Untitled

The Nomi Song

He looked like an alien, but sang like a diva. Klaus Nomi was one of 1980's most profoundly bizarre entertainers—a New Wave cult figure who sang pop music like opera and brought opera to club audiences. His "look" was so strong audiences went wild before he even opened his mouth. On the verge of international fame as a singer, he instead became one of the first prominent artists to die of AIDS. Director Andrew Horn tells Nomi's remarkable story—one of fame, friendship, betrayal, and a performer so unique he is still unforgettable even twenty years after his death.

Text: Palm Pictures

--

I know I've written about Nomi before... but I can't believe it, it's finally here! There've been talk about the movie a few years back, and now I'm gonna go see it this Friday! woohooo! Euphoria! When was the last time you were really, really excited about something? I'm like a kid again! Wait, I AM a kid! Look, a tribute! *...and I, got - a dress!*

I just watched the trailer [QT; 4.2MB] and it's been looping on my screen for the past 10 minutes [and I like the fact that the trailer was narrated by a child, heh!]! I was listening to Nomi's rendition of Der Nussbaum just this morning, and I was almost in tears. I felt really sad. Such triumph and tragedy in such a short time. As for the song Total Eclipse:

Last dance
Let the entire cast dance
Due to dismembered
Last dance
As we get atomized

...I just love that!! It's like in the very end, why not go out with a bang - and with style!! And so he did.

If you listen to 1 Nomi song, you prolly think "What the hell is this?!?" 2 songs, you'll really think that he's a friggin' oddball. 3 songs, confused and think "I still can't believe what I'm hearing!!" But if you keep listening, you'll eventually see the world that Nomi saw. I think for Nomi, it was more than about breaking boundaries, being different and avant-garde, or maybe performing just for the sake of eclecticism, it was about self-discovery, finding your true inner being and for once, and completely, not being afraid while doing it. Living the life!

"It's so simple!"

--

TOTAL ECLIPSE
Big shots
Argue about what they've got
Making the planet so hot
Hot as a holocaust

Blow up
Everything's going to go up
Even if you don't show up
In your chemise Lacoste

Total eclipse, it's a total eclipse
It's a total eclipse of the sun
Welcome to this
With the total eclipse
Just a slip of your lips
And you're done

Fallout
Nobody left to crawl out
If someone calls we're all out
Turning into French fries

Last dance
Let the entire cast dance
Due to dismembered
Last dance
As we get atomized

Total eclipse, it's a total eclipse
It's a total eclipse of the sun
Welcome to this
With the total eclipse
Just a slip of your lips
And you're done

Total eclipse, it's a total eclipse
It's a total eclipse of the sun
Welcome to this
With the total eclipse
Just a slip of your lips
And you're done

Rock Star

Last night I was listening to This Mortal Coil and I can remember so much from my old days [I dare not say 'youth' cuz I wasn't that young then; ok, 21 years ago, 17 years young!]. Those 4AD import double albums kick'd some serious butt!! With attention to every detail... the photography, the design & layout, the typography, the printing and the pressing, the packaging and the music all in one ensemble / package was simply amazing!! One would have to see it to believe it.

I remember listening to their music would just take me worlds away. In a dark and soundless room [mine usually], I would put on their records in low volume and drift off... I believe their music does take a bit to get used to, but once heard, you'll be hooked. I wouldn't categorize their music as strictly being sad or depressing [most would agree], even though sometimes it can be dark and brooding, but in my eyes [and ears], it's nothing but ethereal bliss. Beautiful & poignant. It's my perfect music. My life was transformed.

Their music had reshaped my way of thinking and on how I see my worlds, yet still today, and I can say that they are, and will always be, my favourite band of my time. Rock on!

Chant

Now Playing...

"Thankssss Stuart, you made my day!" As I mentioned before, Stuart is a friend of mine whom I've never had the pleasure to meet [huh?] and we've been sending each other CDs for quite a few months now. This past weekend he surprised me with 4 whoppin' CDs, and always, always with new music.

So currently I'm listening to The Hacker's new CD! Raaaaaaad! First Album was very good and ever since it came out I've tried looking for his solo CDs, once I saw one, but didn't pick it up. Curse me!

And I have 3 more CDs to listen to! Yum! XOXO Stuart!!! Anyway, 'nough said. Check out #3, Miss Kittin's back. Meow!

Music: The Hacker - Reves Mecaniques

radioblog.melloldies

If you're listening [haha], I've put up another radioblog. This time around they're all oldies from the 70's and 80's, even a few from the 60's... I have a lot more tracks but I think right now 70+ are plenty enough! These are my favourites anyway. Again, something fresh to listen to at work! bleh!

Hope you find a track or two that you'll like... Am not always into the alternative scene really! And see, I'm not all that different from you either! heh!

PS. Remember Star on 45 and Hooked on Classics? Maybe I'll put some of those up soon. Tootle-pip!

Music: James Taylor - Handy Man

Caught On Wired

The Chicks' shtick - boiling down the most palatable elements of fringe music, art, and fashion into a single package -- smacks of early-90's Beastie Boys.

"We Don't Play Guitars," a killer collaboration with Peaches, proves that electronic producers can rock as hard as any metal band. Best of all, a bonus disc with two stunning videos and a slew of remixes from hotshot DJ pals like Cristian Vogel and Trevor Jackson makes 99¢ worth every penny.

Tamara Palmer on Chicks on Speed's 99¢;
Wired, November 2004

--

A year later? It's about friggin' time!

BTW, thanks for all the good wishes! I apologize for being a bit 'quiet' for the past few days, been busy just getting back into things. Am catching up tho, slooowly...

Can you play guitar?

The Architect's Hopes & Fears

My music fiend/friend Stuart sent this artist's link [Flash; 20mb] to me yesterday, Cari Lekebusch's Shaded... Nice camera work, worth catching a glimpse... Gorgeous artwork, yummy! Thanks Stuart. I'll send out your Wagon Christ CD tomorrow!

Also heard this great tune, Everything's Changing by Keane, off my fellow blogger friend Tar's radioblog. A dreamy pop tune! Am lovin' it! Read that Keane is going to be on Conan O'Brien tonight, might have to check it out... Thanks Tar!

From time to time, let the music be your guide.

Resumé / Everyman / Everywoman

While taking my shower this morning, I was thinking [among other things] about my resumé! This little boy used to be on the very top of the page... actually, he still is... and this use to be my cover letter! Yeah, the last time I had to send out resumés was in the summer of 2000, to a good bunch of design firm. Seems like a long time ago, but not too long... Now if I were to send out my resumé again, I prolly wouldn't use the same stationery. Would I?

On another note, remember John Lennon/Yoko Ono's album Double Fantasy? Specifically, the song Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him? [Most peeps are prolly like, "Yikes, Yoko Ono!!" This time around Yoko came out with her own version of the song to reflect the gay community... woohoo!! Basement Jaxx did a Man2Man, Woman2Woman and a regular Str8 version... I uploaded a couple of mixes to my radioblog. I know I have a lot of songs in there... But if you happened to be in the mood, feel free to dig around, you'll find them...

Have a wonderful weekend! Signing off...

--

Every man has a man who loves him
In rain or shine or life and death
If he finds him in this lifetime
He will know when he looks into his eyes

Why do I roam when I know you're the one
Why do I laugh when I feel like crying

Every woman has a woman who loves her
Rise or fall of her life and death
If she finds her in this life time
She will know when she presses her ear to her breast

Why do I roam when I know you're the one
Why do I run when I feel like holding you

Every man has a man who loves him
If he finds him in this lifetime
He will know...

RADIO.BLOG.CLUB

SUWEEET!

I've seen this before and I think it's a bitchin' idea/application!! Thanks radio.blog.club. Everyone should start one! This way, we all can sample each other's taste in music... oooh! If you don't have broadband/DSL/cable modem, get it now! :-) Hopefully I'll get my radio done this week! Woohooo! So what have you been listening to lately?

BTW, has anyone seen Gary Jules's Mad World video?

