Joyeux Anniversaire, Michel

Michel, je te souhaite un très joyeux anniversaire pour tes 75 ans.

Michel Legrand, le compositeur et le pianiste français
24 février, 1932 -

Ce MP3 Sélection a expiré le 4 mars, 2007:
Intérprete Frida Boccara
Les moulins de mon coeur (Legrand)

Another Sixty-Four-Dollar Question

There are many a sharp and flashing tongue, edged with cruelty; yet it rarely carries the sound of wit or wisdom.

Whose excellent mind in the blogosphere, I wonder, can speak with singularity to the question:

What is the only comfort in life and in death?

Bei Mir Bist Du Schön

Saul Chaplin, American lyricist/composer
(19 February, 1912 – 15 November, 1997)

This MP3 Selection Expired on 02-24-2007:
The Andrew Sisters
Bei Mir Bist Du Schön

Bei Mir Bist Du Schön

English Music and Lyrics: Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin
(1937)

The Andrews Sisters

Of all the boys I've known, and I've known some
Until I first met you, I was lonesome
And when you came in sight, dear, my heart grew light
And this old world seemed new to me

You´re really swell, I have to admit you
Deserve expressions that really fit you
And so I've racked my brain, hoping to explain
All the things that you do to me

Bei mir bist du schön, please let me explain
Bei mir bist du schön means that you're grand
Bei mir bist du schön, again I'll explain
It means you're the fairest in the land

I could say 'Bella, bella', even say 'Wunderbar'
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are

I´ve tried to explain, bei mir bist du schön
So kiss me and say you understand

Bei mir bist du schön, you've heard it all before
but let me try to explain
Bei mir bist du schön means that you're grand

Bei mir bist du schön, it's such an old refrain
and yet I should explain
It means I am begging for your hand

I could say 'Bella, bella', even say 'Wunderbar'
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are

I´ve tried to explain, bei mir bist du schön
So kiss me and say that you will understand

The Woman Without a Shadow

The chill winter pall is being chased away by a warm steady rain.   The lingering shower is scouring earth's mouldering urn and preparing it for the life to come.   Soon, the sun warmed soil will receive a synchrony of bouquets.

Spring shall dawn on the night of the winter grave.   Surely, the closing aria of Strauss' Die Frau ohne Schatten is waiting in the wing.

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Roberta Flack
10 February, 1937 -

This MP3 Selection Expired on 02-19-2007:
Roberta Flack (1972)
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face


The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1972)
Roberta Flack

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the end of the skies

The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth moved in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command
My love

The first time ever I lay with you
[ I ] felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time
My love

The first time ever I saw your face
Your face...

A Winter's Notion

The bedraggled rose trees lined the redwood fence have clung on tenaciously for weeks in sub-freezing temperature. Dreaming the winter dreams of fête champêtres, the dormant buds yearned for the riches and adulations of the promised spring. At the foot of rose trees, a pride of White Lion daffodils have already unlocked the tyrannical gates of the winter keep; bursting forth in liberty, outstretching their jade-green fingers toward the sky.

Winter's breath, it seems, is about to take flight.

All The Things You Are

Jerome Kern
(27 January, 1885 - 11 November, 1945)

This MP3 Selection Expired on 02-10-2007:
Kiri Te Kanawa
All The Things You Are


All The Things You Are
Musical: Very Warm for May (1939)
Music: Jerome Kern
Words: Oscar Hammerstein II

Vocal: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

Time and again I’ve longed for adventure
Something to make my heart beat the faster
What did I long for I never really knew

Finding your love I’ve found my adventure
Touching your hand, my heart beats the faster
All that I want in all of this world is you

You are the promised kiss of springtime
That makes the lonely winter seem long

You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song
You are the angel glow that lights a star
The dearest things I know are what you are

Some day my happy arms will hold you
And some day I’ll know that moment divine
When all the things you are are mine

Happy New Year, 2007

For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
Or as a watch in the night...
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
-- Psalm 90 vv. 4; 12

This MP3 Selection Expired on 01-27-2007:
Phil Coulter, piano - Auld Lang Syne

Fourth Sunday of Advent, 2006 - Merry Christmas!

Luke 1:31-33 (KJV)

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

This MP3 Selection Expired on 12-27-2006:
Kathleen Battle (1986) - O Holy Night (Adam)

Third Sunday of Advent, 2006

Jeremiah 23:5-6 (KJV)

5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.