~GENE KRUPA ~ THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL DRUMMER IN THE WORLD ~

~To say that Gene Krupa was a great Drummer is a bit like saying Picasso could paint, kind of obvious & dogmatic, unnecessary, really.

 For, Gene was much more than just a great Drummer, he was an innovator that could transcend his brilliance through the power of his playing like nobody else  could. Gene dedicated his life to drumming & it could be said that he won a new freedom for drummers to be able to express themselves.

 When I first began taking lessons to play the drums my tutor spoke to me about Gene Krupa & his Chicago style of playing. My Tutor, Mr Vickers, implored me to listen to Gene`s music & emphasized the importance of Jazz style playing within a modern setting. But I closed my ears to all that & religiously watched videos of Keith Moon & John Bonham playing the drums because I thought it more important to me as a kid.

 Today as a trained musician I understand the importance of what my Tutor was telling me back then. Thankfully, on some level, I did hear because I now understand what Mr Vickers was saying all along; That to be a brilliant Drummer, to be really out there, I needed to understand Gene Krupa.

  Many Drummers have come since Genes time. Drummers that are technically brilliant. Players that can do things that have not been achieved before. People that inspire others. But, what is important to bare in mind is that before there was anyone there was Gene Krupa ~

 I understand now ~

JEFF PORCARO - MY DRUM TUTOR

~ Here is another terrific still from the movie Give My Regards To Broad Street ~ 

Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, John Paul Jones & my Father, Brian, all got on incredibly well together during the shooting of the movie at Elstree Studios. For me, though, the defining moment has to be when my Father took me onto the set for the first time that I saw & heard Jeff play the drums. 

It was dark & I had to be quiet for they were preparing an important shot. I was nervous as it was so hot & dark. You could not see anything. Then all of a sudden someone shouted; " Action ! ". The lights sprang on & that was it. The moment I heard Jeff play his incredible drum kit, that stood out on a podium I was completely knocked out. I shook inside for ages afterwards. 

 After this amazing experience was over & the set was back to a normal scene I could not help myself starring at Jeff as he walked around smoking a cigarette. I was completely transfixed by this man. For I was a child & had never before experienced anything like it. The power & force of his playing was simply out of this world. 

Later, as I became a regular on-set, I got to know Jeff, along with my Brother, Nathan, & he began to show us the rudiments of drumming. Jeff knew I, we, were in awe of his drums & made himself totally available to us. One day he asked me if I would like to learn. Naturally, I said that I would, as did Nathan, so he showed us. I have been playing ever since. Only when I lost Nathan did I stop playing for a while. 

 Whenever Jeff was called off-set for something or other we were allowed to mess around on his drums. I remember hitting the tom as hard as I could & an assistant laughing at my audacity.

Jeff was a warm, lovely human being that was always smiling & laughing, kidding around with everyone. Whenever we arrived on set he would call out to us. " Hey Guys ! " It was great for us. We had never met an American before, let alone one this friendly. Every Saturday morning, as we arrived on set, we would make a bee-line for Jeff & call out; " Hi Jeff ! ". Never once did Jeff ignore or frighten either of us. He was totally available & friendly whenever we were there. In fact, if he was ever called off-set for something he would allow us to mess around on his drums. I remember hitting the tom as hard as I could one day, I thought I would get told off, or break it, when an assistant came over, but she then began laughing at my audacity. 

 Eventually shooting wrapped & it was time for us all to say goodbye. I knew it would be sad, as did Nathan, as we had become incredibly attached to Jeff, but I never realized how difficult it would be for me. That last day I asked Jeff if he would sign my autograph book & he did for both of us. He also gave us both a snare head, brushes, sticks & one really cool thing, that is above all else, the biggest, warmest, loveliest hug we could have wished for. 

 Magical days that will never leave me. They have & continue to inspire & drive me forward to be the best that I can be within my ability as a Drummer. But the most important thing that Jeff taught me was how to focus & be an asset to others. He changed my life, not only with his incredible drumming & ability to teach me, but by his warmth & kindness as a man. 

I miss you, Jeff.

~ Gene Clark ~ A Genius ~

• Gene Clarke was a genius. 

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•  Certainly much more than a tambourine player in the Byrds. In fact, Roger McGuinn & David Crosby were so threatened by his talent at their peak they both did everything in their power to out him from the band that he originally formed which he called The Beefeaters. They had one hit before renaming themselves The Byrds. At times, Clarke`s later solo work could be breathtaking in its simplicity, yet incredibly dark & meaningful too. Past address`s is one good example of his contrasts. Clarke was a complex character that found it difficult being a pop star. Due to his personal issues, he declined many other lucrative invitations to join bands of the day. For, one of his biggest obstacles, & one McGuinn took full advantage, of was flying. Clarke had a debilitating phobia against flying which limited him drastically. The frustration this caused within him also led to a life-long battle with alcohol & living a like a tramp in & out of run-down motels & homes. Sadly, Gene died to late to allow the woman he fell in love with, Carla Olson, to help him rehabilitate. He also collaborated with her on his last ever album venture. One of the best gigs I ever attended was watching Gene support Lindisfarne in Aldershot, when I was around fourteen, with my Dad. It was to be an incredible performance. Today, looking back, I can see how blessed I was to have been there. Gene Clark is a legend & his body of work should be reissued as soon as possible. For his work is as relevant today as it was when it was released.
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~KING TUBBY & ELVIS PRESLEY ~ COMPARING GREATS WORKS ~

