Paul's Sax

Music flows from me, speaks

soul to souls who hear.

Lips fit, sends brother's breath

ushered through metal chambers,

air shaped to sound, bounced

against ears, language

shared, notes

to receive.


Your notes use letters

strung to words,

widen gulfs.

Mine are kind, know

no bounds,

sing to all,

draw all

into a circle of sound.


(My music awareness started as my older brother played his alto sax. He got good as I turned to writing to 'spress myself. He opened my ears, though, to the powerful pull of music which kicked off my teenage years. It was the early 60's and the times they were a changin.)

This was sparked by the prompt "OUR Music" by Stuart McPherson over at dVerse Poets. Check it out.

Gimme Shelter | Playing For Change

I saw this on Grandma's Briefs and knew I wanted to play it for you in support of this unifying cause.
Today is the Playing For Change Day for 2011. Playing For Change Foundation is a non-profit organization raising funds for music education programs for children around the world. Listen to musicians from all over the world as they sing "Gimme Shelter" in their communities.
You'll be glad you did.

A great quote shown before the song is an Irish proverb:
"It is in the shelter of each other that people live."

Amazing Grace in Rome

This is a gorgeous version of Amazing Grace sung by four tenors in the Colosseum in Rome. Stay for the middle part which will knock your socks off! That's all- music for your enjoyment and inspiration.

Click here: AMAZING GRACE sang beautifully by four Tenors!

What inspires you these days? 

Let's Dance

Some of my nieces are seriously into physical fitness and set up various activities for our family week together. Makes me realize how fun fitness can be. Today, for instance, we did Zumba with a personal trainer. It's a great combo of aerobics and dancing. She cranked up the volume of the CD played through her truck speakers and we boogied! The steps were simple but challenging and we danced to 5 different lively songs. I run 3 times weekly and amuse myself by listening to a combination of music and talks by interesting authors on my I-Pod, but this was just fun! Try it- when a catchy tune comes on the radio, get up and dance! See if it doesn't lift your mood.

p.s. The grandchildren, in a rare decision,  decided to watch despite the invitation to join in. Usually, we can't keep them still!

Traditional Irish Music Festival

The Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy is Ireland's largest traditional music summer school, held annually since 1973 in memory of the piper Willie Clancy. During the week, nearly a thousand students from every part of the world attend daily classes taught by experts in Irish music and dance. In addition, a full program of lectures, recitals, dances (céilithe) and exhibitions are run by the summer school. All events are held in and near Miltown Malbay in County Clare starting on the first Saturday in July. Lectures, recitals, concert and céilithe are open to the public (that would be me!).

Afternoons and evenings are spontaneous gatherings of the musicians young and old to jam together. Visitors go from pub to pub (or hotel or hall) in search of the music they like best and then stay to enjoy the sessions. The respect of young people for the elders and of the elders for the new ones coming up is evident and infectious. They all play together which seems such a rare but altogether wonderful treat. Anyone and everyone is expected to lead a tune in his or her turn and the others follow their lead.

I went to the couple's Set Dancing one day. That's couples dancing typical dances to the music of ceili bands. The bands delight setting the pace for these complex but fun dances and dancers feed off their energy and incite a good band to be even better. It can get pretty wild with the floor packed with sets of 4 couples in each group and dozens of groups.

You can get an idea of the energy! I found out that there are classes to learn the dozens of dances or at least get started learning, so next year, I have a goal! I had a lesson (thanks, Aidan) to learn one of the basic steps that I need to know to learn a dance. That video is below and a photo. I had a great time, though, so I'm definitely in for classes. I think it'll be a long process!