Category: Soulful Sundays

Soulful Sundays [Bonus]: Milton Nascimento

Posted on by Marcia Mayne
Milton Nascimento
Image via Wikipedia

At some point yesterday (Saturday), I noticed that my subscriptions that had been posted on Saturday had been changed to Friday.

I didn’t think much of it until my Soulful Sundays post ended up date stamped March 19th instead of 20th. And I know I posted well past midnight.

I checked my time settings and realized that WP didn’t automatically update after the time change last week. I’m not sure why I didn’t notice this before.

So as not to break my perfect postaday2011 record, I’m posting a bonus Soulful Sundays pick.

I’ve been listening to the Buena Vista Social Club since yesterday and though I’m not playing now, I woke up humming a few songs. (I always wake up with music in my head.)

Since Buena Vista is in my head, I wanted to find something similarly atmospheric. I thought of Milton Nascimento. I haven’t listened to him in a while.

Whenever I hear Nascimento, I feel the need to learn Portuguese just so I can understand his message (Spanish only helps with a few words). Ditto Gilberto Gil. Here’s one of my favorite Nascimento CDs, Encontros e Despedidas. Again, I love every song on this CD so it was difficult to pick one. But here is Lagrimas do Sul.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ZgT897YO0]

Let me know if you like it.

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Soulful Sundays: The Buena Vista Social Club

Posted on by Marcia Mayne
UK Single Cover for "Chan Chan" from...
Image via Wikipedia

In the summer of 1999 or 2000, my friend, Cathi, invited me to see a documentary film she said she knew I’d love. I had never heard about the Buena Vista Social Club before we got to the theater but I wasn’t disappointed.

From the opening scenes, I was transported to Havana. And the music struck a chord in my soul. I was so moved, I watched the documentary with tears close to the surface. On my way home, I bought a copy of the CD and for many months after, it was the only music I listened to. Each time, I created stories in my head based on the feelings the music evoked.

So, for today’s Soulful Sunday, my pick is the Buena Vista Social Club. Each track is a winner so it was hard to select just one. But take a listen to the opening track, 01 Chan Chan.

As a bonus, below is a video of the late Ibrahim Ferrer singing the heart stirring, Dos Gardenias Para Ti. Check it out.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rublV5LQ5Ds&feature=artist]

Hope you enjoy The Buena Vista Social Club as much as I still do.

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Soulful Sundays: Tarrus Riley

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

Sundays, for me, are usually lazy days. I putter, lounge, read, snooze and, of course, listen to music. What I listen to depends on my mood. Sometimes, it’s soothing jazz. Other times, it’s music that gets me on my feet – I just love to dance.

For this week’s Soulful Sundays post, I want to share the work of a musician who has become one of my favorites.

I was first introduced to reggae musician, Tarrus Riley a few years ago when I heard his anthem to women, She’s Royal. Then my friend, Sandra, and I attended his performance at the Calabash Literary Festival in Treasure Beach. We enjoyed it so much, we concluded we had to see him again. We did, in New York, a few months later and we weren’t disappointed. I even went back stage to get his autograph – something I never did when I was a teenager!

So here now, is I Sight

Hope you like it as much as I do.

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Traveling to Music: Pierre Akendengue

Posted on by Marcia Mayne
Beachfront of Libreville, Gabon
Image via Wikipedia

The customs and immigration officer at Léon M’ba International Airport in Libreville, Gabon began digging into my suitcase all the while asking me the usual questions, what is your purpose for visiting Gabon, where will you be staying, etc.

Then he saw my music and stopped. You know Akendengué? he asked, surprise and delight registering on his face simultaneously.

Normally, when I travel in the Caribbean and especially in Africa, my Jamaican passport is enough. But this day, it was the music I had with me that stopped the questions and eased me through. (Thank goodness he liked Akendengué!)

I smiled when I remembered that customs official this morning as I listened to Akendengué’s 01 Awana W’afrika, but more than anything else, I’m reminded that music is a big part of my travels. Wherever I go, there’s usually a song or a musician that symbolizes that trip and brings it back to me with all the smells, sounds and sights when I play it again at home.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kZb88t7zS0]

What are some of your traveling music? What song or musician makes you feel as if you’ve just unpacked your suitcase?

For Gabon, it was Akendengué. I have so many, I’ll make Traveling to Music a regular feature.

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