viva música!

finding the muse...

last night i went to a different kind of music event hosted by the group Improvelocity. As their name implies they do music improvisation and, as an audience member, you get to participate in their creative process.

They invited audience members to share poetry or any kind of spoken word which they put to music. To help prime the pump they handed out several copies of poetry books so that you could simply chose a poem and read it aloud. I was handed a collection of Rumi poems and when I opened the book I fell onto a page with the Poem 'My bad habits'.

But I decided that instead of reading Rumi's bad habits, I would rather recite my own. It was very satisfying to through this out, on-the-spot, and then hear what the musicians, and singers, did with it!! here they are (following the evening's theme of intention...)

I'm going to... 

do less
be more

talk less
sing more

work less
play more

walk less
dance more

email less
touch more

pay less
earn more

go less
stop

Bhutto Assassination

my wish is for people to look past the violence and anger and be inspired by what Benazir Bhutto's life stood for. She returned to Pakistan this year at a time of great volatility in her country that has been under military rule for eight years. She was the leader of the Pakistan’s largest opposition political party, founded by her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was one of Pakistan’s most democratically inclined prime ministers.

The Indian foreign minister, Pranab Mukherjee, is quoted in today's NY Times as saying Ms Bhutto's "contributions to democracy, to the improvement of India-Pakistan relations, and to the restoration of normalcy within Pakistan will be an inspiration..."

By way of remembrance here is a link to a collection of Indian/Pakistani music called, "An Album of Women's Dreams" -- a musical journey, which denotes a woman's dreams and aspirations for the new century. Bhutto was a living example of those dreams.

if ever there was a time for music to help heal wounds, this is surely one of them...

Christmas Music from around the world

Listen To Christmas Music from Around the World

On Christmas eve here's a selection of tracks from Angola, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Ireland, Peru, and the USA. It is always amazing to me how people create tradition, embrace other people's traditions, and somehow manage to find beauty and a similar spirit of love and sharing in such different ways.

Liner notes to: Christmas Music from Around the World:

1. Chris Norman Ensemble - In Those Twelve Days, Adam fut un pauvre homme, Noel, Joseph est bien marie
"An inspired musical celebration of the season drawn from the roots of Canada's Maritime musical heritage."

2. Peter Kater - The Little Drummer Boy
"Peter Kater, one of the leading lights of new age music, brings his version of the traditional song."

3. Todd Denman - Christmas Eve
"This tracks brings the true meaning of christmas and is dedicated to parents and all those who have worked for peace around the world."

4. Estrella De La Charanga - Amor en Tiempo de Navidad [Danzon-Salsa]
"Christmas as a slow salsa. Who can resist?"

4. Jim White - Christmas Day
"Another unique take on the holiday by another unique musician."

5. Ethiopiques - Selè Gènna (About Christmas/A Propos de Noël)
"From Ethiopiques Vol.11: Alemu A (Bèguèna) - On the Harp of King David we get an Ethiopian perspective on the holiday season."

6. Peru Negro - Villancico Negro
"This track 'Villancico Negro' compiles Christmas chants from the Afro-Peruvian districts of El Carmen and Chincha. That's dancers from Peru Negro in the photo on this post"

7. Tuxedomoon - Here 'Til X-mas
"Ride your electro pulse sleigh on this track."

8. Gillie McPherson - Christmas reel

"A jumping reel to warm your feet on a cold winter day."

9. Waldemar Bastos - Renascence
"Waldemar's musical career came about because of a choice he made. His father and mother offered him a choice between a bicycle and music lessons as a present the following Christmas. Although all of his friends in Kabinda, the town where he lived, were dying to have bicycles, I chose the music lessons. Let us celebrate this Renaissance man with the birth of a wonderful career in a very birth-oriented holiday."

10. Susana Baca - Zancudito (Perou, Dance De Noel)
"A dance for Christmas from the Afro-Peruvian community. the best way to to stay warm with your loved ones... is to dance."

