I have decided not to apologise for my absence in recent months. I realise that it's been a very VERY long time since I posted on here but I've been having a wonderful time discovering things about my life and my music tastes that have distracted me without regret.
At this stage, nearly 2.5 million people have hit my page and I adore knowing that my musings resonate with some of you. Aware as I am of the disjointedness of the themes written here, it is great to know that there are a few people out there who get it and enjoy whatever babble it is that I choose to go on about.
The last year has been wonderful though, I have heard some of the most mind opening and awe inspiring music I have ever heard. I have played music in some of the most peculiar and amazing venues I could possibly conceive on my tiny island. I have become friends with the notion that "not all who wander are lost". It's been a wonderful 12 months.
Another reason I have not regretted taking a step back from writing in my somewhat regular fashion is that I haven't felt the need to write about much until now. There was an initial fear that I would suffer from some vocabulary atrophy, but, clearly, as I have now written an exhaustive introduction, this is not the case. I can still talk sh*t as good as ever! So..."what's been going on?", you ask. Let's see...
I made one of the most amazing discoveries in recent months; Chris Thile. Thile is a mandolin player from the United States. The chances are that you've already heard him play on various soundtracks such as the Hunger Games: Catching Fire and with various bands such Goat Rodeo, the Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek and through his own recordings. He recently enough recorded an album of mandolin interpretations of J.S. Bach's work. Strangely enough, he has made listening to the complexities of the instrument addictive. He has a wonderful approach to pieces of music and does not possess the same level of musician's snobbery that you might encounter with other similarly gifted musicians. As I write this, I am listening to his rendition of the song "Sinai to Canaan - Part 1" from this album (the source of the quote for my earlier accepted notion) "Not All Who Wander Are Lost". I have scoured the internet looking for as many recordings and videos of the man playing his music and one this is absolutely certain; he is having a blast! Whether it's a piece of bluegrass music, an old timey folk song or a piece of classical music written by one of the gods of art form, Thile's approach to each piece of music is the same; if you enjoy it, celebrate it! There should be no distinction made between a piece of Bach or a piece of music by John Mayer or even One Direction (it they are your thing). Simply enjoy the music you enjoy and, if you can, get your tickles in playing it! If you're one of the few who are able to create these piece of music that provide you with the same string of tingling emotions, just go with it and have fun! He is man who's music is worth listening to and I promise you, you all will find something enjoyable in his work! He is one of the few artists out there that is making the myriad of genres and musical styles accessible to us all. It's very exciting to think of how his output will evolve over the course of his career. Provided he retains his passion for...passion, we all stand to benefit!
Another musician who I have come to really respect in his relatively short career is Ireland's own, Gavin James! I had the chance to see James playing in Limerick over the May Riverfest Weekend and I was truly blown away by the guys humble stage presence but amazingly powerful vocal range and meticulous guitar playing! I had the opportunity to meet James after the gig in another music locale in Limerick and vaguely remember the conversation (it was Riverfest afterall and I'd done a full weekend of gigging prior to consuming my first alcoholic beverage). He was extremely gracious and, again, humble about his talents. I'd like to bring people's attention to a particular song of his called "For You". It's not a very complicated song but, at least I feel, it's the perfect pop/acoustic pop song. James exploits the songs simplicity to accentuate his vocal prowess and really delivers a very powerful song which would resonate with even the most ardent of musical minds. While his vocal range and guitar stylings are very different, he belongs in the same category as similarly excellent solo acoustic performers such as Ed Sheeran and Passenger. It remains to be seen what direction he will choose to take as his career progresses but if he can stay the course and keep his releases in as equally a wonderful vein as his current releases, this man will have a long and fruitful career! Definitely one to watch!
Those are just two of my musical discoveries from my last year of exploration. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I have. Both artists have provided the soundtrack for my Summer and I do wish you'd take the time to have a listen and dare you not to like them! It is a dare you will forfeit I think!
I am endeavouring to write more posts in the coming weeks. As my own musical career has become increasingly busy, it is indeed difficult to post regularly. However, I have promised to post at least once per week until the rest of the year, when things will hopefully have calmed down ever so slightly. Expect a lot more in the way of musical suggestion and even some samples for your consideration as I begin to embark on some original recordings over the next few months! Make sure to hop on over to Facebook and "Like" the Gray's Burden fan page at http://facebook.com/graysburden) where you can find all the links to recordings, performance info and tid-bit musings and shared links to music which is currently on my playlist!
Take Care and Be Safe!
SHC
