Poet's Page
music and opinion from Wales' wandering poet.
Poet's Page
our latest song/video
'You Can Do Anything for Love' is available --- and it's Free!
Where love is... we - will never give up.
Sloe Eyes
La La La La La
Above is a fresh video featuring Tich Gwilym,
from Llwynypia in the Rhondda, who is seen as the greatest guitarist Wales ever birthed and, mostprobably, the finest guitarist in the world, who could just walk into recording studios and exude genius --- as he did for this 'Eryri' track --- yet whose solo work on youtube,
is a bit sparse... when you think of all the beauty he poured out.. so this piece is a rare treasure.
Welcome, to you, brave human ! Feeling a lot better after realizing that yesterday's insoluble problem wasn't catastrophic -- just unpleasant, and now? Bathing my soulin bliss..... regaining love and humility.
All the very best to you, in your trying time --- Hwyl Fawr!
Welcome to Rhondda Records.... where we try to print the most accurate and up-to-date info... we can find.
All our music and work - is freely given.
Subscribe to rhonddarecords Youtube channel (it's also free!) and - by sharing your thoughts - you can help us to develop it further.
If you do subscribe - many thanks........ in advance!
A special mention to all citizens, who are looking for a way --- to foil their corrupt leaders.
and who come out most weeks ...to support the Palestinians!
''Where Love IsThere We'll Never Give Up.''
000000000000000000000000
If you are a mature female musician, I'm looking for a musical collaborator.
Could that be you?
Call me now - on (01443) 547229
000000000000000
A big thank you to those who keep helping us by working the Google/Youtube algorithms, .... liking, sharing, playing, (subscribing!) ---- to spread our musical message!
More and more fresh music videos, are in the pipeline folks, and 32 new songs now join with.. 'The Miners' Next Step' ...plus 22 special ones... rescued from our old youtube site (and re-mastered) ...and some, like Efran Kaye's'Rising Tide' on his Page on RhonddaRecords website... and on Youtube: 'I'm a Folk Singer', 'Peace Love', 'About Love Songs', 'Strangetown', 'You're My Best Friend', 'Tell The Child', 'Up To You', 'Courage To Heal', 'Coming Up For Air', 'Another We Can','French', 'An Aging Dog', 'I'd Walk For Miles For My Brother's Smile', 'To Catch a Falling Feather' 'The True Age Of Innocence' 'A Winter's Tale' 'They Said We Wouldn't Laugh' by the (psychotic) Glynbyerful Male (voice) choir... and (using blues chords) the joyful foot-tapping 'If Hearts Can Speak' 'The Root of Our Life', 'Eryri'...plus, plus, plus --- all sweet alternatives to MSM's gangsta rap!
Many more coming soon...
I should explain, that rhonddarecords is a new website... because the old one was lost to us. so our original youtube website is, today, out of our control... as it was 'unused' ...for years.
Whether you subscribed to the old one or not --- if you'd like to help us grow, please subscribe to the new one (with the funny, 3-eyed blue head) --- and share a smile with us and our ''re-birth''.
It's free!
The song/video below is called 'The Root of Our Life' and it's a spacey burst of Joy !
OLD BLUES
A very old song, (the second we ever recorded), now with a fresh video that makes me laugh.. and I hope it gives you lots of titters, a few chuckles and the odd guffaw.
(Still with Efran's brill bass)
'Counting'
is the answer to my late Godfather Mr Maurice Garton, who, before he died, made me pledge to never deny Jesus.
It's a tiny song... and like a very small key... it can open a mighty door!
'If Hearts Can Speak'
is quite possibly.. the only happy joyous blues/jazz anti-war song you've ever heard...
'A Winter's Tale'
is the saddest song Efran and Poet ever made about the heartbreak of true Love lost...
Be Good
is a lullaby... for all those good
people with today's pressures
...giving love and guidance to
children, and that's all of us!
'The True Age Of Innocence'
Is a tribute --- to all those countries leading us to Heaven on Earth... mainly in Latin America !
'To Catch a Falling Feather...'
is a dance song for those who know --- that one and one can make free !!!!
'I'd Walk Miles For My Brother's Smile'...
is a loud, crazy, funny, party song for --- any time you want to freak out !!!!
