1. |
Blaze
05:49
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Light spark scintilla flame
Blazing contained within each part of the whole
Filaments bind twined like audio cables
Loving each other all entangled
You can try to roll each one apart
Coils neatly dressed
Jack cable, canon
usb, midi, thunderbolt
Every one that we need
to make our music clear and clean
Each placed tenderly in one bag
When it’s opened up again
There they twist
There they twine
They cannot lay separate as if they are desperate
to connect to each other through any means found
When my back is turned
they twirl around, they dance
they drink like they know I’m gone
Everywhere your eye falls
Branches, tree trunks, mountain ranges
Strata formed
Muscle sinew bone
All separately linked
Coiled together to form a whole
Piles of yarn
Left to their own devices
Will also throw a riotous party
With pink and orange and green colliding
Despite our best intentions
Despite our careful rolling up
Open that bag and there they drunkenly lie untucked
All this marvellous mess
we tangle though we’re
connected by the light bound by the dark
snarled up human hearts
with our wires crossed
Still we burn and sparkle and fizz
We are effervescent luminescence
A common blaze inside each of us
All this marvellous mess
we tangle though we’re
connected by the light bound by the dark
snarled up human hearts
with our wires crossed
Still we burn and sparkle and fizz
We are effervescent luminescence
Connected by light, bound by our dark those shadows and flames woven
Glowing even with our wires crossed
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2. |
Can We Agree?
06:09
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Human Body
Supernova
Atomic number 1
Plus
2
Vega
Acrux
Pollux
Alcor
Ceaseless
Shimmer
Brilliant
Glimmer
Timeless
Merging
Here transcendent
Serenity
Now resplendent
Human Body
Supernova
Atomic number
1
Plus
2
Made from stardust
let’s not forget
Dividing 12 by six
find two of six inside of 12
Division between us
illusory
All of you are inside me
Is there one thing on which we all agree?
The sea as glass with water clear;
can we concur that this is dear?
Or newly born, those babies sweet?
A lover’s ear pressed to heartbeat?
Relief - the absence of departed fear?
Is there one thing on which we all agree?
Oh, might we universally decree,
that I am you, and you are me
ephemeral stuff of stars, eternal
exploding ether energy.
On this one thing, can we agree?
Is there one thing on which we all agree?
That art connects us to beyond
the here, the now a fairy’s wand
which simultaneously grounds
our troubled nature up while down?
Desire to help, someone’s been wronged…
Is there one thing on which we all agree?
Oh, might we universally decree,
that I am you and you are me
ephemeral stuff of stars, eternal
exploding ether energy.
On this one thing, can we agree?
Human Body
Supernova
Atomic number 1
Plus
2
Vega
Acrux
Pollux
Alcor
Ceaseless
Shimmer
Brilliant
Glimmer
Timeless
Merging
Here transcendent
Serenity
Now resplendent
Human Body
Supernova
Atomic number 1
Plus
2
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3. |
The Last Supper
07:18
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Give me some
steak and eggs with toast.
Or that
crispy fried chicken.
Tea, coffee and a coke.
Sometimes it’s all eaten.
Sometimes it’s left there.
Believe
it can’t ever be,
It’s never, ever fair.
Food that has no sustenance
that sticks in your craw.
Though James and Peter John and Andrew
will tell you that it’s law.
Baked potato sliced in half
butter oozing through,
Southern meal just for you
salt rubbed on the wound.
Just shut up now and chew.
Enchiladas, sausages,
ribs and tater tots.
George Junius and Leo Jones
just two among the lot.
Truth ain’t what they got.
Murder fought with murder
all done in His name.
Dead and gone now,
buried deep.
Who we gotta blame?
The Innocent
The Guilty
sat up on the block.
Murder fought with murder.
Tick tick tock.
Odell Barnes last mea
l
The richest of them all
He called for
“Justice, and please equality”
For dessert, he asked solemnly.
For Peace.
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4. |
I Gotta Hunch
08:32
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Clear-eyed child, milky-eyed elder
They feel it more clearly
Baby girl knows
from where she came.
