The Child is a King, the Carolers sing,
The old has passed, there's a New Beginning,
Dreams of Santa, Dreams of snow,
Fingers numb, faces aglow.🎅❄️
It's Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Wine,
Children singing Christian rhyme,🎶
With logs on the fire, and Gifts on the tree,☃️🎄
A time to Rejoice, in the Good that we see.
A Time for Living, a Time for Believing,
A Time for Trusting, not deceiving;
Love and Laughter and Joy ever after,
Ours for the taking, just Follow the Master.🌟
Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Wine,
Children singing Christian rhyme,🎶
With logs on the fire, and Gifts on the tree,🎁🎄
A time to Rejoice, in the Good that we see.
Silent Night
Holy Night
It's a Time for Giving, a Time for Getting,
A Time for Forgiving, and for Forgetting;
Christmas is Love, Christmas is Peace,❤️🕊
A time for hating and fighting to cease.
Christmas Time (Silent Night),
Mistletoe and Wine (Holy Night),
Children singing Christian rhyme,🎶
With logs on the fire, and Gifts on the tree,☃️🎄
A time to Rejoice, in the Good that we see.
Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Wine,
Children singing Christian rhyme,🎶
With logs on the fire, and Gifts on the tree,🎁🎄
A time to Rejoice, in the Good that we see.
Christmas Time (Christmas Time), Mistletoe and Wine,
Children singing Christian rhyme,🎶
With logs on the fire, and Gifts on the tree.
A time to Rejoice, in the Good that we see.🎉
Christmas Time (Silent Night),
Mistletoe and Wine (Holy Night),
Children singing Christian rhyme,🎶
With logs on the fire, and Gifts on the tree,🎁🎄
A time to Rejoice, in the Good that we see.✨️💖
Disney Songs are just 'Unforgettable'. They're completely 'Magical'.✨️
Every time you listen to an old classic Disney song, like this one by Elton John, from the movie 'The Lion King', it just takes you to a different place.😊
The Manzano Brothers from 'Boyce Avenue' are one of my Favourites too. Love almost all their Cover versions of songs.💖
CIRCLE OF LIFE 🎶
- Boyce Avenue (Disney - The Lion King)
CIRCLE OF LIFE 🎶 (Song Lyrics)
(Originally by Elton John)
From the day we arrive on the planet,
And blinking step into the sun;
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen,
More to do than can ever be done.
Some say eat or be eaten,
Some say live and let live;
But all are agreed, as they join the stampede,
You should never take more than you give.
In the Circle of Life,
It's the wheel of fortune,
It's the leap of faith,
It's the band of hope; Till we find our place,
On the path unwinding,
In the Circle, the Circle of Life.
There's far too much to take in here,
More to find than can ever be found;
But the sun rolling high, through the sapphire sky,
Keeps the great and small, on the endless round.
In the Circle of Life,
It's the wheel of fortune,
It's the leap of faith,
It's the band of hope;
Till we find our place,
On the path unwinding,
In the Circle, the Circle of Life.
It's the Circle of Life,
And it moves us all,
Through despair and hope,
Through faith and love,
Till we find our place,
On the path unwinding,
In the Circle, the Circle of Life.✨️🎶
(Another two year old post, from 26th November '2022.)
I'm going to remember this evening for a long, long time; and so will every person who was at the NCPA today, for Day 2 of the 'International Jazz Festival'.😊
Monty Alexander - WHAT A LEGEND! Truly remarkable!❤️❤️❤️
No one wanted to leave the auditorium tonight. After three hours of music, I think I could have kept on listening to him, and the four exceptionally outstanding members of his band, all night long. It was that good. A standing ovation from the crowd and an encore later, people still wanted more.👏👏👏
The choice of songs today, were a lot more familiar...and the awesome Jazz Pianist Monty Alexander, had lots and lots of 'Stories' to tell, because from Jamaica to America, he has had varied musical influences, and has met and played with, so many of the great Jazz singers and musicians, that we all know and love. He called himself 'a Historical Relic who is just 27'.😂 What a cheerful and happy musician he is! I love someone who has lots of Stories to tell, because I think Stories help make 'Special Connections'...His Stories made me Smile; and he is actually 78.😊
In fact, all the four musicians who played with him (playing the drums, double bass, guitar and trombone), Smiled right through the concert as they played, which showed that they were enjoying every moment. Those smiles were contagious, because they had the whole Auditorium smiling too.😊😊😊
Just 5 musicians; but they sounded like an entire orchestra, one unit. Unlike the Big Band music we heard yesterday, this band of musicians had such a mellow, soft and melodiously beautiful sound to their music. All of them were fantastic. I have to mention the Drummer though; because he was such a controlled musician. Gentle brush strokes and maintaining a soft gentle rhythm right through, without letting anyone know he was even there...and yet, he was. Very Impressive!✨️👍