Music: Dave Clarke - Disgraceland [with Chicks on Speed]

Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops

I think I'll be going to the CocteauFest this September. I missed it last year... There'll prolly be a big nerdy bunch and 'lukewarm' cover bands but I don't care. Tho I'm by far not as HUGE of a fan as I once was, but their music still delights me in every way. They still make my heart pitter-patter!!!

Over 20 years ago since I first had the pleasure... Saw them live twice and they were... ethereal, to say the least! Hey, if you're into the Twins and in Los Angeles, we should go! heh!

i

The Magnetic Fields were excellent, to say the least. I didn't think I would like 'em as much. A quartet: a piano, a guitar/steel guitar/banjo, a cello and an ukelele player. The music was semi-tragically melodic and soothing, easy to listen to... Stephin's vocal was solemn and low and sweet and at times hardly audible - his trademark kinda. All the songs were beautifully executed in acoustic versions. His lyrics at times were fun-knee, tho mostly dreamy, reflective and poignant. Put a lump in my heart...

IF YOU DON'T CRY [excerpt]
If you don't cry
it isn't love
If you don't cry
then you just don't feel it deep enough...

Text: Stephin Merritt

PS. I have altered time.

Bittersweet

I just finished watching Donnie Darko again... good flick. Alec and I have seen it before and we both liked it - lotz. This coming Thursday KCRW has a premiere for the director's cut of the movie, and he got 2 tickets for us to go see it again. I heard there'll be 30 minutes of extra footage in this version. I like a good 'sad' movie.

Also tomorrow night is the concert for The Magnetic Fields... I don't think very many bloggers are familiar with their music, but most certainly - Eric does! "Hello Eric! How goes? I love 'Lebanon'!!!" Tho I really haven't heard most of Stephin's songs, the few that I've heard I really liked. All his broken love songs... wretched! Unbeknownst, melancholy can creep up on one, and sometimes I think that can be strangely romantic...

Life is bittersweet.

The Sleepless Man

I wanted to put out a description last night, but didn't. Anyway... Yeah, I like the image of the face, and I like the word/text, so I just meshed 'em together. Nothing much, but I think I would like it if it's accompanied with some music...

Hey, what about Playgroup? Trevor Jackson came out with the Playgroup CD last year, was gonna get it then, but never did. A sorta re-release just came out this month, along with a limited edition CD of all the hits... It's looovely! The mix is egg-cellent! Mixes by Felix Da Housecat, Chicken Lips, Todd Terry, Fatboy Slim, Soulwax, etc... I'm not into chanting/music all the time! heh!

Weird to have the face of Buddha and talking about electro-funk music at the same time, kinda... but I'm sure he doesn't mind.

Music: Playgroup - Number One [Blackstrobe remix]

Tinkerbell

Everybody knows a woman like me
Insecurity is my philosophy
I see other women as the competition

I'm always nice to men and so they're nice to me
But other girls always seem to be bitchin' about me

I say they must be jealous
I say that it's because their boyfriends all fancy me

Close my eyes and fantisize
Of all men envying me
So much fun to be number one
What good are sisters to me?

I just can't relate to some body
Unless I use my sexuality
Normal conversation always leaves me insecure

Men are so much more approachable
Clever, kind and intellectual
And I never feel uncomfortable in their company

Male appreciation is my one ambition
It's a competition I must win

When I talk to girls it's just monotonous shit
Because I don't want their friendship just their jealousy

Text: Miki Berenyi

Absolutely looove this song mp3, makes me bob my head everytime I hear it, heh!! So free, immature... and bitchy, in a frivolous way, of course! Not that I can relate to any of it... Lemme think... hmm... nah, don't think so! Stuart, this will be included on the compilation that I'm sending out to you tomorrow, among others! :-* Tootle-pip!

It's Only Time

Text: Stephin Merritt

From their new release i, a splendid track from the prodigy behind The Magnetic Fields. Transcendent! mp3 [5.3MB]

Ciao!

I've been so happy since I walked away
I never thought that I could feel as great as I do today
'Cause you were nothing but a big mistake
And life is wonderful, now that I'm rid of you

Oh I must've been crazy to have stayed with you
I can't believe I thought I was in love with you
But now the scales have fallen I can really see
And I say go to hell, 'cause thats where you took me

Well, I've felt better since I slammed that door
You always cramped my style, I never noticed before
It's been a non-stop party since I flew the coop
I can't believe I fell for such a loser like you

And is it any wonder that I felt so blue
When I was always having to put up with you

Oh, here we go again, just lay the blame on me
Don't say another word, 'cause sweetheart - you're history

I know that you miss me really
Bet you wish that you still had me
You'll never find someone like me
But I've got no regrets at all

'Cause I've met this girl and she's so good to me
She's really beautiful, fantastic company
Oh, when I'm with her I realise what love can be
'Cause she's fifty times the person you will ever be

Good luck mister, do you think I care?
Since you've been gone the offers have been everywhere
I've got a million guys just lining up for me
I've turned a corner, boy, my life is ecstasy

Well, I've been in heaven since I walked away
I never thought that I could feel as great as I do today
'Cause you were nothing but a waste of space
And life is wonderful now that I'm over you

Text: Miki Berenyi

--

It's a 'duet' between Miki and Jarvis Cocker... I remember whenever I listen to this song mp3 [3.2MB], whether I was or wasn't in the midst of a breakup, or whatever, I always felt better afterwards... Who wouldn't? hahaha!

So this is the second shirt that I made. School's out this week, so I won't be making any, ugh!, but shall resume the following week. O and I had to flip the image or else the logo would read backwards. Now for something completely different, tonight I found something quite disturbing... hmm... it's a short video of a man's head [the one between the shoulders, and he's bald, thank goodness!] entering a woman's... mmm... Well, let's just say the title of the page is called "Inverse Birth"... You can figure out the rest! Anyway...

...so to all the heartbreakin' low-life bastards in the world - Ciao!

I Feel Love

...and it looks like this!

It's a great shirt from American Apparel... The print is a weebit uneven cuz of the ink... it was kinda 'stiff' cuz someone from class left the lid open... ugh! But overall, I love it! Not that I can start to mass produce tons of shirts cuz the process is just a bit too 'tee'dious!!! [heh!] I'll just make a few whenever I can. Sure is fun, as long as I don't fuck it up!

Call me crazy, but I sure am proud to wear Nomi on my chest. For that, here is Nomi's very own live [electroclash] version of Donna Summer's I Feel Love mp3 [5.1MB]... Gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it!

The Cold Song II

What power art thou
Who from below
Hast made me rise
Unwillingly and slow
From beds of everlasting snow.

See'st thou not how stiff
And wondrous old
Far unfit to bear the bitter cold.

I can scarcely move
Or draw my breath
Let me, let me
Freeze again
Let me, let me
Freeze again to death.

Text: Henry Purcell

--

I was in bed already, but I always listen to CDs right before I fall asleep. Was listening to Klaus Nomi again, the Cold Genuis... his voice and music is bittersweet as ever... Playing The Cold Song again and again and again...

Tonight, I screenprinted my very own Nomi shirt...

Superblast!

Me in the world Losing tears, shedding fears Strain for the sun Make you run, make you come

You don't know
You don't know

I'm in my home
All the time, on my own
Low finger fine
Take what's mine, from behind

You don't know
You don't know
It's not there
You don't care

You're still inside of me
Beneath the cotton core
My pictures smile at me
And soon they'll rise and soar

Fill up my space
Turn around, fade and trace
Be absolute
Blue and white, fatal fruit

She nylon smile
Full of lies, shining eyes
Cover my grin
Take a chance, maybe win

It's not there
It's not fair
You don't know
You don't care

Text: Emma Anderson mp3 [4.8MB]

--

Ahhh... KICK ASS!!! Make you run... make you cum....

