This is the "go to" for media bias (from https://www.adfontesmedia.com/):
I like that one, as it's more legible, but this is the newest version:
Cheers
Richard
127 2024-04-10 01:30:47
Re: Old man's thoughts (7 replies, posted in Poems)
Part of the problem is that we no longer look to the elderly for advice; whereas in previous generations the elderly were held in high regard for their experience and their tenacity, they are now ignored and (sometimes) ridiculed.
We now live in a society where we turn to "influencers" for their view - but these are often people chosen because they have big boobs or a big mouth; these are not the sort of people we should be asking for advice - their "opinion" matters, but not in singularity, in conjunction with all other opinions.
This is akin to asking a "sports star" to perform a complex medical procedure ....
Cheers
Richard
128 2024-04-10 01:16:35
Re: Carpark Money (15 replies, posted in Poems)
I was outraged when I read the story about the UK Postmasters, for anyone that missed it, this was the first article that came to me via Google:
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56718036
But the world is getting a smaller, tighter, more cynical place ... and particularly over the last few years - I always use Covid as a marker, but not the cause.
I think the world started going a bit crazy when the "Internet 2.0" was born, which was the time when the internet went from "informational" to "transactional" - this was a transition caused by all the businesses wanting to lower their costs (example, 10 people in call center can be replaced by two people responding to emails as they come through, during normal office hours to reduce overtime). All this was sold to regular people as "for your convenience", but it was actually just a cost saving exercise for big business. And every sector of that business was asked to "cut costs".
I see moving to a cashless society as a bad thing.
Cheers
Richard
129 2024-04-10 00:11:33
Re: April 2024 FSOTM - anything!!! (16 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Anyone feel like entering "anything"?
Cheers
Richard
130 2024-04-07 05:43:16
Re: Suggestions - FSOTM for May 2024 (11 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Phill Williams wrote:
Free swimming is a new trend in the UK where people go swimming in rivers or the sea all year round, the water is cold all year round any way.
I think you got my meaning wrong anyway, I was referring to the last word on Richards list...Richard...lol. am I the only chordian with a sense of humour?
Err, sorry, that joke went right past me and I didn't even realize ... Peatle mentions Spike Milligan, I was more of a Python fan .. anyway ...
Cheers
Richard
131 2024-04-06 08:32:49
Re: Suggestions - FSOTM for May 2024 (11 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Thanks for those Phil!
And anyone who hasn't entered words for this months FSOTM, feel free to go to the instructions at the top of the page, and generate some random words.
Cheers
Richard
132 2024-04-04 09:37:05
Re: Suggestions - FSOTM for May 2024 (11 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Peatle Jville wrote:
constellation
credit
frozen
deny
Nice words!! Not sure how many songs I know have "constellation" in them ....
Mine are:
migration
soar
scholar
throne
Cheers
Richard
133 2024-04-04 00:53:31
Topic: April 2024 FSOTM - anything!!! (16 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
The April FSOTM was really open to anything at all; there were some suggestions of words which were suggested:
Peatle suggested: Shop, Life, Bus, Home
Jandle suggested: Lazy, People, Old, Dream
And ... (because I was running late), easybeat has already posted a song in the suggestions thread, which I'll reference here:
easybeat wrote:
Old Guys using the word ``Old``
https://www.reverbnation.com/thecoxless4
You can really enter anything this month, there are no word restrictions ....
Look forward to hearing other entries!!!!
134 2024-04-04 00:43:48
Topic: Suggestions - FSOTM for May 2024 (11 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Sorry I'm running a bit late, but for Mays suggestions, I'm going to stick with what I did before, as we seem to end up with a good degree of randomness. If anyone has any feedback, happy to discuss either here or in PM.
For May 2024 suggestions you'll need to follow these steps:
1) Got to https://randomwordgenerator.com/
2) Generate 4 random words
3) Put those words in our topic here!
Note you don't need to pick the four in the first generation, any four will do!!
Look forward to reading what you all RANDOMLY SUGGEST.
READY ... SET ... GO!!!
135 2024-04-04 00:39:21
Re: spammers. (4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Certainly seems to be a spate of spammers recently!! ... I've been busy of late with that "life" stuff getting in the way of "music" stuff, I must pick up my guitar soon, and start selling CD's as well ...
Cheers
Richard
136 2024-03-18 13:12:56
Re: MARCH 2024 FSOTM – MONEY, ANIMALS, SAILING, YOUR COUNTRY (7 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Peatle Jville wrote:
Here is my entry for this month ta song I wrote 8 years ago on a rainy day called "Cat Murder Blues" . As usual it was just recorded on my cellphone.
https://soundcloud.com/eatleville/cat-murder-blues
It sounds pretty good, and reminded me to get the cat in!!