When this festival was first announced, I had decided that I would pick just one of the three days; because travelling all the way to the NCPA, on two or three consecutive days, is like going from one end of the world to the other. It used to be fun when we were in college; but after almost two decades of working very close to home, going to Churchgate and Nariman Point, suddenly feels like a trip to another planet.😂
...But, we are always taught to listen to our Teachers, because they know what's Best✨️...and when your teacher is an Expert, you must pay attention. I'm really so glad I was an obedient student. 'Thanks so much for the recommendation', which is why I went today.🤗❤️
Thank You again to the NCPA and the organisers of this amazing Jazz Festival, for bringing these wonderful Musicians to India, every year. The two days that I went for, were so Fabulous; and I'm sure all those who go for Day 3 tomorrow, are going to love it too.😊💕
Apart from absolutely enjoying the music, I also bumped into some old friends from Xavier's and IC as well today, who I generally meet at a lot of concerts, which was great. Only this time, I made sure that I took pictures with them.😊
These two extra-long posts, that I wrote after the shows yesterday and today, are more like a 'Diary Entry' (which I usually write, to pass the time on my long train-ride, back from the NCPA). They're more for me to remember moments, that I would love to look back on later. Hopefully, some of my music loving friends, will enjoy reading them too.🎶😊
(I also found this interview with Monty Alexander on YT yesterday. So, am sharing it too, for people who haven't heard of him or his music before.)
"I'm a guy in the Magic Business".✨️
- Monty Alexander.
...and this is one of the songs, that they played that night. Could not record videos at the NCPA. So, this is a video I found on YT, from another one of his concerts at the Lincoln Centre.
(I did not go for the 'NCPA International Jazz Festival', which happened over the last 3 days in Mumbai, this year; but this old post from two years ago, that I wrote on 25th November '2022, came up on FB Memories today. So, am saving it here.)
"Jazz is Freedom and we're so happy to share this Music of Freedom with the city of Mumbai", is what one of the musicians from the Grammy award winning 'Mingus Big Band' from New York, (that thoroughly entertained a packed Auditorium at the NCPA) said, at the end of the show, on Day 1 of the 'International Jazz Festival' today.❤️
While these amazing musicians were thrilled to bring the music of Charles Mingus to India, as they celebrate his Centennial; the audience completely enjoyed every moment of their fabulous music. The resounding applause all through the evening, together with cheers and loud whistles too;😆showed how much everyone who was there, loved the music.
I don't consider myself very well-informed or knowledgeable about Jazz (like a very large percentage of the audience was); but I have been for a few Jazz concerts by our very own BCO, SOI and many of our other awesome Indian performers here over the years, and have listened to a few talented Jazz musicians and singers in Goa as well, earlier in 2022. I'm 'Thankful' to them, and also for all the more popular Jazz music and songs, that so many of our talented musician friends constantly share with us. 'Just Listening' is a way to learn too.😊
This however, was my very first experience of hearing and watching an 'International Jazz Big Band' performing 'Live'; and it was worth every moment of the experience. 😊🎶💕 The collective lung-power of everyone in that 'mind-blowing' Brass section, literally 'took my breath away';😂 and the Drummer, the Pianist and the Double Bass player (who is also the Music Director of the Band), were absolutely fantastic musicians too.👏👏👏
I'm not sure how one would technically and rightly describe, the kind of music I heard today; but from my very 'Limited Knowledge', I think Jazz is a lot about 'Free-Spirited Experimentation and Innovation', that just takes Music into 'unchartered territory and on wonderfully strange and undiscovered new paths, where no one has been before'. That's probably the reason why, the same Jazz song, can be sung and played completely differently, every single time.❤️
I always believe that the 'Best Teachers', are the ones who never stop 'Learning'.✨️ For me, this constant exploring, discovering and trying to savour new experiences like these, are my way of ensuring, that I never stop broadening my horizons and growing through each new thing that I learn. So Grateful to live in a city, that makes these 'Musical Adventures' a reality for us, without even having to leave the country.
