51. My conditioner-to-shampoo ratio is incredibly unbalanced.  I’d say it’s about four parts conditioner to each half part shampoo.  Let’s put it this way: I’m still on the same shampoo bottle that I brought to Europe in August, and on that trip I brought two bottles of conditioner.

52. I have all of my dogs’ names picked out for any foreseeable dog I might have.  The first three names are pretty much set in stone as my favorites, but the rest rotate based on my mood.

53. Jack McBrayer cracks me up.  He doesn’t even need to do anything to make he laugh.  His existing is enough.

54. Right now, I really want a nectarine.  If I could have any magic power, I would choose to be able to conjure my favorite foods at their seasonal peaks out of thin air.  No food miles, just shazam! and nectarine.

55. I read either Memoirs of a Geisha, The Secret History or Bel Canto at least once a year.  Last year I read Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto twice, and I haven’t read either Arthur Golden’s or Donna Tartt’s novels yet in 2009, so I better get to it.

Les: monday, monday

Linds: yep.  here it comes again

Les: dude, you’re supposed to sing along

Linds: but i don’t wanna

Les: sigh

Linds: plus, you gave me all the la la las

Les: well, that’s what you get for always making me start

Linds: well…well…hmph

Les: well argued, goofball

Linds: thx

Les: welcome

Linds: anyway.  aren’t we supposed to talk about books or something?

Les: technically.  party-pooper

Linds: clearly, i am never any fun

Les: not at all

Linds: because it’s not like you like books or anything

Les: i like other things too, though.  like the mamas and the papas.  they sing that song, right?

Linds: yep

la la, la la la la

Les: see? was that so hard?

Linds: not the point

Les: you = impossible

Linds: that was the point!  yay!

Les: i just totally rolled my eyes at you.  and i bet i’m not alone

Linds: tee hee

Les: i just did it again.  we should probably talk about books now

Linds: ok!  how’s the reading going, one book at a time girl?

Les: it would be going considerably better had i not left my book at the office

Linds: oh dear.  i believe that’s a reason to read more than one at a time.  what are you working on right now?

Les: chains, by laurie halse anderson.  didn’t you read friday’s favorite lines?

Linds: oh yeah.  i did, but i forgot.  i should just always assume that you’re reading one of her books.  because it’s true at least half the time

Les: it is. she rocks.

Linds: is this one SAD?

Les: it’s written from the POV of a slave girl during the american revolution. so yes. at least i anticipate SAD.

Linds: geez. what’s with the SAD?

Les: it’s compelling?

Linds: k.  i’m still not totally convinced.  but i guess so

Les: what are you reading?

Linds: i finally finished ash by malinda lo, so now i’m reading run

Les: oooooh, run! ann patchett ftw!

Linds: i’m really liking it so far.  the way she writes is as though she’s shining a bright light on just one person or scene at a time.  she illuminates them each in turn

Les: that’s exactly it

Linds: i really like that simple intimacy with each of the characters

Les: yep.  that’s not my favorite of hers – i found it too predictable for my liking – but it is beautifully written

Linds: i’m only about halfway, but i like how straightforward it is so far

Les: i really liked how she ended that one

Linds: well i’ll tell you what i think when i get there. i doubt it’ll take me long.

Les: probably not. it was a quick read for me.

Linds: which means it should take me about five minutes.

Les: probably

Linds: i was actually a little surprised at how easily it reads.  i wasn’t expecting that

Les: it isn’t as heavy as some of her others

Linds: it was the only one they had in print at the creepy place the day i got it.  they had bel canto on cd, but i figured you’d never forgive me if i listened to that one

Les: no cheating with bel canto

Linds: you and the “cheating”

Les: you and the “reading”

Linds: i wouldn’t have even known about truth and beauty to make you read it had i not listened to it

Les: well, then i’m glad you’re a cheater.  because i loved truth and beauty

Linds: see?  sometimes it’s a good thing

Les: i suppose so

Linds: but i promise to read bel canto properly

Les: k good.  it’s really something

Linds: maybe i’ll kick off my new year of reading with it

Les: it would make a good start

Linds: in ‘10, i swear i’m going to manage 52 books

Les: i’m gonna actually keep track this year, but i’m not holding myself to 52.  too much pressure

Linds: that works.  and that way we’ll be able to compare at the end of the year.  it’s fun

Les: we should see about adding book lists to the blog.  so everyone can keep track

Linds: that would be fun.  and way fancier than my word doc

Les: just a smidge

Linds: we could even do weekly updates, to see how far people have gotten and what they’re reading

Les: oh, you mean other people should play along?  i just meant they could track what we’re reading.  like for recommendations and stuff

Linds: well, yeah, but it’s more fun when people share what they’re up to in the comments. (hear that, readers?)

Les: oh. (you’re being bossy again.)

Linds: (duh)

Les: (right)

Linds: so anyway, we’ll get that set up for next year.  but in the meantime, we should probably go about our mondays

Les: you’re probably right

Linds: la la, la la la la

Les:

Linds: until next time, everyone!

Les: have a great week!

AURELIO FERRO borns the first years of ‘900 to a Campania’s middle class family, proves, since small, with good equip with singing.
Moved to Naples, BSC engineering mechanical, but continues to exhibit to delight in the classics of the Neapolitan song.

If You want read more go to full article about Aurelio Fierro

I think that lonliness breeds wistfulness. When I find myself alone is when I really start to analyze things, to project, to question, to dream. I’m not talking about having thirty minutes of down time when there aren’t other people or events to keep me occupied. Rather, I am referring to a lifestyle of habitual isolation; I’m talking about one of those seasons in life when silence overpowers noise and when being known means that someone remembers your name. Let me speak more concretly.

I am currently living alone. For the past year and a half I have been living alone. I live in a two room house in the redwood forests surrounding Santa Cruz California. It’s really more like a shack; the floor slopes, the lights flicker, I rejoice in hot water. I do not have a tv. I do not have a computer. I do not have a cd player. Just a few weeks ago I upgraded to an iPhone (the mere fact that I am typing this out on my phone should itself testify to the kind of free time that I have on my hands). I know the phone sticks out as a mark of mainstream modern living, but I’m just laying things out, not aiming for some Walden ascethic ideal. The point here I’d that I am living a simplified life. I work within walking distance of my shack and the closest things I have to friends are the people involved in the organization I work for (a retreat and conference center for non-profits).

I have friends, but only to an extent. I have people that I can hang out with: play games, work out, watch tv. But no one in my day to day life really knows who I am. No one could tell you what my fears or hopes are. No one could tell you what kind of crap I’m going through or what kind of joys I have in life. There are people around me, but no one near to my soul.

I think this allows for an outline if the lonliness that I am talking about: physically isolated and socially shallow.