~ King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown - August Pablo & Elvis Presley`s -The Sun Sessions, are two fine albums. They are raw, un-contained & still totally fresh, even today. They are unique & beautiful in their own way, yet there is an intrinsic connection that ties these two brilliant albums together & one, that until today, I had never noticed before.  
                                                                                                                                                                Had someone told me that Elvis Presley could be compared to August Pablo I would have laughed at them. But today I have come to realize that there is much truth in this statement. For if one plays these two albums back to back what one finds is a wealth of profound depth & unbridled passion, pretty much unparalleled anywhere else on Jay Strongman`s amazing list of `great records to hear before you die`. ( Check it out, if you dare ! ) The depth of these two albums is so vast that they are intimidating within their ability to transform the listeners focus from average to a heightened level of awareness. This is rare because it shows how much these two musicians believed in themselves right from the beginning. And, how through a massive level of awareness within their music & capability they have been able to assist their listeners in embracing a potentially better state of mind for themselves.

  At the time, Presley & Pablo`s record company budget was so minimal that both artists had to work hard at providing a better, quicker, more finely tuned way to harness their music than a lot of their more professionally managed counterparts. As Sun & King Tubby did not have the money to allow their performers a decent level  of artistic freedom the artists were forced to dig much deeper to draw upon their art. Within a short period of time too. Obviously, lesser musicians would have found serious problems with progressive music having been forced into such a disfigured work environment, & pushed to deliver. But because Presley & Pablo had something else that only a few possess they made a success of it.

 To do this Presley & Pablo functioned at a much thinner density than would normally be required. Then the early intervention of quality Producers enabled them to procure their intrinsic talents. Thereby eventually reaping the fruits of their labour. This harnessed a productive working alliance between the two which inspired both parties to go onto produce a lifetime of profoundly good music together.                           Where would we be without, That`s Alright Mama, Baby Lets Play House or Each One Dub ? The answer is short; much less.  

 No artist wants to be reminded of how good their earlier work was, bu tin the case of Presley & Pablo it is relevant to ponder this for a moment. At the beginning, both artists were not given the freedom of space & time they really wanted. This in turn drove them into a mental corner & they produced bodies of profoundly good work. Certainly in the case of Elvis, had he been stifled geographically then his output would certainly have been consistent. Here was an artist, as he matured, who`s potential for more grew continuously. Pablo, on the other hand, channeled his energy through other acts. Either way, both artists eased up the pressure on themselves & slowly descended within themselves musically as they aged.

 The point I am making here is not that Elvis Presley & August Pablo`s music is the same, that could not be further from the truth & it would also be missing the point. The poignancy here is that the depth of passion within each of these incredible artists has only been brought about by another person far-sighted vision & ultimate kindness which inspired them to really pull out their gold. These Producers inspired their artists to be the best they could be, within a short period of time too, & it worked. It is because of this that the two albums are so intrinsically linked & inspirational.

 For me, the two albums are the work of geniuses & although this has been recognzied many times over, it is nevertheless important for me that I make the link personally, simply because I have always been inspired by both these albums. Therefore trough my own maturity & appreciation of musical sense & value I can now understand this profound link between the two artists. This is why they have been able to give the world so much joy & passion, even after they have left us.
                                           
 Perhaps somebody more esoterically-minded might suggest that these two artists have their musical foundations linked astrologically. But, I would have little or no opinion on that, other than to say that maybe they have a point ?



                                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         






   

Jung, The Fisher King Wound & Me ~ Some Thoughts

 Over the last few weeks I have been thinking a lot about Jung & his Fisher King Wound theory.

  I shall not bore you with the details, but basically it is the very first negative experience the Father inflicts upon the son. As he is so young its rare he remembers it without inner work. Once he does he can begin to release himself, not from his Fathers perceived cruelty, but from his own self-imposed perception of his Fathers cruelty. Over time & talking with you I have come to see that my Father is not a bad person, flawed, yes, but not cruel. He did not inflict upon me spite or shame, but I chose to view it that way. What he did was behave in a way according to his own understanding at the time. Its not how I would do things, but that is irrelevant. My Dad chose to live his life in accordance with how he was brought up. I have taken time out to understand myself as much as I able to.                                                         

 Yesterday I had a revolting headache. As a child I got migraines. Over the course of my life thus far, I have come to understand that they are not suppressed anger, but repressed fear & anxiety, simply because I never felt safe or secure enough when it came to accepting upheaval. The Fisher King Wound was the first jolt in my life where I had to learn to cope with change. The change then was learning to see my Dad not as I had until then & it scared me. The migraine was bodies inability to cope well & kept me from advancing. The headache yesterday was simply telling me that I have a massive changes taking place within the relationship with my inner masculine & self -development. And the reason I left the studio early, due to the pain, was because I was unable to see clearly that I was afraid & scared of the changes that are now manifesting themselves materially within my life.                                                  
 Its not quite enough for me to see that the migraine is my own bodies sign of development & progressing taking place in my life, but it is more a sign that I am fearful of that change, but really how I do not need to be.                                                 Things are changing now & that is because I have worked to make these changes appear. This also means that I able to confront masculine problems now such as other men`s issues not affecting me, like jealousy, hate & anger, because I have relevant confidence because I have seen that the cruelty & spite was simply my own perception of my Fathers behaviour. This is not wrong or amoral,  but totally natural.  Its also why many do not challenge those parental mores imposed upon us as children. Sure, bad things happen, but it is one copes with them that dictates how they affect one.                          

