Music is Life, Music is Therapy: Recent Episodes
J Meekon Music
Enjoy music of all sorts and like to create my own. I may not be very talented, but I have fun. Really enjoy the Soundcloud community - much of the music is exceptional! Very glad to be part of it. Thank you for any listens, any likes and any comments. I appreciate them all. Jim
A tune I had been messing about with for months - originally just a guitar and drone, but added a bit extra. The photo is a view from the Preselis over Cardigan Bay to the mountains in Eryri National Park on one of the clearest days I have ever seen.
Remixed version of Calm (For Emma) that I did a few years ago which I hope has improved things. Combines the great Albatross (Fleetwood Mac) and the sleep inducing Sailing By (Ronald Binge - used before the late night Shipping Forecast on radio 4). Hopefully can put any listeners in a calm mood leading up to Christmas. My wife Emma asked if it was possible to combine the two tunes and I think I have made a decent attempt here. UPDATED 14/12/2025
I don't often do outright jolly songs, but this is something I often play to cheer myself up. Thought I would add some extra stuff and post it.
Updated version (had tried to just amend the previous version, but it went wrong so had to upload a new version). Cut up and remixed - it's all the Stones, just not necessarily in the right order.
One of my favourite Beach Boys songs - especially the last minute. Was playing it in a Richie Havens style, with open D tuning (song is actually in C sharp). Decided to a do a version - nothing compared to the original, but it least it gave me a chance to sample the end of the song and extend it. Listen to the album Surf's Up. And sing along if you want to, because I can't... Feel the wind burn through my skinThe pain, the air is killing meFor years my limbs stretched to the skyA nest for birds to sit and singBut now my branches sufferAnd my leaves don't bear the glowThey did so long agoOne day I was full of lifeMy sap was rich and I was strongFrom seed to tree I grew so tallThrough wind and rain I could not fallBut now my branches sufferAnd my leaves don't offerPoetry to men of songTrees like me weren't meant to liveIf all this world can givePollution and slow deathOh Lord I lay me downNo life's left to be foundThere's nothing left for meTrees like me weren't meant to liveIf all this earth can giveIs pollutionTrees like me weren't meant to live(Oh Lord I lay me down)If all this earth can give(My branches to the ground)Is pollution and slow death(There's nothing left for me)Oh Lord I lay me downMy branches to the groundThere's nothing left for me(Jack Riley and Brian Wilson)
Slightly remixed and extended sampled version of Can't You Hear Me knocking I did a few years ago. It's all the Stones, I just moved a few bits around.
Based on 'Duran' by Miles Davis with snippets of 'Blues for Basie' by McCoy Tyler and some Ray Conniff for good measure (The Hustle/I Only Have Eyes For You and I Found Something New). Go listen to the originals of Duran and Blues for Basie.
A bit upbeat - Started as a riff used in the background of Lung Part 3 I need a fuzzy guitar solo after the break and before the horns - but I can't do one that works - any offers let me know. Or perhaps it just needs vocals?
A mix of Dolphins (Tim Buckley version) and There's Always Something There to Remind Me (Percy Faith version).
Simple tune - using Logic Pro bass effects. The Milk Thistle Conference is a signature drink at the Milk Thistle in Bristol, a rather lovely take on an Old Fashioned.
An interpretation of the tune 'Recollections' by Miles Davis off Big Fun. The real track is as near as Zen as I have heard.
A less upbeat track than of late - and a return to some of the sounds I have used on the minilogue XD previously (That Dark Voice...). Interpret what you want from the title and the tone of it.
I have always had a soft spot for easy listening and some of Ray Conniff song arrangements are just great. I have based this on 'I've Found Someone Of My Own' - ridiculous song, but just love the intro and music. Sampled it and then actually did the instrumentation myself with only samples at the start and in the drop. I have really enjoyed doing this and will likely do some more similar stuff (something else to do isn't it..).
Some fun with Darondo's 'Get Up Off Your Butt' and a little bit of One Note Samba by Percy Faith
Another track based on a sample - this time lifted from the start of the song Harmony by Ray Connif.
