Hotel Mark

We are all familiar with the annoying Mobile Phone ringtone, perhaps the most commonly used one. You know, the one which goes dada DA da, dada DA da, dada DA da dee   Not everyone knows  that this little tune was composed by this man on the right here, Spanish classical guitarist Fransisco Tarrega, and it’s an extract from his piece Gran Vals..What? So it’s HIS fault..Well, perhaps not fair to blame the composer himself, it’s what other people did to his tune that’s to blame!

Tarrega was the first guitarist composer to use Torres guitars, and he revolutionised the guitars repertoire and technique, with a multitude of original studies and compositions. His best known work is the evergreen classic Memories of the Alhambra, tremelo study, this is my recording of it.

If like me, you are tired of the same old mobile ringing, and are looking for something more original, you can try Free Ringtones They have a variety of ringtones to choose from, in many genres, including Country, R&B, Rock, Pop. These are available for download, depending on your area.

Also is the intriguing Polyphonic Ringtones Or if Dance is more your thing Dance Ringtones Take a look and have fun.

One thing I’ve not mentioned about myself until now is that, years ago, I had a reputation as a racing tipster. It goes as far back as when I was at school, when pupils and teachers asked my opinion about a forthcoming horse race!

One annual even in the racing calendar which captures the public attention is the Grand National, run at Liverpool (Aintree) racetrack. This steeple chasing event is unique, not only because of it’s greater length than any other race, but also because of the Aintree fences, which are more formidable than other courses, even though they have been modified over the years, the savage Beechers Brook for example, used to have a wretched drop which was a trap to horses, and considered unfair and unsafe. Despite these modifications, the race retains it’s popularity, and unique elements.

This years race in on April 5, and Grand National has produced a guide to finding the winner, based on past race history. The site features an animated Red Rum figure you can click on to, to get advice. Red Rum being the name of the most successful National horse of all time, and something of a racing legend.

I don’t quite know what happened to my interest in racing over the years, but gradually it dwindled to a flicker of attention to only the major events. But at the time of the National, most of the country become racing fans, and this site caught my attention. If you do fancy a flutter, give it a go!

Photograph by Martin Jordan of flicker

I have always found it a wonder the way a guitar can “vocalise” in different accents. If you listen to John Williams, for example, playing the famous Memories of the Alhambra, it will sound immaculate, the rippling tremolo melody flawlessly executed, but it will not “sound Spanish” in the same way as Spanish virtuoso Pepe Romero

Carlos Perez brings out the Latin American accent, while listening to him it is easy to experience the Latin American Rhythms and colour. Vladimir Mikulka’s guitar has the more harsh Balkan accent, more austere perhaps, but not without it’s own whimsical beauty.

A classic case in point is Julian Bream, who I think plays Albeniz and Granados second to none. Yet, it is like a classical rendition of Idiomatic Spanish music.

What is it about the six strings of the guitar that can “vocalise” so effectively? Is it the instrument itself or the player, or both? I think the latter. Of all the musical instruments, there are only very few which the sound is made by direct contact between the fingers and instrument. The Harp is one, the Guitar the other. Mandolin and the Lute also come to mind in same way. With Piano, for example, the sound comes from hammering on the strings, as such the Piano is considered a percussive instrument. Violin, and Cello, mostly the sound comes from the bow.

But I think even wind instruments such as the Flute, Clarinet and Oboe, for all their great melodic capabilities, do not quite match the Guitar’s “accents”, even though the human breath comes into play to make the notes. Listen to Bream playing Albeniz, then Romero, to get my point

Tags: classical guitar, vocals

As previously mentioned, PayPerPost is proving to be an irritation to Google, who object to paid posts receiving links from websites with high page ranks. This has resulted in PR demotions for many sites. PayPerPost though have thought about this, and come up with a system called Real Rank, which is another way of ranking a blog, which the company is using to attract offers from Advertisers. The company has had talks with advertisers, and introducing this new method of blog rankings as an alternative to Google Page Rank, for blogs looking for posting opportunities.

PayPerPost has been a revalation to many bloggers, as a way of monetising their blog, both by writing internet commercials, and the related affilate programme. Currently, in their membership zone, members are quoted as having earned over $20,000 following their sign up to ppp!

It’s possible to write posts for ppp and also, through using their tools, be hired by advertisers directly, for the latter you do not even need an a ppp approved blog. The company has an efficient customer service, which is titled “customer love”. After opening a ticket, they normally respond to your requests within 24 hours.

Contrast this to the non exisistent customer service of Bloggerwave. If ppp represents the best for paid post opportunities, Bloggerwave must rank as the worst. They NEVER respond to either a message in their “contact form” or an e-mail to their so called “support”. I warned them before if they continue to fail to respond I would embarass them publicly with negative comments in my blog, so they cannot say they have not been warned. Bloggerwave are based in Denmark, but with no opportunites listed, no customer service response, no way of accurately assessing a blogs ranking, like Technorati, Alexa, Google, this represents ZERO chances of monetization.

