Finding sense in this messy but often lovely world. Enjoying what I find; responding to it; sometimes simply capturing moments from it. I share what I find as honestly as I can. The ‘Unstated’ web site is free. I hope you enjoy it.
Jimi Hendrix – Band Of Gypsys
There are plenty of well-known Hendrix records but I have to say this album is probably my overall favourite. I was given the original as a vinyl record more years ago than I care to recall, by someone who I’ve long ago lost touch with. By accident, it became the album I always play first … (Read More)
When You Need To Get Directions
(Why ‘Getting Directions’ is being written.) If, for whatever reason, you’re unsure about yourself – your life to date, who you are – then it’s probably inevitable that you’ll try to find things out. You’ll try to find out what’s made you who and how you are – what’s been formative. At its most simple, … (Read More)
OTT – Skylon
I know pretty well nothing about the artist, and calling the album ‘ambient dub’ means nothing to me either. But I’m happy hearing this. It’s interesting and inventive enough without being an aural nag. That sounds dangerously like faint praise, but it’s not intended to be. This can be good music to work to on … (Read More)
Djivan Gasparyan & Michael Brook – Black Rock
Refreshingly different (to my ears). I can’t remember where I first came across Djivan Gasparyan. I was led to Michael Brook via his ‘Hybrid’ album with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. This is the kind of music I’ll play when I want something that’s somehow refreshing to listen to; when my ears are jaded. (Click … (Read More)
If Liberalism Is Obsolete …
Today was the day I wondered what will happen if liberalism is ‘obsolete’. The track record for the alternatives is dismal. And I know enough to know that first you have to question the motives behind the opinion. Who’s gaining?
Preventing A Vacuum
(Notes on not getting hung-up on poetry.) I’m very aware that the very word ‘poetry’ is a big turn-off for some people. I can understand that. So let’s ignore defining sets of words as poems or anything else. Let’s focus on what I’m trying to achieve instead. Sometimes I’m keen to write brief bits of … (Read More)
I Don’t Want To Be An Accomplice
(Why ‘Trust And Verify’ exists.) Visiting a site where they used to test the triggers for nuclear bombs is bound to provoke … thoughts. Some are obvious. Being appalled at the way the place has been merely abandoned, with no effort to clean it up, is hardly surprising.* And being confronted with one of the … (Read More)
Trust And Verify
They tested the triggers for nuclear bombs here. ‘We all have to be able to defend ourselves.’ Those few words or similar and that’s it – the common belief. It’s applied to countries. Think about it and you realise we apply it to ourselves too. Unquestioned, the assumption is that those words alone justify the … (Read More)
Some Splendid Isolation
Alone. Noticing. Solitary, for a while. Aware that the day is the way it is. Aware that it ends. Aware that it might not be that way. Appreciating. Everywhere – “she said …” and “he said …” All the words that others make but make for others Buy – the day’s desires. Unnoticed realities underpin … (Read More)