 My Father, as a man, is not a person I would look to for a warm & respectful relationship with, but I can, or rather am, beginning to see who he is. When I look at my friends, you & others I feel proud of what I am achieving & have done without him & because of what he has provided.                                                       

 Seeing my skills & abilities through my past insecurities is empowering me. Bands are coming back, film work is returning, as are the people I once worked regularly with because they can see that I am not the spotty teenager who kept shouting on-set. They can see that I am a man who has grown up & matured. And that is because I have managed to see the King Fisher Wound that pierced me so badly & which was inflicted by myself.                              


















 Its great that you have been able to see all theses positive attributes of mine a long time before I could ever have found them.  In fact, only recently did I come across an issue that I thought was long gone & it put me in mind of Jung`s Fisher King Wound theory.  

 According to your fine observations, it would seem that I am completing the process of pulling the metaphorical shard of glass out of my soft & way too sensitive private parts. 

 For the Fisher King Wound is the first wound inflicted upon the son & his vulnerabilities by the Father. It was never intentional, nor was it done to inflict harm & it is this understanding that is the whole point of Jung`s theory.

 The point of the process, that of refining ones personality, is done so that one can arrive at a stage where one can see what the actual Fisher King wound was & why it has caused so much pain. Once this is seen then healing will automatically begin. 

 During the healing process the symbolic testicles or in conventional terms, ones masculinity & eventually autonomy, are delivered a catastrophic blow & whether one is able minded enough to face the fear & pain. Once this has happened then one can herald in the enlightened alchemical stage of Solutio. Maybe this is where I am today & why I can write to you about it ? 

 Ah, the blessed whiteness of Solutio & the clear Tuesday. How beautiful she is after the long & torturous night of Nigredo. 

 Peace.......

~ PUTNEY BRIDGE CLOSURE. NO ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGH STREET ~

 Waking up these days is a real pleasure for me. As I peer out my front window I see people preambling up the high street with a smile on their face, couples holding hands on their way to work, children crossing the road without anxiety etched all over their faces. This is all new to me, yet I have lived on the high street for years. Putney, these days, seems a much quieter, more relaxed place without our bridge in action. And, its only been closed a few weeks !

 Having this unique standard of comparison has enabled me to become aware of just how busy our high street has become, even in just the last few years. Without the amount of traffic flowing through the roads I have noticed less pollution, less noise &, most importantly, less accidents. And all that does not heighten my ability to see the re-opening of our bridge as a terribly good thing. For its citizens, at least.

  When I speak to our older population about the lack of traffic & how they feel about our recent, but temporary, transformation, I see a halcyon bliss emanate from their golden smiles & something inside prods me to consider that maybe putney`s past was a nicer place to have lived. According to the elderly, the high street was indeed a better experience when it came to life longevity & keeping the front windows clean. For the amount of accidents that have occurred since Aunt Nellie`s day has risen tenfold. This is very troubling when one considers the amount of places in London today that are cut off from traffic coursing through its arteries. Naturally, it would be easy for me to say that Putney would have been a much healthier, kinder environment to have lived in during the 1950`s or 60`s, so I shan`t, but what I will say, after speaking with them, is that I can empathize with their sentiments.

 Not being one for living in the past, as it encourages a rose-coloured attitude, I can see the benefits of strengthening the bridge & I would not want to stop this essential work from being carried out. And I am in agreement with the local authorities timing. However, I do feel it worth speaking to others about the traffic levels that we now have to contend with on a daily basis, especially that live on the high street.

  Today we have a unique standard of comparison that we can work from. Never before have we had such a golden opportunity that allows us to compare the past levels of traffic with the high levels of accidents & deaths Putney has seen over the last few years. So, what I say, as a citizen of Putney, is that now is the time that we began a debate that takes into account the local people feelings on how to deflect the amount of traffic flowing through us. A more mutually beneficial way of getting people into town quicker by car without the relentless use of our high street twenty four hours a day ? Other parts of London have adopted such strategies & they work well. Why not us ?

 If I ruled Putney for just one day, I would be hard pushed not to consider implementing some kind of long-term, effective solution that diverted traffic away from the our high street, even if it were for just for a few hours a day ~

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~SHINING MOON ~A POEM FOR THE FEMININE MOON ~

~ The moon, where are thou ? As I recoil in madness over your fleeting body I pause for memory on nights once passed that now are long gone. Oh help me, shining moon, help take me from one more night of senseless agony, for I can take no more of it. O` shining moon help me. ~

 ~ Matt ~

THE UNIVERSE IS WITHIN EACH OF US

 You are kind. The words you use evoke within me the gumption to continue striving.                    

