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Saturday, July 12, 2008
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Wanted: Sound Technician with Musical Ear
Current mood:  focused
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers
WANTED: Sound Technician. We are looking for a Thanet based Sound Technician who is really a Musical Artist. Please have a keen ear and appreciate the delicate accoustic sounds of World Tree Music. Our drum kit and djembe with bass guitar can be quite loud and we need someone who can understand the need for vocals to be up front along with other instruments such as the flute, keyboards, mandolin and violin. We are not rock and roll which calls for a different sensibility towards sound treatment. We've searched high and low and found many who have confused us with rock which makes our total sound come across muddy with the loss of the vocals.
Please be available for early morning loading of the PA system into the people carrier for our twice monthly rehearsals and unloading once the day is done. Some late nights may be involved as we perform our own concerts as well which end around 10PM to 11PM.
World Tree Music has lofty ambitions but for now we are all for the 'love of' and can't offer too much compensation above expenses at times when available. If you are a young person with transportation who is learning your craft or a more mature adult who is looking for an unusual hobby with future potential, we hope you will contact us. We are very dedicated with professional musicians on hand, also eager to see us all succeed and we hope you are too. If you know someone of this description, please get in touch!
8:14 AM
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Saturday, June 28, 2008
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Mysterious Margate Shell Grotto
Current mood:  content
Hello Dear Friends,
Some of you may know that I am involved with researching the Margate Shell Grotto and hope to have a book out by next summer. Concern is growing for the Shell Temple as it is in dire need of funding in order to survive for the next generation. John and I have decided to do a benefit concert for the new Trust that is being set up to safe gaurd the temple's future.
Please read the below from owner and friend, Sarah Vickery. Feel free to visit the site and we do hope to see you at the concert on July 5th.
Be well!
Gretchen & (John)
From: Sarah Vickery ..
Date: June 27, 2008 2:54:23 PM EDT
To: Shell Grotto Newsletter ..
Subject: Shell Grotto Update
Hello all
There's big news to report this month, with the formation of the Friends of the Shell Grotto.
The group is run independently to the Grotto by a team of
Trustees committed to promoting and preserving the site.
Joining the Friends gives a range of benefits, including unlimited free entry to the Grotto, a twice-yearly Newsletter and invitations to special Friends' events.
And it's very reasonably priced! Check out the Friends' web
site here:
http://www. shellgrottofriends. org/
Click on Join Us for a downloadable Membership form, or to join via Paypal.
As you'll see on the About Us page, the Friends are already helping us with a big, but exciting, challenge.
English Heritage has made an in-principle offer of over £75,000 towards essential conservation works.
With the help of
funding from Thanet District Council, this project would help to secure the Grotto's long-term future but there is a shortfall in funding of over
£9,000.
Every year the Grotto pays its bills and returns a *very* small profit.
Raising £9,000 is simply way beyond us.
So the Friends are stepping in to
help; joining them will, therefore, have an immediate and measurable effect
- raising £9,000 will release a further £75,000.
That, as our American
friends would say, is an awful lot of bang for your buck.
The Friends will be officially launched at a benefit concert in aid of the group on Saturday 5 July by World Tree Music.
This promises to be a really special evening, so if you can get over to Broadstairs to join us we'd love to see you.
Full details on the website here:
http://www. shellgrottofriends. org/events. html
If you know anyone who you think would like to attend the concert, join the Friends or just be a little interested, please do forward this email on.
Lastly, an explanation as to why this is a very dull-looking email: we've had reports that html emails sometimes create problems at the receiving end - taking an age to download, appearing as gobble-de-gook or being consigned to the Junk.
So we have signed up to the KISS school of emailing, which is why this is plain old text without any fancy pictures or snazzy bits.
Regards,
Sarah
Shell Grotto
9:35 AM
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Thursday, December 20, 2007
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Crossing Over - new song + Greensleeves video...
Current mood:  optimistic
Category: Music
Dear Friends and bloggers...
Crossing Over" - new song.
