WHEN THOSE WE LOVE RETURN HOME…..

What happens after we die?  Is there life after death?  These are very fearful thoughts for some people but let’s face it, as soon as we are born, are lives are limited on this planet.  There is no need to fear death because you can’t fear what you don’t know.  I see death as a return to where we all really came from.   We can’t remember being born so surely, we won’t remember dying. 

Thinking of my wonderful pets Freddy and Bradley – who left our world too soon, in my opinion, I take comfort knowing that neither were left behind in a state of misery, discomfort or pain.  As hard as it was to lose them, I am glad that they returned ‘home’ without incident.  This is how I look at someone’s passing – they are returning to where they belong.  I used to have a fear of death – mainly because I thought too much of how I would go, if I would be in pain and where I would go (hell or heaven) based on the religious beliefs that were instilled into me.

Instead of focusing on the negative energies of death or the unknown.  I came to terms that we are all born to die – you can’t change that, it is inevitable.  Why fear it?  Why not embrace it and live each moment in the moment?

Today, I want to take a moment to remember my Bradley and my Freddy.  I also want to remember everyone else I loved that have gone back home.  This is for you.

CLOUD NINE

written by Martin Gore and performed by Onetwo (Claudia Brucken and Paul Humphrey’s)

Thought I saw you up there
Drifting with the clouds
Thought I heard you call me
First quietly then loud
Is it imagination? What is real?
I think I’m part of you
I breathe like you feel

Can’t forget the power
The magic of the night
The overwhelming moment
I looked into your eyes
Dancing with the wind
Dancing in your arms
Gliding like two surfers
In the sea of love

Don’t ask for tomorrow
Just carry on with now
Don’t drown your heart in sorrow
I’ve got to leave you now
Don’t ask me for the future
Don’t cry for yesterday
It’s time to say goodbye now
I’m sure we’ll meet again

Moments turn to hours
Hours into days
My lonely heart is aching
Since you’ve gone away
I wish you’d read my mind
Send a little sign
I carry you so deeply
Within my soul

Don’t ask for tomorrow
Just carry on with now
Don’t drown your heart in sorrow
I’ve got to leave you now
Don’t ask me for the future
Don’t cry for yesterday
It’s time to say goodbye now

Together we can make the world a more positive one!

MASS DESTRUCTION – FAITHLESS

The words are like poetry and the song is a call to stand up for a better world because ‘Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction’.

Here are the lyrics:

MASS DESTRUCTION

Whether long-range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether soaraway Sun or BBC 1
Misinformation is a weapon of mass destruct
You coulda Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

My dad came into my room holding his hat
I knew he was leaving,
He sat on my bed told me some facts.
Son, I have a duty, calling on me
You and your sister be brave my little soldier
And don’t forget all I told ya
You’re the mister of the house now remember this
And when you wake up in the morning give ya momma a kiss
Then I had to say goodbye
In the morning woke momma with a kiss on each eyelid,
Even though I’m only a kid
Certain things can’t be hid
Momma grabbed me
Held me like I was made of gold
But left her inner stories untold
I said, momma it will be alright
When daddy comes home, tonight

Whether Halliburton, Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction

We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction (x3)

The skin under my chin is exploding again.
I’m getting stress from some other children
I’m holding it in.
We taking sides like a politician
And if I get friction we get to fighting.
I’ll defend my dad he’s the best of all men
and whatever he’s doing he’s doing the right thing.
It’s frightening, but it makes me mad,
Why do all of these people seem to hate my dad?
And if that ain’t enough now I get these spots.
I go to sleep every night with my stomach in knots
And what’s more, I can hear momma next door
Explore the radio for reports of war.
And all we ever seem to do is hide the tears.
Seems like daddy been gone for years.
But he was right, now i’m geared up for the fight
and he would be proud of me,
If my daddy came home tonight.

