It is one of the joys of my life that: people who connect with my music and art sometimes make things inspired by them and send them to me.
These things come in all shapes and sizes. Paintings, novellas, choreographed dance works, jewellery, poetry, video, trippy audio files… you name it.
I find them all pretty damn cool – how could I not? But I’ve never posted any of them online.
Until today.
Early this morning, along with my coffee, I fired up Twitter and found this waiting for me:
(The text reads: “She asked: where is the love? They replied: ‘Love is in the river.'”)
I love it. I think it is a certain kind of perfect.
It was made by a young French-Algerian lady named, Kenza Chikh (@KenzaChikh on Twitter) who included a note with it saying: she had been inspired by my track ‘River’ and had sketched this while listening. She also apologised for the quality, as she had no power last night and had sketched it by candlelight.
Which made it even more beautiful.
It totally captured my imagination so I wanted to share it with y’all as soon as I could (which is why I am hammering out this blog before heading back into the studio.)
And, just in case you’re new to the party, here is the track that it was inspired by:
‘River’ is a track from my first album ‘I’ which I recorded on a battered laptop in a room during a year of solid work (mostly after midnight). The album was an experiment and a massive learning curve for me – beautiful and painful in equal degree – because I had set myself the task of doing absolutely everything (writing, playing, engineering, mastering, production etc) on my own.
In terms of audio quality it is not great at all. But the pieces are honest, the arrangements are beautiful and organic, and I can still listen to it – which makes it a success in my book. (Plus it’s how I: built my chops, found my initial audience, and started making a real living thru art, so how could I not love it). ;-)
Let me know what you think of this post. If enough people like it then I may start posting more of the fan-art I get sent.
Big love, big hug, have a good one.
J
(P.S. Oh, The new record is coming along very well ;-) )
#Soon
I clicked because I really liked the artwork but I your song was neat too :)
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Makes me happy. You are very sweet, Thankyou.
Have a great day,
– J
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James, I wrote you a poem, “Perchance A Cup”, to accompany the photo of my coffee “percolater” (hee-hee) I took, so you could see it! Also, I went over to Soundcloud and listened to your songs. Invocation is so amazing; I love it. I have a little playlist called “Special Songs” and I would love to be able to put your songs on them. Do you allow others to stream your work? And if so, would you allow me?
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Hey there,
Thankyou so much for your kind words and the poem. Really glad you like the music – wait until you hear the stuff I am finishing up now! It is pretty special (if I do say so myself ;-)
Please feel free to add my songs to your playlist, stream away – and thankyou very much for asking, it is appreciated.
Have a great day you,
– J
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Wow. I’m so happy! Thanks so much. Invocation is so awesome, and River is really great! New fan! They’ll be in my list soon. Need to travel and top off my battery, so maybe in a day or two! Thanks again! Your new stuff is gonna be awesome! :)
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Thanks so much, your comment has brought a smile to my face!
Are you on the mailing list yet? I build it for people like you. ;-)
If not, here is the address: http://jamesradcliffe.email/
Thanks again, and have a great day,
– J
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Yes; I’d already joined it. Your songs join the two lovely selections (“Hallelujah”, and the BEST version of “Merry Little Christmas” I have ever heard, anywhere!) I’ve chosen from Tosha Michelle’s collection at my “Special Songs” playlist. I’ll be eagerly anticipating your latest sets! Can’t wait for their release! :) I’ll ask in advance: Will you let us do reblogs, if/when you post about it? Thanks, again!
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That’s great ;-)
Thankyou very much, I am obviously in very good company.
Absolutely reblog anything and everything you want, sharing my stuff really helps me out.
Hope your Friday is a good one,
Be well,
– J
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Thank you, James! Enjoy life, music, and all good to you. :)
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I will indeed ;-)
Keep an eye out tomorrow – On the blog, and on your mail. Something *may* be going to happen.
But, this is a secret. So, shhhhhh. OK? ;-)
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HEY, YOU GUYS!!!! DID YOU KNOW THAT… Oh, wait … What??? Mum?
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;-)
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Beautiful music
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Thanks, I made it for you ;-)
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That’s beautifully appreciated! Ii’s wonderful to find a connectedness that makes you sing. As it wends its way through the nodes to reach all, it will bring joy to the many more it continues to encounter.
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It really is a thing of beauty.
Couldn’t agree more ;-)
Have a good one, and thankyou for stopping by,
– J
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It’s a wonderful moment when inspiration takes on this kind of meaning. You inspired her and now she in return inspires many others, myself included. Thank you for sharing your space.
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Thankyou very much for taking the time to read, and to comment ;-)
Have a good one,
– J
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The thing that I like about this song is the emotion that comes across in it. I listen to a lot of the latest hits and don’t hear this kind of emotion and originality.
I like the art you shared. I can see how she was inspired by your song. Her art conveys what I hear in your song.
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Thankyou very much. This means a great deal to me. It is why I do what I do.
Have a great day, thanks for taking the time,
– J
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Interesting. You can definitely multi-task. The music is electric and I’ll definitely take time to read more of your blogs. You are a true artist!
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Wow, Thankyou very much. You are very kind.
Have a great day you,
– J
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I think it’s marvelous. Also a great way to reintroduce some of your musical endeavors. Beautiful.
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Thanks a lot. I think so too.
And thanks for your kind words about the music, I really appreciate it.
Have a good one,
– J
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Reblogged this.
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Thanks a lot for sharing this, really glad you liked it.
Have a good one,
– J
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Inspiration comes from anywhere. I started writing a trilogy after the idea for it was sparked by watching Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer’s Curse.
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Indeed it can. ;-)
Interesting pull my friend. Have a good one,
– J
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