Today’s podcast takes the listener to America. You will listen to Angela’s – Claudine’s and Ian’s anecdotes of travelling in America. Of course there will be laughs a’plenty during the hour conversation: Go to: Texas SanFrancisco Hot Springs And New Orleans Listen to the Podcast: More About Claudine Earth Tree Healing Multi-instrumentalist/Composer Claudine West… via Random […]
There has never a better time to bring good healing music into this world than right now, when the very fabric of all that we once knew is being torn apart, by a lust for power, enabled by fear and negativity. Now with albums like this the gentle fight back of love and light will rise up, and this could well be the musical backdrop with which it happens.
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Western Mystical Tradition is the latest release by Earth Tree Healing, who took us on a fine journey with Goddess earlier this year. This voyage of plenty starts with a lively short form musical introduction entitled Capodastro.
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At this point we are delivered a composition which must be one of the best in this genre I have heard for years. The track is called Ethereal Sunset 432 Hz, the sound of the universe sweeps over our senses; this is the most beautiful piece of music that you’re ever likely to hear, the vibrational tone works for me, bringing chills to each and every hair on my arms, and the major minor chord structures, along with the build and progression here is utter quality, so much so I never wanted it to end.
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Only twice have I see this actually occur, firstly the track is Murmuration and secondly for those who do not know, this refers to the phenomenon that results when hundreds, sometimes thousands, of starlings fly in swooping, intricately coordinated patterns through the sky. The swirling sounds and clever narrative on keyboards is absolutely perfect for this occurrence and one that is deeply fascinating to listen to.
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On Mantra we are right in my ball park, to coin a phrase, or even an Americanism, the eastern values are strong here, but there is also an extremely cleverly crafted guitar, aiding what I think is a harmonium. When we gather the energies all together, a careful beat and percussive ethic joins this musical fray and completes a composition that almost takes me back to the late 60’s.
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We are now nudging the middle of the album and some sumptuous acoustic guitar and a delicate keyboard greet our ever eager ears, as we herald the arrival of the track Sorrow of Souls, the further addition of strings here just creates a further lush dimension of sound to revel within.
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Archipelago is our next docking port, and the gentle sea can be heard lapping up onto its shores. We have many stretches of water further west of us that have many small islands and a beautiful site it is as well. The multiinstrumental nature of this track alone is so well performed, and with such a mindful sense of balance as well, one can easily picture this scene through the music and be simply swept away by its overall chill out nature, a totally divine offering indeed.
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The shortest track off the album is this one called Motion of the Moon, but even at only just over two and a half minutes long, it is one heck of an attractive offering, especially the performance on guitar in partnership the keyboards, one that manifested something quite graphic and addictive for us all.
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We have three long form pieces now, so to our first spacious room of tone and vibration and it is called Orbital Ghosts, we now see a vast realm of musical brilliance open up before us, one so deep, yet bathed in a spectacular calmness of utter ambience. At just under ten minutes this breath-taking opus seems to drift over our senses like a late autumn mist, across a deep and dark lake, we are never quite sure what may or may not happen next, but the hovering anticipation of the keyboards and synths are just absolutely sublime.
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Our longest track on the album is the following composition entitled Zodiacal Light. It partners the previous offering perfectly, but now also has that certain Kevin Kendle, super space music vibe about it as well. One could easily feel themselves floating up into the darkness of space to this one, perhaps even to watch the lights from the Orion nebula themselves. Synths and keyboards are the ship we now traverse the universe in, and the sublime sense of being able to just float within this composition is idyllic, if this track had lasted a whole hour I would not have minded.
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Our penultimate piece is called Moonlight Arc, music akin to watching the moon rise on some distant world, a veritable soundtrack for this magical moment, the deep bass sound here was so incredible, the slowness was literally the arc of light gently rising to its zenith, this for me was one of my personal favourites on the album, and one that manifested something so very emotive and powerful as well.
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Eulogy is our very last offering, a solo piano piece that takes us out of an album that has been incredibly impressive, a fine ending to a sublimely crafted and quite stunning release. Western Mystical Tradition by Earth Tree Healing in my view is the best work so far by the artist, each and every composition, each and every work of art is gratefully received by these ever eager ears; this must go down as one of the most remarkable new age styled albums to have been released this year, one I have absolutely no problem recommending.
Surrounded by storm sea surges, snow sprinklings and a panic winter press sensationalism. I’ve sat in my little music cave Claudsville Studios. With some instrumental ‘rumpy pumpy’ the first of my new born kids being dropped off at the pool is Mantaray. This embryonic adventure into haunting piano and loops, Fender guitar expelling mellow cries into the night air for alternative progression on this track. With recording equipment situated on my old Reiki treatment couch (for the vibes) I sat in the glow of a salt lamp with a Crassula Ovata (money plant) for company, while the love of my life slept in the next room. As she stirred in slumber, she believed she was sweet dreaming, listening to my early morning vocal take yawns, harmonies and lyric editing as I progressed. With an oceanic theme around rescue. The song explores the burden of love. A song that arouses from the deep blue ocean then grabs souls with its undertow. This track is number 1 of a new solo album in progress. I’ll add each song as they unfold. Under the Stephen Fry inspired working title of ‘Babbling Merchant of Drivel’ progress is inspired in a Rue Morgue kind of way.
