Well, I was summoned back from an extended vacation by the Archangel to contribute to this track. Wonderful working with you again, Gabriel, and thanks for getting in touch with me. Your production on this is absolute class! https://soundcloud.com/vangabriel

I was about 14 years old when Pravinand played me a couple of songs he had written. He was probably finishing Secondary School. I remember being impressed that he was writing his own songs. We became close friends, wrote songs together, recorded tons of material, got involved in socio-political activities together, and even became related. This brings back the old days for me – always great stirring the magic pot with you, Pravinand! https://soundcloud.com/johnny-minstrel

Pravinand Maharaj: Acoustic guitar, vocals, lead solo
Me: Second guitars, backing vocals and middle Greek chant
Gabriel Vanore: Mixing and Production
Links: https://soundcloud.com/johnny-minstrel/burning-tree-by-johnny-minstrel-and-brian-peters-a-van-gabriel-production

Burning Tree (Pravinand Maharaj)

What fire’s this?
No smoke no burn
Whose voice it speaks?
So loud, so stern
Neath the burning tree

What does it say?
What can you hear?
Kneel down and pray
Till the thunder rolls clear
From the burning tree

Chorus:
I am, I am
Though my face you can’t see
I am, I am
And I will always be

What must you do?
You hear people cry
Who’ll go with you?
Set the captives free to fly
From the burning tree

Who can change the aimless
A sated man won’t feed
Who can name the Nameless
On every tongue
Calling from your need

Additional Chant (Brian Peters)
Ακίνητος υποκινητής (Unmoved Mover)
Αιτία και Γεννήτορά (Cause and Begetter)

Burning Tree (Johnny Minstrel) a VanGabriel Production

Leonie Evans and the Refugee Tales pilgrims singing together on the first day of the walk. For more information visit:
http://refugeetales.org

Foreign Lands by Leonie Evans

infinity machine

Leonie Evans with Count Bobo- Graeme Smith, Lorenzo Prati, Daniel Inzani, Leon Boydon, Daniel Truen, Pete Gibbs.

Collaborations Volume 1

Mi Balcon

‘Angels/Your Love feat. BJ The Chicago Kid’ off the album ‘God First’ out July 14th – pre-order: https://MrJukes.lnk.to/GodFirst

God First

Angels / Your Love (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)

Time is right:

It’s usually a source of immense frustration that it takes me years to finish anything but for this song it actually helped. I started writing this in 2014 whilst shamelessly grumpy and sauntering around in relationship blues. I was about to start a new job and as such thought I was the bees knees and too much of a kingpin for relationships to get in my way. Little did I know. Turns out the relationship was a keeper and the job would take the backseat. I was right however about us “soon to be riding a wave”; safe to say my Ruth and I have been riding it together ever since. 

Lyrics:

About time for a little laughter, soon to be riding a wave. Seems we joke around only when we have to. All I seek is a sense of place, in my heart, in my hope and in my ways. Sure I’d like to spend a little time sitting in the tree tops when the mood is right, time is right. Sure I’d like the feeling of the sun sitting on my love-nest when the mood is right, time is right. I’m out of luck, got any to offer? Asked my friend in the rain. He gave his advice; told me to take shelter. Cause all he seeks is a sense of place, in his heart, in his hope, in his ways. Sure he’d like to spend a little time sitting in the tree tops when the mood is right, time is right. Sure he’d like the feeling of the sun sitting on my love-nest when the mood is right, time is right. And if you catch a glimpse of mine up and away to the trees I’ll climb and when I’m stealing honey from the bees. In my heart in my hope I’ll agree. Yes I like to spend a little time sitting in the tree tops now the mood is right, time is right. Yes I love the feeling of the sun sitting on my love-nest now the mood is right, time is right. (May 2017)

Time is right

Thomas Cole