Kaltes Klares Wasser [reprise]

dig my fingernails
into the armpit of America
let down your hair
hang on for the ride
Concorde take-off
plastered to the back of my seat
pink finger nail polish
on your right breast
eating your pussy
and all around us
saturated
in
kaltes klares wasser

all over my demented
intentions
strong legs standing on my bed
golden shower all over my face
big water
used a little
water
entrails pressed to the floor

silicon, silicon
silicon suction
the unwanted curves
exposed by
kaltes klares wasser

[über meine körper]

arrested and released
my body
bleeding all over your best rug
by the fire
my body is burning
and you pour
kaltes klares wasser
all over me

chill me out
cool me down
no feeling no control
my body is a weapon
waiting at your door
hold me under
don't let go

kaltes klares wasser
kaltes klares wasser
kaltes klares wasser
kaltes klares wasser

Text: Malaria! & Chicks On Speed

Total Eclipse

It's finally here... The Nomi Song! Well, not actually here in the US yet, but was shown at the Berlin Film Festival early February. I'm a huge fan to say the least! No one else can do a better rendition of Wizard of Oz's Ding Dong [The Witch Is Dead] than Nomi. Actually, don't think anyone ever has!?! Let's go see it all together when it comes out!!! woohooo! Can't wait!

Nomi Rules!!!

Image: The Nomi Song
Music: Klaus Nomi - I Feel Love [live]

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep...

I miss Miki!!

Not much happening. Tho I did check my email today and Matt wrote back, saying that he finally got the CDs this morning that I sent to him last week. He said he was making some eggs at the time and upon checking the mail and saw what he got, he burnt the eggs. heh! He was really happy about the CDs. [I can't wait 'til I get mine from Matt! woohoo!]

That really made my day [not that he burnt his breakfast!]... It's the little things in life I tell ya.

...chirpy chirpy cheep cheep chirp!

Last Wishes of the Dead

DEFIXIONES refers to the warnings engraved in lead which were placed on the graves of the dead in Greece and Asia Minor. They cautioned against moving or desecrating the corpses under threat of extreme harm.

WILL AND TESTAMENT refers to the last wishes of the dead who have been taken to their graves under unnatural circumstances.

The concert material that Galás has included in this song cycle includes music set to the texts of the Armenian poet/soldier Siamanto; the Belgian/French poet Henri Michaux; the Syrian/Lebanese poet Adonis; the rembetika songs of Sotiria Bellou; the Anatolian Greek Amanedhes; the blues music of the American musicians Boise Sturdevant and Blind Lemon Jefferson, and the sacred songs of the Deep South. A new addition to the song cycle is a striking piece written by Galás called "The World Has Gone Up In Flames", which premiered at Royce Hall (UCLA) November 2001. Galás warns that, even in death, those that were chosen to die have not been defeated nor are they forgotten. "My death is written in a rock that cannot be broken."

The work is concerned with the poet/author living in exile, away from his homeland. DEFIXIONES, WILL AND TESTAMENT speaks for individuals who have had to live as outlaws, as they were treated as outlaws; and for those who have had to create houses out of rock.

DEFIXIONES, WILL AND TESTAMENT is dedicated to the forgotten and erased of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Anatolian Greek genocides which occurred between 1914 and 1923.

Text: Diamanda Galás.com

...Singer and pianist, poet and composer, emissary and philosopher, Diamanda reminds us the voice is an instrument that needs to be more than just something finely honed and rigorously developed; it is the blade that cuts us all to the heart.

Text: Richard Morrison, June 2003

Text: Diamanda Galás with excerpts from Farewell Anatolia, By Dido Soteriou, translation [in italics] by Fred A. Reed for Kedros, Greece

Revelations

Bless you for your anger,
It’s a sign of rising energy.
Transform the energy to versatility
and it will bring you prosperity

Bless you for your sorrow,
It’s a sign of vulnerability.
Transform the energy to sympathy
and it will bring you love

Bless you for your greed,
It’s a sign of great capacity.
Transform the energy to giving,
Give as much as you wish to take
and you will receive satisfaction

Bless you for your jealousy,
It’s a sign of empathy.
Transform the energy to admiration
And what you admire
will become part of your life

Bless you for your fear,
It’s a sign of wisdom.
Transform the energy to flexibility
and you will be free from what you fear

Bless you for your search of direction.
Transform the energy to receptivity
and the direction will come to you

Bless you for the times you see evil.
Evil feeds on your support. feed not and it will self-destruct.
Shed light and it will cease to be

Bless you for the times you feel no love.
Open your heart to life anyway
In time you will find love in you.

You are a sea of goodness,
You are a sea of love.
Bless you, bless you, bless you,
Bless you for what you are.

Count your blessings every day for they are your protection
Which stand between you and what you wish not.

Count your curses and there will be a wall
Which stand between you and what you wish.

The world has all that you need
You have the power to attract what you wish.
Wish for health, wish for joy,
Remember, you are loved.

The world has all that you need
And you have the power to attract what you wish.
Wish for health, wish for joy,
Remember, you are loved.

I love you...

Text: Yoko Ono

It's been almost a year! Time flies... Happy 71st Yoko! 02.18.1933

Respire

Approche toi petit écoute moi gamin je vais te raconter l'histoire de l'être humain Au début y'avait rien au début c'était bien la nature avançait y'avait pas de chemin puis l'homme a débarqué avec ses gros souliers Les coups de pieds dans la gueule pour se faire respecter Les routes a sens unique qu'il s'est mis à tracer Les flèches dans la plaine se sont multipliées Et tous les éléments se sont vus maitrisés En deux temps trois mouvements l'histoire était pliée C'est pas de mal à veille qu'on fera marche arrière On a même commencé à polluer le désert

Il faut que tu respires
Et ça c'est rien de le dire
Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Et ç'est pas rien de le dire

D'ici quelques années on aura bouffé la feuille
Et tes petits enfants ils n'auront plus qu'un oeil
En plein milieu du front ils te demanderont
Pourquoi toi t'en as deux tu passeras pour un con
Ils te diront comment t'as pu laisser faire ça
T'aura beau te défendre leur expliquer tout bas
C'est pas ma faute à moi c'est la faute aux anciens
Mais y'aura plus personne pour te laver les mains
Tu leur raconteras l'époque où tu pouvais
manger des fruits dans l'herbe allongé dans les prés
Y'avait des animaux partout dans la foret
Au début du printemps les oiseaux revenaient

Il faut que tu respires
Et ça c'est rien de le dire
Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Et ç'est pas rien de le dire

Il faut que tu respires
Et ça c'est rien de le dire
Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Et ç'est pas rien de le dire

Le pire dans cette histoire c'est qu'on est des esclaves
Quelquepart assassins ici bien incapables
De regarder les arbres sans se sentir coupable
A moitie défroqués 100% misérables
Alors voila petit l'histoire de l'être humain
C'est pas joli joli et je connais pas la fin
T'es pas né dans un choux mais plutot dans un trou
Qu'on remplit tous les jours comme une fosse à purin

Il faut que tu respires
Et ça c'est rien de le dire
Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Et ç'est pas rien de le dire

Text: Mickey 3D

I'm reposting. I just got their CD Tu Vas Pas Mourir De Rire in the mail yesterday. Caught my attention the first time about a year ago. Their videos Respire and the lull'ing sound of the accordian from Ma Grand-Mère [RealOne Player]. Breatheeee...

Carmen

Carmen tells me what she's done
Says she's having fun
Wants to be a mum

Copper hair and golden smile
Sparkles all the while
But life can be a trial

Carmen's in a world of pain
Don't cry now for yesterday
Baby's gone but she's okay

Carmen tells me where she's been
Nightmares that she's seen
Makes me want to scream

Hear the things that she's been through
Grey and black and blue
Life can be so cruel

Sit down here and take a drink
Tell me about everything
And he shrugs and then he winks again

Chocolate box and photograph
Life is hard and life is tough
Carmen smiles and then she laughs again

It's time we started heading home now
I've made mistakes along the way
It makes no sense but I'm okay now
It's happened again
I guess I'll live another day

Sit down here and take a drink
Tell me about everything
And he shrugs and then he winks again

Chocolate box and photograph
Life is hard and life is tough
Carmen smiles and then she laughs again

Bah-bah-bah-dah-bah-dah-dah
Bah-bah-bah-dah-bah-dah-dah
Bah-bah-bah-dah-bah-dah-dah...

