Peter J Slack Musical BLOG

LIFE DOES SING

2009-08-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

I've been working a bit in the studio lately and some songs are coming to fruition. :-) A new song can be found here:

http://www.pjslack.net/lifedoessing.mp3

Life does sing

The breeze that brings
the tree that sways
sum of the motion
that nature brings

..nature brings

The music heals
intention fields
All of us caring
in harmony

...harmony

Forever young
our brilliant sun
shining its light
that creation rings

...creation rings

As we grow old
stories time told
time is the song
that life does sing

...life does sing

Beginning ends
the mystery
climbing each limb
of the knowledge tree

...the knowledge tree

Words and Music
Copyright 2009, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

I wrote this while on holiday with my family, it is part of the project I am working on called "The Love Network". I tend not to tell stories but rather summarize and embed messages in my songs. The production is minimalist with no overdubs; as if I have come to sing for you by the fireside. I am currently inspired by the work of Rene Thom and his book on Morphogenesis and I am also having fun playing with hyper-spectral imaging data from satellites and looking at things in new ways, like a kid in a candy store :-). This song was written for an occasion; to open the Fresh Water Jamboree in Guelph that my good friends put on every year.

Peace to all,PJ

Deep Inside

2009-02-27T13:01:00.000-08:00

(Image: "PROPHESY" created by Zappha)

It's been a while since I've published any newmusic tracks. Please find here a new song track entitled "Deep Inside":

http://www.pjslack.net/deepinside.mp3

I've begun a new music collection project entitled "The Love Network Voyager". The theme is intended as an exploration of love within social networks of people. Today we experience light speed communications between people from all over the globe, it seems almost a natural extension of ourselves to be able to do this. We have always been naturally blessed with light speed processes in our brains to enable memories of our life to be recalled, and with senses that can view the light from the very beginnings of the universe; we sense and recall the memory of the universe and all time.

Social networks perhaps mimic these senses,experiences and structures in some way, as if creating a toy universe inside a real universe where we can explore, create, be together. Since I was a child I have always been fascinated and addicted to communications, it somehow made me feel closer to understanding a larger picture that I could be a part of when I was able to communicate with other people in remote locations in real time. The popularity of social networks,cell phones etc. and the addictive properties, I feel, is an interesting and important topic for study in the form of a music collection. I feel it is also important to expose the positive aspects rather than things like; a guy driving his car while texting someone on his crackberry.

I had a notion this summer to pack up the recording gear and make pieces of a song in different locations. The recordings took place around a camp fire in my back yard in Erin and in my studio, at a mule farm in Tara, atop the Greystone Inn in Orangeville. This features the voices of friends Kiera Merriam and Lisa Watson and is an improvisational, electro-acoustic / new age genre piece.

With great admiration for you all,
PeterJ

Songwriter Spotlight Radio Broadcast-Podcast: Peter J Slack

2008-05-21T11:54:00.001-07:00

Sal Noguera's show Songwriter's Spotlight airs on http://www.erinradio.ca/ every Sunday from 8 to 9 p.m. and features local talent from the town of Erin. Sal also dives into what the songs mean to the artists and the complicated depth of songwriting.

Sal Noguera is the owner of Erinwood Studios, a multitrack demo/project studio. Sal has been a musician for the past 35 years and has been involved in radio since 1974. This charismatic man can be seen at the Bushholme Inn every Sunday jamming with friends during the Open Stage from 1-5p.m. So tune in to the Songwriters Spotlight and explore what Erin musicians have to offer.

Sal Interviewed me in April of 2008 and the show is posted here with his permission:

http://www.pjslack.net/peterslackshow.mp3

Copyright 2008, Peter J Slack, Erin Community Radio

Em Uma Outra Vida

2008-03-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

Hello to all fine folks,

http://www.pjslack.net/emumaoutravida.mp3

This is an instrumental tune dedicated to AmandaMartinez and Laura Fernandez, both hosts of the Cafe Latino radio program that airs Saturdayafternoons on 91.1FM or online at http://www.jazz.fm for those not in the GTA.

"Em uma outra vida" translated from Portuguesemeans "in another life". I don't speak a word of Portuguese (and thanks to the powers that be foronline translators) but I played in a Brazilian jazz band several years back and was reminiscing,it seems like a lifetime ago, in another life. Istarted a mini project called Cafe Latino after Iheard news that Amanda was stepping down and following her beautiful voice and that LauraFernandez (also of a beautiful voice) was taking over as host of my favorite radio show. As with any change there is both excitement, uncertainty and we always have moments missing the life we had before changes, those inevitable blues.

The band I played with was a regular in Niagara onthe Lake and played Saturday nights at the Anchorage. The show still goes on and is hosted by Steve Goldberger and the Niagara RhythmSection. On my long drive into NOTL on those Saturdays we played, I always managed to be traveling the same time as Cafe Latino aired, this show always started my fire for those Saturday night Latin gigs and Amanda even spun up a recording that featured some of my playing once,my first time on air play! Thank you Amanda! I was fortunate to meet Amanda once many years backas she was hosting a show at the Latin Arts Festival where I was playing guitar in a backing band. Since that time she launched an amazing singing career. But this is not the end of thestory, one wintry night in Orangeville I happened to meet Laura Fernandez at the annual HAMS party. Laura is also an amazing singer / songwriter and now the new host of Cafe Latino! So congratulations are in order to both these ladies for their positive life changes and this song is for you both.

Here's some links to check out:

Amanda Martinez
http://www.myspace.com/amandamartinezsola
http://www.amandamartinez.ca/

Laura Fernandez
http://www.laurafernandezmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/laurafernandezband

There are also live recordings of the saturday night sessions. You should talk to Steve about getting your hands on some live recordings with the Bushman (me) on guitar, you might end up dancing:

http://www.stevegoldberger.com/shedrecords.html

With warm wishes,
PJ

Music (C)opyright 2008, Peter J Slack SOCAN

SILENCE AND SYMMETRY

2007-12-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

Season's Greetings from the winter wonderland,

http://www.pjslack.net/silenceandsymmetry.mp3

There's hopefully always room for a song at the right time. This instrumental production dates back a few years to 2003, I was enjoying some personal freedom having just left a 5 year long industrial post and project. I was spending some time in the wilderness during the fall and winter. This is a sonic sentiment rejoicing the quiet moments after solstice that we should all take periodically in life, a winter song that is to express a natural, yet perhaps not so obvious or logical mirror reflection of stillness against a busy life.

I have been working my way through the amazing BBC series "Planet Earth" released on DVD. I am aware after a few segments about northern climates that wildlife and nature takes time off, takes timeout, the dark cold of winter inevitably brings about this natural slumber, the busy life of spring and summer is a mirror opposite reflection of this sleep, a natural balance of living life and taking time reflecting in silence. Although seemingly brutal with many species going months without food, this slumber brings about rhythmic rejuvenation worthy of musical celebration.

Happy slumber and solstice to all!
See you in the spring,
PJ

Destination Unknown

2007-11-28T12:57:00.000-08:00

Hello to all fine people,

Destination Unknown Song Track:
http://www.pjslack.net/destinationunknown.mp3

As a child I had dreams of exploring other planets and owning a horse, my favorite books were the Time-Life series published in the early 70's and in particular, the reference book "Space" that was part of this series. These books and the wonderful illustrations therein were the stuff of dreams as I was growing up. Later in life I met the daughter of the fellow who was responsible for publishing this series of books and we are very old and dear friends to this day. The books still sit on the bookshelf at my parent's home and are always there for next generation of kids who may require good references and reading material during their stay.

Today, through the thick and sometimes monotonous,modern accounting staples of living are these dreams and a sense of great purpose and mystery. Today I imagine, like many others do, that the people of the earth are its seeds and that the ripening earth one day must let go the seeds, like a dying flower eventually must let go of its seeds with hopes and love to see them grow on their own. For me, the sense of great danger with the precarious environment on earth is balanced by the mystery that always awaits us. The next version of Noah's Ark will probably be a space craft and we will still not know where we are going but we always seem to end up somewhere.

Destination Unknown - Lyrics
Destination unknown
Don't even bother to answer the phone
'cause it's not the truth on the other end
It's my life falling againIt's my life falling again
When will this ever end?

Another sight unseen
What ever does it mean to me?
All this confusion around.
Doesn't even make a sound.
Doesn't even make a sound.
How can we go on like this?

Can't always be right.
It's never a good reason to fight.
There's still the unknown that we face,
That shadows over the human race.
That shadows over the human race.
When will we see this truth?

Words and Music (C)opyright 2007 Peter J Slack,SOCAN

Man on a String

2007-07-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

Man on a String: Song Track
http://www.pjslack.net/manonastring.mp3

I'll tell you what's really going on is I'm preparing offerings for the kind music spirits in preparation for the launch of "Brewster'sCoffeehouse Tour" starting August 4th in Sauble beach at the community center and then coming to a town near you. Come out to the beach and catch a concert in the evening for more information:
http://www.myspace.com/brewsterscoffeehouse2

I've been fortunate to learn and participate in acoustic solo style music alongside some of the best writers and performers around. This song is a sample of that solo style and what you'll hear from our coffeehouse tour. I call this a fractal blues.