It is easy for me to fall onto the trap of thoughtless routine: work eight to five, come home to eat, go to steve’s to watch whatever sports game is on, come home, waste an hour on my iPhone, read for a half hour and go to sleep. But changes in this status quo are dynamic. I am in danger of being short-sighted, able to focus only on the stresses of today. My vision at times is completely satisfied with the paperwork I have to do and the laundry that is piling up and the shack that could use some attention. I think this all lays the perfect canvas for truth and beauty and reality to break in and be displayed in the glory that it deserves. Monotony, lonliness, and repitition provide the perfect backdrop for epiphany, and the drab palor of the ordinary allows the resplendent majesty of what is real become inevitably obvious.

Last week I went to see a traveling production of Wicked (a musical pre-quel to The Wizard of Oz). The power of the arts, the art of song, the songs of beauty, and the beauty of perfection were all laid bare. There were flaws, yes. It could have indeed been better, sure. But I cannot be bothered with ney-sayers when such a wonderful grace has been granted to me. Into the dullness of life powerful voices and meticulous music have opened my eyes and reminded me that there is so much more to living than paperwork and football games and making another sandwich.

I had another rapture of reality when reading Ann Patchett’s “Bel Canto.” She writes about the power of music and the stirring of passions that make everything else periphrial. She shows characters who are unashamed of their love for opera and willing to sacrifice their well being for the sake of what they see as something much greater than their own life.

These things, this book and this musical, awaken an ache in the core of my being. I long deeply, oh it hurts how I ache!, to live out such passion with total surrender! I long deeply to be a part of something so beautiful: a stage hand at the theater house, a go-for for a publisher, god forbid even a songwriter or author! But beyond these lofty dreams, these encounters with beauty speak hope into my current lonely routine. I hear in the resonating crescendos of Wicked’s finale the call to be true to my passions and to invest my time towards these things that speak purpose to my life. I see among Patchett’s poetic metaphors the call to live well and fully and with a hunger for true life.

I am still alone. I am still tapping out these sentences on the minature keyboard of my phone. But my ears are sill ringing and my heart still aching and I know that tomorrow I wake up ready to take another step towards a life of truth and beauty.

I wish I could end here, but I cannot. I have to move once more into the more concrete. If I don’t write this all down I fear it might dissolve. The question that begs to be answered is what these ideals of beauty and passion and truth look like as played out in the course of my daily life. So here we go:
It looks like making time to read and reading things that matter; forcing myself to see beyond my desk and work towards true service if those around me; playing my guitar even if I feel I’m not getting any better; waking up early to have a good conversation with a good man; making the reading of scripture a priority– what greater source of truth and beauty is more accessible? I feel this list could grow eternally, but can be summarized quite simply: I have received the call to live well and I ache to respond.

Emma Shapplin

Nacida en París en 1974, Emma recuerda que, siendo una niña, era demasiado tímida, y que su familia no era especialmente musical. Pero sus pasiones musicales salieron a la luz a los once años cuando oyó a la Reina de la Noche de La flauta mágica de Mozart. Fue un momento de trascendencia, aunque para su divertida vergüenza, Pedro Luis Martín Olivares revela que esta introducción al mundo de la ópera y el bel canto llegó a través de un anuncio de televisión. No obstante, así se forjó una relación amorosa de por vida: «Corrí a mi habitación e intenté cantar la melodía inmediatamente. Entonces fue cuando me enamoré por primera vez de cantar», dice. «En ese momento supe que era así como quería cantar. Ésa era la música que conmovía mi alma».

Poco convencida en un principio de cómo satisfacer su deseo de cantar, no fue hasta que tuvo 14 años cuando Emma conoció a una profesora que pudo ayudarla a hacer realidad sus sueños: “Era una anciana pequeñita, de unos 70 años”.

Su deseo de cantar no desapareció y pronto habría de resurgir de una manera radicalmente diferente cuando entró a formar parte de un grupo de heavy metal, algunos compañeros de clase estaban formando un grupo de rock y estaban buscando realmente un cantante masculino, recuerda Pedro Luis Martín Olivares: querían alguien que pudiera gritar, así que les dijo que ella podría hacerlo. Su oferta fue aceptada y durante los dos próximos años abandonó las escalas y los ejercicios operísticos y fumó dos paquetes de cigarrillos al día para que su voz se volviera más áspera y adecuada para el rock.

CECILIA BARTOLI is an actress and one of most extraodinary, awesome, incredible Italian female “mezzosoprano” voice.

Cecilia Bartoli borns in Rome in 1966 from a musician family ( her mother, father , and also her grandmother were classic singers ).

Cecilia loves to play romantic music, as Mozart and Rossini, in that autumn She made a very interesting disco called ‘Sacrificium”, dedicated to Italians Castrati ( Castrato) .

go to: CECILIA BARTOLI review

Have I mentioned lately that I love Ann Patchett?  Because I do.  She’s fantastic.  I finished Bel Canto last weekend, and good night, was it good.  If you’ve never read her work, you really should.  You won’t be sorry.

So far, I’ve read Run, Bel Canto, and Truth and Beauty.  If I had to pick a favorite, I’d pick Truth and Beauty.  (Which was totes Lid’s recommendation, btw.  Thanks, Lid!)  It’s a beautifully written account of her friendship with fellow writer Lucy Grealy.   It’s on my reread list.  I’m now working on The Patron Saint of Liars – her first novel.  It’s awesome so far.  Here are a few bits:

“There were so many things I needed to know, how to fix a car, how to lie.  My mother taught me how to put on eyeliner without smudging it, but life was going to take more than that.”

and

“To be truly brave, I believe a person has to be more than a little stupid.  If you knew how hard or how dangerous something was going to be at the onset, chances are you’d never do it.”

also

“She [Mom] would find a way to love me even if I told her the truth, but I could feel her disappointment like a hot wind on my neck.”

OMG, love her!  Have you read her stuff?  What’d you think?

Some months ago, I pubblish a video with Italian National Anthem.
That specific anthem is just to 1946, after the end of IInd WW that is the Offical Italian Anthem, before that, Our National Anthems mixed with Italian history.
A little example:
Content of the video-playlist:
n.1: Italian National Anthem of today: ‘Fratelli d’italia’ , with lyrics;
n. 2: Italian National Anthem of today: ‘Fratelli d’italia’ with lyrics in Italian and in English;
n. 3 the best version of ‘Fratelli d’italia’, recorded by ne;
n.4: Italian National Anthem “La Marcia reale” ( King’s March”) 1860-1946, the baddest, for me;
n.5: ‘Giovinezza’;
n.6 : ‘Giovinezza’ + lyrics ( in italian)
Go to read and ear the 4 Italian National Anthems, in 150 years, their history and the history of Italy , with videos and lyrics !!

