Just a year on and as predicted in the ballad, The Donald is running again in '24 and with his new controlled social media platform

Song generated by obsorbing and observing the US elections through out a long night in early November 2020; reaching for the guitar and singing a few lines in those hours, helped steady the nerves and to accept the incredulity of it all. One couldn't help being shocked at the polarizing views and opinions offered when shuffeling between Fox News and CNN presenters and their nominee guests.
A video to go with it!!
https://youtu.be/qLFpvkM_lzg

Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden (Nov 2020)


How can a vibrant port city of 430,000 people be virtually destroyed and most inhabitants flee with thousands of dead in just a few weeks in 2022? How could civilians be targeted in such an indescribably indescriminate way? Who are these murderous thugs to order this and carry it out on this scale? 

Marina Ovsyanikova, TV editor of state run Channel 1 risked her freedom in daring to tell the truth about the battle scenes to the viewers with her now famous placard declaring 'NO WAR' now seen by millions all over the world and this has began to symbolize Kremlin control over mass media. Eventually, most will realise this is not simply a 'special operation'. It's almost 50 days since the invasion of 24th February, thousands of innocent people of all ages and combat lives on all sides are being lost in the worst barbarism and despotism not seen in Europe since the 1940's. One glimmer of hope in this horrendous humanitarian crisis is that the wanton aggression will be repelled through the courage and mindset of the 'Aerorozvidka' brigade. 

An incredible group of IT and drone enthusiasts formed in 2014 is expanding rapidly in this henious all out war. Mainly deployed in reconnaissance but rapidly 'the brigade' is a leading light in providing resistance to being subsumed in a 'Novo Russia'. This is  becoming a high tech war where drones and their intrepid operators are supporting intelligence  and finding targets for the defence forces. With Ellon Musk helping with Starlink, this coordinated system is surprising everyone.  Drone marques like R18's, Switchblades, Bayraktar TB2's and so forth as these pilotless flying machines form a new stealth armoury and fight back.
One hopes that this incredible defense with anti-tank weaponry, Ukraine can make the Russian State realise rhe Ukrainian people will never surrender and they should cease fire immediately and return and be made to foot the bill for the unacceptable loss of life and to rebuild Mariupol and Kharkiv and tens of thousands of other homes. #standwithukraine.

In December, the last demo track 'will you love again' hoped the Slavic bonds would find a way to make peace. This demo is a nightmarish heartbreaking sequel to follow.

PLEASE, COME TO THE AID OF THE DRONE BRIGADE by clicking this link
https://aerorozvidka.xyz/

Thank you. Slava Ukraini!

NO WAR & The Drone Brigade

Lamenting the First Minister of Scotland, her resignation and subsequent fall out.

The SNP'S obsession with independence is troubling when more focus should really be devoted to the pressing issues facing the people of Scotland.

Hopefully, this reset and as described by Mike Russell's (interim CEO) in his own words it, the party, "is in a tremendous mess" will pave the way to allow better governance and Spring sunlight can be shone on the financial records, 'lost' campaigning funds as well as the taxpayers contributions.

Ms Sturgeon says the party isn't in a mess but just going through some "growing pains". Let's see what the polls show and a rerun of the leadership faceoff must surely be on the cards.

I wrote this demo lament ballad in the final week of the leadership campaign. Result: 48% Kate Forbes, 52% Hamza Yousaf. Around 3% of the Scottish electorate voted for this. Lamentably, many paid up voting members were not told of the true membership total which had fallen by 30,000 in the last two years nor of the financial state of the party. Would the now elected 'continuity candidate' really want to be associated with that?

Ode to Nicola Sturgeon - Former First Minister of Scotland

A ballad about Hope-Faith-Love...
A couple's rocky relationship is suddenly transformed into a life or death survival as they experience a real life shipwreck together! Miraculously saved, they find redemption by reading the graffiti written on the wall of their makeshift sanctuary cave where they overnighted after their misadventure. 

