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My favourite albums of 2015

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

Yes, it is that time of the year when music lovers across the globe lay down their obligatory favourite albums of the year and I am no exception to the rule. If anything, I would regard sharing any of my favourite musical moments and happening upon another person who discovers something that they love to be a success. So for sake of sharing all things quality music, here goes!

Bjork – Vulnicura

As far as break up records go, you won’t feel a much more of a sucker punch. It hits really hard. Written almost, like a diary, with liner notes for the lyrics also detailing a time line. A very open, deeply personal record that Bjork herself has struggled to present live.

I am a massive fan of Bjork, aside from her outlandish vocals, what attracts me to her music is how she continuously presents music that pushes the boundaries of technology whilst being completely, unmistakably human. This album is no exception to the rule, a contrast of string arrangements and electronic beats and phenomenal production courtesy of contributions from The Haxan Cloak and Arca and of course, Bjork’s iconic vocals carrying through a dialogue of healing and thoughts relating around the end of a relationship. A phenomenal record.

Steven Wilson – Hand. Cannot. Erase.

Wilson has achieved ubiquity in the Prog Scene and my opinion, deservedly so, the guy’s work ethic is second to none. This year, we were graced with his fourth solo album that offers an eclectic palette of sounds, some nostalgic of the 70’s, some new, but the most impressive aspect of this record is the concept.

Inspired by the documentary ‘Dreams of a life’, inspired by the death of Joyce Carol Vincent, a young woman who died in her apartment in London. The tragic story that provides a very identifiable pathos that if you want to isolate yourself completely from everyone, you move into the middle of the city. Alienation, loneliness, disconnection, regret. There are people out there who just can’t help but be overwhelmed by these feelings when trying to find their place in the world. I think that that is something all of us to an extent can feel at times. Wilson captures the human condition on this album very accurately (something lacking in a lot of modern progressive rock music) and especially alludes to the impact of social media. It’s an enthralling record with a multitude of pertinent discussion points. The deluxe edition is gorgeous addition to the musical presentation. I was lucky to witness this album performed live both in Cardiff, then the Royal Albert Hall with what I would consider one of the best performing live bands around at the moment. If that isn’t enough, Jess Cope’s video for Routine is a tear-breaker.

Natalie Prass – Natalie Prass

So two records in, and it’s all a bit heavy going. Here is questionably a guilty pleasure. This record is full of lovesick, silly and endearing songs from Nashville. I love it! The 36 piece band arrangements are simply awesome and I really like Prass’ vocals. It’s an album that with ease, puts one big smile on my face!

Laura Marling – Short Movie

A 21st century answer to Joni Mitchell. Thank God! ‘Once I was an Eagle’ is one of my favourite records this side of the century and Marling delivers a record this year that is similarly introspective yet offers a different slant, including some elements of punk and blues to her known folk identity. ‘Short Movie’ is half a thought, a running stream of consciousness that asks questions about living miles away from home, unassured convictions about love and romance, and identity and not necessarily providing any answers. Without a doubt, a great record for those of us in their twenties, figuring out exactly who the hell we are. This album came for me at the right time. It is through and through intriguing, shifting between beautiful self reflection and a playful attitude with a atmospheric backdrop of West Coast America.

Mew – +-

Danish space dream pop rock band have delivered their first record in six years and it is outlandish, catchy and downright awesome. Opening with one heck of an anthem,  ‘Satellites’, which I have not stopped listening to all year.

Beach House – Depression Cherry

I discovered the duo this year and have been very hooked on them, including this year’s very melancholic yet pretty album, ‘Depression Cherry’. Full of whirly, atmospheric synths and guitars.

The Aristocrats – Tres Caballeros

The instrumental trio output have delivered their third album and it’s as audacious as ever. Guthrie Govan, Marco Minnemann, Bryan Beller…what more need be said?

Eva Cassidy – Nightbird

As far as posthumous records go, it doesn’t get much better than this. Marking the 20th century of her Blues Alley street performance, and it is a sublime live album. Cassidy had the voice of an angel, one of a kind and you know that for definite when listening through the 32 tracks of this live album.

 

 

 

My October Playlist

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

This was a widget, but I’ve decided to elaborate on my playlist a bit as I am discovering more music than ever. So here is the music that is seeing me through Autumn!

