a reflection on a species of 2 legged animals, who choose to call themselves Homo Sapiens, who actually ironically does not know despite the name and out of male ignorance and arrogance does not want to know about his greedy and power obsessed wrong doing, which will be inevitably fatal for this species and possibly even for the mother planet, spaceship Earth, if not corrected soon by stopping the wicked over-creation.
Roots Jazz Poetry – an ethno-ambient music performance
(sound meets words meet rhythm)
by Thomas Wiegandt + Ailin Becker
a poetical journey through sound and rhythm to the origins of Jazz many centuries ago back in West Africa.
Multi-instrumentalists Thomas Wiegandt and Ailin Becker will play acoustic ethno-ambient music to conjure up the spirit music from long time ago, the music of the ancestors. Jazz originates from West African village music and dance which still is happening in remote parts as the community gathers in the evening in a village square after work for communal enjoyment and recreation. On a spiritual level, music and dance acknowledges the ancestors as guardians of the living.
The performance has been premiered at the Ballydehob Social Club during the Jazz Festival Ballydehob in 2012. A DVD will be available soon.
Songs
1. Going Back(with Bougarabou and percussion)
2. Trip or Journey(N’goni, main phrase 6/8, A D 7 10 7 || A D 3 3 D,basic groove A D A D with down slides in between, covered Bougarabou + shakers)
3. Business as usual?(slow bell pattern, wah on thigh, Maracas + Caxixi)
4. Body Soul Drum Spirit(Djembe swinging 6/8 pattern,| TtB*B* | TtBBB* | or: | BtTbTt | BtTtTt |Dondo: solo in between verses)
5. Roots(N’goni, pulse stroke, riff 3 2 D D || 2 D A A?bim – bom, Djembe+Bougarabou with soft beaters, shaker)
6. Words(dolfin Kalimba, bones)
7. A Drum Song(Bougarabou: DeGeDoGo, goat hooves + caxixi)
8. Song with no plan(N’goni riff: A 3 D 3 D A 33 D * )
9. Beyond beyond(Djembe – muffled with scarf or cover, KuKu-ish, dead bell)
10. Into Reverse(the whispering song) (BougaChon, ocarina 4, egg cutter, Kenia calimba)
11. Jazz(scarve muffled Bougarabou, 6/8 Jazz pattern like pa*dupa**,Maracas + Caxixi)
Going Back
(Going Back To The Beginning #1)
(Bougarabou, percussions)
(=) (spoken intro)
a friend once said to me:
we live in the privileged world
most of us here are white, right?
that’s why we can be seen easily in the night
never mind, never mind, never mind
you better loose your mind
at least for a while
loose your mind … that’s right!
(=) (Bougarabou 3s – dodededodada …)
(=) (sung)
cast your mind back
cast back your mind
you are on the right track
there’s so much too find (2x)
there’s so much too find
the eyes are wide open, you are not blind
(=) (caxixi) (spoken – descending voice)
walk down the old – the old spiral stairs
of the collective consciousness
collective consciousness
consciousness
(=) (caxixi stop)
one-ness – nothingness – naught !
(=) (Bougarabou stops)
(=) (rainstick-egg cutter-Kalimba-Ocarina 6)
(=) (sung)
yaaaaoooown – a new dawn
yawn – a new dawn
(=) (Bougarabou starts again in 3s)
(=) (caxixi + temple block)
we wake up centuries ago
back in Africa – back in Africa
no printed words – no printed numbers
no watch, no clock – no tick tock
tick tock – tick tock – no tick tock
centuries ago back in Africa
(=) (caxixi + temple block stop)
(=) (spoken)
when God made time
he made plenty of it
and it’s getting more all the time
no media back then, no screens back then no distractions – just life itself
(=) (goat hooves start)
just nature – plenty of it
roots and fruits
and spirits – plenty of them
the spirits of the ancestors
the ones that came before us
our creators – the ancestors
without the ancestors
there would be no creation
always remember
remember the ancestors
(=) (sung)
they speak thru drums
they speak thru bells
animals and plants
they speak as well (2x)
they speak mysterious words
mysterious words
(=) (spoken)
mysterious words
in another language
in a foreign tongue
(=) (goat hooves stop) (=) (sung)
I know – I don’t know (Bougarabou stops)
I know – I don’t know …
(=) (KonKeLo on red dead bell)
(=) (spoken)
the eternal language of always
for ever and ever and ever
always
plentiful, fearless and timeless
timeless, fearless and plentiful
always
language of the soul
no aim – no goal
for ever and ever and ever
(=) (sung)
being all one
here and beyond the sun
eternal waves, unstoppable rhythm
feel and listen – feel and listen
(=) (KonKeLo stops)
(=) (Bougarabou starts 4s – degedogo)
(=) (sung)
everything is moving – grooving
everyone is moving
(=) (caxixi) (=) (kind of rapping)
all are listening
taking in – listening
inside out – outside in
let’s begin – let’s spin
(=) (chanting)
around and around
in spirals and circles
around and around
spiraling out of control
no wanting anything
no aim – no goal
just feeling the body
and freeing the soul
around and around
and upside down
blissful smiles – no need to frown
around and around
in spirals and circles
around and around
loose your mind
all around
there’s so much to find
loose your mind
never mind – never mind
we can leave it all behind
when we choose to loose our mind
there’s so much to receive
there’s so much to retrieve
c’mon everybody join in
it’s communal healing
re-born with a new feeling (2x)
(=) (Bougarabou+ caxixi stop) (=) (spoken)
a blank slate – time to create
and a lot of space
(=) (pause) (=) (whispering)
space – space – space is the place
(=) (pause) (=) (take ocarina 6)
(=) (Bougarabou: BbTtTtT* || BbT*Tt** )
no need to rush – no need to run
we are not in a race (take ocarina 6)
time to be – time to be free
time to feel – time to be real
it’s up to you and me
no need to repeat – repeat repeatedly …
(=) (outro: rain stick + ocarina 6) or horns
Trip or Journey ?!