The song/video above is called 'An Aging Dog'.
Efran's music sends shivers... and we hope it helps us to cherish our best friends!
'French'...
is a reflection of our strange way of life...
deeply shallow!
''Courage To Heal'' tries to capture the rage, anguish and huge amount of courage it takes, to overcome
childhood abuse...
'Up To You' is a sincere message of grateful thanks -- to all the good people of Penrhys.
The backing by Efran is - as always - a delight.
The birdsong is a cherry on top though... and features one of the greatest bands from the sixties, The Birds, who just enjoyed dropping on our heads.
'Tell The Child' could be described as rokrap and it packs not so much a punch - as a slap in the face.
I was visiting a lonely sheep farm in northern Wales way up on the tip of a mountain, and the wife said: ''Every Welsh person has a scar inside, that can never heal.''
So this song out now... may be uncomfortable for some.
It was originally a poem sold door-to-door and I remember one Radyr lady chasing me down the road, shouting: ''It's just propaganda!''
A young man in Barry started laughing as he read it - upsetting me - as I took it seriously... at the time.
I'd say it's a dance song for headbangers and I hope it makes you laugh a lot ...and cry, just a little.
'You're My Best Friend' is a tribute to a man.
The first time I met him, he helped a stranger to him, Efran, whose car was stuck in ice. That's typical of Mike's generosity of spirit.
Efran was/is a musician who offered me friendship, but I was too hard at the time, and rejected it.
This song's music is by Efran himself... and is a cinematic style, masterly rendition of the true meaning of friendship.
Mike is no musician... but creative and the sort of workman everyone wants...
My name is Mikey.G Whatever you want Whatever you need call Mikey.G I'll give you a quote for free!
He's cheeky, a cheeky chappy and I feel I'm being coached...
The next words are mine and mine alone and so says Mike.
I'm so very pleased and happy to say, Mike is my best friend and has stuck by me for 20+ years, showing me the true meaning of friendship!!!
('I'm Going To) Strangetown'...
I avoided putting this out for years, to not create a 'wrong' impression. But s*d it ------ I loved the 'erb for years and know millions do too!
If you enjoy it a tenth as much as we all enjoyed making it... you might enter euphoria !
Again, so much appreciation and thanks go to Efran Kaye and Richard for their musical magic - diolch yn fawr boys. Da iawn!!!!!!!!!
* * * * * * * * *
'About Love Songs' below, exhibits the most exhuberant joyful music by Efran Kaye and an especially excellent solo.... by Richard.
My warmest thanks to them both.
Diolch yn Fawr!
Deep gratitude goes from my heart, to Richard Gould, for his supremely intuitive musical gift.
He can't avoid somehow adding a perfectly polished finish to my pathetic strumming!
As for the handsome young man who's featured in the video, and whose commanding eyes would melt any dancing ladies heart...
his name is Steve Computer, and I'm honoured to have watched him work his way out of the doldrums and into his skilled trade.
Llongyfarchiadu to you both !!
PLENTY MORE FISH
The boys have a day out fishing off Cardiff Bay, & Kyle, Neil, Matthew & Ricky catch all the fish!
(Great musical accompaniment by Efran Kaye)
Brexit v EU Whingers
I don't know who this video man above is, but I think he's GREAT!
_____________
Please, Try The Truth...
Pundits and chancers in suits have had their say on those who voted "no" to the EU.
Most suggested that voters were misinformed, misguided, and probably racists. Charming.
According to Lord Ashcroft’s poll of 12,369 of referendum voters -- the most important issue for half the Leave supporters was sovereignty. That decisions about Britain should be taken in Britain, by the people here.
Only a third put immigration control first, yet sovereignty, immigration and the economy, were all important to a majority of anti-EU voters.
However, concern about the pressure of immigration on local jobs, wages & public services, isn't a certain indicator of racism.
Nearly half Leave voters had a negative view of multiculturalism, and a quarter had mixed feelings. A quarter saw it as positive.
A third of black and ethnic minority voters opposed EU membership --- including the majority of Sikhs and Jews.
The political outlook of Leave voters was equally mixed.
More than one-third of Labour and SNP and a majority of Plaid Cymru supporters, voted to leave the EU... along with one quarter of Greens and almost one-third of Lib Dems.