Grandfather knows where he will go.
They sigh
it’s okay, it’s all okay
Intuition seeing the invisible,
it’s the bell’s peal
peeling away skepticism.
Gut trusting
reverberation
echoing endlessly...
But
in between
childhood and the
edge of
passage
it can hurt
Embodied knowledge lost to
the struggle embedded inside our bodies.
It can hurt
Eye of your mind, therein there lies solution upon solution
Eye of your mind, therein they lie subconsciously there creating
Grasping moments of
mercy
temporary rest in this temporary place
where nothing is built to last
Suddenly swoop like a seagul
l
born along the breeze
rising, dipping effortlessly
Trust arise as we soar on that
flight,
easing along that unseen path
its loss, well it can hurt
Yeah, it can hurt
Embodied knowledge
lost to
the struggle embedded
inside our bodies
It can hurt
Eye of your mind, therein there lies solution upon solution
We all had it we all got it we all gonna get it
Eye of your mind, therein they lie creatively, subconsciously.
Don’t gotta think, just gotta hear what’s calling me and adhere
Eye of your mind, therein there lies solution upon solution
Connect my mind to my body gotta align to the atmosphere
Right side your mind, therein they lie creatively subconsciously
There’s a vibe I can ascribe to nothin and nowhere
Oeil de votre esprit, il y a solution sur solution
Oeil de votre esprit, ils y reposent inconsciemment, créant
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5. |
Individually One
02:11
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The bluethroats’ song trilling clear.
Soar, swoop, dip, dive.
Arrow piercing infinitude,
while we remain here tethered still and weak.
Tiny thoughts tangled far below their talons,
believing there’s a hierarchy to seat.
We tussle, wreaking havoc as we shriek.
Fight the current. Resist the glide
Squawk, “me, me, me, me!”
Undulating rainbows merge colored fins
attuned to one other they slip through the tide.
Rafts of otters belong together.
Holding hands as they drift...
Whispering trees secret
symbiotic presence.
Our beauty lies within these suits of skins
Bird Fish Mammal Forest
Ancient or Nascent
human craves flourishing touch
Nothing stands alone; to the flock, we are born.
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6. |
Transcend
06:11
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A clock with no hands
hangs on the wall
might as well not be there, at all
A resonate glow knowledge exists
within the flow
there it persists
looking to hold
trying to define
what cannot be held
this that’s yours, this that’s mine
beyond the constructs within the experience
there are instructions leading to the mysterious
Capturing creation
A ridden wave
delight in each manifestation
Here to be brave
and to be true
to ghosts that came before me
and you try to tame
enough to express weightless
mystical transcendence
beyond the duality above the fray
questions answered without delay
looking to hold
trying to define
what cannot be held
this that’s yours,
this that’s mine
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7. |
I Think I Understand
06:18
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I think, I understand cutting now
as much as someone who doesn’t do it can.
I know the feeling of ‘I can’t live in this skin.
’
The feeling of ‘when’s this hurt gonna end?
’
The feeling of-
‘How to get rid of this pain?’
‘How to distract my brain?’
I think I understand cutting now.
Divorcing oneself from the
huh huh huh,
gasping midnight wake
shivering shaking
quake.
I thought I was gonna die,
but here I heave and heave and lie.
Here I heave and heave and lie.
I think, I understand cutting now,
when there’s no other choice.
When you can’t see beyond.
When this moment is all.
When I’m feeling so small and I cannot grip...
Every signpost lost.
No touchstone heals.
No distraction to be found.
No song to be sung.
No words to be read.
No salve for the wound.
No spot that is safe.
No respite.
No grace.
I think I understand, cutting now.
Layer layer layers thick,
all my lives heaped like bricks;
covering inadequacies
covering insecurity
walling up the interior.
Covering what’s past and done and gone
safe from probing exteriors.
Buried deep
so deep I cannot reach-
down
down
down
so deep.
Only revealed on the cusp of sleep
when defences are released.
When I’m almost at peace,
Then the jerk
pulling up.
