Some Italy Pics.

Serge playing guitar on the devising day.

The guys playing in the park for the documentary filming. Crowds gathered when they played and applauded their music. I lay in the Italian sun, enjoying the show and taking my artistic director role very seriously.

Antoine being interviewed for the documentary.

Frederico was my jovial host in Italy. He organised the recording and also worked with Barbara on the Italian documentary. He informed me a great deal about Italian politics. Here in Warsaw there is also a great deal of talking about politics. I wonder if there will be such in talking in Berlin, they certainly don't talk like this much in England.

This is Barbara one of the Italian film makers. She was also a very good translator. Barabara is lucky to live in the part of Venice we know from movies and Cornetto adverts.

Italy Musicians

Well, I am in an internet cafe in Warsaw posting information about the Italy musicians. Should have had it up sooner but was very busy with the Sound It Out Elements concert in Sandwell and Dudley.

The Italy musicians where four very talented guys from Congo. They sang harmonies mainly in the call and response format particular to African music and accompanied themselves on drums. On the recording the play congas, bongos and clave but I found they could turn their percussive skills to any thing that made a good sound when beat.

Left to right, Raymond, Jacques, Serge and Antoine.

The main theme of their music was their Christian religion. I would normally feel a bit uncomfortable with religious music but these guys where so good and performed with such conviction that any such qualms evaporated instantly. The guys work during the week in various jobs and had given up their weekend to come and do the project with us. Serge was actually a teacher in Congo but works in a car mechanics in Italy. I think in most societies people from low income backgrounds are severely restricted in chances of self development or making a contribution to society that befits their intellectual abilities. For refugees I suspect the situation is much more difficult and people with specific talents and skills will find it hard to make best use of them. The Congo musicians in Italy where charismatic and joyful and I sincerely hope things work out well for them.

Off to Warsaw

Ok, I have been to Italy and recorded four very talented Congolese musicians. Some of this was over the existing Birmingham tracks and one track of the guys on their own. I have pictures to upload of the Italian musicians and film makers and will do so whilst in Poland! I am off to Warsaw tommorrow for six days and then heading to Berlin to finish the project.

Obviously I'm very excited and looking forward to seeing Warsaw and Berlin for the first time. I am also keen to do a very good job on the project and have done quite a bit of prep on the existing audio. I am intending to update the blog whilst out there so keep checking back in the next few weeks.