We now have our version of 'Greensleeves' in a video on our space ... so we've put up a new track to listen to on the audio player. The new song - "Crossing Over" - like most of our songs, tells a story. This is a story of an evening out in Canterbury... and what Gretchen saw that evening... looking through the veil between life and what may come after...
Greensleeves - our adaptation.
We've always thought that renditions of Greensleeves are a bit too 'light' - given that it is a gut wrenching song about being 'slighted' in love!! So we've beefed up the musical arrangement a little ... hope you like our adaptation.
The video is set in beautiful Ullcombe church yard in Kent, under a mystical, 2,500 year old yew tree!
Enjoy ...
We're looking forward to our next concert on February 9th at the Steiner Theatre, Nr Canterbury with John, Ade and Pete...and other supporting artists...
Blessings...and best wishes ...for this holiday season...in whatever way you like to celebrate it!
World Tree
9:56 PM
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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Moving On Lyrics and Muse
John wrote this song in another life. It was highly rocked up, lasting a good 10 minutes with endless guitar rifts. It was fantastic. The song and its themes stuck with him over the years and eventually reincarnated on our CD, Above and Below. I loved his voice on the original version, recorded when he was 25. Perhaps I'll talk him into putting it online for you at some point? I felt honoured to have been asked by him to sing the World Tree adaptation. The lyrics speak for themselves.
Best of wishes, Gretchen
Moving On The years are passing like the windows of a train It's time to start again and find yourself a place...to rest Moving on....move on... New house, new life, new friends...Dreams are fading now like smoke upon the air Shadows, shadows of love flee from your grasp...Devils, devils dance...dance in your head... Lost on an island in time, surrounded by the sea of life Memories escape you, it seems like yesterday…you can't recall Moving on…move on... ...your life is a dream that lasts for the rest of your life is a dream that lasts for the rest of your life is a dream that lasts for the rest of your life is a dream that lasts for the rest of your life is a dream that lasts... New dreams, new hope new life... Don't be afraid to search again...Take a chance, place your bet Spin the...spin the wheel…the wheel of life Like a shooting star at night the sunrise lifts your eyes...To see… One day love will come and melt the coldness in your heart … moving on … move on Lyrics and music by World Tree
3:18 PM
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She Walks In Beauty Lyrics and Muse
Category: Music
I fell in love with this poem as a young girl and have never forgotten it. Having the opportunity to set it to music has been a joy. The imagery is flawless and evocative of a deeper mystery. The song is available as an MP3 download from our official site, http://www.worldtreemusic.com
We hope you enjoy the stary skies. Best of wishes, Gretchen
She Walks In Beauty She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and in her eyes Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impair'd the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling place. And on that cheek and o'er that brow, So soft so calm yet eloquent The smiles that win the skin that glows But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below A heart whose love is innocent innocent....innocent..... *Poem by George Gordon Byron Music by World Tree
3:07 PM
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The Beast Within (Afanc & The Swallow Falls) Lyrics & Muse
Category: Music
The lovely Swallow Falls in Wales hides a dark and ancient secret. Long ago a monster, the Afanc, lived in the bottom of the pool under the waterfall. He happily set about terrorising the local villagers and eating their hapless livestock. The villagers beseeched a gallant knight to save them from this peril. The good knight devised a plan whereby a lovely maiden would sit by the pool and lure the beast from its hiding place. Entranced by her beauty the knight's plan was successful! He managed to capture the monster and carried it off, leaving the village in peace at last. However there have been many strange sightings at Swallow Falls and it may very well be that the Afanc has returned to his old haunts.
In our version of the story the maiden takes a much larger part in helping the villagers and the handsome knight is nowhere to be seen. Many of the monsters in this world walk on two legs. May they all meet a fearless and wise maiden with a mirror.
This is the fourth track we have re-mastered with the talents of Phil Bellingham and Andy Young. It will be available soon on our official site as an MP3 download and a CD called The Four. http://www.worldtreemusic.com All of the music from the first CD, Above and Below, are available as MP3 downloads on the above site as well.