Text: Anderson / Berenyi

Such a poppy tune! Though this song's made me cry a good few times... Listening to it again today - happysad. Such as life! mp3

"bah-bah-bah-dah-bah-dah-dah......"

I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend

Sitting here so close
Together
So far we're just friends
But I've been wondering whether

I, am just imagining
You, do you really have a thing for me?
Like I think I see
When I see you smile
And the smile's for me
I've gotta tell ya...

Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Trying to say I wanna be your number one
Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Gonna make you love me 'fore I'm done!

Late at night when I
When I can't sleep
Picture in my mind
I see you and me

I, am telling you what I wanna be
You, you say you are in love with me
You know, feels so good in a dream
that I know in life
It's just got to be
I've gotta tell ya...

Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Trying to say I wanna be your number one
Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Gonna make you love me 'fore I'm done

Gonna make you love me
Yeah I'm gonna make you love me
Yeah I'm gonna make you love me from now on...

I, am just imagining
You, do you really have a thing for me?
Like I think I see
When I see you smile
And the smile's for me
I've gotta tell ya...

Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Trying to say I wanna be your number one
Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Gonna make you love me 'fore I'm
Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Hey, you! I wanna be your girlfriend
Gonna make you love me
Yeah, I'm gonna make you love me
Yeah, I'm gonna make you love me 'fore I'm done!!!

Text: Dunbar / Gargwer; covered by Lush

Couldn't resist, this one's for you Todd! heh... Not that I wanna be YOUR girlfriend [you prolly have guys lining 'round the block for you I bet], but it's just a fun song and thot that you might like a listen... Ah, the essence of bliss-pop! mp3 [3.9mb]

Hope everyone to have a sugar-coated Valentine's Day on the 14th! Sweetness & light....

I Have The Moon

We have walked in ancient times
And we've been burned for many crimes
We have ended many lives
But we never really died

You have the sun, I have the moon

You have to fly around the world all day
To keep the sun upon your face
I'd like to come and comfort you
But I'd be blinded by the blue

You have the sun, I have the moon

You're going to die under the sun
And I'll be doomed to carry on
You have become like other men
But let me kiss you once again

You have the sun, I have the moon

Text: Stephin Merritt; covered by Lush

It's a lovely tune... Eric, this one's for you! mp3 [4.5mb]

Margerine Rock

The beauty of this creature could only be equaled by
The extent of its paradox only be equaled by
Because it wanted two things
Opposite and conflicting

It wanted the light it wanted everything in sight
Wanted to dominate or at least to participate
But only in the comfort
Of its chair and its slippers

The curiosity of the extraordinary creatue
Was indeed limited because it could not suffer
The unknown in any shape or form
At the same time of wanting to look everywhere

Set up at the top of its tower
The creature reveled in being a spectator
Through the glass what a glorious view
Relishing the gift of so much transparence
Having had absolutely no influence

Text: Stereolab

I'd Like To Walk Around In Your Mind

I'd like to walk around in your mind some day
I'd like to walk all over the things you say to me
I'd like to run and jump on your solitude
I'd like to rearrange your attitude to me

You say you just want peace and you'd never hurt anyone
You see the end before the beginning is ever begun

I would disturb your lazy tranquility
I'd turn away the sad impossibility of your smile

I'd sit there hearing the sound of the things I like about you
I'd sing my songs and find out just what they mean to you

But most of all I'd like you to be unaware
And I'd just wander away trailing palm leaves behind me
So you don't even know that I've been there

Text: Unknown

Classic Moments

I know I've been talking about the late Anita Mui Yim-Fong a lot lately, I wasn't even a fan... I didn't know any of her songs prior to her parting, having only seen movies of hers here and there... Grieving, a person whom I've never met... a strange bit! Yet it's not her music or her movies...

I've been reading many articles about Anita since her death... That she lost her father when she was very young. After that, at the age of 4, she and her sister had to perform at this local run-down theme park [yeah, I've been there when I was just a wee boy! My dad used to take me, and 'run-down' is an understatement!] to earn additional income for the family. When she won her singing contest in the 80's, she wasn't an overnight sensation either... it was years later that she finally got the attention and the support from the public! In the late 80's, she starred in Rouge, her most well-known film to date, partnered [in many films together] with the late Leslie Cheung, whom also died in 2003, April. Leslie was one of her one true friend.
She discovered her terminal condition less than 2 years ago before her death. She underwent Western and Eastern cancer treatment and doctors also told her that she must have a hysterectomy... She refused because she was still thinking of getting married, and eventually, having children... a family of her own. That might've been a 'stupid' mistake to most people, but she listened to her own voice, stood by it, and that's what mattered to her. Anita was a strong woman 'til the very end, a woman of bravery and integrity, a woman of chance... She was also famous for contributing and making donations to numerous charity organizations.

So I got her Anita Classic Moment Live CD set the other day, and I've been listening to it ever since. It was an 8-day run concert held in November of 2003; 2 months after she made public about her illness, and a month before she passed. People didn't think she could do it, but she proved to them and to herself, that she did. What she said during the concert [inbetween songs] really made an impression on me [they were actual tracks on the CDs, I've made translation below for 3 of the tracks, gosh I'm such a cheese-ball!!!]... Anyway, maybe this will be my last entry about Anita...

Anita & Leslie, may you both find each other in heaven, again...
Spoken words from CD:
/////
...In the past few months, many things have happened... I just realised, life is melancholy, yet ironic... whether if it's my own personal business or the SARS incident in HK, many, many questions have been asked yet unanswered... Also the last few months I've lost my [few] only true friends... I've been very sad and somber... I asked and I asked myself again: "Am I going to go on... like this?" If my friends now knew the answer, they would be heartbroken... even for my friends who have past on, I think they wouldn't want to see me this way...

That's why, I tell myself - I live to live, no matter... whatever happens tomorrow, I have to work hard on whatever I do today... with full vigour, no matter how difficult, to face my tomorrow... I want to make this concert a lengthy one, probably because I feel a need to 'push myself to the limit', and I think everyone needs this hope and drive to go on... We can't tell people that we just give up, on what we have, on this lifetime, because it was given to us by the 'sky-above'... I hope you all will like the songs I picked out for you all in the next set, to see if they're appropriate, and to your liking...

/////
...It's been a pleasure and an honour to be a singer/entertainer, especially when I feel the love and the support from all my fans, I feel very happy and content... Yet now, I don't see our relationship as simply being 'a performer and her fans', right now, I see you all as my very good 'old friends'... Because I think we've known each other for more than a decade now, or else I wouldn't have called you all - my dear 'old friends'... That's why the next song, is truly for all my very good, very good, very good fans... for you all, my "old friends" [in English]...
/////
...[The last act, Anita came out in a wedding dress] Thank you everyone... Do I look pretty in a wedding gown? [audience cheered!] I've always been a singer, though I'm also an actor, wearing a wedding gown tonight isn't my first time, but not a single time I wore it for myself... Maybe this is my only regret in life... but I have my love from all of you, and you all have been here to fill this void... I'm very blessed, for I am married to my music, and I am married to my fans...

This is my last song, to give to you all... I feel that everyday, that the sunrise and sunset are so beautiful... yet fleeting... we should truly treasure what we have today, what's around us, right now... or else, in a heartbeat, everything is gone...

Images: Top picture from Ming Pao Weekly, HK; Anita Classic Moment Live CD insert

The Last Song

Today was Anita Mui's funeral. I wish I were in Hong Kong, I would've waited for the few hours, to bid my final farewell. Big White Guy, a.k.a. Randall, was there, the writer/blogger who resides in HK with his wife Mabel. I often times read his blog to get my news and information about HK. Here's his entry on today's procession.

