Waterloo Bridge

I am so delighted to find that youtube has the complete movie of Waterloo Bridge available to watch, cleverly done in 11 segments. I caught the end of the film a few weeks ago and was hoping to have the opportunity to see it in it's entirety.

Waterloo Bridge was filmed in 1940 with the beautiful Vivien Leigh and equally handsome Robert Taylor, both of which consider the film to be a personal favorite of theirs, which says a lot. It's a beautiful love story that begins at the start of World War I and ending at the start of World War II.

Hope you might appreciate it's beauty, with it's Academy Award Nominated music and cinematography, take a peek or watch the whole thing, either way I think you'll enjoy.

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Dans Paris

"Rain makes flowers grow and snails happy. That's a fact" - Paul



He:

Did you know my darling

The most brilliant loves tarnish

The day's dirty sun in the day

Subjects them to torment

I have an irrefutable idea

To avoid the unbearable

Before the hatred, before the blows

Of hissing or lashing

Before the sorrow and the disgust

Let's break up now, please

She:

No, I kiss you and it passes

You can see

You can't brush me off like that

You thought you'd be able to

By leaving me hanging

From the mighty love which must die

But you see I prefer

The inescapable storms

To your measly idea

Before the hatred, before the blows

Of hissing or lashing

Before the sorrow and the disgust

Let's break up now, you say

He:

But you kiss me and it passes

I can see

You're not brushed off like that

He:

I can't avoid you at the worst

She:

But the best is yet to come

Together:

Before the hatred, before the blows

Of hissing or lashing

Before the sorrow and the disgust

He:

Let's break up now please

She:

No, I kiss you and it passes

You can see

Together:

Before the hatred, before the blows

Of hissing or lashing

Before the sorrow and the disgust

She:

Let's break up now, you say

He:

But you kiss me and it passes

I can see

You're not brushed off like that

She:

You can't brush me off like that

My Waterloo Sunset

How does someone successfully cover an already great song? I don't have a definite full proof answer or mathematical equation to guarantee success but I do think there is one very important rule to follow by, don't attempt to duplicate but do add a personal touch.

Probably the best example to illustrate this is The Sex Pistols rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way",it's a classic. Some may find their version obscenely offensive, horrifying even, others entertained and amused but one thing is for sure, there's no denying, they did it their way.

There is something uniquely beautiful about walking out of step, not for the sole purpose of not conforming but because you feel something different. There's those who follow in step, there's those who intentionally walk out of step, then there's those who simply, as they say, march to the beat of their own drum. It's the latter who intrigue me and unequivocally, simply can't go wrong.

My playlist is inspired by a current favorite song I've been playing to death... Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks, alternative version by Elliott Smith (track 11). I love it's simple tune and equally simple story, makes for the best kind of song. It tells the story of one the sweetest things, being happy from seeing the happiness of others, a waterloo sunset.

1 Complainte de la Butte - Rufus Wainwright

original Marcel Mouloudji

2 Inside + Out - Feist original The Bee Gees

3 Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm original Michael Jackson

4 If I Fell - Jason Castro original The Beatles

5 Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - Muse

original Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

6 Bizzare Love Triangle - Frente original New Order

7 Hey Ya - Obadiah Parker original OutKast

8 Across the Universe - Fiona Apple original The Beatles

9 Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley original Leonard Cohen

10 Band on the Run - Foo Fighters original Wings

11 Waterloo Sunset - Elliott Smith original The Kinks

12 Love of My Life - Scorpions original Queen

13 Cry Baby - Janis Joplin

original Garnet Mimms ft The Enchanters

14 A Whiter Shade of Pale - Annie Lennox

original Procol Harum

15 Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy original Sting

16 Golden Slumbers - Ben Folds original The Beatles

17 Starman - of Montreal original David Bowie

18 Angie - Tori Amos original The Rolling Stones

19 Don't Let Me Down - Stereophonics original The Beatles

20 Lady Stardust - Seu Jorge original Davis Bowie

21 You belong to Me - Patsy Cline original Chilton Price

22 My Way - The Sex Pistols original Frank Sinatra

Love at First Sight...

I have fallen in Love! This morning my life was a simple life, enjoying hot chocolate and breakfast burrito at a Starbucks with Ruth, discussing books and thoughts, anticipating a great read, Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain, when the most beautiful, strong, precious thing walked into my life.

The sky was clear and sunshine abundant, my thoughts of the future were clear. I imagined my life, living on a secluded, peaceful, piece of property near Jalama Bay, with acres of sprawling land and a little white house with breezy windows. I'd play the piano while he napped nearby, life could be so beautiful together.

Here's a picture we snapped, now I know he already has an owner who I'm sure adores and loves him (rightly so) but one just like him would be Awesome!

