Why is Live music so important?

I suppose the most obvious answer is that it is a vital source of income for so many of us - but when I started writing this I was thinking a little more holistically.

Live music is so important because it is one of the shortest routes to feeling good.

Pandemic or no - live gigs create moments of magic. We all know how evocative music can be - the hook in a melody, luscious BVs, a killer groove can transport you to another time, another place - but when it's live that imprint is a little deeper - certainly for me, both as a performer or as an audience member. The energy is palpable and elevated - I know you know what I mean.

I have been banging on about it for years - but now more than ever connection and communication are vital for our well being. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but I do mean vital. And that feel good sensation is anything but superficial. Sound is an incredible energetic tool. The resonance and harmonic overtones created through sound enable our cells to vibrate at a certain frequencies and "spiritually” speaking (if I may) the feel good factor enhances our vibrational energy. We are all nourished by that euphoric sensation we feel coursing through our veins when we experience live music together.

And it is one of my favourite things after a tune to catch the eye of one of my band or a member of the audience and know we shared something  in that moment. When it comes down to it life is about joy and contentment and live music unlimited supplies and that is priceless which is why it's so important, in my opinion…but what do you think?

PS. This clip was taken from one of my gigs at The Pheasantry in London, featuring my friend and long time band member John Crawford doing his thing…

Gigging on Friday...

So I have been mentioning this on Facebook, Twitter and my IG account and just thought I'd put this poster up here too.

I know full well that lunchtime gigs are hard to get to - but I am so excited to be performing my new material and a few old favourites too that it would be lovely if you were able to come along.

Here's the ticket link if you fancy booking in advance:  http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2016/free-friday-music-parry-ray/

Anyway, I am off to do a bit of "la, la laing..." in preparation :) Speak soon x

About last night – the Slipknot gig.

Ok this is going to be short and sweet, because as we all know I am not a metal aficionado.Last night I went to Alexandra Palace in North London to see Slipknot. Although I was born north of the river, I now live in SW London so I had forgotten what a great venue “Ally Pally” is, as I haven’t been for a while. And the view of London as you walk up the hill from the station is breathtaking.

So first things first, I was slightly apprehensive as I thought maybe the vibe would be a little aggressive to suit the mood of the music, but actually no. Part of me was a little disappointed. Of course there were hoards of people in heavy metal T shirts and black leather; and the tattoos and piercings were rife – but I guess they are in every day life anyway, so that was hardly a news flash.

Everyone seemed lovely and friendly – in fact I would say the atmosphere was quite jolly!I didn’t catch the support act. But as I waited for Slipknot to arrive, David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes” was blasted out of the speakers - I liked that very much.

When Slipknot came on – the audience just came together – didn’t matter how “hardcore” or “ordinary” they looked – they were as one. There was a lot of nodding, some jostling and screaming of the lyrics around me – which was great – I did feel bad that I didn’t know any lyrics except for “Snuff” which they didn’t play.

It was loud and chaotic but pretty enthralling. I loved the rotating drum kits on either side of stage and the fact that whenever you are at a big live gig the drums just course through your veins from the ground up.

I only really knew Dead Memories and Psychosocial as I have the “All hope is gone” album but I did enjoy myself.

I heard riffs and melodic references I recognized, I loved the rhythm section and Corey Taylor works the crowd effortlessly.

The stereotypes of the constant swearing (which I found quite amusing) and the often ugly/disgusting imagery on the video screens didn’t add anything in my opinion, but maybe that’s what’s expected and obviously part of the image. I don’t like their masks at all, but I’m guessing there must be reason? Maybe I should Google…Not sure I would swap my jazz and MOR gigs for heavy metal just yet, but I would definitely go again.  

An exciting musical announcement...

I'm very excited to announce that I have a brand new musical project on the way!

I've been recording an album of covers of songs ranging from 1978-88 with a wonderful band of exceptionally talented musicians. I can't wait to share it with you.

Check out my vlog for more info...

When musical tastes differ…

Lately, I’ve been thinking about differing tastes in music. On the face of it, this isn’t a contentious subject. Music is very personal and subjective.

But I have come up against two areas of resistance that have me wonder…are some us a little tunnel-visioned when it comes to musical likes and dislikes?

I like to think I am pretty open minded, certainly when is comes to most music. To me, music is classical, jazz, rap, pop, rock, and opera, to name a few.

