Call Off the Search

Every once in a blue moon you come across a golden star whose voice shines so brightly you can't help but fall into her soothing voice and now that I've found her you can Call Off the Search. Strangely, as if by coincidence I came across Katie Melua whose voice in itself is clearly an homage and tribute to one of my favorite singers, the late Eva Cassidy, if not in her own right a noteworthy gem. After having briefly heard a few of her tracks from her debut album Call Off the Search, I was immediately and pleasantly enchanted by her deeply lulling voice. And as much as I wish I could pick a favorite, all of her songs, bleed soft and sweet melodies with Belfast and Closest Thing to Crazy receiving the most airplay.

Although being compared to the likes of Norah Jones, 20 year old Katie Melua originally from Soviet Georgia, is in a class all her own. Apparently fluent in Russian, Georgian and English her breathtaking live performance this past weekend at the Roxy in Hollywood, CA was completely mesmerizing, perhaps because of her petite frame that softly echoed sweet words like "how can happiness feel so wrong, how can misery feel so sweet" under her tightly clenched eyes that seemed to wish away the blues with gripping emotion. Her humble stage presence is small but undeniably inviting due in large part to her captivating voice, porcelain-like features, and flawless face.

Most songs were accompanied by her small 3-piece band including her manager and producer Mike Batt on the piano, and her small hands finger-picking various acoustic guitars, culminating with a special encore treat of an old Georgian folk-song sung perfectly for a small audience that included a few from her native country.

Katie Melua has instantly become my all-time favorite female artist. And if you have an opportunity to catch her live performance, it will greatly enhance and bring to life the pureness of her voice resonating on her CD.

Gazing into her eyes that beamed with innocence, and a perfect smile that gleamed with hopes of a better tomorrow, I know that this is definitely the closest thing to crazy I have ever been.

Mis Canciones Favoritos En Espanol

Yo tengo muchas canciones que me gustan en español y voy a mencionar algunos que yo disfruto. Muchas son canciones de baladas y romanticas pero yo las disfruto.

Obie Bermudez - Antes
Enanitos Verdes - Tu Carcel
Mana - Vivir Sin Aire
Mana - Rayando El Sol
Sin Bandera - Que Lloro
Sin Bandera - Entra En Mi Vida
Juanes - Es Por Ti
Cristian Castro - Yo Queria
Cristian Castro - Por Amarte Asi
Cristian Castro - Cuidarte El Alma
Cristian Castro - Despues De Ti
Shakira - Sombra De Ti
Rosario Flores - Como Quiere Que Te Quieras
Rosario Flores - Que Bonito

y las letras de mi mejor favorito cancion

Rosario Flores - Que Bonito

que bonito cuando te veo ay
que bonito cuando te siento
que bonito pensar que estas aquí
junto a mi,
que bonito cuando me hablas ay
que bonito cuando te callas
que bonito sentir que estas aquí
junto a mi ay
que bonito seria poder volar y a tu lado ponerme yo a cantar
como siempre... lo hacíamos los dos
que mi cuerpo no para de notar
que tu alma conmigo siempre esta
y que nunca de mi se apartara,ayyy
que bonito tu pelo negro ay
que bonito tu cuerpo entero
que bonito mi amor todo tu ser,si tu ser yy
que bonito seria poder volar
y a tu lado ponerme yo a cantar
como siempre lo hacíamos los dos
que mi cuerpo no para de notar
que tu alma conmigo siempre está
y que nunca de mi se apartaraayyyy
que bonito cuando acaricio ayy
tu guitarra entre mis manos
que bonito poder sentirte así
siempre asíiiiiiayy ayyy
que bonito mi amor todo tu ser
si tu ser

Mightier than the sword

They say that writing soothes the mind and eases the tired and weary soul. The ability to conjure thoughts and imagination through aesthetic words on a printed page is a privileged ability granted to a select few. I've often wondered why some were presented with the inexplicable gift of writing with such staggering intensity and deftness, whereas others only possessed the proficiency to scribe their thoughts in tepid mediocrity at best. No doubt a skill that is refined by fire and tested through time, perhaps one day I will be able to pen a piece of literature that moves the body and warms the soul. Until then this blog will serve as my sharpening stone to hone my novice skills.

Best of 2005

What better way to start the year off than a Best of list.

