a tune written with a person I know in mind - a lost soul who used to be so bright eyed and hopeful.   Until he met 'Mary Jane' and since then, his dance with her pungent sweet smoke has taken him down a dark and lonely alleyway. 

Can only hope that she releases her comforting grip sometime soon. 

sadness sits alone

native wind contemplation

an intake of breath on a flute.. just one moment of life and a very clipped note made this little experiment grow -  not sure if the feeling is one of lustful union or a patient clinging to life.   

For the listener to decide I guess.

breathing...

Trad scottish - but played my way with quite a variation from the original trad tune. 

Dark Island

A Scottish stream meanders and dances down a leafy valley - and pours into a deep dark pool.

 

Dance time

thoughts on Gwen

a striking mane she galloped across the green
grass sprung like velvet with deep moss
from the shaded mottled light that cast

flitting shadows across the flaxen gold
in my dreams she lives like her music
shrill sweet notes that never rest

her ashes danced down the volcanic plug
her golden haired sons followed the meandering
trail that marked her final gallop

not a graceful waft in the air like a play
but a hearty rush and cascade as she tumbled
and span and billowed and blew

her bright smile in pictures caught flat in
only two dimensions where five seemed to be
throughout a life so sharply focussed on art
on music

on the art of being a caring soul
and the skill of disarming the sternest frown
replaced with a smile or a tear - usually of joy
now sadness atop a green hill in May

thirty one years lived - each day like it was her last
finally correct as the van man sped
too fast

the delivery never made
but the bad news arrived
an ocean away

Its all over

Dreams - where escape comes.  
notes -  always sweetly played.
Darkness of night 
a drifting calmness
as the music spills
from tireless hands

Dreamtime

Instrumental & interpretation. (apols to any purists) 

4 leaf clover tune for a very special day for all the lovely Irish folk out there.  

Sorry about the rugby result the other week by the way, but if you cannae score the tries or get  the ball over the posts, you just dont win...  beeegorrrahhhhh!

Danny Boy

Duff notes can sound almost intentional whist walking along a beach...

Joy of Improvisation

A special tune that was inspired by a special friend a good while ago.   It maybe be wearing new clothes, but I hope it brings firesound to new ears.  

An everlasting favourite that has words and music added by 2 wonderful musicians... 

Firesound

Smooth Jazz - song and lyrics by the very wonderful Emma Shanley

Soprano Sax by the incredible Dave McKeown

Guitar by little ole me...

Moonlight Shimmers

A poem written, spoken, then sung by Emma Shanley

my river, it is strong 
strong enough to carry me 
gentle enough to ease my mind 
deep enough to hide my pain 
wild enough to raise my spirit 
long enough to calm me to sleep 
clear enough to show me love 
may my river meet yours someday 
to merge and flow as one 
and may we find peace 

Emma Shanley, 18 January 2012

http://soundcloud.com/emma-shanley

Deep flowing river - A poem~song

Dave McKeown sprinkled some magic dust on my walking bass jazz improv with his very lovely clarinet...

https://soundcloud.com/dave-mckeown

It's a bit of a virtual jam/ improv session that always brings a smile to my face with its uplifting, happy face and its wonderful seasonal sign off. (I wonder if Dave may be related to Santa, because he gives wonderful presents all year round with his wonderful music and vital spirit.) 

To new followers on the cloud, I do hope you enjoy this lovely bouncy number.  To old friends, hey, its worth another listen!   =)

Le Hot Club d'Ecosse

An improvisation that just developed using a rather lovely guitar, and a wonderful alt tuning (DADGAD) that is just perfect for Mr Lowden's fine instruments. 

A couple of glitches got into the play, but it was an enjoyable process creating this contemporary guitar improv - has a pretty springtime lilt and I hope it makes you smile.  =)

Springtime Shanty

https://soundcloud.com/fredvangestel   

Fred heard my spring shanty tune and asked if he could have a little play around with it. 

I think he has added so much light and air to this spring day. 

I hope you will enjoy his wonderful whistling as much as I continue to do tonight - it's on a loop!   =)

A Spring Breeze.

jammed my finger today and got a juicy big blood blister on the tip... on the same day that Jimmy Egypt fitted my new AER EK15+ saddle mounted pickup on pretty gal fantasia!

http://www.guitarrepairshop.co.uk/Gallery/The_Feeling/the_feeling.html

Have been dying to get a tune uploaded cos she just sounds so sweet!  

so... not so sweetly played, cos my middle finger was throbbing like a harley! 

 It's the first on the new Lowdee - it can only get better!!


Blood blister blues

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/colettecairns?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socspon&utm_content=colettecairns&utm_campaign=post-sponsor-facebook



~Paul Sale

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