The Rose

What's that word... blue?

One night some fifteen years ago, I randomly caught the 1979 movie "The Rose" on TV. Though there's not much to say about the movie itself, Bette Midler's portrayal of the self-destructive rock star was such a rollercoaster of emotions! To this day I remember that last line "Where is everybody going?" and this song as the end credits, unexpectedly making me cry. I usually had my little tape recorder handy - grandpa used to say it was attached to me - so fortunately I reacted and put it to the TV, catching most of the song, and that was the only copy I had for years. You see, in those days - for me at least - if a song wasn't in the radio, you had trouble finding it at all! Gotta love technology...

Last week was simply awful. I was feeling blue and I had to do something about it, so I did what always helps: Just grabbed my guitar and played some music. And soon this one came to mind, since I've always associated it with that blue feeling... Half-way through, I told myself I'd rather channel it into something positive, like recording it.

Oddly enough, that feeling changed a little when I shared it with a few very dear people who once upon a time had suggested I sang it. Oh, and a version of this song was the first thing Claire ever sent me, our first email exchange... three years ago! So well, it sounds kinda more hopeful now.

If it sounds a little strange at times, it's because I had to tweak the background track: The only one I could find included the harmony, and since I wanted to sing it myself, I had to cut those parts and replace them with empty ones. Somehow all this track tweaking and harmony took me back to my childhood, to the days I needed two tape recorders to do this... That certainly brought a smile! Have I said I love technology? I wouldn't trade those days for the world though!

You've got a friend

Happy birthday, Fruitcake!

I'm just so not creative! Some of you know how this girl spoils me rotten, and I can't even come up with a good birthday surprise... So well, given that she'll listen to anything I sing - even in "disastrous" occasions - I guess a wee song will have to do.

I'm sorry if you're all sort of tired of this song, but it's appropriate! Big hugs, Fruitcake. Thanks for everything! I love you!

Little note: I always have to "restrain" my singing a little when recording on the computer because my small microphone overlaps. Hope I'm not sounding... "emotionless" in all of them!

Love came for me

Celebrating birthdays

I share my birthday with the dear Lee Holdridge, go figure! So this is just a little thing to celebrate. Thanks heavens he'll never hear it though!

one clue thing that captured my heart about Beauty and the Beast was the fantastic music, the way it helped tell the story, set the atmosphere, heighten emotions... And mr. Holdridge was a main responsible for that. Not to mention the small fact that, it was looking for more info about the music that I found fandom in 2005, and consequently some of my dearest friends.

I still smile at the memory of how I came across my copy of the "of love and hope" CD:. One day in 1998, a friend and I were browsing CDs at a store. I love soundtracks, so when we got to that isle, she was reading me the labels... and then I picked a random CD from a shelf - something I seldom do! - and asked what it was. "It's Beauty and the Beast", she said, "But wait... this is not Disney's... it has the picture of that show, remember?" My heart skipped a beat: I didn't know there was a CD out there, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I had only heard Lisa Angelle's version played in one single radio station here back in 1989 when the show was in the air. Well, I asked the guy at the store to play it, and as he got it ready he also remarked, "But I'm afraid this is not what you're looking for. We brought this copy by mistake, but it's not Disney's Beauty and the Beast." I wanted to shout "Who wants Disney?" And then I hear the first note... and it's enough! I literally jump with a silly grin on my face, squeezing my friend's hand. And then I go to the second track and there's Vincent's original voice for the first time... It was one of those magic moments! The only OLAH copy in my country, and it ended up in my hands! Providence is when something is meant to be.

The song I'm sharing now is not OLAH-related, but another of Lee's fabulous compositions, from the 1984 movie Splash, sang by Rita Coolidge with lyrics by Will Jennings. This song captivated me when I was younger, even in a time I couldn't understand all the words since I was still learning English, or make the connection with the show. It's ovbiously lacking most of its charm though, since I don't have the beautiful orchestration and my attempts at playing it are miserable... But again, it goes with much love.

By the way, I did record it on March 3, but I went out for "birthday tea party" with my sister and cousins and forgot to post it later. Oh my, to think next March 3 will find me writing from another home, a wintery one for a change!