The breathless inhale
as I flail I flail
and there it is-
though I’d hoped last time was the final time,
but here it is
the gasp gasp gasp
the huh huh huh
gasping midnight wake
shivering shaking
quake
and I think...
I think, I think I understand cutting now.
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8. |
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As a child
delight in the mystery
Why mommy why
yeah but why uh huh but why
The answers never satisfy there is always one more string to be pulled from the theory
Infinite is a concept we struggle with at three
It’s scary
This vast unknowable world
Out of my mother I came born
upon the endless river
through the space of time which never existed
or always did
Up like you I grew and flew a bird on an unseen current no matter if it’s known
It’s there or is it not?
Martian Venutian Jovian Space Creatures
they exist
and they don’t
Both left and right
Both flight and fight
Intones the Daughter universe
Portals and black holes
Cosmic rays and dark matter
Gods and Goddesses
are what we need
are angels and devils
I
n this alien laboratory
with inter-dimensional travel
Can I get an explanation please?
How to define why we’re here?
Is it to explain away all fear?
Then sit suffused in love
no wonder and wondrous
sudden starlit supernova
Nothing matters
but this
is
all
there
is
She asks...
Why do butterflies fly are they happy
and why
looking at
where the sea hugs the sky
does my tummy feel funny
and isn’t it funny
t
hat roly poly bugs curl into a tight little ball
and why are they so small
What’s in the head of that hedgehog
when he eats the dog’s food
does he want in or
a cuddle
also, is that a sin
Why not if stealing is naughty
why wouldn’t that count
and look at that cloud
why does it look like a trout
Why do I have to eat breakfast
if I’m not hungry anyway
and why is it called hunger
and why doesn’t everyone pray, or do they?
Why is the sky blue
and what’s behind it
and is that plane stuck to it with glue?
Why if you speak two languages does kitty speak only catlish
and won’t learn english
Why can’t I stay up as late as you do?
Don’t you need just as much dream time?
Why do we exist
what and where is my soul
why do we kiss
Can I get an explanation please?
why mommy why
yeah but why uh huh but why
Is anything possible?
Anything within reach?
Everything we can conceive is true
Or not
How to define why we’re here?
Is it to explain away all fear?
Then sit suffused in love
no wonder and wondrous
sudden starlit supernova
Nothing matters
but this
is
all
there
is
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9. |
The Longest Night
05:34
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My love I cradle here inside my palm.
It’s yours for now and ever more will be,
A light of solidarity, a piece
of me is yours of you is mine. Tonight
I pray oppression lift; I pray for peace
This eve once more we live the longest night.
Entire centuries contained within eternal infinite resplendency
of which you’re made, and that I see.
I pray oppression lift; I pray for peace
Please take this gift of nuts and fruits wrapped tight
in crimson tulle to banish this dark night.
Rebirth!
The sun will warm us both and soon
will spring arrive on Bahman’s brother’s heels.
I pray oppression lift; I pray for peace
After midnight has come and gone away.
Regard the golden chariot aflame.
Upward it soars bringing along our hearts
This Yalda eve we celebrate all night.