So, if anyone is thinking of making some posts commercial, PayPerPost is surely the way to go.

“I Miss You”, just one track from his new CD After Silence, by Per-Olov Kindgren. Full of sentiment, and yearning…

I have the pleasure to review the new CD of Per-Olov Kindgren, an increasingly popular classical guitarist in Denmark, entitled “After Silence.” Peo states in his notes:

“It is my sincere hope that you will listen to the silence before the music, between the single notes, after the music…And even After Silence”…

Hence the first track on the CD is called “After Silence, and the closing track “Before Silence”. I interpret Peo is asking us to consider his work one piece, with the individual track parts of the whole, rather than fragmented segments.

The interpretation of silence captures the very essence of music. John Williams said the magic of the guitar is the dying away of the note. Every single note is dying, as soon as the string is plucked, leaving the note to fade into silence, only to be replaced many times by other notes, until the final note..In capturing silence, Peo strikes at the very heart of his musical being. His guitar is a part of himself, an extension of himself and his emotions. It is impossible to seperate the two, they are as one..

Every single track on this debut CD Kindgren composed himself. Playing on his superb, deeply sonorous 1987 Phillippe Jean-Mairet guitar, Peo opens the CD with “After Silence”, a charming melody above arpeggios. This track, like many others, is as though the music is telling a story, I feel as though I’m eavesdropping on an intimate conversation between the guitar and it’s artist, perhaps even a love affair between the two. Here, Peo let’s us into a glimpse of what is inside his soul, it’s never a case of simply playing the notes, everything he plays is heartfelt and expressive.

There are 23 tracks altogether. Included are some pieces Kindgren wrote as a suite “Oceans of the Moon”, which appears to be an on going work in progress. States Peo: “There are 23 Seas on the Moon, I might compose a piece for all of them!” On this CD is the suite title track “Oceans of the Moon”, and “Sea of Nectar”, as well as “Milonga De La Luna”, full of mystery, and rich in harmony. The Moon forms another subject Kindgren is able to focus on, and draw artistic inspitation from.

Other tracks include “Marie” written for his close friend, a piece conveying energy and movement, “I’ll Walk You Home” has some Jazz overtones, like a slow Jazz two step in the central part, “Over Tay Bridge” and “Newport On Tay” make up an impression of the region, with some folk influence. “A Kind of a Song” has some melodic structure in block chords, with the middle section styled with Bossa Nova.

The CD closes with two romantic tracks, the tender “I Dream of You”, finally, “Before The Silence” to restate the message of the whole album. Peo Kindgren’s music not only provides the listener with charming, intimate music, but enriches the guitar reportoire for the benifit of those who enjoy playing music on the guitar with romantic expression. His compositions are a refreshing, honest statement about who the composer is, what he loves doing, the people he meets, the places he visits and what he can convey. It’s a contribution to the guitars repertoire which I am sure will become increasingly popular, and continue to grow. A highly recommended buy.

Per-Olov Kindgren Order CD

Tags: Peo Kindgren CD, Per-Olov Kindgren, After Silence, Classical guitar

This is not a commercial DVD review, but I feel it’s worth a mention because I have had a number of people requesting this classic BBC Drama, which was shown in 1989, and, to the best of my knowledge, has never been repeated. It’s a drama I have on DVD because I was lucky enough to tape it, then keep it, later transcribing it to DVD format. It’s a rare gem, very hard to find drama, gathering cobwebs in the BBC archives, presumably, not even writer Michael Frayn has a copy of it, I’m told.

First and Last takes it’s name from a Hotel in John O’ Groats, Scotland, and the story charts the journey of Alan Holly (Joss Ackland) a genial, retired man in his ’60’s, from Landsend, Cornwall, to John O’ Groats, on foot. Meaning of course, trekking from the southerly most point of the United Kingdom, to the most northerly. It tells the story of Alan, his families struggles to comprehend his walk, anxious wife at home, (Pat Heywood) sending him fresh laundry, his snooty Daughter Sandra (Laura Davenport) and his doctor Son Stephen (Tom Wilkinson) It’s about the varied, interesting characters he meets along the way, the dangers, his own discoveries about himself, and the eventual realisation his failing health might yet prevent him from finalising his dream.

Moreover, the walk becomes Alan Holly’s valediction of his own life, and a personal homage to the land he has lived his life in. At times funny, others poignant, this drama is rich in the “feel good” quality, sadly lacking in much of today’s (if not all) television.

It seems a shame there is so much quality rotting in the vaults, perhaps the BBC would consider a repeat of these type of dramas too much of an embarrassment to today’s offerings, signifying how far the mighty has fallen…

Tags: First and Last DVD, Joss Ackland, Classic BBC Drama

In the finance world there has been much talk about credit slumps, house price falls. This week interest rates have been slashed again, and now there is optimism a government plan to rescue ailing bond insurers, to avoid longer term recession in America. So, some may well consider this a “buying opportunity” in real estate, and others who are thinking of relocating may see more reasons to consider their move positively.

