The Chapman Zone Dave’s Blog

I was chatting to our big brother the other day. Whose actually shorter than me but to me he’ll always be big. Music always played a big part in my life, I didn’t really realise how much until….well maybe now. That it was important way back then. But it clearly was, because I have fond memories of music that I never thought would matter. When my dad got the hump because I wouldn’t eat my peas at 5 I recall, he used to play music quite a lot. And continued to do so. Though I think his taste mellowed as time went on. At the time of the pea revolt he used to listen to Greig. That very well known piano concerto. In A minor. An easy key, for your average musician. But a complicated piece by all accounts if you listen. Back then, I had no choice but to hear it. I had no idea what it was about and felt little when I heard it. But it was there. When I was small. Whether he thought it might relax me enough to swallow my peas without vomiting I don’t know. If thats the case it didn’t work. I still vomit on frozen garden peas to this very day. Then there was this big gap where I have no recollection of hearing it at all. Then he listened to a geezer called George Shearing. Which again meant nothing to me. And Dave Brubeck…Jazz…..Nice….Again, it didn’t have any impact at all in my life. Nor improve my liking for peas. I thought. I have no idea when it appeared but there was this album with a story read by Danny Kaye called Tubby The Tuba. It was a story about…a Tuba. Now the only reason I now recall this is because of that discussion with Rob. The vague recollection is, and when Rob reminded me it all came flooding back, there was this orchestra tuning up. Quite badly. Enough to put you off orchestras forever in fact. Then a story involving a tuba, various musical instruments and a frog. Backed by an orchestral soundtrack. This sounds quite surreal I know, but there weren’t so many drugs around then…at least kids didn’t generally use them like they do today…..Surprisingly though it seems they still use Tuba’s. I vaguely know a young woman who actually plays the tuba. I was amazed when I found out. And she’s actually bloody good. And passionate about it too. She must have started pretty young. I always thought tuba players were well, tubby. Not so. Anyway, it seems that this album, record, 12″ vinyl thing was bought for our benefit. That is, for Rob and I. Dave weren’t around then. You don’t appreciate these things when your small. Now I do. So, I downloaded it following the conversation out of curiosity. If I knew where to buy it I would. But it wasn’t in HMV. Anyway, I listened to it……and remembered every little note and nuance as if it were yesterday. And then recalled it was accompanied by the stories of Hans Christian Andersen. And Danny Kaye doing impressions of a duck all came flooding back. There’s a man with a place in history…The rest? Well, I became a muso. What does that tell ya?

Holy crap!!!

I’m not a comic book officionado by any means, but I was blown away by this graphic novel, and it is regarded as the greatest of all time. Plus, Zack Snyder did such an amazing job with Dawn of the Dead and 300, that this promises to be something else…..

Problem is, it ain’t out till June 2009!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaarghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Now officially top of my cinema list……..even tops The Dark Knight, but I don’t have to wait too long to see that one!

....on the distasteful (literally) topic of burping and bringing up a small amount of substance (I just burped and tasted sick in my mouth and all that, or, as I like to call it, 'vurping'), I found a new level of nastiness.

It's not pleasant at the best of times, I know. But doing it after munching a whole packet of Skittle Crazy Sours in the space of two minutes......maaaaan......grooooooooooooosssssss!!!

Well, first post without justifying my presence here. I worked my butt off at work yesterday. And today. And will tomorrow and Sunday. I’ll cut back Monday for a Tuesday conference…..I’m not supposed to talk about my work on here, I’m told by the powers that be. They frown upon social networking and block access to it……From my perspective I believe it could be a useful tool in what I do but will they listen? Nope. So thats the extent of my talk of work. Except to say that those who live in the Southwest region I’m on episode six of the documentary “Customs UK” on ITV in about four weeks time. I’m the tit under the spotlight in the suit and tie. I’ve not seen it yet and the thought of seeing myself interviewed on TV makes me cringe. I was told they’d let me see it before it was aired. It never happened….If it’s bad then….Oh well. I had little choice since my boss coersed me into it.  

So….”Once.” I got home from yesterdays gruelling day at work, I posted my intro on here then watched a movie that I’d received by post a couple of days ago. It’s a budget movie and to be honest if you read the reviews it’s a bit on the sentimental side. Was I pleasantly surprised, or what? Well not what, I WAS pleasantly surprised. Its called ”Once”. And its about a busker in Dublin who befriends a Czech bird and then goes on to create beautiful music with her after very generously repairing her vacuum cleaner for her. I can relate to it a bit but that’s another complicated story. I won’t give away the plot. It involves an Irish singer songwriter called Glen Hansard who I’d never heard of before and a Czech singer songwriter called Marketa Irglova. None had ever acted, but there was no need because it was all about the musical chemistry between them. In fact, in real life they’d toured for a while anyway. The magic of the movie is the clear and absolute passion that Glen Hansard has for his music and the obvious effect and inspiration that it had on Marketa, which apparently happened in real life. The director/cameraman I believe was actually a member of “The Frames”, the band that Hansard played/plays in otherwise. In his words it was “A celebration of their friendship.” Be warned, this isn’t “The Pancake Eating Freaks” who in their own way are equally as talented but its worth watching if you’re passionate about music……….

I’ve decided to invade the Chapmanzone because Dave’s day seems to go by at a considerable rate lately. Poor bugger. Life’s a bitch sometimes. Only thing is, I’m wary of what I might put because it might go against his principle of what should be here. I read this often, and to be honest the posts have become a little irregular, and somewhat lacking in content. That said, it’s interesting a lot of the time and it’s a great way to keep an eye on what he’s up to…which clearly is so much that he’s no time to contribute much to this at present.

I’m a novice at this so bear with me. I’ve noticed that he doesn’t mention the family much. Which is a shame. Perhaps I’ll change things slightly…….content wise. And in the process bore the pants of those who read it. But it’s better than nothing at all.

Dave said when he apprehensively gave me access that I should write about the present. I’ve been documenting my life story elsewhere, he read it, and I’m not entirely sure he was that impressed. In truth, neither am I. But he plays a part in it anyway and that’s the point I’m trying to get over to him. This is called the Chapman Zone because he’s a Chapman. In THIS Chapman family. And THIS Chapman family is important to all of us because otherwise he wouldn’t be who he is today. Nor I. So, serious stuff out of the way……..

I can’t help but have been watching the progress of “The Pancake Eating Freaks” who by all accounts get some pretty good press here. It should be called “The Pancake Eating Freaks and Chapman Zone!” There’s little I can write other than to say that I think they’re some very talented lads. He’s covered most of everything else. The new Album is superb and with the right exposure should be the beginning of a long and prosperous musical career for them if they work hard and believe in themselves. My daughter Mia loves them……That is, Dave’s niece……I’m pushing a point here…..

 How the hell do I get a photograph on here………(I did say I was a novice!)

 Cheers for the access Dave. I’ve a lot of drivel to offer at times and two Chapman heads are better than one I say……………….Mark

more cat pictures

Sorry everybody - I have several things of muchas magnitude to blog about, but I don’t have time to do them justice. I’ve been to the best gig of my entire life, discovered one of the greatest bands of my entire life (and subsequently, one of the greatest blogs ever), played guitar and sang on stage for the first time at the Joiners (sort of), become inspired to try something new……and more besides. I simply do not have time to blog.

It’s the old excuse……Scouts. I am so far behind planning for Summer Camp, and making last years camp DVD, that it’s not even funny.

I gotta sort out my frickin’ life!!!!!