I’m currently in the middle of recording Strange Currencies album ‘Making Monsters’ So it a very musically indulgent time. Pretty darn cool actually.  I’ve spent the last 2 evening sessions suffering low mood and  red light fever recording the acoustic guitar parts for ‘Stay Down Kid.’ My one take wonders rule left me for dust! With cats jumping all over the studio during takes, and sore fingers. I’m hoping next weeks session will tell a different story. Luckily the swearing flowed like warm pee then the boiling hormonal blood ran free and with a little assistance from some garnet gemstone in my shorts pocket. I kind of nailed it last night. We had recorded a live version to work to. PP Johnson liked his live vocals. So as I’ve just D.I.’d the acoustic. I’ve had to overdub it and mic my trusty ‘Taylor’ up.  A song that has been played loads live with my eyes closed… Well.. maybe I should have swapped mugs of tea and vitamin water for Rum. But I think its kind of there ready for mix and master. As this album evolves.. getting the right balance of ballad, funky, poptarty, dirty, distorted and hints of country. Even though I know it will work out great in the end. I learn Logic Pro X as I go. The January blues will depart and be looked upon kindly as a productive time in the darkness.
Whispers on the waves of silence I sensed the love in buoyance In the eye of a hurricane Our ship sails for America A vortex where the renegade goes This riptide rides the ebb and flow Chorus Jettison flames This cargo is killing me Mantaray Set me free Verse 2 Those that inspire me, desire me I’m certain of the dance Lethal switchblades and urban food chains  Bridge The world lights up and jettisons The embers burned you, The embers burned you, The embers burned you,Â
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Verse 3Â I buried myself in the Earth To seek what it was worth I carried strength and faith around Buried scars and saviours I quit the bad behaviours I stopped this drowning before it took you down
Released January 9, 2017
Written, performed and recorded by Claudine West 2017
Oh yes we made it! The mid-season break for us is the opposite of a writers strike. With a 2 week break over the holidays and New Year. 2016 had killed my Banjo. (A new Hercules triple whammy guitar stand purchased for out of its case protection) catching up with sleep, countless games of drunken ‘New market’ and ‘Cards Against Humanity’ and indulging the sick horror of human nature when prompted.  Arse sitting whisky a go go was a luxury. When the over indulgence ended and the toilet rolls depleted, the detoxes began. Armed with a Garnet stone for creativity. 2 New Age albums ready to go in 2017. I began more work on the backing tracks for the new album. Plans as of this blog are: Making Monsters by Strange Currencies. It’s useful to lock ‘oneself’ away during the darkened months. I don’t get ‘SAD’ I get ‘Gutted’ =’ Godforsaken Unadulterated Traumatic Tedious Exhausting Darkness’
Pumped up with extra vitamin D complexities. Strange algae and red berry concoctions downed inspired by some doctor on my face book feed turned. Ones PP into rainbow bright droplets of strange waz. After a fleeting though of knowing now what I didn’t then ‘should I have not done ‘normal’ day jobs and dedicated myself to music full time when younger with gigging. Not drank, smoked, got stoned and let my shyness and rage rule too much.’ But then again I wrote and recorded loads. https://bogwoppit.bandcamp.com/   So not time wasted. But you see now. As my only left addictions to crisps and chocolate fade after getting some dietitian help. I looked at my  video reflection on facetime last night and thought no no NO!
I’d hoped for a quiet return to the day job into 2017. https://strangecu.wordpress.com/2016/12/13/into-2017-strange-currencies/ This was marred by it not being quiet. Organised chaos where everybody pulls out the stops to help out. I like my NHS job. It is rewarding when you can help make a difference….. and never boring. I might ache from running about miles of corridors after ‘slothing’ on my hols. Regret purchasing the ‘on sale’  £21 walking shoes that basically shit. I’ll stick to my Nikes and shoes for office/ meeting days. Luckily my trouser still button up and I can bend over without splitting my britches!
I regress… So plans in motion for a video for American Saviour. Really.. Really soon. The album is taking shape over evenings and weekends. Got some late January gigs with Strange Currencies. The 30 min set has been chopped and honed. Last year we tested various songs; have buried the ones that got less reaction from the people ignoring us on stage.  We’ve got a set that we like playing more now.
Big thank you to Andrew Neil for some inspiring advice and opportunities via his Facebook feeds.
