Rock n’ Roll Tuesday: Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis)

My playlist changes every day (or every week, I guess). I’m an oldie when it comes to music, but I also like modern ones as long as they’re catchy (yes, even Bang Bang and Dark Horse). One day I’m listening to The Carpenters and Bee Gees, then the next day I’m playing Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes. It really depends on my mood. Haha.

Which brings us to today’s choice of music: rock n’ roll. I don’t know why my soul has chosen Tuesday, of all days, to listen to rock n’ roll songs on Youtube. Haha. I don’t even know how I got here! All I remember from this morning was searching Mr. Sandman on Youtube, then Earth Angel by Marvin Berry and the Starlighters, then Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis— which is still playing until now.

(My super favorite video)

I guess I just missed the old days, when I got introduced to Lewis’ music. I don’t exactly remember how I discovered his music (I don’t even remember who told me or when… but I guess it’s my dad lol), but I’ve been amazed by his talent ever since. I mean, can you believe this guy’s hands? Have you seen him perform with such passion and strength? If not, look at this video:

(During his heyday in 1958)

I love Elvis Presley too, but this man deserves all the recognition he could get. I know he was already smothered with so much love in his time, but he’s still alive and kickin’ (in fact, he has a new album) at 79 years old. Life isn’t over for him yet, so I believe the modern generation should take some time to listen to his superb piano-playing skills and appreciate the man not for his personal and tumultuous life, but for his incredible talent. While everyone were using guitars to bring rock n’ roll to life, Lewis was nailing it with a piano. How cool is that?

(Still making magic with every piano piece as of July 2014!)

That’s all. I just want to share my current LSS… and my undying admiration for The Killer. 🙂 Long live the King of Piano Rock n’ Roll!

Happy blogging (and rock n’ rolling lol)!
Jane

Three’s a Crowd | Musical Trios of the 70s

There’s a saying that “good things come in threes.” Well, when it comes to musical groups of the before time (lol), I couldn’t agree more.

There’s something in musical trios of the 70s that fascinates me every single time. Maybe it’s their hauntingly beautiful three-part harmony? Chart-topping hits? Undeniable charisma as a group? Whatever it is, 1970s trios are among the true gems of our music industry. Agree?

Here are my favorites:

Bee Gees

(Image: fanpop.com)

I really, really admire the Bee Gees. As far as I know, they’re the only group that continuously enthralled audiences for almost 50 decades. They’ve had their ups and downs, but at the end of it all, they stood their ground and remained unbreakable.

“The enigma with a stigma,” as they call themselves, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb rose to fame with their timeless hits such as Spicks and Specks, Massachusetts, Fanny (Be Tender With My Love), Too Much Heaven, and songs from the smash-hit movie Saturday Night Fever, such as Staying Alive, Night Fever and more.

 

The Supremes

(Image: dailymail.co.uk)

I’ve been listening to this group since I was in high school. I even made a music video/photo slideshow for them. Lol.

They’ve changed members for the duration of their career, but I’ll always remember its founding members— Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross. The Supremes are best known for their sexy charisma and upbeat songs such as Stop In The Name of Love,Y ou Can’t Hurry Love, Come See About Me, Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart, Baby Love, and more.

Have you watched the 2006 movie Dreamgirls? It’s based on the story of Motown and The Supremes.

 

Three Degrees

(Image: comicgenius.com)

I just discovered this sassy girl group recently (like, last week lol), but I’ve known their song When Will I See You Again since I was a little curly-top girl.

The Three Degrees is still active nowadays, but I’m more familiar with their songs in the 70s such as Woman In Love, Maybe, and Dirty Ol’ Man. Out of the group’s most famous lineup— Sheila  Ferguson, Valerie Holiday, and Fayette Pinkney— Valerie’s the only one who’s still going at it, along with Freddie Pool and Helen Scott.

 

Happy blogging (and listening!)
Jane

U is for Up Dharma Down

Yeah… my officemate Ate Gi is right: this A-Z Blogging Challenge post is all about my favorite local band, Up Dharma Down!

(Photo: 2.bp.blogspot.com)

I don’t usually listen to local and modern songs, but recently, I discovered an amazing yet underrated band. Up Dharma Down rose to fame during my high school years (around 2005, I think?), but I didn’t care until earlier this year. I hear their name everywhere, but most of my favorite songs are from 1950s to early 2000s, so I didn’t pay attention.

(Photo: up-dharma-down.lyricss.org)

Though I regret the wasted years that I didn’t listen to their songs (lol), I’m still happy because, now, I’m one of their million biggest fans. I love all of their songs. I listen to UDD every day– on the way to work, in the office, after work hours… every time! They have a separate playlist on my player, and it’s been on repeat since I discovered them. If I keep talking, I’d sound so obsessed… so I’ll stop. Hahaha.

(Photo: up-dharma-down.lyricss.org)

Check out their songs here:

(Playlist by Nathan No Llora)

Oh… by the way: recently, my friends and I watched their gig in saGuijo (an acoustic bar near my place) and this happened:

(Photo: Dhiejhae Baquiran)

Thank you, Armi, for this awesome picture. And thank you, Dhiej, for making us smile like this. Yay!

(Photo: pbs.twimg.com)

Happy blogging (and listening)!
Jane

 

T is for Titanic Songs

Who isn’t familiar with the story of RMS Titanic? The “great, unsinkable ship” that, well, sank in the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912. The cause: huge iceberg. This unfortunate event in history led to one of the most loved and memorable movies of all time, Titanic.