Thank You to the NCPA and whoever else played a role in making this event happen.😊
(For those who want to listen to what 'The Mingus Big Band' sounds like, I found this video on YT, of a show that they did in Catania, (Sicily, Italy) about 10 days before this show in Mumbai, back in 2022. I'm guessing that some of the music we heard here, would be the same, since this concert was only a few days before that one.)😊
Listened to this very lively and foot-tapping, new version of an old Christmas Carol, 'Joy to the World', by the 'One Voice Children's Choir', a couple of days ago. If you just listen to it a few times, it would make even someone like me, (who doesn't dance at all), feel like swaying and dancing.😄
JOY TO THE WORLD 🎶
- One Voice Children's Choir
...and it also, instantly reminded me of the songs from 'Sister Act'.💕
So because I've been thinking of those songs, I looked for them on YT today; and I was quite thrilled to discover these new versions, done together with the Cast, 30 years after the movie was released.😊
Watching these videos, really made it feel like a 'Happy Day', as I 'Smiled Joyfully' non-stop, while enjoying these songs. How the songs from great Musical Films, just 'Stay with us Forever'.💞
So wonderful to see and listen to, those young actors and singers from the movie, (all grown up now); re-creating those same songs (after three decades), with a whole new Choir.✨️❤️
I'm sharing the songs from the movie too, just to re-live those happy memories of a fun Musical movie. I was also quite fascinated, to hear how much the singers voices have grown and developed, 30 years down the road.😊
JOYFUL JOYFUL 🎶
- Sister Act 2 Performers with the La Guardia High School Choir (Performed on the show 'THE VIEW')
JOYFUL JOYFUL 🎶
- Sister Act 2
O HAPPY DAY 🎶
- Sister Act 2 Performers with the La Guardia High School Choir (Performed on the show 'THE VIEW')
O HAPPY DAY 🎶
- Sister Act 2
The 'JOY' that 'MUSIC' brings to our lives, truly cannot be compared with anything else.
'MUSIC and JOY' really do go hand in hand, Always.✨️💖
Love is too complicated and confusing an emotion, to understand, and so, I don't even try...but the songs that people in Love, have written over the years, are beautiful.💞
I heard Tammy and Roy singing these two lovely songs, during their show at Altrude in Goa, last night. The words of both the songs, could make anyone 'Feel the Love'.😊
YOU BELONG TO MY HEART (SOLAMENTE UNA VEZ) 🎶
This one is in my long list of 'All Time Favourite' songs, and has been sung by so many, many different singers over the years. I love it in both languages, even though I don't inderstand the other language. Sharing two different versions of it, just because I think it's such a beautiful song.
- Bing Crosby
- Connie Francis
I CROSS MY HEART 🎶
- George Strait
It was the 25th Wedding Anniversary, of one of their regular listeners yesterday. So, Tammy and Roy sang this song for them, since it was the first song they danced to, 25 years ago.💕
(Old FB Memories like these...Reminders like these...They keep the 'Happy Memories' alive, long after the Moments, have turned into almost distant Memories.✍️
This post is from two years ago, on this day, 21st November '2022.)
...'but how do you 'Thank' someone, who has taken you from dark clouds to blue skies?
It isn't easy, but I'll try'.🎶😊
There was no better way to bring back 'Celebrate Bandra' at the Bandra Fort Amphitheatre, after a gap of three years, than by having Carlton Braganza do a show, together with Meghna Das and an amazing Band of Musicians from Goa. Chelsea Das was so great as the Opening Act too...and then Neale Murray joined in for a song as well, with Merlin D'Souza who just happened to be in the audience...Within minutes, this 'CB with CB' truly became a Musical Celebration, peppered with a dash of the 'craziness' that we all love, and have now grown accustomed to.😊🎶❤️
The 'JJ Family' in Mumbai turned up in extremely large numbers, and it was a complete full-house. What was fascinating to see, was how people of all ages, right from little kids to the wonderful 'Young at Heart' music lovers, many of whom have been listening to Carlton on Jukebox Jammies, for the last two and a half years, were all there...because, who could miss an opportunity like this.💕
I usually tend to find my way to a lot of places, where someone happens to be performing, the kind of music that I enjoy listening to. I guess like the sea calls out to Moana in the Disney movie, the music calls out to me too sometimes.
The wonderful thing about this Concert though, was not just the really fantastic music; but it was also so great to finally meet the 'Superstar', who teaches and inspires everyday, as he sings, creates and in the process works his 'Magic'.✨️🎶 His voice, his music and often his completely hilarious nonsense, like a bright 'Ray of Sunshine', have helped me sail through some really turbulent waters and trying years. I am also 'Forever Thankful' for all the 'Friendships', that have become a part of my life, across cities and continents too, because of Carlton and Jukebox Jammies.🤗❤️
'I Believe there are Angels among us, sent down to us from somewhere up above.'✨️In recent years, I have got to know quite a few of these. This post is my way of saying 'Thank You' to one of those 'Angels' and 'Miracles', who brightened up so many lives, everywhere.😊
...I can almost hear that hearty laughter that we all love so much, because 'This Angel' definitely doesn't think of himself as one;😆 but there are countless people across the world, who would disagree with him. No amount of 'Gratitude' would ever be enough; and so, for almost the millionth time, I will say this my Friend,
'If you wanted the stars, I would write across the sky in letters,
That would soar a thousand feet high,
THANK YOU DEAR CARLTON, WITH LOVE.'💖
(Recorded lots of songs and took many pictures that night. Have only shared a few here.)