A beautiful song by Pharoah Sanders and Leon Thomas, but probably overlooked. I have done my usual twist on it - and made sure the added sounds are very electric and processed to contrast with the original music.
Samples from the album People Like Us by Mamas and Papas to create a summery little instrumental.
Created a tune - then thought bits of Sweet Believer by Mama Cass would fit well. Another song that can't be beat - she was such a great singer.
Bit of fun with Miles Runs the Voodoo Down from Bitches Brew. Listen to the original its much better! See this as a short trailer introduction.
A lament for the last year - for those I have lost and the friends who I haven't seen. The madness of 2020 soon to have its page turned. Onwards and upwards.
You don't have to go far from home to feel like you are on holiday - especially at this time. View west from Dryslwyn Castle, Carmarthenshire. It is all of ours.
My wife asked me to do something with Sailing By and Albatross - so I did. Something calming for the world during this stressful time. Emma took the photo too.
Built around the version of the song 'It Must Be Him' by Helen Forrest and the Harry James Orchestra (Readers Digest special). Best version of the song I have heard - love it.
Tune sampling various 70s classics I'm Gonna Make You A Star - David Essex Oxygene Part IV - Jean Michel Jarre Crazy Horses - The Osmonds Good Morning Judge - 10CC
Based on Windy Miller episode of Trumpton. Made for a friend for his Birthday. Updated 2021
Another bit of fun with the sampler and The Rolling Stones 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking?' from Sticky Fingers, a fantastic song. Slightly changed to make it all The Stones
Messing about with a sampler and this sort of just happened. Elements of Alone Again by Gilbert O'Sullivan. Almost upbeat / or is it?
Played this one evening whilst thinking on the passing of a good friend's father. Stepper is a house in Cornwall.
Messing about with this for years - needed something to do for 2020. Took the photo recently - never noticed the two characters below the window when I was in the room?
One chord sequence in four different themes that could fit in movies from the 80s, 70s, 60s, 50s.. well I think so anyway.
Atmosphere of three 19th century shipwrecks on the banks of the Afon Leri, in the Dovey Estuary, Ceredigion in the early 19th century
An instrumental version of the 'How Dare You' part 2 version of the Climate Change Denier
Always look at your surroundings. There is so much more to see than you think - nature & heritage. The picture is the underside of the tower at St David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire
A second tune based around a similar structure to 'The Climate Change Denier'. I have included the excellent Greta Thunberg speech from the recent UN meeting. I hope her speech makes a difference and continues to inspire younger generations and embarrass the older ones!
Another musical expression of the disbelief in corrupt governments and the destruction of the environment in favour of making short term profits and economic gains. I saw the image on a tweet responding to some Trumpism. Short-termism in favour of our descendants future.
A track based on an improvisation evening I did with Andy Isham in the mid 1990s - Andy on percussion and me on bowed acoustic guitar. Been messing about with it for years - probably change it again at some point. And another Invader mosaic from Ravenna, Italy.
Musical statement on the arrogance and absurdity of a bunch of people more concerned about short term effects on the economy and lining their own pocket rather than accepting the facts about climate change. They are ridiculously gambling that their ideas and concepts are correct and that all will be well in the future - most of them will be dead by the time it all goes to hell and there will be no one to be held accountable.
Song written by R.Blunt - Triune The version remixed is by Heinz Burt and the Wildboys and produced by Joe Meek from 1964 I love the song, and as there is a family connection with the producer - thought I would remix it to get the music back out there.
An uplifting song for future generations. Based on a phrase that no stable genius would ever need to say. Includes excerpts from the theme of the imaginary 80s TV show "Superstars of Narcissism, Racism, Misogyny and Bullsh*t".
A piece based on an improvisation. Somewhat different to my other stuff - more like Ginst Point.
A tune for insomniac cat lovers. Remixed because it was too harsh and thus not as relaxing as I intended And yet again so I could put my recently mended 12 string on it and generally remix it / change a few things