There's no doubting the ability of music to uplift the soul – but could it also help to manage the symptoms of Parkinson's? That's what the Movers and Shakers are discussing today in the Notting Hill pub, as they're joined by musical experts, including a man who whistled for Monty Python's The Life of Brian and a Welsh samba band (who have brought their drums all the way to W11). Whether it's a conduit for new creativity, a means of raising awareness or a cuing mechanism to arrest the disease's progression, there's something undeniably special about music. So pause Classic FM (or BBC Radio 6, we don't discriminate) and tune in.
By Podot.
Each week Rory Cellan-Jones guides us between the laughs and moans in the pub. To read Rory's summary of this week's episode click here.
Guest Biographies
John Altman
John Altman is an Emmy and Anthony Asquith Award winning composer, arranger, musical director and saxophonist. He is directly responsible for three classic movie moments – Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (which he arranged, conducted and whistled) for Life of Brian, the tank chase through St. Petersburg in the James Bond film Goldeneye (which he wrote over a weekend), and the band playing on deck as the ship sinks in Titanic (which he sang - to be written down -over a mobile phone to Mexico, where James Cameron and the entire cast waited all night on set and in the water for him to awaken!)
Eirwen Malin
Eirwen Malin is a founding member of SParky Samba, an organisation based on the exploration of the health benefits of Samba percussion for people affected by Parkinson's.
In her seventies and retired, Eirwen's background, employment experience and interests drove her to find a “worthwhile activity” to involve herself in. She believes her life experiences have resulted in her being perfectly qualified for her current job, that of living as best she can with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s delivered more than 10 years ago.
Eirwen has a science led education which then took a turn to the social sciences as she worked in the Voluntary and Arts sectors in Wales, equipping her to be able to have an understanding of research papers and the like to be able to actively manage living well. In the process she has designed and delivered several projects related to Parkinson’s. SParky Samba is the latest with potentially the biggest impact and reach.
Eirwen lives in a village not far from Cardiff in South Wales with a lot of her family
close by. She shares her living space with her partner who, whilst being very supportive and caring, battles to keep a corner of his life that is not consumed with Parkinson’s. However, there are times she says "as he loads up the car, when we both wonder how on earth it is, that at 74 I am busy driving around the countryside with a car full of samba drums. We ponder what would we be doing if I didn’t have Parkinson’s, and would life be as much fun".
A note from John Altman...
Music is the Healing Force of the Universe – this is the title of avant garde jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler’s last studio album. A very apt sentiment (although many listeners to the album may well disagree!) During lockdown I participated in a Zoom music recording session – my first – with various friends and heroes. The song was House of the Rising Sun with Arthur Brown, and the project was the idea of Ian Grant, formerly manager of the Stranglers and Big Country, and achieved technically by the creative brilliance of Paul Mitchell. This ‘dynamic duo’, not content to rest on their laurels, then began to create other tracks – an all-star version of All Right Now, and a Fairport Convention track were added to the roster before Ian and Paul, along with Procol Harum’s keyboard player Josh Phillips, decided to write a song about Ian’s experiences with Parkinson's. Entitled Think Loud, performed by Leo Sayer and a mind-boggling cast of celebrities, and subsequently with an introduction from John Caulcutt CBE to Cure Parkinson's, it set the ball rolling for a full-blown project that has culminated in the double album Think Loud 4 Parkinson's – and it’s a terrific track in its own right.
In the meantime, by a strange twist of fate, I have been tested for Parkinson's – although my scan shows a drop in Dopamine, my specialist (a year on) is still not 100% convinced. Which seems to indicate how little we know about this condition. Be that as it may, I have fully committed myself to the production team.
The wonderful album has copious sleeve notes detailing the progress of the project and the generosity of the contributors – both musically and financially. Being ‘on the inside’ of the musical world, I have been struck by the amazing camaraderie and desire to help that has resulted in the realization of Ian and Paul’s vision. Picking highlights is an invidious task but for me there are some standout tracks, and all are only available on the Think Loud album. The reimagining of Sandy Nelson’s 1961 hit, Let There Be Drums by Hank Marvin, Roger Taylor of Queen and the Kodo Drummers of Japan; one time school bandmates Richard Thompson and Hugh Cornwell performing Tobacco Road, which was a highlight of their teenage performances (and incidentally reminds me of my 21st birthday party - when I played the Muddy Waters set that my first band took round the youth clubs of North London - this time with Muddy Waters himself!). My pal of nearly 60 (!!) years, Leo Sayer, is very well represented on several songs, and sounds as good as ever. And the version of Whiter Shade of Pale filmed at Gary Brooker’s memorial is spine chilling – his band performed to an isolated vocal of Gary’s, recorded in Boston in 2010 and separated from the backing via some mysterious technical wizardry. In addition, there are unissued tracks from some of the most popular bands and artists of the last few decades – all gladly donated to raise funds for research.
It does seem that Albert Ayler was correct – music is indeed the healing force of the universe! I am convinced that whatever my final diagnosis and prognosis, the fact that I am constantly playing or listening to music (with concert appearances lined up for my small group and big band and guest spots with various touring artists) is majorly contributing to my own positivity and well being.