There's ghosts outside the window
and wolves outside the door.
I count the times I miss you,
but I don't count no more.

Man on a string,
can't buy a diamond ring.
Doesn't mean he doesn't care.
We all fall down sometimes.
We all break our crown sometimes,
and it doesn't mean that we don't care.

Love to you all,PJ

I'll see you in the morning

2007-07-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

Hello again good people,

Song Track
http://www.pjslack.net/seeyouinthemorning.mp3

What do you do when you have the blues and don't drink? I was asking myself this very question the other day. I decided the question was also a good title for a blues album. Most obvious the first track in an album of this title would be called "I'll see you in the morning", something I would never say after a night of drinking.

Sleep is the best cure for the blues besides playing the blues, and so to answer the important question, in rootsy blues with a twist song:

I'll see you in the morning
===========================
The up side of the morning,
is the right side of the head.
The flip side is the evening,
the left side of the bed.

I'll see you in the morning,
with my arms wide open.

Love to you all, and goodnight...;-)
PJ
Words and Music (C)opyright 2007, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

Guardian Angel : song track

2007-07-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Song Track:
http://www.pjslack.net/guardianangel02.mp3

This is for my wife Terri who asked that I writeand perform a song to celebrate her goal of becoming a Mary Kay Sales Director. For any ofyou who are active with Mary Kay you understand that this is a very difficult goal to achieve. Throughout the four month process there was a recurring theme at the end of each month, one of panic that we wouldn't make the required sales mark and all of the work the previous months, all of the time and money invested was for not. At the end of each month the goal was met at the eleventh hour. I realized a long time ago that this always happened to us throughout our life together; at the last minute a small miracle would happen and we could carry on with our life.

This song is a celebration of our family's Guardian Angel and I extend hopes and wishes that all of your own Guardian Angels that protect you and your family, with love and light, will forever come through at the last minute when needed most.

Guardian Angel
Guardian Angel shine your precious light.
Show the path where everything's all right.
Spend too much time waiting for the axe to fall.
Out of our minds; working 'till the break of dawn.

Guardian Angel lend me your wings today.
Give us faith that there's a better way.
Spend too much time waiting for the axe to fall.
Out of our minds; working 'till the break of dawn.

We gather here to make your glory shine.
Do what.s right, no hearts of courage resign.
Just when it seems we're headed for another fall
You are there to help us through it all.

Guardian Angel lend me your wings today.
Give us faith that there's a better way.
Spend too much time waiting for the axe to fall.
Out of our minds; working 'till the end of dawn.

Namaste!!!
PJ
Words and Music (C)opyright 2007, Peter J Slack the Digital Bird

Never Lost

2007-03-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

NEVER LOST:Song Track

Today I am grateful to be able to offer to you all, a humble trinket from a seemingly perpetual philosophy machine. Logic doesn’t always prevail simply because the primordial paradox that continues to explode allows neither pure logic nor pure chaos to prevail. “Never Lost” is a song celebrating the dichotomies, without which, we would not exist nor would we have such rich lives. If you find yourself repeating clichés like” I’ll never figure out women” or “I’ll never figure out men”, consider that not being able to figure things out has nothing to do with gender. Also, if you find yourself very comfortable with the way things are, I recommend not getting too comfortable but instead, allow some of the strange things that occasionally happen in life to happen.

Never Lost: Lyrics

Heard a wise man say

Need not cry today

Over something lost

That's never found

Think you've got it made

Lying in the shade

Finally found your place

Was never lost

Never lost and never found

Now and then

Never lost and never found

A river without end

A child that wants to grow

Find the youth when you're old

Candle burns both ends

Spilling on the floor

Lovers get it right

Some may choose to fight

The world is falling down

While angels rise

Never lost and never found

Now and thenNever lost and never found

A river without end

Heard a wise man say

Need not cry today

Over something lost

That's never found

Words and Music

(C)opyright 2007, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

Mother is Going to Melt Your Ice

2007-01-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

Good Day to all fine people,

Song Track: Mother is Going to Melt Your Ice

I suppose I'll begin the introduction to this sad song by using an old cliche here: I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist. My new year's resolution every year from now on: I'm going to make the best of my life and do things that respect the lives and beliefs of others, respect and enhance our beautiful mother earth, and do things that naturally have respect for my own self and my own well being. Writing country blues songs and love songs certainly can rank in all three of these categories as long as it causes people to stop and reflect in a positive and constructive way. This has always been my intention for writing songs.

This is a blues / country song to add to the "Declassified" album project. This is sort of a late addendum to resonate the theme in Al Gore's film, "An Inconvenient Truth". I can certainly remember winter when there were 20 foot snow banks along the road where I live; today only half a foot if any. I can remember talking about all of the environmental issues, such as acid rain and greenhouse gas, when I was in grade school, thirty years ago. Somewhere along the line I decided to join the popular consumer culture and ignore all of these messages and simply become a sleeping, dreaming skeptic like everyone else: in this life's dream everything is just wonderful no matter what we choose to do. The lessons about impending doom that were conveyed were obviously lost in the interpretation of what life's dream is. I find myself at a loss to tell you today what my dreams are beyond enjoying companionship with a happy, healthy family and friends. I write songs to try and work out the answer to this difficult yet seemingly simple question.

This is a blunt declassification for you today: our life's dream is approaching a cataclysmic nightmare. The green revolution and evolution itself will not come about in calm, happy transitions but rather cataclysmic changes of nature and free will that leave no choice in the matter but to change. Successful form with harmonious sense of survival carries on and survives.

I am neither an anarchist nor pessimist but rather make these observations based on the irreversible and unstoppable nature of change itself. Successful life form on every scale becomes stubborn in a sheltered trough of calm and serene. This becomes the sense of balance and survival. This is survival inertia. Collectively we become extensions of single calorie burning organisms and impact nature as a collective, external consciousness that devours the amount of energy required for the new and larger hungry life form satisfying a larger survival inertia. The energy required to sustain the new collective life form is a quantum jump beyond what is required to sustain the sum of the individuals that make it up, this is the concept and physical manifestation of quantum consciousness. A successful star in the cosmos will devour more mass until finally it dies and is reborn into the next larger form and then eventually, a black hole. The propensity to consume and collect and the idea of "survival inertia" is not limited only to human nature and form but is a fabric of the universe.

There is great hope however because, most importantly and perhaps most profoundly, the sense of survival and way of survival is something that is communicated. Mother earth is communicating to us, a requirement for a new paradigm of the collective sense of survival. This is my interpretation for you in case you've missed the message:

Mother is Going to Melt Your Ice (Lyrics)

The fields are burning.
We've poisoned air.
Nature is turning
a war on this terror.

Hey hey!
Mother is going to melt your ice.

The east is yearning
for western fare.
Dollars churning
for plastic wares.

Hey hey!
Mother is going to melt your ice.

How green is your lawn?
How far does your tank of gas go?
When we reach the desert island,
won't matter any more.

(C)opyright 2007, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

THE ISLAND RIVER HEART

2006-12-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

This past fall I participated in a benefit for the Jai Dee Children's Fund and we raised money to help build a school in Laos. I wrote a song for the event and was asked by one of the elders of the community if I would record it. I am pleased today to be able to offer you the recording of this song. This is a blessing for the children of Laos and is a humble and simple musical exploration of the enchanting Khong Island in southern Laos.

The Island
River Heart

From the island river heart,
Love flows freely, forming beautiful falls.
From the land of happy hearts,
Accept this blessing:
May you love and be free.
Love and be free...Love and be free...

Song Credits:

Peter J Slack : Vocals, Guitar

Jennifer Gillmor : Cello

Recording/Engineering: Brian Hewson, Escarpment Sound

(C)opyright 2006, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

OASIS TANGO

2006-11-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

OASIS TANGO
I simply have to continue to ask this question: what are your symbols of peace and freedom? My philosophy is that the ultimate symbol of peace and freedom is an honestly earned, deep respect for one another. How do we gain respect from one another? Do we build nuclear bombs? Send armies marching to destroy? Drop bombs on innocents? Slaughter one another? Enslave on another? Together we live on this oasis. There's not a lot of good real estate to build our own Zion anywhere other than here on the great mother planet earth; our oasis in the universe. The doorway to Zion, to individual peace and freedom, is to learn to dance with one another. I offer this vibration and these symbols crafted from ancient and modern instruments, as a digital hex to ward against the false respect nations and hateful societies seek to achieve through aggression, violence and death. May we all find peace and freedom, may we all learn the Oasis Tango.

CD RELEASE: THE CAT CONTINUUM

2006-08-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

CD RELEASE!!!

Announcing the official release of "The Cat Continuum"

Hello and warm regards to all fine people!