Whether Halliburton, Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction

We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction (x3)

My story stops here, let’s be clear,
This scenario is happening everywhere.
And you ain’t going to nirvana or far-vana,
you’re coming right back here to live out your karma.
With even more drama than previously, seriously.
Just how many centuries have we been
waiting for someone else to make us free?
And we refuse to see
that people overseas suffer just like we:
Bad leadership and ego’s unfettered and free
Who feed on the people they’re supposed to lead
I don’t need good people to pray and wait
For the lord to make it all straight.
There’s only now, do it right.
‘Cos I don’t want your daddy, leaving home tonight

Whether Halliburton Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction

We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction (x3)

 

 

Faithless has sold over 15 million records worldwide and began their career in 1995 with their number 1 US Dance hit “Salva Mea”.  They have gone on to release 6 studio albums – their final studion album is called: The Dance Never Ends released in 2010 .  Faithless is no longer together as a group as of April 2011but you can purchase all their music via iTunes!  Thanks to Rollo Armstrong, Sister Bliss and Maxi Jazz for creating some of the most thought-provoking dance/electronica music of my generation.

MUSIC INSPIRES ME….SOME OF MY FAVOURITES

Do you remember what song played during your first kiss or your first break-up?  Do you remember your the first song played at your wedding reception?  (Mine was “Hung Up” by Madonna).  Music was pivotal to the soundtrack of my life.  My tastes crossed all genres but I preffered to listen to Electronic/Dance.  Thinking about your life, what music was pivotal in helping you during the tough and not so tough moments in your life?

Here are 25 cds/albums that I would definitely need or have with me should I be stranded on island:

25:  THE HUMAN LEAGUE – Hysteria (1984)

24:  NEW ORDER – Substance (1987)

23:  GEORGE MICHAEL – Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1 (1990)

22:  ULTRA NATE – Grime, Silk, & Thunder (2007)

21:  UB40 – Labour of Love (1983)

20:  DIDO – No Angel (1999)

19:  TRICKY – Maxinquaye (1995)

18:  JAMES BLAKE – James Blake (2011)

17:  BILLIE RAY MARTIN – Deadline For My Memories (1995)

16:  FLAVORS OF ENTANGLEMENT – ALANIS MORISSETTE (2008)

15:  DAVE GAHAN – Hourglass (2007)

14:  EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL – Temperamental (1999)

13:  MASSIVE ATTACK – Protection (1994)

12:  PEACHES – I Feel Cream (2009)

11:  MISTRESS BARBARA – I’m No Human (2009)

10:  DEEE-LITE – Dewdrops In The Garden (1994)

9:  ERASURE – Erasure (1995)

8:  DEPECHE MODE – Black Celebration (1986) and Violator (1990)

7:  FAITHLESS – Outrospective (2001)

6:  BJORK – Vespertine (2001)

5:  SINEAD O’CONNOR – Faith & Courage (2000)

4:  ERASURE – I Say, I Say, I Say (1994)

3:  KRISTINE W – Land of the Living (1996)

2:  MADONNA – American Life (2003)

1:  MADONNA – Ray of Light (1998)

As Madonna once sang:  “Music makes the people come together, yeah”

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

SONG OF THE WEEK – LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS

This weeks ‘song of the week’ comes from one of my favourite ‘all-time’ electronica/new wave groups – The Human League.  The Human League formed in 1977 in Sheffield, England.  The band became successful when they attained their first world-wide hit and # 1 single in 1981 called  “Don’t You Want Me” from the album ‘Dare’.  The only other # 1 single they would have after “Don’t You Want Me”, would be in 1986  with their single “Human” produced by the famous R&B producers – Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

 

The Human League have written some of the best 80’s new-wave and electronic hits that were pivotal to the electronic movement today, hits such as;  “Mirror Man”, “Being Boiled”, “Open Your Heart”, “Sound of the Crowd”, “(Keep Feeling) Fascination”, “Don’t You Want Me”, “The Lebanon”, “Louise”, “Life On Your Own”, “Heart Like A Wheel”, “One Man In My Heart”, “Tell Me When”, and my choice for ‘song of the week’ “Love Is All That Matters”.  Let’s go back into the past and rewind to 1986 – and re-visit this amazing song.  The audio follows the lyrics.

