Sheila Chandra: Speaking in Tongues II

I realize I have been listening to this Sheila Chandra CD for many years, and I still love it more than ever. She is an inspiration.

Cry Me A River: Ella Fitzgerald

Ella's treatment of this song is beautiful. I think she keeps it from being maudlin.

Why Do Birds Sing?

As I was literally pondering why birds sing, I remembered this song by Jimmy Merchant.

Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day
Why do they fall in love
Why does the rain fall from up above
Why do fools fall in love
Why do they fall in love
Love is a losing game
Love can be a shame I
Know of a fool, you see
For that fool is me
Tell me why, tell me why
Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day
Why does my heart skip a crazy beat
For I know it will reach defeat
Tell me why, tell me why
Why do fools fall in love
Tell me why, tell me why

Singing in the Rain

This is a YouTube gem with Ukulele Mike. Stay with it to hear the women's chorus--just brilliant!

Here's a link to info about the original musical: The Hollywood Revue.

Tea for Two, Sexy Lady Style

This is my favorite version of the song I've heard. It's by NOON, a Japanese singer with South Korean roots.

Come Fly Away

Here's another cool vid and great song from Jeremy Fisher. I could listen to this song all day.
Feeling tired after a weekend of rehearsing and the concert, but it went well, with about 300 people attending. This morning I was craving coconut, so I made sour cream coconut muffins with chocolate icing. I like baking in the morning while I'm putting Ules' lunch together. I think I should do it every day.

I am hoping to head to Victoria this week and looking forward to checking out some new places to eat. Fun!

Jeremy Fisher's Cool Vid

I like this music video created by Jeremy Fisher on his own, on the cheap. The song is called "Shine a Little Light" and it's on the soundtrack of my new favorite movie, The Big Year.

Nat King Cole Floats my Boat, and Flies my Space Ship

This is the extremely mellow version with an intro I had never heard before.

She's a Hipster

This Blossom is incredibly fresh and timely. She's really got great comedic skills.

Sensuous Singer: Julie London

This woman knows how to speak Body Language.

The Storm is Passing Over

Okay, so we'll be singing this song this term. We ain't never gonna sing it like these folks, but we can dream! This must be one of the most beautiful vids on the net.

If We Only Have Nana

This is so nostalgic for me. I grew up listening to Nana Mouskouri and I think I have to start listening to her again. She's timeless. We are singing this in our next choir concert. There's some good songs comin' up!

The Mary Tyle Moore theme song in French

OMG! I have to learn this and sing it with mah uke.

The Flower Duet: The Oliveira Sisters

I feel that this is one of the best versions of the duet we've found a video of so far. The soprano has that lovely light soprano of the ingenue and her sister has that lovely mature sound with a darker tone. There's also a real warmth and connection between the two women which is missing in other performances of the "park and bark" variety.

We celebrated Art's Birthday at W2 today with tea by Trolley Bus and a "digital" cake. Had some really interesting conversations, then came home and made a curry with tiny brussel sprouts from the market. Coconut milk, tomato paste, mango, fresh garlic, ginger and tumeric, onion seeds and a generic curry powder. I had a hankering for curried popcorn so I made a big batch to share with Ules. I also made salmon cakes and potatoes for the boy. I had a nip of Catherine's raspberry vodka for dessert. It is her summer garden in a bottle!

The Dublin Quartet: The Flower Duet

This is a lovely instrumental rendition of the song by Delibes. It's peaceful to look at while imagining you are in the sunlit room with those women.

Hot Tweets

This is hilarious--the Calgary Philharmonic orchestra warming up with tweets sent in by Calgarians.

Paint it Black covered by Supercute

I love what these girls are doing. They rock the ukuleles!

I Shall Be Released

Joni Mitchell and Mama Cass? I love it.

Mel Torme Sings Nocturne for the Blues

Written in 1939 by Earle Hagen and Dick Rogers. Originally an instrumental, I'm not sure if Torme wrote these lyrics. He does a lovely job, but I'm not sure about the use of the strings as this song was made for the sax, don't you think?

A nocturne for the blues played on a bro - ken heart string
It's wailing out the news my baby is gone from me.
Dark shadows in the rain, a tel - e - phone that won't ring
Just mem - o - ries re- main of lovers that used to be.
I miss the laughs and the fun, my spot in the sun
When I was the one one and only.
The music and lights, those wonderful nights
The morn - ing is the time we'd kiss.
The laughs and the fun, my days in the sun,
They're over and done, and I'm lonely;
Don't ask me to hide the heartbreak in - side
The gleam - ing spark is gone, the light went dark.
This nocturn for the blues took all and left me nothing
Nothing but the blues 'til baby comes back to me

The Theme Song from Wallander

My choice for song of the year. Raw poetry. Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo's "Nostalgia."