“THIS IS ALL UNPRECEDENTED.” HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE HEARD that this year? Disastrous; annus horribilis; unpredictable; impossible to prepare for – but was it? On 9th January, in this magazine, Gisela made the following observations for 2020 in her Annual Tarotscope. “There is a sombre mood and we might be pushed to sacrifice some of our comfort-zone or fun for structured hard work. Things we have taken for granted might be in short supply. ……. the disciplinary measures of Saturn separates the bare essentials from the non-essential. ……… If you have to travel during this period, allow more time for delays and complications. …….. reform and restructuring of our society has to happen, but not without great struggle. …….. You may come to reassess the value of your social interactions. Deep and meaningful conversations and less gossip or small talk improve the quality of connection with others. Time alone might become precious and highly desirable as a relaxing refuge.” Tough year. But, by the end of 2020, Gisela leaves us with a sense of optimism. …. “Tensions have been running high for a while now and this conjunction brings integration and resolution. A vision is emerging of how to build new structures, personally and globally, which serve the whole of the planet, not just some individuals.” So, maybe some pleasure after all this pain? Lets hope so. Whatever the outcome, I do think next year will see us move into a new age. We will be chronicling the Coronavirus as THE defining event of our lives. How we survive it and how we live after it. The Gregorian calendar separates history into times Before Christ (BC) and After Death (AD). In our new secular age, we will have a revised historical tipping point. 2019 AD will be ground zero for COVID-19, and 2020 will become known as 1 AC (After Corona). My daughter will hit the magical 50 in 15 AC; my grandson will turn 21 in 16 AC; and my son will hit his 50th in 17 AC. My lovely wife will stay a desirable 40, as she has done for some years now. To follow Gisela and her Tarotscopes; to smile at Keenwa’s enlightened advice; to see how the Home replaces the Town; and to find out what we are reading and listening to; subscribe to the Corona Chronicles in the Byron Bazaar. Make sure you register at www.byronbazaar.com for your free subscription, and your digital copy will be delivered to your e-mailbox every Thursday morning. When we return to printing and distributing, you will once again have two options. Stay tuned, keep toned, and though it might be getting hard, definitely stay chilled! Tony Byron Bazaar
This week's recommendation
ALBUM TITLE: Truth or Consequences ARTIST: Yumi Zouma RELEASED: March 2020 GENRE: Alternative Pop BIO: Yumi Zouma started with a modern approach
to creating their songs, with its band members living abroad and corresponding via email. If they'd started during the Corona outbreak, we'd call it all very responsible! They drew enough attention online, which is how they were signed by the American label Cascine before they'd ever even held a band-practice together or played live. The zippy name Yumi Zouma was created as the collaboration of two friends' names who encouraged the band to start in the very beginning.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Soft layering of voices over a mesh of 80's styled, dancy vibes. Interestingly, there are two voices that swim together throughout the album. One sings of 'impressionistic poetry' and 'hard truths' while the other 'raw and lucid romanticism'. They're two complimenting colours within the chosen palette.
WHAT WE LIKE: Southwark gives a distinct feeling that you could be in an 80's adventure animation, either about to embark on your magical quest or at the end credits. Regardless of specifics, recommended dance moves would include something along the lines of a pumped walking on the spot. Right after comes the bassy synthesisers of Sage. Yum. It's a dreamy one. The other day I picked a tarot card called octomotion. I'm not exactly sure, but I think this card is a description for a dance move. That's what I'm going with anyway, prove me wrong. Octomotion is the appropriate dance move for this song. STANDOUT TRACKS: Right Track/Wrong Man, Truer than Ever. PERFECT FOR: Re-building your jam after a long day of work, driving through a sparkling city at night.
LISTEN IN IF YOU LIKE: Bombay Bicycle Club, Haim. Recommended by Delphi O'Heart.
BYRON BAZAAR
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