 

LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS

 

Love forgiving
Love for good
Love to keep us faithful
After all is said and done
Love is all that matters

Got this beautiful situation
I’ve finally found out
What life’s about
Want to talk about it
In my conversation
Going to tell the world
Going to sing it
From the highest mountain top

Love forgiving
Love for good
Love to keep us faithful
After all is said and done
Love is all that matters

Every person pledge allegiance
All our efforts
To one common cause
Take a minute to improve a life
Form a legion
That’s united for a love cause

Love forgiving
Love for good
Love to keep us faithful
After all is said and done
Love is all that matters

March

Love forgiving
Love for good
Love to keep us faithful
After all is said and done
Love is all that matters

Love forgiving
Love for good
Love to keep us faithful
After all is said and done
Love is all that matters

Love forgiving
Love for good
Love to keep us faithful
After all is said and done
Love is all that matters

Love forgiving
Love for good
Love to keep us faithful

After all is said and done
Love is all that matters

 

 

For more information about The Human League, please visit their website:  http://thehumanleague.co.uk/  You can purchase all of The Human Leagues music by visiting the iTunes Store.

 

LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS!!! and Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

SONG OF THE WEEK

Depeche Mode has been creating music for over 30 years.  They are – one of a handful – of groups who gave a voice to electronic/alternative music.  They have given us countless and the timeless 80’s classics – Just Can’t Get Enough, Leave in Silence, Everything Counts, Master and Servant, Love In Itself, People Are People, Blasphemous Rumours, Shake The Disease, Stripped, But Not Tonight,  New Dress, Fly on the Windscreen, Strangelove, Behind the Wheel, Never Let Me Down Again and Personal Jesus.  In the 90’s, they continued with some of their most successful albums and released many pivotal singles for a new generation of fans, like; Enjoy The Silence, Policy of Truth, World In My Eyes, I Feel You, Walking In My Shoes, Condemnation, In Your Room, Barrel of a Gun, It’s No Good, Home, Useless and Only When I Lose Myself.  They began the 2000’s with the cool electronic sounds of Dream On, I Feel Loved, Freelove and Goodnight Lovers. A re-release and reinterpretation of Enjoy the Silence was released in 2004 which began another string of singles such as Precious, A Pain That I’m Used To, Suffer Well, John The Revelator, Martyr, Wrong, Peace, Perfect and Hole to Feed/Fragile Tension.  In 2011 – they began with a reinterpretation of their previous single, Personal Jesus.

What is next for this legendary electronic/alternative supergroup?  They plan to start a world tour in Tel Aviv in the first quarter of 2013 and have signed on with Columbia Records with promise of an album slated for release in March of 2013 (a perfect birthday gift).

It is very rare for groups to consistently release relevant material – especially in a world that had little respect for new wave/electronic groups.  Those “legitimate” rock  groups and their groupies were constantly criticizing such bands indicating that they had no talent, never played instruments and that they would never last.  Looking back – many of those criticizing groups are nowhere to be seen while Depeche Mode continues to be innovative, fresh and relevant in a world that is so addicted to ‘fast food’ music.  I look forward to hearing new music from this great band and I am grateful that they have consistently maintained a sound that is way ahead of the game and far superior then the music on pop radio.

The song that I chose from Depeche Mode as ‘song of the week’ comes from their # 1 album, Violator.  The song was never released as a single and is my personal favourite on this album.  Enjoy the greatness that is ‘Waiting For The Night’.  I have added the audio first and then a live version from their 2009 Barcelona show.