Cheers
Richard
137 2024-03-11 02:49:25
Re: MARCH 2024 FSOTM – MONEY, ANIMALS, SAILING, YOUR COUNTRY (7 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
This is @Peatles video of my song Some People do funny things, it has a cat and a dog in it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG_500K6rmI
Cheers
Richard
138 2024-03-11 02:44:52
Re: FEBRUARY 2024 FSOTM – SEASON, PLANTS, MUSIC (19 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Jandle wrote:
Wow 10 weeks on one song, (Where have all the flowers gone) yikes! I am guessing the "shudder" is because you're not fond of the song after spending that length of time on it?
Yep, my version of "beginner" was "know a few chords, can roughly play a tune", whilst the class version of "beginner" was "how many strings does a guitar have? (complete with blank stares)" .... hahaha, it was a fun class (and I seem to recall I had to borrow my brother nylon-string guitar, as all mine were steel stringed) ...
Cheers
Richard
139 2024-03-11 02:30:26
Re: I Wanna Rock (10 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Phill Williams wrote:
My first thought on reading the title? If you wanna rock go to Blackpool!
Ooooh, I love that stuff, but haven't seen it for many years ...
Cheers
Richard
140 2024-03-04 05:42:43
Re: FEBRUARY 2024 FSOTM – SEASON, PLANTS, MUSIC (19 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Jandle wrote:
Ok 3 very rushed entries from me this month's FSOTM as we only had 2 entries. They are 3 songs I haven't really played much before and one I haven`t played before at all, so please excuse the very basic singing and strumming in them as no time to practice them and we are already into March.
https://soundcloud.com/ukulelejan/cover … ete-seeger
https://soundcloud.com/ukulelejan/cover-the-rose
https://soundcloud.com/ukulelejan/apple-jack
Hi Jandle,
Someone once told me you don't need to rush your entries as the topic remains open in case someone else would like to enter at a later date, but you entries didn't sound rushed. I think I've mentioned before I did a TAFE class for guitar once, and I went in the beginner class, but they were more at learning notes, and I was a few stages beyond that. We spent the whole term (10 weeks) learning that song, "Where have all the flowers gone" .. I think you've done a better job of this song that any of my colleagues from that class, although I do still get shudders when I hear the song 
Likewise "The Rose" is done nicely - it's a great song to build up with, and it sounds like your voice is getting there.
I hadn't heard the "Apple Jack" song before - it sounds like it's one of your favourites as you sing quite well, I can hear the smile in your voice.
Cheers
Richard
141 2024-02-14 08:04:12
Re: Life Of A British Musician (4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
That was pretty good - I could totally see myself doing that. Was there any follow up on how the "Tea" song faired??
Cheers
Richard
142 2024-02-13 03:36:33
Re: New CD - XS in an XXL world (13 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Got a mention on the West Australian Music site: https://wam.org.au/2024/01/30/richard-m … xxl-world/
Cheers
Richard
143 2024-02-08 00:22:44
Re: FEBRUARY 2024 FSOTM – SEASON, PLANTS, MUSIC (19 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Peatle Jville wrote:
Cheers Richard thanks for your feedback on my song. I was trying to use my voice to make separate characters I'm not sure if I got the old man frailty right in my voice. Then I was also trying to make my voice sound younger in the other parts of the song. It's more of a mix of my guitar a monologue and a song. It's good to hear you putting something up as well. The tide around here seems to be dragging people away from chordie at the moment. I hope some others give FSOTM a go.
Yep, it's hard thing to do with one voice; to make two characters (and my broken tech certainly didn't help!
I also hope more participate in the FSOTM, I always find it interesting when people add their own take on a song!
Jandle wrote:
neophytte, great setting the Vinyl Cafe to perform in. Well done on your original song, nicely performed. Only other comment I would make is, it was very hard to hear in parts what they words were that you were singing, not sure if it was because of the recording or the background public noise or the guitar louder than your vocals.
Thanks - the problem I have (I think) is that I just set my phone up on a tripod, so any ambient sound that is closer to the microphone (phone) is picked up better than the sound at the front of the room. I do have a little directional mic that can plug in, so maybe I need to explore that option a bit more.
