Music with Meaning

Last month I went to see Jill Scott in concert at the Brixton Academy. This is the second time I have seen her and once again she did not disappoint. Jill Scott is a fabulous performer, one that is able to command your attention and leave you transfixed, not due to sparkly clothes or dance routines but purely though her presence, voice and music that penetrates through the stuff that surrounds your heart, your core your soul.

The power of music is underestimated and with it the effects music can play on our general well being and psyche. There have been numerous studies to prove this. The following links are just two examples http://www.reversespins.com/effectsofmusic.html  http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtml .

Classical music is known to have a calming affect and is used in some prisons, organisations and train stations. As you surface from the underground at Tottenham station for example you are greeted by Mozart and Bach, which partly takes away the stressful train ride experience. However on an internal level the invisible sound waves can speak directly to our DNA and therefore it has the power to unlock or block information, feeling and expression. I found this link http://www.life-enthusiast.com/twilight/research_emoto.htm particularly interesting as it not only shows the power of words but also visually shows what I believe happens on an internal level.

Music is energy and therefore made up of vibrations of high or low energy. I tend to stay away from the latter as it actually disturbs my spirit. I know this sounds weird but I literally cannot listen to Jay Z’s “We run this town” or Giggs “ Talking the hardest" for example. I am either highly sensitive or just internally aware. I guess both are possibilities. The sound in both tracks are dense, heavy and dark and … well I don’t like the feeling so I switch off.

Scott’s music makes me want to move my feet, put my hands in the air and smile from the inside out, whilst singing out of tune and not caring. Music that comes from a place of honesty, truth, love and integrity has the power to positively affect many and I believe Scott’s music has the ability to do this. Her music tells a story, provides insight and an alternative commentary to the duplicated many. Service to others comes to mind as her music has foundations in personal and spiritual growth, through reflection, awareness and the acknowledgement of individual power and empowerment. Listen and you will hear her invitation for you to embrace and own who you are. The teachings are within and so are affirmations.

Rolling Hills 

There's power in them rolling hills, come on

You're a prize possession, not everybody's worthy

Only reason I know is cause I headed down that road

And it'd be a shame for you not to have your own glow

Maybe you don't recognize what you got between your eyes

So I'm gonna set you correct so you can get what you should get

Intuition's something deep

Let you know what you know, let you find before you seek

Spirit of determine, pray for it everyday

Let you know who should go and who you should let stay

Golden 

Living my life like it's golden

Living my life like it's golden

Living my life like it's golden

Living my life like it's golden

Living my life like it's golden, golden

I'm holding on to my freedom

Can't take it from me

I was born into it and it comes naturally

I'm strumming my own freedom

Playing the God in me

Representing His glory

Hope He's proud of me, yeah

Unlike other tracks, repetition of words do not appear to be pointless time fillers, they are there and repeated for a reason. Words are powerful and like music, underestimated because there is life in both.

source: http://virtualmusic.tv/2010/01/dancing-graffiti/

 If music with meaning played a more central role within the music industry we would all benefit greatly on many levels. Perhaps this is the very reason as to why it isn't given the same air time as the profanity filled and lack lusted tunes.  The music industry is service to self. Controlled by the top, it has become more about strategic marketing, collaborations and money than anything else and clearly those who benefit would like it to remain that way. This is a very big world, big enough for all artists to have a voice in this field, though due to the cycle of the same faces you couldn't blame anyone for thinking there were only three as Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Nicki Manji are everywhere. Great team, clearly!

There is power in music and if utilised correctly who knows what could occur on an individual and collective level.

It’s time for people to truly wake up and think beyond the status quo. There is currently talk of all explicit music being labelled  as such.  Yes this is a good idea but it is more likely that it will make children want to listen to the restricted music even more. It all just seems backwards. Why not just put boundaries on what can be said within music? I too believe in creative licence but can someone please tell me what is so special about F**k, N**ga, C**t and any other word that is deemed explicit under the explicit label? What power do these words serve other than being derogatory insults that promote negativity?

