New Music for The Old RepublicReview by Thomas Midena BioWare’s mammoth online game enlists a massive team of composers to create an authentic Star Wars soundtrack. But can they produce quality entertainment to rival John Williams? Lennie Moore, Jesse Harlin, Gordy Haab, Wilbert Roget II, Steve Kirk, Jared Emerson Johnson and Peter McConnell unite with MARK GRISKEY (composer of the previous game in the series, Knights of the Old Republic II) to conquer this task. The game, which was released in December 2011, is a Massively Multiplayer Online game created by BioWare - a studio renowned for their Mass Effect and Dragon Age games. Said to have cost $200 million to develop, Star Wars: The Old Republic is certainly one of the largest video games ever created. Players can create and customize their own character then jump right into this massive Star Wars universe with thousands of other online gamers. A soundtrack disc containing 17 tracks was released with the Collector’s Edition of STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC, and another 30 pieces were released online for free download. This totals a whopping 47 tracks of original music from MARK GRISKEY and his team. And as an avid follower of the game since its announcement in 2008 and a dedicated player since its launch in 2011, I’ve listened to every beat of the soundtrack to delusion. Here are my thoughts. READ THE FULL REVIEW
Thank you for taking the first step to ask me out and giving us a chance to experience the ups and downs in our life journey. Your love and efforts to make me happy can be felt and seen by myself and those around me. I know I have someone to motivate and support me and I wish to become your supportive half. I look forward to our life together as a married couple, beginning another phase and many other interesting chapters in our life from now on. I love you.
To contact us Click HERE
Feeling very blessed to enjoy my birthday on Children's Day. It's the first year that MOE decided to allow the 1st Friday of October to be Children's Day holiday and it falls on 7 Oct this year. I woke up much later and spent my day playing Facebook, thanking all well-wishes and completing a project report. By evening, it was time to set out to meet Teddy Chua for my birthday dinner treat. It was pouring quite heavily and I was running late as I got carried away doing my report. Luckily, Teddy Chua was patient enough to wait for me (think i was abt 15min late). We went to Bugis, Hotel Intercontinental, where he treated me to Japanese food. We walked to Bras Brasah to check out a book store but it was already closed. The slight drizzle added a romantic feel to the after-dinner walk. We walked over to artichoke, at Sculpture Garden but it was a full-house. We went back to the lounge area in Hotel Intercontinental where Teddy Chua insisted on getting a mini birthday cake for me. The pianist was very observant and when the cake was served with a single lit candle, he immediately played the birthday song before resuming his original piano piece. Though Teddy Chua is tired out from work, his efforts to make me happy on my birthday is much appreciated. I got home and sis gave me a handmade letter with our photos and a red packet...Thank you all dearies...i feel very loved and blessed to have all of you in my life. =)
To contact us Click HERE
Shopaholic Lai is back...miss the exhilaration and adrenalin rush from shopping...Previously, Shopaholic Lai restrained herself and went "cold turkey" to save $$$ for her wedding.
Now, when the Xmas season is here and Chinese New Year is round the corner, she decides to furnish her wardrobe with new clothes. The festive sales also helped to attract her to the stores...have spent 3 days this week shopping and counting...=P
Sunday: Shopping in Orchard with Teddy Chua Tuesday: Shopping in Somerset with Mum & sis, Shopping with Teddy Chua in Orchard Wednesday: Shopping in Tampines with Yifen Thursday: Shopping in Tampines with Beryl, Grocery shopping in Marine Parade
To contact us Click HERE
Teddy Chua just got back from his UK work trip and his work requires him to fly off to Washington by Sunday! *sob sob* Initially, news was that they may post him to US for 1 month...when I heard it, I almost fainted...luckily, on Valentine's Day, it's confirmed that he has to go for 1 week.
Saturday: he is on duty for the Air show then he joins my family for dinner at Thai Village Restaurant (Goodwood Park Hotel) to celebrate my dad's birthday. Sunday: he will bring me to the Air show before his late night flight to Tokyo->Chicago->Washington (as the air tickets were bought too late).
To contact us Click HERE “10 Best Pieces From Doctor Who Seasons 1-4” by Thomas Midena
Murray Gold is one of my favourite composers working today. But unlike someone like Hans Zimmer, whose work varies because of the various films they work on, for many years Murray Gold has been slaving away to one show: Doctor Who. Luckily for us, this doesn’t mean he has lacked in his creative range. Doctor Who has given him a chance to explore dozens of flavours of music, and since he joined the show in 2005 we’ve been graced with an indecent number of incredible soundtracks.
