United States

Hello all,
Just to mention I have just added my Christmas song about a priory of nuns near me in cold snowy Sussex.
As it happens the two young nuns mentioned in the song, are both pictured in my profile photos... Sister Stella who stars in the song in the one I am cuddling on the seat, while Sister Keruba looks after my daughter Roseanne.

After this one I tried to write an X-factor type Christmas chart song but it is just on CD not mp3 or I would have downloaded it as well today.

Anyway, it seems the season to be inflicting festive songs on eachother so here you are!
Mark D Phillips...................

Has an unusual feel Mark. Folksy in a way yet with a little dirge feel as well.
Thanks for the post.

Hello Sans,
Thanks for finding and listening!
Cold was the intended sound, all major sevenths and natural minors, and I had seen the priory all shrouded in snow in the parkland forest it inhabits.
The young nuns all have bare feet in Jesus boot sandles, and I enjoyed the image of dear Sister Stella out in the grounds like that.

I play it a lot faster than that now; but when I recorded it the song was just one day old and I was still learning the chord changes.

I was so tickled by the fact that both Sister Stella and Keruba sent copies home to their families in India, who in turn made copies for their friends... does it mean I can say I am a big star in India?
Best wishes,
Mark Phillips.................

Cold ..... yes !
That indeed was the feel.
Quite well done on that aspect Mark
FYI
The boys agreed to work up RAIN again just for you.
I'll give you a shout out when it's ready.


P.S.

They were quite entertained by the tale of your flatus cavernous .

Be along soon Mark Sorry.

Hi Chippy,
Season's greetings from across the pond,
Mark.......................

Greetings to you too Mark.
What are your influences Mark? Peter Hammill a bit, Hendrix too, Len Cohen anyone else?
Also what did you use to record it please?

Very nice feel Mark, eerie kinda, but very peaceful.
Best atcha Mark.

Folks would comment more if there were not so embroiled lately. I think that a pity for everyone in such a place as this.

Hi Chippy,
Season's greetings from across the pond,
Mark.......................

Hello Chippy,
Hendrix, Hammill and Cohen were all great inspirations to me in earlier years, but I don't think I write like any of them... though maybe I hear aspects of Peter Hammill now and then in things I try.

I recorded the song for Sister Stella on a Tascam digital recorder, and it writes to CD so I was able to take one straight round to her.

I would like to make an improved version of the song; trouble is that new songs take the place of old ideas, and it becomes such hard work I find to get myself back up to speed emotionally with old songs.

I just brought my stereo Roland amp in from my freezing garden studio this afternoon, because I think all music will be confined to the house for the next couple of months; but the drums PA and bass gear can stay out there... I could try a winter open-air concert at Sister Stella's priory!
Cheers,
Mark....................

Thanks Mark.

That sounds a really good idea recording in the priory if they will let you? Sure they will of course. Tascam Digi huh?

You know what? (Sure you do). It's a melting pot and you add to it. Eventually the sauce becomes too thick so you add some liquid to move things around. (Music/Notes). Anyway I liked it I thought there were a few dropped ones in vocal in places but since its a guitar/voice thing they were not that much noticeable.

Now then,,,,,

I'll leave you to critique my stuff when I have it complete. Hahahahaha
Keep well Mark.

Hello Chippy,
Hendrix, Hammill and Cohen were all great inspirations to me in earlier years, but I don't think I write like any of them... though maybe I hear aspects of Peter Hammill now and then in things I try.

I recorded the song for Sister Stella on a Tascam digital recorder, and it writes to CD so I was able to take one straight round to her.

I would like to make an improved version of the song; trouble is that new songs take the place of old ideas, and it becomes such hard work I find to get myself back up to speed emotionally with old songs.

I just brought my stereo Roland amp in from my freezing garden studio this afternoon, because I think all music will be confined to the house for the next couple of months; but the drums PA and bass gear can stay out there... I could try a winter open-air concert at Sister Stella's priory!
Cheers,
Mark....................

Hello Chippy and everyone,
Yes I am sure we would be allowed to gig at the priory... in fact back in August me and Trevor did a private seranade for Sister Stella in my workshop studio while she was on her annual vacation from duty at the priory... I threw in a bit of Christmas at the priory, but she looked happy but so shy hearing her own name sung by a man to her, that we quickly followed it with knocking on Heaven's Door by Dylan and she loved it.

Hey Chippy, I went straight to your profile to check out your stuff... and I was so sad to find it all bare!
Okay I shall keep my eyes open for it later.
Mark.................

