On the other side of me was a new boy...well I say new boy, Albert looked more like Private Godfrey from Dad's Army than the real Arnold Ridley did and he told me he was a practised chorister in his home county of North Yorkshire.
" I'm not used to singing without a piano !" He confided to me just after Jamie ,the twelve year old choirmaster had got us up singing another Swahili hymn " and I can't do the footwork either I've just had me bunions done..!" he added as the more energetic choir members clapped and stamped their feet in time to the music
This morning I almost missed a hospital clinic appointment as I was listening to my iPad in order to get my "dum-de-dums" right for the African/ American Soul Wind, so much so the support worker told me off for not paying attention
Never let it be said I don't try.
I'll leave you with a quick video , just shot. It's a blustery day and Mary and I have just been out above the village to blow away the cobwebs
Thank goodness the zipwire run wasn't booked for today ! Thank you all again for your "last minute" donations on line and via the post directly to our centre in Rhyl. The treasurer has been somewhat overwhelmed with the response and has been greatly moved by the accompanying cards and letters
And finally I must also say a big thank you to my sister who I know left an large anonymous donation on line this morning, she and my other sister may be there next Wednesday when We finally do the deed
Last minute donations can be left on line at
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/johngray1
Pay pal at jgsheffield@hotmail.com
Or by post directly to Samaritans Rhyl and NE Wales, 23 Bedford Street, Rhyl LL181SY
With postal donations , gift aid etc we would have raised going on 4, 500 € thank you!
The wind is a bit scary up here in Middlesbrough too. Stay safe John. x
ReplyDeleteMiddlesbrough? That's where I this time last week - going to CineWorld to see 'American Animals'. was in the area actually visiting my 80-year old sister living in New Marske, in a house which I used to own around 45 years ago.
DeleteA snippet of your history Raymondo
DeleteRay. I would have met you for a coffee had I known. x
DeleteWould love to have done so, Cherie. Thanks for the suggestion which we must take up, next time perhaps. This was my first time there in 3.5 years. Given the ages of my sis and I it shouldn't be quite that long to wait.
DeleteNext time you are coming this way let me know.. It would be lovely to meet up for a coffee (or tea)
DeleteWill do that, Cherie, though it might be quite a wait.
DeleteAlways essential to get your dum-de-dums right. Mustn't let the side down!
ReplyDeleteThe Duma were pivotal to the piece....which is good as the bass section isn't glam like the sapranos
DeleteBeing in the right place at the right time is bloody everything.
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth x
DeleteThe walk you and Mary took to the area above the village certainly was windy - good enough to leave nary a cobweb lurking. We've had a windy few days as the remnants of hurricane Florence went by.
ReplyDeleteHow marvelous that donations continue to come it. Hope the donations for the Alzheimer's group is building up, too.
It's storm Ali apparantly it blew one lady off a cliff in her caravan
DeleteHow very sad that is.
DeleteI see you as 'basso profundo', JayGee. Don't want you attempting all this falsetto nonsense. Apart from ruining my image of you it might well do you a permanent injury.
ReplyDeleteI'm between a tenor and.a bass if that exists
DeleteYes, it exists - a 'baritone!
DeleteFrom the videos you have shown with you speaking, you do sound like a natural baritone,John. Have you listened to any, like Placedo Domingo? He was once hired as a tenor which makes sense if you hear him speak. But he didn't come into his own or become famous until he decided to sing as a baritone. As your speaking voice is a bit deeper than his, though not quite suited for a bass in song, it would be great to hear you sing a baritone part. - Mary
DeleteBetween a tenor and a bass? Do you mean a threesome?
DeleteThe Gullah Geechee brought the song Kumbaya to the American south. I found it on itunes by an African boys choir. I used to go to summer camp as a child and every evening we sang the song at vespers. Wind in Oklahoma is legend. Has been known to drive people crazy.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the fund raising! (And the singing!)
ReplyDeleteSomeone better be filming this great, scary zipline adventure for us stay at home blokes.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of wind and gray skies'
ReplyDeleteWe have the last (I think) of the big monsoon storms zooming in today. Heavy downpours and flash flooding. Plus it will only get up to 85 today. Oh my goodness after all the 100+ it is so very nice to have a day in the 80's even with monsoons.
cheers, parsnip and badger
Just got back from a few days in Abersoch. We were only allowed 3/4 of the way up Snowdon because of the winds. I thought it was Hurricane Helena's fault.
ReplyDeleteSinging your heart out, walks on blustery days, perfect.
ReplyDeleteAs Mage says above John, I hope we get a film of your zip adventure for posterity.
ReplyDeleteThe emotional resonance of your rendition of the Dylan song will be heightened if you look into Albert's eyes when singing - whilst simultaneously grinding your hips.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying choir and WOW for your fundraiser !
ReplyDeleteSounds windy, looking forward to you Zip-Line adventure, it will be fun, just relax and let gravity do it's thing.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are singing, and looking forward to hearing about the big adventure.
ReplyDeleteRe your wind video, was that the longest fart you have ever done?
ReplyDeleteNo, that was in Aldi 2007
DeleteThat wind! We can hear it as much as see it. In Wellington we're used to winds that would scare most people but they are on a par with that one. Good move to stand near the middle of your own voice section, too. It's hard when you've got sops screeching in your ear.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Clair,Emma, Kate xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteI've just read today's Guardian and seen how bad your winds have been. Keep safe John.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I’m so glad your enjoying singing in the choir. 🎼 To make me feel your love. 🎶 It’s a beautiful song but it did cause a tear to trickle down my face. In the midst of tossing about with sleep 😴 not finding me, is one of the few times a human body is in order to lie down next to. Sorry TMI ...😗 Gabs
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can’t Sing because of MY bunions.... actually I’ve never had a bunion but it’s a good excuse.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely nothing more powerful than a choir, sing on John, Jan Bx.
ReplyDeleteI was reading an article today that said singing in unison was one of the most uplifting and cheering things you can do.My eldest son requested that song to be sung to his new bride at their wedding. The other one was 'Sweet Child of Mine' as she came into the church!
ReplyDelete