WAITING FOR THE NIGHT

I’m waiting for the night to fall
I know that it will save us all
When everything’s dark
Keeps us from the stark reality
I’m waiting for the night to fall
When everything is bearable
And there in the still
All that you feel
Is tranquility

There is a star in the sky
Guiding my way with its light
And in the glow of the moon
Know my deliverance will come soon

There is a sound in the calm
Someone is coming to harm
I press my hands to my ears
It’s easier here just to forget fear

And when I squinted
The world seemed rose-tinted
And angels appeared to descend
To my surprise
With half-closed eyes
Things looked even better
Than when they were opened

Been waiting for the night to fall
Now everything is bearable
And here in the still
All that you hear
Is tranquility

For more Depeche Mode information, discography, live dates etc….please visit the Depeche Mode website at: http://countdown.depechemode.com

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

2 AWESOME VIDEOS!

In light of the holidays – I have decided to post a holiday video by Tracey Thorn.  As many of you may already know, Tracey Thorn was one-half of the acoustic/electronica group, Everything But The Girl.  Their best-known single is “Missing”, released in the early 90’s.  Tracey Thorn has recently released a holiday album entitled ‘Tinsel and Lights’.  Take a listen to her new single “Joy” and get into the holiday spirit.  Here is the video:

This video is a pure joy to watch…..I think this could be the best conversation between a child and dog I have ever seen…..I hope this video brings a smile to your face and I hope it warms your heart and brings you the same joy it has given me:

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

SONG OF THE WEEK

My choice for ‘song of the week’ this week is by the electronic band – FAITHLESS.  Faithless consists of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo Armstrong.  They have released 6 albums and over 20 singles, 3 of which topped the US Dance Charts (“Salva Mea”,”Insomnia” and “God Is A DJ”).   They have amassed worldwide sales of 15 million records.  The band officially split up in April after their spectacular live concert – Passing The Baton at Brixton Academy. 

The song I chose is a collaboration between Faithless and guest vocalist Dido – best know for her singles; “Thank You“, “Here With Me” and “White Flag“.  “One Step Too Far” was released in 2002 and peaked on the UK charts at No. 6 and No. 4 on the US Dance Charts.  It is from their critically acclaimed album – Outrospective.

I was shocked when Faithless announced that they split as a band but am comforted in knowing that their music, their legacy and their genius is FOREVER!  Thank you FAITHLESS for all the music – truly inspiring!

ONE STEP TOO FAR (featuring DIDO)

[Dido]
You can sleep forever, but still you will be tired
You can stay as cold as stone, but still you won’t find peace
With you I feel I’m the meek leading the blind
With you I feel I’m just spending wasted time

I’ve been waiting
I’m still waiting
I’ve been waiting
I’ve been waiting
I’ve been waiting
I’m still waiting
But with you (with you)
It’s always one step too far

One step too far

You can whine to the bone but still you won’t be full
You can look down on the world but still you won’t find love
You won’t find love

[Maxi Jazz]
Only with mellow
Are you thin enough to slide through.
If the sun or the moon should give way to doubt,
They would immediately go out.
One swallow don’t make a summer,
But tomorrow has to start somewhere.
Only with mellow
Are you thin enough to slide through.
Only with mellow
Are you thin enough to slide through.
Don’t Let nothing ride you
Only with mellow
Are you thin enough to slide through.
Don’t Let nothing ride you
One swallow don’t make a summer.

[Dido]
I’ve been waiting
I’m still waiting
But with you
It’s always one step too far
One step too far

I’ve been waiting

I’ve been waiting
I’m still waiting
I’ve been waiting
I’ve been waiting
I’ve been waiting
I’m still waiting
But with you
It’s always one step too far
One step too far

Audio

Video

Remix (Audio)

For the Faithless discography and to purchase any of their music – please visit their website:  http://www.faithless.co.uk/

 

SONG OF THE WEEK

Sorry for the short absence in writing.  I am back to write about my ‘Song of the Week’ choice.

The song I chose this week is a collaboration of two musicians from 2 great 80’s bands – Claudia Brücken (Propaganda) and Paul Humphreys (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, OMD).  Claudia and Paul formed the group in 2000 and briefly toured in the United States calling their tour: The OMD Revisited Tour.  They called themselves Onetwo in 2004 and released an EP entitled Item.  Onetwo released their first and only full-length album in February entitled Instead.

