Today was a day of simple set up and see. Recently I bought a little Panasonic CD/Radio player with USB inputs for modern inclusions.

The advertising had a great price reduction on Amazon. I thought, ‘Go for it’. The VeeDub Bus has no music source whatsoever. I couldn’t play anything other than an AA battery driven decades old radio. Here in rural Wales? Trust me….signals allow FM signals only. No little cult MW or AM programme accesses. Despite perceived strong FM signals, you have found a station signal……and say, ‘Fantastic’. But, at times, it still floats in and out. Also, if a signal behaves and you listen, you have no choice for personal likes. Listening to what the radio presenters deem ‘great listening’ is not what is perfect for the relaxation journey. Listening is okay at times, but the gift of personal choice is a story in one’s life to adhere to.

So, with this little Panasonic player, choice is now available. The advert blurb…..

Panasonic SC-DM202EG-K Micro HiFi Compact Stereo System with FM / DAB+ Radio, 24W Output Power, CD/MP3 Player, USB, Bluetooth, Large 2.4″ Display, Black.

It actually sounds great. Decent quality.

Today. In the VeeDub, I hooked up the above player to the Bluetti battery power bank and I played a few early Marc Bolan albums sitting in the VeeDub on my driveway. Pretending I was somewhere different.

Various songs from ‘Prophets, Seers and Sages. The Angels of the ages; T.Rex; Unicorn; and Beard of Stars’ were chosen. These albums I own on vinyl. Bought in the 1970s. My early teenage listening have these albums adopting and owning my heartstrings. But the CD versions, as Limited Editions, are very much a technological need for playing in The Dub. I have a fine collection of both Vinyl and CD Bolan releases. Decades in collecting. A week ago, I ordered the CD version of ‘My people were fair and had sky in their hair. But now they’re content to wear stars on their brows’. Yes. That is the album title. And you thought my blogs were long! Awaiting that CD with eagerness.

Early Bolan is mainly his acoustic guitar, his vocals and his musician partner, Steve Peregrine Took, playing percussion on bongoes and much more. Later, after Steve Took split, Mickey Finn joined him. So, with this presentation of inspirational acoustic guitar and voice simplicity, who knows. Maybe I can record my songs with a similar agenda.

The Panasonic player will allow background music from Bolan, and others, to spark an inspiration vibe. Recently I have been thinking of simplicity in trying out my first recordings in the VeeDub. My Guild and Eko acoustic guitars, a djembe drum and my naive vocals captured. And to record the results? An iPad and the Shure MV88 microphone…..hooked up to the Bluetti power bank. On iPad video recording? A view of the rural Wales inspirational surroundings and a fingers crossed few moments of visual vibes to capture the dynamics. This is an old adage of mine. Seize the moments. Listen to other worldly whisperings…and learn.

Let nature’s outside stories, that always have a habit of presenting themselves, chat to me personally. Maybe the sea breeze coming in from the West and whispering in my ear….’Look at that! Go on. Just take a look at THAT….Ain’t that a bit special!’

A video experiment below. But more visual dynamics needed. The blurb? Well, here it is.

“A quick experiment to keep learning about setting up a decent ‘Intro’ piece of music for the YouTube project. An ‘Intro’ before the actual content of each new future video upload.

‘Gray Summers on Cloud 9’ is a Vlogcast dream. Out there in the VeeDub Bus, Billie Cloud 9, alongside a guitar or three, some recording equipment and the intentions of capturing new songs. It would also be nice to have some conversations with others. Musicians, artists, people with stories to tell. A philosophy of well being and self reflections to heal the soul.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Dub and additions inherent has been prepared for such a project. So, it is now all systems go.

I even have two gas rings for some coffee and to cook a bite to eat. Let me know if you are interested. Cheers”.