There are quite a few songs, that actually have absolutely nothing to do with the real 'Message of Christmas'; and yet, many of them are played year after year everywhere, right through the Christmas Season. I guess, they've just got associated with this time of the year, because they have Christmas somewhere in the lyrics, and because they were probably released around this time, and are somewhat Christmassy.😊🎶
Thought of four of my favourite 'Not Quite Christmas Carols', which I like. The first two are extremely popular; and the next two, I'm just sharing again, because I love both the songs.✨️❤️
LAST CHRISTMAS 🎄🎶
- Music Travel Love with Jada Facer and Jonah Baker
(A post from last year, written on this day, 6th December '2023.)
Darren Das and Niloufer Rohira are amazing when it comes to putting together, a really enjoyable, well-planned and wonderfully packaged evening of Music.💕
'Three Cheers for show number Three', to everyone in the Team, who has made even the smallest contribution to this event.
'That Christmas Spirit and So Much More 2.0, which happened on Sunday, 3rd December '2023, at St.Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra, was a lot of fun.👏👏👏
The highlight of their show is always the 'Live Band', together with some very gifted singers.
In each of the three events, that they've done so far, they've showcased the talents of 'Different Artists'; and they really do pick some fantastic voices, every single time.
I think, that is one of the many things, that makes their show unique, along with the great 'Presentation'.🎶
Of course, this journey began during the pandemic (with so many of us, who were in the audience), listening to 'Online Music Shows'. Darren Das, was one of those many wonderful singers, who sang for us during those days, with Wilburn D'Costa accompanying him on the guitar often also.🎤🎸
Over the last three and a half years and more, those names and profile pics (that we used to see everyday, from a distance), have become real people. Those Friendships have grown and become 'Special', and we've all gradually evolved, into a very large 'Music Loving Family'.😊
Back in those days, we all listened to the music together (but virtually, from afar). Now, half the joy of going for these events, comes from meeting everyone again and enjoying the music together, in the same auditorium.❤️
Back in 2022, Darren Das and Niloufer Rohira started doing these music events, to bring together a wonderful 'Music Loving Community of Friends', (which had developed during those lockdown days). Since the time they started this 'Musical Adventure', they've had two shows every year; and on the 1st of December, they staged their 5th show at the St.Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra.😊
What I love about their shows, is how they pick the evergreen songs from the yesteryears, across different genres and eras. They also showcase the Talents of wonderful Artists and Performers, in every show, most of whom are extremely well-known and admired, in the Music World.
The Musicians are always 'Fantastic' and I'm quite amazed at the large number of songs that they play, at each concert.👏👏👏
The minute and careful 'Planning', over many weeks and months, is clearly visible in almost every aspect of each show. When those elements all come together, on the day of the performance, the 'Experience' is always one to remember.🎶
Thank You Niloufer, Darren, Leisha and the Musicians and Singers, for making the world a 'Happier Place', one show at a time.😊 May you always be blessed abundantly, for all the 'Joy' you share, each time you put together events like these.🤗❤️
(Another FB Memory, from two years ago, on this day, 3rd December '2022. Written the day after the Remo Concert here...but it's about something completely different, which happened during that event.)
Yes, the concert in IC last night was great, and I wrote a long post about it.
...but for me, there was something else that made my day yesterday...and this time, it wasn't the Music.😊
As I kept moving around the grounds during the show, DB kids, their parents and ex-students too, kept spotting me from everywhere and came up to say Hi. I met so many, many DB kids yesterday, and each one kept saying the same things:
'We miss you.'
'Please come back.'
'It's not the same without you.'😢
Even parents of the children I've taught, coming up to me and saying;
'The children miss you'.💞
I took the longest time to make this decision. Pondered over it for three long years...and it definitely broke my heart to leave.💔
...But each time, I hear words like these, I'm just completely overwhelmed.😢
Remo was singing happy songs in the background; and I almost had tears of joy in my eyes. It's difficult to explain the feeling.
...To just know what a difference you've made, and how much you mean to so many.😊
'Forever Grateful that I was Chosen to be a Teacher'.✨️
(A FB post from two years ago, on this day, 3rd December '2022.)
The 3rd of December always reminds me of Xavier's. Being the Feast of St.Francis Xavier, it was celebrated as our 'College Day', which always brings back happy memories.❤️
It's also a big Feast Day in Goa, because St.Francis Xavier, who is known as 'Goencho Saib', is almost like the patron saint of Goa.
I thought of this because for us in IC, we have two awesome sets of performers from Goa performing at 'Ray - Asha ki Kiran, 2022' this week, which is a fund-raising event, for the Multi-purpose Community Care Centre (MCCC), that the Parish hopes to build in the near future.
While I'm really looking forward to the performance by the awesome Band from Goa - 'A26' on Sunday, the 4th; we had one of Goa's legends on stage, right here in IC, last night. Judging by the huge crowd that turned up for the show and that sang and danced along to every song, you could tell that almost everyone was thrilled to have Remo Fernandes, together with his band, 'The Microwave Papadums' playing in IC, for the very first time.😊🎶
I haven't really followed Remo's musical journey or his songs too much over the years, because his style of music is different from the music I generally listen to; but when a performer who makes Goa so proud, literally comes and does a show at your doorstep, how could anyone not be there for the event.😊
...and there are some of his songs that you just cannot miss hearing, because they are so popular, like Maria Pitache, Kaho na Pyaar hain, O Meri Munni and so many more. He sang all of them last night; and the Konkani songs in his set, were very enjoyable too.
