Sunday Music

C.W. Stoneking has released his third album, Gon’Boogaloo.
And like with his previous albums, I’m sold! Gorgeous unpolished blues, perfect listing for a lazy Sunday morning, or any other time of day at that!

I first heard of him in 2008 when he brought out his second album, Jungle Blues. He did an interview on the national radio, I was entranced not only by his music, but also by his stories. What a character!
When I got home and googled him, to hear more of his music, to my greatest surprise the guy is a very fair, an Aussie from the Northern Territories. It’s almost weird hearing him and watching him at the same time. My brains just can’t seem to match it.
C.W. Stoneking brings out music under his own label. Please, please, only download what you have bought.

I feel so lucky, he is giving a concert here in Grafton on the 17th and 18th of February at the very intimate Pelican Playhouse.
Oh yes, we’re going, found ourselves a babysitter!

Rock on Joe

Growing up it wasn’t me or one my three younger sisters driving us all “mad” with loud music, no those honours belonged to my dad, Paul.

He drove us absolutely bonkers with a song from Joe Cocker, “With a little help of my friends”. Loud, very, very loud. And on repeat, in the car, so there was no where to hide...
And so who was rocking along with her own kids this morning. Loud, very loud as a homage Joe, that was me, with some very ecstatic kids. Because of course I’ve got the CD too...

Music

I’ve got a confession to make...

I listen to classical radio...

We’re very lucky in Australia with a station like ABC Classics FM. The music is very divers, the midday interviews a delight and my Friday afternoon is a breeze driving around picking up kids with world music. Classical music is so much more then opera and baroque. There are so many cool a-cappella groups out there, choirs to make your heart sing and the music, there is so much of it.

Listen to this piece and tell me classical music is boring:

Enough drama? I bet there are many metal heads out there that would love it, or gladly give it a go on an electrical guitar.

Or how about something very uplifting to get you through the afternoon?

After the chaos in the morning, wouldn’t it be lovely to drive away with all the kids strapped down and bags packed and relax through the school run with some calming music. Well I do!
Nothing beats a bit of Griegs Morning Mood to relax and appreciate your surroundings.

I love many different kinds of music, I’m not a connoisseur just a lover. And there are a lot of overlaps these days. Check out these guys: 2Cellos, rock stars!
The kids are pretty happy to listen along, I got them hooked in with this one:

Like I did as a child, and many generations before me...

What is your favourite piece of music?

Happier days

We’re into our first week of the school holidays. It gives us a bit more time together, just being. Going for a walk, having picnics on the beach, meeting up with friends, playing frisbee in the garden, just laying around on a quilt in the grass. The things that are normally a bit more limited to the weekends.

Morning sickness is not very kind, why do they call it that when you feel miserable all day?

I’ve been completely of meat and coffee for the last couple of weeks, can’t stand the smell. Greasy and spicy food makes me go into hiding into the bedroom. Sander and the kids want meat? They have to cook it themselves, on the BBQ, outside, and make sure the windows are closed.

Crackers, fresh fruit, yoghurt and salads that’s me and some fish and prawns on my better days. Just very tired. With Tim & Sophie it was the same, just a couple of weeks, after that the rest of the pregnancy was a breeze. They are so worth it in the end, being so blessed with these gorgeous, happy and very funny kids.

But there are still days you just feel miserable, the day a drag. What always makes for happier days is music, a good reason to have us dancing in kitchen. We’ve got quite the collection of music, but hardly add to it anymore. The new Xavier Rudd CD came out last month, Spirit Bird. Listened to it, loved it, bought it. I can very much recommend it. The opening song Lioness Eye, gets you tapping along. Didgeridoo, kookaburra’s and percussion. What is not to love? The title song, Spirit Bird is also one of my favourites.

Having an off day and are looking for some instant happiness have a look at this one, Follow the Sun:

Filmed on Stradbroke Island (near Brisbane, QLD). It puts a smile on my face every time.