Jason Isbell – Something More than Free

How out of character of me…a country record! Throw away the prejudice and it’s a beautiful feeling of freedom to judge good music on the merit of being…well GOOD! And that is what Jason Isbell is, he writes some cracking contemporary music, loads of melody over a subtle minimum use of chords, lush violin arrangements and the thing that sold me most…his intelligently crafted lyrics. The latter which usually puts me off most southern american music, as it goes all too shallow and pedestrian. This on the other hand…hits deep.

Beach House – Depression Cherry 

This band have been about a while, but it wasn’t until scrolling through Pitchfork that I ended up devouring their newly released album. A brooding all red album with moody female vocals, synths synths synths and guitar motives that all suit my taste for all things melancholic.

Debussy – Piano Works Volume 4

I’ve started properly learning piano, I am teaching general music lessons so it will come in handy but alongside that lies my aspiration to play this masterpiece.

Debussy, the very much loved composer who broke a lot of boundaries in the classical world and spearheaded one of my favourite art movements, impressionism!

Spirited Away Soundtrack

I love the film, and I want to play this on piano too.

Joni Mitchell – Hejira 

Sometimes, you have to kick yourself for bypassing something you shouldn’t. I’ve known Joni Mitchell for most of my life and I’ve been on edge over the past year when reading about her health in the news. Blue, Big Yellow Taxi, Both Sides now, how much more great stuff can you write? Then comes along the album that the hardcore fans in particular are beholden to, that is even more adorning…and that is Hejira. The album is just incredible, WHY did I not pay attention to it til now!? It features alongside Mitchell’s incredibly thoughtful lyrics accompanied by the musical genius of Bassist Jaco Pastorious and Larry Carlton (whose more than likely played guitar on many songs you know)…what more could you want? The title track in particular has been very apt for the grey clouds that have sometimes dominated the sky over these recent autumn days. ‘I’m sitting in a cafe’, and in the space of five minutes, Joni articulates what has been a very challenging year for me at times that has led me to a lot of self-reflection and pondering…the best music brings about a truth that you identify closely with, how did she know this about me? That’s the power of art.

Hejira is timeless.

‘There is no way to make a living in it’

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‘There is no way to make a living in it’ When I have told older folks in the past that I want to be a musician, make records, perform music and in basic human principle, do what I love doing, I was often thrown back the response ‘but there is no way to make a living in it.’ Now, I have recently seen others inflict that idea on younger people and want to take my own personal space here just to politely give a few examples of musicians who are making a living, and more so than that, being fulfilled in themselves as well as fulfilling others.

Guthrie Govan

Guthrie Govan – regarded as one of the best guitarists in the world, dropped out of a literature degree at Oxford and worked in Mcdonald’s for several years before becoming the venerable musician he is today.

hugh-laurie

‘Actor, musician, writer. Because the world needs more of those.’ Hugh Laurie’s twitter bio.

imogen-heap-gloves

Imogen Heap – Has had her ups and downs in her music career but her persistence and sense of innovation makes her one of electronic music’s most loved artists

laura2

Old head on young shoulders – Laura Marling’s ambition is untempered.

James-Rhodes

And last but certainly not least – james Rhode’s who constantly works towards supporting music education and raising awareness of it’s importance

So why do people say this? 

Because making a living from an artistic vocation isn’t easy: in fact, according to Renee Magritte, it’s a mystery, I’ve read into art a lot trying to find logic in it where there is more often than not, no logic to be found. There is an imminent amount of risk involved, along with uncertainty of any stability or sustainability. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there is no way to make a living from it. This statement is usually made incontrovertibly out of personal doubts and fear as opposed to reasoning. The way to make a living from music or art requires talent, a hell of a lot persistence, hard work, luck, good attitude, intelligence, uncompromising arrogance and sacrifices to an extent…it is bleedin’ hard and it is certainly not for just anyone; but Mr Laurie is right, it is artists, actors, musicians producers are the people that gives the world it’s colour and reminds us of the beauty that this world is capable of offering to us.

So what should be said instead?

Instead of saying ‘there is no way to make a living’ out of music to aspiring young people, devaluing their love of what they do and forcing them to do another subject or vocation that would potentially offer stability in the coldest comforts and maybe misery and regret, approach  the subject with a perception that isn’t binary. Say that it is possible, but it’s a way of life that you will do because you HAVE to do it as opposed to just wanting to do it. It is about being realistic whilst also being encouraging and supportive.

What I’m up to musically.

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

Greetings folks, here is an update on everything that is going on with me musically. It has been rather quiet externally but very busy internally and things are about to arise so I thought it fruitful to inform thee!

