Photographic Art – George Blamey-Steeden

SHADOWS ON THE SEA

There’s a village not far from me called Capel-le-Ferne. Its name derives from the phrase ‘Chapel in the Ferns’. Proud locals often call it ‘The Village in the Clouds’. The rest of us call it ‘Capel-Le-Fog’ because it’s high up and every so often you can’t see a single thing there when the clouds stop over for awhile to take a rest. I like the village. It has a gentle feel. It is twinned with the commune of Oye-Plage in the Pas-de-Calais department in France, a place I know well.

A close family friend has recently settled in the village. He’s lucky as his place is very close to the cliff tops and all its views. A few days back he told me he’d stumbled across a pathway to the east that can get you straight to the harbour a few miles away. Armed with that information I thought I’d try it out. What I found was – to me at least – ‘Magic’.

En route I was lucky to see any number of bird varieties. I don’t think I’d been up close to Common Linnets before. Walking aside a field of gorse, there they hang out, all three of them flitting about the place. The males have orange breasts and are about the same size as sparrows. Just after that, the song of the Sky Larks. They’re a ground-dwelling bird and not that easy to spot. I heard them well before I saw them. The thought ‘natures sound art’ hit me. The males sing a complex song mainly to attract a mate – a bit like I imagine Romeo sung to Juliet on the balcony, only better. Much later, further up the coast, walking the narrow path perilously close to the cliff edge I spotted my first swallow of the spring. He or she – I wasn’t sure – had just crossed The Channel that separates England from France, 20 miles away. I have a theory that seeing the swallows arrive means a better weather to come.

*Waiting for the Swallow* – *France on the horizon*

Here’s some music that, I think, fits the walk I took. I hope you enjoy. It’s called ‘Hidden Beneath’ from my album, ‘The Forgotten Daughter Of Zeus’ – a mix of instrumental styles aimed at rest, reflection and thoughts. It’s available to download on BANDCAMP

I couldn’t finish this post without this Eels number, ‘I Like Birds’.

Any musicians out there looking for BACKING TRACKS I’ve both high quality 20 track, 3 hour+ albums ‘Volume One’ and ‘Volume Two’ available to download on BANDCAMP at just £6.50 each or foreign currency equivalent.

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you are looking for all my other music then you’ll find it to download on BANDCAMP and at AMAZON when searching ‘Zoolon Audio Albums’or you can stream and/or make a playlist of it on SPOTIFY

If you’re interested in my book of lyrical verse, ‘LOOKING FOR REASONS’ (above) is available on Amazon, either as a paperback or on Kindle. The purchase prices have been cut right back, hence they’re not expensive. On Kindle Unlimited it’s even free!

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

DON’T HATE THE PLAYER, HATE THE GAME

A local cemetery I never knew existed

DON’T HATE THE PLAYER, HATE THE GAME

I liked you so much better
When your story was untold
Now you go backward looking forward
Believing all that glitters is really gold

You keep your demons in a suitcase
An arrow in your heart
You’re crying out for plan B
But the game has yet to start

You’re trapped in endless dreamland
I don’t understand one half of what you say
You think you are the hunter
You can’t see that you’re the prey

I remember when you were someone
There’s still time for you to be so much more
You’ve a heart and soul inside of you
Just don’t leave them at fame’s door

I don’t know if you’re listening
But it matters all the same
When I tell you what I’m thinking
Don’t hate the player; hate the game

An easy to the ear Backing Track. I hope you enjoy;

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

NUMBER 85

Yesterday at the farm down the road I had a chat with Number 85. We got on OK but our conversation was a one-sided affair. Because of that I thought I’d ask the lamb a few easy questions. It went like this. “What would you call a long rigid piece of metal?” The lamb answered, “Bar.” Next, “What would you call a counter in a pub?” Answer, “Bar”. Then “Another word for ‘obstacle’ please?” “Bar” said the lamb. And lastly, “Name a short section into which a piece of music is divided?” The lamb nailed it, saying, “Bar.” That’s one clever lamb.

THE CHATTER OF THE MINDLESS

The innocence of madness spells regret
An arrogance of kindness tells me it’s not over yet
Not over until its end is reached
Not over until the whale is washed up upon the beach

The impotence of passion cuts my flesh
The gentle bliss of ignorance keeps inflamed wounds fresh
And the chatter of the mindless in distress
Like white noise in some headphones just sounds a total mess

The sorry dance of others playing games
A maze of insinuation playing havoc with the sane
And Joan of Arc’s cold vision strikes a chord
Violins and mediation, or drum beats and the sword?

The mist of prosecution clouds my case
The only thing I’m guilty of is remembering your face
You left behind your favour but not your grace
Does all your returned mail get to end up in deep space?