Like this one:
Cheers
Richard
144 2024-02-05 07:03:31
Re: SUGGESTIONS – MARCH 2024 FSOTM (6 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Money by Pink Floyd
The Bare Necessities from the Jungle Book
Six months in a leaky boat by Split Enz
Cheers
Richard
145 2024-02-05 00:55:37
Re: New CD - XS in an XXL world (13 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Jandle wrote:
Way to go Richard! Awesome for you to get out there and do a live to air performance, how cool is that! Great the Chordie mention as well, Per will be happy with that. How did this all come about that you got to go on live air?
Thanks for the feedback - there was a post on FB which I replied to, the guy said they had filled their spots ... I subsequently forgot about it, and he got in touch a month later and we arranged it, there was only a few days between when he messaged me and the actual gig.
Phill Williams wrote:
Richard, after years of paying and being chaced by the tax man who seems determined to put me in the poor house (reference to the travelling wilburries) I think the few shilling made by selling a CD is not high on my bucket list. But I do hope when I slip off this mortal coil that someone will listen to my life's work and say...oh well!
Yes, I understand what you mean - I printed the minimum number of copies I could, as I know selling CD's is hard in this day and age, with the thought that I could potentially make profit from it, but was happy to concede a "break even" point. I was planning this over a year period, and so far I'm about 30% of the way to the the BE - but it's always mapped looking like a decaying scale, so the peak is at the beginning (new CD, etc) and the trail is the hard sell ....
Peatle Jville wrote:
Richard that was a good interview and the recording of you singing and playing The sound engineer had everything balanced perfectly.
Thanks - there were actually two guys there; the one I spoke to on the radio and another guy who was silently twiddling the knobs. He only brielfly spoke to me saying that one mic was for guitar and one was for voice. The interview was not pre-planned, so was flying by the seat of my pants. But that's sometimes how these things go. My youngest son also came into the studio and took the photos.
Cheers
Richard
146 2024-02-04 02:51:56
Re: FEBRUARY 2024 FSOTM – SEASON, PLANTS, MUSIC (19 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Peatle Jville wrote:
This is my entry for February it is called "The Old Man Likes In Tune". The concept is an old man talking about himself and other people talking about him.
I did listen to this at home, but one of my speakers on my laptop is broken, so listened again on the headphones. I could also get the subtle call/response part of the song - which I'd missed before I heard it on headphones. It's a nice little song, I quite liked it, and I also like when my guitar is in tune!!
This song, Beautiful Dreamer has the line: Life seems so easy, through rose coloured glass at 1m25s:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNErTOJfOE
Enjoy!
Richard
147 2024-02-02 09:21:09
Re: New CD - XS in an XXL world (13 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Phill Williams wrote:
Hi Richard. Lately I've been writing a new song every week or two and record them to CD immediately. Once I fill a CD, usually 19 songs I'll play them in the car where I can have peace to listen. I'm not usually impressed with the results! I unfortunately don't have your talent. I enjoyed " prelude to solitude" you should be proud great job. Hope your CD sells well, I wouldn't have the guts to try selling my songs.
Hi Phil,
Sorry I missed your comment ... hmmm, don't be harsh on yourself - sometimes songs take time to grab your attention. Thanks for the well wishes, I'm selling enough to keep it going, but wouldn't complain if I sold more ... but you do need to sell yourself as a product ...
Cheers
Richard
148 2024-02-02 09:17:14
Re: New CD - XS in an XXL world (13 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Hi,
Did a "live to air" gig last weekend, and mentioned the Chordie's FSOTM section, here is the audio.
Cheers
Richard
149 2024-01-31 05:37:04
Re: JANUARY 2024 FSOTM – NEW, FRESH, GRANDAD, GUITAR, PHONE, HOME (29 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Jandle wrote:
Nicely done Richard.
Thanks!
Jandle wrote:
lol thanks Richard, was using my 6 stringed Kala ukulele on this one. It actually is an eight string ukulele but I took 2 of the strings off as I prefer it with 6 strings.
hah, I also did that with my 12 string guitar; take off 3 strings to make it a 9 string ...
Cheers
Richard
150 2024-01-30 06:47:39
Re: JANUARY 2024 FSOTM – NEW, FRESH, GRANDAD, GUITAR, PHONE, HOME (29 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)
Peatle Jville wrote:
Richard, good to see you on chordie doing some gigs with your own songs. Was that gig inside a garage?
Hi Peatle,
Thanks - this was for a house party for the Merriwa club, I was playing with a chap from England, Steve Turner (we even got a mention in his past gigs list! - 21st Jan 2024). That room is a bit weird, it looks like a garage, but it's kind of a games room, although I think you could comfortably fit 3 or maybe 4 cars in there! I also did a couple of songs there a while ago, where you can see more of the interior.
Cheers
Richard