First of all, earlier this week, I shot a video of three brand new tracks being performed Live with The Kinky Wizzards. The band originally comprised of Mathew ‘MIffy’ Griffiths and Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Griffiths. Occasionally, you come across siblings with this innate blood relation to do extraordinary things together. The Staves comes to mind with their stupendous harmonies but when it comes to groove, these guys take it to another level, and despite knowing what they’ve done and being friends with them for years, they never fail to make my jaw drop (and my sides split with laughter for that matter). It is a real honour to be the guitarist in the instrumental trio and I look forward to you seeing the results.

Ryan Elliott Kinky Wizzardsjiffy drums kinky wizzards

Kinky Wizzards Ryan Elliottmiffy jiffy kinky wizzards

Secondly, after spending 6 months in solitude writing, I have finally finished the pre-production and arrangement of Eden Shadow album number 2. It is without a shadow of doubt one of the most ambitious things I have yet to undertake so I am not sure as to when it will be released quite yet, but as ever, I will keeping you updated with the production process.

Finally, I finished a series of jazz pieces for Lark Recordings and they are starting to appear on various playlists across the streaming world. It was a fun challenge and I’m proud to have a list of repertoire with Lark, which sits along a plethora of other artists. Be sure to visit their website http://larkrecordings.com/

Lark Recordings Ryan Elliott

Here is the list of the tracks that I recorded.

Alice in Wonderland

Afternoon in Paris

Afro Blue

Blue Bossa

Beautiful Love

Days of Wine and Roses

Killer Joe

Mambo Inn

Mr. P. C.

Nardis

Nothing Personal

Yardbird Suite

Tigermoth Tales

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting a brilliant man named Pete Jones. I met him through my manager who has recently signed him on to White Knight Records. 

Despite being blind, an ailment that can’t be truly comprehended by those who don’t have it, he has an incredible talent for playing guitar and keyboards, along with a cracking voice. 

One thing that is pretty impressive is his ideasthesia to which he can relate touching objects to musical notes! (In the case of our meeting, the coffee table next to him was a middle C).

We discussed our love of Genesis, in particular, Selling England by the Pound as well as unconventional recording methods. I record with Logic and Pro-Tools and a very intrisacly detailed production process whereas Pete uses a 16 tape cassette and an Sm58 microphone! It sounds awesome too.

The thing I took most from our meeting though was his sheer joy at writing the music he wants to write. He was an X factor finalist on British television to which Sony, as a major label is susceptible to doing, treated him pretty mercilessly. That phase is past and his joy for music is now soaring and I’m proud to be involved in a musical community with him. 

Here is a recent video of him performing a song called A visit to Chigwick. It is distinctively British, does not take itself seriously and will be a nostalgic trip for many who grew up in the 70’s. 

Enjoy! 

http://youtu.be/ZpnJmWEJVZg 

Edith Wakimire. 

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

When I was in Africa, I had the privilege of meeting a wonderful woman called Edith Wakumire. She lost her mother at six months old, with her Father left to fend for herself and her brothers and sisters. Seen as a disgrace to the eyes of the community, her father was murdered when she was aged twelve. Most orphans this age in Uganda are left with two options, be sold off into prostitution or married multiple times. Despite the horrific circumstances, she defied traditions under Idi Amin’s tyrannical rule, Edith sold coffee and bamboo so she could attend school from the age of 9. She also worked in teacher training in Kampala, and managed to further her training in Singapore before returning to her home to establish the Uganda Women Concern Ministry. An organisation that oversees the care of 11,000 affected by HIV AIDS as well as sponsor the education of orphans. 

I have seen the work of the ministry first hand, widowed women given work by creating jewellery out of old magazines, some of which I bought for my family back home. 

I have seen communities where every child, women and man will die of AIDS. Because of the ministry’s efforts, their passing is to be seen through as compassionately and respectfully as possible. 

When I met Edith, she had a streak of joy in her eyes, ever faithful and ever believing in goodness.

Today is international women’s day. 

We live in a world where each and every one of us owes our existence to women, yet equal pay, opportunities and respect remain an elusive to the vast amount of majority in the world. 

May today and every continuous day be a step forward for humanity and the equality of women. 

All the Love

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

An old lady dies of Multiple sclerosis in her late eighties. The funeral has an attendance of about forty people. The eldest daughter sits with her immediate family at the other side of the pub at the after party, as she is too disgusted to speak to most of her relatives who have not seen the lady in years and have attended the funeral as a formality. 

