Music is Life, Music is Therapy

The photo is of one of the passages of the Halliggye Fogou, near Helston, Cornwall

Changes afoot for me in 2026... More time for music.... More time for me....

Snow Moon by J Meekon Music

Remixed version of Calm (For Emma) that I did a few years ago which I hope has improved things. Combines the great Albatross (Fleetwood Mac) and the sleep inducing Sailing By (Ronald Binge - used before the late night Shipping Forecast on radio 4). Hopefully can put any listeners in a calm mood leading up to Christmas. My wife Emma asked if it was possible to combine the two tunes and I think I have made a decent attempt here. UPDATED 14/12/2025

The Walk from Waldo by J Meekon Music

I don't often do outright jolly songs, but this is something I often play to cheer myself up. Thought I would add some extra stuff and post it.

Sands by J Meekon Music

Updated version (had tried to just amend the previous version, but it went wrong so had to upload a new version). Cut up and remixed - it's all the Stones, just not necessarily in the right order.

Exploring chord changes.

I heard the Crossroads theme tune and went from there..

Foel Drygarn by J Meekon Music

Listening to Saku by Susumu Yokota at Gors Fawr in Pembrokeshire led me to this.

Says it all.

Grateful for Stuart's inputs on this! Spiderbear13

Cables by J Meekon Music

One of my favourite Beach Boys songs - especially the last minute. Was playing it in a Richie Havens style, with open D tuning (song is actually in C sharp). Decided to a do a version - nothing compared to the original, but it least it gave me a chance to sample the end of the song and extend it. Listen to the album Surf's Up. And sing along if you want to, because I can't... Feel the wind burn through my skin The pain, the air is killing me For years my limbs stretched to the sky A nest for birds to sit and sing But now my branches suffer And my leaves don't bear the glow They did so long ago One day I was full of life My sap was rich and I was strong From seed to tree I grew so tall Through wind and rain I could not fall But now my branches suffer And my leaves don't offer Poetry to men of song Trees like me weren't meant to live If all this world can give Pollution and slow death Oh Lord I lay me down No life's left to be found There's nothing left for me Trees like me weren't meant to live If all this earth can give Is pollution Trees like me weren't meant to live (Oh Lord I lay me down) If all this earth can give (My branches to the ground) Is pollution and slow death (There's nothing left for me) Oh Lord I lay me down My branches to the ground There's nothing left for me (Jack Riley and Brian Wilson)

An experiment with chord progressions.

St Ishmael, where you can see a medieval village eroding from the sand dunes.

Based on 'Duran' by Miles Davis with snippets of 'Blues for Basie' by McCoy Tyler and some Ray Conniff for good measure (The Hustle/I Only Have Eyes For You and I Found Something New). Go listen to the originals of Duran and Blues for Basie.

Samples of Ray Conniff's version of Beguin the Beguine and The Hustle

For anyone going through stuff

Crawlers by J Meekon Music

A bit upbeat - Started as a riff used in the background of Lung Part 3 I need a fuzzy guitar solo after the break and before the horns - but I can't do one that works - any offers let me know. Or perhaps it just needs vocals?

Just mellow

Lung Parts 1, 2 and 3 joined as intended

Spot the influence..

Another song based on slow rhythms and (hopefully) trancelike feel.

Sprawling soundscape - using Synth-1 pedal and pitch shifter

Something for the end of the year

A mix of Dolphins (Tim Buckley version) and There's Always Something There to Remind Me (Percy Faith version).

Simple tune - using Logic Pro bass effects. The Milk Thistle Conference is a signature drink at the Milk Thistle in Bristol, a rather lovely take on an Old Fashioned.

An interpretation of the tune 'Recollections' by Miles Davis off Big Fun. The real track is as near as Zen as I have heard.

Hope it enables a bit of relaxation and mindfulness.

A tune with a few nods to the Small Faces within it.

A less upbeat track than of late - and a return to some of the sounds I have used on the minilogue XD previously (That Dark Voice...). Interpret what you want from the title and the tone of it.

I have always had a soft spot for easy listening and some of Ray Conniff song arrangements are just great. I have based this on 'I've Found Someone Of My Own' - ridiculous song, but just love the intro and music. Sampled it and then actually did the instrumentation myself with only samples at the start and in the drop. I have really enjoyed doing this and will likely do some more similar stuff (something else to do isn't it..).

Some fun with Darondo's 'Get Up Off Your Butt' and a little bit of One Note Samba by Percy Faith

Another track based on a sample - this time lifted from the start of the song Harmony by Ray Connif.

A beautiful song by Pharoah Sanders and Leon Thomas, but probably overlooked. I have done my usual twist on it - and made sure the added sounds are very electric and processed to contrast with the original music.

Samples from the album People Like Us by Mamas and Papas to create a summery little instrumental.

Some things just aren't meant to be easy.

Created a tune - then thought bits of Sweet Believer by Mama Cass would fit well. Another song that can't be beat - she was such a great singer.

Bit of fun with Miles Runs the Voodoo Down from Bitches Brew. Listen to the original its much better! See this as a short trailer introduction.

Samples from A Salty Dog by Procul Harem - a fantastic and beautiful haunting song.

Something upbeat for the new year!

A lament for the last year - for those I have lost and the friends who I haven't seen. The madness of 2020 soon to have its page turned. Onwards and upwards.

Updated as used wrong version

Short

Totally self indulgent - but a necessary tool

You don't have to go far from home to feel like you are on holiday - especially at this time. View west from Dryslwyn Castle, Carmarthenshire. It is all of ours.