And now, the long anticipated Best of 2005. Since this is my first ''Best of'' compilation, it would be fair to explain what I would consider the "Best". While bearing in mind that not all things mentioned are necessary the most luxurious or the most expensive, (for that list see Robb Report's Best of) they are in my mind the Best (for this year anyways) due to a variety of factors, most notably style, comfort, convenience, class, taste, beauty and value. So without further ado here is the Best of 2005.

Best New Artist - Ricky Fanté
Now tell me. What other young 20-something african-american artist is producing music like this? Reminiscent of that 60's r&b soul music which hits you like a groove from Otis redding, this young man belts out with a smokey voice the good stuff while other musicians his age are lost in the jungle of the overplayed hip-hop world. Old motown, soul, Isaac Hayesish, whatever you want to call it. Its good.

Best New Song - She Will Be Loved, Maroon5
When you have a guy singing "I don't mind spending everyday, out on your corner in the pouring rain" that sounds like pure desperation that Love can only define. Try the acoustic version and you'll have this song on repeat for hours.

Best New Concert - Pink Martini, Walt Disney Concert Hall
For a better explanation see previous post under ''What is Pink Martini". (The Boyz II Men show this year at the HOB came in a close 2nd.)

Best New TV Show - The O.C.
This category was a toss up between Smallville and The O.C. with The O.C. slightly edging out because of the familiar feel of the show. And now with the recent addition of Olive Wilde to the cast, that pushed it over to seal the deal in my book. Admittingly though I very rarely have an opportunity to watch any kind of television, except for the downloaded episodes on my laptop so take this all with a grain of salt.

Best New DVD - Firefly (TV Show)
Although not being a fan per se of Joss Whedon himself, this is one sci-fi show that caught me by complete surprise. Maybe it has in part to do with the beauty of the siren Morena Baccarin. But I think overall the space cowboy theme, along with the mandarin infused dialect and chinese subculture really make this show stand out in more ways than one. Look for Serenity to hit theaters later this year.

Best New Gadget - Apple iPod
Remember the Walkman of the 80's and the Discman of the 90's? Yes, I'm a bit behind the curve in only recently purchasing my 4th generation 40GB iPod from Apple but I'm quickly making up for lost time. Transferring songs from a massive CD collection seems to be the most daunting task, but everything else about the iPod screams cool. Used in conjunction with my add-on accessories from Griffin Technologies, the iTalk and iTrip, I'm now able to record up to 24 days of music straight, (if only my battery would last that long) and transmit my songs wirelessly to any nearby radio. Talk about cool!

Best New Book - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Being an avid reader for all types of books including yes, magazines and other bible based publications, this year's unique book was The Time Traveler's Wife. The most appealing aspect, once you get past the constant flux between phases in time, is the underlying message of endless love conquering all. Being a true romantic at heart its nice to read a story where despite the grandness of time split like a giant chasm between their love, in the end something truly great that can only come from the heart will prevail.

Best New Movie - The Incredibles
Although I'm not entirely a fan of animation movies, I must say that this was one movie that hit me by surprise. Pixar has really outdone themselves this time, and it is so nice to see a superbly crafted movie truly fun for the whole family. A little bit of laughs, adventure, drama and suspense never before seen in an animation of this quality. What isn't there to like? Kudos to Pixar. (And I kick myself for not buying any PIXR stock. Doh!)

Best White Wine - V. Sattui Dry Johannisberg Riesling 2002
Personally I've been more inclined to whites than red's and this V. Sattui Riesling is no exception. Despite the unavailability of purchasing this wine through your local wine shop, (wines can only be purhased at the Winery in Napa, CA or online) this wine really stood out this year from other California Rieslings. Not too sweet, not too dry and nicely balanced, this selection is a good buy and a great deal.

Best Red Wine - Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 1998
Not being an oneophile and actually only consuming wine on an occasional basis I found this particular red quite enjoyable, finding hints of cherry and plum and only a bit of pepperiness. (A close 2nd is the 2002 Cline Cellars Red Truck. A blend of mourvedre, syrah and merlot, this wine is one you can have fun with and chug with the fellas over a big pizza.)

Best Jazz Club - Blues Alley (Washington D.C.)
This 40 year old jazz supper club is arguably the finest throwback to the jazz clubs of the earlier century as they come. With an intimate and gritty appeal that bursts with tones of trumpets and sax's galore, its no wonder that Dizzy found this place home. To listen to a live recorded session of one of the greatest modern female jazz singers, pick up Eva Cassidy's Live at Blues Alley.