Hidden Man; My Many Musical Lives; Altman - Equinox Publishing
Equinox Publishing Books and Journals in Humanities, Social Science and Performing Arts
Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s (x2 12" Vinyl + CD) - Kindred Spirit
Kindred Spirit is a collective of musicians and recording artists all passionate about helping to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. They have all given their time and talent for free to create this once in a lifetime album of newly record collaborations along with some unreleased studio and live gems.
A note from Eirwen Malin...
SParky Samba seems to have a life force of its own. My efforts to develop the idea of samba percussion as a therapeutic activity for people with Parkinson’s seems to naturally gather helpers, supporters and willing participants and opportunities to put ideas into practice have unfolded just at the right time. Once, on a rainy day, the sun came out just as it was time for us to perform; it sometimes feels as though somebody, somewhere is pulling the strings and it’s energising just to be involved in something so uplifting.
The basic idea is described in this short video.
However over time more and more potential benefits are being noticed. In its simplest form it is physical and cognitive exercise in a very social, sociable and enjoyable activity. Being a band also offers an opportunity to do something worthwhile, through raising awareness of the impacts of living with Parkinson’s.
There are other deeper therapeutic possibilities to explore too, internal cueing to improve gait, practicing moving and talking with intent and even retraining the brain through the possibilities of neuroplasticity. The way that samba is taught starting with simple rhythmic patterns and straightforward physical actions then adding in growing complexity and repetition lends itself to creating and strengthening new neural pathways.
We meet weekly and generally performances and practice are directed by the samba leader. The musical pieces are essentially made up of a basic rhythm and a number of different musical breaks from that rhythm, the samba leader will choose the combination on the spot and direct proceedings with a whistle and hand signals. It’s a lively and loud affair with ear plugs recommended. But there are also times when the main rhythm is held for a long period and the band settles into complete engagement in the rhythm having to concentrate to remain consistent but nothing else. It becomes a form of meditation.
Quite early on in the development of SParky Samba, Cardiff University researchers became interested in studying the activity and a grant from the Jacques and Gloria Gossweiler Foundation has enabled a 2 year study, now well underway, which starts the process of unravelling such a complex intervention in order to rigorously test various hypotheses. It should also provide some indicative areas of measurable benefit.
Hitherto all the development has been in Wales and we have been very pleased to have received support from the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) Arts in Health Lottery Fund, which has resulted in 3 SParky Samba bands around Wales. The first, in Cardiff, hosted by the Cardiff Branch of Parkinson’s UK, was formally launched in 2023 and has been enthusiastically supported by Barracwda Community Samba band and its Musical Director, Sallie MacLennan has been a key source of samba knowledge and culture and an encouraging and enthusiastic teacher for the Cardiff Band. Sallie and I have worked together to collect what we feel are the most beneficial samba practices for those living with Parkinson’s, which we pass on. This has included occasionally playing with Barracwda. Linking with a local band and their leader is strongly encouraged and the 2 newer bands are linked to Colin Daimond and Bloco Swn in Llandudno and Amy Delaney and Samba Doc in
Fishguard. The current ACW project is hosted by the Wales team of Parkinson’s UK.
So now every Wednesday morning I pack my car full of drums and other instruments and go off to a samba session, sometimes feeling a bit stiff, tired or with tender muscles as I set off. At the other end of the journey there is plenty of help unloading and we start our sessions with gentle warm up exercises with both PD and rhythm practice in mind. We will then play some familiar pieces, revive ones we haven’t played for a while or learn something new according to the demands of our gig calendar and under Sallie’s guidance. Those who are physically able might also learn some dance stepping or body movements (think Carnival) to go in to a performance. We have a chance to discuss what else is going on then it’s re- packing the car and a drink and cake finishes the session off in good style. However I felt earlier I am now more flexible, less achy, uplifted and pleased to have spent time with my fellow Sparkies.
If anyone feels inspired to set up a band contact sparky.samba@gmail.com and we’ll
help.
Face book SParky Samba
Twitter @SParkysamba
Bluesky @sparkysamba.bsky.social
The RWCMD (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama) Community choir is anther group making waves in the world of music for people with Parkinson's. RWCMD partners with Parkinson’s UK to create a singing group to help people better manage their Parkinson’s symptoms. They hope to inspire more people with Parkinson's to get out and about and join a choir.
Find out more about their wonderful work and watch them showcase their talents in this short clip:
And finally, this is a great opportunity to remind you about The Big Sing...
The Movers and Shakers along with Parkinson's UK, Cure Parkinson's and Spotlight YOPD want YOU to JOIN US for THE BIG SING on 11 April 2025 for World Parkinson's Day.
We want as many people as possible to join us in Westminster to raise awareness for the Parky Charter and the urgent need for change by taking part in an interactive singing experience, culminating in a grand finale of the Movers & Shakers' Parky anthem "We Will Survive". Everyone is welcome - fellow Parkies, carers and supporters.
The event will take place at Old Palace Yard, Westminster - OPPOSITE THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT - at 12pm for a 12:15pm start. It will last for 30-45 minutes and you are welcome to join us afterwards at the new Parkinson's UK offices for refreshments and further World Parkinson's Day entertainment.
If you would like to join us please do let us know by filling in the form HERE.
If you can’t make it to London why not do what RWCMD Community choir and several Parky choirs are doing and come together to create your very own BIG SING at the same time, on the same day.
Let's make some noise!
Comments