It is with great pleasure to announce today the first official CD release : "The Cat Continuum". After many years of simply releasing mp3 renditions of songs, I decided it was time to prepare a slightly more serious production. I am very happy with the results. This is perhaps what you could call a pop-folk album for lack of a better description; the first half is pop and the last half is folk :-).

My wishes that you are all enjoying this incredible summer and that you are all experiencing good health and good fortunes.

Sincerely,

Peter J Slack

Above the Clouds

2006-06-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all fine people,

ABOVE THE CLOUDS:SONG TRACK

I'm just ecstatic today to receive another great submission for distribution on the pod-waves from the archives of Mr. Thomas Hastings. I suspect Thom has an entire album stored away. Let's just call it the Eight Years After project and be thankful he has decided to let it sail on the internet ocean.

Thom labeled this song "Above the Clouds" and this is a very appropriate title as it does put your spirits above the clouds.

Many thanks from all of us Thom for your contribution.

Warm Regards to all fine listeners. Please enjoy
your day.

Warm Regards,

Peter J Slack

Music, (C)opyright 1998-2006 , Thomas Hastings,
All Rights reserved

DECLASSIFIED

2006-05-08T04:15:00.000-07:00

The meaning of declassified is to reveal secrets, for example, through the declassification of secret documents. The social conscience, however, reveals itself without the declassification of secret documents or news broadcasts. Perhaps one of the most well guarded secrets is that the reason people are depressed is not because pharmaceutical companies need to exist by making pills to cure people's sadness. Although this sounds like a ridiculous statement it is equally ridiculous that people feel they no longer have time or tolerance to be sad. Equally as ludicrous, pharmaceutical companies and marketers of goods have convinced us that it is not normal to be without a sex drive. Today there are many reasons to feel sadness and it is an inescapable part of living as a human being. Wouldn't the world be a nicer place if there weren't so many sex crazed people?

Welcome to the year 2006 and the epitome of Brave new Worlds

This is a song to kick off a musical exploration on the theme of declassification.

DECLASSIFIED

Put the trash in the can,
Drag it down to the end of the road.
Where it goes from there,
Don't really care and don't want to know.

3 billion starving people,
Living on the edge of life.
Vanish into the darkness,
Out if sight and out of mind.

Drive off in your car.
Don't let anyone get in your way.
When it all goes wrong,
Take a pill and it all goes away.

In fear the armies marching,
with allegence to a flag.
3 billion people starving,
enemies of the state.

Put the trash in the can,
drag it down to the end of the road.
Where it goes from there,
Don't really care and don't want to know.

(C)opyright 2006, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

PETER J SLACK @ GRAFFITI'S MARCH 3, 2006

2006-03-04T18:02:00.000-08:00

(PHOTOS BY: Cassandra Slack)

Hello Fine Listeners!!!

PETER J SLACK LIVE @ GRAFFITI'S

I am so very fortunate today to be able to release to you a recording captured live at Graffiti's on March 3/2006. The most fortunate occurance was to have some very dear and talented friends jamming with me and helping me to perfect my humble love song. I extend great thanks to those friends:

Thomas Hastings; Guitar
Jerrard Smith; Mandolin
JR Busby and Russell Leon; Jembe

And additional thanks to Russell Leon for organizing the event and letting us record to produce this PODCAST.

(C)opyright 2006, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

GLENELG IMPROVISATION SESSIONS

2006-03-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS BY: Peter J Slack
Hello World!!!

GLENELG ALBUM TRACKS

I am so very pleased to release to you all the GLENELG IMPROVISATION SESSIONS that took place at the end of July 2006 at he Glenelg community hall. These are the "best of" tracks that were recorded over the weekend during the emancipation picnic weekend. The spirits were flying high and these are some incredible ambient sessions captured for you on hard drive. The Players list for this weekend excursion is as follows:

Nik Cherry: percussion, slide guitar, calimba
Nick Hall; Guitar, Slide Guitar
Phil Papineah; Percussion
Jerry Prager; Harmonica, Chants
Morvern McNie; Darbouke drum, egg
JR Busby; Jembe
Warren Campbell; Bass, Percussion, Frog
Peter J Slack; Guitar, Bass

Enjoy!!!!

(C)opyright 2006, Players of Instruments

8 YEARS AFTER

2006-02-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Good day to all fine people!

SONG TRACK: 8 YEARS AFTER

I am very excited today to introduce some awesome talent on the PJ Slack
Musical Blog. This song was recorded by a good friend and musical
colleague, Thom Hastings, in the studio we had operated many years
back. I am convinced that a 5 year plan is too quick to really accomplish
anything in life and a 10 year plan is generally more realistic. Thom
didn't have a name for this tune so I named it for him: "8 Years After"

This track was recorded in 1998. Thom is an incredible guitar player and
song writer. We hope to hear more from him soon and perhaps we can
convince the other studio operator, Doug Hastings, to put some tunes up here
as well or perhaps any other of the fine artists on this spam..uhhh..I mean...
mailing list.

Enjoy!!!

PJ

MUSIC (C) 1998-2006 Thom Hastings, All Rights Reserved

CUPID'S ARROW 2

2006-02-13T18:56:00.000-08:00

Good day to all fine people!

CUPID'S ARROW 2

I humbly offer this new recording as homage for Valentine's day. It is my own emerging tradition of producing a guitar duet as a celebration. The first rendition of this style of song ,"Cupid's Arrow", was recorded in my closet with a classical guitar borrowed from a dear friend. This morphological rendition ("Cupid's Arrow 2...the next couple a years...;-)") is performed with my Les Paul that I have recently 'converted' into an acoustic guitar!!! The piece is inspired from soul, blues, classical fugue, and country...it's a folk fusion peice..

PLEASE ENJOY! (and forward this song to your favorite Valentine!)

With Love.... Happy Valentine's Day,

PJ Slack

ICEBERG

2005-11-26T11:34:00.000-08:00

ICEBERG
My favorite digital bird landed on my shoulder the other day and told a story in well-formed mystic URL, of the news of the singing icebergs. Enchanted by such news and the recordings of their songs I went to sleep that night and dreamed I was an iceberg singing a song of my beloved mother earth. I had a heart beat that no one could hear other than the great mother who spoke to me through the ocean waves and the moon whose grip was steady like the rhythm of my pulse. As the sun rises only slightly on the horizon, the water that is my life-blood begins to flow ever faster through my veins. Only the icy waters of the ocean sooth the scorching heat of the mysterious glowing orb; my color, snow white, to reflect the full spectrum of harmful rays. The smaller life forms around me, oblivious to my presence used me as a perch for hunting and trapping their prey. The life surrounding me is part of my purpose, is part of my soul.

THE VALUE OF A MAN

2005-11-23T20:12:00.000-08:00

THE VALUE OF A MAN

With certainty, many women ask this question every day and with equal certainty, most men either do not have the right answer or just simply do not answer such an obvious rhetorical question. Of course, every argument or position can be broken down or dissected until eventually a paradox that has no answer is encountered but today, I will refrain, step down from the cosmos, and will not attempt a cosmic all encompassing answer to this particular question. I'll propose here instead, words and song that form a very sensible answer that any man can feel free to use if presented with such a difficult question. He can memorize it because, in my selfish opinion, it's a very good answer!

THE VALUE OF A MAN?

The value of a man is not what he takes.
Not what he holds in his hands but what he lets go free,
and what he gives of his heart and when he lets it be.

So give your heart and your soul.
Set free the joy and the pain.
The sparkle will stay in your eyes,
let the rain fall down.

To hold the light or the dark
will only tear you apart.
Give hope to your children near,
let the rain fall down.

The value of a man is not what he takes.
Not what he holds in his hands but what he lets go free,
and what he gives of his heart and when he lets it be.

Warm Regards,
PJ

THE EYES OF JUPITER

2005-10-30T22:53:00.000-08:00

THE EYES OF JUPTIER:Song Track

One of the most startling and immense systems of weather and inexplicable demonstrations of stable atmospheric dynamics is the great red spot of Jupiter that was first observed more than 300 years ago. It is assumed that it was Cassini who first observed the Great Red Spot, however, it is unlikely that when Cassini made the observation that he considered whether the spot could be observing him.

If one accepted the gaia hypothesis as addition or otherwise fitting
with our clinical definition of life, then there would be no need to further question the existence of extra terrestrial life because we could simply begin to investigate the other planets in our solar system as conscious living systems. Possibly the most difficult psychological hurtle for the human race would be to accept a view that we are conscious beings that make up part of a larger conscious being that is the earth and that each degree has free will that defies logic. For sake of this hypothesis, put aside the notion that life and consciousness has to follow a strict clinical definition of what we can observe, dissect and calculate to consider and compare the larger living system of Jupiter with that of earth.

