Just a few minutes ago, I thought I’m all You Tube’d out. It was getting a bit too much, even with the variety of stuff I was shuffling through. I wanted to write about Two Things for today that made me bow my bed with gratitude.
However, never to worry with music. It’s a never ending love affair, full of surprises, like life- with I like you today, or no, not that, oh, oh, oh please, no no, and Yes, Yes, Yes!! True, music will surprise, just as life does.
1) How can anyone resist a girl romancing her sax. If you don’t believe me, here’s Candy Dulfer. Check her out here: https://youtu.be/_5kKo2_2MzI
2) More woman power with the Celtic Woman singing “You raise me up,” https://youtu.be/Yfwlj0gba_k
The Josh Groban version of this was one of my mother’s favorites. We both sang it together when she felt vulnerable, but wouldn’t show it. I played it for her, and we together sang along loudly. https://youtu.be/iHCcx47ZENk I see her face now, and hear her voice singing.
3) I can never see this video of Susan Boyle without the salt from my eyes flooding down my cheeks. This is where she made her debut- when the world first discovered the existence of this woman, who spent her best years as caregiver to her ailing mother who had passed just before Susan showed up here. She learned singing listening to her favorite Elaine Paige. Here it is: https://youtu.be/RxPZh4AnWyk “I was young and not afraid..” and “there are storms you cannot weather..” I never could bring myself to see Les Miserables.
SusanBoyle’s story is here: https://youtu.be/aq4qOvkyXE8 At 25:00 minutes she sings “I know him so well” with her hero Elaine Paige. Powerful song.
4) Stay with this one till the end, and you will be rewarded: https://youtu.be/gRHnjH3Zjpk
Lyrics of "Hymn to Freedom"
When every heart joins every heart
And together yearns for liberty
That's when we'll be free
When every hand joins every hand
And together molds our destiny
That's when we'll be free
Any hour any day, the time soon will come
When men will live in dignity
That's when we'll be free, we will be
When every man joins in our song
And together singing harmony
That's when we'll be free.
5) Nothing against men. Here’s one of my favorites. His perfectly imperfect teeth, the perfectly awkward gait, the perfectly unassuming manner, the perfect example of the capacity of the human spirit to dream. The human spirit that is crushed only when their very own mock their dreams and mutilate their capacity for hope. Here he is, Paul Potts in all his glory, coming out into the world, being born with Nessun Dorma, one fine piece so many sing, and some like Paul, do so, so well. Here: https://youtu.be/dnp-8GrHOIk
6) David Foster. His name is just the tip of the iceberg. He’s been around forever, and has discovered more talent than possibly anyone else. I love his uplifting Love Theme from St. Elmo’s fire. This link features David himself, so I like this one. It’s black and white: https://youtu.be/qL0vBw3csNE
No, did not see the movie, but there’s a version of the music on the internet, where everyone else loves everyone else, and there’s a gorgeous Andie Macdowell, and Demi Moore, and everyone is beautiful, guys included, with the beauty of Youth. This version, just in case you want to see how it plays in the movie: https://youtu.be/bH2hGqJved8
7) There has to be an honorable mention for “Dreams” from the Cranberries: https://youtu.be/C2EifAO9ZHg
Love the Energy, the vibrancy, the urgency in the music. Again, Irish lass singing against the Irish backdrop. My second visit was longer and cemented my connection with Blathin, (more about it in another post) an Irish name, which means “Little flower,” who lives in Dublin.
In some ways, Dublin invokes the poignancy of Berlin. Though the two cities, Dublin and Berlin are totally different. However, both have seen such terrible loss of life.
Dublin lost a whole generation, some to the famine, and the rest to immigration. Boston has a memorial in the heart of town, which I visited a few times in July this year, as it was near our hotel and I had to pass it several times. Interestingly, the Dublin memorial to the victims of the famine was just across from our hotel in Dublin, and I could see it from our room. Bizarre coincidence.
In Berlin, the spirits of the holocaust victims seem to lurk in the air particles, more so in some areas than others. Creepy, but Berlin will grip you with its efforts to atone for its past sins. A walking tour is a must. Some parts are so vibrant. We stayed at an amazing pre-war property, which retained much of its magnificence. Eight glorious days, and at least 6 of the major Christmas markets. This is not the place to write about it, but the German people can stop apologizing now, for the crimes of an Austrian who manipulated a population exhausted by the circumstances and the aftermath of the Great First World War. That’s another story. Dreams are the only way out.
8) Andrew Lloyd Weber. I love so many of his pieces. “All I ask of you” and others from Phantom of the Opera, which I saw twice, once in Sydney and another time in Vegas. “Don’t cry for me Argentina” from Evita, which I have not seen, and so many, many, many others. However, on the subject of dreams, I must leave you with: https://youtu.be/DIYFThfPfBI
I could go on, but must reluctantly albeit firmly, rein myself in. The intent is to write about the Two Things. Will have to wait. It’s 1:17 am and that means December has begun. No longer months to wait. Christmas is coming, the New Year is around the corner. Dear God, please make ot a good one, for everyone.
Veenu Banga
12/1/20/21
1:17 am.
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