"And now these three remain: FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. But the greatest of these is LOVE."    
Corinthians 1:13

Writing On The Wall

In memory of Charlie Allan - 'a lad o' pairts' and immortalised now as bothy ballad royalty. Thank you Charlie for giving your unmistakable voice to these incredible bothy ballads  and your ain een, 'The Blue Grey Coo' and for your magnificent writing too. The very special culture of The North East of Scotland; its people, places and stories are packaged by the unique way in which you sung and performed. You are a legend and opened this incredible song genre to so many. You have been an inspiration and influence with your abundant talents (too many to mention but some links below try). We are all blessed to have known, watched and heard you over the decades - may you rest in peace. 

Thoughts are with his family and friends for their loss at this reflective and sad time.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/obituaries/6294144/charlie-allan-obituary-methlick-farmer-caber-toss-champ-athlete-singer/

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/charlie-allan/its-lonely-in-the-bothy.p/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixYE9Hc3l5s

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0h3fb5j

Charlie Allan - A Tribute to The Bothy Ballad King

This demo track is partly inspired by Jens Hanning and his controversial artwork entitled ‘Take the Money and Run’ commissioned by the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg, Denmark in 2021.  The artist delivered two blank canvases and when the museum demanded their money back, he replied, “This is only a piece of art if I don’t return the money”.

LINKS
http://jenshaaning.com/
https://kunsten.dk/en
https://youtu.be/eOjV6w1wA8U?si=i5vXiMivGiHZps6x

You Paint the Colour onto my Canvas

Another love - lost - love - found romantic, slushy demo!

Couldn't help weaving in the lines  'Comin thro' the Rye' spun from one of the greatest Scottish ballads written by Robert Burns in 1782.

Comin thro' the rye, poor body, 
Comin thro' the rye, 
She draigl't a' her petticoatie 
Comin thro' the rye. 

Oh Jenny's a' weet, poor body, 
Jenny's seldom dry, 
She draigl't a' her petticoatie 
Comin thro' the rye. 

Gin a body meet a body 
Comin thro' the rye, 
Gin a body kiss a body
Need a body cry. 

Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro' the glen; 
Gin a body kiss a body 
Need the warld ken! 

Oh Jenny's a' weet, poor body, 
Jenny's seldom dry, 
She draigl't a' her petticoatie 
Comin thro' the rye.

You Are The One

Love at first sight...on the beach! Another simple demo track....

Needed to sing a few topics as 2024 got under way namely:

1) The year that about half the world's population goes to vote but the world has still authoritarian regimes which increasingly stand against Liberal democracies, the rule of law and freedom of speech (and our human right to sing!). https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GLOBAL-ELECTIONS2024/gdvzmkejkpw/
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/mar/06/elections-vote-women-gender-equality-leadership-harassment


2) AI (Artificial Intelligence) takes off to affect mankind and society.
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/advice-guidance/all-topics?topics=Artificial%20intelligence&sort=date%2Bdesc

3) increasing use of hate speech and rage over the Internet.
https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2023/online-content-moderation

I would like to acknowledge and promote the wonderful  Scottish artist, Jack Vettriano for the thumbnail image and do please visit his portfolio and buy his prints! 

https://www.jackvettriano.com

I Believe In You

As the exceptionally rainy Spring/Summer of 2024 heralds the Autumn chill and leaves begin to take on their golden and crimson hues, one reflects on summers past. Experiencing times with folk, the warmth and beauty on Scotland's west coast; those waterways and sunsets on this unique, famous Atlantic seaboard.

This demo ballad recalls a home coming of a Lochaber born and bred merchant sea captain. A career spent plying cargoes around the world through the maritime waterways, canals and crossing global oceans. He harbours a yearning to return to his precious native land and settle down with the love of his life who he left behind all those years ago.