One of the observable traits common to living planets with complex internal workings is its weather system. Collectively, life on earth contributes to the creation, the content and the shape of our atmosphere. In this respect, the human race through the observation and understanding of the universe has shaped the weather systems by applying this knowledge and understanding to lifestyle and to the taming of nature. A gaia theorist could postulate that, in part through our actions, the earth weather system is an evolved complex system that has a memory and is aware and conscious of the universe; the earth can observe and store information of the surrounding universe through us. A planet like Jupiter would not be able to sustain our forms life given the immense gravitational field yet there is potential mechanism that could shape the weather patterns on Jupiter through external universal influences: the great red spot. The great red spot of Jupiter is still a mystery to scientists yet is it possible that it is part of the living system of Jupiter itself much as we are to the earth? Is the great red spot an example of the inexplicable properties of life and free will?

Consider the great red spot as an engine that drives the rest of the weather patterns on Jupiter and then apply the butterfly effect discovered while attempting mathematical weather modeling; a small perturbation in temperature or pressure within the great red spot will have immense consequences to the unfolding patterns of the surrounding weather system. A small blip in the spot would be amplified to some degree on the resulting eddies and vortexes around the spot. Is this Jupiter's eye to sense the surrounding universe?

Words and Music (C)opyright 2005, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

The Seven Rings of Saturnalia

2005-10-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

Good day once again to all fine people,

The Seven Rings of Saturnalia : Song Track

I awoke the other morning to a news cast on TV with these spectacular and mysterious sounds of the aurora of Saturn that were recorded by the Cassini probe. This particular recording was in the radio spectrum and was slowed down 44 times to render in the audio range. I decided to overlay some improvisational tracks over top of these tracks from the physics lab at U of IOWA for you. The original recording can and spectral graph can be found here:

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

I was excited to produce this particular track because earlier, and co-incidently, as part of the cat continuum project, I had simulated schumann resonance:

SCHUMANN RESONANCE

and inserted it as backdrop for a live performance of "Heal the Children" at the Hugh's Room. These types of planetary soundscapes seem to work very well for ambient and even folk tunes....ooppps!!!my secret is out!! :-)

These are very exciting and inspiring times to have these more intimate understandings and connections unfold to further express our place in the giant milky way: more fuel for music making.

Enjoy,

PJ Space Cadet
Music & Words
Copyright 2005, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

North American Dream

2005-09-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Good day once again fine people,

NORTH AMERICAN DREAM

I was considering this song for some time now and it sort of follows on the theme of relationships. The scale of this song however is much grander; it is a plea to mother earth that she is always there to tame our guiding social conscience with that of the earth conscience, or in other words, the relationship we have with the planet and beings we share it with. In a sense, the relationship we have with ourselves is embedded in the relationships we have with others, is part of the relationship we have as communities, and furthermore is part of the relationship we have as nations on the planet. The will of the earth is much larger than the will of all nations combined and follows a different set of controlling philosophies and balances. The earth can shift and change our lives in an instant and, with certainty; we will all live our lives out together on this orb and share it with all other life forms. The moral of this short tale; our controls and balances of social conscience aren't necessarily friendly with the free will of mother Earth.

I suppose one can call this sort of a "stop and smell the roses" country/blues style....Enjoy

North American Dream

Follow me.
We climb to the top put our heads in the fog.
We shoot for the moon but we still hit the ground.
Mother Earth please follow me
Through this North American dream.

Shelter me.
We hide from the truth but we can't stop the pain.
We say that it's right and ignore when it's wrong.
Mother Earth please shelter me,
From this North American dream.

Frighten me
You speak through the trees with deep love from the ground
Your mind is a flash lightening strike to the clouds
Mother Earth please frighten me,
From this North American dream.

Set me free.
We go on our way and forget where we've been
We live out our lives disconnected it seems
Mother Earth please set me free,
From this North American dream.

Warm regards to all,
PJ

Words and Music
(C)opyright 2005, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

DRIFT AWAY

2005-09-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

Warm greetings to all fine people,

In my humble opinion, if we are ever to ascertain
the ultimate grand unification metaphor of science
we would probably be best served to first figure
out the true nature of personal relationships and
how this ties into physical reality. This song is
inspired by the concept of hysteresis that, not
only transcends all scales in the grand scheme of
scientific unification metaphors but also, finds
its way into the dynamics of personal
relationships. A relationship is the creative
energy that materializes into something that is
larger than the participants. Relationships
require energy to exist, patience to nurture, and
above all, time and space to grow and change.

DRIFT AWAY

We all drift away,
Like forever and a day.
Never say one last goodbye.

Life has its way,
Every star must cast a ray,
So that twilight never ends.

Turn around and drift away,
Here your heart will always stay,
Never say one last goodbye.

Joy for us all,
Never need to be alone.
There's a sunrise every day.

We rise and we fall,
Surprised confusion do we call,
Just a whisper of goodbye.

Turn around and drift away,
Here your heart will always stay,
Never say one last goodbye.

Words and Music
(C)opyright 2005, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

Raccoon Requiem

2005-05-24T23:27:00.000-07:00

A friend was having troubles with pesky raccoons and decided to purchase one of the sonic pest control devices widely available at Canadian Tire etc. and it actually worked. I was inspired to write a happy requiem..if there is such a thing..

Raccoon Requiem

Music Copyright, 2005, PJ SLACK, SOCAN

SANDCASTLES

2005-04-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring to all fine people!

SANDCASTLES

A friend of mine was agonizing over the schmaltzy love songs that I had been sending out and requested that I write a "work song". I didn't really know what he meant by "work song" and neither did he when questioned further. ;-)

Well, given that my friend is kind of a space cadet on a cosmic mission like myself, I considered myself duly commissioned to act on his thematic presentation and am pleased to present my humble attempt at a song in the rock opera style.

I decided that the "work song" really had to be a protest song to be in conformance to my generation-x tendencies. I was also inspired to assemble a short rock opera style because my favorite rock opera from childhood; "The Phantom of the Paradise" (1974) , was on the tube recently. This has music written by Paul Williams and is a really cheesy sci-fi horror movie that I just love. Paul Williams is a great songwriter and I suppose this flick is considered a cult-classic by this time. I hope you enjoy this song:

SANDCASTLES
Shape it with your hands.
Sing the phrase that frees your mind.
Build the promised land;
The universe inside your life.

In place the cup forever flowing.
Redeem the bond and stay the home.
Burn the oil and warm to cold times.
Set feast until the cupboards bare.

Now blood, once clear the sunset.
Now mist, once clear the air.
Now slave, once free the spirit.
Now count more and compare.

What happiness, possessions for your slavery?
What store in heaven takes these treasured wears?
Did trade fund slavery of misfortune?
Some hidden crime did the counting make.

Shape it with your mind,
Subtle textures, woven fancy.
Presenting to the blind
who seek counting concrete statutes.

Labyrinth laws entwined to guide the counting;
Fortune given substance over weight.
Climb high this mountain, never reach the summit.
End futile waste of life of never knowing.

Shape it with your hands.
Sing the phrase that frees your mind.
Build the promised land;
The universe inside your life.

Warm regards to all,

PJ

WORDS AND MUSIC
(C)opyright 2005, Peter J Slack, SOCAN

IN MY FAVOURITE BOOK

2005-03-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Easter to all!

This is a song that I had the great opportunity to perform at the Winterfolk Festival in Toronto this past February. Finally I took some time to produce a track for this song along with a new beginning. This song is dedicated to all of my sisters who I love dearly.

Song Track: In My Favorite Book

IN MY FAVORITE BOOK: Lyrics

In my favorite book
There's a crease in the pages,
Saving words that remind me of you.
Saving words that remind me of you.

In my favorite book
There's a picture of a sunrise,
Reminding me of days with you.
I loose myself spending days with you.

In my favorite book
There's a story with happy endings,
That reminds me of your stories for me.
I loose myself in your stories for me.

In my favorite book
There are words that you wrote me,
Saying the story reminded you of me.
The story reminded you of me.

Cheerz,

PJ

LOVE WALKS IN

2005-03-22T22:07:00.000-08:00

Hello fine people,

Best wishes to all. I would like to share this submission to a songwriting contest. This is a story of a lady who rekindles fond memories of dear friends from school days long past and it is set to a slow country groove. The rules of the contest were that it had to include the words "slingshot" and "James" and there was also other writings that served as subterfuge to evade the real root of the story: .. It's a love story of course..I mean what other kind of schmaltz does this Slack cat write anyways? :-)

Song Track: Love Walks In

LOVE WALKS IN: Lyrics

Who am I if not who I am?
A wanderer, a drifter, alone.
Take me away, if only a day,
together in the gentle afternoon.

Then love soars in; slingshot around the sun.
Then love walks in; forever does it stay.
It seems like only yesterday.

What purpose have I if not to find you?
A gambler, indifferent, alone.
The energy of earth to a grain of sand;
a spirit in flight through the world.

Then love soars in; slingshot around the sun.
Then love walks in; forever does it stay.
It seems like only yesterday.

Who asks nothing of yet answers to all,
bare foot do I walk through the stones.
A soul in the dark, aimlessly lost,
yet a candle burns fast in my heart.

Then love soars in; slingshot around the sun.
Then love walks in; forever does it stay.
James, you really save the day.