 I am passionate about many things. My greatest desire is one day to see my own child. As yet she has not arrived, but she will. I hear in my dreams sometimes, & she dances across my drums at other times.                                                      
 The next is my music. My drums & my vinyl. Never have I felt so incredibly attracted to another thing, other than a human, than I have my music & the vinyl format. You see, my music represents the feminine principle within me. Much meditation & arduous focus has enabled me to embrace such a thought process. The more my senses are stimulated, the more my inner feminine rises. This in turn attracts to me the best of everything, & enables me to find my the true, deep masculinity within me. This is because the feminine inside of me is the Universe. She is the Universe. So when I listen to Jeff Porcaro playing the drums, or John Coltrane blowing on Blue Train ,what I hear coming back at me is the Feminine Universe or my soul. And, I honour this. When a random child runs up to me in a park & tries to hold my hand, or an animal stares at me from a field, I know that they have connected, albeit briefly with my internal Spirit/ Soul & that is the Universe. She & Me are the Universe.

 This is wholeness.

LONDON`S GREEN SPACES

 I grew up in the Hawley area & am still incredibly enamoured by Hawley field & its surrounding beauty. Regularly I travel in from Putney to stay with my Mother in Hawley & always visit the area. Places such as Fernhill Lane, its churches & hallow dirt & endearing, winding lanes are all part of the local heritage. A local heritage that I am proud to be a part of. But, sadly, it is also a heritage that is finding itself being quietly eroded away by a cheap disfigurement of its high streets & local ways. There is a need for this fast-paced structural madness to be halted & diverted away from Hawley`s disappearing skyline. We have suffered so much, been nearly broken by it, & now it must stop.

When my Mother first broke the news that 150 houses were being proposed for Hawley field I felt consumed by rage, then a deep & abject sadness fell upon me. I thought of my childhood, friends that live there, good people that care for the area, like Joanne & her children & the rich wildlife. It enrages me, makes me angry, that a place as dignified & beautiful as Hawley field should be singled out & attacked in this way. In this `stack `em high & run` culture, hallowed ground should not be interfered with like this. To allow it is little better than committing rape upon a defenceless person.

 Building in such an area could only be considered by those that have no knowledge, depth or understanding of our area. The ignorant. For if they had local knowledge then they would be aware of the generations of Hawley`s children that have benefited from the area`s nature, history & beauty. Ancient woods that have helped connect children & adults with wildlife like nowhere else, or animals, insects & elements that are unique & horses that are allowed to roam freely, a rarity in these troubling times, are all things that need to be preserved. To stop all this would be denying future, younger generations the same rich & illustrious lessons that have been afforded us. Us that are of its kin. How dare another deny youth the ability to advance in natural ways. How dare they.

 Obstructing our children in this way would indeed fall nicely into the same pattern that up & down the country local government seems happy to replay over & over. But why not, just this once, use this fantastic opportunity to make a difference & show everyone involved, now & for the future, how not to attack local communities in such revolting ways ? Yes, land is needed, but not land that is hallow & which has benefited generations of local people.

 Today I am grateful of the lessons Hawley field has taught me. As I look back upon them I am humbled by what I have learnt from my time there. The powerful spirit she, the field, has instilled inside of me, & had upon my life, is insurmountable. Nothing could take that away from me. But, today I can see that  what she has taught me is how to utilize my own power in whatever form I need to fight to keep her alive. I choose to do this in her hour of need, as does everyone of you, & the others that will soon join our ranks. We all have a duty to do this & we will.

 My friends, her siren call is loud, & now it is our turn to repay her for all she has given to us, since ancient times. Now is the time to hear that call & act upon it with swiftness.

 She needs us now & her earth is hallow.  Let us walk together in her honour.

 ~"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.” ~
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War ~

PUTNEY. MY BELOVED HOME BY THE RIVER.

Living in Putney continually inspires me. For, there is nowhere else like it, anywhere. Waking up & walking alongside the Thames on a summers morning, whilst listening to green macaws & geese waffling, is simply stunning. Or sitting inside one of its beautiful parks on a Sunday afternoon always pay dividends. Even a slow meander around Putney`s ubiquitous lanes, on a rainy Monday afternoon, will bring joy to a heavy heart, & I am sure its green & watery soul is as luscious now as it was two hundred years ago. This could be why it has filled the hearts of many poets & musicians with much creativity over the years ? It has me. 

 Nowhere else has offered me such happiness & inspiration. Its people have cared & educated me. They have shown me the importance of honesty & the path to success. And, if your wise, its fairness & guidance will also teach you the ways of good living.

Loyalty is a word much bandied around, but it is a word that does justice to how I feel about my tenure here in this great town. For I have lived here longer than I have lived anywhere & I have no intention of moving anywhere else. Putney is my home.

~BALD HAIR WILL GROW BACK ~

Onions are more than just a healthy vegetable. They have been shown to help increase hair growth and reverse grey hair when applied to the scalp.

Onion juice has been used for hundreds of years to treat thin and greying hair.

Onion juice helps by providing nourishment and circulation to the hair follicles. It also kills germs, parasites, and is helpful in treating some fungi infections, all of which can aid in prevention of hair loss.