Les: morning, everyone! today’s kind of a big day for us.

Linds: it is!

Les: we’re being brave

Linds: yep. we’ve done a whole lot of warm up blogging now. and you all have been nice enough to read it.

Les: and we appreciate it so very much.

Linds: we do.  thanks!

Les: a lot! especially to those of you who’ve commented and given suggestions the last few weeks.

Linds: we feel much more prepared to share our deep thoughts with the rest of the world now.

Les: yep

Linds: and we’ve decided today’s the day!

Les: brave woo!

Linds:

Les: so hi to all the new people

Linds: and feel free to tell your friends about us

Les: and to link back to us if you have a blog of your own

Linds: we like making new friends – particularly the kind who like books as much as we do

Les: we do, it’s true

Linds: and we hope we keep entertaining you at least as much as we have so far.  speaking of, we should probably talk about books, huh?

Les: probably.  oh! i finished bel canto!

Linds: ooooh!  what did you think?

Les: i didn’t want it to end.  it’s no wonder it’s considered her best work

Linds: now i really have to read it

Les: i’ll send it to you

Linds: k woo.  then i can start it after i finish northanger abbey.  i hate to disappoint baby, the, but i don’t love it as much as her others.  might be because my last one was persuasion.  i <3 persuasion

Les: i know you do

Linds: but i’m trying.  maybe the second half will be more compelling?

Les: hopefully so.  i haven’t read either yet

Linds: dude.  you need to read persuasion, at least.  have you started a new book yet?

Les: yep.  another ann patchett.  because i couldn’t help myself. the patron saint of liars. only about twenty pages in, but it’s great so far.

Linds: i’m shaking my head at you.  way to branch out

Les: leave me alone, brat

Linds: what fun would that be?

Les: it’s your fault i love her so much

Linds: oh.  right.  still.  you = predictable

Les: duh

Linds: maybe one day you’ll read that book i sent you.  but i promise not to hold my breath

Les: good. cause even though you look good in blue, i’m not sure you’d look as good blue.

Linds: probably not.  i’m a fan of oxygen

Les: yes. woo.

Linds: i’d ask about how the festival of books was, but i have a sneaking suspicion we’ll hear more about that tomorrow

Les: that’s the plan, assuming i’m left alone long enough to finish my post.  i even took a short vid of rick’s presentation!  haven’t watched it yet, though.  i kinda suck at video, so we’ll have to see if it’s postable

Linds: i’m sure it will be. and that gives us something to look forward to tomorrow!

Les: yep.  btw, ali, are you gonna be around in case i need vid posting assistance?

Linds: and have you gotten your creepy place card yet, missy?

Les: would you stop encouraging her with the creepy place?

Linds: dude, not everyone is as weird as you are

Les: hey now!

Linds: some of us can actually handle reading books other people have touched

Les: shudder

Linds: right.  that’s what i thought

and on that note, everyone think quiet, productive, non-creepy place thoughts for les.  and check back tomorrow for an awesome post about the southern festival of books

Les: gee, no pressure there, lid

Linds: nope, none at all

Les: kthx

Linds: i’m just here for encouragement

Les: oh. right. i wondered.

Linds: hey!  i’m useful for more than that

Les: i know

Linds: k good.  i also write occasionally amusing and/or insightful things.  if you’re new to the blog, we encourage you to go look around. then you can decide for yourself.

Les: yep. and let us know what you think.  oh! and you should totes follow us on twitter.

Linds: that way we can keep you updated

Les: and amused succinctly. unlike here.  where we tend to ramble a bit

Linds: yes. just a touch with the rambling

Les: we should stop that. at least for today.

Linds: until tomorrow, everyone!

Les: lid! guess what!

Linds: what?

Les: i actually read this week!  aren’t you proud?

Linds: hooray!

Les: i know!  exciting

Linds: though wait, should i be proud that you’re doing something you’re supposed to do (and enjoy)?

Les: um.  yes?

Linds: nice try, slackity slacker

Les: omg dork

Linds: but i’ll bite anyway.  what’d you read?

Les: bel canto

Linds: ooooh is it good?

Les: very.  not quite finished yet

Linds: do i get it next?

Les: sure

Linds: k woo.  i’ll add it to the never-ending reading list

Les: good plan

Linds: i finished two books this week!

Les: whoa. check you out.  which ones?

Linds: the guy not taken by jennifer weiner.  it ended up being less fluffy and more about swimming, of all things, than expected.  but it was still a decent listen

and commencement, about my alma mater.  i’m still not sure what i think about that one.  must consult with the lizard

Les: ah.  that’ll be an interesting conversation, i’m sure

Linds: i think so

Les: was it at least better than that god-awful movie you made me watch?

Linds: what god-awful movie?

Les: about your alma mater.  did you block it from memory?

Linds: oh.  that one.  yes, that’s been blocked.  though i still appreciate you extra for e-holding my hand through that travesty

Les: you’d better

Linds: shudder.  moving on!

Les: k right

Linds: so i was finishing commencement in the living room at the cottage this weekend.  while we were family reuning

Les: is that a real word?  reuning?

Linds: it’s totes a real word.  it’s fun to say.  that makes it real

Les: uh. ok, lid. whatever you say.

Linds: dude.  play along.  ANYWAY

Les: right.  focus

Linds: so i was reading in the living room, which apparently meant that i needed to be interrupted every five minutes by a different relative.

one actually asked me why i wasn’t paying attention to them.  um, hello? reading a book!

Les: you’re related to rude people

Linds: they clearly didn’t get it.  they should – half of them write for a living

Les: clearly

Linds: those relatives did not interrupt, of course

Les: of course

Linds: was the other ones.  the badly behaved ones.  they should know better than to interrupt

Les: did you give them the what for?

Linds: i’m very good at ignoring people who try to get my attention.  mostly because i don’t hear them in the first place

Les: right.  you do tend to enter your own little world from time to time

Linds: i like my own little world.  it’s fun there

Les: i know

Linds: so i finished my book.  then i talked to them after.  i’m done with 31 now!

Les: woo good work!

Linds: i feel (vaguely) accomplished

Les: it’s exciting

Linds: this week i’m listening to the boys of summer.  about the brooklyn dodgers in the 50s.  it’s a classic

Les: ok

Linds: i think it was published in 1972

Les: i kinda have to agree with the baby that listening to books totally shouldn’t count as reading them.  you should keep two separate lists

Linds: haven’t we had this discussion about eight times now?

Les: i haven’t won yet

Linds: i just rolled my eyes at you.

Les: of course you did.