ENJOY!!!!

PJ

CATS ON VENUS

2005-01-02T01:14:00.000-08:00

Hey!!..

I unpacked the "Metaphysical" function generator and the first setting was labeled "Cat on Venus"....I couldn't help myself but had to wrap a little song around this particular soundscape over the holidays:

Song Track : Cats on Venus

Cats on Venus : Lyrics

The high priestess of the temple
floats across the sky,crystallizing life
from the tear drops in your eyes.

Bring the right sphere to the left,
where it meets call it center,
thread with life, needle gently;
never a straight line.

In life we pattern freely,
in death we move as earth,
through space around a center,
never a straight line.

Happy New Year!!!

PJ

HEAL THE CHILDREN

2004-12-13T02:06:00.000-08:00

Hello fine folks,

Song Track : Heal the Children

Well!!, in anticipation of the ensuing new year I've put a re-enforced concrete lid on the "CATACLYSM" musical project....I've literally stuffed 1 hour and 20 minutes (23 songs) on 1 CD and thus required a well engineered cap.. If you email me your snail mail address I will gladly mail you a copy of the final CATACLYSM release CD or ...just ask me if you see me to give you a copy and I may just have one for you.

I am pleased to announce the launch of a new musical campaign for 2005 code named: "THE CAT CONTINUUM" and also with an inaugural song attached below for your viewing pleasure. This song is also a submission to the New Foundation for their show at the Hugh's Room in January. The theme for this upcoming show is GLOBALIZATION and I am honored to give you my musical take on this hot topic:

HEAL THE CHILDREN :Lyrics

What's yours is yours.
What's mine is mine, but
maybe we should feed the children, together.
What goes around,
all comes around, but
maybe we should heal the children, together.
Turn up your nose,
I turn my cheek, but
maybe we should free the children, together.
The world is large,
yet the world is small;
if we fail to save the children, together.

What's yours is yours, what's mine is mine.
What goes around, comes around.
The world is large, the world is small.

Best wishes for the holidays,

PJ Slack

EDEN

2004-10-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

Hello to all,

I am pleased to release to you all this evening the MP3 files of "Eden" on behalf of the Players of Instruments (POI) collective.

POI EDEN CD TRACKS

Special thanks to Keith Winter and his crew at Sentex Communications for their continued support and resources to make this internet thing work for us.

Cheers,
PJ

ON THE FARM

2004-10-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hello to all fine folks...

Song Track : On The Farm

I'm pleased to release a "happy fall on the farm" song for you all. This was meant to be a submission for the New Folk North show at the OCFF this year but I didn't get it done in time. I managed to see the New Folk North Show and was absolutely endeared by the wonderful artists and their brilliant songs. KUDOS to Trevor and Tony for pulling this together and to these awesome artists. Here's my better late than never "on the farm" song:

On the Farm : Lyrics

If city lights and crowds annoy you
why not venture to the farm?
If rolling hills of flowers excite you
why not venture to the farm?

Faces are friendly,
each one you meet.
Worries are seldom,
life is so sweet
on the farm.

Tuesday night is horseback riding
over at Brightwater farm.
Pretty girls with rosy cheeks
groom their horses in the barn.

Faces are friendly,
each one you meet.
Worries are seldom,
life is so sweet
on the farm.

Every fall green thumbs compare
their produce at the local fair.
Diesel fumes from tractor pulls
permeate the cold fall air.

Faces are friendly,
each one you meet.
Worries are seldom,
life is so sweet
on the farm.

Bees make honey, wine ferments,
beer is brewed at father's home.
Mother is in the garden picking lettuce
for a salad of her own.

Faces are friendly,
each one you meet.
Worries are seldom,
life is so sweet
on the farm.

Cheers,

PJ

FOR MY OWN

2004-10-18T01:15:00.000-07:00

Good day to all fine folks,

Song Track :FOR MY OWN

I am pleased to release my "Sex song" for The New Foundation group of songwriters. When I write a song I try to arrive at simply expressing the fundamentals of a given topic. This generally leads to a song that can be freely interpreted in many different ways. Sex is the cataclysmic event that stimulates all of the senses and that has far reaching ramifications in our lives and in the course of the unfolding universe. It is the ultimate expression of our unique signature and it is the closest that we, as living beings, come to being together....Of course I leave it for you to come up with your own crazy interpretations.

FOR MY OWN : Lyrics

My love is like an iron chain,
do I hold my head in shame?
You are the flower with a name
that I hold firm in my hands.

The night is near and my heart sits on a throne.
Tonight, my dear, may I have you for my own?

For my own
Not alone

We have desire to carry on
let our children lead the way.
In time we share the knowledge
of past choices never made.

The change is clear that we'll live for ever more.
Tonight, my dear, may I have you for my own?

For my own
Not alone

I hold you close like no one can
but the feeling never stays.
It's searching for a grain of sand
tumbling hopeless through the days.

The point is clear that this passion has it's place.
Tonight, my dear, may I have you for my own?

For my own
Not alone

All the best to everyone,

PJ

JUST TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY

2004-09-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all...

Song: Just to Brighten up Your Day

While camping on Georgian bay this summer I actually wrote 4 chants including Georgian Waves. This particular song I have been taking my time and maturing it, like wine, through jam sessions, performances and studio effort. I performed an unfinished version of this at the Distillery this past Monday and, today, am happy to give you a finished version.....

JUST TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY : Lyrics

It's just a smile to chase your blues away,
just a sigh to end the day.
Hole in the clouds to let the sun shine through,
just to brighten up your day.

Just a sweet kiss to set your heart ablaze,
an embrace to make you stay.
Hole in the clouds to let the moon beams through,
just to brighten up your day.

just simple words to make you understand,
with a song to make you sway.
Hole in the clouds to let your spirit fly,
just to brighten up your day.

It's just a smile to make your blues go away,
just a sigh to end your day.
Hole in the clouds to let the sun shine through,
just to brighten up your day.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy...

PJ

CORPORATE BLUES 1-1/4

2004-08-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

This is a sneak release of some older tunes after producing "The Corporate Blues Tracks". There were many more songs than this but these were the songs that I selected from the batch. It was unlikely that I would revisit these songs and so I give them to you here instead:

Track 1. 4 Score
Track 2. Castle Walls
Track 3. Dark Curtains
Track 4. Road Rage
Track 5. Square Dance
Track 6. Stepping Stone
Track 7. Take Six
Track 8. Lifes' Rush Karaoke

Cheers,

PJ

GEORGIAN WAVES

2004-08-16T01:14:00.000-07:00

Hello to all wonderful people,

Georgian Waves: Song Track

I've been on a break from producing music yet I have been very busy performing, recording, and concocting strange "brue glass" with several different groups of musicians.

I was recently introduced to the concept of a chant from my friend Bruce Jones who has just put together a compilation CD called "Amazon Dreams". This is my favorite new Jazz CD featuring great artists and beautiful songs written by Bruce. Many of the songs are what he terms "chants".

I recently took the family camping at our favorite perch on Georgian bay in Meaford Ontario. As always, we were enchanted and drawn to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach. I brought the recording gear camping and thus decided to put together a chant called Georgian Waves. This is dedicated to Bruce and Pat who are in California right now enjoying the same sounds on the beach and concocting their own style of "brue glass" as we speak ;-)...Enjoy!!

PJ

CUP HALF EMPTY

2004-06-29T23:25:00.000-07:00

Eureka!!!
Cup Half Empty: Song Track

All this time the cure for mid-life dementia was right under my nose! ..I'm sure everyone has cured hiccups by drinking upside down from a cup right? .. Well that's it!!..the mid-life thing; just a hiccup... simply drink upside down from a cup half empty and, voila!!, the cure for all mid-life dementia and crisis!!!...just don't spill any up your nose because it ruins the moment of euphoria...;-)

Cup Half Empty: Lyrics

Ask me and I'll tell you a lie
that all things good must wither and die.
This thought I speak with serious face.
Enjoy you may these bitter tastes
from a cup half empty.

A fable told of love gone awry
untrue as only passion does fly.
Like ocean swells the passion dives
with grace to sip the endless tides
from a cup half empty.

Does the wind call your name?
Does it throw you around?
Does it all go away
if you drink upside down
from a cup half empty?

Does it all go away
if you drink upside down
from a cup half empty?

Ask me and I'll tell you a lie
that all things good must wither and die.
This thought I speak with serious face.
Enjoy you may these bitter tastes
from a cup half empty.

Best regards and wishes to all,

PJ

FOREVER A STEP

2004-06-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

WELL!!!!!!!

Do you ever have the feeling you are on the verge of something but it always seems just a step away from being your ideal reality? This sense of constant urgency seems to be a forward motivating force field; there's always a dream to live.

This is a pop rock tune with a northern first nations combined with a Brazilian off-beat jungle rhythm.

Forever A Step:Song Track

FOREVER A STEP: Lyrics

Although the sky may fall,
the ocean may open and swallow us all.
The dream it dwells in a river
while marching am I to the hot fire cry.