We’ve had a lot of fun on Acacia Radiohttp://acaciaradioaw.weebly.com/Big thanks to Ian Hales, Shaun and Lucas Jackson. Interviews and live songs without swearing of to many FCUK ups. I even shocked myself doing Xmas songs with enthusiasm.  I was even in a good mood and excited! Little Donkey and Jingle Bells all the way baby! https://www.facebook.com/strangecu/videos/1136161273172057/
The last time I dressed as Santa ended up being my last gig. I quit the band  that I’d  cofounded and put so much creative effort into a decade earlier. So the curse of Xmas jumpers… Only time will tell 😉 Jesus seriously doesn’t want me for a sunbeam.
Doing the amount of gigs we did from July 2016 https://strangecu.wordpress.com/gigs/  (as well as a full time day job and recording an EP.) At times the enthusiasm to play live after a long day was hard, tempers were tested, moods low. Well there were times when I just wanted to walk away and quit. As did PP Johnson. But. Then we’d have a good gig. The bad gigs when we played to the bar staff or crowds with their back to us were atypical of the growing expectation for musicians in the wrong venues to be background noise or karaoke with a guitar. There were nights after a long day I was tired and questioning, full of PMT and just want to cozy up with the Walking Dead. Resilience gets one through. The drive to achieve and surprise myself is strong like the force. My strumming fingernail has still not recovered and I’ve had to resort to more plectrum usage when used to my usual finger picking style.  Evolving….
I love technology. Xmas also produced make over  app fun! (My zombify pictures of Ange over xmas didn’t go down too well!)  But putting her Dad who had fallen asleep and provided an opportunity… Alan in make up and wigs did!
Then I went blond
Then we went to Harry Potter World
The end…..of 2016
Into 2017…
Onto the album Making Monsters
I’ve just bought a £23 self-assembly blues cigar guitar. I’ll be indulging along with the sitar to use on recordings this year. It’s very easy to get caught up with loops when in studio. American Saviour began as a mess about around the punch line. ‘Ride The Pony’ That Ange (My Wifey) and I were going to do for a piss take. We have some tracks nearly ready such as ‘Stay Down Kid.’ Originally a riff from one of my own ‘Sonic World’ reworked. I’m quite excited about Gypsy Disco. In Your World is a loopy starter for ten. The first batch is nearly there for final vocal takes. ‘This Girl’ is a haunting piano ballad. ‘Automatic’ is currently a bone of contention. The song ‘Making Monsters’ is near.    There is a new song ‘Mantaray’ that I’ve done some vocals on. This may end up on my next solo ‘Claudine West’ album though. There is a duet under the working title ‘Twosome’ about to be written. I’ve initially recorded a backing track and submitted some lyrics and concept ideas that may well be scrapped. I imagined a dark ‘Islands in the Stream’ around obsession and blame, about a lover and bit of a motherFCUKer that loses the plot and murders the man she is having an affair with. We will see what the next few months produce. PP Johnson has been producing lyrics and ideas.  I do love the writing and recording process. Big Thanks again to Angela Barker. Who organises, manages, drives, rodies, networks, gets the sh1t, gets the drinks at the bar and much more.  We are not easy Divas 😉
We spend the end of 2016 watching the winter sun setting in Portsmouth. Its rather lovely sat on a beach with a cup of tea readying for new musical adventures…
 I made this journey in 2016. Connecting with Angels. Channelling feelings, energy, wisdom. Their insights into a beautiful realm, earthbound, skywards. The heavenly vibrations. As a composer I meditated and let the notes and beauty of this work simply flow. My intentions are for you the listener to experience a blissful soundscape that enables connection, divine messages, relaxation and healing.  Enjoy – Claudine West 2016
Available on digital stores inc. Spotify, Deezer, Amazon.
Angels surround us. Watch upon us. Protect, advise, comfort. When I call upon Archangels. I sit, I close my eyes, I meditate. I dream, I see. I feel safe. I ask, I see answers. Music helps channel, music inspires, music unlocks. Music is creation and makes vibrations.  When you receive messages and experience divine beauty and guidance. Through your own belief system. You can access when you simply ask for help and guidance. Tap into the important messages. Enjoy.
Archangel Gabriel: Ask for guidance and messages, communication. Helps you to understand a situation.Â
1. Gabriel Awakens– Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACR1699776)
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Archange Michael:  Ask Michael for protection, for strength, truth and justice. Ask him for guidance.Â
 Archangel Raphael: Ask for healing of your mind, body and spirit.
3. Raphael’s Healing – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACR1699800)
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 Archangel Uriel: Ask for illumination, insight, wisdom and information.
4. Uriel’s Illuminations – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1641924)
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Archangel Raguel:  Ask for help with relationships, harmony, resolution of issues and problems. Empowerment to gain justice with a situation.
5. Raguel – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1642006)
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Archangel Ramiel: (Aka Jeremiel) – Ask Ramiel to show you divine visions. experience hope and dreams. Find your way and new ways to pave your future path.Â
6. Ramiel’s Divine Visions – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1642015)
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Archangel Azrael: Â Ask for help with Grief,Support with loss and comfort.
7. Azrael – Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1655029)
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8.Archangel Michael’s Protection (Reprise) –Â Earth Tree Healing (ISRC: TCACS1683926)
Claudine West Music 