Instead includes great synthpop and new electro songs reminiscent of classic 80’s new wave such as; Sequential, Heaven, Home (Tonight), Signals, I Don’t Blame You and Anonymous.  The song I chose for ‘Song of the Week’ is called Cloud Nine.  Cloud Nine was written by Claudia Brücken and Martin Gore (Depeche Mode).  This song helped me get over the loss of my wonderful first pet – Freddy who passed in November of 2010.  Each time I heard Claudia sing the lyrics “Don’t ask for tomorrow, just carry on with now, don’t drown your heart in sorrow, I’ve got to leave you now, don’t ask me for the future, don’t cry for yesterday, It’s time to say goodbye now, I’m sure we’ll meet again” , I imagined that if Freddy was able to speak – he would be saying those exact words to Jason and myself.  Enjoy!

CLOUD NINE

Thought I saw you up there
Drifting with the clouds
Thought I heard you call me
First quietly then loud
Is it imagination? What is real?
I think I’m part of you
I breathe like you feel

Can’t forget the power
The magic of the night
The overwhelming moment
I looked into your eyes
Dancing with the wind
Dancing in your arms
Gliding like two surfers
In the sea of love

Don’t ask for tomorrow
Just carry on with now
Don’t drown your heart in sorrow
I’ve got to leave you now
Don’t ask me for the future
Don’t cry for yesterday
It’s time to say goodbye now
I’m sure we’ll meet again

Moments turn to hours
Hours into days
My lonely heart is aching
Since you’ve gone away
I wish you’d read my mind
Send a little sign
I carry you so deeply
Within my soul

Don’t ask for tomorrow
Just carry on with now
Don’t drown your heart in sorrow
I’ve got to leave you now
Don’t ask me for the future
Don’t cry for yesterday
It’s time to say goodbye now
I’m sure we’ll meet again

You can listen to a sample of the song and purchase it on iTunes.  I will share the link to the audio shortly! 

For more information (discography, touring, latest news etc..) on Claudia Brücken or Paul Humphrey’s please visit the following websites:

www.theremusic.com

www.omd.uk.com

SONG OF THE WEEK

The Knife are Olof Dreijer and Karin Dreijer Andersson, a brother-and-sister duo based in Stockholm, Sweden.   They have made music together since 1999 that is released on their own label – Rabid Records.  I never really heard of The Knife until a few years ago when my spouse introduced me to their music and Karin Deirjer’s other project as Fever Ray.  The Knife have released the following full-length albums:

The Knife – February 2001

Deep Cuts – January 2003

Hanna Med H Soundtrack – November 2003

When I Found The Knife – July 2005

Silent Shout – February 2006

Tomorrow, In A Year – March 2010

Their musical style is a mix between gothic club music and electronic pop – Deep Cuts tends to lean towards electric pop while Silent Shout is more club influenced with dark, gothic electronic beats.  Deep Cuts includes the hits; Heartbeats, Girls Night Out and the infectious sounds of Pass This On. 

My song of the week choice comes from their masterfully crafted 2006 effort – Silent Shout.  This cd album includes the gems; From Off To On, Forest Families, Silent Shout, We Share Our Mother’s Health, Like A Pen, Na Na Na, One Hit and my choice for song of the week – Marble House.  The song begins with the synthesised sound of castanets and transforms into a hypnotizing and emotional electronic ballad.  This song is in definitely in my Top 5 Songs of all time.  Read the lyrics – then listen to the song and then watch the 2 alternate videos:

MARBLE HOUSE

I cut your nails and comb your hair
I carry you down the stairs
I wanted to see right through from the other side
I wanted to walk a trail with no end in sight

The moment we believe that we have never met
Another kind of love it’s easy to forget
When we are all alone then we do both agree
We have a thing in common this was meant to be

You close my eyes and soothe my ears
You heal my wounds and dry my tears
On the inside of this marble house I grow
And the seeds I sow will grow up prisoners too

The moment we believe that we have never met
Another kind of love it’s easy to forget
When we are all alone then we do both agree
We have a thing in common this was meant to be

Now where’s your shoulder
What is it’s name
What’s your scent
Say it again
If it goes faster can you still follow me
It must be safe when it’s on TV

I raise my hands to heaven of curiosity
I don’t know what to ask for
What has it got for me?
The others say we’re hiding
It’s as forward as can be
Some things I do for money
Some things I do for free

For The Knife’s complete discography, news and touring information, check out their official website:

theknife.net

 

SONG OF THE WEEK (not 1 but 2)

Born in 1975 in Sicily, Italy – Misstress Barbara has made her mark as an international electronica/house music DJ.  She moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the age of 8 and has since called Montreal her home.