Forever just a step away.
Dream our dream another day, until the end.

I start but cannot complete,
for fear of having no dreams in the keep.
But here the kingdom is vast
where many before us will live their dreams last.

Forever just a step away.
Dream our dream another day, until the end.

While we struggle with thirst,
the moment is near to live our dream first.
Close the dream it does call
and many weary souls do fall.

Forever just a step away.
Dream our dream another day, until the end.

Although the sky may fall,
the ocean may open and swallow us all.
The dream it dwells in a river
while marching am I to the hot fire cry

Forever just a step away.
Dream our dream another day, until the end.

Best regards to all

PJ

POLITICAL RAT RACE SHUFFLE

2004-06-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

Greetings to everyone,

Political Rat Race Shuffle

POLITICAL RAT RACE SHUFFLE:Lyrics

I'll take a bow, then, pour me up some more Champaign.
Tonight we celebrate the victory of the vain.
As the bubbles rise all inhibition fades,
I warm to trophy spoils of the rat race game;

A fancy car, a new fur coat.
A bank account, six digits to float.

To tell you the truth that this way is a shell of a dream
that we had when the miracle happened to be our life.

Let us clear the land and put a factory there.
We'll make a fortune poisoning the water and air.
Don't have to think, just imagine all the money from this place.
Another gang of bureaucrats can make their way;

A fancy car, a house in the burbs.
An indexed pension, on our work it does serve.

To tell you the truth that this way is a shell of a dream
that we had when the miracle happened to be our life.

A fancy car, a new fur coat.
A bank account, six digits to float.

To tell you the truth that this way is a shell of a dream
that we had when the miracle happened to be our life.

I'll take a bow, then, pour me up some more Champaign.
Tonight we celebrate the victory of the vain.

Best regards to all!!!

PJ

WRITER'S BLOCK BLUES

2004-06-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

Greetings on a sunny Sunday to all kind people,

Writer's Block Blues: Song Track

I woke up Saturday with strange harmonies rolling through my brain and had to act on them before they vanished into the mist as these musical ideas will if they are not performed shortly after invading my space. I was in a blue mood and thus wrangled these concepts into a blue song about having writer's block and the possibility of not being able to write songs when one has the blues. This song is in the style of Steely Dan...WARNING! It is very easy listening and has put me to sleep a couple of times while I was listening and uploading today...do not operate heavy machinery while listening :-) ..

WRITER'S BLOCK BLUES: Lyrics

When the voices talk inside my head
in music they do speak.
Whispering songs made of perfect notes,
sometimes a dream that can be played.

Is it in time?
Should the words rhyme?
Am I just out of my head?
Will it ever please my lover's ear?
Is it in style?
Will it walk a mile?
Will they only tear the song apart?
Will it only break my lover's heart?

The dream expands to fill an empty space,
music permeates the air.
One foot ahead is further from that place
of silence, darkness and despair.

Is it in time?
Should the words rhyme?
Am I just out of my head?
Will it ever please my lover's ear?
Is it in style?
Will it walk a mile?
Will they only tear the song apart?
Will it only break my lover's heart?

Is it in style?
Will it walk a mile?
Will they only tear the song apart?
Will it only break my lover's heart?

Best regards and have a great week

PJ

LIFE'S WALTZ

2004-06-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Excellent Friends and Family!!!

Life's Waltz: Song Track

Today I decided to finish this ditty for you because I could. This song started as an unplugged campfire concept and I then I heard a larger version in my mind. I gathered every tone and style that I like except the kitchen sink sound and except the folks on the Harley Davidsons up and down Winston Churchill Blvd sounds...and brewed up this "blues-soul-revival-country-cowboy-waltz" song... because I could....and there's not a lot of words this time...so I'll almost remember them at the next camp fire...maybe ;-). Terri and Cassie generously offered to be crash test victims for this song...Thanks to Terri and Cassie...

LIFE'S WALTZ: Lyrics

Take me out in style,
such a short time to be.
Sentimental child
full of wonder, running free.

Although the world seems heavy,
like it tries to press you down,
the weight is all illusion,
your imagination wild.

Walk me down the aisle
and never let me go.
Impressionable child,
will always be so.

Have a wonderful weekend folks!!!

SLOW DANCING IN THE TWILIGHT

2004-05-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hello to all fine folks and also welcome to new recipients on the Digital Birdman distribution list!

Slow Dancing Dancing in the
Twilight: Song Track

Well!!...I decided to get serious about writing a more popular style of country/folk song. The engineer 'analyst' buried deep inside me decreed that it had to follow a strict production formula and execution sequencing. First was devised a mathematically clever guitar progression that tickled the inner ear with particularly enjoyable resonant styling and predictably comfortable changes. The next complex convolution was a very strong love sentiment setting into a foundation upon which to write words of a strong love sentiment nature...and...voila!!! the blueprint and prototype for PJ Slack's popular country/folk song was born and the inaugural track burned onto the drive after 50 takes....my voice totally shot after 2 late evenings of takes to get it almost right for all of you...

The next step in the song genesis was to tweak and then test the prototype to ensure the enduring primacy of public safety everywhere... and so.. the other night at Bruce's barbecue event gathered a particularly diverse group of unknowing crash test victims around a campfire ambiance; a picture perfect popular country/folk song venue and test suite. I cleared my throat, limbered and warmed my fingers and set the crash vehicle in motion thus commencing the precarious test procedure. The test vehicle was loosing nuts and bolts as it shimmied down the track as I had forgot the words in the nervous manner that I perform and couldn't read them from the sheet because it was too dark outside.... my fingers fumbling ...
looking for those supposedly enjoyable changes in the dark. Finally, the children were lulled asleep, the dogs whimpered, the cats purred, the ladies sighed, the crickets stopped chirping , and master maestro Bruce gave an approving smile...AS IF ALL AT ONCE IN A CATACLYSMIC CALAMITY OF ERROR, the popular style country song had tested compatible and safe for this particular version of the universe and suitable for public consumption.

This love sentiment is for Terri, my wonderful slow dancing partner since 1981, and dedicated to all of you and your loving, slow dancing mates..

SLOW DANCING IN THE TWILIGHT: Lyrics

Embrace into the night,
whisper in my ear.
Deafened by my heart
singing of undying love.
Savour every moment.
So crystal clear
I hear your love
right next to mine.
Slow dancing in the twilight
we sail into the night together
and it feels so right
a warm embrace forever together.
Love in trance
in unison we dance.
Innocence and wonder
deepening romance.
Savour every moment.
So crystal clear
I hear your love
right next to mine.
Slow dancing in the twilight
we sail into the night together
and it feels so right
a warm embrace forever together.
Voices in the night
saying all things right.
We walk along a rainbow
to all a wondrous sight.
Savour every moment.
So crystal clear,
I hear your love
right next to mine.
Slow dancing in the twilight,
we walk into the night together,
and it feels so right,
a warm embrace forever together.

Thank you to all for your many kind words of encouragement and for your enduring patience.

Peter J Slack
The artist formerly know as PJ Slack

LULLABY OF THE MULTIVERSE

2004-05-25T01:41:00.000-07:00

Greetings fine people,

I read an abstract by a scientist who is intent on proving that parallel universes (ie the multiverse) exist. His method is to construct a quantum computer and essentially perform a calculation such that parts of the calculation are done in the parallel universes and combine to the final answer in our universe; sort of multitasking in the multiverse. So I got to thinking...given that our brains are essentially quantum computers of a sort, then perhaps when we dream our brains are actually drawing on images from parallel universes. I was thus inspired to write a lullaby to help everyone to get to sleep and experience the multiverse. You'll notice that the chorus in this song is slightly different each time....you just have to use your imagination that each chorus in fact exists in a different universe ;-)...So here it is, live off the floor from the catatorium..

Lullaby of the Multiverse: Song Track

LULLABY OF THE MULTIVERSE: Lyrics

Close your eyes and drift away.
All your troubles vanish

into the infinite center of a dream
of a thousand faces of you and I.

Rest your head and slumber
on this pillow soft and

into the infinite center of a dream
of the many faces of you and I.

Bring no fear, just let go.
Set your spirit floating

into the beautiful center of the dream
of a thousand faces of you and I.

Dreams collide to take form
of the new day we live joyful

into the infinite center of the dream
of a thousand journeys of you and I.

LIGHT FANTASTICA

2004-05-20T23:39:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

I sincerely wish that everyone is enjoying life to the fullest extent possible.

Light Fantastica: Song Track

We were having a party in Whitehorse over at big sister Wendy's house to kick off a new business venture. We had all the players there and there was a geologist friend who came up to me and said "people here say that there is an incredible energy band that crosses the Yukon and, if you look closely, the colours are protruding from the third eye on my forehead" as he pointed to his forehead. Two sheets to the wind, I squinted at his forehead and, in my best redneck accent, I said; "Buddy!? I can't see yer third eye"....for me, things progressed into the much stranger category from that point.

