I wish I could claim busyness as an excuse for my absence from the blogosphere. Not the case. At this time of the year if I'm not mowing the yard, walking Willie, or watching re-runs of old BBC mysteries and dramas, I'm trolling YouTube for favorite musical performances.
Here's a little jewel that I'll share with you. I'm a sap for romantic music such as "Plaisir d'Amour", a French love song that's over 200 years old. I was comparing several different interpretations of the song from artists such as Joan Baez, Judy Collins, or my favorite--Nana Mouskouri. And then I found this video by Raymond Cooke, an amateur Aussie folk singer who lives in Hong Kong. Have a listen:
I confess that when I started this video my first thought on looking at this guy sitting on his neatly made bed in a bare room was that there was a definite possibility for creepiness. And then he began singing in that rich, round voice with all the feelings and wisdom of his years. Here was a man who had probably experienced both the joys and grief of love--an unlikely romantic. Hope you enjoy this video as much as I have."Plaisir d'Amour" (Original French lyrics)
Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment.
Chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie.
"The Joys of Love" (English translation)
The joys of love last but a moment.
The grief of love lasts a lifetime.
(Note: As of May 7 I have been blogging two years. I can't imagine not maintaining a blog even though I need a break every now and then. Over the summer I intend to learn how to add a few new bells and whistles to "Summit Musings." Cross "embedding videos" off the list--thanks Geek Squad!)
Yay! Happy bloggy birthday! Glad to see you writing again. What BBC shows do you like? I'm an avid watcher of Keeping Up Appearances and Ballykissangel...I'd do handsprings of joy if PBS ever decided to run Blackadder.
ReplyDeletemisanthrope--thanks. It feels good to finally get even a feeble post out there. Actually my light footprints on the blogosphere can partly be blamed on BBC. Obsessed with Robin Hood, MI-5 (Spooks), and Inspector Lynley Mysteries. I too love Keeping Up Appearances. Favorite quote: Alonzo's "Aw, nice. . ."
ReplyDeleteHave Ballykissangel in my Netflix queue. Must see if Blackadder is available. Let you know.
I recognize this song, but I didn't know it was that old.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated blog birthday.x
I have been following your blog for a while, but I'm a lousy commenter. I'm glad to see you got a new post out there
ReplyDeleteI just came back from a big ole long break. I know how it is to have writer's block. It seems like the longer the break I take from blogging the harder it is to get back into it.
www.hineykapoople.com
Thank God!
ReplyDeletedebs--yep, it's that old. Composed by Jean Martini(1741-1816). And thanks for blogversary wishes. What a great way to make friends and share common interests with people from all over the world, including several English virtual buddies.
ReplyDeletebeckie--spot on. The longer you break from blogging the more of a deal it is to get back. I'll be over to see what topic got you back from your own blog drought.
kittyhawk--hopefully your other "writer" is a bit more productive and timely! :-)
Perhaps I should say more than just express my relief at seeing a new entry here!
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how many times I've played the simple chords of this song on my baritone uke and hummed along to Joan Baez's version. Emmy Lou has a version as does Beverly Sills.
You might also like "Parlez-moi d'amour."
Glad to see your back Faye, I was starting to imagine all kinds of things. I know what you mean about bloggers block. Sometimes we just need to step away for a while. The gent on the video does have a rich voice.
ReplyDeleteLove this song! Hmmm...it's now added to list of song which IT Guy and I can dance for our wedding! Thanks to you...I almost forgot this one...well, I did not know the title 'til today anyway I just used to hum this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're back!
Nice to see you Faye! I was wondering how your were.
ReplyDeleteI think it's nigh on impossible to blog constantly without breaks now and again - especially if you're watching things like Spooks too. I love that series.
Like the clip. That guy certainly has a rich voice.
Happy Blogaversary!!
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome back!
That's a great song, so true!
kittyhawk--exactly! You could do more than say "Finally you got busy and posted something!" :-)
ReplyDeleteI checked out your "Parlez-moi d'Amour" recommendation and loved the Catherine McKinnon version. Also liked Dayna Kurtz guitar-cabaret interpretation. Both lovely--could only be improved with a bit more sadness. :-)
Mariposa--check out Kittyhawk's recommendation. It would be a beautiful waltz to add to the wedding playlist. Another romantic wedding song would be "Bist du bei mir" (I can die happy having looked in your eyes. . ..). I like the performance by soprano Natalie Dessay and tenor Rolando Villazon from the movie Joyeux Noel.
janis--Blogging is a weird and wonderful community, isn't it? I too get concerned when people stop posting.
lane--Need to learn to make movies like your two recent blockbusters, but wouldn't have enough "attitude" to wear the costumes you chose! :-)
About Spooks--am trying hard to not watch clips of Lucas North in the new season since we're only up to Season 6 in the U.S.
jientje--to celebrate two years of blogging I want to learn more about adding photography to this blog. Wish I could get some lessons from you!
I'm a new reader of yours and you have an interesting outlook on things and look forward to reading more. One thing I must say is that I'm not an English major so I'm apologizing in advance for my grammar and spelling errors. :-)
ReplyDeletelady temptress--thanks for stopping by. I checked out your profile and see that you've been blogging for only about a month--at least at your current blog. Your post topics are intriguing and I'll be back to read them more carefully. As for that English major thing, often think that it would be better if your readers didn't know that. :-)
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