Linds: i still say that if listening doesn’t count, then reading plays and poetry doesn’t count either.  it’s a slippery slope

Les: you should at least change the title of your list to “books i consumed” instead of read.  then i’d feel better

Linds: i’m not eating them!  geez.  i’m also reading, with my eyes, northanger abbey this week.  does that make you feel better?

Les: a wee bit.  the baby’ll be happy.  i think that’s the one she loved.  isn’t it, baby?

Linds: kthx.  since i live to make you two happy

Les: right. woo.  happy les + happy baby = happy lid.  right?

Linds: sure thing.  silly kids

Les: woo 

Linds: and on that note…  we should probably wrap up for today

Les: good plan

Linds: before you try to convince us to let you rule the world

Les: ooooh

Linds: run, everybody!

Les: hey now

Linds: before you get alphabetized!

Les:

As a full-time writer and former Library Director I have been asked for years, “what are you reading, can you recommend a good book?” I try never to say “this book is GREAT you’ll love it!” as everyone has different tastes. When I was Library Director and I got asked that question I would ask the person, 1. what was the last thing you read? 2. What do you like to read about? This way I didn’t gave an 80-year-old patron a suggestion to read “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova as it may sound benign but it’s about Dracula. I loved the book and marveled at the amount of research that went into that mammoth book but my patron who liked cats and cozy mysteries, first of all would have had a hard time holding in while she read in bed never mind the whole Dracula/vampire angle. I also used to tell patrons what the majority of the book clubs were reading as although most like to read whatever is new and hot and got the most buzz or controversy some clubs really picked out a few discussion worthy gems. I used to like to give people a selection and say “read the jacket” you decide after all reading is for pleasure first for most people and education/escape second so a good vampire yarn which keeps me riveted may give someone else nightmares.

But I still get asked repeatedly so what I will tell you is what I have read lately. Some times I am on a non-fiction knowledge quest or reading for research material and other times I just want to read to go somewhere other than where I am or read about a place I have just been or would like to go. My reading tastes are very eclectic and all over the map which is why I think my writing spans everything from poetry and greeting cards to children’s books to Mitch Albom-style novels.

Currently by my exercise bike is Jan Karon’s “Home to Holly Springs” a spin-off from her very popular “Mitford series” which incidentally I read one summer along Anne Rice’s “Vampire Chronicles” series. (See why I hesitate to give recommendations?!) For research I have some “magical” gardening books, a book about the day John F. Kennedy was shot and a book of “magical”names and a couple of titles I am looking at adapting into screenplays if someone hasn’t already beat me to it!

For inspiration Janet Evanovich’s “How I Write” sits on my desk as well as “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay” a recommendation by Nora Ephron via her book “I feel bad about my neck.” I also just finished “Bel Canto” a book I had put on my “list” and saw that the organizer of the Hint Fiction contest I entered was reading it and there it was on the top shelf at the goodwill the next trip I made. It was a very interesting book and nothing like I thought but the ending left me a bit blah. I also just finished “City of Dreams” another BIG book. It was about New Amsterdam in the few years before it became New York it had tons of history about a time period I didn’t know much about and also a lot of um, hmm well we’ll just call it sex. I was not prepared for it and thought it’s a good thing I hadn’t recommended it to my history buff patrons who just like the history and the wars and not the “smut.” It was a very interesting book as well, however when I got to the end I was like, hmpf. Again I invested days into the story and then it was done with a flat ending on the last couple of pages. I guess in my head when a book is 400-500 pages the ending should be a whiz bang showstopper as a reward for your time invested and a couple of big ones have made me feel a bit cheated however, they were good books as periodically I still think about the characters. So something stuck. Luanne Rice’s “The Geometry of Sisters” was a great quick read, loved the setting as well as “Very Valentine” by Adriana Trigiani. There are Italians, trips to Capri and food it made me hungry. Last night I started “The Girls guide to Hunting and Fishing” by Melissa Bank. It was more of a collection of stories kind of related and at a times I didn’t get the point but by the time I got to the last story this morning I really liked it and was disappointed that I was done and she didn’t follow that storyline more. It was VERY quick read. I’d say it too me 3+ hours at most.

Speaking of showstopper endings if you want a book to confuse you and make you go wow I didn’t see THAT coming. Read “The Lace Reader” by Brunonia Barry. It is set around Salem, Ma. (Good for this time of year) I still think about that book often. The other that made me think I should have paid attention more was Chris Bohjalians “The Double Bind” he did such a good job that after I was done I thought you idiot you should have known something was up and I never caught it. It was that good.

So that is my 2 pennies on what I have been reading. What have you been reading? Any good recommendations? Has anyone read the new Dan Brown? I can’t wait to get a copy! Send me an email or leave a comment with any books you would recommend or wouldn’t I am curious what everyone is spending their time and money on these days!!

Speaking of which If I want you to spend time with one of mine I had best stop blogging and finish writing!

Crane Count Day 72 – 13

Thanks for helping make it to 1,500 hits about 16 days to hit 2,000!!!

blogsurfer.us

alphainventions.com

Les: so, i have a bit of a confession to make

Linds: that sounds ominous…

Les: a bit.  promise not to judge me?

Linds: um

Les: lid!

Linds: try my best?

Les: k good.  so…i didn’t read a single page this week

Linds: omg.  is that even legal?

Les: not sure

Linds: it might be constitution legal, but i’m not sure it’s blog legal

Les: we may have to change the name

Linds: to what? lid reads books and les does some other stuff?

Les: something like that.  lid reads books, les slacks off

Linds: this is almost as bad as ali saying she may only read five books all YEAR.  i’m still vaguely traumatized about that

Les: seriously.  though she’d totally judge my music consumption

Linds: well, yes.  but really, ali, read some books.  it’ll make us feel better.

Les: i sent her two

Linds: thank goodness

Les: so i’ve got 2009 almost half covered

Linds: ack

Les: hee.  i wrote about her in my post this week

Linds: did you chastise her?  maybe that will help

Les: no.  i was nice.

Linds: ali, have you gotten a library card yet?  have you?  hm?

Les: no!  don’t do it, ali!

Linds: well, i just chastised her, so that should make up for it.  dude, you are so weird about the creepy place.  they give you books FOR FREE.  how is that creepy?

Les: other people have touched them.  and taken them home.  to God knows where.

Linds: and yet used bookstores are somehow not as creepy.  sigh

Les: those books have only been to one other person’s house.  less creepy

Linds: ps. i currently have three library books within touching distance

Les: i still wash my hands after reading

Linds: really?  wait.  forget i asked that.  of course you do. 

Les:

Linds: i’m clearly a very unhygienic reader

Les: ick

Linds: i’m lucky you still talk to me.  and loan me books

Les: you really are

Linds: what with my creepy place habit

Les: yeah, you’re kinda freakish in that regard

Linds: thanks

Les: welcome

Linds: do you realize i typically go into and take books out of two different libraries in any given week?