Best Indian Restaurant - Bombay Club (Washington D.C.)
Living in near proximity to what is known as "Little India" I often find restaurants with an Eastern flair an enjoyable delight. The Bombay Club with its British Indian infused decor offers a variety of Indian dishes including a selection of tandoori meats. Found in the heart of Downtown D.C., this elegant restaurant will be sure to invoke the feeling of "old world" India with flavors that will definitely remembered.

Best Value Sushi Restaurant - Full Moon (Fountain Valley, California)
In two words, Hawaiian rolls. Where, this side of the Pacific, can you find such unique and exquisitely tasteful ahi/sake poke served maki style. Sure you can always head to Bruddah's in Gardena for the most authentic ''local grind'' or even to the more mainstream L&L's, The Loft or the newly established Shaka's in Artesia. But for cheap, tasty sushi run by a crew of Japanese surfers look no further than the brightness of the Full Moon.

Best Expensive Sushi Restaurant - Matsuhisa (Beverly Hills, California)
Nestled in the heart of tinseltown on ''restaurant row'' in La Cienega, Nobu Matsuhisa provides a unique culinary alternative with a touch of south-america, (Peru to be exact) to the traditional nigiri found everywhere. Although his empire is continuing to expand with Nobu and Matsuhisa in NY, for us locals heading to BH for something on his 25-page menu of lobster, beef carpaccio, yellow-tail and the list goes on and on is a treat worth taking even if only once. (If the quest for the perfect nigiri in the likes of blue fin maguro, unagi, tai, hamachi etc. are on your mind then I'd suggest Sushi Wasabi - Tustin, CA, Sushi Nozawa - Studio City, CA or Urasawa - Beverly Hills, CA according to my good friend the Magic Rat.)

Best Value Italian Restaurant - Little Italy's Kitchen (Hermosa Beach, CA)
With everything on the menu under $15 and surprisingly quite delightful with dishes that contain just the right amount of spices, this small family establishment which has been in business since 1949 serves up a variety of classic Italian favorites including mine, the Chicken Parmigiana.

Best Expensive Italian Restaurant - Il Mulino's (Las Vegas, NV)
Having had the opportunity to only try Il Mulino's once this past year, I still rank this place, housed in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on my Best of Italian list due in part to the great "Italian" service, homemade pasta and grappa, and the fact that I was able to attempt ingesting courses of langoustines, pasta, lamb chops, sea bass and a variety of other dishes that frankly should have been consumed sparingly over several days. Originally hailing from NY this place is all in all a classy joint in a my book and for a more formal review similar to my culinary adventure, check out this Chowhounders review.

Best "Coolest" Hotel - Delano Hotel (Miami, FL)
Walking through the lobby of Ian Schrager's Delano Hotel in South Beach, making your way through the floor to ceiling curtains that stream amongst massive pillars, you can't help but think to yourself "this hotel is so cool." With a vibe that feels something like a hip Hollywood party (think Mondrian or LA's Standard but more SB Chic) and rooms that are all "white", (yes the bed, towels, sheets, floors, tables and sofas) its no wonder that this hotel is host to a number of high profile soirees. Be sure to check out the life sized chess pieces in the rear while having a drink on the table “in” the infinity pool during your visit.

Best "New/Old" Watch Company - Officine Panerai
To set the record, yes I am bit biased because I own a Panerai Luminor Submersible, but that still doesn't discount the fact that these watches are beautiful, hot, and dealers just can't keep them around long enough. Coming in at an impressive 44mm, these watches, produced from a company originally established in Firenze (Florence, Italy) in 1860 and recently revived, exude an understated class and masculinity without crossing over into the bling crusted likes of Chris Aire's Traveler Timepiece. And although I aspire to be somewhat of a watch aficiondo, my divers timepiece receives actual fieldtime, being put to work in the underseas of the Pacific. Anyone up for a little diving?

Best Dive Spot - Shark's Cove (North Shore, Oahu)
Being an avid NAUI certified scuba diver for the past 10 years now, and having visited a few exotic locations in my time I really enjoy coming back to Shark's Cove at Kalalua Point. Besides having the crystal blue ocean with plenty of marine life including lobsters, turtles, corals and a variety of fishes at your fingertips, the ease of entry and the odds of having a perfectly beautiful day are hard to beat. (And even better, head over to Kua'Aina's in Haleiwa after a hard day's work for the best burgers East of the Pacific.)