For those who either aren’t familiar with Murray Gold’s work on Doctor Who, or those who haven’t listened to it for a long time, I am going to list my 10 favourite pieces from Doctor Who Seasons 1-4. That includes the entire Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant eras, from 2005 to 2009. This is by no means an easy task, and I have had to exclude a ridiculous number of tracks which I wholeheartedly adore.
Nevertheless, here are the 10 pieces I believe to be the best from Doctor Who Seasons 1-4.
10. The End Draws Near
This piece boasts a truly epic cinematic scale which is totally inappropriate for television - and that is why I love it. The latter half of the piece is a perfect example of the sense of excitement Murray Gold can weave into his music.
9. The Futurekind
It’s a perfect Doctor Who action cue if ever I’ve seen one. Groovy, cheeky, and intrinsically Sci-Fi. In the episode it comes from, “Utopia”, this piece makes running around with brutal cannibals at the end of the universe seem like buckets of fun! This track may be short but it ain’t short on fantasticness!
8. All The Strange Strange Creatures
It’s the action theme for the David Tennant era. For any fan of the show this piece is sure to conjure up images of The Doctor running about in his brown trenchcoat, dashingly classy hero as he is. There’s bucket loads of Doctor Who’s signature ‘screaming brass’ in here, too.
7. Doomsday
It’s Rose’s Theme gone wild with tension, drama and an unhealthy dose of sadness. A sweeping mixture of piano, drums, electric guitar and indisputably beautiful vocals. It’s one of Murray Gold’s more rhythmic pieces, and I find it makes me cry and tap my foot at the same time. Wait, I’m a man - did I say I cried? No, there’s just something in my eye … *sniff*
6. A Special Sort Of Bus
This pick from “Planet Of The Dead” may seem an unusual choice. It’s certainly a much lighter and optimistic piece than everything else here. But out of my entire music library, this is one of my most replayed pieces over the last couple of years. It’s also the ringtone on my phone. It’s so stylish. I’m disappointed it was only used the once, and in an episode I didn’t like very much.
5. Vale Decem
It’s the “End Of Time” for the 10th Doctor. The incredibly haunting choir sings ‘Vale Decem’ throughout, which is ‘Farewell, Ten’ it Latin. It builds and builds, until we are graced with one final (and epic) rendition of “The Doctor’s Theme” as David Tennant regenerates into Matt Smith.
4. The Doctor Forever
Did I mention sadness? There’s more emotion in this piece than a school playground. This track from Season 3 takes “The Doctor’s Theme” from the first season and builds it into something tragically heroic. The first half of this piece has appeared in at least half a dozen episodes of the show, and for very good reason. It’s magical.
3. The Doctor’s Theme Series 4
Speaking of magical, I’m segwaying again! It’s the latter end of Season 4 and The Doctor has become lonelier and more tragic than ever, and this is his song to match. The way it is used to conclude the episode “Forest Of The Dead” blows my mind every time.
2. A Dazzling End
If Doomsday is the continuation of Rose’s Theme, then this is the climax to Donna’s Theme. Murray Gold has entwined reckless levels of excitement into this piece. A bass guitar thrums the whole way through like a heartbeat, and the high pitched strings cry out the sense of finality approaching.
1. This Is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home
This stunning theme for The Doctor’s home planet is filled with sadness and longing, but never ceases being beautiful. In the show it is used as a backing track for David Tennant’s monologue about Gallifrey, but this ain’t no backing track. It deserves to be played loud and frequently. This is a fine example of Murray Gold’s incredible work as a composer on Doctor Who.
Again, there are a ridiculous number of incredible pieces I didn’t mention here, but I had to narrow it down to 10 else this article would go a bit bonkers. Your favourite music is also a very opinion-based topic, so let me know what you think! Are there particular pieces you think should have made it into my top 10?
Thank you for taking the first step to ask me out and giving us a chance to experience the ups and downs in our life journey. Your love and efforts to make me happy can be felt and seen by myself and those around me. I know I have someone to motivate and support me and I wish to become your supportive half. I look forward to our life together as a married couple, beginning another phase and many other interesting chapters in our life from now on. I love you.