11. Rica Amabis - Noel
"wishing you a samba-rific christmas!"

12. Ruben Romero & Robert Notkoff - Jingle Bell Rhumba
"From a full album of Christmas tunes, Christmas in Santa Fe. This is a nice mix of christmas, flamenco, rhumba, and fun!"

13. Steve Earle - Christmas In Washington
"As always, Steve has a different and wonderful take on everything. This is a politically charged track, so if you are looking for consensus this year, skip this track."

14. Gillie McPherson - Christmas
"A traditional a capella version of a christmas prayer."

15. Golden Bough - Farewell on a Cold Winter's Day
"From a full album of Christmas tunes, Christmas in a Celtic Land. We'll close the playlist with this fond farewell."

joy, peace, lot's of light!!

Ecuador vs. The North Pole

At this time of year? (brrrr...) Ecuador vs. The North Pole. No contest. One gets the exact same amount of light everyday all year and one has months-long stretches of complete darkness. One is crowned "mega-diverse" in its animal population and one has, um, polar bears. One is better known for exporting bananas while the other is best known for exporting, um, ice. Mango Blue is from Ecuador via New York City (Led by Ecuadorian-born Alex Alvear) and what does the North Pole have? Robert Edwin Peary and the Polecats? (with thanks to the Weekly Dig)

Since Boston's been getting more like the North Pole (two snow storms in the past week) and today is the shortest day of the year, I just spent the longest night checking out Mango Blue and stayed dancing until 1 in the morning. They played one long descarga. So hot!! Now I'm a big fan!!

Here's group leader and bass player Alex Alvear on WGBH (Boston TV) doing an interview and live show. Shake it up!! Stay warm!!

What's your music for celebrating the light?

Let the world change you... and you can change the world...

Listen To Motorcycle Diaries Playlist

After recently renting the film, Motorcycle Diaries, making this playlist based on music they would have heard on their travels through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela was impossible to resist.

The film follows two friends, Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Granado who hop on the back of a beat-up motorcycle for a breathtaking trip across Latin America -- retracing the origins of Che's revolutionary spirit.

"Let the world change you... and you can change the world..." -- Che Guevera

This quote was the film's main theme and provides a good perspective on any of us would-be world changers -- that we need to experience the world and be changed by our experience before we can create positive change...

Here's my liner notes for the Motorcycle Diaries Playlist

1. Laura Lahera & Fulvio Paredes - Gracias a la Vida "Our musical motorcycle run starts in Argentina with Laura Lahera and Fulvio Paredes offering of this superb traditional South American song 'Gracias a la Vida' (thanks for life!) which the two heroes of the film seemed to use as their mantra throughout."

2. Chango Spasiuk - El Prostibulo "The passionate sounds of chamame, played on the accordian, serves as the soundtrack for the backroads of Argentina's countryside. If I were riding up the spine of Argentina today I would have Chango's music playing through my headphones the whole way."

3. Angel Parra - La Jardinera "Angel Parra and his mother are both legends from Chile. There is no doubt that Che listened to this song somewhere along the way..."

4. Peregoyo Y Su Combo Vacana - Las Mujeres De Mi Tierra "From the Pacific Coast of Colombia Peregoyo Y Su Combo Vacana was formed in the 50's and their music would have been on the radio and played in the clubs of Colombia in 1952."

5. Banda Municipal de Santiago de Cuba - Mambo no. 5 "This group from Cuba also was popular during the 50's. Mambo No 5 was a smash hit at the time throughout Latin America -- There is a fun scene in the film when Che, who is a very shy dancer, mistakes Mambo for Tango."

6. Soledad Bravo - Hasta Siempre "Soledad Bravo grew up in Venezuela and wrote protest songs during the sixties. This lovely song is her tribute to Che Guevara."

Music Video - Here Comes Another Bubble

Here's a clever 'sing-a-long' music video poking fun at the whole Internet startup craze. I love it!! Check it out and see if it doesn't put a smile on your face...