New Steve Vai album release date announced

A release date of February 22nd has been announced for Steve Vai’s new album ‘Real Illusions: Reflections’. You can also check out song samples from the Steve Vai Epic page.

UKMG Techniques DVD Demo Solo Preview

I keep promising to put up more videoson markmcguigan.com so… due to imminent release of the UKMG Techniques DVD I thought I would post up a sneak preview of the Demo Solo I performed for my section of the DVD:

Huygens a success!

At last, we have pictures from the surface of Titan The picture on the left here gives an indication of the actual colour of the surface of Titan, a Tangerine orange hue from Titan’s sky. Pebble sized blocks of Ice or rocks are also seen leading to speculation that Titan has landed on a beach. Pictures taken from the probe’s descent also show a shoreline and a dark ocean thought to be of a tarry-like substance. Taking a total of 25 years to realise the mission has been a resounding success for Science and Engineering and sets the benchmark for Space Exploration. Already those involved are talking of new projects, especially one of great interest to myself, the mission to Jupiter’s Moon, Europa. A moon which has ice covered oceans and the possibility of life. All in all a truly historical event which paves the way for further exploration, helping us to understand our very existence and the answers to age old Questions.

Lies/Truth meme

A great meme doing the rounds, 10 truths and 5 lies, which are which ? :

1) I once burned down the trees in a Crematorium garden of rememberance.

2) I have duelled with a Kung-Fu expert in a forest

3) I have been imprisoned

4) I’ve never been electrocuted

5) I really like Marmite

6) In primary school I once stabbed a pencil into a fellow pupil’s leg

7) When young, I liked to wear girls clothing

In france I was mistaken for being a girl

9) I like Wombats

10) Once, when drunk, I drank several gulps of cooking oil

11) I made a mistake posting this up the 1st time giving only 5 truths instead of 10

12) I am a fool

12) I share a birthday with Tchaikovsky

13) I’m running out of truths

14) I’ve been to several Gay bars

15) Today is Friday

Huygens Probe is on its way!

At last the Huygens probe has started its descent to Titan’s surface

I shall be watching events unfold via the web today

I wonder what we’ll see/find

Tres Excitement!

Steve Vai – Real Illusions insight

For those who have not already seen it I recommend checking out Real Illusions: Reflections a mini-site giving track-by-track rundown for Steve Vai’s imminent new Album, Real Illusions, explaining the premise/thinking behind each song, how it was recorded and gear used.

Counting the days

So 2005 then…

Looking back at what I had intended to work on in 2004 it appears I actually managed to record more last year ( compared to previous years ) though my ‘Jazz playing’ has taken a back seat due to new goals set through the course of 2004.

So what’s in store for 2005?

After sitting the Grade 8 exam I am keen to work on my ear and reading of standard notation ideally working towards the RGT Teacher’s Diploma. All part of the ‘big plan‘ . Before sitting the exam I do intend to start teaching on a part-time basis, which will be an exciting challenge.

Musically I intend to keep up with the regular recording, refining and improving my recording and production skills. If I have time I may even put together an EP or somesuch, but this really depends on how far I improve my production abilities .

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