Childhood favourites

After many long years today I listened to a few songs of one of my favourite singer: Kris Kristofferson. Dont know how I forgot him for so long. He was one amongst my elder brother's collection of singers. I think the old tape recorder and the tapes might still be lying around at my parent's place.

I still remember the excitement when our Father brought home the Panasonic taper ecorder. A silver colored one which some gulfwalla had brought to Kerala. Until then like most household one had to depend on the good old radio for songs. Later collection of cassettes became a worthwhile task. It was mostly decided by my brother. Thus I got to listen to Kris Kristoffersen, Dire Straits, Jim Reeves and many others. Even my study break of my Pre-degree days were made sound proof by these songs!  The sound of the song shut off all other external sounds and I found that I could concentrate better on the subject.  And I did get marks too so it is an experiment that did not fail. In fact I have a cousin brother who could study only if listens to songs!

The following song brings home sweet memories of childhood and the lovely place that I grew up.

Kristoffer Kristian "Kris" Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for such hits as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night". Kristofferson is the sole writer of most of his songs, and he has collaborated with various other figures of the Nashville scene such as Shel Silverstein.[1]

Help me make it trought the night

Take the ribbon from your hair,

Shake it loose and let it fall,
Layin' soft upon my skin.
Like the shadows on the wall.

Come and lay down by my side
'till the early morning light
All I'm takin' is your time.
Help me make it through the night.

I don't care what's right or wrong,
I don't try to understand.
Let the devil take tomorrow.
Lord, tonight I need a friend.

Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight.
And it's sad to be alone.
Help me make it through the night.

I don't care what's right or wrong,
I don't try to understand.
Let the devil take tomorrow.
Lord, tonight I need a friend.

Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight.
Lord, it's bad to be alone.

Help me make it through the night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh1y7Jkikuk&feature=related

Abide with me...

We all have our favourite songs and hymns. It can lift you up and comfort you. There are some songs which can make one cry with it's verses and it's redition. Below is one such song and I cannot help crying each time I hear it. Maybe it is age which is taking it's toll :). It may sound a little sad and is also sung during funerals. But somehow, it also comforts while one travels the never so smooth road of life.

It's Malayalam version is sung during most evening prayers. It was sung almost daily at my maternal grand parent's place. I loved the way King's College Choir - Cambridge sung this song.

"Abide with Me" is a Christian hymn written by Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte.

He wrote it in 1847 while he lay dying from tuberculosis; he survived only a further three weeks after its completion.

1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.


2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me.


3. I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power? Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.


4. I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness. Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.


5. Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Yanni

Sadly a few things came late into my life; like Yanni and his wonderful team of musicians.

I have heard bits and pieces of him and vaguely remember reading about his live concert at the Taj Mahal, but it was during those years that I was too busy even for music. I have also heard him at the Shopping malls in the electronic section where Hubby normally ends after rushing us through the rest of the aisles. But I clearly remember the last time that I was at the electronic section, when I left hubby and son totally immersed in some item that I had the least interest. That is when I found that all the TV screens had the Yanni Live! The Concert Event.

I stood mesmerized and for the first time wished that Hubby would stay longer in the e-section. Daughter also joined me and we stood there quietly enjoying the blissful moments. Then it was time to forget and so I did until we went to a friend’s place. He is an electronic freak and more so because he works for Sony. His house is filled with the latest gadgets and he would have had more, if only his wife wasn’t there to squash his temptations. (We wives need to be thanked for at least this nature in us!)

Anyway, Hubby wanted to test the Bose speakers (I am sure you know it is invented by an Indian)and our friend said he has the best music to test the speakers. And then came Yanni and his team! It was heavenly music played by a team of musicians from all over the world. From every person one could sense the passion and the love for music. Each one of them seemed perfect in their chosen field and all one can do is thank God for giving us ears to enjoy them. I think Yanni’s music appealed to me even more because of the oriental touch that has gone into some of the creations.

Thanks to our friend, we brought "Yanni" home and the music continues to fill our senses.




Yanni (born Yiannis Hrysomallis (Greek: Γιάννης Χρυσομάλλης, classical transcription Giannis Chrysomallis), on November 14, 1954 in Kalamata, Greece) is a self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer.

