Making plans on a day trip to Santorini

Leaving Crete for a day out on the island of Santorini seemed a good idea, but little did I know how inspirational it would turn out to be.

The boat trip was longer than expected, but the comfortable seats and the constant supply of peppermint tea aided my deliberations.

It was inspirational to just have some time to myself. Plans are afoot and I was extremely fortunate to have as my guide local poet and historian 

Iakovos Theras Karamolegkos.

Iakovos was knowledgeable and entertaining on the coach parts of the trip and then led us through the streets of Fira and Oia, pointing out the best places for ice cream (you MUST try the wonderful Lolita's if you get to Oia!)

On the basis that a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some of mine from a day trip that I will always remember.

Meanwhile, I have returned from a long day to lots of plans to expand the Harmonious World podcast and develop this blog into something of which I can be proud. Please join me on the rest of this journey.

Walking in Crete

 What a day! I managed the whole 

Stranger Still 'The Songs Which Are'

You can hear my interview with Pete Johnston in the latest episode of Harmonious World.

Pete is a musician and composer and his ensemble - Stranger Still - has just released The Songs Which Are.  All the tracks are composed by Pete, based on the poetry of Alden Nowlan.

Based in Toronto, Pete is more usually a bassist, but for Stranger Still he hands bass duties to Rob Clutton and concentrates instead on acoustic and electric guitars and banjo. Organ is played by Andrew Killawee, with vocals from Mim Adams and Randi Helmers. This is experimental music that blurs the lines between folk and jazz, with a tip of the hat to celtic roots. In our podcast conversation, Pete discusses that relationship between the UK/Ireland and Canada, particularly the impact on the Maritime music world.

When I began Harmonious World, I wanted to explore music that I perhaps otherwise wouldn't have listened to, and that is certainly true of Stranger Still. The Songs Which Are is a fascinating collection of compositions that take Nowlan's words, wrapping them in undulating melodies and rhythmic complexity.

During the podcast, you can hear Pete talk about I Icarus and how he played with the lyrics to produce a chorus that repeats to emphasise the story of the boy who flew too close to the sun.

The Songs Which Are comes across as an homage to the Maritime provinces and particularly Nova Scotia. This is a land I've never visited but the album makes me want to jump on a plane right now.

'Beatings Are In The Body'

 Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with Erika Angell and Roisin Adams from Beatings Are In The Body. Erika and Roisin are joined in the ensemble by Peggy Lee and their experimental music is adventurous.

The trio's self-titled album is out next week and I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation and clips from some of their tracks. 

Thanks to the trio for allowing me to play extracts from Beatings Are In The Body alongside our conversation.

Kevin Toney 'An Evening with Kevin Toney and Friends'

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with pianist Kevin Toney.  Kevin's musical story is fascinating - beginning with lots of hard work. You can listen to our discussion of his time with The Blackbyrds and working with Donald Byrd.

Kevin's latest album is called An Evening with Kevin Toney and Friends and it includes tracks composed by the man himself, as long with a careful selection of jazz standards. Alongside Kevin and some very prestigious friends is his hugely talented daughter Dominique Toney. You can hear her sing on a couple of the clips in this episode and watch this space: I'm hoping to persuade her to join me on a future episode.

Thanks to Kevin for allowing me to play extracts from An Evening with Kevin Toney and Friends alongside our conversation.

Yolanda Kondonassis 'Wildflower'

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with harpist Yolanda Kondonassis. It is a great honour to be featuring this conversation in the run-up to America's celebration of all things to do with mothers on 14 May - Mothers Day.

Yolanda's latest single is a striking composition by the great Cuban virtuoso and composer Arturo Sandoval. Wildflower  is a celebration of Kondonassis's own mother and is a supplemental track to her 2022 album Five Minutes for Earth.

Thanks to Yolanda for allowing me to play extracts from Wildflower alongside our conversation.

Luumu 'Elephant Love Song'

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, featuring a conversation with singer, pianist and composer Adina Luumu. Adina is a hugely talented musician and it was great to be able to chat to her just a few weeks after International Women's Day.

Adina's latest album with her band Luumu is Elephant Love Song, including 10 original songs that each tell a story tied together by a deep sense of loss and dedication to a dear friend who passed away before the album took shape.

Thanks to Adina for allowing me to play extracts from Elephant Love Song alongside our conversation.