(Going Back To The Beginning #2)
(N’goni, play nice intro, swinging
main phrase 6/8, A D 7 10 7 || A D 3 3 D,
groove A D A D with down slides in between, covered Bougarabou + shakers)
(=) (spoken)
Well, I brought them there
I am a tour guide.
Now all of us are lying on the grass
inside a stone circle – in the sun.
(=) (sung)
sunny sunshine shining down on us
inside a stone circle lying on the grass
(=) (spoken)
a warm and light feeling
eyes closed – colours everywhere
(=) (sung)
floating through timeless spheres.
never shifting gear
(=) (solo) (spoken)
Years + years are passing faster + faster
and still there is something
within or without – without and within
Ihave not yet seen
(=) (sung)
I know – I don’t know – I know – I don’t know – I know …
Oh what a trip! – Oh what a journey!
I can easily loose myself in your eyes (2x)
no surprise – no surprise
and find myself again
inside my ear listening to the magic sounds
to all the magic sounds
listening to cosmic radio – cosmic radio
( D D 7 10 7 )
breathing in – freedom!
breathing out – beauty!
( A D D 3 D )
be you – be you – be yourself – be beautiful
beautiful, beautiful beauty
be you – be you – be you – be you
Oh what a trip! – Oh what a journey!
lying inside the magic stone circle
tuned to cosmic radio
we are about to return
we will leave the magic circle
we will return to the world!
(AD AD, 12 downslide)
business as usual ?
(Going Back To The Beginning #3)
(=) (slow bell pattern, wahwah on thigh, maracas, caxixi)
(=) (chanting)
Eile mit Weile, Eile mit Weile, …
Weile ohne Eile
(=) (sung)
there are easily so many excuses
not to do things the way we feel
but it is me and you who chooses
to decide right now to become real
why to continue with what feels strange
why repeat all over when we can change
after all I only have to slow down
I only need to slow down after all
to hear the call before I fall
to heed the call before I fall
no, no, no – no more busy-ness
no more business as usual
time to stop, time to sigh
time to be happy, time to cry
time to live, time to die
time to feel low, time to fly high
space is the place – the place to be
speed is often just fear or greed
separating me and you and you and me
separating you and you and me and me
now is the time to plant a new seed
to finally wake up to be happy and free
after all I only have to slow down
I only need to slow down after all
no, no, no – no more busy-ness
no more business as usual
(=) (chanting)
Eile mit Weile, Eile mit Weile, …
Weile ohne Eile (fade)
(=) (spoken)
you go nowhere – nowhere
nowhere in a rush
you go nowhere in a rush !
Body Soul Drum Spirit
(Going Back To The Beginning #4)
(=) (Djembe swinging 6/8 pattern,
| TtB*B* | TtBBB* | or: | BtTbTt | BtTtTt |
Dondo: solo between verses)
(=) (sung)
The spirit talks
from soul to soul
the spirit talks
the body moves
(=) (spoken)
it’s because
the drum is physical
the body moves
it’s because
the drum is spiritual
the spirit talks
talks to the soul
drum talk
spirit talk
drum spirit
spirit talk
moves the body
(=) (sung)
the drum talks
to me and you
the spirit moves
through me and you
Roots
(Going Back To The Beginning #5)
(N’goni, pulse stroke, 3 2 D D || 2 D A A
Djembe+Bougarabou soft beaters,shaker)
(=) (sung)
I’m going back to my roots
listening to the heartbeat
playing my drum
(=) (drum: DeGeDom*)
(=) (spoken)
I’m going back to my roots
loving my life
and having fun
I’m going back to my roots
taking my time
feeling fine
(=) (sung)
I’m going back to my roots
listening to the heartbeat
playing my drum
(=) (spoken)
you go nowhere in a rush
Words
(Going Back To The Beginning #6-not used)
(guitar riff Am G Dm? reggae-ish, F Am)
No one can create
reality with words
Action speaks
louder than words
Love is not a heart
Love is not a rose
Love is… beyond words
silence is magic
because there are no words
and when hearts sing
there is no need for words…
but then again…
the right word
at the right moment
is sometimes all it needs
A Drum Song
(Going Back To The Beginning #7)
(call and response, TtTtB*** || Tt*tB**t )
(=) (Bougarabou drum: DeGeDoGo, goat hooves + caxixi)
Every – everybody — everybody
Feel the spirit
moving you – moving me
feel the vibe of feeling free
Every – everybody
Every – everybody — everybody
Let your hands dance
on your drum in a trance
enjoy yourself – get up and dance
