please press the play button below to listen to this incredibly beautiful version of ne me quitte pas. It says its sung by Edith Piaf but this song was never sung by Edith as far as we know, and French Boy and I can’t figure out who sings this one but I adore it.
Be warned, you may shed tears…
Emiliana Torrini’s concert on friday night at the paradiso was sublime. She had my eyes filled with tears during many a song. With her sweet Icelandic accent, she has a way of telling a story that draws you right in, lifting you up on her lyrical wings and guiding you gently through the night air.
I was alight with inspiration and found myself documenting my emotions at my mind’s writing desk throughout the performance. I managed to remember most of it the next morning to materialise it in my journal. Like many pieces of my writing, I’m not sure what I will do with them but one day, I imagine them to be set free, somehow. If not always here, then somewhere.
With the aid of Emiliana’s sweet voice, I’d just like to start this week here in the (blog)house gently. To do so I give you a song which I heard for the first time on Friday night. It’s from her new album, Me and Armini. The song is called Birds, and Emiliana described it as a moment when her and her band were sitting out in the garden in Oxford one night under a tree, listening to the night birds, sipping wine and generally relaxing. It was such a beautiful night that she never wanted the moment to end. Please click here to listen, then sit back, close your eyes and enjoy.
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click here to find out if Emiliana is touring near you sometime in the future.
Last month back home in Sydney I went through my stash of CDs to see if I might find some old albums to listen to again. Among the ones I picked out was Sufjan Steven’s Seven Swans. Beside being immediately drawn to the cover illustrations…
…I love his sound on this album. “The dress looks nice on you” is my pick from the bunch. But recently I found a clip of him singing “lakes of canada” which I thought to be rather fabulous. I’d even go so far as to say it makes the perfect coffee break musical interlude for this fine Tuesday…
xx
PS tomorrow I am going to start my sydney posts! perhaps you are not as excited about this as i am?
PPS lilibeth is the name of harriet’s new friend, with much thanks to liz. but then kate commented that “the butterfly says her name is marcella”. perhaps I can make lilibeth a sister? OR maybe lilibeth has a split personality? hmm, much to ponder.
…is a gorgeous public piano project in Sydney right now until February 2. Created by British artist Luke Jerram, his idea is “to challenge pre-conceived notions of city living and enhance our sense of community by providing free access to pianos all over the city”. There are 30 pianos dotted around the city including one at Centennial Park, Circular Quay, QVB and The Opera House (click here to see all the locations).
I did not know about this until I left Sydney the other day. Of course I’m bummed about it as if I had have seen a piano I would have sat down immediately, I can rarely contain myself when I see a piano in a room or space, and I am usually not satisfied until I sit down to play at least one song. So, I don’t know where these pianos were hiding when I was there because French Boy and I were regularly at these locations! Anyway, perhaps one of you would play one for me this weekend? It would make a great Julia Cameron-style artist date don’t you think?
So dear Luke, can you please bring your piano project to Amsterdam this year? I could take lots of great photographs for you. And I would love you long time.
image from street pianos, sydney.
Next weekend, on Saturday November 22nd, on South Curl Curl beach in Sydney, starting at 4pm there is an AWESOME music festival happening. Hosted by The Beats That Give Back, there will be live bands, all of varied roots: rock, reggae, acoustic, harmonic, organ drifting, singer styling, bass slinging, brass blasting, djembe tapping, solo ripping, & drum cracking… Some of the music you will hear on the day will include:
The Landlords
Jumbledat
The Sniffer Dogs
Lemonade
The Pachamamas
Let me tell you, if anyone knows how to throw a fabulous beach party, it is the organiser herself – hostess with the mostess – Bron Harrison. She has organised fire twirlers, a fully stocked bar, a BBQ and so much more, making this event one of the hottest of the season.
Tickets are $25 but you need to get in quick as past events have sold out. Click here to read more about the event and purchase your tickets.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to buy food, medicine and essential equipment for Tibetan refugees in North India. So jump online and buy your tickets and if you can’t make it, you can donate by clicking here.
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Thank you for the heads up Sue!