That's refreshing Mark and as I remember it too.
England where the sun hardly shines is a deep rooted good place isn't it?
Much luck with that my fine feathered friend. I'm sure it will go down very well whatever you do to be sure.

My Profile?
Ah yes....

I've taken everything down that I doing. I don't use Bandmix as a host for my stuff but I really think they should give me one free since I hang around like a bat.

Chipfryer.com is where you'll find me though it's in beta/Demo stage at the mo.
Once I have the music the way I want it I'll launch it proper,
Are you on MySpace?
http://www.myspace.com/chipfryermusic

Anywho no matter.

Keep well Mark.

Hello Chippy and everyone,
Yes I am sure we would be allowed to gig at the priory... in fact back in August me and Trevor did a private seranade for Sister Stella in my workshop studio while she was on her annual vacation from duty at the priory... I threw in a bit of Christmas at the priory, but she looked happy but so shy hearing her own name sung by a man to her, that we quickly followed it with knocking on Heaven's Door by Dylan and she loved it.

Hey Chippy, I went straight to your profile to check out your stuff... and I was so sad to find it all bare!
Okay I shall keep my eyes open for it later.
Mark.................

Hello Chippy,
The UK weather suits me well; though it is of course directly second-hand USA weather flowing straight across to us from you a few weeks on... and we get other things from you as well, like fast food and general obesity!

I only use Bandmix as a free site now Chippy, and I can fit three of my songs on the space they give away... my other two are not even remotely like Christmas at the priory.

I have never looked at Myspace Chippy; I am not a proper surfer really, just a few basic bits related to music and emails... to earn a crust I create guitars that I try to sell on Ebay with varying results.
Mostly it is just me and my young girl here, and school routines with filling in with guitars and music in between.

Today in Sussex is just freezing cold rain, but coming from the north, and I hear snow is on its way down from Russia and the artic circle; some parts of the UK are expecting tons over night!

Which parts of the UK do you know Chippy?
Mark................

Couldn't agree more Mark. I see the patterns swirling and often inform peeps itsa comin Lol!

Yeah me too on Bandmix. It does have a lot of merits however its just a few points that many have mentioned I'd like to see get changed frankly. Mind I use Linux all the time now and that's free. Peer support bases may be slower but the answers are far more concise.

MySpace is cool Mark, though of late I've been remiss on it having decided to work out some stuff on songs that were bothering me plus some new songs need attending to. I'm sure the world will wait, not like I'm anything big or nuthin?

Me too by the way about it being a hobby but I do have things to get out. I'll be so much happier afterwards. At least I'll prove I can do something with the odd note here and there?

UK? Know a lot of it having traveled a lot as a Child but I'm sure much of what I remember has changed beyond recognition.

Keep well Mark.
Have a great New Years. I wish you the best with all ongoing projects and especially the PRIORY since I think you have something there.

Chippy.

Hello Chippy,
The UK weather suits me well; though it is of course directly second-hand USA weather flowing straight across to us from you a few weeks on... and we get other things from you as well, like fast food and general obesity!

I only use Bandmix as a free site now Chippy, and I can fit three of my songs on the space they give away... my other two are not even remotely like Christmas at the priory.

I have never looked at Myspace Chippy; I am not a proper surfer really, just a few basic bits related to music and emails... to earn a crust I create guitars that I try to sell on Ebay with varying results.
Mostly it is just me and my young girl here, and school routines with filling in with guitars and music in between.

Today in Sussex is just freezing cold rain, but coming from the north, and I hear snow is on its way down from Russia and the artic circle; some parts of the UK are expecting tons over night!

Which parts of the UK do you know Chippy?
Mark................

Hello Chippy,
Do you perform live with your songs? I am just playing for fun now except for very small local stuff now and then... meaning once in a blue moon!
Playing in bands meant everything once; but Christ, just how many years ago was that.
But you never quite escape it, and how lonely it is to write and record songs that no one but you and your mum are going to hear... and mine has been dead for five years now.

As for the UK changing Chippy: well I am 53 and it has all seemed much the same through my lifetime; but maybe you need to be away ten years and then return, to see how much it has changed?

Thinking again about recording: I love the idea of making my own song come alive... but more often than not there is more frustration than Joy resulting from it; sometimes I wish I could be be rid of it!
Mark....................

Mark,
That tune conjured up visions (at least in my mind) of Tom Waits, Tom Rapp, with a bit of Richard Thompson thrown in for good measure!

I like the tune, (even though I'm now a bit "Christmased out")
but don't care for the doubling effect on your voice.

All in all, pretty creative, 'ol buddy!
later,
Howlin'