Free Writing from 2010.

When did it become apparent that you were meant to be somewhere else? Was it when you realised it was too dark to read? Was it when you realised the moon was concerned for your well – being? Was it when you began shooting stars from the sky? Was it when you drowned the bucket in the well? Was it when you forgot to butter your crumpet?

When did you realise you were no longer you? Was it when you stopped thinking about running on the spot and started running in circles? Was it when you put your hands over your ears and started screaming? Was it when you drew the curtains and walked into the walls? Was it when you started playing the drum with your feet?

Stop and think. Wait for something to come. Wait for the truth. You’ll know when it comes. Sometimes all we have to do is wait. And when it arrives it will be a simple song for all ears. Divine.

-Fleur Green 2010 Ó

Moby Dick and the search for Pip...

Pip is a wonderful character. In the book, he's a young African-American. But in the opera by Jake Heggie which was performed in Adelaide recently, he's played as a young caucasian boy, and sung by a woman - the only female singer on stage.

He's initially thought of by the crew members as a dumb but jolly lad who entertains with his tambourine frequently.

When he is lost at sea, he goes mad. When he is found and rescued, the initial character "Pip" is lost, and this rambling madman is left.

I think it is Starbuck who seems to think he is not mad though, but has had some sort of mystical experience, as a lot of what he says in 'madness' is insightful. It's interesting and reminds me of this poem:

Much Madness is divinest Sense—

To a discerning Eye—
Much Sense—the starkest Madness—
..............(Emily Dickinson -1861)

I could go on about other wonderful characters in Moby Dick... Captain Ahab, Queequeg, Ishmael and Starbuck...

The thing that unites them? They are all Men lost at sea whether they realise it or not.

Sing it Sister.

For years, I've very much enjoyed the song "It's a Man's World". My favourite interpretation thus far featured James Brown with the Louie Bellson Big Band on an album called "Soul on Top". I loved listening to this track. It would make my face contort and my stomach grow fiery.

It popped into my memory this evening as I was showering, and I thought - did James Brown write that song? I don't know why I didn't know, but I sought to find out. I hopped online, and the first entry (Wikipedia)... said, "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" is a song by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome."

I didn't know who Betty Jean Newsome was. I was ashamed I'd not heard of her. Sadly, there was no Wikipedia link to her. But I did come across this article which posed the question that perhaps the idea, the lyrics, the music were Sister Betty Jean's and not JBs. There is ongoing litigation over this topic.

Maybe we will never know, perhaps Sister Betty has moved on, but I wonder if the potency of this song can be explained by a thought that it was a woman's work and a woman's reflection on the relationship between the sexes - sung and claimed by a man.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-12-18/music/it-s-a-woman-s-world/

Playing pianos, whistling, and writing music...

It started with the initiative of the "Play me I'm yours" pianos that were stationed all around Adelaide... There was one of these free to play pianos for public use at the Central Markets opposite my apartment and I was game one day to play. I received kind words, coffee and macaroons from a stall holder after my improvisations. This delighted me.

Then I started to whistle in "The Waiting Room" at a routine checkup in my Doctor's clinic. It sparked a four-way conversation between strangers.

A couple of days later, some old colleagues got in touch asking me to whistle on a recording for them. This, also delighted me. I am now a professional whistler.

I will work with an Actor/Director soon on a one-woman show... It is in it's infancy, but will include original compositions, poems, improvisations and songs. I will use my voice, harmonica, piano, toy piano and melodica. Interdisciplinary work fascinates me and having an actor's input is fantastic.

In 2 weeks, I fly to Cambodia to write music for a show that will be premiered in the OzAsia Festival. I will work with The Sunrise Children's Village - a home for Cambodian Orphans.

There may be a trip to Japan next year.

Out of the silence, sound.

Stop

I begin to realise that perhaps the episodes were merely my body rejecting the ambition to be perfect. Imperfection can be lovely. Just as there is beauty even in decay.

But now it is time to begin again.

Give My Regards to Eighth Street

"Imprisoned in every fat man a thin one is wildly signaling to be let out" - Cyril Connolly

Hide and Seek

Grace Emily... Tonight: 3/8/2010... 6pm... Exhibition by lovely friends. Alice Potter, Lucy Potter, and Jess Dare. I went to the Gray St. Gallery Open Day on Sunday where Jess and Alice work. A lovely space off Hallifax St. Adelaide where creative juices flow. Beautiful Glass work by Jess Dare, and secret lucky dip badges by Alice Potter carefully wrapped in newspaper...

Abracadabra

Derived from the Hebrew phrase: 'Abreq ad habra' meaning:

'Hurl your thunderbolt even unto death.'