Misstress Barbara released her debut artist album as a singer in 2009 entitled – I’m No Human.  This album has and continues to be one of my favourite electronic albums of all time.  It includes collaborations with fellow Canadian, Sam Roberts, the Brazilian Girls and Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John.  The album also includes a fantastic club induced, house anthem version of Leonard Cohen’s – Dance Me To The End Of Love.  Along with the album’s title single, I’m No Human – there are other beautifully crafted club floor fillers such as; Is It Ok, Four On The Floor, Etna and Push Pull.  This cd is a must have for any electronic/house/club music lover – it is a staple in my music collection and as I have mentioned already – in the top 5 of my favourite electronic/house albums of all-time!

In mid 2012, Misstress Barbara released her second album artist entitled – Many Shades of Grey.  This effort is more radio friendly and has a more commercial sound.  This album includes not only 1 song of the week but 2.  That first song is called – Many Shades of Grey.  I have my own interpretations of this song to reflect recent changes in my life but the lyrics are universal, inspiring and absolutely beautiful!  The second song is called – Emotional, the only thing I can say about this song is that it is just that:  emotional.  Each time I hear it, I feel the emotion pass completely through me – when music is able to create such a feeling in me, I know it is great!

I have included the lyrics – read them before you listen and then when you are ready – take a listen to the songs and let them transport you to a wonderful and positive place where in the ‘Many Shades of Grey’ you will see the light and become ‘Emotional’.

MANY SHADES OF GREY

I sing a song for you
’cause I can’t speak my mind
I sing it just because
True love is hard to find
The butterflies you give me
I fly on their back
They lead me straight to you
They help me stay on track
I sing oh oh oh oh….

And when I fly up high
I see the trees of green
Kids playing in the park
Places I’ve never seen
And heaven feels so real
At the sight of you
There’s nothing left to heal
‘Cause I feel brand new
I sing oh oh oh oh….

And in the many shades of grey
I see the light
When The angels fly away
Night after night
In the horizon I see the scroll
Of moonlight
And in that rosy light I know
It’s gonna be alright

It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright

And in the many shades of grey
When the angels fly away
In that rosy light I know oh oh oh oh…

And in the many shades of grey
I see the light
When the angels fly away
Night after night
In the horizon I see the scroll
of moonlight
And in the rosy light I know
It’s gonna be alright

It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright
It’s gonna be alright

EMOTIONAL

A hopeless love I feel this is
It’s time we both learn to forgive
If we don’t want to see it drop
If we don’t ever want it to stop
A breaking heart that’s all I feel
I’m torn apart how can I heal
This heavy load we have to bear
It just won’t get us anywhere

When you look at me
Have to turn around
When you talk to me
I don’t hear a sound
I can feel your pain
But I can’t speak

‘Cause I feel emotional
Emotional

We lay down here beneath blue skies
Showing no fear we’re old and wise
It’s no big deal been there before
This time it’s real we close the door
One last thing before you go
You are the one you need to know
If God allows a final chance
I’ll be right here ready to dance

When you look at me
Have to turn around
When you talk to me
I don’t hear a sound
I can feel your pain
But I can’t speak

‘Cause I feel emotional
Emotional
Emotional
Emotional

If it’s out of pain that you call my name
If it’s out of fear that you take my hand
Even if it hurts I can’t play this game anymore

‘Cause I feel emotional
Emotional
Emotional
Emotional

Thank you so much Misstress Barbara for I’m No Human and for Many Shades of Grey – 2 fantastic albums by a fantastic artist!!!  Can’t wait for your return to Toronto!!!!

For more information about Misstress Barbara – discography, news, tour, etc…please visit her artist website at the following link:

www.misstressbarbara.com