BUM BUM...and a very Happy New Year to you, too!

I was just thinking of this priceless video from the early 80's by Trio  -- remember those artsy German guys?? Anna was always a great fave, but BUM BUM was a close second. For some reason this vid always made me think of New Year's Eve.  Nothing says Happy New Year like chopped wood and balloons flyin' around.  I swear I knew a skinhead from New York who looked just like Stephan and chewed gum like that while trying to look uber cool.  Ah, good times.  Have a safe, fab New Year's Eve and here's to a brilliant, healthy, creative new year for us all x0x0x0x

Rest well, dear Helen x0x0x

"Every canvas is a journey all its own..." ~ Helen Frankenthaler
  

Thank you for reminding us that it's never too late to follow our artistic passions and bliss.

  

Helen Frankenthaler -- Magic Carpet, 1964
(96 X 68 inches
Acrylic on Canvas)

As we watch the winter slumber around us....

Such a sweet song and a gorgeous reminder x0x0x0x

A Tom Waits Xmas carol.....

Such a classic.  Hope all is well with you and yours x0x0x0x

My absolute favorite version of Ave Maria...EVER.

Does anyone else remember a 1960's/70's era Christmas compilation album that had a batch of rad Xmas songs and carols with this supreme version of Ave Maria by Leontyne Price and the Men and Boys Choir of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in NYC???  I swear it was by RCA -- I can just see the yellow/gold mid section of the album spinning around my old, small portable hard plastic "suitcase" record player.  I'm really confused about the cover -- I remember there was a close-up of either a little kid reaching for a shiny glass ornament on a lit Xmas tree...or maybe it was a big stylized sort of mod ornament on the cover?? Or an illustration of people ice skating on a pond while festooned Xmas decor was everywhere??  I wish I could remember.  Sadly, my mom's cool Xmas albums are long, long gone, but it warms my heart to see this on YouTube.  I used to play this song over....and over....and over.  My mom totally understood because she adored Leontyne's other operatic works.  My dad....not so much.  Her voice hits such an emotional cord.  The sound of her voice projecting and filling the hall...and then the graceful moment when the Men and Boys Choir finally join in.  It's like a magical breath and such graceful pacing. So simple and so powerful.  Truly a classic.

Here's hoping everyone is having drama-free holidaze ahead.  If you need a little pick-me-up...look and listen...or close your eyes and put the world on hold for the next several minutes.

PS......... I still wish she had been cast in DIVA.  Goddess help us if someone suddenly gets the idea to remake that wonderful film, too.  

Cesária Évora...Sodade

 Ciao, bella.  Rest well x0x0x0x0x

     

 **Here is another one of my favorite songs -- it was such a sweet love letter to her homeland:

http://youtu.be/TJKF21vy6lY

                                                                                                                    

 

Christmas Ghosts

Can't quite believe we're watching the year end. I'm not really feeling any joyous, holiday vibes right now. So much happening...and so much has happened. Happy solstice or whatever holidaze you feel close to. Be safe, be well and be happy. Let's raise a toast to the ghosts of the friends we lost last year....

Here's to you dear Poly. Miss you dearly, chica 0x0x0x0

Remember.....It's Just A Ride

Happy Birthday, Bill. We need you now more than ever. See you on the next ride x0x0x

God's Away On Business...BUSINESS.

Here's to a mighty special man who entered this world today in 1949. I've loved him ever since I watched him on The Mike Douglas Show way back when. Those curls. That hat. Those fingers. That voice. For as much as I was falling deeper and deeper in love with punk rock, I was totally fascinated by the music he was creating and the depth of his character. What do people say about wine getting better with age?? Not a lot of musicians and singers fall in-line with that analogy...but Tom is definitely one of them. We are so blessed to have him here.

This is seriously one of my favorite Tom Waits songs...and one of the coolest, creative music videos I love.

*And here's another fave from an old Letterman show -- perfect slice of what his live shows have been like all these years: http://youtu.be/1wfamPW3Eaw

I'm in the mood for some Lumpy Gravy...

I still remember that day in 1993. It was so sad to see him go, but his wisdom burns as bright today as it ever did when he was here. This segment on the record industry and Mtv was and still IS so right on. Rest well, Frank. We'll see you again down the road -- thanks for the warning about the yellow snow x0x0x

*Remember the time he and Mike            
  Nesmith goofed around on The   
  Monkees??  So classic:   
  http://youtu.be/RgNxuNaYHsk

*And here's some insanity for insanity's sake thanks to Ahmet (I don't think I will EVER be able to get the image of his hips wiggling in his classic Tom Jones imitation out of my head) and Dweezil Zappa...and the mighty John Tesh: http://youtu.be/8k8yL1AXhsI