Sunday 30 June 2024

I am the walrus


They are the eggmen. Waiting for the sun.
"I am the Walrus" is one of John Lennon's most unique pieces of music for the Beatles. It begins with the musicalization of the sound of a police car's siren. Then, Lennon develops a whole surreal story involving police officers, the Egg Man (various likely influences, such as the English campaign for egg consumption) and, above all, the walrus from the poem “The Walrus and the Carpenter”, written by Lewis Carroll in 1871. In this poem/story, a walrus and a carpenter on the beach begin a walk while talking. And they convince a group of oysters to join them on their walk along the beach... The song is related to the earlier song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and the later song "Glass Onion." And it is part of a set of other fantastic narratives, including those like “Strawberry Fields Forever” from the same “Magical Mystery Tour” album where “I am the Walrus” was published, as well as others included on various albums like “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band”.

In the end, "Oompah oompah, stick it up your jumper" means something like "oh, come on, let's go" and Lennon says "Oompah oompah everybody's got one" means "We're all the same", we all have the same condition. *

And now, one of the fantastic renditions from the Oasis.

Good bye, June! Welcome July, please be kind.

Sunday 9 June 2024

Celtic Portuguese


Lusitanians were Celts and considered the basis of the Portuguese people. Though the Portuguese were deeply changed due to the Roman invasions and many other occupations from other people, the Celtic influences never left the Portuguese culture.
Sétima Legião, is a 42-year-old Portuguese band with Celtic influence, composed of geniuses such as Rodrigo Leão, Francisco Menezes, Pedro Oliveira, Ricardo Camacho (deceased), amongst a large group of great musicians.
Last night, they performed a live concert in Oeiras. I recorded some videos.

Pois Que Deus Assim o Quis (So, God Wanted It That Way)


Caminhos de Santiago (Ways of St. James)


Sete Mares (Seven Seas)

A thousand-year-old story, of sailing for a lifetime. There are a thousand years of memories to tell, Oh city by the blue sea.
If the seas are only seven, There's more land than sea. I'll return my love with the force of the tide. Oh, city by the sea, Down South.
Today, On a northern wind, Flames of fortune, I travel south. Seven seas.
So many were the storms, That we had to face. My love i'll arrive with the next tide. Oh, I swapped you for a sea, Down South.

Por Quem Não Esqueci (For the One I Haven't Forgotten)


Glória (Glory)

Wednesday 5 June 2024

Beth Gibbons, again


To watch Beth Gibbons singing is always to watch Art in its most delicate form. Here, we have her live session for the Dutch public broadcaster VPRO, recorded May 1st 2024, performing 7 of the 10 songs from her new album "Lives Outgrown" and "Mysteries" from the album "Out of Season" (2002) with Rustin Man.