Onions are also high in sulfur, which helps in regenerating the hair follicles, and they are beneficial in decreasing inflammation.

A few weeks ago, a breakthrough cure for thin and grey hair was published and showed great results for the effectiveness of a topical compound called pseudocatalase (PC-KUS). The reason this topical cream was found effective was that it targeted the cause of grey and thinning hair. Research from Bradford University in the UK and several other universities have shown that grey and thinning hair is caused by a buildup of hydrogen peroxide and a decrease in the natural antioxidant, catalase. When a buildup of hydrogen peroxide occurs at the hair follicles, it causes oxidative stress resulting in greying and thinning hair.

Catalase can not only be found in the topical cream, but it can also be produced from the application of onion juice! Onion juice reacts similarly, as when it is applied, it increases the level of catalase on the skins surface, reducing the buildup of hydrogen peroxide.
Onion Juice for Hair Loss and Greying Hair

The results from the topical application of onion juice can be observed within just a few weeks.

One study from the Journal of Dermatology found that just after four weeks of using onion juice, 74% of individuals with alopecia areata experienced significant hair regrowth. Within six weeks of using onion juice, 84% of the individuals were reported to have hair regrowth.
How to Make Onion Juice

When I first started researching using onion juice for hair growth, I immediately did a search for where I could buy some. Even though you can buy it online, it is better to use the juice of a fresh onion as any juice you purchase is stored for months and the fresh juice will be more potent. It is best to make the juice in small amounts so it is does not have to be stored for a long period of time.

There are 3 Ways You Can Make Onion Juice:

1) Juicer- If you have a juicer, this is the easiest way to make onion juice. Just peel the onion, cut it in half and put it in the juicer.

2) Blender/Food Processor- Peel the onion and cut it into about 4 sections, then put them into your blender or food processor and start blending. Lastly, strain the mixture so that only the juice is remaining.

3) Grater – Peel the onion and cut it in half. Grate both halves of the onion over a dish and then strain the mixture to get just the juice.
How to Use Onion Juice for Hair

For the first application of onion juice, you may want to test it on a small area (in case you may be allergic to it) or water down the mixture. Even though it’s natural, pure onion juice is strong.

Apply the onion juice daily to your scalp and lightly massage it in, this helps stimulate the hair follicles and allows for maximum absorption.

Leave the onion Juice on for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Eww! The smell is powerful, but the results may be worth it! To avoid smelling like onion all day, you can apply it at night and then wash it out before you go to bed.

If you’re allergic to onions or are looking for another option, another common remedy for thinning hair is ginseng.

<3Using onion-honey mixture :Take one-fourth cup of raw onion juice and add honey to it. Use this to massage your scalp on a daily basis to see the difference.

<3Onion is a natural anti dandruff solution:Applying onion juice on scalp for half an hour before washing your hair with a shampoo can be very effective for treating dandruff.

<3Olive Oil and Honey for Treatment of Dandruff:Take 1/4th portion of honey and mix t into 3/4th portion of Olive oil. Apply on your scalp and hair and wrap a hot towel over it and wash after some time with a mild shampoo.

The Power Of The Feminine

~ Shades Of Hattie ~

 Every once in a while a woman of such magnitude will enter a mans life that he knows things will never be the same again. Sometimes she stays for thirty five years, others times, thirty five minutes. Time is of no importance to her, because what she offers him is a glimpse into his own soul.

 If she chooses to bless him with her presence then he will learn everything he needs to ensure his greatest success. However, should he underneath be a fool then her abandonment will crucify him & he will learn nothing.

  For a long time I had been looking for a sign that would afford me knowledge upon my journey. Something that would enable me to progress & find continuing worthwhile. Yesterday you gave that to me by sharing with me your superb achievement.

Your success in materializing your new position as a Runner, something that is so incredibly positive & good for you, has humbled me beyond words. Through your eyes & your energy I have experienced an enlightenment that has inspired me. Through you, I have been shown not something fleeting, ethereal or distant, but something authentic & creative. What you have done for yourself is magnificent & an inspiration to me.

 Naturally, I am aware that your journey thus far has been challenging &, at times, difficult. Its also easy for me to see that this adversity has robbed you of your happiness for a long time. For any person to see a friend go through these hard lessons is difficult, but it is even more upsetting when there is nothing they can do to help. Unlike before, I know that you can put aside that hurt & fear, & move away from anything you no longer need.

  Hattie, I am delighted that you have secured the first leg of your occupational journey. I really am. Getting to know you has taught me that you are a woman that has always held a deep, powerful ability to achieve whatever you want, but that you have allowed others to take from you the energy that is vital for this journey. Yesterday I saw that you had regained your energy & channeled it to where you most need it. Your replenished energy has brought about your greatest success thus far. The rest will be easy for you now because you have established a system that makes it possible for you to progress without others getting in the way.

To you, Hattie, now you will achieve so much more.

 Love, 

NICK DRAKE; THE EARLY MORNING DIALOGUE RECORDING.