If you need a reason to visit this extraordinary part of the world, here are some links to enhance your next visit! So let your journey of discovery begin and listen to the Sound of Mull and sail out onto those Hebridean waterways!

https://www.wanderwestardnamurchan.com/

https://www.ardnamurchanlighthouse.com/

https://ardnamurchandistillery.com/

https://www.ardnamurchancampsite.com/mobile/index.html

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/ardnamurchan-area-p2555641

https://www.westhighlandpeninsulas.com/about-the-peninsulas/ardnamurchan

https://heritageardnamurchan.co.uk/

https://www.ardnamurchanestate.co.uk/

https://www.moidart.org.uk/datasets/tioram.htm#:~:text=James%20Wiseman%20MacDonald%20bought%20the,is%20a%20scheduled%20ancient%20monument

http://isleofeigg.org/

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/isle-of-eigg-p246981


I would like to credit Steven Marshall Photography https://www.smarshall-photography.com/
for granting the license to use one of his photographs for this track. Please be sure to check out his exceptional work and creative talent for capturing this glorious scenery and atmosphere of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Please consider making a purchase !

The Sound of Mull

Today, 3rd March 2025, a key debate on the e-petition will take place at  Westminster Hall. https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/c0367db8-6dfe-490d-99c9-7d422c75c586?fbclid=IwY2xjawIyQ-9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSWMguH_T5yX7OfaGeh_RB4JBqfIP6jsQM76MtpC2pgX6RsiZRsjGs1FZg_aem_5XVLKKfkIzwrIJyzEclXOw
on the subject of VAT being added to independent school bills of 20% and rates relief. This educational reform is a key flag ship of the new labour government. Two court cases are due to be heard soon in support of children and their families being discriminated and charged an excessive amount on top of the school fee. The government claims it is a 'tax break' but education is never taxed as it is a 'merit good' for society and no European country can do this and this is enshrined in European human rights conventions. Greece is an example of where this experiment miserably failed. 

Some say that Change Labour's policy of closing down independent schools in the UK has been a long-standing ambition. Since July 2024 the Labour government has gone full steam ahead to bring this vision into reality with the imposition of VAT (20%) applied to school fees from January 2025. One of Change Labour's  leading proponents for implementing this policy has been Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education (MP for Haughton and Sunderland South 
https://www.bridgetphillipson.com/.) Some say she is driven by a Marxist ideology and cares little for the children, teachers, parents and schools in her pursuit to give the 'best life chances' for all children.  The aim is to use the VAT income -  some 1.6 bln per year, to take off those fees paid and put that unfair tax some to fund more teachers and improve standards for the 94% of children attending state schools. She has started in this vein to provide 'subsidised' breakfasts for some 750 schools in England recently.

However, mercifully we have two outstanding opposition groups standing against this insidious policy: ENT Education Not Education https://educationnottaxation.org/ (not to be confused with ENT.... Ears, Nose and Throat!) and the ISC Independent School Council  https://www.isc.co.uk/about-isc/ representing independent schools through out the United Kingdom.


Many smaller independent schools (including faith and SEND schools) are finding it difficult to balance the books. Notably over recent months almost weekly announcements are made of impending closures due in part made by the VAT imposition, NIC contributions and the increase in rates.  This is a cruel and vindictive policy which seeks to punish hard working parents who have already contributed their share of taxes for their children's education) and those making sacrifices for their children. Many are not rich but are working parents and want the choice and also enjoy wrap around care so they can work and contribute to the wider economy.  The additional burden of the VAT will put the cost beyond many and thousands of children will be impacted and be required to enter  State education which will put more pressure on the State and will be counter productive as this policy will end up costing more than it raises. It will guarantee the disruption of the lives of young people and bring closures to great organisations that contribute to their communities and have done so for decades.


Change Labour must be prevented from delivering their ideological crusade to eradicate our proud independent schools and hopefully these legal actions this year, will end the absurdity of adding VAT to school fees.

I would like to thank and credit the artwork used in the thumbnail image which was published by https://www.spectator.co.uk to accompany the article by Peter Jones on 16th January.

Change Labour

Enjoy listening and just occasionally singing (to myself) 'Bothy Ballads' from The North East of Scotland. Influenced in my teens by legendary folk singer Marc Floyd Ellington and Charlie Allan. 

'Written' a few very simple lockdown ballads in the 12 months since the global pandemic struck and tried to learn the guitar...it helps!

Nicholas

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