He's an English Mastiff, they're ginormous!! You can't really tell from the photo because you have nothing to compare him to but I've done some research and they typically weigh in around 169-250lbs+ In the Guiness Book of World Records, the heaviest dog in the world is an English Mastiff named Zorba weighing 343lbs. The greatest part is, with their great size and brute strength, they're really the gentlest of dogs, described as calm and affectionate, loyal and well-mannered, I want one!

And so, the day I have adequate space and money to feed such an adorably beasty animal, I'm getting me one of these. Here's to you.

My Fatburger Days

It's been a long morning in the darkroom, I need to see the light of day and put some good solid food in my belly, what do I do, I head over to the Fatburger just down the street on West Charleston. I arrive and there are all of 2, maybe 3 customers sitting in the usual seats, eating in silence. 

I order a fatburger with homemade onion rings (ranch on the side) and a real ice cream shake, Oreo if they have it. I take what money I have left and walk myself over to the beloved jukebox at which point I'm all giddy, excited to see what songs I'll choose to share with my fellow patrons.

Oh the days of my regular Fatburger visits. There were some days when everyone seemed to appreciate my selection, tapping their feet, sometimes even singing along, that's a great feeling... then there were times when my song choice must of disagreed with my fellow Fatburgians because you could hear someone say something like, "Who picked this song"? I admit I wasn't like raising my hand, dancing on the tables when this happened, usually at this point I just had to enjoy on my own, hamburger in hand, quietly singing to myself.

During my visits to Fatburger, my most favorite thing has to be that strangers alike are brought together for a short time, enjoying some of life's simple pleasures and in that moment the world seems a little smaller, a little more friendly, realizing each individual tapping their foot to the very same song has their very own story.

The following is a music mix of songs I've played at Fatburger at one time or another... I've always wanted to dance to track 16, on those days when I'm sitting there, just me and my satisfied belly, streets with passing cars, customers coming and going, ... I'll daydream about it.

1 Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

2 Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding

3 Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley

4 Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

 5 Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin

6 Crazy - Patsy Cline

7 Underpressure - Queen & David Bowie

8 Happy Together - The Turtles

9 Vehicle - Ides of March

10 Eternal Flame - The Bangles

11 Band of Gold - Freda Payne

12 With or Without You - U2

13 Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics

14 Piano Man - Billy Joel

15 Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight & The Pips 

16 Dannys Song - Anne Murray

17 Let's Stay Together - Al Green

18 Crazy - Aerosmith

19 I Want You Back - Jackson 5

20 More Than Words - Extreme

21 The Joker - Steve Miller Band

22 Blue Skies - Willie Nelson

Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway

 Sometimes I think I should have grown-up during the 60s and 70s... missed it by more than a decade. Something about it's musical vibes call to me, beckoning me to wallow in it's coolness, gets me every time.

My first car was a 1970's 2 door hatchback, golden AMC Pacer with roomy leather interior, designed for aerodynamics and high visibility, I loved this car! Aside from it's unpredictable stalling episodes and broken gas gauge that left me always wondering, how much farther can I go? It was a classic.

In more recent years, I have traveled up and down California's Pacific Coast Highway, listening to the Zep and music alike, reliving an era I never lived in the first place but imagine with a distinct familiarity. With windows down, ocean by my side, sunshines warmth and blue skies above, I'm transported to a place where my spirit feels free. These are quite the awesome moments for me.

A music playlist in memory of 

a time I never saw but enjoy none the less.

1 Going to California - Led Zeppelin

2 America - Simon and Garfunkel

3 Hotel California - The Eagles

4 Sister Golden Hair - America

5 Reflections of My Life - Marmalade

6 Kodachrome - Paul Simon

7 Operator - Jim Croce

8 Smile a Little Smile for Me - The Flying Machine

9 Moonlight Mile - The Rolling Stones

10 It Never Rains in California - Albert Hammond

11 You Belong to Me - Bob Dylan

12 Leaving On a Jet Plane - Peter Paul & Mary

13 Anticipation - Carly Simon

14 Beth - Kiss

15 The Air that I Breathe - The Hollies

16 Summer Breeze - Seals & Croft

17 Everything I Own - Bread

18 Ziggy Stardust - Davis Bowie

19 The Weight - The Band

20 Peace Train - Cat Stevens

21 Forever - The Beach Boys

22 Go Where You Wanna Go - The Mamas & Papas

The Little Sparrow

  Hear the voice and song of Edith Piaf and know the sound of a sparrow's heart. While living in London I had a french neighbor who adored a remarkable woman and her music. The raw sound of vinyl escaping his windows, he could be found blasting her beautiful ballads at all hours of the day, morning, mid-day, or midnight... they were special occasions because I have come to love her too. Listen and you'll know everything there is to know about this beautiful, songbird.

I've included the English translation of 

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien because of it's valiant and 

adamant message. The melody persistent, strong, 

enduring, Edith sings with no hesitation, no apologies, 

she's the read deal. 

