In Review : Blogs 1-25....and what's next??

Tuesday February 20th 2024

So, I started blogging November 23rd last year, that’s one blog every 3.56 days. Is that sustainable? I have no idea! I write when I want to write. Two per week feels right…

First off though I’d like to thank everybody who’s commented or contributed in some way to any of the pieces so far. Special thanks to Trevor Hood (19/01, “Hey! Teacher!”), Keith Toop (28/01, “George Harrison’s Contribution”) and Steve Twinley (16/02 “It Takes Blood & Guts”) for their willingness to join in, those blogs would not exist otherwise!

There were six blogs about general music topics, six blogs on songwriting, three on playing live, four on tuition, three on gear, two on classic songs, plus however you’d describe this thing that you’re reading right now. Each blog has at least a few subject tags, in case you hadn’t noticed…. Look down the lower right hand side if you’re searching for something specific. There's also a list of the first 25 blogs at the end of this blog too, newest to oldest.

So going by number of views : 

Most Ignored Blog Winner :

#001 “Please Allow Me To Introduce Myself”

(I possibly should have expected that.

I didn’t tell anybody I was doing it….)

Most Adored Blog Winner :

#014 “Hey! Teacher!” Unmissable Pink Floyd tracks

In fact, lots of people volunteered their top 5 Pink Floyd tracks, I was going to tell you about them in this particular blog, if case you'd missed them in the facebook chat. Honestly though, there’s a few too many for that, and I don’t want to leave anybody out, so in the next few weeks there’s going to be a follow up. If you have a top 5 unmissable list of Pink Floyd songs, it's not too late to share yours…

So…what’s coming up in the next 25? Well it’s partly up to you! There’ll be more Pink Floyd (as mentioned) and the second part of Keith’s blog on George Harrison. I did a strumming workshop for a local guitar group the other week, there’ll be some follow up on that, and I’ll be looking ahead to REMbrandt’s 10th birthday show at The Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Southampton on Sunday June 23rd - with special guests BEMIS and Sophie Hodgson. More collaborators, eager to share some different topics are in the pipeline too, but I’m not going to spoil it ALL in advance. 😉

Thanks for reading so far, don’t forget if you’ve got an idea for a blog or want to join in in any way, get in touch!

Cheers

Jon

Hey! Teacher! (Unmissable Pink Floyd Songs)

Hey! Teacher! (Unmissable Pink Floyd Songs)

Friday January 19th 2024

Last week I had a good catchup with fellow musician and neighbour, Trevor Hood. About fourteen months back, Trevor landed himself the bassist role in local tribute band “Wish We Were Pink Floyd” (no prizes for guessing the subject matter….) a role he worked hard to get up to speed on, and which he feels privileged to fulfil. 

Although having played in many bands over the years, it’s the first one he’s done to play larger stages and theatres, an experience he admits he wasn’t prepared for, but finds incredibly exciting. I’ve done plenty of theatres, but I can well imagine having seen the Aussie Floyd a few times, actually playing a gig like this with all the lights, lasers and everything that makes a Floyd show so special, makes it a level above the norm.

Recently, all the members of REMbrandt have been sharing their top 5 unmissable R.E.M. tracks via our facebook page, so this seemed like a great opportunity to get Trevor’s take on his top 5 unmissable Pink Floyd tracks. So, inflate that giant pig and let’s go to the dark side of the moon…..

5. Money

From “The Dark Side Of The Moon” 1973

This Roger Waters lyric criticises the power of money and the capitalist

system. Check out the unusual 7/4 time signature!

4. Learning To Fly

From “A Momentary Lapse In Reason” 1987

Recorded after Roger Waters departure from the band, this David Gilmour track

arguably relates to a band trying to function after losing one of

it’s founding members.

3. Sheep

From “Animals” 1977

Originally titled “Raving and Drooling”, “Sheep” formed an integral part to

the album, conceived as a homage to George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”.

2. Time

From “The Dark Side Of The Moon” 1973

Trevor describes this track as one he had to master, he makes the ticking clock

sounds by alternately picking two muted strings on the bass, just like Roger Waters

did on the original recording.

1. Us And Them

From “The Dark Side Of The Moon” 1973

With a vaguely jazz inspired chord progression, consumerism, materialism,

and the senseless nature of war all come under scrutiny in this hypnotising and

ethereal ballad, taken from one of the critically acclaimed albums of all time.

Get out and see some live music!

‘Wish We Were Pink Floyd’ are a six piece professional tribute band, delivering an amazing evening of iconic music from every era of Pink Floyd’s amazing back catalogue, coupled with the stunning light show we’ve all come to know and expect. You can catch them this year at The Chichester Assembly Rooms on April 27th, and you can follow their facebook page at facebook.com/pompeyfloyd.

Obviously - huge thanks to Trevor for his song choices and for helping to put this blog together! Agree with his choices? Disagree? Let me know!