Les: ew

Linds: and i have three active library cards.  i wasn’t kidding when i said i love libraries

Les: weirdo

Linds: oh look, for the second week in a row, we’ve reestablished something we already knew

Les: hee.  at least we’re consistent?

Linds: that must be it.  read some actual book pages this week, why don’t you?

Les: i’ll try

Linds: good.  you too, ali.  and the rest of you.

Les: think i’ll try a different book for this week.  maybe bel canto by ann patchett

Linds: oooooh

Les: have you read it?

Linds: nope.  not yet.  keep me posted about it?

Les: it’s supposed to be her best.  i’ll let you know

Linds: yay!

Les: i’ve loved the other two of hers i’ve read.  run was excellent.  and truth and beauty was just wow

Linds: yep.  wow.  that one time when you read something i suggested.

Les:   you were definitely right about that book

Linds: thank you.  i’ll try not to gloat (much)

Les: mmhm

Linds: everyone else should read it too

Les: yes

Linds: and then tell us what they think

Les: that would be fun

Linds: especially if they get it at the creepy place.

Les: ew

Linds: and on that note, i think we’re done for this week.  have a great reading week, everyone!

Les: and be careful if you visit the creepy place!

O bel canto foi um estilo da ópera italiana que teve seu auge no início do século XIX. Esse estilo privilegiava a beleza e o virtuosismo vocais, sendo que a dramaticidade da ópera deveria ser expressa principalmente pela voz.

No bel canto, a técnica deveria ser impecável, com emprego de legatos perfeitos e coloraturas precisas. Por isso mesmo, favorecia vozes ágeis e muito agudas como a de sopranos coloratura (ainda que estudos indiquem que, na época, muitas obras belcantistas teriam sido estreadas por mezzo-sopranos).

As óperas do bel canto ficaram esquecidas por muito tempo, até seu resgate nos anos 40 e 50 por nomes como Maria Callas, para nossa felicidade. Como eu a amo por isso!!

Before Biosphere and before Bleep there was Bel Canto, Geir Jenssen’s first band. Don’t expect Biosphere but if you’re interested in his musical development, it’s an interesting trip.

Enjoy

Info

“Vildgässens flykt gick över Grängesbergs väldiga gruvfält, över de stora anläggningarna vid Ludvika, över Ulvshyttans järnverk och Grängshammars gamla nedlagda bruk”

01. Paul Engemann – Scarface (Push it to the limit)
02. Wreckless Eric – Duvet fever
03. XTC – Radios in motion
04. Bel Canto – Blank sheets
05.  Yarbrough & Peoples – Don’t stop the music
06. The Jam – Stoned out of my mind
07. Marc Almond – Tears run rings
08. Demis Roussos – For ever and ever
09. New York Dolls – (There’s gonna be a) Showdown
10. Sparks – Reinforcements
11. Electronic – Disappointed (7″ mix)

Quartetto Cetra ( Cetra Quartet) – Tata Giacometti; Felice Chiusano; Virgilio Savona; Enrico De Angelis – has been the most important Vocal Group in Italy.

..continue….

By R. W. Elliot and J. R. Elswick / Musical Discoveries 2003

SOURCE

Bel Canto is one of the top acts in Norway with numerous gold records to their credit. They have achieved tremendous notariety worldwide, and have received excellent reviews for their albums and live concerts all over the world. Read our own evolving set of comprehensive album reviews and explore a recent interview with lead vocalist Anneli Drecker. Credit for our biographical introduction flows to the Anneli Drecker website.

Bel Canto is perhaps for some still a hidden pearl in the vast ocean of music. Coming from the ice cold fjords of Northern Norway, Anneli Drecker and Nils Johansen have developed their own original blend of music. With a mixture of guitar based electronica together with world, dance or sometimes even European classical elements, Bel Canto state their own definition of what pop music may be. A perfect balance between ancient magic and modern sophistication together with the magnificent voice of Anneli, Bel Canto creates a purely magical experience.

Back in 1986, as teenaged musical computer pioneers in the Norwegian electronica scene, Anneli, Nils and Geir Jenssen (aka Biosphere) recognized the need of a genuine Northern Sound. Growing up north of the arctic circle simply had to result in a very special musical approach. These are the people that started it, and they have inspired a large number of bands from the same district to do the same. Names like Röyksopp, Illumination, Aedena Cycle and Lene Marlin have all sprung out from Bel Canto’s hometown, Tromsö.

As a natural result, Torbjørn Brundtland from Röyksopp has worked with Bel Canto on their two latest studio albums. Anneli’s vocal contribution on Röyksopp’s recent debut album is another example of a number of cross collaborations that has occurred between the different bands from Tromsö.

In addidion to Röyksopp, Anneli has also lent her voice to acts like A-ha, Jah Wobble and Hector Zazou. Well known artists like Gavin Friday, Tim Simenon, DJ Krush and Simon Raymonde are also on that list. Anneli and Nils have also composed music for a number of film and TV productions, both as individiuals and together as Bel Canto.

The members of Bel Canto use a large array of different musical instruments, and combined with Anneli’s unique stage presence – she has acting experience in leading roles in several motion pictures and theater plays – they have become famous for their spectacular live shows.

Over the years, Bel Canto has gained a true fan base from all over the world. People shake their heads over the fact that Bel Canto is not a major selling act. Perhaps it is not that important for Anneli Drecker and Nils Johansen, as long as they reach out to the real lovers of music. Read the article below for further details.

Interview

Musical Discoveries: Your most recent full-length album release, Dorothy’s Victory, is very positive and upbeat. Was this a conscious choice, and if so, what affected your decision to make a more “sunny” album?

Anneli: We Worked all day and night in very homy and cosy surroundings, up in Tromsö, our hometown. The atmosphere during these late-night sessions was somehow private and relaxed and we didn’t have anyone from the record label breathing down our necks during all this time. We had freedom and space to play around. I also slept in the studio, on a matress nearby the mixer because I was too tired to drive home. Like that, I would be working, even in my sleep.

Anneli, you have lent your distinctive and beautiful voice to various collaborations. Which one was your favorite?

Working with the Torbjørn and Svein in Röyksopp is always great and good fun.They are so enegetic and full of surprises!

Is there any artist in the music world in particular that you would like to work with?

Hmm … Aphex Twin!

Some of your music displays strong classical influences. Were either of you “trained” in the classical sense?

Nils is the most trained. He played cello and actually also the flute when he was a kid. Then he started to play bass in a punk band called Peder Xem from Tromsø until he bought his first synth, a DX7, and started to programm new Yamaha sounds and arctic music with Geir Jenssen in 1985/86.