This was originally intended to be a rock song but....I wanted to be different today... Here's a country song for y'all:

LIGHT FANTASTICA: Lyrics

Suddenly, in a blinding flash of light,
I had to close my eyes.
Coincidence, or was it meant to be
That only I would see the blue sky?

It was a long haul road with that light fantastica,
trailing me every step of the way.

20 days and 20 long, long nights,
A thousand year rain.
The water mark had reached the final crest,
Our livelihoods on the line.

It was a long haul road with that light fantastica,
trailing me every step of the way.

Opening up, the sky told me its plan,
The water and the air of life.
Opened up, I told the sky my plan
Of the water and the air of life

It was a long haul road with that light fantastica,
trailing me every step of the way.

Suddenly, in a blinding flash of light
I had to close my eyes.
Coincidence, or was it meant to be
That only I would see the blue sky?

It was a long haul road with that light fantastica,
trailing me every step of the way.

ALL THE BEST FOR THE LONG WEEKEND

PJ

PS) HERE'S THE ROCK PRE-VERSION:
LONG ROAD: Song Track

A LOSS FOR WORDS

2004-05-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hello once again to all fine people,

A Loss For Words: Song Track

A dear friend gave me this book by a fellow named Douglas Hofstadter who had written a column in the Scientific American magazine called "Metamagical Themas" (also the title of the book). In the preface he begins to describe what he calls "Whirly Art" which describes as his particular form of artistic expression. As he describes; he begins with a form (many times the alphabet) and then begins to freely doodle strange variations of lines and patterns off the top of his head and onto the paper creating new alphabets and "fontscapes" with no purpose or practical end use intended.

I could relate to this sort of obsession given that most everyone in my family does this whirly art of one form or another while talking on the phone or doing something while having a pen and paper in hand. I don't think there are any Slacks who can just jot down a phone number without frilling it up with whirly art and I certainly have never sat through a meeting without a full page of doodling..

When the kids arrive at home at the end of the school day, they litter the house with free form "whirly art" for which I have a large stack of paper and markers available. It's really a great pass time to exercise creative tensions and sometimes there are some very interesting and wonderful creations that emerge. In my opinion Douglas is on to something big here...

Finally I realized that I needed to confess to all of you that much of the music I create is doodling whirly art!!. I begin with a pleasing construct with form and then layer all sorts of free form expressions on top with no purpose or practical end use other than to annoy all of you with endless uploads. This particular song I tried to write words and construct a vocal melody but it just wasn't working for me. Some times there are words that don't require music and some times there is music that doesn't require words. So I decided to do some whirly art with the guitar voice instead, and backed up with some far north Brazilian backdrop. Most people wouldn't consider broadcasting their whirly art on the internet....But why not?!! ...It would be revolutionary!! ;-)

All the best to all of you,

PJ Slack

BROWN JUG SEPARATION

2004-05-11T22:03:00.000-07:00

Dearest and most gracious music listeners..

Brown Jug Separation: Song Track

I sincerely hope everyone is on top of the world.

One of the most difficult things to do as a performer (at least for me) is to play an instrument and sing at the same time. For the past 4 months I have been working on techniques to achieve "separation" in my performance on guitar and piano both along with vocals and also separation in guitar and piano playing techniques in themselves. This song is a my benchmark thus far for guitar and vocals. The song is about my chosen separation from beer ...It kind of makes you want to have a beer...hmmmmmmm

I was inspired by some other performers to write and perform this song and it is dedicated to, and in the style of 2 musicians whom I met recently. Both of these performers have super natural abilities of separation and are both incredible artists.

The first fine fellow is Trevor Mills ( TREVOR MILLS ). The second time I met Trevor we sort of spontaneously decided to find some instruments and jam. While we were jamming I was totally blown away that he could carry on a perfectly normal conversation with another person (who was with us but not jamming) while jamming with me....The whole thing threw me off just thinking about what was going on at that moment :-) I finally figured out that this was Trevor's way of achieving separation of guitar playing and singing. He really is incredible and he is an inspiration to me. I highly recommend his new album "Karyoke Cowboy".

The other fine fellow is Manitoba Hal ( MANITOBA HAL ) who completely blew my mind when he performed at the Hughs room some time ago. His latest album "This Condition" is an absolute must for anyone who enjoys the style of this song. I've been working a similar guitar method with the help of Bruce who gave me some classical pieces to study in order to achieve separation of the thumb and forefingers in a unique finger picking style like Manitoba Hal....

...So here it is, live off the floor (only one track this time... ;-) from the catatorium on Winston Churchill BLVD...

Brown Jug Separation: Song Track

BROWN JUG SEPARATION: Lyrics

I found joy in a little brown jug;
you press it to your lips and it feels like love.

...ahhhh not like any kind of love you want...cold crystal clear love!!!

You can buy the brown jug at the market square.
The lady will tell you "you're going to grow hair".

....ahhh not like any hair you want....brown jug hair...

When you're making sweat, and your throat is dry,
the little brown jug; by your side.

....won't be making sweat for much longer...you'll be on your back..too
many brown jugs will do that to you, yah know...

In my garage, in a far dark corner;
a thousand brown jugs we call the dead soldiers.

...ahhh not like any war you've seen...a war of leisure...a war with
yourself.

Then one day I came to my senses;
I threw brown jug away and started mending fences.

...ahhhh I had a lot of fences to mend...police towed my car...just going
crazy everywhere.

I once found joy in a little brown jug;
you press it to your lips and it feels like love.....but it isn't.

LOVE TO ALL

PJ Slack

THE EXTRA CONVERSATION

2004-05-06T00:22:00.000-07:00

Hello music listeners,

Today I have no music but instead some writing inspired by some scientific concepts floating around out there. It is very difficult not to be inspired by the bright minds, talents and passions of the many great scientists on our planet searching for truth and discovering themselves among other incredible and magical things. For all, the pursuit is a struggle and is truly fine art in so much as theories can be expressions and opinions that others can either accept or reject.

..And so love it or hate it... Here is an expression and an opinion :-)

THE EXTRA CONVERSATION

On the edge of my mind are the words I want to say,
yet without voice, the words are spoken anyways.
I hear the words on the edge of your mind,
urging me not to speak those words today.

It's the extra conversations that create
the sometimes silent, awkward pause in time,
to allow the seed of the same thoughts in each mind,
to speak in locked rhythms of ocean, air and other earthly places
complete.

It's the extra conversation that intertwine the senses
thus weaving a thought complete with wonder and hope
of a better place far off in the rays of the sun expressed,
where words can flow harmless as a gentle breeze.

It's the extra conversation that is the vessel
carrying the truth in our words and in our hearts
to shed all doubt that we say what we mean
and what we say is in a meaningful way received.

On the tip of my tongue are the words I want to say.
Near or far those words travel, without speaking,
to the thoughtful observers transcending both time and space,
and whose careful voices whisper back the body of all knowledge for ever
assuring a place for the meanings of the words I want to say.
Finally replying "I know", shedding the rays of all knowledge through the
universe in a cascading symphony of belonging.

PJ Slack

WORDS & MUSIC ©2004 Peter J. Slack, SOCAN

SILENCE SPOKEN

2004-04-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

...An Acoustic Instrumental

Silence Spoken: Song Track

LET THE SUN SHINE

2004-04-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

...kind of a rock tune...
Let The Sun Shine: Song Track

LET THE SUN SHINE: Lyrics

Let the sun shine on your heart.
Let the sun shine on your soul.
From the center of our universe,
There is a light that shines upon us all.

Free of guilt.
Free of hate.
Free of self.
Free of pain.

...Enjoy!!!

PJ Slack

THE CORPORATE BLUES TRACKS

2004-04-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

...THIS IS A CHAIN LETTER AND GOOD LUCK WILL COME TO THOSE WHO FORWARD TO AT LEAST 3 OTHERS...

This is to announce a free web release of the first PJ Slack album: "The Corporate Blues Tracks". All of the lyrics and full length (128kbs) MP3 files are available free of charge and for your own private use. Go to the following web page:

PETER J SLACK: THE CORPORATE BLUES TRACKS

Feel free to make a personal CD for your private use and also add this to your private MP3 library collection on your fantastic computer device(s).

1. Another Day

2. Point Source

3. Tribal Knowledge

4. Six Sigma

5. Golf

6. So Cold

7. Life's Rush

8. Mush

9. Off Blues

10. Circles

11. Distance

12. I-Oasis

13. Silicon System

14. Blue Sunday

15. Cadilac

16. Catch Phrase

17. Celebration

18. Sprawl

Please tell your friends (forward this email) about this site and invite them to tell their friends. There are no explicit words or concepts and so the music is also suitable for kids.

Peace, Love and Grooviness

PJ Slack

LOWVILLE

2004-04-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

Well!!!