Right now creative freedom or license holds no weight amongst commercial music as so many abuse their power and their voice. Many may disagree with me and I am happy to stand alone if this is the case. I believe artists do have some responsibility to the public because it is us who lines their pockets. We expect Royalty and the BBC to behave in a certain way, so why do artists and record labels get away with so much? Starting out, artists need the public to get them to a recognised position, once this happens it appears they too become service to self as I guess the love of money takes precedence coupled with the pressure of staying current.

You like what you like, but the options that we see and hear are limited as all the radio stations and music channels play the same thing. Empowering music may not filter thorough our digital gadgets in the way it deserves, but it doesn’t stop any of us from seeking it out. Floetry, Dwele, Maxwell, Raheem DeVaughan, Musiq Soulchild, Vivian Greene, Lyfe Jennings, Angie Stone, India Irie, Damien Marley, Dead Prez, Meshell Ndegecelo, Kem and so much more. There are alternatives out there. How many young teenagers have heard of these artists? If I am greeted right now with a virtual blank stare it's okay, they/you are not at fault, as I cannot remember the last time I saw any of the above being interviewed on a UK channel. I am more likely to hear these soulful tunes on a pirate radio station or through my own iPod.

Words are powerful as they are a transfer of energy and emotion. You become what you are told, if you are told it enough times, this is known. So why is music with meaning underrated?  "It does not sell" is not the truth!

© Lisa Bent 2011

Holiday Alone: Part 2

Continued from Holiday alone: Part 1

My partner in crime Agnes, though she usually answers to the name Batman, dropped me to the airport. It felt so weird saying goodbye because we usually travel together. I still had some time left  so after I checked in I walked her back to her car.  Once arriving back into the airport I went to the toilet before going through security. I had the strong sense the metal detector would go of as I walked through, it did!  As I was being searched I wondered if my actions before security aroused suspicion. I checked in, walked to the car park, came back and went to the toilet. Hmm in hindsight it does sound dodgy doesn’t it? “It may be my belly button ring” I said to the female guard, as the male guard instructed me to take of my boots.  “No it’s at random. One in every 4” she said. In my head I had a silent  one way conversation with her . “REALLY? REALLY? AM I REALLY MEANT TO BELIEVE THAT? So how does that work? Is there a man sitting in a control room counting and then pressing the buzzer? Or is in the one in four mantra just a really good excuse to hide the fact that my innocent actions looked a bit peculiar on camera? Or do I just have bad luck because it always seems like I am the one who has to strip!” sigh.

As I put my clothes back on and picked up my whole life from the boxes that had just been x-rayed I looked to my right and saw a beautiful sight. Black guy, approx 5ft 10, roughly 35 years old and with piercing green eyes, no not contact lenses these were the real deal. As I looked my mouth opened signalling words were about to come out. My brain as usual wasn’t fast enough to shut it and out poured “I’m practically naked compared to you.” Why do I do this? Why have I not learnt? As he looked me up and down with those cats eyes he said “You’re right there”. Er now what? I was still getting dressed and my thoughts centred on being watched. I know who I am, but I don’t know who he is apart from the fact that he is fine, so I did the correct thing and...kept it moving. I don’t want any dramas on my watch, no sireee.

I was in WH SMITH paying for magazines, looked to my right and there he was again (Unlike Mariah Carey, it would appear my Right side is important...JOKE). This time I was able to look for longer and well, my first judgement was correct. I looked at him, he looked at me and then... I left. As I said I am not looking for drama. If it’s meant to be he will be on my flight to Malta.

Yes Malta is my destination. I chose this Island because it was recommended to me by my good friend who had holidayed alone. The fact that it is only 3 hours away from the UK also made it very appealing as I didn’t want to be too far from home on my first exploration alone.

Walking towards my gate and I see Green eyes, he is at gate 23 my gate is...

DOH!

He was of to Bermuda. Who is up for Bermuda next year?  I have always wanted to go. Seriously!  

As I sat waiting to board my plane it quickly became evident that I was to be the youngest person and only solo person on the flight. I was actually surprised that this didn't bother me at all. As I sat looking out the window I reflected my thoughts and actions up until this point and realised that it is expectations and assumptions of the unknown that is the cause to doubt and panic. You will only truly know how you feel about something once you are in it, experiencing it. In that moment everything felt effortless simple and easy to the point that in hindsight the pendulum of doubt appears to be an unnecessary waste of energy. If we all just went with our first instincts imagine how fulfilling our lives would become.

