repartee

Take it back, take it back
One one
I've got some things I need to oversee
Take it back, take it back

We could be floating in a turquoise sea
With knees the colour of lapis lazuli
Take it slow, take it slow now
Very leisurely
We can soak up all that lovely vitamin D

One one
Time for tea
I have a licence from the Grand Wazir

Take it back, take it back
one one

Base photo for cover art by Ali Abdul Rahman on Unsplash

One One (with Sergio)

A little fun and twiddling in a particular style.
I am joined for a little vocalisation in the second part by my friend Nadia Selvaggi https://soundcloud.com/nadiaselvaggi . I have grossly underused her talent here, she was only acting on orders : )

(A)musing (incl The Sids Of Knightonia)

*Alternative Hip Hop mix by the fabulous Garddwr Porffor: https://soundcloud.com/garddwrporffor/elysian-fields-hip-hop-version
Instrumental, mix, production by Garddwr Porffor: https://soundcloud.com/garddwrporffor
Vocals, vocal melody, lyrics: Nadia Selvaggi


Elysian Fields

I remember your face
in the curling mist
Our feet washed
in warm pools of the bay

The rush of life sprung
from the seeds we laid
which grew silently
as the hours slipped away

Requited on a bed of blooming flowers
Our Orphic song so sweet, so loud
Love's harmonies rising 
Our burning hearth towards heaven
Bringing the peace found in love's eternity

Ah, this light! The joy you bring!
Blessed in love's Elysian Fields

Love's Elysian Fields

Ah, this light! The joy you bring!
Here on earth and love's Elysian Fields

Love's Elysian Fields

Elysian Fields by Garddwr Porffor & Nadia Selvaggi

The vocals and lyric are by the amazing Nadia Selvaggi https://soundcloud.com/nadiaselvaggi
This is the alternative mix of the track https://soundcloud.com/nadiaselvaggi/elysian-fields-by-garddwr-porffor-nadia-selvaggi

Elysian Fields (with Nadia Selvaggi - Hip Hop Version)

Paranoid (Country Boogie Version)

Instrumental and Mix by Garddwr Porffor: https://soundcloud.com/garddwrporffor
Vocals, Vocal melody, Lyrics by Nadia Selvaggi


What Are We?

Divinity's breath --
a shadow appearing
in early morn's lucid dreams
Where unseen gods
plant their symbols and serpentry

​In you and me

Our lost history
that keeps us bound by
the spells of powers unseen
Our imaginations --
the empty halls
painted with hues of agony

What are we?

Our captured souls --
their source of power
Our hands and minds --
their energy
And for their gods
we are the sacrifice,
their offering

​W​e were once free

In a fallen world of illusion
the living dead shield themselves
from beauty and truth
Beguiled and hypnotized
by the chimeras of demons
they cling to their slavery

​Too blind to see

Shaping our thoughts and actions 
with their dark ancient craft
A faceless persuasion 
lights the path to unconsciousness

What Are We? by Garddwr Porffor & Nadia Selvaggi

Dleifohcs

Instrumental, Vocals, Lyrics & Mix by Garddwr Porffor: https://soundcloud.com/garddwrporffor
Vocals, Vocal Melody, Poetry Selection by Nadia Selvaggi

Poem extracts taken from Mr. Maurice Roberts' metrical version of Davydd Benvrass' Ode to Prince Lleweylyn (fl. 1230–1260) Translation by The Cambro-Briton (1820)

*Lyric & melody sung by Garddwr Porffor by Garddwr Porffor

*Davydd Benvrass was a Court Bard for the Kingdom of Gwynedd, including the period of Prince Llewelyn ap Iorwerth's reign (Llewelyn the Great), which accounts for the jingoistic nature of the text. This poem is one of a number of Benvrass' works celebrating Llewelyn's victories in battle with King John of England. 

Creator of that glorious light,
Which sheds around his vivid rays,
And the pale moon which rules the night,
O deign to animate my lays!
O, may my verse like Merddin's flow!
And with poetic visions glow.
Great Aneurin, string my lyre,
Grant a portion of thy fire!
That fire, which make thy verse record,
Those chiefs who fell beneath the sword
On Cattraeth's bloody field:
O! May the muse her vigor bring
While I Llewelyn's praises sing,
His country's strongest shield.
Ne'er was such a warrior seen,
With heart so brave and gallant mien:
From a regal race descended,
Bravely he the land defended,
Kings have learnt his pow'r to dread,
Kings have felt his arm and fled.
Loegria's king with conquest flush'd,
Boldly to the battle rush'd,
Then was heard the warlike shout,
(Signal of the approaching rout)
Great Llywelyn raged around,
Bravest Chieftains press'd the ground,
None his valour could withstand,
None could stem his furious hand,
Like a whirlwind on the deep,
See him through their squadrons sweep.

Come my love
Don't dwell upon the things we have lost
Pride and passion, honour, love,
sought at such a cost
We never did understand the twisting of the ways
It will serve us best to lift our heads
and think of better days

Then was seen the crimson flood,
Then was Offa bathed in blood,
Then the Saxons fled with fright,
Then they felt the monarch's might.
Far is heard Llywelyn's name,
Resounded by the trump of fame;
Oft the hero chased his foes
Where Sabrina smoothly flows.