The following is an excerpt from The Star Online:

Less than a year after thousands of people in Hong Kong turned out for singer/actor Leslie Cheung’s funeral, thousands will line the streets once again today to send off Anita Mui. Mui – a close friend of Cheung who was present at his funeral – passed away on Dec 30 at the age of 40, having lost her battle against cervical cancer. She leaves behind a mother and two brothers, and a legacy of songs, films and charity works.

Although Mui will be best remembered for her illustrious career in showbiz, there was another side to the superstar that is equally cherished by people whose lives she touched.

As a person, Mui was generous and straightforward, one who valued friendship. Colleagues in Hong Kong’s entertainment circle have come forward with tales of Mui’s generosity, how she had made personal sacrifices to help a friend without being asked, and without expectation.

Mui's fans from Indonesia grieving over her death outside the Hong Kong Funeral Home. The five-time winner of Hong Kong’s best female singer award once said: “Many people thought I’ve made a lot of money. But actually my biggest gain is friendship. When I was frustrated, many friends were concerned and gave me support. It is such a precious feeling when you have so many friends who can help you.”

Acting as mentor to many of Hong Kong’s new acts, she played a huge role in building the careers of several Hong Kong stars, including Andy Hui and her former back-up dancers Grasshopper.

A devout Buddhist, Mui was known for her charity work, having organised numerous fund-raisers and donating a substantial sum of money to good causes. In 1993, she set up the Anita Mui True Heart Charity Foundation, and held a charity concert in Toronto, Canada, and a charity dinner in Hong Kong to raise funds for the foundation. She also donated HK$1mil (RM500,000) to the Tung Wah Hospital Group and helped found its seniors’ centre, while another generous donation resulted in Hong Kong’s Queen Mary Hospital naming an orthopaedic surgical theatre after her.

Her generosity was not limited to the former British colony alone. The Mayor of San Francisco once declared April 18, 1992, as well as Oct 26 the following year as “Anita Mui Day”, to honour her work in raising funds for the nursing home that bears her name.

During the height of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak early last year, Mui initiated the fund-raising 1:99 Concert at the Hong Kong Stadium to help raise spirits and money for families affected by the disease. The event raised over HK$18mil (RM9mil).

Last month, she published her book, Heart of the Modern Woman (Xian Dai Nu Ren Xin), and dedicated proceeds from the book to the Children’s Cancer Foundation of Hong Kong.

Mui went public with her illness on Sept 6 last year. At a press conference, she vowed to beat the cancer and to carry on for her fans. In November she held a series of eight concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum, and later in the month she was in Japan to shoot a commercial. But her condition took a turn for the worse when she returned to Hong Kong and she was admitted to hospital.

Even after death, her generosity continues, as she had pledged to donate her organs upon her demise.

Despite all that she has achieved in life, Mui once said that her biggest regret was not finding her Mr Right. The talk within the industry was that Mui held a torch for Hong Kong actor/singer Andy Lau all these years, but Mui had always maintained that they were good friends, and made no secret about her fondness for him.

It was widely reported in Hong Kong newspapers that Mui had known about her illness in the year 2000, but deferred treatment which might involve hysterectomy as she was holding out for marriage and having children.

Compiled by Michael Cheang from Sin Chew Daily, Shenzhen Daily

As We Could Ever

I think sometimes, sometimes I think
If only could we...
And reasons exist for reasons unknown
Where were wild things were once

If what you give is what you have
Then what you have to give
Is everything of what we share
Of all we need to live

Within one way, this way is mine
We spent a day beside
Came up out her eyes it's turning inside
Coughed up a swallow

If what you share is what you have
Then what you have to share
Is anything as real as dreams
And still afraid to dare
A given is taken, stay hidden inside

Text: Warren Defever

You Little Shits

There are worlds within the world
Within the world there are worlds

The situation is the universe of man
As the measure of all things
Understand that you are another world in miniature
And that in you there are the sun, the moon and also stars
Man as the messenger of being
By analogy flesh and bones of man derive from earth
His blood from water, his breath from air
And body heat from fire

Text: Stereolab

Teardrop

Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Fearless on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me makes me lighter
Fearless on my breath

Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath

Night, night of matter
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath
Black flowers blossom
Fearless on my breath

Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath

Water is my eye
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Of a confession
Fearless on my breath
Most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath

Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath

Stumbling a little
Stumbling a little

Text: Del Naja / Marshall / Vowles / Fraser

There Are More Snakes Than Ladders

What'd you say
Do you know the way
Shall we quit this place

Play with toys
'Til we make no noise
And we won't lose face

You've gotta be joking
You've gotta be joking
You've gotta be...
Joking, joking
You've gotta be
Joking, joking

One and three
'Til you vote for me
And you won't fall down

Set you free
In a sour milk sea
Follow this year's clown

You've gotta be joking
You've gotta be joking
You've gotta be...
Joking, joking
You've gotta be
Joking, joking

There's more snakes than ladders
At this point in time
There's more snakes than ladders
Now we throw the dice

So uptight
Can't you see the light
You gotta turn around

Under rats
Handed to the traps
'Til we all sleep sound

You've gotta be joking
You've gotta be joking
You've gotta be..
Joking, joking
You've gotta be
Joking, joking

There's more snakes than ladders
At this point in time
There's more snakes than ladders
Now we throw the dice

There's more snakes than ladders
At this point in time
There's more snakes than ladders
Now we throw the dice...

Text: Captain Sensible & Tony Mansfield

Remember the Captain? He had so many great tunes for an under-rated artist! This song's almost 20 years old. 1984 to be egg-xact, the year I graduated high school... An import single [vinyl] back then was a mere $3.99 - you can barely get a Happy Meal with that price now a days! [Hey, what about a Happysad Meal? That would be fun-knee!] Kid: "What da @#$%!!"

So I just got this Captain's The Collection CD yesterday in the mail... So nice!! "Happy talk keep talkin' happy talk..." Hmm... can't explain it, well, maybe I can! It's just one of life's simple pleasures: To revisit something familiar and dear.

"If you don't talk happy and you never have a dream, then you'll never have a dream come true!"

Flesh & Steel

Re-listening to this particular song makes me go limber... Relaxed - inside a giant soapy bubble - in a pre-mature state. Remembering Mary...

SPINAL COLUMN
I got a spine so I can move around
It's so supple it gets me really high
It stretches, keeping "the man" alive
I got a spine so I can modulate
Also enables me to concentrate
The spinal column a flexible tool
It is harmless but very powerful
I got a spine so I can move around
I got a spine helping me "exercise"
I got a spine so I can move around
I got a spine keeping me oh so "sound"

Text: Stereolab
Version: KCRW Rare On Air, No. 3

Hits!

And they're still making sweet sweet music!!!

Image: Jason Evans; erasureinfo.com

Happy Times

The other day while I was driving by myself on the freeway, I was listening to this old song by Lush [written by Stephin Merritt], I love the song... At then, I felt elated, happy - and content... A familiar tune...

It was a song about lovelorn and heartbreak!

Somewhat strange: Being happy listening to a sad song.

Downer

In me you'll see
Dirt flows freely
But you may find
That my thoughts are unkind

Pure life needs knife
Cuts off my life
But as you see
Hurting you you bless me

I always wanted to cry
After the act
Close my eyes
I always longed for the deep
Then I just wanted to sleep

Blood stream cruel dream
Never make clean
Down by my side I feel safe when I hide
So can you see that the thought are for me

Text: Emma Anderson

More Than This

Ah, I remember my very first time dropping acid with my good friend [ironic innit?] Martin, back in the early 90's, I first heard this song... The combination of the two was wondrous and beautiful! I was amazed how true the lyrics hold to my heart! Very strange but not within reach. It was like putting these dream glasses on. The few times that I did acid, I was always with Martin, and we would drive up to Griffin Park everytime, find a good spot and just sit... overlooking the city, the skies and beyond. The trees were greener, the skies were bluer and the city was calmer...

I still look at life much the same way... See what I can see, learn what I can and maybe share whatever I have - if you want it... and be at that. Try not to look for too many answers but to appreciate what's I've been given... here and now.