No Regrets.

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

No! Absolutely nothing...
No! I regret nothing
Neither the good that I've done nor the bad
All this is much the same to me!

No! Absolutely nothing...
No! I regret nothing...
It is paid, swept away, forgotten
I don't care about the past!

With my souvenirs
I lit a fire
My sorrows, my pleasures
I need them no more!

Swept away the love affairs
With their tremors
Swept away forever
I leave with nothing ...

No! Absolutely nothing...
No! I regret nothing
Neither the good that I've done nor the bad
All this is much the same to me!

No! Absolutely nothing...
No! I regret nothing...
Because my life, because my joys
Today that begins with you!

Should you have the opportunity, there was a recent film 

made about the life and music of Edith Piaf called 

La Vie En Rose that's well worth watching. 

French actress, Marion Cotillard, 

does a spectacular job portraying the remarkable 

Piaf and would go on to win a 

Best Actress Academy Award for the part.

WAR DANCE

  I first saw the trailer for WAR DANCE months ago on the Sundance Channel and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Thank goodness for Netflixs, I had the pleasure of watching it this evening. It's an absolute must see, not only does it open your eyes and heart but also to the music within. During the movie I can't count how many times I caught myself bobbing my head to the beat and smiling, it's fantastic.

The film is a documentary, filmed in the remote northern refugee camp of Patongo. The film centers around 3 children from the Acholi tribe, Nancy 14 years old, Rose 13 years old and Dominic 14 years old, all of which are participating with their school in Uganda's Annual National Music Competition in Kampala in which all 20,000 schools of Uganda compete to represent their tribe.

Throughout the course of the film you come to learn of their lives, families separated, growing up in a war zone, prisoners in their own country. Dominic, a delightful and beautiful young boy who dreams of traveling the world playing music, said "it's difficult for people to believe our story but if we don't tell you, you won't know."

It's amazing the power and hope music can bring. I so loved the scenes when the children are performing and you've seen a glimpse of their story, the pain, the fear, the loss and yet, in these moments when the music is alive and well, their faces are as bright as any star in the sky. They all express the similar thought that music has the ability to make everything become great, they say even war can't take it away.

I've been inspired by their story and impressed by the humble sanctuary they've found. How brilliant their young hearts are, brave and hopeful in music's dance.

The Diving Bell & The Butterfly

  A truly superb film, The Diving Bell & The Butterfly is based on the true-life story of French Elle magazine editor-in-chief, Jean-Dominique Bauby who, after suffering a massive stroke resulting in Locked-In Syndrome, dictates his memoir Le scaphandre et le papillon with the use of blinking his one eyelid.

The 2007 film, directed by painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, written by Ronald Harwood and starring Mathieu Amalric was nominated for 4 Academy Awards.

I watched The Diving Bell & The Butterfly with my sister Ruth and completely fell in love. The beautiful imagery complete with an equally thoughtful soundtrack perfectly illustrates a man finding meaning in the most unlikely of circumstances, with memory and imagination.

Director Julian Schnabel said, "Painting is like breathing to me. It's what I do all the time. Everyday I make art, whether it is painting, writing or making a movie." Schnabel holds true to his word, The Diving Bell & The Butterfly lends itself perfectly to Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoir of escaping what seems to be inevitable restrictions with a beautiful freedom.

I couldn't resist, along with the trailer I had to include one of my favorite scenes from the film. The gorgeous music accompanying this scene is Bach's Concerto for Piano in F Minor, BMV 1056 - Largo. Enjoy a perfect marriage of writing, directing, cinematography, Life.

Jean-Dominique Bauby died March 16, 1997, 10 days after his autobiography Le scaphandre et le papillon was published.

Dedicated to the One I Love

While Im far away from you my baby

I know its hard for you my baby
Because its hard for me my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn

Each night before you go to bed my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
This is dedicated to the one I love...

- The Mamas &  The Papas

1 Dedicated to the One I Love - The Mamas & The Papas

2 So Sorry - Feist

3 Carmensita - Devendra Banhart

4 Cigarettes & Chocolate Milk - Rufus Wainwright

5 Hold You In My Arms - Ray Lamontagne

6 How Can I Tell You - Cat Power

7 Better Together - Jack Johnson

8 Secret Heart - Feist

9 E Isso Ai - Seu Jorge & Ana Carolina

10 Oh, It Is Love - HelloGoodbye

11 The Luckiest - Ben Folds

12 Follow - Brandi Carlile

13 Fidelity - Regina Spektor

14 Where Do You Go To My Lovely - Peter Sarstedt

15 Good Friday - CocoRosie

16 Chasing Pavements - Adele

17 Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros

18 I Love You (Me Either) - Cat Power & Karen Elson

19 Letter Read - Rachael Yamagata

20 I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie

21 Starlight - Muse

22 I'll Find a Way - Rachael Yamagata