(A five year old post, from this day, 17th November 2019. What a 'Happy Memory' this is.)😊
On this day in 2019, my friend from Xavier's, Rehana Munir, released her very first book 'Paper Moon' during the Tata Lit. Fest, at the 'Title Waves' Book Store, in Bandra.✍️
What a happy moment it was, to see a classmate's dream come true!
So glad FB memories reminded me of this old post today.🙂
If you haven't read the book yet, you should. There's so much that you will identify and connect with, as you read the book, especially if you're from Bombay or if you've studied at Xavier's.💕
Feeling extremely happy and proud of Rehana Munir, as her first book 'Paper Moon' will now be available for everyone to read, after the book launch today.
As someone who sat in the same English Lit. classroom as her for seven years, first at Xaviers and then at the Kalina Campus of the Mumbai University, I feel very happy today.
I remember Rehana as someone that we, as classmates, always looked up to, because she was so well-read and seemed to have read every book there was.
It's so great to see that today she is the author of a book herself. I'm sure all our classmates and other friends from college and the Univ. must be feeling just as excited and happy for you today, in whichever part of the country or the world they may be. Wish you success and many more books to come.😊💕
What Rehana wrote on my 'Autographed Copy' of her book, absolutely made my day. I was so glad she called me an 'Encourager', because for all my Life, it's just something I always do, without even realising it.✨️💖
She was a classmate, but one that I always looked up to. I guess, a lot of times, your peers 'Inspire' you too.
A few months later in 2020, Rehana also won an award for 'Best Debut Novel'.✍️
(Another old post from 8th March '2020.)
So happy and proud of my classmate and friend Rehana Munir, on winning the 'Best Debut' award for her novel 'Paper Moon'👏😊💕
If you haven't read the book as yet, go pick it up. Many of the characters and situations in it seem like they've been created from or based on real life; and as a result, there is so much you can relate to, right through the book. I found so many 'shared experiences' in the story, that I really enjoyed it.😊
PAPER MOON 🎶
- Ella Fitzgerald
Am also sharing this song, because there are references to it, in the book also.
(An old FB Memory from this day, two years ago, 17th November '2022.)
Most of the time, when I write posts like this, it is more to 'Uplift and Motivate' myself, than others. If it makes other people feel good too, that's just a 'Bonus'.
This has been a sad week, in which I attended two Funerals, on two consecutive days.😢
So, I was really glad to spend the afternoon, with old colleagues from DB today, who have been my 'Friends like Family' for 20 years; but who I hardly ever get a chance to meet now. That completely cheered me up.✨️💞
...And then FB reminded me of this post today, which also made me 'Smile'.😊
Was trying to look back and remember, some of the 'Happiest' moments in my life thus far, just because 'Happy' days make you 'Happier'.😊
(That sentence made me think of my 'Degrees of Comparison' English Grammar classes back in DB.😂)
I think, the day when I saw my name on the 'Admission List' at Xavier's, is probably right up there. That's the first thing I thought of just now. It's something I had wanted, for the longest time; and so, that confirmation that I had got in, just made my day.💕
Another 'Happy Memory' is receiving an extra-special audio cassette as a 'Surprise' on my 21st Birthday, on which my friend Marcelle, had managed to record lovely birthday wishes, in words and song, from so many, many Friends and a few Professors too, in College.
I don't even know when she managed to do that; going all around Xavier's, for days before my Birthday, and secretly recording these awesome 'Voice Messages' on her Walkman. (That was in the days before Mobile Phones.)
Some of my old college friends, may remember being on it.😊 I must've listened to that tape hundreds of times, for years after that.
Best Gift ever!🤗❤️
If I actually sat down to make a list, it would probably be an endless one, with thousands of those happy moments, made at Don Bosco.💞
😊Travelling and discovering innumerable new places, together with the DB children, on every single school trip, over the years. Memories to Cherish Forever!
😊The Joy I felt, at the end of every huge Annual Day Production, that had turned out so beautifully on stage. There's nothing that can match the feeling, of helping children discover their Talents, and playing a small part in shaping those inborn Gifts, through Plays, Songs and Performances at School Assemblies, Functions and big Musicals too. Watching them bloom and grow right before your eyes, is 'Priceless'.🎤🎶💕
😊The Happiness that holding every issue of the School Magazine, I had worked on for months, made me feel...Unforgettable! Even though I lovingly put together, a couple of those each year, for close to two decades, I still didn't outgrow that 'Joyful Feeling', at seeing a copy of the latest 'Bosco Flash', fresh from the Printing Press in my hand, because for me, each issue I worked on, was 'A Labour of Love. ✍️💖
One happy thought sparks off another. It's almost like setting off 'a chain reaction of Joyful Memories'.❤️ The more time I spend thinking about this, the more moments, people and experiences are coming alive, from different stages in life and with different groups of people, that I have interacted with, all through life's journey.