I pray oppression lift; I pray for peace
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10. |
Elegy
03:10
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Here we are again
welcoming Lothario
in all his fierce and tawdry glory
He’ll tell his lies
whispered low and sweet
insistently incessantly
Now is not the time to raise your head
shhh now come on back to bed
Serve you on a platter black and white
leave it to me
it’s there each succulent bite
I’ll bring you peace
with you he lies, his brow smooth
slipping the pipe to your lips
high on morals
ground in truth
Now is not the time to raise your head
shhh now come on back to bed
Yet we don’t need him anymore
If we ever did
Here’s a chance we can’t ignore
Now is the time to raise your head
Come on now,
let’s get outta bed
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11. |
Sparkler
05:10
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New Year’s Eve out on the lawn
I’m dancing ‘round
I got my sparkler drawn
writing names in the night
Setting everything alight
got my sparkler drawn
Early morning grey lit dawn
barefoot with my nightgown on
I got my sparkler drawn
Goin’ to the grocery store
Smilin’ at everybody for
I got my sparkler drawn
Fizzin’ up I’m spreading it
Pouring from my fingertips
cuz I know this world is lit
With every step, every meet
I wouldn’t feel complete
without my sparkler drawn
Dressed up Step into the van
Nothin that feels better than
my sparkler drawn
Looking past the footlights glow
Sharing everything I know
got my sparkler drawn
Show’s over I get a drink
See that smile you transmit
right there then I see you wink
You got your sparkler drawn
while you’re dancin’ on
We got our sparklers drawn
Droppin’ off to sleep I yawn
in my dreams I carry on
I got my sparkler drawn
Gonna keep on throwing light
deep into the heart of night
with my sparkler drawn
SCINTILLANTE
Capodanno sul prato
Ballo dappertutto
Ho sguainato il mio bastoncino scintillante
E scrivo nomi nella notte
Mettendo tutto a fuoco
Ho sguainato il mio bastoncino scintillante
Nell'alba grigia
A piedi nudi in vestaglia
Ho sguainato il mio bastoncino scintillante
E poi entro in bottega
sorridendo a tutti perché
Ho sguainato il mio bastoncino scintillante
Lo spargo come spumante
Versando scintille dalla punta delle dita
Perché so che questo mondo è luce
A ogni passo, in ogni incontro
Non mi sentirei completa
Senza il mio bastoncino scintillante
Quando ho messo l’abito di scena salgo nel furgone
Non c’è nulla che faccia stare meglio
Del mio bastoncino scintillante
Guardando oltre le luci del palco
Condivido tutto quello che so
Ho sguainato il mio bastoncino scintillante
Lo spettacolo è finito, prendo da bere
Lo vedo quel sorriso che trasmetti
Lì davanti a me e mi strizzi l'occhio
Hai sguainato il tuo bastoncino scintillante
Mentre continui a ballare
Abbiamo sguainato i nostri bastoncini scintillanti
Sbadiglio, casco dal sonno
E nei miei sogni vado avanti
Con il mio bastoncino scintillante sguainato
Continuerò a fare luce
Nel cuore della notte
Ho sguainato il mio bastoncino scintillante
Translation Luciano Bertolicci
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12. |
The Twelfth thing
02:50
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It’s the high hat Tony Allen said
It’s the missing high hat that’ll transform Highlife to Afrobeat
and it will spread
I’m never gonna be anyone but me
and that’s the way I’m drumming
Look at him
All four limbs at work each going their own way
making it look easy, every time he play
‘I lay out this universe in which dreams can come forth,’
he said
Yes,
Tony
conjured through telepathic communication
Everything Scatters to Rejoice
galaxies within universes beyond time
There Is No End
Explore and express this musical thing
that’s what we’re here to do
Put everything into it
so the people will get everything out of it
Feel it from the vodou ceremony
to the techno stage
from the dive bar
to the theatres grandeur
from The Blue Note to Glastonbury
listening to vibrations individually communally built
from primal knowledge, sweat and challenge invited
This musical thing that is everything
cuz where does music come from but the essence of all that is
Yes
what is music but every song that your fingers sing on me
This cat’s disdainful elegance, that dog’s chuckle, the rain on the oleander bush outside my window, the tea kettle’s whistle, walking through a dappled tunnel with it’s 100 shades of green canopy above and jasmine scented air, the dust on the road, the wail of mother, the fear from father. Every escapade and encounter, every child, every animal. The desert, the mountain. The snowfall, the sun. The exterior the interior
It’s all holy, it’s all cosmic
He was born avant guard Tony Allen
He embodied it
All four limbs at work each going their own way
making it look easy, every time he played
He laid out this universe in which dreams could come forth
in which dreams could come forth
in which dreams come forth
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Lisa Marie Simmons Italy
"Musically & vocally, NoteSpeak consistently changes, shifting from style to style – acoustic jazz solos into hip-hop beats into harmonized gospel vocals into electronic jazz and fusion into free verse rhyming – and yet seems to constantly groove... " All About Jazz Chris M. Slawecki ... more
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