Wouldn't you know.... the other day while driving through Lowville I heard a strange choir singing in a little stone church on the edge of town. It was none other than the Erin Redneck Tabernacle Revival! Since I had all of my gear I quicky set up and recorded this song...;-)

Lowville: Song Track

LOWVILLE: Lyrics

Living life high in the pristine mountains,
You can hear the angels cry,
Having mercy on those poor souls of Lowville.
On the outskirts of town,
In the fields of freshly cut green,
The river cuts through the soul of Lowville.

Further down the road is a den of snakes,
With poison in their fangs and rattles on their tails,
Ready to strike the unsuspecting travelers through Lowville.
From the falling hills of white and gray,
That once overlooked ancient lakes with ancient creatures,
In the middle of the saddle of crumbling spires is Lowville.

Looking out over the fields of wheat,
Along the road where the sun sets in the east,
Is the little stone church of Lowville,
Where the solemn souls march to their pace,
And go to make their peace.
Lifting their spirits high from the depths of Lowville.

Fallen are the children whose family are their slaves.
They look down from the crystal palaces high,
Into the lowly depths of Lowville.
Marching are the armies that take no prisoners,
On the edge of a land that is no place,
Hear only the cry of those lonely souls of Lowville.

Living life high in the pristine mountains,
You can hear the angels cry,
Having mercy on those poor souls of Lowville.
Walk the path of the righteous and step down,
To give your hand, your love, your attention,
To those unfortunate souls in Lowville.

THE WORLD WILL BE A BETTER PLACE.!

FALLING OVER

2004-04-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

Hello to all fine, incredible people,

I awoke the other day with the urge to write and produce another song for the "Cataclysm" project, but even more important, for all of you. I then spent the next few days working this tune out of my head and am now happy to send as a low fat Easter treat email. The link to the mp3 file is directly below and the lyrics are at the bottom of this email.

Falling Over: Song Track

I have a few announcements to get out of the way here:

All "PJ Slack" releases will also be SOCAN ( SOCAN ) as I am now a member of this society.

"The Corporate Blues Tracks" is slated to be released under an "Open Source" license for music. This will be available in the near future and freely downloadable and free for you to distribute for non-comercial use....The world changes...

I have recently been added to the cast of songwriters who produce a show at the Hugh's room in Toronto called "the Monthly Show". The organization is called "The New Foundation" ( The New Foundation ). If you are in the city and have a chance, go to see this fantastic show!!

The Bruce Jones project is nearing completion. I will let you know as soon as there are CD's and other information available but, in the meantime, I might be able to convince Bruce to release one or two choice mp3's through the Digital Birdman network ;-)...(VERY EXCITING!!!)

........................

One of the greatest perpetual cataclysms has to be spring time. Although this song is indirectly about spring and inspired by spring, it is intended as a celebration of renewal and change....Enjoy!

FALLING OVER: Lyrics

I threw all the papers away.
I finally lost my way, some say.
Even as the world bleeds more every day,
the sun shines down today,
showing us the path to take.

[CHORUS]
Falling over,
falling down.
Starting over,
from the ground, once again.

Feelings can get in the way,
of seeing clearly through each day.
Even if I were to throw my picture book away,
the images never fade.
Living colour through the haze.

[CHORUS]
The snow and ice melt away,
and life can be on its' way once again.
Even if a fire swept all the life away,
the seed is planted again,
in the ground to grow another day.

[CHORUS]

Love and Peace to all,

PJS

MAJESTIC BLUES

2004-03-09T04:28:00.000-08:00

Hello once again fine listeners,
Majestic Blues: Song Track

For the remix of this particular piece, I've called upon the expertise of the Wellington County Redneck Tabernacle Revival......:-)...

...Enjoy ;-)

P

ALMOST

2004-03-08T17:50:00.000-08:00

Hello to all fine people,
Almost: Song Track

Here's an inaugural song from back in the studio space that was flooded a couple months back. The space is almost finished, the project is almost finished and it's almost spring. I'm testing the new creative zen energy potential of the extra thick and much brighter carpet in the studio space. For those of you who have been to the studio you will know that the old carpet was a coffee stained, bright orange...very attractive and inspirational in a bizzar kind of way (oh...well as example...The Corporate Blues Tracks; inspired by the bright orange carpet while sitting on the pink Sofa with melted crayon stains that was donated by Wendy...while I was hung over (many times)). By the way, Wendy, the new carpet and the pink sofa go well together :-)

Towards the end of the day, while working this tune, I was fighting with the cat continuum (our 5 cats) for the very nice sun beams coming through the window that now is in front of my computer. The cats, it would seem, like to watch the sun and listen to tunes while wrestling occasionally on the new, extra thick carpet.

....Enjoy,

P

CUPID'S ARROW

2004-02-14T08:31:00.000-08:00

A VALENTINE'S DAY SONG NATURALLY

Cupid's Arrow: Song Track

NORTHBOUND

2004-02-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

Northbound: Song Track

CAMERON

2004-01-24T20:39:00.000-08:00

Cameron: Song Track

ADOLESCENCE

2004-01-05T20:37:00.000-08:00

Adolescence: Song Track

THE WORLD CHANGES

2003-09-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

The World Changes: Song Track

Although we can be prisoners in cages we build to protect ourselves, inevitably and eventually, the world changes. In all cases changes are cataclysms and catastrophes that are unstoppable and brief; unstoppable like the universe being born and brief relative to the infinite age of the universe. Many changes like a supernova can seem like they take forever but this is only the disguise of our short life span and these tremendous changes are still cataclysms relative to infinity.

Changes are balanced by opposing consequences and will settle into troughs of stability that exist. They exist or we would not exist because changes would spiral out of control allowing nothing to exist or set a foothold. These troughs are the ripples in the desert sandstorm. Much like a sand pile, it only takes one grain of sand to begin an avalanche but eventually the pile reaches a new balance and the first grain tumbling is the first grain to stability. The consequence is that instability drives stability and both must exist.

And so such is the quantization of our existence and the forever more energy bursts that bring us to new states. The cages we build are housings of a calming sense of the perpetual. This is the soothing property of repetition and familiarity that, in itself, is built on the sand pile waiting for the first grain to tumble, bringing everything to a new fleeting moment of serenity; a new trough to perch one's perspective.

Everyone has the potential to be the first grain of sand dropping to a new sense of balance and starting the avalanche. The field of change is level and even in this respect. Each cataclysm creates a history like the branching of a tree, and much like the tree, each branch sets the stage for the next. For those who build massive cages of comfort in lives of repetition, there are less branches to climb and less of a story to tell to others. They can still lead the avalanche but are less likely to do so in the probability field because.....

The story is what complicates and conjugates our sense of calm. These are the elements of chance and unpredictability; in particular, the convolution with the actions and life paths of others that have an influence and impression to etch out new and unusual troughs of stability. Story telling, art and science are the staples that societies, nations and beliefs feed on. These are our methods of capturing the paths of the past to present them as beliefs and, perhaps, give some indication to past or possible states of serenity that the future can enjoy. The past and the vision of the future create the future itself.

All time flows now as we chart our past and future. The flow is both turbulent and wonderfully smooth. Don't be a prisoner but sway free because the world changes.

Circa Sept. '03 PJ Slack

Peter J Slack Musical BLOG

LIFE DOES SING

Deep Inside

Songwriter Spotlight Radio Broadcast-Podcast: Peter J Slack

Em Uma Outra Vida

SILENCE AND SYMMETRY

Destination Unknown

Man on a String

I'll see you in the morning

Guardian Angel : song track

Never Lost

Mother is Going to Melt Your Ice

THE ISLAND RIVER HEART

The IslandRiver Heart

OASIS TANGO

CD RELEASE: THE CAT CONTINUUM

CD RELEASE!!!

Above the Clouds

DECLASSIFIED

PETER J SLACK @ GRAFFITI'S MARCH 3, 2006

GLENELG IMPROVISATION SESSIONS

8 YEARS AFTER

CUPID'S ARROW 2

ICEBERG

THE VALUE OF A MAN

THE EYES OF JUPITER

The Seven Rings of Saturnalia

North American Dream

DRIFT AWAY

Raccoon Requiem

SANDCASTLES

IN MY FAVOURITE BOOK

LOVE WALKS IN

CATS ON VENUS

HEAL THE CHILDREN

EDEN

ON THE FARM

FOR MY OWN

JUST TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY

CORPORATE BLUES 1-1/4

GEORGIAN WAVES

CUP HALF EMPTY

FOREVER A STEP

POLITICAL RAT RACE SHUFFLE

WRITER'S BLOCK BLUES

LIFE'S WALTZ

SLOW DANCING IN THE TWILIGHT

LULLABY OF THE MULTIVERSE

LIGHT FANTASTICA

A LOSS FOR WORDS

BROWN JUG SEPARATION

THE EXTRA CONVERSATION

SILENCE SPOKEN

LET THE SUN SHINE

THE CORPORATE BLUES TRACKS

LOWVILLE

FALLING OVER

FALLING OVER: Lyrics

MAJESTIC BLUES

ALMOST

CUPID'S ARROW

NORTHBOUND

CAMERON

ADOLESCENCE

THE WORLD CHANGES

The Island
River Heart