There's so much to be 'Grateful' for in one lifetime, if we only take the time to think about it. 🙏
I guess, if we all spent a few minutes occasionally, trying to remember 'Moments that made us Smile', it would really brighten our day so much.😊
Happy Memories from the past, could bring lots of 'Sunshine and Joy' to our 'Here and Now'.😄
Just try it out some time; and you'll see, how it works like 'Magic'.✨️❤️
Whenever I have a not so happy day or week, or when I haven't been feeling too well, I 'LISTEN TO A SONG'. It works better than any medicine in the world. Music truly is Magic!✨️❤️
Even on days when you don't really feel like 'Smiling', songs like these three songs by Dean Martin, remind you to 'Smile Smile Smile'.😊
POWDER YOUR FACE WITH SUNSHINE 🎶
VOLARE 🎶
I heard my friends from Goa, Tammy and Roy singing this Dean Martin version of 'Volare', two days ago. I love the rhythm of the song.😊
ALL I DO IS DREAM OF YOU 🎶
Was reminded of this song yesterday by a FB Memory, of an old song I had posted a couple of years ago.
Every thought,
Every thing,
Every song, I ever sing,
Summer, Winter, Autumn and Spring.😊🎶
UNDER THE BRIDGES OF PARIS 🎶
(Adding one more song to this list, a few days after writing this post. I heard this song yesterday and it's so beautiful.)✨️💖
I wonder why we let go of all that, as the years go by.🤔
'Happy Children's Day', to all the kids I know.😊❤️
A beautiful song, that is so appropriate for today; but this one is for everyone who interacts with Children, in some way or the other, as Parents, Teachers, Guides, Mentors, Role-Models.
Little Eyes and Ears are following your every move and 'Listening' at all times.
So, 'Careful'!😊
CHILDREN WILL LISTEN 🎶
- ONE VOICE CHILDREN'S CHOIR
- THE SALVATION SINGERS 🎶
Dylan D'Souza and 'The Salvation Singers' are 'My Favourite Choir in Mumbai'. So, I'm always happy to share, one of their versions of a song again.❤️
The lyrics of this song are just as haunting as the harmony.
(Song Lyrics) 🎶
Careful the things you say, Children will Listen.
Careful the things you do, Children will See.
Children may not obey, but Children will Listen.
Children will look to you, for which way to turn, To Learn what to Be!
- 14th November '2019 ✍️
(Another old FB post from this day.)
Children fill the world with Sunshine and Cheer,
In the heart of a Teacher, each one holds a place, so Dear.
As Time goes by, the Countless Memories flood the mind,
And how often I wish, I could just click 'Rewind'.
To bring back the kids, from years gone by,
To hold on to the Joyful Memories, I still try.
Sending lots of Love and Happy wishes your way,
As I think of you, my students both far and near, this Children's Day.😊💕
- 14th November '2016 ✍️
(Sometimes it's great to discover these old FB Memories, and read things I have written over the years.)
The secret to being Happy, is never letting go of the Child in you, no matter how old you are.
Hold on to the Innocence, Simplicity, sense of Wonder, Imagination, Creativity, Joy and Laughter within you; and the Child in you will always be Alive.
Happy Children's Day to the 'Child' in all of you.✨️❤️
(Videos from different YT pages, with pictures I just found on the Internet.)
It's mid-November and the Christmas Music Concert posters, happening across the city in December, have begun to make an appearance.
Which means, it's now time to start 'Counting Backwards', as we come closer to 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year'.🎄🎅🌟❄️☃️
But in reality, I have a very 'Strange Relationship', with this Joyful and Festive Season. I Love so much about it, but I don't really 'Celebrate Celebrate' Christmas. At least, not for the last 15 years, since 2009.
That was the year my Dad passed way, during the Christmas Season. It was a year in which, my Mum and I, spent the entire Christmas week, from 22nd to 28th December, including Christmas Day, in the hospital.
The following year in 2010, my Mum got sick and she remained unwell, till she bid this world Goodbye in 2018.
So, for the last 15 years, Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas to me anymore.
Listening to lots and lots of Carols, right through the month of December, is the only Christmassy thing that I enjoy now.✨️🎶
Decorations, Trees, Lights, Christmas sweets and even the Food - I just lost interest in all of that, over the years. So, I stay away from the Family Get Togethers, on Christmas Day too. It just brings back too many 'Happy Memories', of things I used to do with my parents at Christmas Time, which makes me feel 'Extremely Sad'.
