Soulful Sundays: Nana Mouskouri

Posted on October 16, 2011November 28, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

A few weeks ago, when I featured Shirley Bassey on Soulful Sundays, my blog buddy, Narelle mentioned Nana Mouskouri. I hadn’t thought of her in quite a while but I promised Narelle that I’d feature her soon.

I was introduced to Mouskouri when I lived in Ottawa — feels like decades now. I remember the media referring to her as the woman who made wearing glasses ‘sexy.’ One story that made the rounds then was that when she toured with Harry Belafonte, he asked her not to wear her glasses. She refused. Indeed, she is a very attractive woman. But it’s her voice that is captivating in its simplicity. Give a listen to her singing The White Rose of Athens. I also love her rendition of Amazing Grace.

Nana Mouskouri, from sweetslyrics.com — Nana Mouskouri

Born Joanna Mouskouri on October 13, 1934 in Crete, she became known to family and friends simply as Nana. She has recorded jazz, world, Greek folk, Pop, and Classical music. Mouskouri has more than 230 gold and platinum albums and nearly 400 million discs worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female recording artist of all time.

In addition to her music, Mouskouri was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 1993 and was elected a Member of the European Parliament from 1995-9.

Mouskouri retired in 2008 giving a farewell concert in Athens, Greece.

Random Travel Images: New York City

Posted on October 15, 2011August 3, 2013 by Marcia Mayne

As I’ve written previously, one of the things I love about New York is the variety of foods to be had.

Mama Mexico is a restaurant near work that I go to frequently for lunch, especially when we have a large group or colleagues visiting. A few weeks ago, I had dinner there with a group of friends. I wouldn’t normally have ordered the paella but one of them insisted. The presentation alone was enough to fill up my stomach. The taste was absolutely divine!

Random Travel Images: Stellenbosch

Posted on October 14, 2011October 15, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa — Vineyard, Stellenbosch, South Africa

: Vineyard, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Whether or not you like or drink wine, you shouldn’t go to Cape Town without visiting Stellenbosch, which, along with Paarl and Franschhoek, make up the wine growing region of South Africa. Only about 35 miles outside of Cape Town, it is well worth the drive to see the landscape, visit some of its many vineyards and sample its wines and brandys.

Travel Photo Thursday: Buckingham Palace Gate

Posted on October 13, 2011October 8, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

I love to see places I recognize in my favorite films or movies. In Die Another Day, I was tickled when I saw the press conference Gustave Grave, the villain in this film, held in front of the gates of Buckingham Palace. The Palace Press Office handles all requests for permission to film on the grounds.

This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday series. Be sure to check out other photo and story entries on their website!

Random Travel Images: The Eiffel Tower

Posted on October 12, 2011October 11, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

I could spend hours looking at the lattice work of the Eiffel Tower. I amazed by what was accomplished with steel. Reminds me of the crocheting my mom used to do, so delicate, so intricate.

Random Travel Images: Boulders Beach

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

It isn’t difficult to understand why this is called Boulders Beach. Rocks like these are everywhere. But it is the colony of jackass penguins that seem to hold everyone’s fascination.

Penguins at Boulders Beach, South Africa

The colony has grown from two breeding pairs in 1982 to nearly 3,000. What’s most interesting and surprising is the braying sound they make. You’d swear there were some jackasses around.

Random Images: Bath Abbey

Posted on October 10, 2011October 8, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Stained glass is made by adding metallic salts its manufacture. Small pieces of glass are arranged to patterns that are held together by strips of lead.

Soulful Sundays: Monty Alexander

Posted on October 9, 2011October 2, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

I grew up hearing Monty Alexander on the radio in Jamaica but had no idea who he was until years later when I saw him perform some of the music I was familiar with.

Monty Alexander was born in Kingston in 1944. He took his first piano lessons when he was six years old but he’s largely self-taught.

Monty Alexander from montyalexander.com — Monty Alexander, photo montyalexander.com

Over the years, Alexander, a jazz pianist who mixes jazz and reggae, has recorded as many as 70 albums. He’s performed and recorded with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Sonny Rollins, Milt Jackson and Clark Terry among others. He also assisted Natalie Cole with her tribute album, Unforgettable, which won seven Grammy Awards.

In addition, Alexander recorded the piano track for the Clint Eastwood movie, Bird, about the life of jazz icon, Charlie Parker.

Alexander was awarded the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica in 2000 for outstanding service to the country as worldwide music ambassador.

Since that first performance, I’ve seen Alexander in concert several times since then. Give a listen to his rendition of Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry and The Monty Alexander Trio playing Grub at the Dakota Jazz Club.

Random Images: London House

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Designed by Norman Foster, London House also known as London City Hall, was opened in 2002. Because of its unusual shape, it has been referred to by the former mayor as “The Glass Testicle” and as “The Glass Gonad” by the current mayor, Boris Johnson. It’s popularly called The Onion.