Sitting next to me on the plane was lovely couple Joy and Ray. As we touched down into Malta Ray told me that if I got bored with Me, Myself and I, I should start and argument with Me, Myself and I to add a bit of spice for I. Failing that he gave me their number and told me to call them if I wanted company or needed help. How sweet was that?

“Come forward for a cup of tea” shouted the customs inspector. The last time I heard such a friendly welcome into another country was Barbados 2 years ago. This was lovely and refreshing. As I looked out of my coach window on the way to my hotel the sight of Malta lit up was breathtaking. I sat back exhaled and smiled. I was happy, my soul was happy and my “I will be fine, I will be fine” panic mantra expressed in Part 1, had been replaced with an inner knowingness.

Mellieha Bay Hotel is where I stayed and room 114 was my home for the next week. The decor was lovely and the view from my balcony inspiring.

As I arrived and departed for breakfast lunch and dinner it soon became apparent that I was alone. Throughout each meal I purposely left my phone and reading material in my room, because both are great distracters. I wanted to experience being by myself in all its essence. I actually liked it more than I thought I would.  The hotel staff were attentive and the other guests who were strangers at first, soon became familiar faces and mini conversations were formed. Although alone, I wasn’t. I never felt isolated, separated or distant from others and therefore I wasn’t alone. Yes I came on holiday by myself but the notion of being alone in this context is an illusion. It is the lack of known people around us that perhaps makes us feel this way but it is not the truth.  

Like my plane, the hotel was filled with the over 60’s. This was fantastic because they taught me how to relax, be carefree and enjoy the moment. The silver fox crew definitely know how to have fun though, do not get it twisted. Their wit and humour surprised me also. I learnt how to fish by David, Ballroom dance by Erick, tell bad jokes thanks to Derrick who I call Del boy and want to be my surrogate granddad. I also got to exercise my political brain with Maltese George and London born Joe. Missy and Lynn also rocked. Very funny ladies. The term old people should be changed to Elders or Wise People as old, I feel sounds demeaning and has an air about it that they have nothing left to offer.

Waking up to the sounds of Jill Scott, Vivian Green, Musiq Soulchild, Floerty and Amerie was music to my soul. If music with meaning took a more central place within the mainstream industry it would provide a positive impact on both the physical and internal levels. I am adamant.

http://wadecreate.wordpress.com/category/music/

I didn’t feel vulnerable at all, but there was one particular moment where my gut was telling me to stay clear of a particular person. I couldn’t put my finger on it but his energy wasn’t right. So I went with my gut. Two days later I listened as three other people expressed the same thing I did. Never ignore intuition it is there for a reason. My senses definitely felt heightened and it was this that I used to naturally gravitate towards like minded people. Like attracts like, I definitely saw how this worked throughout my stay.

writerinthestorm.blogspot.com

I went on a mystery tour, purely because of the title and loved it. Island hopped to Gozo, visited Paceville, Valletta and the market Fair’s in Rabat whilst of course finding time to relax on my hotels private beach. 

I loved every minute of it. The only downer of travelling solo is the lack of pictures that I am in. I have beautiful images of landscapes, architecture and many of my cut of head as I attempted include myself.

Malta is absolutely beautiful and the people are uber friendly. It is a place I will visit time and time again. It appears to be marketed to religious people and the wise people, but I really think they are missing a trick here. This Island is perfect for solo travellers and for those who want a quick break. The nightlife is also very good and as a result, it caters for all. I hope after this Malta will be a new consideration on your Where to Go list with friends, family and by yourself.


The advantage of booking an all inclusive package takes the pressure away of deciding where to eat every night, the opportunity to mingle with other people, whilst also providing transfers to and from the airport and a list of travel options for you to explore. Having had this experience I would say go for it, there really is nothing to fear. I booked with  Thomson though im sure other travel agents are just as good. Have a look, take your pick and then feel the fear and do it anyway.

P.s I didn't get my groove back like Stella Payne, but you don't need that kind of groove to get your groove back ;-) LOL

Related Posts:
1.Holiday Alone: Part1

© Lisa Bent 2011