Listening to the song now.... I never got to say goodbye to Martin. I miss him so.

"Goodbye Martin!"

MORE THAN THIS
I could feel at the time
There was no way of knowing
Fallen leaves in the night
Who can say where they're blowing?
As free as the wind
Hopefully learning
Why the sea on the tide
Has no way of turning

More than this
You know there's nothing
More than this
Tell me one thing
More than this
There's nothing

It was fun for a while
There was no way of knowing
Like a dream in the night
Who can say where we're going?
No care in the world
Maybe I'm learning
Why the sea on the tide
Has no way of turning

More than this
You know there's nothing
More than this
Tell me one thing
More than this
No, there's nothing
More than this, nothing
More than this
More than this, nothing

Text: Bryan Ferry

Out TODAY!

THE NEW CD 99 CENTS IS SO FINGA LICKIN GOOD YOU WILL BE, ERM, LICKIN YOUR FINGERS (AND SOME OTHER BODY PARTS) WHEN YOU HIT THE PLAY BUTTON...99C SEE DA CHICKS TAKING MAJOR QUANTUM LEAPS WITH THEIR TRADEMARK CONCEPTUAL TRASHING. YOU CAN CALL IT ELECTROCLASH BUT ITS TRULY A NEW HORIZON! SINGLES "FASHION RULES" AND "WE DON'T PLAY GUITARS" SET THE TONE FOR MASSIVE YET CRITICAL KIDDY DANCE STOMPERS, WITH EXTRA WEIRD AND WONDERFUL STUFF HAPPENING IN BETWEEN...AN ULTIMATE COVER VERSION FOR TOM-TOM CLUB'S "WORDY RAPPIN HOOD"; "SHICK SHAVING", A SLAB OF PURE INSANITY FEATURING MISS KITTIN; "COVENTRY", AN ELECTRO R 'N' B TUNE TO MAKE YOU SHAKE YOUR HIPS AND SHED A TEAR AT THE SAME TIME; "CULTURE VULTURE", AN ANTHEM FOR THE NOUGHTIES WITH A TRUMPET PART...AND MUCH MORE...DON'T FORGET THE WE DON'T PLAY GUITAR VIDEO AND A HIDDEN EVIL TRACK. AN ALBUM FOR THE HEAD AND FOR THE ASS. GET IT WHILE ITS STILL LEGAL!

Text & Image: Chicks On Speed

Black November

Both Defixiones, Will and Testament and La Serpenta Canta will be out late November. Yummy! Also check out Austin Young's portfolio, definitely worth a look if you're into photo portraits!

Image: Austin Young
Music: Chicks On Speed - Shooting From The Hip

Freak

Nothing to blog really, but this morning my cousin Mike sent me a link to a music video named Freak [Quicktime] by LFO. Quite refreshing, reminded me of my old school daze...

Music: Andrea Doria - Bucci Bag [Rauhofer's Reconstruction Mix]

99 Cents - Prelaunch

Chicks On Speed's 99 Cents out 09/29th. Check out their version of Tom Tom Club's Wordy Rappinghood, and the We Don't Play Guitars video, they're way fun and the video has Peaches in it... hmm... She is quite a performer in concert I must say [especially with her dildo trick]! Take a lick look at her Crotch Gallery, you think people would be tired of her crotch already... no?

Image: Tina Frank
Video: Deborah Schamoni

Severance

Severance...
The birds of leaving call to us
Yet here we stand
Endowed with the fear of flight

Overland...
The winds of change consume the land
While we remain
In the shadow of summers now past

When all the leaves have fallen
And turned to dust
Will we remain entrenched within our ways?

Indifference...
The plague that moves throughout this land
Omen signs
In the shapes of things to come

Text: Brendan Perry

Starry, Starry Night

I ordered one of those Timelife Music CD set with all the 70's classic hits... I ripped the ones that I love to my 'puter awhile back, recently I burned them onto CD-R's. Artists like Dan Fogelberg, Bread, Don Mclean, Cat Stevens, Judy Collins, Anne Murray, Rita Coolidge, Dan Hill, Gerry Rafferty, Gilbert O'Sullivan, The Commodores, Chicago and the like... too many to mention, all the good stuff, to me, all the really good stuff...

Take any song/tune that you remember dearly when you were growing up... May it be a commercial jingle, the theme to a television show, a timeless track or a no-namer... But that sound, that certain sound - the chorus, the lyrics, the music, the particular way the song was sang, the melody... The way it made you feel, way back when... Listening to it again, feeling good... remembering the good old days... your youth, the good times and the bad times... all rushing back with a single tune...

Rummage through your memory lane, the crevices of time, maybe you'll remember, maybe not. But when that certain song comes on, you'll know it then, you'll remember hearing it just like yesterday... It's strange, a whole lotta truth can be told from revisiting an old 3-minute song... happysad!

VINCENT
Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they did not how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you Vincent
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They did not listen they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will

Written and performed by Don Mclean

To Bridget

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to sing.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to meet.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to live.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to dream.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to see.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to meet.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to live.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to fly.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to live.

Remember love, remember love,
Love is what it takes to fly.

Remember love, remember love.

Love -
Remember love.

Love -

Love.

Remember Love; lyrics by Yoko Ono

The Dance

In a field of cinders where Armenian life was still dying, a German woman, trying not to cry told me the horror she witnessed:

"This thing I'm telling you about,
I saw with my own eyes,
behind my window of hell
I clenched my teeth
and watched the town of Bardez turn
into a heap of ashes.
The corpses were piled high as trees,
and from the springs,
from the streams and the road,
the blood was a stubborn murmur,
and still calls revenge in my ear.

Don't be afraid;
I must tell you what I saw,
so people will understand
the crimes men do to men.
For two days, by the road to the graveyard...

Let the hearts of the world understand.
It was Sunday morning,
the first useless Sunday dawning on the corpses.
From down to dusk I had been in my room
with a stabbed woman -
my tears wetting her death -
when I heard from afar
a dark crown standing in a vineyard
lashing twenty brides
and singing filthy songs.

Leaving the half-dead girl on the straw mattress,
I went to the balcony of my window
and the crowd seemed to thicken like a clump of trees.
An animal of a man shouted,
"You must dance,
dance when our drum beats."
With fury whips cracked
on the flesh of these women.
Hand in hand the brides began their circle dance.
Now, I envied my wounded neighbor
because with a calm snore she cursed
the universe and gave up her soul to the stars...

"Dance," they raved,
"dance till you die, infidel beauties
with your flapping tits, dance!
Smile for us. You're abandoned now,
you're naked slaves,
so dance like a bunch of fuckin' sluts.
We're hot for your dead bodies."
Twenty graceful brides collapsed.
"Get up," the crowd screamed,
brandishing their swords.

Then someone brought a jug of kerosene.
Human justice, I spit in your face.
The brides were anointed.
"Dance," they thundered -
"here's a fragrance you can't get in Arabia."

With a torch, they set
the naked brides on fire.
And the charred bodies rolled
and tumbled to their deaths...

I slammed my shutters,
sat down next to my dead girl and asked:
"How can I dig out my eyes?"

Text: Siamanto (Atom Yarjanian)
English translation: Peter Balakian and Nevart Yaghlian
Performed by Diamanda Galás - Defixiones, Will and Testament

Orders From The Dead

Image: diamandagalas.com Music: Diamanda Galás - This is the Law of the Plague

Both Sides Now

Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's cloud's illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
When every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughin' when you go
And if you care don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say, "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
But something's lost but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

Text: Joni Mitchell; Performed by Judy Collins

Kaltes Klares Wasser

Music: Chicks On Speed - Pana Rip-Off

The Cold Song

What power art thou
Who from below
Hast made me rise
Unwillingly and slow
From beds of everlasting snow.

See'st thou not how stiff
And wondrous old
Far unfit to bear the bitter cold.

I can scarcely move
Or draw my breath
Let me, let me
Freeze again
Let me, let me
Freeze again to death.