Long and happy may he live!
And his hours to pleasure give.
And, ere upon his honoured tomb,
Herbs shall rise, and flowers shall bloom

Better Days by Garddwr Porffor & Nadia Selvaggi

Beer And Sausages (Instrumental)

Guitar & Mix by Garddwr Porffor: https://soundcloud.com/garddwrporffor
Vocals & Lyrics by Nadia Selvaggi
Photo: Kilarov Zaneit on Upsplash

Mr. Scarborough
by Nadia Selvaggi

I heard your soft, English lilt
calling my name on the express to Parliament Hill
Your troubled face came alive,
as we spoke of history and tragedy

I don't care now,
like I didn't care back then

I heard nattering, whispers
and cruel gossiping
about how you lost everything
after trying, then surrendering

O, no! O, no! Mr. Scarborough
Fine, gentle, brilliant teacher
and tortured soul
I heard you finally let go

I care now,
like I cared back then

Mr. Scarborough by Garddwr Porffor & Nadia Selvaggi

Wah Wah Blues (Instrumental)

Sometimes

*Nineteen tracks of Doo-Wopping (12 vocal tracks), in case you're counting!
Instrumental, Vocals, Harmonies/Bass Line, Lyric Tweaks for Aggression Reduction, Mix by: https://soundcloud.com/garddwrporffor
Vocals, Vocal Melody, Harmonies, Lyrics by Nadia Selvaggi

Bees 
by Nadia Selvaggi

You've got bees, bees, bees in your bonnet
Can you remember how we used to be?
Your screams will wake the mountains
Our days are numbered
Why spend them in acrimony?

Let's quiet our minds and look deep inside
Life's pain has turned us bitter and blind
Our hate makes us unkind
So let's leave our past behind
There's wisdom and virtue in silence, sometimes

You've got bees, bees, bees in your bonnet
Can you remember how we used to be?
Your screams will wake the mountains
Our days are numbered
Why spend them in acrimony?

So dry your weary eyes
Let forgiveness be our guide
A house divided will crumble and die
The pawn shops of life
are filled with gold bands of pride
It's our choice alone to keep love alive

You've got bees, bees, bees in your bonnet
Can you remember how we used to be?
Our days are numbered
Why spend them in acrimony?

Bees by Garddwr Porffor & Nadia Selvaggi

Some Doo-Wopping with Nadia.  
Vocals, Vocal Melody, Harmonies, Lyrics by Nadia Selvaggi
Instrumental, Vocals, Harmonies/Bass Line, Lyric Tweaks for Aggression Reduction, Mix by Garddwr Porffor
Lots more of Nadia's lovely music https://soundcloud.com/nadiaselvaggi

Bees
by Nadia Selvaggi

You've got bees, bees, bees in your bonnet
Can you remember how we used to be?
Your screams will wake the mountains
Our days are numbered
Why spend them in acrimony?

Let's quiet our mind and look deep inside
Life's pain has turned us bitter and blind
Our hate makes us unkind
So let's leave our past behind
There's wisdom and virtue in silence, sometimes

You've got bees, bees, bees in your bonnet
Can you remember how we used to be?
Your screams will wake the mountains
Our days are numbered
Why spend them in acrimony?

So dry your weary eyes
Let forgiveness be our guide
A house divided will crumble and die
The pawn shops of life
are filled with gold bands of pride
It's our choice alone to keep love alive

You've got bees, bees, bees in your bonnet
Can you remember how we used to be?
Our days are numbered
Why spend them in acrimony?

Bees (with Nadia Selvaggi)

We have heaven in our hands and we create a hell. We always believe that it is someone else's fault and never our own.

The End Of Summer

We reach the end of summer
of the days of waking wonder
once more dreams are pulled asunder
hear the distant peals of thunder
There is smoke on the horizon
For the hard men are no wiser
Where's the forgiveness merchandiser
to gainsay the hatred sermonisers

oh we throw, we throw it all away
Yes we throw it all away

You can keep all of your losses
all your faith and your good causes
all your righteous indignation
all our hope for our salvation

The End Of Summer

This time with the lovely sax of Mr Böhme! Thanks Georg : ) https://soundcloud.com/georg-boehme

Wah Wah Blues (with Georg)

Time Marches On

This is my version of the beautiful Day After Day by Badfinger.

I Remember Finding Out About You (cover Day After Day)

Tweak

After 13 years of Tory psychodrama the story continues, will we be trapped inside this madness forever?
Surely we will wake up one day and discover it was all a bad dream.....

with 'Mad' Suella on background vocals

"Give me your trust
Give me your money
Don't let your reason spoil democracy
Well here's a story
We're all just madmen
You all just love when I'm inflammatory
I speak for the people when I say I hate you all
You love to be abused, that's plain to see
Divide and rule
Stir up some hatred
If I can get you mad you'll vote for me

I'm not your leader
I'm just a boogeyman
Don't look at me to find a way to go
I'm not a disco
No lovey – dovey
My talking head just has a nice blue glow"

Dire Stuff

Here is a song in the form of a medieval 'calling on' song. With my old friend Gareth on lead vocal and acoustic guitar. 
It is either very late for last spring or a little early for next : )

Photograph for cover by Meric Dagli on Unsplash

Spring (with Gareth)

Beer Bottle

Old blues standard rides again! The vocal is sung by my lovely son : )

Pallet On The Floor (Feat Eiz)

All music, songs and lyrics are original, unless noted.
Collaborations welcome, if you think you can add something to any of my songs, want to sing them, etc, please drop me a note
I advise playing on a good Hi-Fi or at least good headphones, otherwise you will miss all the good stuff going on in the lower frequencies. You don't want to only hear half of the music : )

Garddwr Porffor

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