Best of wishes, Gretchen The Beast Within (Afanc & Swallow Falls) In a Village a long time ago Where hearts were fair and true One day dark clouds came to haunt And hatred thrived within The crops they failed The animals perished Hunger soon found man's darker side. Nearby beneath the Swallow Falls The deepest pool a black mirror made A monster grew from their wicked thoughts Tainted the land and the falls below The people cried out in despair Who will rid us of this cursed beast A maiden fair with heart of gold And love that burns as bright. Took to herself the icy task To melt the evil away. Oh Beast so cold your icy heart Needs love and tender lights Leave behind your selfish ways And let your heart be still Shining her mirror on the black pool Turning the dark into light She takes the people close to the edge And bids them look deep within Why do you hide in the depths and dark? Come bathe in the warmth of the sun Why do you dwell in lonely despair When your hearts should beat as one When your hearts should beat as one When your hearts should beat as one When your hearts should beat as one When your hearts should beat as one Lyrics and music by World Tree
2:49 PM
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New Song For You Lyrics and Muse
Category: Music
Climb your favorite oak tree.....This is the first line in the song which is rather apt for World Tree! We all have great potential and great worth but often fail to recognise this in ourselves. We hoped to create a song that imparted a sense of well being and hope for the future. Life is a grand, beautiful adventure if we only acknowledge how fantastic a gift our own life is and approach it with a sense of appreciation. There are times in ones life when it is almost impossible for us to remember this and hopefully this song will remind you of your own self worth in a dark time. 'I believe in you, until you can believe yourself'. A little cheesy? Of course! So, belive in yourself!
Best of wishes, Gretchen
New Song For You
Climb your favourite Oak tree Remove those earth bound shoes Feel the wind feather your soul You're worth more than you were told So I'm telling you now – look my way… Hear what I say… The rain is gone, the sun is here The storm is over … lost in time Come hear the ocean roar your name Come feel our hearts beat the same So I'm telling you now – look my way… Hear what I say… This is a new song for you This is a new song for me The rain is gone now, don't look back Come from the dark and be with me We searched the world in vain Full of loneliness and hope Until we climbed the tree of love Saw the sunsets and sky above You are alive, who deserves more… Our life is the song… This is a new song for you This is a new song for me The rain is gone now, don't look back Come from the dark and be with me Breathe the Moon and shine within For you are kiss'd with stardust Don't worry now I believe in you Until you can believe yourself I hold the magic mirror come and see… The sun dazzle in your eyes This is a new song for you This is a new song for me The rain is gone now, don't look back Come from the dark and be with me Lyrics & Music by World Tree
12:44 PM
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We Moved Through The Fayre Lyrics and Muse
Category: Music
Originally, this traditional song is called, 'She Moved Through The Fayre'. It is also very romantic but much more haunting as we slowly realise that the beloved is no more. Only in the last verse do we understand that she is a spectre whose groom is haunted by her memory. We loved the music and the song so much, however that we decided to give it a happy ending and performed it for the wedding of good friends Adrian and Helen Wagner. Adrian produced Above and Below at his studio (Media Quest) in Wales. This is also a remix and available soon as an MP3 and CD called The Four, on our official site, http://www.worldtreemusic.com I can sit and listen to John's guitar for hours on this track as it is so evocative of a Medieval lilt.
