Music, Uncategorized

THE WHITE DONKEY THAT WAS REALLY A PONY

by George Blamey-Steeden

I met my 5 year old nephew, Jackson, for the first time this weekend. I had seen him once before but that was in a crowded family gathering ages ago. Him and his dad, my oldest brother, came to stay from a long way away.

Jackson is a thinker. A gentle, clever little bloke as well. It was after a long walk checking out the single donkey and Shetland ponies in the field on the edge of the forest up the road from where I live, when I showed him my guitars. Impressed, I could see he’d like to try them out. The only problem being they’re all bigger than he is.  Having done a bit of thinking myself I remembered my first mandolin. I hadn’t played that one for years. Jackson, who’d never played musical instruments before, took to it the best way a 5 year can. He wanted to show his dad he’d got a basic handle on playing the mandolin – see the pic above. I did the chords, he the strings. Between us ‘sound as melody’ – just. Jackson had done well on his first lesson.

I asked him if he wanted to put a song together that I would record for him for keeps. So that is what we did. Our ad-lib session worked well enough and the recording became very special to little Jackson. When it came to the title he decided on ‘White Donkey’, “like the one I fed loads of grass”. I didn’t want to ruin it by pointing out that the white one was a Shetland Pony. It never mattered anyway, music is music, titles are whatever you want them to be.

When it came to the recording, Jackson is on percussion – I had him practice beforehand – and vocals. He did ever so well for a first timer.  It’s only a short piece, just 30 seconds tops. Here it is. Well done Jackson; 

And here’s one of my backing tracks, ‘Surf Pop Groove – B Major’. The download of the 4 hour album is available BANDCAMP – I hope you enjoy;

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

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

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

If you’re thinking about new t-shirts and similar for yourself, or as Christmas presents, you might be interested in ZOOLON’S MERCHANDISE

Copyright © 2019, Zoolon Audio. All rights reserved. Unauthorised copying, reproduction, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting prohibited.

56 thoughts on “THE WHITE DONKEY THAT WAS REALLY A PONY”

  16. Well done Jackson!
    Your uncle did okay, too!
    This is a very sweet post.
    I’ve been meaning to pop by since you left that lovely magic comment on my Art Gowns blog – Jennifer in Velvet Tango. The days seem to get away from me.
    Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Just plain lovely.

    Well done, Jackson. You are a lucky lad to have a talented uncle, and he’s lucky to have a musician who picks these things up so quickly. It would have taken me ages.

    And I love the white Shetland… I had one when I was a kid… and who doesn’t love donkeys.

    Thanks for sharing the story and the music you two made.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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