To contact us Click HERE
Feeling very blessed to enjoy my birthday on Children's Day. It's the first year that MOE decided to allow the 1st Friday of October to be Children's Day holiday and it falls on 7 Oct this year. I woke up much later and spent my day playing Facebook, thanking all well-wishes and completing a project report. By evening, it was time to set out to meet Teddy Chua for my birthday dinner treat. It was pouring quite heavily and I was running late as I got carried away doing my report. Luckily, Teddy Chua was patient enough to wait for me (think i was abt 15min late). We went to Bugis, Hotel Intercontinental, where he treated me to Japanese food. We walked to Bras Brasah to check out a book store but it was already closed. The slight drizzle added a romantic feel to the after-dinner walk. We walked over to artichoke, at Sculpture Garden but it was a full-house. We went back to the lounge area in Hotel Intercontinental where Teddy Chua insisted on getting a mini birthday cake for me. The pianist was very observant and when the cake was served with a single lit candle, he immediately played the birthday song before resuming his original piano piece. Though Teddy Chua is tired out from work, his efforts to make me happy on my birthday is much appreciated. I got home and sis gave me a handmade letter with our photos and a red packet...Thank you all dearies...i feel very loved and blessed to have all of you in my life. =)
To contact us Click HERE
Shopaholic Lai is back...miss the exhilaration and adrenalin rush from shopping...Previously, Shopaholic Lai restrained herself and went "cold turkey" to save $$$ for her wedding.
Now, when the Xmas season is here and Chinese New Year is round the corner, she decides to furnish her wardrobe with new clothes. The festive sales also helped to attract her to the stores...have spent 3 days this week shopping and counting...=P
Sunday: Shopping in Orchard with Teddy Chua Tuesday: Shopping in Somerset with Mum & sis, Shopping with Teddy Chua in Orchard Wednesday: Shopping in Tampines with Yifen Thursday: Shopping in Tampines with Beryl, Grocery shopping in Marine Parade
To contact us Click HERE
Teddy Chua just got back from his UK work trip and his work requires him to fly off to Washington by Sunday! *sob sob* Initially, news was that they may post him to US for 1 month...when I heard it, I almost fainted...luckily, on Valentine's Day, it's confirmed that he has to go for 1 week.
Saturday: he is on duty for the Air show then he joins my family for dinner at Thai Village Restaurant (Goodwood Park Hotel) to celebrate my dad's birthday. Sunday: he will bring me to the Air show before his late night flight to Tokyo->Chicago->Washington (as the air tickets were bought too late).
The AveragersReview by The Tracksounds Gang It was a hulk-sized gamble that Marvel took. Producing five feature films which would eventually tie together into one massive, climatic show starring each of the heros of the five preceding films. It was unprecedented and certainly had some wondering if they, or anyone, could pull it off. Additionally, they put writer/director Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Doll House) on the finale? Fans of Whedon certainly salivated at the idea of having their champion put in charge, but for those unfamiliar with his previous works, the final success of this great film experiment was dubious at best. By now, most of us have seen the final results...and seen them more than once to boot. It seems that the seemingly unthinkable was pulled off as most found Joss Whedon’s blend of superhero-action, comedy, and comic-geek-considerations pleasing enough to give up some $888 million dollars worldwide. The film has been an undeniable success, but how much did the original score play in that success? Prior the release, the question on every soundtrack-genius’ mind was just what lucky composer would be doing the original score. The speculation ran rampant for months and at last it was announced that ALAN SILVESTRI would be moving right from his work on CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, to THE AVENGERS. So did Silvestri deliver the superhero-like effort needed to help elevate THE AVENGERS into the realms of unreached musical heights? The Tracksounds team gang-tackles this question. READ THE FULL GANG-TACKLE REVIEW
Thank you for taking the first step to ask me out and giving us a chance to experience the ups and downs in our life journey. Your love and efforts to make me happy can be felt and seen by myself and those around me. I know I have someone to motivate and support me and I wish to become your supportive half. I look forward to our life together as a married couple, beginning another phase and many other interesting chapters in our life from now on. I love you.