Meeting my extended family, should make me Happy, and it does, whenever I do meet them occasionally; but seeing everyone 'Making Memories' with their own Families. That is just 'Too Difficult' for me, 'Still'. It always makes me miss 'My Own Family', even more.😢💔
So, just like I always have a very 'Quiet Birthday' every year, I have an even 'Quieter Christmas'. It's probably a 'Sad' way to spend a 'Joyful Day', but I prefer it that way. I simply can't do 'Festivity and Celebrations with Family' anymore.
I know, my Extended Family always wishes, that I wasn't like that; but it's difficult for me to put into words, how seeing everyone with their Individual Families, on a Special Occasion, or at a Family Function, makes me feel. It just 'Breaks my Heart', and 'Hurts', more than anything in the world.😞
Somehow the 'Carols', are the Only One Thing, that still keep me Connected to the 'Joy' of the Season; and I'm glad at least that, still makes me 'Happy'.😊🎄🎶❤️
I found this Song yesterday, and then listened to three different versions of it. I guess, it was the Song, that led me, to write this post today.
I may not 'Celebrate Christmas', just like the ones I used to know, a long time ago...❄️☃️🎄🎶 But I guess, 'The very 'Nostalgic Feeling' that Christmas brings, year after year, is something I will carry in my Heart, Always'.🌟💞
WHERE ARE YOU CHRISTMAS? 🎄🎅🎶
- THE ONE VOICE CHILDREN'S CHOIR
(It is also coincidentally, Children's Day today.)
- FAITH HILL (From 'How the Grinch stole Christmas')🎄🎅🎶
Why should people in LOVE get a chance to monopolize all the 'Love Songs', all the time?🤔
They really shouldn't be the only ones, who get to sing all the 'Love Songs' in the world, for one another, 24/7.
Those of us, who are not Lucky or Blessed enough, to have anyone, to sing songs like these for, or to have someone sing these songs for us, can enjoy them as well, just because they're lovely songs.❤️
The Diwali holidays are a time, when I get to catch up with a few of my Teacher Friends from work, for a little bit, and to re-live some of the happy times, that we all spent together at DB, for two decades. This is one of the few weeks in the year, when my friends are actually a little free; because right through the year, the endless school work and the stress that comes with it, hardly gives them any time to breathe.
Of course, when I listen to their 'overworked' stories now, I really feel like I made the right decision to step away, when I did.😊
But they were 'my only circle of friends', that I interacted with every single day, for so many years. And I truly miss those 'Everyday Conversations', so much. Now, I often think twice before even sending them a message, because I may disturb them, when they're doing something important. So, I don't get a chance to communicate with them, as often as I would like to.😞
But I was glad we met and talked a little this week. Together, we also visited the home of one of our ex-students, who passed away a month ago, very unexpectedly in the UK. He was halfway through his course there, and was on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a Physiotherapist. A Dream which was sadly, not meant to be.💔
A 20 year old boy, 'Just Gone', one night in his sleep, due to a pre-existing medical condition. Speaking to the parents, we could see the 'Question Marks' in their eyes. There were so many 'Unanswered Questions'. It was like there was so much, that was just 'Left Incomplete'.😢
They hadn't seen him for a year and a half, since he had moved to the UK to study. And even though technology did ensure, that they spoke to one another often, this sudden turn of events, left them completely 'at a loss for words'.
We were 'Speechless' too. What can you say in a situation, where no one can really understand 'WHY'. Looking back and Looking ahead, everything just seems like 'a whole lot of Nothingness and Emptiness'.😞
I know those 'Feelings and Emotions' so well. So, I can understand what those parents are going through. I could feel their 'Uncertainty' and the 'Constantly going back and forth', happening in their minds. I could sense their feeling of being so 'Completely Lost', and I could see the 'Utter Confusion' in their eyes.
The 'Longing to just Hold On to every Precious Memory' of their 'Only Child' was so evident, in every photograph, every incident and each anecdote from his life, that they shared with us.😢
How do you keep the Music playing, in moments like these?🤔
Some Questions, just have No Answers...🤷🏻♀️
...Then last night, I received news that another close friend lost his Dad.
Like me, now he too will have two pairs of eyes, looking down on him, from 'Somewhere out there, in those Blue Skies above'.