A man in his late twenties receives a phone call from his father, who he has not spoken to in years after an argument. The father reveals he has terminal cancer and has about six months to live. They cannot remember what the argument was about.

A son of an elderly mother only contacts her when he is in need of anything or only when it is a special occasion such as Christmas.

‘Only tragedy allows the release of love and grief, never normally seen’ – Kate Bush, All the Love, The Dreaming (1982)

Kate Bush really made an astute observation in the above lyric. The more I think about those words, the more I realise that it is entirely common for friends, family, relatives just drift away in time, and not see each other for years, or at least interact with them in a way that involves love.

The above three scenarios are all things I have observed from a close outer perspective and I have seen the anguish and regret that has been involved in all of them. It has taught me such a strong lesson to not let tragedy dictate the love you should express for those around you, because when tragedy strikes, it is almost always too late.

I am a graduate twenty-something with the blessing of still having a lot of my close but elder relatives around. As I have moved closer to my family, I am making sure that I spend time with all of them as best as I can.

I will re-iterate something, someone said to me with the most urgent conviction…it truly has stayed with me since.

Cherish them

Why singing and improvising go hand in hand.

Posted by Ryan Mark Elliott Music on

I have spent the last 8 months embarking on a jazz album. I’ll be the first to admit, I am by no means a straight out jazzer, I walked out of a college open day for a four year jazz course concluding that there was simply too much rock and roll in me. (Which is probably why I ended up in the art rock world!)

The elusive element about jazz is that it is a language of it’s own within the musical world, something where freedom and chaos reigns hand in hand with knowledge and sophistication. The one thing I’ve discovered over the course of playing solos over jazz standards or anything for that matter is how inherently powerful singing is and how it can improve your improvisation.

Especially from a guitarist’s point of view; the guitar is a wonderfully convenient instrument when it comes to shape and scales but the negative factor of that is that the mechanical process of playing the instrument can leave the player in a state disregard for the other essential two points of the triangle, the theoretical and the musical. I’ve lost count of how many times I have seen players who’s improvisation has been dictated by their fingers…myself included!

The beautiful thing about singing is that it comes straight from your heart and mind, without any preconceptions: it is immediate. I’ve linked a track that I have played on below and I think out of the entire selection of jazz recordings it is my strongest because I sang every phrase that I played before playing it. It takes a lot of practice but it’s worth it. So if any guitarists out there feel like they are caught stuck in making a fine solo, besides doing the practice, try singing, you may well surprise yourself!

Setting yourself up for dissapointment

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‘There is no point trying to go for you dreams in your life because you are only setting yourself up for disappointment’

For whatever reason, that quote looks as pessimistic as when you read it but is surprisingly passive when said, and I’ve been really surprised by how many times it has been said by young people to me in the last few months.

I’ll admit it, I’m extremely lucky. I have only met a handful of people who found their calling as young as me. As soon as I picked up the guitar at 8 years old, it intrinsically defined me. Therefore I am not very good at empathising with people who have yet to find their passions, and in the past, I have come across as insensitive on this subject. So to make amends to that, I want to at least attempt to offer encouragement by flipping that quote on it’s head.

First of all, when you attempt to go for anything you dream of doing, you are by default setting yourself up for disappointment; but is that truly the only thing your setting yourself up for? Perhaps you are setting yourself up for finding something you have a natural disposition for, or enjoy doing it regardless of your ability, or gaining a load of lessons and knowledge in the process. It’s been said so many times before, but you never know before you try.

Success is a concept that has been held on such a pedestal in society, that it continuously halts aspiring racers to run even before the gun has been fired. The anticipation of failure, the premonition that you won’t succeed is actually more difficult to overcome than failing itself. Well here’s an open secret, happiness in pursuing something is not defined by its success or failures, it’s by the process.

When a child picks up the guitar and becomes so much in awe of the strings and the potential of the instrument, do you think that he or she is thinking about success or having approval when playing the thing? The concept of failure or success is a conditioning that is imposed later on. That’s not to say that when I make records, I don’t want to share them with as many people as possible, but regardless of whether I sell 100 or 100,000 records, I won’t ever stop because I love it too much. There have been times where I have experienced disappointment, felt completely inadequate and failed miserably, but it’s times like that where I trace back and remind myself of the first experiences I had of picking up the instrument. Along with all the inevitable neuroticism and negativity one can experience at times in the creative process, I’ll always believe the following quote that Rick Wakeman once said.

‘Success is found in a garden of failure.’

I have indeed set myself up for disappointment, but I have a heck of a good time!