At the end of the performance, Remo mentioned that he is 69 years old, and going to be 70 in six months. He definitely looked way younger, when he was performing.😊
Many of the songs they played in their first session were really long, and I guess because of that, they fell short of time to play all their songs in the second set. That of course, had the audience crying out for 'one more' at the end, which the 10pm sound deadline didn't permit.
Was also awesome to have the amazing Dwayne Das at the sound desk last night.😊💕 For an event like this, only Roger Drego could do such a fabulous job with the sound.
I also have to mention the acapella group that performed before Remo last night, 'The Afla-Tunes'. I love acapella, but I've heard this group for the first time. They do some unexpected combinations of Hindi and English songs and they're a really talented bunch of young performers. Was nice to hear them yesterday.😊🎶👍
Great job as the host too Zubin Fernandes.💕
Most of all, I have to compliment the team that has worked really hard, to make this event a reality. Our parishioners and friends, that we all know so well, who have come together to make this mega-event a reality.
The huge set-up, the organisation, the arrangements, even damage control and everything really, are so, so Professional and extremely 'Impressive'. Definitely the 'biggest' event IC has ever seen and you all deserve high praise for making something like this happen here, with every detail taken care of, so well.👏👏👏 Thank You for all the hard work, countless meetings, many hours of planning and mostly your 'Time', that you have all put into this event. I was really proud of all of you last night.🤗❤️
(A two year old post, written on FB, on the 2nd of December '2022.)
In one word, 'That Christmas Spirit and More', Curated and Produced by Darren Das and Niloufer Rohira, at the St.Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra last night, was absolutely 'Spectacular'.👏👏👏
Anyone who knows me well, knows I love music and knows, that music has been an integral part of my life, for as long as I can remember. Right through school and college events, church choirs, and even as a teacher at DB, just everywhere, it has been the one 'constant' factor. In fact, I think almost 90 percent or more of the closest friends I have, are musically inclined in some way or the other.😊
So it just happened, that during the years of the pandemic, I automatically gravitated towards some more music-lovers (virtually) from all over the place, thanks to many different performers who sang online, on FB. It was so great to meet so many of those friends on one evening, at a concert last night. Many, I have now met a few times, and some, I was meeting for the first time; but almost everywhere I turned, there was a familiar face, and the most special thing is that, 'Music' is what brought us all together.✨️❤️
😊 Darren Das, Siddharth Meghani and Karen Vaswani are performers I have watched on stage for years; but thanks to their online music, we connected.
😊 Sonia Saigal and Giselle Pinto, I discoved during the lockdowns; and it was so great to finally hear them 'Live' yesterday.
😊 Gary Lawyer, Vivienne Pocha and Shazneen Arethna are just awesome; and I always enjoy listening to them on stage.
To hear them ALL, singing so many songs each, in one show, was a real treat for anyone who loves music.❤️
With a fabulous 'Band of Musicians', (Shyam Raj, Ashley Quiney, Cassy Lobo, Arthur Lobo and Russell Fernandes) great backing vocalists Chelsea Das and Zoe Siddharth), spectacular lights (including that dazzling Disco Ball) and really awesome LED graphics; the show was just so well-packaged and quite 'Outstanding'. The evening had so many 'Wow' moments in it, that after a point I couldn't keep track of the number of things I loved about the show.😊🎶💕
The entire team led by Darren and Niloufer, deserve a really loud round of applause, for planning and executing such a beautiful evening of Music, that everyone in the audience loved. The way everybody was singing along, was proof of how enjoyable the show was. 'Thank You for the Music'.❤️
Everywhere Tammy and Roy, our two wonderful Musician friends from Goa go, they are 'Loved'.💞 People just turn up in really huge numbers, wherever they are singing, simply because of that; and Mumbai was no exception, two days ago. The DPRC, Bandra was completely packed.😊
According to me, it is the 'Magic' of the old songs, that they sing and play, so beautifully, together with the 'Nostalgia' that those songs continue to create, in so many hearts and minds, which draws people to their Music.🎶
Of course, the fact that they are always so 'Enthusiastic and Full of Life' when they perform, and that they constantly have 'Warm, Welcoming and Friendly Smiles, Waves and Hugs for Everyone, who is at their shows', is why people love them so much.❤️ They take the time to acknowledge, each and every person, who makes the effort to come and listen to them, irrespective of how exhausted and over-worked they may be. I think, that is also a big reason, for their immense popularity.✨️🎶
Most of the people you find at any Tammy and Roy show, (whether it is in Goa, Mumbai or in any part of the world, where they sing), are 'Listeners' who have been following them online, for over four years now, since those days of the pandemic. Even over four years later, people continue to 'Listen to them Regularly', just because they keep making so many people 'Happy', every time they sing. That really is 'Something Special'.💖
Yes, the Music and the great songs they sing, are what keeps everyone coming back, again and again😊🎶...But more than that, it is because of the way they 'Interact and Connect' with just about everyone, who has been listening to them, for the last four years.💕
Thanks dearest Tammy and Roy, for being the very Warm and Friendly people you are. We love and enjoy the Music, and are 'So Grateful' for both of you, Always.🤗❤️
Gabriella Quevedo is one of my favourite Guitar players, that I have been listening to often, for a few years. She shared this new song, a couple of days ago.😊💕
Sharing her version and the original song by Sia too. We don't have snow and snowmen in our part of the world, but the cold season is one of my favourite seasons of the year. I love the cooler temperature and the pleasant weather, that December always brings.❄️☃️
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.
