No surprise to see the bluetits diving into the mist to reach their breakfast at the bird feeder. The foghorn had woken me in the night, almost vocal in the stillness.
Early this morning, the beach was a slow hushed symphony. All sounds muted. The waves shushing one side of my face, a distant hammer on the dead weight of metal, sporadic traffic seemingly in no rush to get anywhere, and that haunting pulsing wail of the foghorn, one every 6 steps.
The camera didn't much like it, behaved as if there was nothing to see. And there wasn't really, just me disappearing into the mist, walking away from my own scrunching footsteps onto a scrape of sand, the prints of my shoes proving that I was there.
The breeze was brighter in my face as I turned for home, every seventh wave more reckless as the tide pushed in. I have a big gig tonight, am trying to distract myself from a sense of time that seems to have slumped into a slow drudge. Things to do, but not many, more a case of clearing my head so I'm ready for later.
Maggie Nicols is one of the greats of vocal improvisation, having been active on the European jazz scene since the 60's. I'm playing in a quintet with her tonight, and as you can imagine, I've thought about nothing else for quite some time!! This is a big one, so no wonder my violin sounds like it swallowed a bird that it's saving to release later.
Most of you are too far away to come and join us tonight. Sometimes, I wonder if it's just really annoying to hear me mention shows you could never go to, but I like to think that some of you are here with me in spirit. But if you're in Brighton, here's the link to all the info.
13 comments:
the evening sounds exciting!
have read that the more water particles in the air, telescopes and cameras just can't figure out the view. the eye is all happy and the camera can't figure why we want to shoot a wall of white grey.
enjoy tonight.
Annie, of course I wish I could be there tonight, but there are so many people across the globe who feel the same, I'm sure, there wouldn't be room for all of us! Do enjoy the evening. I love the description of walking through the mist and the sound of the waves...I can smell the sea air! Enjoy!
Hi mansuetude, That's interesting to hear. Cameras and eyes can have such different views of the world. Amazed that anything came out in today's mist. Thanks for your good wishes.
Hi Patti. Well, thanks for the reminder. You're right - it is quite a small room!! Maybe if I ever play a huge venue I can bring you all along!! It was an oddly atmospheric walk this morning, but such a quiet way to start a day that's going to get very noisy later. Pleased you could smell the sea air so far inland.
Oh, Annie, I don't find it annoying at all to receive "virtual invites" to your gigs! I love imagining it all... the music, the words, the people's faces, the clink of glasses, the smell of good beer, the occasional drift of fresh air as the door opens & closes.
Play on!
Hi Lyn. Hey, you must have known - the beer was particularly good tonight, one I hadn't tried before called Festive. Lots of other good bits as well and some new people who took the time to come and chat afterwards. And now, that lovely wide awake after gig feeling, gazing into space over a piece of toast, thinking about nothing in particular ....
extreme excitement for you! a big gig, yes!! passing the time enclosed in a mist - your own cocoon - very calming, the best, xo
Hi Jeane. Wow, the excitement reached a long way!! That's good to hear. The fog was an unexpected start to my day, but was a perfect way for me to take things slower than I would have done otherwise. Hadn't thought of it as my own cocoon. Nice image. Ax
Can I borrow this phrase 'my violin sounds like it swallowed a bird that it's saving to release later'? - it's packed with magic and maybe if I play with it in my notebook it might show me it's tricks. Of course I'll share with you anything I come up with!
Hi Jem. That's really nice that it rings for you. Yes, of course. I'm in search of a bit of writing magic myself after lots of hard work that has worn me out, so maybe I should use it as a prompt as well and just get cracking? You have my email if you want to use that instead of here. Thanks for asking me.
Annie - what a great way to clear the brain. A walk by the sea in the fog sounds magical to me here in landlocked CO! I am hearing wind today, too - very gusty with wind chills in the teens! I hope your gig went well.
Hi Barb. Thanks for dropping by. It was a wonderful start to the day!! I know you're landlocked, but you're surrounded by wonderful wilderness that I would love to just head into. If only we could swap for a while?!! Hope things warm up for you soon.
Hearing about your gigs stirs up a little of that anticipatory excitement I used to feel as a child before going to the theater to watch something special. I can remember such a feeling just before going to the ballet, Sylvia.
Hi Robyn. That's such a lovely memory. I can remember some local and amateur shows I went to before I could play and they really made an impression. Thanks for reminding me.
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