Every – everybody
Every – everybody — everybody
I hear the rhythm of my heart
please join in and play your part
c’mon let’s make a start
Every – everybody
Every – everybody — everybody
Move to the groove
feel your feet – feel the heat
loose your mind – never mind
Every – everybody
Every – everybody — everybody
enjoy life – have some fun
dance – in the rain
dance – in the sun
dance while you can
and let’s be one
it can be done
Every – everybody
(=) (“universal” 4/4 drum pattern: De*De*De*DeGe*DeGe*Do*Do*
Song With No Plan
(Going Back To The Beginning #8)
(=) (N’goni riff: A 3 D 3 D A 33 D * )
(=) (intro)
song with no plan (2x) (riff)
no paper, no pen ( D 33 55 )
no control, no aim, no goal (7 77 | 7 5 55)
let it flow, let it flow, let it flow (5 3 D )
let go (A 3 D )
a song with no plan (2x) (riff)
no paper, no pen ( D 33 55 )
make it up as you go along (7 77 | 7 5 55)
that can’t be wrong (5 3 D )
can’t be wrong (A 3 D )
there is a magic spell (riff)
inside the well (riff)
there is a magic well ( D 33 55 )
inside the spell ( D 33 55 )
just ring the bell (2x) (riff)
I might as well (D 5 77)
leave my shell (3 55)
ride the cosmic swell (riff)
inside the well (riff)
ride the cosmic swell (riff)
inside the well (riff) (=) (outro)
Beyond beyond
(Going Back To The Beginning #9)
(Djembe-scarf or cover muffled , KuKu-ish, dead bell)
(=) (sung)
I have nothing to tell you (3x)
(=) (spoken)
everyone can listen
into the emptiness
into empty space
to Cosmic Radio
it all can be found
found in waves and sound
somehow – anyhow
(=) (sung)
I have nothing to tell you (3x)
(=) (spoken)
no one can influence us:
we decide ourselves
we can feel
any vibration
anytime
it’s all there – everywhere
it’s there all the time
if we take our time
it’s our time right now
it always has been our time
it’s our time anyway
(=) (sung)
I have nothing to tell you (3x)
(=) (spoken)
there is no message
that is the message
that there is no message
we can trust each other
we can free our mind
everyday in any way
it’s up to us
(=) (sung)
I have nothing to tell you (3x)
(=) (spoken)
if we
to feel
we can think beyond
and then feel beyond beyond
even further then beyond
I mean we can decide to wake up now
and realize we are actually here
against the odds
right here
somehow – anyway
having travelled
beyond beyond
having finally arrived
right here – right now
after having embraced
any sound – any vibration
any wave – any sensation
beyond beyond is right here – right now
anyway …
(=) (sung)
let go, let it go
let it flow – beyond beyond
Into Reverse (the whispering song)
(Going Back To The Beginning #10)
(=) (intro ocarina4, egg slice, Kenia calimba)
(=) (whispering)
going back
going backwards
going back backwards
(=) (spoken)
and moving upwards
moving upwards
(=) (BougaChon starts 4/4 degedogo)
(=) (chanting)
uphill through the jungle
through the jungle
of another dream
following a stream
of whispering voices
(=) (spoken)
eventually reaching higher ground
and a clearing on top of the hill
(=) (BougaChon stops, shakers start)
(=) (spoken)
the place of the spirit
and the ancient vibrations
felt and left behind by the ones
that came here before us
(=) (pause) (=) (horns)
(=) (BougaChon) (=) (chanting)
going back
all the way back
going back
back to the beginning
back to the source
where clear water streams out of the earth
(=) (whispering)
and the ones that created us
keep whispering repetitive words
repetitive words into the wind
the wind is telling us to listen to our ears
listening to the inner ear
(=) (spoken)
forget all fear
listen to the ear
forget all fear
(=) (BougaChon stops)
and stop making sense
Jazz
(tapping a 6/8 Jazz pattern on a table)
(Going Back To The Beginning #11)
(=) (scarve muffled Bougarabou, 6/8 Jazz pattern like pa*dupa**)
(=) (spoken)
what is Jazz
it’s everybody’s guess
yes
this must be Jazz
more or less
yes
but how to carry on?
com’on, com’on, com’on!
yes, you know
let go, let go
and let it flow
this must be Jazz
more or less
yes
it’s our turn
to improvise
we can learn
to sympathize
and I like to emphasize:
there’s no need for disguise
this must be Jazz
more or less
yes
there is a chance
get up and dance
drop the defense
it makes no sense
yes, yes, we know, we know
we all know
yes we can jump over this fence
yes, yes, yes (fade out)
this must be Jazz
more or less
yes