Text: Henry Purcell

Simple Man

"They made me wear a plastic bag when I visited him," recalls Joey Arias.

"I wasn't allowed to touch him. After a few weeks, he seemed to get better. He was strong enough to walk around. So he left the hospital and went home. His manager was making him sign all these papers, like we'll give you $500 if you sign your life away one more time. He developed kaposis [lesions associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, a rare skin cancer linked with AIDS] and started taking Interferon. That messed him up real bad. He had dots all over his body and his eyes became purple slits. It was like someone was destoying him.

He used to make fun of it. He'd say 'Just call me dotty Nomi.' Then he got real weak and was rushed back to the hospital. He couldn't eat for days because he had cancer in his stomach. Herpes popped out all over his body. He turned into a monster. It hurt me so much to see him. I talked to him on the night of August fifth. He said, 'Joey, what am I going to do? They don't want me in the hospital anymore. They pulled all the plugs. I have to stop all this stuff because I'm not getting any better.'

I had this dream of Klaus getting strong and singing again - only he'd be a little deformed, so he'd have to stay behind a screen or something. 'You'll be the phantom of the opera,' I told him. 'We'll do shows together again.' 'Yeah, maybe,' he said. But Klaus died in his sleep that night."

Text: From sperber was his real name

SIMPLE MAN [excerpt]
I'm, I'm just a simple man
I have to do the simple things that a simple man - can,
You, are holding out your hand
You want to know the simple things, and my simple plan, and...

I know there's so much to share
So what else can I do?

Yes I'm a simple man
Come now and take my hand
Now and forever, never to be lonely

Yes I'm a simple man
I do the best I can
Now and together, just remember only
That I'm a simple man

That I'm a simple man
I do the best I can
I got a simple, simple plan
I hope you understand

I'm just a simple man
I'm holding out my hand
It's such a simple, simple plan
I feel you understand

I can see you look to me,
So what else can I do?

Yes I'm a simple man
Come now and take my hand
Now and forever, never to be lonely

Yes I'm a simple man
I do the best I can
Now and together, just remember only...

It's so simple!

The Cold Genius

Sometimes I wish I were more like Klaus, so bold and fearless... His career was just getting started in the early 80's [remember he backed David Bowie on Saturday Night Live way back when? Martin Sheen was the host that week!], then he passed away in the midst of it all, of AIDS in 1983. He did mostly cover songs, and every single one, I thought, was a work of art - the one and only Nomi way. Songs like Can't Help Falling In Love, Just One Look, You Don't Own Me, I Feel Love, Der Nussbaum, the notorious Ding Dong from the Wizard of Oz, and The Cold Song by Henry Purcell!

Here's The Twist mp3 [2.9MB] and The Cold Song mp3 [3.8MB].

PS. One might think it's silly, but I used to tear up often whenever I played his songs. I couldn't help it. I think I've gotten to 'know' him better through listening to his music and the way he sang and portrayed himself and such, I can't explain it, I feel sad whenever I listen to him, but I also feel good that I've come to know his work... His life was cut short from fighting the AIDS virus, ironically, NOMI - turned 180° clockwise - reads I WON!

Music: Klaus Nomi - Death

It'll End In Tears

This Mortal Coil's post project The Hope Blister, did a wonderful rendition of Neil Halstead's song, which I absolutely adore:

DAGGER
The sunshine girl is sleeping
She falls and dreams alone
And me I am her dagger
Too numb to feel the pain

The world is full of noise, yeah
I hear it all the time
And me I am your dagger
You know I am your wound

I thought I heard you whisper
It happens all the time...

Music: The Hope Blister - Dagger

Yours, Mine & Ours

The Pernice Brothers will be at Spaceland, Los Angeles this July 4th. $8 cover. Nice! When was the last time I saw a band with that kinda price for cover charge? Never!!! I got the tickets online, and wasn't through TicketBastard either! Double nice! NPR Interview

Music: Pernice Brothers - Number Two

All Is Full Of Love

Image: Bjork.com

We Don't Play Guitars

Image: Chick On Speed.com Music: Chicks On Speed - Kaltes Klares Wasser

[Nothing But] Blood

The open ends are the key! For every thing they do, there need never be another... mp3 [2.3mb]

WITH TOMORROW
It was more like a dream than reality
I must have thought it was a dream while you were here with me
When you were near I didn't think you would leave
When you were gone it was too much to believe

So with tomorrow, I will borrow
Another moment of joy and sorrow
And another dream, and another, with tomorrow…

So if there some day won't be time just to look behind
There won't be reasons, no descriptions for my place and mind
There was so much I was told that wasn't real
So many things that I could not taste but I could feel

So with tomorrow, I will borrow
Another moment of joy and sorrow
And another dream, and another, with tomorrow…

Image: This Mortal Coil - Blood [CD insert]

Thinking Is Not Necessary v2.0

More hardcore and insane, surreal and yet beautiful as ever... the works of Christian Fennesz, Jim O'Rourke & Peter Rehberg. Again, with artwork & regurgitation process by the infamous Chicks...

THE FLOATING PYRAMID OVER FRANKFURT THAT THE TAXI DRIVER SAW WHEN HE WAS LANDING
My hair monster her name is Fenn O'Berg
In her sperm-stained jeans
She knows that diamonds aren't a girl's best friend
But this is much better than what money can buy...
Choice!

Image: The Return of Fenn O'Berg; artwork by Chicks On Speed

Inconsiderate Bitch / Emotional Wench

What a treat, finally seeing Lisa herself in person. I missed my chance the last time a few years back when she fronted the Eels, something came up and the show was cancelled. Anyhow, she played at Amoeba tonight I was the first person to get her autograph. I saw her coming out from the back half hour prior to the show... I told her 'getting an autograph is so high school', she told me that it wasn't and that it was a very sweet gesture! I only smiled back...

She's so wonderful & kind, much like her music... Gonna see her again this Friday at Largo. Can't wait...

KCRW: Lisa Germano live on Morning Becomes Eclectic

NOBODY'S PLAYING
These are your secrets
Hidden inside
Wherever you go
Wherever you hide
Nobody's playing
Nobody knows

Circles and circles
Places to drown
All that you feel
Is you're going down
Everyone's wondering
Where you are

Circles and circles
Holding you down
All that you see
Is you're not around
Somebody knows
How this feels

Nobody's playing
No one comes near
No one can tell you
What you won't hear

Thinking Is Not Necessary v1.0

Documenting the live collaboration of Christian Fennesz, Jim O'Rourke & Peter Rehberg. Nice experimental stuff...

Image: The Magic Sound of Fenn O'Berg; artwork by Chicks On Speed

Geek The Girl

Hi, this is the story of geek the girl, a girl who is confused about how to be sexual and cool in the world but finds out she isn't cool and gets constantly taken advantage of sexually, gets kind of sick and enjoys giving up but at the end still tries to believe in something beautiful and dreams of still loving a man in hopes that he can save her from her shit life.......... ha ha ha what a geek!

Music: Lisa Germano - Cancer Of Everything

Black Spring

...and you are only beautiful! Get ready for Black Spring, again...

Music: Lush - Nothing Natural

Mickey 3D

Another blog about music... Found this recently, check out the Respire video, I think it's nicely executed, the story's been done before I'm sure, but the animation is wonderful. The lyrics is interesting and I think it's just something to think about... [The English is just a ruff translation.] The song Tu Dis Mais Ne Sais Pas is nice too, a hippy trippy tune, and Ma Grand-Mère is just sweet! 'O those French...

RESPIRE
Approche toi petit écoute moi gamin
je vais te raconter l'histoire de l'être humain
Au début y'avait rien au début c'était bien
la nature avançait y'avait pas de chemin
puis l'homme a débarqué avec ses gros souliers
Les coups de pieds dans la gueule pour se faire respecter
Les routes a sens unique qu'il s'est mis à tracer
Les flèches dans la plaine se sont multipliées
Et tous les éléments se sont vus maitrisés
En deux temps trois mouvements l'histoire était pliée
C'est pas de mal à veille qu'on fera marche arrière
On a même commencé à polluer le désert

Il faut que tu respires
Et ça c'est rien de le dire
Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Et ç'est pas rien de le dire

D'ici quelques années on aura bouffé la feuille
Et tes petits enfants ils n'auront plus qu'un oeil
En plein milieu du front ils te demanderont
Pourquoi toi t'en as deux tu passeras pour un con
Ils te diront comment t'as pu laisser faire ça
T'aura beau te défendre leur expliquer tout bas
C'est pas ma faute à moi c'est la faute aux anciens
Mais y'aura plus personne pour te laver les mains
Tu leur raconteras l'époque où tu pouvais
manger des fruits dans l'herbe allongé dans les prés
Y'avait des animaux partout dans la foret
Au début du printemps les oiseaux revenaient

Il faut que tu respires
Et ça c'est rien de le dire
Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Et ç'est pas rien de le dire

Il faut que tu respires
Et ça c'est rien de le dire
Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Et ç'est pas rien de le dire

Le pire dans cette histoire c'est qu'on est des esclaves
Quelquepart assassins ici bien incapables
De regarder les arbres sans se sentir coupable
A moitie défroqués 100% misérables
Alors voila petit l'histoire de l'être humain
C'est pas joli joli et je connais pas la fin
T'es pas né dans un choux mais plutot dans un trou
Qu'on remplit tous les jours comme une fosse à purin

Il faut que tu respires
Et ça c'est rien de le dire
Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Et ç'est pas rien de le dire

BREATHE
Come here little one and listen to me
I'm going to tell you the story of being human
In the beginning there was nothing and in the beginning everything was good
Nature moved forward without the need for a path
Then man arrived with his big shoes
Giving kicks to the face in order to get respect
The one-way streets that he planned
Arrows multiplied across the plain
And all the elements were controlled
In two or three moments, the story was changed
Tomorrow is not the eve of when we will reverse our direction
We have even begun to foul the deserts

You have to breathe
And that's saying a lot
You aren't going to die from laughing
And that's saying a lot

In a few years, the last leaf will have been gobbled up
And your children will only have one eye in the middle of their foreheads
They will ask you why you have two eyes
And you will be passed off and as a fraud
They will say to you "How could you have let this happen?"
And you will defend yourself, telling them very quietly
"It isn't my fault, it was the fault of people in the past"
But there won't be anyone left to wash your hands
You will tell them about the times when you could eat fruit in the long grass of the meadows
When there were animals everywhere in the forest
And how in the springtime the birds would come back

You have to breathe
And that's saying a lot
You aren't going to die from laughing
And that's saying a lot

You have to breathe
And that's saying a lot
You aren't going to die from laughing
And that's saying a lot

The worst part of the story is that we are slaves
And sometimes we are assassins who cannot look at trees without feeling guilty
Half defrocked and 100 percent miserable
And so there you have the story of being human
It isn't very happy and I don't know what the ending is
You weren't born in a cabbage patch but rather in a hole that one fills up everyday like a pit of manure

You have to breathe
And that's saying a lot
You aren't going to die from laughing
And that's saying a lot

It's tomorrow that everything will worsen

You have to breathe
And that's saying a lot
You aren't going to die from laughing
And that's saying a lot

Missing Miss Modular

I thought of this song today by Stereolab, must have something to do with last night's blog entry... mp3 [4.1mb]

THE INCREDIBLE HE-WOMAN
Month one Mary grows a mustache
In the second she grows a beard
In the third month her breasts fall off
The fourth month testicles appear
The fifth her penis shows its face
In the sixth month grows a foreskin
It took nine months made evident
Experience, she gave it hands
In the seventh month, Christ's sandals grow on her
In the eighth month, her chest becomes transparent
In the ninth wounds appear as Christ is apparent
And then she was Christ
And Mary disappeared

But their own Mary did disappear. Mary Hansen from the band past away December 10th of last year. I know she's not Kurt Cobain or Janis Joplin [drug overdosed? Ugh, never liked their music anyway!], she was just... Mary, the Miss Modular from Stereolab. Last year I found the following writing on the web by Joanne Huffa from Chart Attack.com... It made me sad, we were the same age.

Ten Reasons Why Mary Hansen Was Cool
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Stereolab’s Mary Hansen. Ms. Hansen, who joined the band as a singer in its early years and, along with Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier, became a core member, was in a cycling accident on Monday, Dec. 10th.

When I interviewed Hansen in 1996, during the tour for Emperor Tomato Ketchup, she was about as funny and generous as an interview subject could be. As much as it was part of her job, she gave the impression that she’d just as soon sit down and have a chat with a stranger than anything else she could possibly do. Plus she was wearing great orange sneakers with brown cords.

And so, in the spirit of orange sneakers, we bring you 10 reasons why Mary Hansen should be remembered fondly.

1. She provided all those excellent counter-points to Laetitia’s lead vocals on songs like "Ping-Pong," "Cybele’s Reverie" and "Pinball".

2. She joined Stereolab as a backing singer, occasionally playing keyboards and tambourine, but it wasn’t long before her guitar was adding to the layers of sound on ‘lab recordings.

3. She had a lovely Australian/English accent cuz she was from Brisbane, but lived in London.

4. When she died, she was riding a bike, not making noise pollution with a motorcycle or taking up too much space with an S.U.V.

5. She added her confident vocals to recordings by Brokeback, The High Llamas, Moonshake and Mouse On Mars. Plus, she engineered Brokeback’s Field Recordings from Cook County.

6. She was 36-years old and made her living making challenging and beautiful music that never pandered to popular taste.

7. "John Cage Bubblegum": Hansen’s first appearance in the ‘lab and a record that made hundreds of indie rock fans look up experimental composer Cage and re-consider their opinions of pop music.

8. Many Stereolab singles and other releases on their label, Duophonic, are huge collectors items and their shows always sell out, in spite never being heard on North American commercial radio.

9. She had red hair and freckles.

10. Nobody sang "ba ba bap ba" quite the same way she did. And no one ever will.

Hong Kong, 1976

If you can read it, I think it's one of the most heartfelt songs ever written in Chinese! If you've actually heard it and understood its meaning, then you'll never be able to forget it... mp3 [2.8mb]

2 Many Dj's

K, listening to 2 Many Dj's in the car while driving home from work, I figured I'm missing Part 3, so I decided to take a trip to Hollywood's Amoeba Music... Rather then finding Part 3, I ended up getting Part 4 & 5... Geez, I remember just like yesterday, when Part 2 came out [that actually was conceived prior to Part 1], now there are 5 discs. Hey, they're just kool, gotta admit... The mixes, well, check out the listing from 1 & 2.

Oh yeah, Part 2 has a hidden No. 0 track prior to Track 1, it's a hard/garage concoction of Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head. Unfortunately, it only works on certain CD players, and you'll have to start at the beginning of Track 1, and press and hold the Rewind button, NOT the Track Rewind button.

Music: 2 Many Dj's - As Heard On Radio Soulwax Part 4

...But They Will Feel It In The End!

Rilkean heart
I looked for you to give me transcendent experiences
To transport me out of self and aloneness and alienation
Into a sense of oneness and connection ecstatic and magical
I became a junkie for it
I came looking for the next high
And I'm sorry I've been putting the search on the wrong place

I understand that you're confused, feeling overwhelmed
Well that's a feeling state from then, the reality

With cleaning up my emotional life
And getting in touch with myself
I'm beginning to ground myself
In my own sense of being as an entity
One entity on the planet,
Becoming truly self-reliant
And become connected with something beyond me
That is where I have to go
I'm so sorry I've been putting the search on the wrong place

You're lost and don't know what to do
But that's not all of you
That's your reality today
And that is all okay

I understand that you're confused, feeling overwhelmed
Well that's a feeling state from then, the reality

Text: Cocteau Twins - Rilkean Heart

Girls & Boys

Driving home from work, listening to PSB's version of Blur's Girls & Boys, BITCHIN'!!

Girls who are boys
Who like boys to be girls
Who do boys like they