Like me, he too will now experience, what it feels like, to go through life, without a Parent around, every single day.💔
That feeling of being 'Almost like an Orphan', like you are now 'Nobody's Child', is very Real, once both your Parents pass on from this Life. It's something that people, who still have both or at least one parent alive, would never be able to understand or identify with.😢
And yet, even though this 'Circle of Life, with all its Complexities', makes absolutely no sense to us sometimes; just because we are Still Alive, we have to 'Keep Journeying On', from one day to the next...🤷🏻♀️
Whether a Parent loses a Child, or a Child loses a Parent, the sense of 'LOSS' and the 'PAIN' we Feel and Experience, is still the same.
We pacify ourselves by saying that, the ones who have gone ahead, continue to walk with us, and are always with us, everywhere we go and in everything we do.
(Originally written on FB, two years ago on this day, 12th November '2022.)
Found this picture too, on the internet, on the day that I wrote this, and I was quite amused by it. The artist could have made them both a little less grumpy though.😊
A nice new cover version by the three 'Manzano Brothers' - Alejandro, Fabian and Daniel, more commonly known as 'Boyce Avenue'. I really enjoy listening to their Covers of songs.😊
LEAN ON ME 🎶
- Boyce Avenue
I also found this Glee Version of the song, at some time during the pandemic. I must've definitely heard it before that, when the show was on; but it made so much more sense and meant so much more, when I listened to it, during those 'Lockdown Days'.
I think, that's because the people we 'Connected With', and the 'New Friends' who became an important part of our world and lives, during those years of 'Social Distancing', (even from afar), were just 'Extra-Special', in so many ways.😊💕
LEAN ON ME 🎶
- Glee
Those 'Friends' were 'There for Us', every single day, back then - Chatting, Laughing, enjoying lots and lots of Online Music, sharing Stories with one another, and Holding one another's Hands (even from a distance); at a time, when no one else was around.🤗
Somehow, during those times, all of that 'Distance Socialising', meant such a lot to us. Especially, for a few of us, who just needed to 'Know and Feel Reassured', that we had 'Company', and that 'Someone was There', at every moment of the day (virtually at least, even though no one was actually there, physically)
In those extremely lonely and scary times, when everyone was 'Physically Disconnected' from one another, those very 'Close Connections' that we made, (literally across cities and continents), and those 'Absolute Strangers', who soon became 'Friends like Family' to us, were a 'Real Blessing'.✨️ Even just their 'Virtual Presence' in our lives, truly felt like a 'Tight Hug from Loved Ones', or like a 'Warm Blanket' on a very cold day.😊💖
Those 'Special Friends' will never truly Comprehend, why they still mean so much to us, even now (almost four and a half years later.) I guess, they would need to have gone through, our own 'Life Experiences' themselves, to fully Understand, all the reasons why.🤷🏻♀️
Sadly however, over the last two years, everyone seems to have happily gone back, to their 'Old Lives and their Old Friends', and to 'Life as it was', before the pandemic. Unfortunately for people like me, everybody seems to have just 'Moved On' with their lives, which always makes me, more than a little sad.😢
Thankfully, a few of those Friends still 'Stay Connected', and chat off and on, or meet occasionally, at various music events (or when one of those Friends, who lives in another city or country, comes to Mumbai for a holiday.)
But so often, I get this feeling, that a lot of people, probably don't actually 'Need' those 'New Connections' any more. At least, not as much as they did, back in those 'terribly lonely and unforgettable' days.😞
For some of us though, those 'Friendships' have truly become 'Our Life-Line', and we miss that 'Support System', more than they'll ever know, every single day. It often hurts, that everyone else, doesn't feel the same way, and doesn't miss those 'Long Conversations' and those 'Close Friendships', that we all shared back then, in the same way that we do.
But, at least to some of us, those 'Friends' will always remain 'Important and Special', and we will 'Always Need those Friends to Lean On', and those 'Listening Ears' to hear us, and to say 'You've got a Friend', whenever we call out their names.💕
I guess, even though we don't talk to, or hear from those Friends, as much, or as often as we used to; they will 'Forever Remain' our 'Friends for Life', and we will 'Always Need Them, to Be There for Us', for as long as our Journey through this Life, continues.✨️❤️
(An old FB Memory from 2 years ago, on this day, 5th November' 22.)
I love listening to this awesome Swedish guitarist called Gabriella Quevedo.❤️ Have shared some of her videos before. She plays many of the songs that she records, using the 'Fingerstyle' technique of playing the guitar; and she is fantastic at it.✨️😊
I don't play the instrument. So, I'm not sure if it is tougher to play songs like that; but it does seem more difficult. I'm quite fascinated by that style, because it makes songs 'sound' really nice.🎶
Gabriella had done this great 'Guitar Duet' of a song I like, with another Danish fingerstyle guitarist named Casper Esmann, a couple of years ago. In this song though, I think they have used a combination of styles of playing. Sounds good. Listen.💕
SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS 🎶
- Gabriella Quevedo and Casper Esmann (Instrumental Duet)
Songs which have meaningful 'Lyrics' are always the best songs.✍️
Was looking through some of the songs produced by Quincy Jones today, and I just happened to find this one.