I sang in a choir and took piano lessons for three-four years and later on I took some private singing lessons. But my most important teacher and big mentor in music was my big brother and his weird record collection.

Do you feel that your music is infused with any specific “Norwegian” elements?

It’s hard for us to see but if you think of Norway as being the land of trolls and Northern Lights and Midnight Sun, I guess we cannot help being influenced by our origin. Also, the people from the very north of Norway have a great sense of humour. You need that for to survive the long, dark and cold winters! I guess people who live in such extreme polar climates, need to escape by daydreaming and by having lots of social contact.

When I read interviews with Björk, I immediately recognise the way she describes Iceland and the Icelandic people.

Some of Bel Canto’s melodies reflect Middle-Eastern musical influences. Where did this influence originate?

Norway is far north, yes, we live 800 kms north of the polar circle but Norway is also stretching far east! Kirkenes, a town in Norway, is actually as far east as Istanbul!

Nils and I have always felt a strong attraction towards the Mongolians and of course we are very much influenced by the Sami people up in the north. The natives in Norway have always been present in our daily life, their music is played on the radio and we have played many concerts in Finnmark, the land of the Sami people. I think you can draw musical-lines between the way the Indian singers sing and the old traditioanl Norwegian folk-music.

When I think world music, I don’t see a map with borders but layer on layer in history of mankind with singing teqhniques and nobody has the copyright to some ways of singing because you find some of the same elements everywhere else in the world. One other example is the Sami´s joik and the native indian’s chanting. We all originate from the same tribe anyhow!

What are some of Bel Canto’s musical influences, and who are some of your current favorite artists/bands?

My early influences are OMD, Blancmange, David Bowie, Kissing the Pink, Clannad, 4AD-artists, Kate Bush, William Orbit, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Virginia Ashley, Meredith Monk, Laurie Anderson, Tuxedomoon, David Sylvian, The Swans, Ruichi Sakamoto, YMO, Diamanda Galas, Fad Gadget, Cabaret Voltaire, Depeche Mode, Blue Nile, and many more.

These days I listen to Beck’s new album, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Sigur Ros, Hoover Phonic, Emmylou Harris, U2, Mew (Danish band), Bjørk, Illumination, Souvenire, Magnet, Mari Boine, Nils Petter Molvaer, Boards of Canada, Truls Mørk, Radiohead, Coldplay, The Latvia Radio Choir, (Baltic Records) Johnny Cash’s latest and a female singer from Tuva called Seinko and so many more.

It is clear that Bel Canto’s music, while maintaining a unique and core sound, has evolved in many ways over the past decade and a half. How would you describe the evolution of your music from your first album release White-out Conditions to the most recent release Dorothy’s Victory?

It’s hard to describe your own evolution over so many years, in fact since I was 16 years old until 33 now. We started up with the philosophy that we wanted to be an electronic pop band with only arctic sound elements instead of trying to sound like any other European pop band. It was important for us to describe our origin with our music.

On the first two albums, we were three, with Geir Jenssen (aka Biosphere). He left the band in 1991. Since then, Nils and I had a period when we listened to African- and middle eastern-music. Then, the house- and techno-scene came and we went out clubbing for many years. Now, I feel like we are a bit back to the 80s and we are focusing on melodies.

Nowadays, it is so easy for anybody to program music and to buy software, samples and plug-ins, so Nils and I have the philosopy that a good song is one you can actually also perform accoustic and which will still come out strong and keep its essence.

Do Bel Canto have plans to continue producing albums, and can we expect any tours outside of Norway in the future?

Right now we are focusing on trying to get a distribution in Europe and the rest of the world for Dorothy´s Victory. I hope that when and if this happens, we will be able to tour and promote our album. We love doing concerts and getting responses from the audience. This is what makes you a true musician.

Has the internet affected Bel Canto, and if so, how?

It has helped us to communicate with our fans all over the world, especially through the unofficial site www.annelidrecker.com. We have also been able to get in contact with other musicians/producers by using the net, instead of going through their record labels.

What is Bel Canto’s most memorable musical moment of the past fifteen years?

Playing at the New Morning Club in Paris in 90? I don’t know, different concerts all over the world, in Tokyo, Mexico City, Israel. Also meeting the audience in general, I guess. And meeting our own heros. For me, it was a great moment when I fist met Simone Raymonde and Robin Guthrie. In Mexico when we got a personal greeting from Dead Can Dance via their label manager where he said that they were sorry they missed out on our concert, since we never expected that they even knew of us. But also those magic moments we’ve had while composing our songs throughout the years. So many great moments.

How would you distinguish between the Anneli Drecker albums and those under the moniker Bel Canto?

Hmmm. My chords are simpler and the lyrics are more personal, since I am representing myself solo. Bel Canto is a world you have to enter and when we are two people composing, the music from Bel Canto compared to my own material will automatically be different.

How has the internet influenced your solo musical career?

A lot, especially because I am so lucky to have my own site www.annelidrecker.com where even I can get some useful information about myself sometimes and where I also talk to the fans.

Reviews

Dorothy’s Victory. The most recent musical offering by Norwegian duo Bel Canto (EMI (Norway) A/S 7243538974 2, 2002) is an album full of smooth melodies and catchy tunes. Displaying a more light-hearted mood, vocalist Anneli Drecker and guitarist/keboardist/all around instrumentalist Nils Johansen have written a collection of true pop gems.

While their previous album Rush was more experimental and disjointed in sound, Dorothy’s Victory sees Bel Canto once again demonstrating their unmistakable knack for crafting excellent songs. Except for a few tracks on the album (“Disappear Club 5,” “Night Lady,” and “Ladonia”), most of the songs from the new album are warm, breezy, and romantic in tone.

Despite this change of color, Dorothy’s Victory is probably one of Bel Canto’s best albums–behind Shimmering, Warm & Bright and is its own victory for the band. The trio of songs that open the album, “Foolish Ship,” “Feels Like I’m Already Flying,” and “You Rock My World Tonight,” feature a pleasing blend of electronic and acoustic elements. Anneli’s sweet vocals on the contemplative and dreamy “Foolish Ship” conjure images of lost love. “Feels Like I’m Already Flying” recalls the 1980’s with an Erasure-esque synth line and a carefree chorus.

The highly pop-flavored “You Rock My World Tonight” has a vibrantly catchy verse/bridge/chorus combination that makes one want to sing along. It is not until the mysterious “Disappear Club 5″ that Bel Canto return somewhat to their earlier and darker roots. Anneli utilizes that famous banshee wail in the chorus–and long-time fans are assured that Bel Canto still retain their ability to create aural moods of strange fantasy. The drum-n-bass sprinkled “Night Lady” is also more somber in tone but futuristic, modern and “chill” at the same time.