Nick Drake seems like an OK guy. Sensitive & enjoying that side of himself. Walk Away Renee by The Four Tops, is the first snippet of music one hears as the dialogue begins. His voice soothes me, but in a strong, yet slightly manipulative way. This put me on edge a bit. If I were sitting with him & felt tired he would not allow me to doze until he was ready to allow me. If I did, he would be ever so polite, but all the while harbour a long & silent resentment towards me for falling asleep while he was in full-flow. This is a man who hung onto things, especially hurt from others. Its this that made him sensitive. He even mentions it. My senses tell me that he would have made more of things then was sensible. He knows about himself, his poetry, femininity, good looks, education. He enjoys, & is aware, that he is different to others, but only from a,` I know I`m different & will prove it` kind of way.                          

  Nick was having fun with his tape machine & microphone. He was up late enjoying the dawn sun, something depressants don`t usually enjoy. Either way, Nick was about to tell me something more of his personal history, but stopped. What a pity. Or maybe he never had any real intention of doing so ? I liked him, but I know that nick would hold a grudge towards me if I upset him. He would never tell me what I had done, just see it from his perspective & leave it at that. In fact, I know this to be true because a friend who does the same thing contacted me whilst I was listening to Nicks dialogue. I would go to my gave never knowing what I had done to him, & he would never forget it either.                                                                          

  If I were a shrink I `d say that what killed Nick were the amount of grudges he held onto towards others that he perceived had hurt him. Call me cynical, but this is what he is telling me, & from my professional training this conversation does indeed show signs of abuse. Abuse victims grow up with uncanny powers that they use to propel themselves over others with. They make themselves bigger & better than others so that they can reinforce their personal belief that they really are `different to others`. This is why there is such a mystique around him. All sufferers of abuse, that do not come to terms with their pain, usually evolve into some kind of artist. Its a gift they hone that always seems to self-destruct in the end, or when they are close to being found out. Whether music, sex, art, acting, whatever they choose they become good at it. This is because they use it to build a massive protection around themselves that is then finely tuned into a mystique, allowing them to continue believing that they are `chosen`. Manson did it, Lennon did it, Hitler did it, Jim Morrison did it & Nick Drake did it too. Rachel, my ex, did it. She `knew` that she was a reincarnation of some Egyptian princess. She mesmerized men, danced as though Krishna had personally blessed her & healed a cut on my hand once just by holding it. She was also ferociously abused by an Uncle for ten years of her youth, which completely fucked her up. She was also, like the aforementioned, unable to cope well in society. She, like them, adjusted by believing that she had gifts, which eventually turned her trauma into gifts.

Del Shannon - The Further Adventures Of Charles Westover

 This certainly is a stunning album. Liberty really knew what they were doing when they released The Further Adventures Of Charles Westover. Today it is easy to see why it has become a cult legend. A number of combining factors have assured its status as a legendary underground classic, but mostly I think its because of Del`s ability to master his emotions & transfer them through the albums songs & lyrics. I shared it recently with Simon Wells ,the singer/ songwriter, & he agreed that it is indeed a truly genius piece of work. One can really sense Shannon`s angst & fear throughout this album. Today, looking back, one should be able to see just how much of a masterpiece Charles Westover` really is, even if it is sadly rather underground. Today it clearly deserves a much wider audience. Together lets see that it gets that.

How To Use The Egyptian Numerical System For Our Future Path

 The number 22 is important because if you add the two numbers up according to Egyptian Hieroglyphics, which is the oldest & most spiritual form of numerical reasoning, you are left with the number 4. 4 is integral to you because it carries the same amount of letters that is in your first name; Lina. If you take Johansson, this consists of 9 letters. Using our system of Egyptian hieroglyphics we can add together 4+9 which will give us 13. Now add 1+ 3 together, in accordance with the Egyptian system & suddenly you have 4 again, or Lina. Lina reversed spells Nila. Nila in Hieroglyphic terms means close to Blue, which is the colour of spirit, or the Soul. So now we have Lina, which means Blue Soul. 

 In The Tarot deck number 4 is the Emperor. The earliest Tarot deck was found near Princess Cleopatra tomb. The Emperor speaks to us about Fathering — Stability — Authority — Power - Control — Discipline. Things that lead me to believe your Soul is going through right now. Change, moving, dealing with home life, work, wanting more, even fear, being true to your needs, emotional & physical.  

 The Tarot Card for number 9 is Hermit. Now Hermit is all about internal spiritual & emotional changes; Transformation. The more we come away from the things we really want the more we can really align ourselves with them so that they are not fleeting, but real & last for ever. Not allowing in bullshit that blocks those things out after just a short time of having them. By working on ourselves we provide a better, loving & more meaningful existence for ourselves & those we care about. If we listen to Hermit we automatically end up having the right relationships, careers & health for ourselves. We provide ourselves as an asset to to others & not a liability, like most people are.

 Now all this makes complete sense because 13 ( 4+9 in Egyptian is 13 ) in the Tarot Deck is Death. Death is the card of total transformation, or ultimate love & acceptance of yourself holistically. This is what you are going through right now. 

 I could go on, but I have to go out, hopefully though this little essay shows you, Lina, what 22 means to you. 22 is the clue, given to you by your Angels, for you, or someone close to you, to decipher. Once you have reached the stage that your Angels want, where you understand their ways of communicating, then you can proceed on with your transformation. So you are right to feel closer to the things that you want.

