Sound Diary
Sound Diary contains news and unedited recordings of improvised piano compositions created in response to the stories of the day.
Piano Sailing
21 Feb 2012
'What fun - a windy day, the sun poking out from time to time behind the clouds. If I were sailing this is one of those quick round the course days. I really enjoy playing the piano and this moment captures the sound and feeling of sailing around the piano.'
‘Happy Valentines Day!
14 Feb 2012
'Happy Valentines Day! I don't think this is a hallmark moment at all. Today my gorgeous girlfriend came home with a bunch of roses. We both remarked that it would be nice to give one of my roses to our lovely neighbour next door, so we did - upon greeting her and delivering the single rose, we all descended into tears.. such a cute little moment as she's on her own these days and we wanted her to feel less so. I chose this track for this podcast because it was lovely and hopeful and cheering.'
Old Ideas
07 Feb 2012
'I'm loving 2012 .. I composed this collection of notes a few years back and got stuck into them again today. Every so often it's wonderful to replay your old ideas!'
Happy New Year
24 Jan 2012
Welcome to the year of the Dragon! Just a little piano noodle. Please share with noodling lovers.
Silent Night
21 Dec 2011
I think the hardest thing to shake is a habit. As a musician I play christmas carols and tunes habitually at this time of the year. It's something I am drawn to because they are simple and of course they are genuine crowd pleasers because everyone knows them. So Silent Night to one and all. If you like this tune - follow the music link and download my gift of a few more Christmas recordings from the new release - A very Charlie Chan Christmas.
Have a Safe and Peaceful holiday season.
Soundtrack for a wet rainy day
06 Dec 2011
It's been raining again, an unmistakable sound on a tin roof and a welcome relief on a hot summer day. I like how dark it can get before a storm, a close friend has a great expression, "its coming over dirty". Well it sure has the last few days!
A Charlie Chan Fanfare
29 Nov 2011
A Charlie Chan Fanfare - I first recorded this piece nearly 6 years ago, to me it sounds like an open tuned guitar. I love it all those overtones everywhere. A close friend asked why i seem to play in introspective keys so I immediately played this piece in D Major, just to be contrary! Nice to revisit old musical friends, one can always touch the notes differently given some time.
White Horse
24 Nov 2011
I live in Balmain, an incredible part of Sydney steeped in maritime history. I truly enjoy the words used in sailing and their interesting origins. There are loads of connections to sea and boats around Balmain.
White Horse Point - Elkington Park Balmain, it's called this for 2 possible reasons. One, Captain Thunderbolt road off to freedom after escaping and swimming to the aforementioned park from Cockatoo Island Prison and two, the white caps on the water off the point look like white horses. I much prefer the first reason but the second is poetic for other reasons!
So this piece of music .. White Horse because when your sailing around Cockatoo Island - well, you sometimes ride waves with white tops. This music feels like this sort of sailing. I hope you get a sense of Balmain and White Horse Point when you are listening.
Paradise
25 Sep 2011
A new recording of my composition Paradise on the bosendorfer. I am amazed at how many different ways I can play the same notes.
Feeling Peaceful
14 Sep 2011
Today - I am inspired by spring, feeling peaceful and the idea of relationships being potential for learning.
Inspired by Igor
07 Sep 2011
Today - I am inspired by Igor Stravinsky. I don't think I got that close, but it's a great start!