Best Ski/Snowboard Resort - Whistler, British Columbia
Two mountains, 33 lifts, 7,000 acres, 200 trails. Need I say more?

Best Spa – Canyon Ranch SpaClub (Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, NV)
Described in latin as “sanus per aquam” or something we’re all familiar with as SPA. Now everyone needs a good massage now and then and when in Vegas, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub is the destination of choice for aching muscles and tired feet. Housed in almost 70,000 sq. ft., and providing a mirage of services including a 40ft indoor rock wall, the Spa affords an ample amount of relaxation and fitness offerings for both sets of clientele. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

It's a Juice World

So it was 12:30am last night and I was lying sprawled out on my bed after an evening at the local gym, with a frozen bottle of Martinelli's apple juice perched atop my face trying to excavate the remaining frozen juices into my mouth. Yes I am somewhat mentally challenged but juice is oh-so-good and a frozen slushee style Martinelli's apple juice is pure exquisiteness.

I don't recall exactly how my fondness for all things juice started but I'm sure it had in part something to do with my strict upbringing of a no soda/junk food diet, and the fact that our family was financially strapped for cash in our younger years.

Orange, grape, apple, watermelon, (yes from Sam Woo) lemonade it doesn't really matter as long as its 100% unpasteurized, unadulterated, not from concentrate, no HFC (high-fructose corn syrup) and no additives. Every few days the gallon sized container of OJ purchased from the local Costco is thrown out empty as I wonder ''where did it all go?" knowing full well that I'm the only juice drinker in the household. Perhaps I should invest in a small juice handpress for daily freshly squeezed OJ. Juice for thought.

Recently I've become a big fan of the açai fruit imported from the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil through Sambazon (its only U.S. Distributor) and made available locally from Juice Me Up. With a unique taste somewhere between grape, chocolate and nuts I prefer the açai in a smoothie format for optimal tastiness. Made popular in the news recently for its apparent health benfits, this purple berry claims to have more anthocyanins and antioxidants than red wine. Bottom line - try it.

What is Pink Martini?

Since I would venture to presume that most of us have varying musical interests I'll start out on a recommendation of one of my favorite bands. We all have differing tastes that range from country to rock, hip-hop to jazz and if I were to parlay them all here I suppose the discussion would be quite extensive. So to narrow the field to a single evolutionary group I present Pink Martini.

Foremost, I suppose the question lies not exactly with what Pink Martini is as opposed to who they are. Formed as a group of eclectic musicians, Harvard educated pianist Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes present an array of musical styles from their 1997 independently released debut CD entitled Sympathique. Spanning the lingual globe but still maintaining an offbeat cuban flare, the group hailing from Portland, Oregon manages to touch our palates with Spanish, French, Japanese, Greek, and English songs all on one CD. If you are constantly searching for new and unique groups in the world music scene then this is definitely one hidden gem that you should check out.

After a long anticipated and overdue sophomore release, Hang on Little Tomato made its way out of the creative minds of Lauderdale/Forbes in late 2004 - adding to their musical repertoire with new tracks in Italian and Croatian. The title of their second CD, culled from a 1964 Hunt's Ketchup advertisement underscores the festive and airy musical quality that it seeks to recreate.

Having an opportunity to witness their live performance at the Walt Disney Concert hall for the past two years, I would say that it is a joy worth mentioning as well. Seeing a 12-piece ''American'' orchestral group perform, with a nod to an especially notable rework of Hiroshi Wada's "Kikuchiyo to Mohshimasu" combining the sounds of a traditional koto (japanese slide guitar) onstage is definitely something not to be missed.

(For another day - but a recent and marvelous late addition to my closet of music is Keren Ann's 2001 debut - La Biographie De Luka Philipsen. Then again, I'm somewhat biased towards the French genre of music and for that matter all things French but that is a conversation for une outre jour.)

Premierement

Day 1

Il y a une vie qu'on a jamais oublié. Une vie pleine d'emotions, de mémoires, pensées, et desirs. Un endroit visité seulement dans les rêves et qu'il y a ou les mots vous prendra. Plus delà de l'imagination, passé de profondeurs de l'éternité, et a travers des sables de temps.

On y va...