One area for consideration may be Colorado. The state has many attractions, with it’s rocky mountain peaks, lakes, historic centres like American West museum. If music is your thing Five Points Neighbourhood has plenty for you.

As to your move itself, Colorado Real Estate can take the pain out of the move, with advice on selling homes, buying advice, as well as considering neighbourhood and schooling requirements. Photograph from oop.org.

Remember Dynasty? And the saga of Denver Carrington…Anyone thinking of a move to Denver will becomre aware of the cities skyscrapers marking the final transition between the Great Plains and the American West..DENVER stands at the threshold of the Rocky Mountains.

For such a move, visit Denver Real Estate for property advice, and for financial planning. Denver photograph by Ultimatetaxi.com.

Dallas, pictured right, image by Dallas-Limousine.com, evokes memories of the glitz and glamour of the ’80’s saga featuring the Ewing family in my case. But there is much more to Dallas. Competitive with Houston, and smug about its cowtown neighbor Fort Worth, Dallas boasts of its “sophistication” and its “old” wealth. For all that, the stuffiness is tempered by a typically Texan delight in self-parody. The city prides itself on it’s legacy of arts and high culture.

Dallas Real Estate is a worth a visit to find property for sale, help with moving, finding the right schools, and mortgage advice. The complete package to assist for the moving experience.

Andres Segovia, playing Montemayor from “Castillos de España” by Moreno Torroba.

Here is the legendary Segovia sound, the likes of which we will never hear again. There was a magic in his phrasing, a distinction which set Segovia’s sound apart from any other. Sometimes critisised for his liberal use of Rubato, or excessive glissando, Segovia’s interpretations were always absolutely unique.

In recent years, John Williams has been critical of Segovia, calling him a “bad teacher”, and failing to recognise latent qualities in his students playing, prefering instead to attempt to teach them to play every phrase the way he himself would play it. There’s little doubt there was bad blood between John’s Father Len and Segovia, who both differed politicly, as well as the musical direction of the upcoming John. To what extent this influences John William comments is something he himself only knows. Williams claims his critisims of Segovia is motivated by “honesty forces me to re-evaluate” Segovia’s legacy to the guitar.

It’s a trait of many guitarists that, for some reason, instead of accepting and enjoying, the tendency is to seek out and destroy. Segovia himself was “guilty” of this sort of thing, in his pursuit of guitaristic direction made him very singular minded, to the point where no other direction was feasible in his mind. By that, I mean the taking the guitar away from Flamenco and Folklodic influences, and remain strictly classical music. Virtuoso guitarist composers, Agustin Barrios in particular, caught the brunt of the Segovia predjudice, to the point where Segovia banned his class from playing Barrios music in his class.

Whatever predjudices these guitarists may have harboured, there is a place in my heart for all of them. This Segovia video has that magic element in the sound, which will remain forever.

Tags: Segovia, Classical Guitar, Moreno Torroba, John Williams, Agustin Barrios

Iceland is a country which has always interested me. It’s climate can be very diverse, ranging from tempratures in the ’70’s, to hail, snow, all in one afternoon! You can explore volcano, relax in The Blue Lagoon, a unique geothermal spa where guests relax in warm geothermal seawater, in the south west of the country, experience the beauty and mystery of the Northerns lights, and enjoy the famed nightlife of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, where accomadation is welcoming Iceland Hotels.

Reykjavík is often dubbed “the nightlife capital of the north”. In summer, you can experience the “midnight sun”, famed of the North, but in summer there is darkness 24 hours a day. However, in Reykjavic, the nightlife continues unabated, with bars and clubs starting to fill around midnight. Whether you are looking for a last minute deal, or planning a vacation, Reykjavík Hotels have some offers which will interest you.

There are over 100 different bars and clubs in Reykjavík; most of them are located on Laugavegur and its side streets. You can be assured, beautiful scenery is never far away….

It is very common for an establishment that is a café before dinner to turn into a bar in the evening. Closing time is usually around 6AM on weekends and 1AM during the week.

Another country of interest, is Denmark, the smallest country Nordic country in Scandanavia. It’s a country steeped in mythology and historic interest, with Viking heratige. As a rule, wherever you travel in Denmark, distances are short, with all the atmosphere of buzzing city life with the relaxation of the beautiful Danish countryside.

Accomadation in Denmark is also hospitable. Denmark Hotels offers some great deals. Danish people love music – from open air concerts and festivals to small places playing all types of music. Anything from jazz, blues, folk, pop to rock . If you are looking to discover Danish night life, the chances are you will be listening to live music. As a guitarist playing in Restaurants, that is something close to my heart…

Copenhagen is one of the most exciting places in the world to visit. Despite it’s high cost of living, Accommodation is quite affordable when compared to likes of London. To assist you with planning, visit Copenhagen Hotels

Tags: Iceland, Denmark, Travel, Copenhagen, Reykjavic