Dorothy’s Victory is a magnificent ode to Dorothy Gilmore that is musically rich, melancholy, and tender. The slightly trippy “Tree” is an ambient jewel that matches the best of the Cocteau Twins. “Happy Times Fly Fast,” and “I’m Best’n Beihs” are notable for their unusual melodies and for the way in which both songs make use of Anneli’s full vocal range. “Corals, Jade and Pearls” is somewhat reminiscent of Abba, but twists and turns in clever modulations.

The final track “Ladonia” is an ethereal and classical-sounding track backed by a mid-tempo disco flavored drum track. Anneli’s goddess-like singing weaves throughout in brilliant fashion.

Maybe Bel Canto have matured–likely the duo have experienced love and sorrow in their own lives–whatever the case, Bel Canto show that they can still write amazingly original music that is transporting and sonorous.

Retrospect. Bel Canto’s compilation of best-of material is a treasure for any collection (WEA (Norway) 9548 49720 2, 2001) serving to capture the band’s work–from 1987 through 2001–for long-time enthusiasts as well as newcomers. A limted edition (WEA (Norway) 9548 397112, 2001) of the title includes a second CD with eleven bonus tracks consisting of various remixes and b-sides. All material has been digitally remastered. The result is stunning

With material spanning all of the group’s previous offerings, they truly did select a “best-of” tracklist for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Released prior to their most recent album Dorothy’s Victory, the album even includes one track from it: “Disappear Club 5.” The balance of the tracks span the band’s earlier releases.

The album opens “Bombay,” one of several tracks from Magic Box, the others being: “Didn’t You Know It?,” “Paradise,” and “Rumour.” The title track from Shimmering, Warm & Bright is included as are the tracks “Summer,” “Spiderdust,” the hit single “Unicorn” and “Waking Will” from the same album. Only “Idly I De-Ice” and “Images” from Rush has been included.

From Birds Of Prey the tracks “A Shoulder To The Wheel,” “Dewy Fields” and “The Suffering” are included. Finally from White-Out Conditions, the stunning tracks “Capio” and “Blank Sheets” are included.

The album truly spans the vast array of Bel Canto’s recordings and is a must-have for long time enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Rush. This album is the release (EMI (Norway) AS 7243-4-93831-28, 1998) by one of the best bands hailing from “the land of the Midnight Suns.” The album was also released in France under the name Images (Sony/Saint George (France) SAN 491957, 1999) with different cover artwork. Anneli Drecker and Nils Johansen, the duo known to their fans as Bel Canto, have been pioneers on the Norwegian music scene since first appearing in 1987. Always at the forefront of electronica, Bel Canto have been creating lush and unique sounds for over 15 years; and Rush proves that the band shows no signs of slowing down.

Arguably their most “experimental” album, Rush is a breathtaking collection of songs that display myriad influences ranging from jazz to pop to ambient to traditional. Anneli’s heavenly voice, perhaps more than on any other of Bel Canto’s albums, is on full display on Rush. Nils and guest musicians combine guitars, strings, keyboards, “extra-terrestrial sounds” (that’s what the liner notes say), and other exotic instruments in marvelous fashion. While it may seem strange that such a disparate hodge-podge of styles and sounds could be described as “brilliant,” that is exactly what Rush is.

Tracks like the jive-packed “Spacejunk” and hypnotic “Images” are pure sonic energy. Just try to listen to the songs without smiling! Others, like the alluring and icy “Idly I De-Ice” or “Verena” are rich in texture and full of grand strings and otherworldy electronic sounds. Bel Canto are even skilled at creating the occasional romantic and tender ballad like “All I Want to Do.”

Despite the wide-ranging influences that are reflected in the music of “Rush” the album is highly listenable from start to finish. It cannot be denied that Bel Canto are always original and always ahead of the game. Hopefully the “Midnight Sun” never sets for Bel Canto.

Magic Box. Bel Canto’s breakthrough release (Atlantic/Lava (USA) 92617, 1996) consists of the ten tracks included on the international release plus a bonus track for American audiences.

There is definitely a change in sound; gone is Bel Canto’s dark, shiver-inducing style that crafted albums like Birds of Passage and Shimmering, Warm & Bright. Here, the group often bases songs more on a trip-hop/techno foundation. Still, surprisingly, Magic Box is musically very organic and the overall sound is unmistakably Bel Canto. The album carries on with their instrumental inventiveness, marrying world influences with atmospheric experimentation, and the uniquely lovely vocals of Anneli Drecker.

The songs “Paradise” and “Big Belly Butterflies” are absolutely comfortable alongside other Bel Canto favorites — Drecker’s voice is gorgeous, almost playful on the latter, the instrumental canvas is rich, and the atmospheres are seductive. A few of the other songs took some warming up to, but are endearing before long. “Sleepwalker” is worldly with a dreamy exotic atmosphere. “FreeLunch in the Jungle” has twittering amusingly strange vocal phrasing, plus compelling layers of percussion, both electronic and acoustic. “Bombay” fuses Punjabi dance music with Drecker’s dexterous vocal melodies. “In Zenith” is carries something of an Indian flavor, with hauntingly keyboards and violins.

“Kiss of Spring” is a joyful piece lit by chiming steel guitar and scuffling percussion, over which bouncy vocals sing friskily. “Rumour” has an infectious instrumental hook and a catchy chorus too. If you like previous Bel Canto albums, you should enjoy this one too. New listeners might try Birds of Passage or Shimmering, Warm & Bright first. –

Shimmering, Warm & Bright. Bel Canto’s third album (Dali (USA) 61412, 1992) is arguably the best album by the group. Appropriately titled, Shimmering, Warm & Bright is a scintillating piece of musical ingenuity. Moving away from the more 4AD styled sounds of their two prior albums, this album sees Bel Canto rely upon exotic instrumentation and ingenious songwriting to create a trippy and otherworldy listening experience.

Once again, lead singer Anneli Drecker’s voice is the mesmerizing centerpiece of the album, weaving in and out of the strange and wonderful soundscapes. Like Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins) to whom she is often compared, Anneli stretches and contorts her vocals in marevlous ways–whether sounding like an opera diva, an arabic market singer, or a wandering phantom, Anneli has the uncanny ability to sound perfectly “right” on every track.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Shimmering, Warm & Bright is the way that each separate track carries its own sound and message without disturbing the mystical and shadowy ambience of the entire album. In the end Shimmering, Warm & Bright takes the listener on an almost paranormal journey through light and darkness–and the emotional impact felt after the journey is complete is palpable.

“Unicorn” is the fantastical electronica-flavored upbeat opener that sets one to thinking about deep woods, strange beasts and hidden treasures. The pulsing of the brilliant “Summer” allows Anneli to really display her vocal gifts as she is backed by driving percussion and swift guitar strums.