I guess part of it may be we often immerse ourselves in one sort of music early on or maybe the bands associated with a formative decade in our lives and we stick with that, because that’s what we know.

But I find it really confusing when someone says they don’t like a particular kind of music without really listening to it. After all you don’t really know if you like something unless you try it …So back to the areas of resistance I have experienced recently. I don’t really like to make sweeping generalizations but a number of friends who are mothers HATE rap.The capitals here are warranted - they literally won’t listen to it and if I talk about it they won’t tolerate the conversation! It’s the funniest thing!

I wonder if it’s the image associated with rap, rather than the actual music, or maybe it’s a bit of both? I love rap and am transfixed when I hear a great rapper, wishing secretly that I could do it… although I’ve never tried, so maybe…anyway, certain “mother” mates won’t be swayed.

The other people resistant to listening to different music are perhaps predictably my kids.

Last week, I unusually had both my kids in the car; I think we were all off to the dentist or something. Anyway, we drove off and I switched on my music.

Before we were ten seconds into the intro I was bombarded with a chorus of “No way! We’re not listening to that! Your music is rubbish!”

Firstly, let me reassure you that my playlists are not rubbish (!) and maybe using my kids as an example is not great here, because in my experience children go from loving every song you play them to dismissing everything you listen to.

Anyway let’s keep going with the example.

When pushed they couldn’t tell me why they didn’t like what was playing, so after a bit of “to-ing” and “fro-ing” I decided to give in and turned the radio on - and well, I can’t bring myself to say the name of the “band” that came on.

But let’s just say if I hadn’t such given a long impassioned speech about being broad minded about different musical styles, the radio would have been turned off before this particular girl band started “singing”.

Now, you may be thinking, “Aha!’ I do exactly what I am accusing others of doing. My get out clause here is I have heard quite a lot of …“manufactured pop” and my point is that some people don’t give certain genres a try at all.

Personally, I feel it is far too easy to listen to the music we already like, without exploring and giving other untapped genres a chance …there is a lot of good music out there. So, what about you? Are you adventurous with your music or do you stick to what you know? PS: And as far as my kids are concerned, if they could just get over listening to the same things as their mother, they might actually like some of things on my playlists…    

Jazz and me and the LPO

I find life very funny. A couple of weeks ago, I posted a piece about where I am with Jazz and the fact that my musical journey as taken me down a different route recently. I felt very happy with my account of things and appreciative of what I have done and where I am going.

Then last week at short notice I was asked to sing some Jazz tunes at a fundraising Gala for the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO).A couple of things about this evening, I was contacted for the gig by an old mate, Gwilym Simcock. If you are unfamiliar with Gwilym’s work you must check it out and be prepared to be astounded. He is a stellar pianist.

Early on in my professional career I met Gwilym and was lucky enough to record an album with him. Life takes people down different paths and we lost touch, so I was delighted to get the call.

A side bar here is that although I seem to run my life in a rather haphazard fashion I have been incredibly lucky to connect with truly superlative musicians - for the best part of a decade I have done countless gigs with the incredible pianist John Crawford and latterly worked with guitarist Francesco Lo Castro. Of course there have been other pianists, guitarists, bassists and drummers, too many to name check, but let’s just say I have been very spoilt to be surrounded by such talent and musicianship.

Anyway back to the LPO event, we met for rehearsal and sound check and it was then I remembered the other thing I love about Jazz. To me, more than any genre it is about a musical conversation between the musicians. No two verses or choruses are the exactly the same ever and in a few bars the intention and intensity can change completely from what was “planned”, more so than in pop or classical music, where, for me, a performance is more exact.

If you caught me on Instagram or Twitter on the way home from the gig, you will have cottoned on to the fact that I had a ball and not only am chomping at the bit to perform more Jazz now, alongside my other projects, but I realized how much I have missed performing, so this will also hopefully be rectified after the summer.

I wanted to mention the LPO too (http://www.lpo.org.uk/). Throughout my school life I was lucky enough to be involved in a lot of classical music concerts, in various choirs. Highlights were singing at St Paul’s Cathedral, and at the Royal Festival Hall with the Bach Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

The LPO, are a magnificent example of a group of people who are passionate and invested in everything they do. Musicians and staff alike reminded me of the best memories of my classical music life. And this is probably obvious but they sound wonderful.

I suppose life has reminded me again that I really do adore all genres of music and it is all out there to take part in. Music for me, really is the food of love…how about you?