I am posting, today, a vocal, non-video, interpretation of Music of the Night, from the “Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The vocalist is again Mark Vincent, the young man from “Down Under,” who is being tagged with the moniker pop-opera singer, which annoys me. Now turned 16 he is still a kid, and who knows where, and to what heights, his voice will take him, but labeling him like that at this stage is unfair. Maybe my reaction is a bit much. You think? I’ve chosen this from among his many recordings to show the emotional range and adult quality of his interpretation. He shades the words as though he lives the characters emotional pain and passion. In other words he pulls himself into the character and from the inside out pours out his plea. I intend to keep track of his growth as a singer and artist, and as a person going into the future. I feel strongly that it will be worth it. Apparently he's a great guy, humble, and appreciative of his good fortune and of his vocal gifts. If you'd care for a bit of his biography I could post what I know, it's very interesting, and inspiring.
Well the weather certainly is not sticking to its promise – sunshine has not poured out upon us, and it looks like any pouring will be left to the rain clouds gathering above. Had promised the wife I would start cleaning the garden today - if the sun appeared! - but, oh dear, it’s just too, too wet. I’ll just have to carry on here I guess. “I’m a low cad, just a low cad, playing such a dirty trick. . . . . “ a line from the musical/opera “Candide” by Leonard Bernstein, comes to mind. Speaking of musicals (were we?), segues quite easily into the following. I would like to take you - as your humble guide – to an event that took place in Australia in 2009, when a young, 15 year old boy won that year’s “Australia Got Talent,” contest. Mark Vincent is that teenager, and he, my friends, has a remarkable voice, as attested to by the following video of his first appearance on the show. A voice that enabled him to win top honor, and receive a cheque for A$250,000.
He seems to be taking it all in his stride, has a humble quality that is real pleasure. This young man is going places. And I, for one, wish him the best.
Took a month off to reassess my jottings. Thanks for your patience, much appreciated. Sometimes I jot gaily along la-de-da forgetting that others may not have the time or the inclination to read the long essay I’ve penned, or - as in my case - typed. Sooo. . . they depart, to other areas where the Blogger's post is shorter, more succinct, you know, not over powering, quickly read and as quickly absorbed (we trust). Time waits for no one – as they (who is they?) say - and Time seems to be in charge these days, no matter how many free hours we have in the day. Okay, okay, I hear you! Forgive the rant, and allow me to hopefully entertain you, maybe bemuse you, inspire you (wow! love that one!), maybe raise your dander, excite you (mmm! love that one too!), and have you sending off missiles in the shape of comments to voice your opinion. Anywhichway, come talk to me. Okay? Blossoms of a potted Gazania taken just before the storms of early winter swept in. Boy, did they! Right now the winds are pushing the trees around in some tricky dance steps, and the waves are dashing onto the shore like crazed Kamakazi pilots, doing as much damage to the rocky sands and tumbled logs as possible. And, we’re told, it’s going to get worse. I believe that. Winter is at least 3 weeks earlier this year, leaving autumn shuddering in its wake. To top it off, Mt. Washington, right above us, had its first snow fall of the season last night! The earliest ever in its history, and about a month ahead of previous years. Last winter the resort up there had the deepest snow, the heaviest fall, of any resort in the world! It seems prepared to top that record this year. Thank heavens the car goes in tomorrow for new winter tires, because with our driveway we gotta be fully prepared. Have a look see. . . . . Yep, it is mighty steep, and is even steeper after it goes around a sharp bend to the left before heading straight for the sea. The end point you see at the bend is the edge of a drop, a deep drop right into the rear patio of the apartment above us. You can imagine what it feels like to drive down that in the snow and heavy frost, even if you are brave-upper-lip prepared for it, having spent the better part of an hour at daybreak shoveling all the white off the asphalt - from bottom to top – then broadcasting a heavy cover of salt along its entire length. There are stories to tell of sliding down that hill, in cars and on foot! I’m sure your imagination will fill you in. Thanks for tuning in – drop a line in the comment box, be great to hear from you. Bye for now.