(Titanic official trailer)

But this A-Z Blogging Challenge post isn’t all about the movie nor the historic disaster. This is about the movie’s official soundtrack (OST).

(Photo: 3.bp.blogspot.com)

Titanic is one of my super favorite movies, and its OST is also very dear to my heart. I love how each score affects the whole movie. Its music is one of the reasons I cry every time I watch Titanic. Yes, I still cry until now. Hahaha.

(Photo: myfavouriteworld.files.wordpress.com)

Anyway, here are my favorite Titanic OST (all composed by James Horner):

(The Portrait)

(Nearer My God To Thee)

(Hymn To The Sea)

Hope these songs didn’t make you cry… because they always bring a tear (or two) to my eyes. *sobs*

(Photo: images4.fanpop.com)

Happy blogging (and listening)!
Jane

N is for Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

For this A-Z Blogging Challenge entry, I’m gonna share one of my favorite foreign (and classic) songs.

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien
By: Edith Piaf

Non, rien de rien
Non, je ne regrette rien
Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait
Ni le mal; tout ça m’est bien égal!

Non, rien de rien
Non, je ne regrette rien
C’est payé, balayé, oublié
Je me fous du passé!

Avec mes souvenirs
J’ai allumé le feu
Mes chagrins, mes plaisirs
Je n’ai plus besoin d’eux!

Balayés les amours
Et tous leurs trémolos
Balayés pour toujours
Je repars à zéro

Non, rien de rien
Non, je ne regrette rien
Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait
Ni le mal; tout ça m’est bien égal!

Non, rien de rien
Non, je ne regrette rien
Car ma vie, car mes joies
Aujourd’hui, ça commence avec toi!

(Young Piaf. Source: cabezamalamueblada.blogspot.com)

Yes, the song is French. It’s a very classic piece. If you don’t know Edith Piaf, then it’s time to Google her and discover her amazing (yet tragic) life! 🙂

By the way, here’s the English translation:

No, nothing of nothing
No, I don’t regret anything
Neither the good things people have done to me
Nor the bad things, it’s all the same to me.

No, nothing of nothing
No! I don’t regret anything
It’s paid for, swept away, forgotten,
I don’t care about the past!

With my memories
I lit up the fire
My troubles, my pleasures
I don’t need them anymore!

The lovers are all swept away
And all of their drama
Swept away forever
I start again from zero

No, nothing of nothing
No, I don’t regret anything
Neither the good things people have done to me
Nor the bad things, it’s all the same to me.

No, nothing of nothing
No, I don’t regret anything
Because my life, because my joys
Today that starts with you!

(Lyrics and translation: frenchlearner.com)

An amazing song by an equally-amazing songstress. Edith Piaf, everybody! *claps*

(Source: timbrosnan.wordpress.com)

Happy blogging (and listening)!
Jane

Queen of Duets: Dionne Warwick

Actually, I feel really tired and sleepy right now, but I want to share my fascination with Dionne Warwick and the spell she has put on me with her sweet songs.

(Photo: german.fansshare.com)

I’ve known Dionne Warwick way before I hit puberty. I’m a big fan of “oldies but goodies” songs, so it’s no surprise to know that I’ve been listening to “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and “That’s What Friends Are For” since I was a little kid. But it wasn’t until I got reunited with her song “Heartbreaker” that I got hooked on Dionne’s irresistible charms. Since then, I always make sure that she’s in my office playlist every day. Her husky, dreamy voice gets me going whenever I feel sleepy while working. In addition, her songs are brilliant. The lyrics, rhythm, beat… everything!

Recently, I’ve developed an “undying” LSS (last song syndrome) with her duet hits. It started with “Reservations for Two,” which she recorded with Kashif. I’ve been in LSS mode with that song for months already, and surprisingly, I don’t get tired of hearing it over and over.

(“Reservations for Two” music video)

Yesterday, I discovered another Dionne Warwick duet— this time, with Jeffrey Osborne. I didn’t expect I’d be badly hooked.

(“Love Power” music video)

I thought that was the end of it, but earlier this afternoon while I was browsing through my playlist, I noticed a Dionne Warwick duet that I’ve never heard before. I decided to play it and, well, you can predict what happened next.

(“Friends in Love” with Johnny Mathis)

Of course, here’s a duet that I’ve known for so long. Until now, I still get kilig whenever I hear this:

(“It’s You” with Stevie Wonder)

I really love Dionne Warwick. I’ve adored her since I was little, and now that I’ve discovered her amazing duets with other artists, I think I just became her biggest fan. She’s amazing on her own, but when she sings with other equally-talented males of the 80s, heaven just goes straight in my ears and into my soul.

That’s why I was so devastated when I wasn’t able to attend her concert here in the Philippines last July 23. What’s more heartbreaking was the fact that she performed with Tavares, which is my favorite group too! It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I missed it. Too bad.

(Photo: http://manilaconcertscene.blogspot.com)

Oh well. It’s tragic for someone who dreams to see and hear her idol perform live, not just in Youtube or Grooveshark. I just wish she can still go back here and do another concert. Yes, she’s already 73 years old and probably not in her best shape anymore, but I’m still hoping.

Kudos, Dionne Warwick!  Your songs (especially your duets) will always be in my heart… and in my playlist. 🙂