 Best,

 

ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS KILL ~

  Everything depends upon how much value you place upon yourself

 If your partner is in denial then you will have an uncomfortable relationship. You will denigrate your own autonomy to fit in with his  a relationship so that you can maintain a relationship with someone that does not even respect himself, let alone you. In my eyes, that is a waste of your life. 

 If you take this course of action you will, eventually, find yourself without real friends & continually emanating a feeling of worthlessness to anyone you come into contact with. People you meet, especially men, will see you as fair game & attempt to abuse you for their own gratification. You, in turn, will see this as some kind of affection because you are in a lifeless relationship that is centred around a dead man, & keep doing it. Then later, after it has hit home what you have been doing to yourself, you will become more passive in your relationship, but this time it will be out of guilt, leading you to be treated even worse by your husband. Jealousy will enter the picture because the man you really like will be free & able to do what he wants while you suffer in your dysfunctional, symbiotic relationship. Then some time later a breakdown will occur & because there will be no real friends left that really care about you, because you got rid of them all years ago with your poor lifestyle choices, you will consider the prospect of suicide. You wont do it, of course, but it will be a cry for help, & cause you inner-despair. This despair will grow & you will become ill. This illness will last, depression does, & your husband will see this as his Que to leave you for another person who `understands him`. This creature would have been hanging around in the background for years, & will probably have known him since they were young. Then the real, frightening prospect of suicide will return, but this time, because your in your fifties & depressed, you will probably do it. This man would then have stolen your life from you & the saddest thing is that all along you allowed him to do it. Men that once adored you for your Goddess status, like me, will be married & happy in their own relationships & running around in parks playing with their own children, without depression. This tragedy will be made worse for you because the only happiness you will be able to see will be the long forgotten happiness of your past. Naturally, your family will come to you, but they would have been so exasperated by your insistence to `make it work` over the years, that they will just teeter round the edges & nothing will ever, ever be able to give you back the lost years that you gave away so easily to someone who never gave a shit about you.

 If I were you I would go with your instincts & stay well away from poisonous bullies that make you feel crap & confused. 

 Hope that helps ?

ATTRACTING MONEY INTO ONES LIFE IS EASY

 Talking about attracting money to me, as they do in The Secret, & other Law Of Attraction type of books, tonight I found myself feeling utterly skint. For the first time in a few years I have found myself feeling quite broke.

 Tomorrow I am making a very important purchase. Something that I have wanted to have in my life for many years, but have not been able to find the confidence to allow it. Tonight I have the money waiting in anticipation for my trip down to Kent to get them tomorrow. Although I am now totally broke because of it. In fact, I have never had such little money to my name, but do I feel that I am making the wrong decision ? No way. Because I have learnt something that I never knew before; being skint is simply a frame of mind.

 I have not had my own set of drums since I was young & now as an adult I am allowing myself a proper Premier kit to enter & grace my life. But counteracting the shock of this grace I am now finding myself projecting my fears onto my inner security & that is channeling itself as a feeling of being skint. The shock of this attack upon my nervous system is leaving me as though I have no money, that I skint & therefore useless. Of course, unlike before, I now know how easy it is to acquire & attract money into my life. Money just flows to me if I allow it & take responsibility for it. Its like water. If your dry then water will quench your thirst &, unless your stuck in a desert, its easy enough to drink a glass of water & quench your thirst. I forget how easy it is to make money.

 The old fear concerning my progression has come up because I am doing something that will improve my life & something that will also will herald in a transformation. I am not skint, I`m scared. If it was just a money issue then I would not be afraid. I am aware how easy it is to draw money to me, but I have not given much thought to my drums until now. All I have to do is sell some extra pieces of my existing stock on ebay & I have money. List something extra & then I open the doors to the flow of money to me.

 I think the shock of seeing such a little amount of money in my account frightened me. Feeling fear is natural, but I think introducing into my life something so incredibly meaningful is what the real shock is & not a lack of money. That is almost illogical. The trick is not to allow myself the indulgence of projecting my fears onto money. This silliness will always stops me having the life & things that I really want & know will improve my life.

 So next & you allow the old habit of projection to take over, stop & remember that you are not afraid, but beginning the process of walking on your own two feet as an adult. Feel the fear & continue going for the change you really want.

 Best,

~ BEN CRAIG ~ A LONDON REVIEW ~

Ben Craig & his group are a phenomenon. I caught their show at The Bedford in Balham, last Tuesday evening, &, boy, am I glad that I did.

Ben was sharing the bill with Simon Wells, another high end performer that delivers incredibly good tunes, especially if you enjoy powerful songs written sensitively, with a nod to all that`s magical in the world.

Ben Craig was professional, strong & so incredibly enjoyable. The show was made all the more sexy & fun by his singing partner, a beautiful, friendly Goddess, that made Kate Bush look like someones Mother on the school-run. They made music together that was original, innovative & a pleasure to behold. I found their songs strong, well written, original & delivered with great precision. The band never faltered once, continually supporting Ben & his gorgeous singing partner throughout the set. The whole thing worked gloriously well & I envisage great things for them all.

Next time you get the chance to see this incredible performer & his terrific band, do so. Their not only great musicians & entertainers, they are also very cool, friendly people that are really into what they are doing.