Band
• Charlie Adams – drums
• Victor Espinola – harp, vocals
• Pedro Eustache – flute, saxophone, world reeds
• Ramon Flores – trumpet
• Ming Freeman – keyboards
• David Hudson – didgeridoo
• Hussain Jiffry – bass guitar
• Sayaka Katsuki – violin
• Dan Landrum – hammered dulcimer
• Armen Movsessian – violin
• Walter Rodriguez – percussion
• Samvel Yervinyan – violin

Vocalists:
* Alfreda Gerald
* Michelle Amato

Orchestra

* Kristen Autry – violin
* April Cap – oboe
* Zachary Carrettin – violin
* Ilona Geller – viola
* Kerry Hughes – trumpet
* Jim Mattos – French horn
* Eugene Mechtovich – viola
* Kristin Morrison – French horn
* Sarah O'Brien – cello
* Dana Teboe – trombone
* Erika Walczak – violin
* Alexander Zhiroff – cello


Courtesy Wikipedia as usual!

and finally after searching for a long time, I found one article which gives a good idea about the team and it is from rediff...

Phil Collins & Sean Kingston

After a long time I listened to Phil Collins on VH1... I suddenly remembered that he was one of my favourite singers but I had forgotten him in the hustle and bustle of life.

His songs had meaning and his concern looked genuine.

Philip David Charles Collins (born January 30, 1951 in Chiswick, London) is an English singer, songwriter, drummer, and actor. He is best known as the lead singer and drummer of progressive rock group Genesis and as a Grammy and Academy Award-winning solo artist. He is also an actor, having starred in numerous films.


Another Day In Paradise

She calls out to the man on the street
";Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?";

He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh think twice, it's just another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she's been crying
She's got blisters on the soles of her feet
Can't walk but she's trying

Oh think twice...

Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she's been there
Probably been moved on from every place
'Cos she didn't fit in there

Oh think twice...

and talking about current singers, me and kids run to the small screen whenever

Sean Kingston

sings "Beautiful Girl".. dont know why.. it is a beautiful song. The rythm is great.. and the tune also...

When he stops we make our son sing it...


Kisean Anderson was born in Miami, Florida,[1] but he was predominantly raised in Kingston, Jamaica after moving there at the age of six.[1] Today he uses the moniker "Sean Kingston" to represent Kingston, the capital of Jamaica.

Chorus:
You're way too beautiful girl
That's why it'll never work
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal
When you say it's over
Damn all these beautiful girls
They only wanna do your dirt
They'll have you suicidal, suicidal
When they say it's over

Verse 1:
See it started at the park
Used to chill at the dark
Oh when you took my heart
That's when we fell apart
Coz we both thought
That love lasts forever (lasts forever)
They say we're too young
To get ourselves sprung
Oh we didn't care
We made it very clear
And they also said
That we couldn't last together (last together)

Refrain:
See it's very define, girl
One of a kind
But you mush up my mind
You walk to get declined
Oh Lord...
My baby is driving me crazy

Chorus:
You're way too beautiful girl
That's why it'll never work
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal
When you say it's over
Damn all these beautiful girls
They only wanna do your dirt
They'll have you suicidal, suicidal
When they say it's over

Verse 2:
It was back in '99
[ Beautiful Girls lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
Watchin' movies all the time
Oh when I went away
For doin' my first crime
And I never thought
That we was gonna see each other (see each other)
And then I came out
Mami moved me down South
Oh I'm with my girl
Who I thought was my world
It came out to be
That she wasn't the girl for me (girl for me)

Refrain:
See it's very define, girl
One of a kind
But you mush up my mind
You walk to get declined
Oh Lord...
My baby is driving me crazy

Chorus:
You're way too beautiful girl
That's why it'll never work
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal
When you say it's over
Damn all these beautiful girls
They only wanna do your dirt
They'll have you suicidal, suicidal
When they say it's over

Verse 3:
Now we're fussin'
And now we're fightin'
Please tell me why
I'm feelin' slightin'
And I don't know
How to make it better (make it better)
You're datin' other guys
You're tellin' me lies
Oh I can't believe
What I'm seein' with my eyes
I'm losin' my mind
And I don't think it's clever (think it's clever)

You're way too beautiful girl
That's why it'll never work
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal, suicidal...