So just who claims the higher ground?
You’re still taking prisoners even though you have been crowned
The Monarch of all that you survey?
If you’re being truthful you’d have it no other way

Disillusioned martyrs run for cover
Don’t want to share a grave with some radicalised brother
It’s for the best you lock away their guns
Bombs and poor excuses won’t save any mother’s son
Bombs and poor excuses save no one
Bombs and poor excuses hit and run

Short of creativity I scrolled back to 2013. I’d just started uni. The words above were a mock-up lyrical verse I never got around to use for a song. I’m still trying to work out if it’s got legs.

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

HEARTBEAT’S SILHOUETTE

At last the sun came out and so did I. Most people dis Dover for dumb reasons. I don’t. Aside the fact that we have White Cliffs plus a magnificent Norman Castle to the east, the harbour overlooking France to the south, more cliffs to the west and forests to the north, Dover has the River Dour running through it. Dover even got its name from the Dour. It originally had a wide estuary on the site of modern Dover, although today it flows into the Dover Harbour through a culvert. The estuary was a natural harbour for the Bronze Age settlers and traders in the area.

Scrolling forward, The Dour Estuary was then used as a port for the Roman town, as a natural harbour for the Roman fleet. This silted up in the medieval period, necessitating the construction of various artificial harbours for Dover instead.

The river has been used since AD 762 to power various watermills along its route. These included eight corn mills and five paper mills. Buckland Mill near Buckland Bridge was one of the earliest corn mills, but has since been converted into flats. Crabble Mill is now a fully restored corn mill and museum.

Time for some music. My song called ‘Tick Tock’. I hope you enjoy. The lyrics follow and are a good example how lyrics are nothing like poems.

TICK TOCK

Second hand turns
Feels like I’m slipping through times net
Safer inside
Bring the fear out
Look for answers
Victims quashed
It’s a slaughterhouse
Can you feel that sound?

Tick Tock a heartbeats silhouette
Tick Tock a heartbeats silhouette

Subside to the true face we disguise
Inside we know the only way is down

Is it safe low tide
to this poison mind
we endure
(bring the fear out) ?
Is it safe to say that getting caught was the plan?
take my hand

Tick Tock a heartbeats silhouette
Tick Tock

Subside to the true face we disguise
Inside we know the only way is down

Tick Tock a heartbeats silhouette
(we endure)
Tick Tock a heartbeats silhouette
And we know who we are
And we know what we are

Subside to the true face we disguise
Inside we know the only way

If you’re interested in my book of lyrical verse, ‘LOOKING FOR REASONS’ (above) is available on Amazon, either as a paperback or on Kindle. The UK link is below. Outside of the UK, just type in ‘Zoolon Audio’. The purchase prices have been cut right back, hence they’re not expensive. On Kindle Unlimited it’s even free!

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

DESTINY COMES WITH A CURSE

The last time I ever heard your voice
You were singing, crystal clear
Making up for lost time
Still begging to disappear

You never wanted fame, I know
Yet destiny comes with a curse
Drags you up then lets you down
I don’t know what’s worse
Than being fed a big lie
One that you believe
Just to find out later
You’ve nothing to achieve
Except maybe for insight
Into all that I confess
Knowing me completely
No need to second guess
There are places that we come from
And ones we’re going to
Sometime our paths may cross again
I guess I hope they do

I’ll tell the others to look out for you
To keep me up to date
I need to know that you’re OK
Not leave it down to fate

Here’s a song from my 2018 album ‘The Pigeons Are Switzerland’. It’s called ‘Francesca’. I hope you enjoy;

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

THE ECHOES OF DISTANT VOICES

Now the ground is neither a sticky mud bath nor a slippery ice rink accident waiting to happen I went up to the forest on Sunday. Amazing how many trees had fallen down over winter. It’s peaceful up there.

WISHFUL THINKING

The chatter of the ghosts
A haunting silhouette
The echoes of distant voices
An orchestral violin quartet

From this cave of constant twilight
I see a red sunset
The hurricane is over
It’s nearly time to reset
The rules and regulations
The needles and vaccine
The masks, the bubbles, the distancing
The whole monotonous routine

Outside, upgraded video
Inside, a shadow’s monochrome
When yesterday becomes tomorrow
The door opens and we roam

I’m featuring the work of another artist this week. Fifi Rong is her name. As her write-up explains, ‘Fifi is a London-based vocalist, songwriter and electronic music producer. A ground-breaking artist, she is the first to succeed in organically integrating Chinese influences into western popular music, gliding effortlessly across an eclectic range of contemporary genres. Her trademark hybrid sound is a seamless blend of Pop, Electronica, Alternative R&B, Avant-garde and UK Bass music.’ I hope you enjoy her new video and song;

If you want to download this song of Fifi’s or any of her previous work then here’s the link to Bandcamp. Just click on ‘Another Me’;

18 months ago, Fifi kindly featured on my then new song, ‘Devil’s Kiss’. In case you’ve not heard it previously, here it is;

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

A SCARECROW ON THE GALLOWS

*Source – Amazing Dance Shadow Studio – Funzug.com*

The lyric below is from my song, ‘Ballerina Dancing’ from 2014. It got good reviews back then but me being me it has never made a published album yet. Right now the song itself is still in demo mode, but not for much longer, so just the words today.