Check Ben & the guys out, you wont be disappointed.

SHEILA LORD ~ A LONDON REVIEW

 Last night, at The Islington, I didn`t just watch a great Singer/ Songwriter performing her set with passion, what I experienced was something different from that, something far removed from the madding crowd, for what I experienced bordered upon a spiritual transformation & I`m still reeling from it. After just one of her songs I was completely transfixed & at the mercy of this incredible musician.                                                              
 Sheila Lord is musically blessed & gives of herself freely. Her music & presence transfixes & holds you right where you need to be, just like some awesome Goddess in the throes of taking over the universe.                                                                        
 Like all great musicians being in Sheila`s presence is an inspiration & just a few bars of her playing is enough to confirm that one can, & should, be striving for more in their life.                                                                                                                
 If you missed her set last night, I guess, your entitled to one mistake, miss it again & this musicians beauty & greatness is just not for you. I was there & am, right now, bowing at the alter of this fine, fine musician. Go see Sheila Lord, but be warned, she & her music have the power to transform you.

~LOST & CO - PUTNEY HIGH STREET - SW15 ~ A REVIEW ~

 ~The Lost & Co has star quality ~ This place really is super cool & well worth a visit ~

 When it comes to a providing a good night out these guys hit the high notes every single time, but away from the drinks & love that emanates from the place, have you tasted their menu yet ? If you haven`t, boy, your in for a treat. Whoa ! These guys know how to cook good food.

 Last Friday evening I slipped in there for a Pizza, as I`d heard the food was good. Best decision I could have made. After the first couple of bites of my Pizza, & a Smokey Burger for my friend, I knew I was into something different. Something far removed from the usual London high street fare. Because the food was good, like incredibly good.

 After the first bite or so, my friend & I just looked at each other, kind of dumbstruck, nodding slowly, silently to ourselves, as we carried on munching our way through our food, knowing, almost telepathically, that we could not allow this to be a one-off experience. This place had to be for keeps if they serve pizza this good.

 Eating food that`s been prepared with, not just focus, but love too, makes me feel happy. I`m no Italian, but these Pizza`s tasted as though they had been cooked somewhere just outside of Florence & brought straight to our table. Steaming, fresh & fully loaded. At first glance I was not even sure if I would be able to finish the thing, although it didn`t hang about for too long, & all for the price of a round of drinks !

 If your going to eat a Pizza this week, go eat it at The Lost & Co, nowhere else. Not only will you have a great time with the staff, you can have a chat with the chefs, who are brilliant, get a quality beer that`s served like it is nowhere else around here, hang out with the girls on the floor, or just listen to some quality London sounds that top DJ`s bang out at the weekend. My personal tip; try the fully loaded veggie pizza, with a Brooklyn beer on the side then, if your brave enough, ask Big Tom, the chef, for a nip of his special chili sauce, but don`t say I didn`t warn you !

 Pizza that taste this good, I thought didn`t exist in London, but they do, on Putney High Street, right opposite the train station & the place is called The Lost & Co.

 Enjoy, we did !

Without Hope There Is No Rejection

If one hopes for an outcome then one stays away from actualizing it. By hoping, you live in the shadow of what you want, or away from it. Hope obstructs manifestation. If I know I am going to see you then I will see you. If I hope to see you then that is all it is, a hope. Maybe I will, maybe I will not. By hoping I negate my power.

TOXIC PARENTS & THE DAMAGE THEY DO.

`Being a parent enables you to understand your own parents better `, I can understand that. It must take a lot of reflection  & emotional awareness to do a good job, Les ? 

 I can see by your photos that you have mastered something that was once perhaps not large enough to accommodate who you have become. Les Snr, like my own Father, was a massive personality & had a career that reinforced his masculinity equally. Being children that grew up in the shadow of such monumental achievements, I can now see, is incredibly challenging. Personally, I feel that this can sometimes have an adverse effect on a child`s positive esteem & growth if it is not handled correctly. My own Father wanted to achieve something great &, on some level he has, but it is a pyrrhic victory because he ended up losing both his sons in the process, like some tragic part in Macbeth. 

Certainly my own sense of self-esteem was extremely fragile for a long time. As a younger man I compensated this insecurity by manufacturing an over-inflated ego. My narcissism on some level saved me, but it was also a double edged sword, or a false sense of security, because all it did was dig me in deeper & locked me into an ivory tower. This left me isolated & vulnerable. 

 Once everything was a challenge, just walking down the high street for provisions was tough, so I became reclusive & simply worked when I needed to. This went on for years. Externally I would rather be someone else than me, so I did. I stayed away from intimate relations, anything that would open me up, because I was in deep pain. The thought of a loving, satisfying relationship filled me with fear & so naturally I stayed away from anything vaguely functional. The few relations I did have were damaging & dysfunctional, & eventually I stayed away from those too. Buddhism, Therapy & music became my soul mates. They were good bed-fellows.

 Today, reflecting upon those dark times it is clear to see that I have recovered. Coming away from Brian, so that I could concentrate upon my bereavement, was essential. An action that I needed to effectuate if I was to survive, & my decision worked. Its been six years since I spoke with him & only now am I beginning to feel strong enough to think about my Father without becoming frustrated.