Almost half of voters (45 per cent) describe either capitalism, globalisation, or both, as overall, a force for ill in society, a majority of them opposed EU membership. In fact, they comprised around one-third of all the anti-EU voters.
As for the validity of the referendum.. before June 23rd, almost all campaigners on both sides, accepted that the result should be acted on - whichever way the vote went.
GYPSY HOUR
Lots happening quietly under the surface... and about to (pleasantly) surprise an unsuspecting world... having a wonderful 2024, hope you are too !
'Hey, Beautiful Girl', is the only way we can
pay tribute to Pat Jones, who passed away
11 years ago, in August 2011. It was a big favorite of hers and she helped to create the lyrics.
Our hearts go out to her family, whom she loved
dearly, and to all the people who knew and loved her, as a warm and caring soul, throughout the Rhondda.
Pat fought for the people of Penrhys, and gave
all her heart to caring for others.. She had the
typically mischievous sense of humour of the
Rhondda --- and helped Rhondda Records for 10 years with glorious heart and generosity, as its first and beloved Financial Director.
May she rest in Peace.
Pat adored the idea of The Boilerhouse Project and wanted nothing but the best for Penrhys...
It was fun ! (and great music by Efran Kaye)
So... if anyone has a download or copy of it, please help restore it to us here... thanks.
MOTHER JONES
Our tribute to Mother Jones, --- who loved humanity and worked to defend and unite all working people struggling to build a more just, beautiful world.
WALES;HONEST & FREE.
Now, where have I heard that tune before?
************************************************
CHILDREN AND OUR FUTURE...
According to a 2013 report, nearly half the UK's children watch parents divorce well before they are 16 years old.
48% experience the break-up of their family by then, the report says, up from 40% a decade ago.
A one-parent family's child is 75% more likely to struggle at school, 70% more likely to get addicted to drugs, 50% more likely to develop a drinking problem and 35% more likely to be unemployed in adulthood, the think tank says.
The UK is one of the few EU countries which doesn't reward marriage in its tax system, and the poorest families on welfare, are penalised financially if they live together.
Some say parental break-ups are the fault of a turning away from "traditional values", but many see that low wages and unemployment are the real culprit, with huge increases in cases of violence in the home reported now.
I see familes in the valleys of Wales pulling together, with single mums, dads, couples and grandparents rallying 'round like never before to help their children have a loving happy life.
May all love go to our children.
JUDAS
...a song about penitence and the triumph of Love.
We could...
build a new economy in the "valleys"as almost all our land (80%) is highland and completely unproductive....
all we need is faith, courage and a willingness to embrace new ideas -
plus, utilise the enduring flames of equality and unity - always the true source of the valleys' strength: -
turning our entire country into one which provides strength for our youngsters, & shows the world a MUCH better way to live...
co-operatively.
Ask YOUR political party what their economic strategy is for Wales...
is it based on creating a future using our 2 greatest assets?
Our land and our people.
______________________
GREEN DRAGON ROARS
Ireland hopes to export more "safe, green" agricultural products to China, as the two lands have great potential for cooperation in this field, Irish Ambassador to China, Paul Kavanagh has said.
"Ireland wants to develop a close political relationship with China based on mutual trust. Within the European Union, Ireland is a friend of China," Kavanagh says, as Liu Yunshan, a senior official of the Communist Party of China, started a 3-day official visit.
"This is the third year in a row that we've had very senior Chinese visitors visit Ireland. We are pleased," says Kavanagh.
"Our political relationship is very close. There have been over a dozen Irish political level visits, senior level visits to China, and a significant number of Chinese visits going back to Ireland," he adds.
In the ambassador's view, the two countries' close political relations are rooted in their similar historical background and development.
"Ireland has had a colonial history... That is an important mental or psychological background dimension to our relations with China," he says.
"We can understand, perhaps more easily, the history that your people went through. And I think China understands Irish people."
Now, he says, both Ireland and China, are striving for an economic transition.
"We are not a country that was wealthy for centuries and generations, & we're economically quite successful in the same way that China has been," Kavanagh says.
"When it comes to agriculture, Ireland has a very strong reputation for high quality safe food," he says, adding that 10% of the world's infant formula milk powder is produced in the country.