I’ve never known love
And I’ve never known hate
And charcoal letters on the wall
Help seal my fate

Ballerina dancing
And she’s just a silhouette
An offer to the condemned man
Of one last cigarette

All I know is all I know
And all I know is real,
Like a scarecrow on the gallows
It is no big deal

I’ve seen the writing on the walls
In shadow land today
Telling of another place
A place of night and day

I’ve never known love
And I’ve never known hate
And charcoal letters on the wall
Help seal my fate

Should you want to check out my current portfolio re music and words, here’s the list. I hope you enjoy;

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

MEMORIES & NEW WORDS

Memories & new words are pretty much what my new book ‘Looking for Reasons’ is all about. Without ‘memories’ that inspire, whether they’re from yesterday or last year or ages ago, there would be no ‘new words’; no new songs. I like it that sometimes a few photographs from before trigger lyrical verse. Anyhow, here’s my short video for the book, followed by a few pics of places across The Channel I miss, but still and always will, find motivating.

If you’re interested, ‘LOOKING FOR REASONS’ is available on Amazon, either as a paperback or on Kindle. The UK link is below. Outside of the UK, just type in ‘Zoolon Audio’. The purchase prices have been cut right back, hence they’re not expensive. On Kindle Unlimited it’s even free!

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you are looking for all my other music then you’ll find it to download on BANDCAMP or you can stream and/or make a playlist of it on SPOTIFY

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

TOY TOWN HAS LOST ITS SOUL

It may seem like Toy Town
When you’re looking down from up above
But in reality what you’ll find there
Are the lovers and the unloved

Like anywhere else around the world
Opposites attract
North and south and east and west
There’s no argument, it’s a fact

Umbrellas for a rainy day
Sledges for the snow
Barbeques come summertime
Autumn Bonfire Night’s multi-coloured show

But now the streets are empty
Corona virus has control
For lovers and the unloved
Toy Town has lost its soul

My last blog post was all about my new book, a book full of lyrical verse and short stories. It’s called, ‘LOOKING FOR REASONS’. I guess there’s no harm in mentioning it again. If you are interested, ‘LOOKING FOR REASONS’ is available on Amazon, either as a paperback or on Kindle. The UK link is below. Outside of the UK, just type in ‘Zoolon Audio’. The purchase prices have been cut right back, hence they’re not expensive. On Kindle Unlimited it’s even free!

Time for some music. This one is called ‘Summer Died on a Saturday’. Looking back, it seems I guessed right with the title. It’s a number from my album named ‘The Forgotten Daughter of Zeus’. I hope you enjoy.

Also, if you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you are looking for all my other music then you’ll find it to download on BANDCAMP or you can stream and/or make a playlist of it on SPOTIFY

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

‘LOOKING FOR REASONS’ – THE BOOK

Originally from my song, ‘Liquid Truth’ – written in 2012, me a first year music student back then – these words below open Zoolon’s new book called, ‘LOOKING FOR REASONS’. They just about sum me up.

‘When will all the pieces come together,
And if I don’t like the picture am I stuck with it forever?’

Someone wrote me some kind words for the blurb for the book. Thanks for that. It reads like this;

‘Zoolon is better known as an accomplished songwriter, sound artist and musician with 5 albums to his name. He also writes in his own distinctive style. Following on from his first book entitled ‘The Words & Thoughts of a Dyslexic Musician’, the ‘LOOKING FOR REASONS’ new collection is an assortment of lyrical verses and short stories themed around today’s hapless society, it’s pluses and minuses, along with his own off-centre take on a dying planet. He’ll make you laugh, think and sometimes cry, but it will be worth it’.

Time for some music. Today, ‘The Pigeons are Switzerland’. I hope you enjoy;

If you’re interested in my inexpensive PROMO VIDEOS FOR AUTHORS hit the link here or aim at the one at the top of this blog.

As ever, if any poets out there are interested in having their poems turned into songs then click here to check it out: POETRY TO SONG

If you are looking for all my other music then you’ll find it to download on BANDCAMP or you can stream and/or make a playlist of it on SPOTIFY

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, here’s my collection you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE