Dream Of The Red Chamber

'Dream Of The Red Chamber'  
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHING/DREAM.HTM  , rendered into Spanish as  'Sueño en el Pabellón Rojo' is a two-volume (1250 pages each) Chinese classic I enjoyed reading for over three weeks.

It left such a deep feeling of pleasure in my soul that I couldn't help going on to another classic I had just bought, 'Jing Ping Mei'. It's another two-volume set, but don't worry, this one is shorter (only 2000 pages). I think I'll finish it in a couple of days ( http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s7134.html ).Then I'll take a short break to let it settle on my mind and will start another trove (to me), 'Journey To The West' ('Viaje al Oeste' in its Spanish translation) -  http://www.chine-informations.com/fichiers/jourwest.pdf  -   I'm sure its nearly 2300 pages will not be a problem.
Take your time, turn off your TV set, sit comfortably and enjoy yourself. Remember that some books may lead you a lot farther away than the Internet. And after all there's plenty of time for everything if we want.
Best Wishes.

Maset del Lleó

Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 de Maset del Lleó 

This is my favourite red wine. Yearly awarded, not advertised (which keeps it very affordable), brought to your doorstep free of charge... a real bargain. And it's DELICIOUS.

By the way, I am just a customer.

Cheers.

BEACH HOUSE

BEACH HOUSE, a fresh and outstanding contribution to the impoverished world of popular music.
Calm and inspired sound for the Season. Victoria Legrand's sexy vocals are hazy and androgynous, like a stoned
late-night heart-to-heart in which no one's sure who is sleeping where. Beach
House sharpened their sound and hooks on their third album — what's surprising
is that it only made their music more mysterious, more magical. (From Rollingstone Magazine)
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/30-best-albums-of-2010-20101213/beach-house-teen-dream-19691231http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-wfb25WmV4  (Use this link for the official video).

THE DRUMS

LET'S GO SURFING, it's chilly (but NOT everywhere around the world).
THE DRUMS, a 'nice' band to pay attention to.

MAY YOU HAVE A BETTER YEAR

It's common knowledge that when one devotes most of his time to one thing, there's very little time left to devote to the rest.

I've read a few (just a few indeed) thousands of pages over the last months and I haven't found the time I needed to say hello. I'll tell you about in future posts.

Now it's time to wish you all the best for the new year, which is the same wish we all got 12 months ago and it seems it did not work much. I hope it does this time. I hope you have fun, learn a lot  from those who know by reading them or listening to them and then use all that knowledge to improve your quality of life.

Picture Info: Nativity scene and fine buildings from Brussels' La Grande Place (Big Square).

DAVID BOWIE xxx a must-have classic xxx

STARMAN was Bowie's first song to hit most people's ears, veins, hearts and brains. Enjoy it.



 
FIVE YEARS, the opening song of a masterpiece album called 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars' is so simple, so beautiful, so dramatic, so so... that you should try and sing it along.
 

"Scheherazade" by N. Rimsky-Korsakov and Leon Bakst

'Good things, if brief, are twice as good'. This might be an example. I was browsing through the work of Leon Bakst, thanks to jcatala's beautiful, poetic blog ( http://maenades.wordpress.com/) and thought you might like these exquisite images with an extra Russian touch.

                                                  Leon Bakst's NARCISSE -  BACCHANTE
                                                  http://www.leon-bakst.com/php/collection.php
                          (Leon Bakst's Official Website is awesome. Published in English, French and Russian).

JACQUES BREL - 'Le Port d'Amsterdam'

Now that I have found you this one, it's your turn to find the one by David Bowie (English lyrics included, of course). Time to learn French, I think.

JACQUES BREL

A must-have this is. I was looking for Bowie's cover of Jacques Brel's 'Amsterdam' and came across this masterpiece called 'Don't Leave Me'.
Do copy and paste the link, please.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfegOxTCuOQ

Cat Stevens becomes YUSUF ISLAM

Especially dedicated to one of my followers.

Brian Eno Goes Nuts

This one is a good contrast after the 'beach' rest. You can easily sing it along since you have the lyrics. Good luck.

Brian Eno - 'On Some Faraway Beach'

Play it LOUD.

THE CARS - 'Drive'

A band and a song not to forget.

People Have The Power (Patti Smith)

Do we, really?

BURNING

'What's a Girl Like You Doing In a Place Like This?'. Especially for Sylvia. Now you can sing it along even better (in our English version, of course).

BRMC (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)

They weren't born yesterday, but the the day before. I love New York(s).

Julian Casablancas

Is there anybody that still hasn't heard about THE STROKES? Never mind, nobody's perfect. Meanwhile, their frontman has recorded a few songs. This is one you can dance to.

Enrique Morente's 'Manhattan' (Leonard Cohen's Friend)

In case you are too lazy to click, there you have this gorgeous Cohen cover by
Enrique and Estrella Morente.

Leonard Cohen's 'MANHATTAN'

An awsome song. Also listen to the covers by R.E.M. or Enrique Morente, please.

LEONARD COHEN - FEDERICO GARCÍA LORCA: 'Take This Waltz'

'Pequeño vals vienés', is one of Lorca's poems Leonard Cohen fell for some years ago. He's not the only one from countries across the pond.

Rod Stewart : A VOICE - 'First Cut Is the Deepest' -

Aguaviva - Rafael Alberti : Andalusian Poets (For those who don't care about the weather)

http://www.poesia-inter.net/Rafael_Alberti.htm

TOM TOM CLUB

Their song 'Wordy Rappinghood' IS A FUNNY ONE TOO.

A JOY DIVISION'S cover by THE KILLERS

The Killers and Lou Reed

Miguel Bosé

The Pogues - Fiesta (Incredible)

The Pogues

JAMES - Getting Away With It All (Messed Up)

This is another fauvorite. The band's called JAMES and have made a nice bunch of good songs. I saw them at the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim in one of those gigs one won't ever forget. Highly recommended.

Walk On the Wild Side - Lou Reed

A masterpiece that will never be forgotten. Some of you enjoyed it a few weeks ago as a 'class dessert'.

BLACK - 'Wonderful Life'

PRETENDERS - 'Don't Get Me Wrong'

LCD Soundsystem - 'Great Release'

PATTI SMITH - 'Because the Night'

Milow

50 Cent - Ayo Technology ft. Justin Timberlake

GEORGES MOUSTAKI and ÁNGELA MOLINA

http://www.goear.com/listen/5e6ade7/muertos-de-amor-angela-molina-&-georges-moustaki

Well, well, well, this one is in Spanish, but it's worth it. Try and find the video version on Youtube and you may find a sexier Ángela Molina and a hansome white bearded Moustaki. Otherwise, listen and close your eyes. Feeling a bit romantic is not a sin (yet).

LOU REED'S 'PERFECT DAY' (now complete) WITH FRIENDS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TG-JQ1KVTM

This is quite an original version of a Lou Reed's classic, above all, and obviously, because each line is sung by a different artist, all of them marvellously coordinated and good-looking.

SIMON F - 'American Dream'

This is one of these simple songs one listens in a Club in the 80s and gets hooked on it. It has taken me years to find out who this SIMON F was. Nobody has heard of him, not even the Web searchers. Thanks, Youtube. PUMP UP YOUR SPEAKERS VOLUME.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMQLNFDVTqw&feature=PlayList&p=69962F35BAE8B994&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=35

THE VINES

Winamp Artist's Chart

Winamp Artist's Chart

MIAMI BEACH From The International SPACE Station (by Astro Soichi)

LONDON AT NIGHT From The International SPACE Station (by Astro Soichi)

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA? Yes, They Are

JOHN CALE, Another Maverick To Listen to and Enjoy

And What About My Good Old Friend DAVID BOWIE?

'Space Oddity', a beautiful song who went unnoticed for some years until Bowie got his first number ones in 1972. Everyone knows where to find (bad quality) videos by any artist. That's what I've done.
Nevertheless, I'd rather buy and watch remastered DVD concerts on my home cinema flat screen. My ears appreciate it. And so do my heart and brain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYMCLz5PQVw

The FIBERFIB Is Back In Town (Benicàssim)

http://15.fiberfib.com/

A summer festival I highly recommend. A cool mixture of acts that never deceive.  Visit the website every other week and you will see how  'the thing grows up'.

LET'S FLY LOW-COST, but stop fighting

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/mar/03/easyjet-ryanair-compare

Brian Eno and David Byrne Together Again

SPOTIFY

https://www.spotify.com/es/products/overview/

David Byrne

We Didn't Start The Fire

http://yeli.us/Flash/Fire.html

Lou Reed and Luciano Pavarotti - Perfect Day

It's a pity you can't listen to the whole song. There must be a youtube flaw. Anyway, that was a classic by LOU REED  (See also THE VELVET UNDERGROUND) from his 1972 album 'Transformer'. Use the web to meet an awesome singer-songwriter who has influenced many young rock bands around the world. PATTI SMITH, TELEVISION (Tom Verlaine) and recently the New York City band THE STROKES are fairly connected. For those of you who enjoy powerful live sound, get an album called 'Rock'n'roll Animal' and you'll see a difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXgbN81zNG8

Bafta Awards

Vanessa Redgrave to receive Academy Fellowship

Actress Vanessa Redgrave to receive Academy Fellowship at the Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 21 February 2010.
On Sunday 21 February, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will present Vanessa Redgrave with the Academy Fellowship at the Orange British Academy Film Awards ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House.

Awarded annually by the Academy, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film. Previously honoured Fellows include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Christie, John Barry, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins and Judi Dench. Last year’s recipient was Terry Gilliam .

David Parfitt, Chair of the Academy said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be awarding the fellowship to Vanessa. She is a hugely talented and respected actress who has served as an inspiration to the British film industry.”

Vanessa Redgrave adds: “I’m truly delighted, it’s such an honour to be recognised in this way. Looking through the list of past recipients shows what a wonderful accolade this is, and the fact that Alfred Hitchcock was the very first recipient makes it even more special, as my father made his first film with him.”

One of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, Vanessa has enjoyed a successful career, spanning six decades: she has received great acclaim for her work on stage, television and film, with countless BAFTA, Oscar, Tony, Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her varied range of roles.
Vanessa studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama, and first enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim in 1967 with Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment, which brought Vanessa her first BAFTA nomination along with the first of six Oscar and eleven Golden Globe nominations. This was followed up with more awards acclaim for her performances as the title roles in Isadora and Mary, Queen of Scots. Having received the Actress Award from BAFTA in 1966, ten years later, Vanessa won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Julia. And, in 1987, a BAFTA Actress nomination in the Actress in a Supporting Role for Prick Up Your Ears.

Recent work includes the 2002 miniseries The Gathering Storm, for which Vanessa was BAFTA-nominated, Joe Wright’s Atonement and Venus, alongside Peter O’Toole and Leslie Phillips.
The past decade has seen Vanessa enjoy particular success on stage. Her role in Joan Didion’s one woman play The Year of Magical Thinking brought great acclaim in both London and New York, where her performance attracted a Tony nomination in 2007, an award she had won three years earlier for her role in Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

Future film projects include Letters to Juliet with Amanda Seyfried and Gael Garcia Bernal, and The Whistleblower with Rachel Weisz and Monica Bellucci.
The Orange British Academy Film Awards will be hosted by Jonathan Ross and broadcast on BBC One from 9pm on Sunday 21 February. A Red Carpet Special hosted by George Lamb will be on BBC Three from 7.30pm.

Visit bafta.org, please.

Albaida Valley Flies to London (IES Benigànim)

Wait, wait, wait. I don't mean I'm looking forward to being able to fly from the heart of our assaulted county to the heart of Albion. I just want to wave you good-bye because we won't be seeing you for a week. Thirty-four students and three teachers had been longing for a long time to feel English snow flakes on our heads and this we'll do, in spite of the fact that this Valentine's Day weekend is covering our land in white dust and freezing temperatures that nearly speak English.

I've learned that many of you have either got in touch with your 'One-week-only English parents' or have been googling for pictures of your host family's beautiful Ealing London detatched houses. Well, well, well, some would label this 'flippancy' on such loving dates. Nevertheless, I have already noticed that infidelity is not one of your fears. So, what can we do?
Enjoy the trip and the short days, 'carpe diem'
(seize the day) because those we love will be still be here when we come back. If they are not, how fragile our love was!

Anyway (again), let it snow now. The belfry clock has just truck midnight, it seems it will keep snowing overnight and inside here it's warm and cosy. Isn't it.

HAITI

http://www.flickr.com/photos/livesay/  (Photos by FLICKR members)


See many more disheartening photos like the one below (by EFE, Reuters and AP)  at  ELPAIS.COM

'God' only knows why these things happen and why they always happen to the poor. 'God bless you'.

'The rich' seem very sorry too. I'm sure.