According to the ambassador, Ireland will invest ''massively'' in the dairy industry, when the EU lifts quota limits on dairy production in 2015, stating that within five years, the country will increase production by 50%, and double it after that.
"So you have a country like China... who has almost miraculously raised living standards for hundreds of millions of people and their appetite for food is growing... And Ireland is the food island, is the green island," he says.
Despite the debt crisis in Europe, Ireland's agricultural exports to China grew by 40% last year. "We fully expect within 3 years China will be our second largest market in the whole world for food and drink, second only to the UK," he says.
The ambassador also voices his hope that more Chinese enterprises will pick Ireland as an investment destination.
Thanks to its favorable business environment & highly-educated workforce, "we see Ireland as a perfect landing point for Chinese investment in Europe," he says.
... and Wales?
MY BEAUTIFUL FRIEND,
is both a tribute to Vic Doyle, and played (brilliantly!) by him!
This is the one track by Vic on his many visits, we managed to save from the hackers.
(Perhaps he'll return to the Rhondda and we'll do some more! Perhaps..)
A PART WE PLAY
Wanted to get "Rosenkranz & Gildenstern" into a lyric.. and Efran Kaye was trying out a 'bottleneck' he'd just bought.
Hope you like it !
Apologies for the out of time video... 'though it might still might be worth watching for the pathetic hippy dance!
Watch out for the new master version, coming out with a new video, soon!
EU BANS ALL HERBAL MEDICINES
The European union has banned all herbal medicine products from entering the EU.
_________________________
Ukrainian doctors study traditional medicine in China A group of Ukrainian doctors, before the recent West-directed coup to beat China and Russia away, completed a month studying traditional Chinese medicine in China's Gansu Province.
Iurkivska Maria, one of 14 doctors who took the course, said before coming to China, she knew little about Chinese medicine and thought "it was mysterious".
"Now I realize it focuses on patients' inner- cycles. Acupuncture, acupressure and cupping have less side-effects than western medicine," said the 29-year-old Kiev-based health care practitioner.
During the study, Samoilovych Oleksandra, 55, even skipped meals to read books on traditional medicine.
"It was Chinese herbal medicine that cured my father two years ago, after western therapies failed to treat him," said Oleksandra.
Li Yingdong, vice president of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was one of the Chinese specialists on the seminar. He said that although language was a problem, the doctors were keen to study.
Li went to Ukraine previously, to give lectures and offer free consultations to local patients.
Besides the seminar, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine had signed a deal with Bogomolets National Medical University of Ukraine, to jointly build a traditional Chinese medicine study institute at the Ukrainian university.
Li said Gansu had already carried out exchanges with Kyrgyzstan, Hungary and Moldova, in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.
Gansu Province is one of the country's largest herbal medicine production bases.
Majeeda Salaa makes chocolates from her own home.
What's unusual, is that she lives in Palestine, where life is made extremely difficult, always.
"We use raw materials of the best quality normally used in Europe, as well as herbs and ingredients found in local markets," she says, adding: "it wasn't easy at all to make chocolates that everybody likes."
Salaa's products are exhibited locally. The 49-year-old, just one example of the many Palestinian women who help their families overcome life's difficulties, hopes that one day she will be able to participate in both Arab and international exhibitions.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and PM Fayyad enjoyed tasting her handmade chocolates, Salaa says, adding that "I'm so proud they tasted my chocolates when they visited Bethlehem several months ago. They said they liked them so much."
She says a French delegation visited her small factory, and decided to fund the development of her shop. "They funded 30% to develop the 'factory', and I paid the rest."
In Wales, if you live in "Social" housing, tenants ARE NOT ALLOWED BY LAW to do this... running a business from your home, is considered to be a crime!
What a difference changing this law could make...
'IT COMFORTS YOU'
is dedicated to all who missed their childhood/ teens by being locked up, as the experience of institutionalised degrading 'treatment' scars...
may the 'River of Love' comfort you.
Watch out for the seeds you plant !
as the Spirit of Love watches out for the seed it plants in you
May orchards grow, on Wales' barren hills
and in our hearts.
'I'm Loved By God',
created in the teeth of worldly discouragement... with perfect help generously given by Efran Kaye...
