“Marginal Movements” an Interplay of Music and Paintings by William Neal

First shown and played at The Gracefield Art Centre Dumfrieshire August 2007
“Velvet Shadows” and “Rippled Sundance” have been purchased for public collections. “Electric Pondlife” “Rhododendroned" and “Goldfish” are now in private collections.


Over the years in the music industry I have had truly great pleasure in being given a part to play in other peoples music and ideas, more recently, I have put together a few of my own. I hope you enjoy these concepts, and that you may identify with some of the themes. A poem I wrote back in 1972 formed the basis of my first endeavour “Marginal Movements”  It remains a key element in much of my creative process today.

Goldfish, rippled sundance, velvet shadows below the mill,
eye’s with ceasless wonder seldom are they still.
An outstreched hand will scoop, to fill jam jars full of promise,
life’s happiness made to share, to ponder at its secrets unveiled with every stare.
Tiddlers ,Tadpoles, Terrapins their friends the Dragonflies,
have we retained the picture we had with childs eye’s.
That precious piece which say’s it all.....believable......secure.
Delight without, delight within, toward days of evermore.


The sequence of MM paintings and comments on their concept in order follow.

All of the Paintings and tracks that follow are listed in the order they appear in the fully illustrated brochure containing the cd.
The paintings are acrylic on gessoed board 42” x 42”

Please note that all the original paintings are now sold.  Limited edition prints are still available.

Shimmerous.
Written and performed by Neal Williams
Instruments, synthesizers, electric guitar, banjo, harp, reversed guitar.

“A first impression of water is often the fact that it shimmers, therefore an appropriate introduction to the water theme. Its astonishing that the first musical work that Neal sent me has become the first on the cd too. A great opening track to glimpse all that is to follow, as well as lots of space and dappled hints of water, really peaceful.” Listen here.

Les Barricades Misterieuses.
Wriiten by Francois Couperin (1668 - 1733)  Performed by Penlelope Cave.
Instruments, Harpsichord, made by Michael Heale, a copy of the Goermans Taskin from the Russian collection in Edinburgh.

“Sometimes water can look like tea, rich and full of mystery. Penelope Caves Harpsichord gave just the right feel for this aspect of my painting. I was looking for something of long standing, a mature river banks edge, deep shadowy forms, with all the allure for a little boy going fishing. Listen here.

Rippled Sundance.
Written and performed by Malcolm Dunn.
Instruments.keyboards,sythesizers.

“Real Stefan Knapp painting power this one, a big time gradation of colour, and high key.. Malcolms Dunns “Dance” tempo was chosen for its brightness, and gradual build, similar to a gradation of colour, though remaining essentially minimal as indeed the painting is.” Listen here.

Running Water
Written and performed by Don Hooley.
Instruments. 1974 Fender Stratocaster plus his band

“Literal running water is so calming and appealing, we often would like it to go on forever. By extension we sometimes cannot get enough of a particular guitar solo, and play it over and over again. This is a short statement of just that experience.” Listen here.

Rhododendroned.
Written and performed by William Neal
Instruments, piano, and Roland G 800 workstation.

“I recall a grey uneventful days fishing by a lake in Surrey surrounded by Rhododendrons, suddenly the sun came out for a few glorious moments and the entire lake was transformed, only to return to its former state again. I had been the only person to witness that very special display. The painting endeavours to relate that moment, though the memory will always be superiour, the painting had to be attempted.” Listen here.

Velvet Shadows.
Written and performed by Malcolm Dunn
Instruments. Synthesizers and keyboards, additional keyboards William Neal

“The depth of this work made the show for me, hence its place on the cover of the brochure. Malcolms shifting sounds like mists are so right, its a big sound too with a gentle flow, my personal favourite in all respects I feel this one really came together.” Listen here.

Sylvan Droplets.
written and perfomed by Neal Williams
Instruments;synthesizers,bongos,bells,banjo,guitar.

“Random drops from an overhanging tree, silvery mist and sunlight with deep shadows. Neal is fond of using reverb and delay which really has its place in this composition, its not that obvious, but if it was missing things just would not be the same. Maybe you have to be a fisherman to really get this one? Listen here.

Curved Light.
Written and performed by William Neal.
Instruments; keyboards and Roland G 800 Workstation.

“Light travels in straight lines, the water bends those rules and so have I” Listen here.

Electric Pondlife,
Written and performed by Neal Williams
Instruments; accoustic guitar, electric guitar,harp,tin can and synthesizers.

“This has to be the boggie world of Diatoms, a humourous feelgood piece, gyratory and almost clockwork at times. Disney and pondlfe taken by surprise. Great Fun!” Listen here.

Goldfish
Written and performed by William Neal
Instruments; Piano and Roland G 800 workstation.

“Who is to say from a painterly point of view that the Gold fish are in the wrong place? This is a liberating form to use, and underlines the Marginal Movement concept, pure enjoyment of painting” Listen here.

Ltd Edition Prints of all these works are available, details from the artist.