It simply says, that if the lyrics of a song don't 'Inspire', or if the song doesn't have a 'Message'; if it doesn't soothe you or take you higher, then it's just not good enough to sing.😊
WHAT GOOD IS A SONG (1976) 🎶
(From the Album 'I Heard That')
- Quincy Jones Productions
WHAT GOOD IS A SONG! 🎶 (Song Lyrics)
- Quincy Jones
What good is a Song!
What good is a Song!
What good are the 'Lyrics',
If they can't soothe you,
If they can't ease, a troubled mind.
What good is the 'Beat',
If it can't move you,
It would be, a waste of time.
What good is the 'Music',
If it can't ease you,
If it has no depth or height.
What good is a 'Rhyme',
If it can't relieve you,
Of some problem, in your life.
What good is a Song,
If it can't 'Inspire',
If it has no 'Message' to bring.
If a Song cannot take you higher,
Then it's not good enough to sing.
You can hum a little song,
When you're hurt,
Then, feel a reason,
For some laughter.
Or listen to a melody,
While you work,
It will make your day go faster.
Songs have been known,
To 'Lift up Spirits',
Songs have been known,
To 'Touch the Soul'.
But when nobody needs to hear it,
Then it's not worth, the title it holds.
What good is a Song,
If it can't 'Inspire',
If it has no 'Message' to bring.
If a Song cannot take you higher,
Then it's not good enough to sing.
If it ain't got no 'Message',
Then it's not good enough to sing;
If it cannot 'Inspire',
Then it's not good enough to sing.
If it can't soothe you,
What good,
What good is a Song,
If it cannot 'Move' you,
If it cannot 'Please' you,
If it cannot 'Soothe' you.
What good,
What good is a Song,
If it's not good enough to sing.
If it ain't got no 'Message',
If it cannot 'Inspire',
Then it's not good enough to sing.
If it ain't got no 'Message',
If it can't take you higher,
What good,
What good is a Song,
If it cannot help to relieve you,
What good,
What good is a Song,
Then it's not good enough to sing.🎶
(I found this video of the song on YT. It's a great collage of images, of a person who has spent 7 decades of his life as a Music Producer and won 28 Grammy awards, before dying at the age of 91.)
It's 'All Soul's Day' today, and right through the day, I've been seeing lots of friends sharing pictures and memories of their own 'Angels', who are now 'Somewhere Out There', in those 'Blue Skies'.✨️💖
When I woke up this morning, one of the first posts I saw, was a song sung last night, by a singer that I like, Venkat Subramaniyam (Venky), at a Karoake Night in Soul Fry, Bandra.
It just felt like the 'perfect song' to post today, because truly 'Everything means Nothing', when those that we Love and Miss, aren't here to share each moment, of 'This Journey called Life' with us.😢
Found this video on YT, where Alicia Keys sang this song and 'Gravity', together with John Mayer.
IF I AIN'T GOT YOU / GRAVITY 🎶
- Alicia Keys and John Mayer
These next two songs, I have shared on my blog before, in previous posts. But I love them, and I listen to songs like these again and again, quite often.😊
I never get tired of listening to the songs and singers that I love.🎶 I play them constantly, on 'Repeat Mode', all the time.💕
Most of these songs, may have been originally written and sung as 'Love Songs', but I just think of them as 'Songs that Remind me of those that I Love'.❤️
Because for me, 'I'm Always Loving ANGELS, instead' of living, breathing human beings.✨️ Since all of the 'Special People' who are dear to me, live in 'Far Away Places' up there, 'Somewhere over the Rainbow'.🌈
A song that I loved instantly, the first time I listened to Brett Young singing it, a few years ago. Some songs make you feel like that, don't they?🎶
So great to hear a Sheridan Brass version of the song today.😊
A singer from Bangalore, who used to do these online 'Country Sessions' during the pandemic, that many of us used to listen to.💕
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW 🎶
- Sheridan Brass (Cover Version)
Am sharing the Brett Young version of the song too, just because it's quite 'Magical'.✨️❤️
- Brett Young 🎶
Sheridan has got an opportunity to sing a few songs with 'Music Travel Love' (who I enjoy listening to)💖; and to do a couple of 'Live Shows' with them also, which is quite amazing.👏👏👏
LET IT BE 🎶
- Music Travel Love
He also appeared on a show in Dubai recently.
As someone who used to listen to Sheridan often, during those 'Lockdown Years', both on his own show and whenever he sang on 'Jukebox Jammies', it makes me happy to see, how his 'Musical Journey' is taking him places.😊💕