We Moved Through The Fayre
My love said to me My mother won't mind And my Father won't slight you For your lack of kind Then he stepped close beside me And this he did say It will not be long, love Till our wedding day. He clasped my hand to him As we moved through the Fayre And fondly we wandered Moving here and there We went our way homeward With one star awake As the swans in the evening Move over the lake. The people were saying No two e'er were wed And we loved one another Through bliss and through tears And he smiled as he kissed me In his warming embrace The cold ocean's depth Could not keep us apart I dreamt it last night That my true love came in So softly he entered His feet made no din As he laid close beside me And this he did say It will not be long, love Till our wedding day. * Traditional, re-written by Gretchen Cornwall Arrangement by John Cornwall
9:14 AM
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Water Goddess Lyrics & Muse
Category: Music
Water Goddess was inspired by the beauty of Cenarth Falls in Wales; on a fine summer day. Human beings have lived on its banks for thousands of years and the atmosphere is thick with their passing. The late afternoon sun had given the leaves a luminous gold aura as the trees drooped over the river on its way out to sea. I could not help but think of our need for water and the sustenance it provides in our life both spiritual and as a food source. We cannot live without it. Water has always been considered a feminine source of energy and she does keep her secrets. I wanted to convey a sense of journey that water takes, from the mountains down to small streams, feeding ponds and lakes as it heads to the Oceans; before the cycle begins yet again. This track has been re-mastered and will be available soon as an MP3 download and CD on our official site. http://www.worldtreemusic.com Of course our stalwart friends have added their talented musical abilities to the remix. Once again John and I thank Phil Bellingham and Andy Young for their contribution. The original version is also available for download as an MP3 and on the CD Above and Below. John spent months on this track getting it just right as the lyrics were present immediately but the music took some time to coax out. As usual I had half a dozen notes that floated in from another place but all else was silent. He really is a fine composer, musician and songwriter. Water Goddess developed to exceed my original expectations and vision. The thunderstorms, rain, bird song and orchestrations help tell the story of the cycle of water, along with the tempo; which gradually increases from a trickle to the crashing roar of the waves. I hope you enjoy Water Goddess and may she take you on an unexpected journey.
Best of wishes, Gretchen.Water Goddess
Water flows down her secret streams...She speaks to me through ancient trees A whispered voice on the wind...Sunlit truth and beauty kin Keys to sacred patterns and golden leaves adorn your shores She speaks through sacred waterways We follow her out to the sea...We follow her out to the sea... We follow her out to the sea I fell in love by the lily pond ...My Ronin's heart he holds me near Bound in rainbows illusions fair...Her unicorn drinks from cooling clear Streams of blue and rivers green...Catchless glimmers of distant shores Swans gliding through whispered rushes We follow her out to the sea...We follow her out to the sea... We follow her out to the sea Starlight shares Her Seas embrace...Moon rising to entrance our gaze Lost Cathedral sunken now...Night reveals her towers deep Holding hands tightly now, my love lets run on the beach. Mysteries she holds so dear Caress our skin Sparkling waves of light We follow her out to the sea Sparkling waves of light Caress our skin Mysteries she holds so dear Sparkling waves of light Caress our skin We follow her out to the sea We follow her out to the sea…
8:35 AM
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Sunday, May 27, 2007
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Crossing Over Lyrics & Muse
Crossing Over is about a personal experience that actually took place at the Chaucer Hotel in Canterbury. The lyrics came quickly as a result, along with the melody floating in from somewhere else. John expanded the arrangements, writing the other instrumentation. Phil Bellingham has added classical guitar to the remix (which will be available soon) adding greater depth to the song. I want to also thank Andy Young of Rhythm of Blues, for his heart-rending electric guitar work. We all have a belief as to what happens to us when we die, and it is just a belief, whether we call ourselves spiritual, religious or atheists. I have my convictions on this issue, as I do believe, based on my own experiences that we are far more than dust and shadows waiting to face oblivion when our time is at hand.Crossing Over A night out with friends Ends at the Chaucer Hotel In the shadow of the Great Cathedral In the heart of Canterbury I have my own tale to tell… The lounge is bright and full Of laughter but one She ponders in quiet grace Silver halo frames her face Aware of her loneliness Aware of her loneliness… So we asked her to join us Then I saw him standing there No one sees him but me Please tell her that I am here He entreats me to speak to his bride… She thought herself alone But he is always by her side Wedded 46 years Handsome as the day they met He is young, tall and dark… He speaks of their cat So she'll know it's really him Sending his love Through dreams and quiet times He'll take her hand again… I love her so Please tell her, I love her so Soon we'll be together again As on our wedding day Never to be parted again Never to be parted again Never parted again…
12:23 PM
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