VALIDATE THIS

A truly inspiring video everyone should watch. It shows how the simple action of human kindness and mutual respect can make people smile and really change the world. Click on the title for the link.

CARUSO BY LARA FABIAN

As I've said before, I'm fond of music in other languages. Lara Fabian, an Italian American, sings Caruso in Italian beautifully, and in such a powerful voice! She is so expressive, passionate and emotional in her rendition. The song was written by Lucia Dalla in 1986, an Italian singer-songwriter. He dedicated it to the famous Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. Many great tenors have included it in their repertoire but Lara's phrases are pure and finished and demonstrate her mastery of this great song as well.

Click on the title to watch her video with English translation.

CELEBRATE THE SEASONS CONTEST

Late last year, I entered Outdoor Photographer Magazine's Celebrate the Seasons photo contest. I managed to make the cut of 60 finalists out of over 4000 entries. The latest issue (April) has published the grand prize, first place and 5 honorable mention winners. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. But I never expected to become a finalist either, and that was exciting. I'm just going to continue what I do and maybe enter another contest one of these days. If you haven't visited and viewed this blog before, you can look at the photo I entered by clicking on the "2008" archives on this blog.

IF EVERYONE CARED (From Nickleback song)

From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight

Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive

[Chorus:]

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died

And I'm singing

Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive

And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along

Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
(I'm alive)

[Chorus x2]

And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be


If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
When nobody died...

[Chorus]

We'd see the day, we'd see the day
When nobody died
We'd see the day, we'd see the day
When nobody died
We'd see the day when nobody died

CANDY DULFER PICS

OLD AND WISE - Alan Parsons Project/Candy Dulfer

This song, on my Playlist, has been around for a long time. But like lots of songs, unless you have the album or listen to the radio all day, it's another great song that doesn't get heard very often. The song is sung by Colin Blunstone of the Alan Parsons Project. A wonderful band that has many, many great songs in a style similar to the Moody Blues or Pink Floyd. (Remember Eye In The Sky?)What a lot of people don't know about this selection (Old and Wise) is that it was written about me............ok, just kidding! Seems like it anyway. The music builds up to a crescendo until at the very end, there is a sax solo that will blow you away. And just when you're getting into the saxophone, and it's just screaming now, the song ends, leaving you with wanting more. These guys knew what they were doing! I've often wondered who the saxophonist was, because whoever they were, on this song at least, it was the best I'd ever heard. So I did some research. Turns out, the performance on the alto sax was done by Candy Dulfer (please see comments below). For those familiar with her music, this is no surprise, (Lily Was Here, Pick Up The Pieces) but to me, I was caught totally off guard that there was even a female musician out there on the sax that was this good. Sorry, don't mean to be sexist (or should I say saxist), but how many do YOU know? I tried to upload one of her videos here, but for some reason, Blogger doesn't like the format. Now, before you click on her video link , listen to Old and Wise on my PLAYLIST and her solo at the end. Here's the link to her BIO, and to her VIDEO. Gentlemen, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find out how attractive she is, and she sings too!

My Song Selections and Classical Gas

 A lot of times, we listen to music provided by others and wonder why that particular song was liked so much it was selected to be shared. As with my photography, I 'm very particular when it comes to choosing my favorite songs. Because I like pretty much all kinds of music, you'll find a little bit of everything here, but I thought I'd let you know why I happen to like these songs so much. So here's a start to a running commentary I will be providing from time to time:

Classical Gas



I've always loved Mason Williams' Classical Gas performance. It's a masterpiece of song writing and guitar playing. Williams first released it in 1968.  You can read Mason Williams' bio HERE


I ran across Tommy Emmanuel's version of the song and fell in love with the song all over again. He, of course, has not only put his own spin on it but has modified the arrangement several times throughout his career. I recommend that you find Mason's original version and listen to it so you have proper perspective. . I also suggest you listen to Eric Clapton's version.


Now, watch Tommy Emmanuel perform his arrangement of Classical Gas  HERE 

PINK ROSE WATERCOLOR EFFECT

Demonstration Garden, Monument Valley Park, Colorado Springs, COCAMERA: Nikon D200COMMENT:

This image is an experiment using software I have which can make the photo look like it was painted in watercolor. I love taking pictures of flowers, especially roses! This image holds up well even without the special effects. Personally, I no longer hold any attitudes about being a so-called "purest". I have too much fun making all of my photos as appealing as I can. I do most of my work with a digital camera and I use the knowledge I've gained using my film cameras when I operate the digital manually. The world has changed. I'm trying to adapt! Someday, anyone will be able to take pictures in holographic format or movies in 3-D. It may be sooner than you think. Do you know that there are now cameras available that have the capability of 60 megapixels? I can't imagine how sharp the image would be! I also can't imagine paying $45,000 for the camera either.

COMMENTS

GOOD NEWS! For followers or anyone visiting, I have made it easier to post your comment. You no longer need to do the word verification. Please leave a comment at any of my posts. Just click on the word "comments" located below each post if you are inclined to do so. I must moderate all comments, but for all that are published, I promise to make a comment in reply.

SICKO

It's Sunday, and I scheduled today to start working on my income taxes. I needed to get the federal forms and instructions, so I went on the Internet and started printing them from the IRS website. Well, I had already hit print before I realized that the instructions for the 1040 form was 161 pages long! So I decided that I'd watch the documentary SICKO by Michael Moore. I figured the movie would be over by the time the instructions were printed. You think I'm kidding don't you. True, I joined the movie about 45 minutes late ( it was on Showtime) but the instructions are still printing and the movie is over.

Anyway, I highly recommend the movie. If you hate Michael Moore for some reason, you don't have to watch it. But let me tell you something. Moore found out that his worst enemy, who has an anti-Michael Moore website, was going to have to shut down his website because his wife had a serious illness. Moore decided to send the guy who runs this site $12,000 anonymously. The website is still up and running.

LIVING DARFUR - MATTAFIX

Seems strange to find an entertaining song such as this with such a strong message to convey. I think the video captures the innocence and beauty of the people of Dalfur who have experienced unimaginable suffering, while giving hope by saying, "you shall rise".
https://www.google.com/#q=mattafix+living+darfur+video

Tommy Emmannuel - Mountain of Truth

TOMMY EMMANUEL - MOUNTAIN OF TRUTH

Ok, I know by now, followers of this blog either hate this guy or love him. I hope it's the latter! Sorry, but I discovered yet another video that reveals something new to me about Mr. Emmannuel. For decades he has been performing on the accoustical guitar after starting out in bands that featured his solo artistry on the electrical guitar. In this video, he performs on a special guitar that allows him to make the guitar sound both accoustic and electric for different portions of the song! This method, which is very effective, is similar to that used by Eric Johnson as seen in his video earlier in this blog. I don't know the name of the group backing up Mr. Emmanuel since the last frame of the video says "Tommy Emmanuel and Friends", but I like this song a lot!