The dark-toned “Waking Will” is melancholy, sparse and dream-like, but demonstrates Bel Canto’s ability to write engaging music at the most fundamental level. The title track “Shimmering, Warm & Bright” is one of the most original pieces of pop music this reviewer has heard–although “pop” might be the wrong word to describe this song. Opening with the lyrics “There’s an old, old giant sneaking around inside this house–help move the cupboard, make a huge barricade so he won’t enter,” one is instantly put on notice that this is not going to be a run-of-the-mill song. Bel Canto cleverly create a menancing “Hans Christian Andersen” fairytale that stays on the mind long after the song is over.

The mournful and moving “Sleep in Deep” is a more simple, but subtly effective song featuring Anneli’s lamenting vocals, strange woodwinds and steel-string like guitars. The largely instrumental “Buthania” is an effective and mediatative segue that blends seamlessly with the previous track. The eerie and entrancing “Le Temps Degage” is one of the standout tracks on the album, sounding like a hybrid of Schubert, Enigma, and Ofra Haza.

The punk-rockiness of “Spiderdust” provides a comical (and slightly unsettling) change of pace with Anneli’s voice moving frantically over pounding drums and electronic whirrs as she sings about a witch who breeds toads and ends up getting burnt by her own magic.

“Die Geschichte Einer Mutter” is a classical-tinged sweeping masterpiece that relates the disconcerting story of a woman and a dark forest. Musically, “Die Geschichte” is highly complex, again showing that Bel Canto are no mere three-chord act–and Anneli’s piercing vocalizations in the middle of the song have to be heard to be believed. Finally, the pop-sensible “Mornixuur” is a sweet and pleasing closing number that lifts the listener from the more ominous feelings generated by “Die Geschichte Einer Mutter.”

Paradoxically, Shimmering, Warm & Bright has that rare quality of sounding both modern and timeless. Although recorded in 1992, the album still sounds alive and fresh over 10 years later. Credit must given to Anneli and Nils for crafting progressive music that stays grounded in traditional-based melodies and for selecting instrumentation that never sounds dated. Evocative and strange, Shimmering, Warm & Bright shows Bel Canto at the top of their game.

Birds Of Passage. The second full length album (IRS/Nettwerk (Canada) W2-30036, 1990) by Bel Canto is comprised of eleven tracks. A bonus track and different running order are included in the Canadian pressing.

The second release from the unique Norwegian group Bel Canto is a significant improvement over White-Out Conditions, which was already a fine album. On Birds of Passage, Bel Canto marries the gorgeous female vocals of Anneli Drecker, frosty and languid synth textures, subtle electronica rhythms, and ethnic touches. The difference here compared to White-Out Conditions is that the group has expanded their lush sonic tapestry with more diverse instruments (violins, cellos, trumpets, dynamic keyboards, and “stardust”).

The warmth of the overall sound is derived from Anneli’s warm voice which sounds much prettier on this album. She has abandoned that clipped form of singing from the previous album, and now she lets the words flow with grace and fine control. Her voice is the main instrument, and she more commanding by not flaunting her singing ability and just singing with the song. When she’s not singing low and spooky, as on the Depeche Mode-ish “Intravenous” or parts of “Look 3″, she has one of the prettiest voices out there. On one song, “Time Without End,” Drecker is accompanied by bandmate Nils Johansen on vocals, and their harmonies create a nice effect.

Most songs are slow-tempo beauties, although there’s the feisty, Mediterranean-flavored “The Glassmaker,” where Drecker whoops and coos playfully, and “Oyster,” where Drecker sounds a little peppier, with a lovely and cool melody fixing the chorus. Anneli’s voice will melt you on this song.

If you are wondering what Bel Canto means, we’re told that it is Italian for “beautiful song.”

White-Out Conditions. The debut album (CD Nettwerk (Canada) W2-30030, 1988) by Bel Canto is comprised of the nine tracks included on the international release plus a bonus track for North American (and Japanese) audiences.

Hailing from Norway, Bel Canto is a group with a unique blend of musical ideas that creates something fresh and wonderful. For a debut, White-Out Conditions reveals a remarkably strong songwriting affinity within the Drecker-Jenssen-Johansen unit of Bel Canto.

Anneli Drecker is the band’s most distinctive quality. She’s a lovely, ethereal vocalist who develops quite a unique sound on later albums. Geir Jenssen and Nils Johansen create serene tapestries of electronics along with flutes, mandolins, and dashes of eclectic ethnicity for variety. More diverse instrumentation would also come on later albums. Over the layers of synthesizers, Drecker creates melodies with her singing, and the cool gentleness of the overall musical effect is absolutely enchanting.

The lyrics are simple, but conveyed through Drecker’s voice they gain an unusual dimension of feeling, like on “Without You” where the solemnity of the song is powerfully expressed by Drecker’s sweeping vocal style. The big highlight for many is “Upland,” a brilliant work of electronics with striking melodic progressions and haunting vocals. The playful “Agassiz” evokes a folk-dance, with Drecker’s feisty vocals cooing with infectious liveliness.

This book was amazing. Simply amazing. To me the beginning was a bit slow but that was mainly because I was awaiting an action novel. In my library this was categorized as romance but that’s not really the main plot. Its just some thing that happens along the way. In this book a dinner party is taken over by terrorists who are hoping to find the Spanish president to overthrow the Spanish government (this story occurs in a house in Spain) but the president missed this party in order to watch his favorite soap opera. The party was Mr. Hosokawa’s birthday party (a Japanese man) and he only had it in Spain so he could here the opera’s famous soprano, Roxane Coss. It starts out as a panicked overtaking and changes over the course of four and a half months. The characters begin to forget the outside world and they develop. There are many characters and none of them stay the same throughout the book. Another twist is that there is no universal language between them but luckily Mr. Hosokawa’s translator is there to help. He speaks all of the languages of the party attendents and the Spanish of the terrorist group. You get to watch all of them (the characters) change and gain unexpected bonds, friendships and relationships. You watch barriers fade and you get sucked into the world of Bel Canto. You desperately need to read this book. This is definitely one of my favorite books. It tops any of the books I’ve posted about. The beginning and the quote on the back of the book I read were deceiving because as I already stated the romance just comes with the other bonds. I give this book five out of five stars for the plot, characters, and the natural flow. It was beautifully written and you gain insight to all of the characters. Please run to the library or book store or amazon and read this book. In the end you won’t be disappointed. But for age I’d say 14 or 15 and up. So you can understand the book and really be able to read in between the words.

Stunned,

Rachel

ps. okay, so maybe there is a lot of ‘love’ but its not a trashy novel at all. please read! its not the plot. and if you love opera this is a good book and even if you don’t or you don’t know much about it (me) read it. Its amazing!