To contact us Click HERE
Feeling very blessed to enjoy my birthday on Children's Day. It's the first year that MOE decided to allow the 1st Friday of October to be Children's Day holiday and it falls on 7 Oct this year. I woke up much later and spent my day playing Facebook, thanking all well-wishes and completing a project report. By evening, it was time to set out to meet Teddy Chua for my birthday dinner treat. It was pouring quite heavily and I was running late as I got carried away doing my report. Luckily, Teddy Chua was patient enough to wait for me (think i was abt 15min late). We went to Bugis, Hotel Intercontinental, where he treated me to Japanese food. We walked to Bras Brasah to check out a book store but it was already closed. The slight drizzle added a romantic feel to the after-dinner walk. We walked over to artichoke, at Sculpture Garden but it was a full-house. We went back to the lounge area in Hotel Intercontinental where Teddy Chua insisted on getting a mini birthday cake for me. The pianist was very observant and when the cake was served with a single lit candle, he immediately played the birthday song before resuming his original piano piece. Though Teddy Chua is tired out from work, his efforts to make me happy on my birthday is much appreciated. I got home and sis gave me a handmade letter with our photos and a red packet...Thank you all dearies...i feel very loved and blessed to have all of you in my life. =)
To contact us Click HERE
Shopaholic Lai is back...miss the exhilaration and adrenalin rush from shopping...Previously, Shopaholic Lai restrained herself and went "cold turkey" to save $$$ for her wedding.
Now, when the Xmas season is here and Chinese New Year is round the corner, she decides to furnish her wardrobe with new clothes. The festive sales also helped to attract her to the stores...have spent 3 days this week shopping and counting...=P
Sunday: Shopping in Orchard with Teddy Chua Tuesday: Shopping in Somerset with Mum & sis, Shopping with Teddy Chua in Orchard Wednesday: Shopping in Tampines with Yifen Thursday: Shopping in Tampines with Beryl, Grocery shopping in Marine Parade
To contact us Click HERE
Teddy Chua just got back from his UK work trip and his work requires him to fly off to Washington by Sunday! *sob sob* Initially, news was that they may post him to US for 1 month...when I heard it, I almost fainted...luckily, on Valentine's Day, it's confirmed that he has to go for 1 week.
Saturday: he is on duty for the Air show then he joins my family for dinner at Thai Village Restaurant (Goodwood Park Hotel) to celebrate my dad's birthday. Sunday: he will bring me to the Air show before his late night flight to Tokyo->Chicago->Washington (as the air tickets were bought too late).
Thank you for taking the first step to ask me out and giving us a chance to experience the ups and downs in our life journey. Your love and efforts to make me happy can be felt and seen by myself and those around me. I know I have someone to motivate and support me and I wish to become your supportive half. I look forward to our life together as a married couple, beginning another phase and many other interesting chapters in our life from now on. I love you.
To contact us Click HERE
Feeling very blessed to enjoy my birthday on Children's Day. It's the first year that MOE decided to allow the 1st Friday of October to be Children's Day holiday and it falls on 7 Oct this year. I woke up much later and spent my day playing Facebook, thanking all well-wishes and completing a project report. By evening, it was time to set out to meet Teddy Chua for my birthday dinner treat. It was pouring quite heavily and I was running late as I got carried away doing my report. Luckily, Teddy Chua was patient enough to wait for me (think i was abt 15min late). We went to Bugis, Hotel Intercontinental, where he treated me to Japanese food. We walked to Bras Brasah to check out a book store but it was already closed. The slight drizzle added a romantic feel to the after-dinner walk. We walked over to artichoke, at Sculpture Garden but it was a full-house. We went back to the lounge area in Hotel Intercontinental where Teddy Chua insisted on getting a mini birthday cake for me. The pianist was very observant and when the cake was served with a single lit candle, he immediately played the birthday song before resuming his original piano piece. Though Teddy Chua is tired out from work, his efforts to make me happy on my birthday is much appreciated. I got home and sis gave me a handmade letter with our photos and a red packet...Thank you all dearies...i feel very loved and blessed to have all of you in my life. =)
To contact us Click HERE
Shopaholic Lai is back...miss the exhilaration and adrenalin rush from shopping...Previously, Shopaholic Lai restrained herself and went "cold turkey" to save $$$ for her wedding.
Now, when the Xmas season is here and Chinese New Year is round the corner, she decides to furnish her wardrobe with new clothes. The festive sales also helped to attract her to the stores...have spent 3 days this week shopping and counting...=P
Sunday: Shopping in Orchard with Teddy Chua Tuesday: Shopping in Somerset with Mum & sis, Shopping with Teddy Chua in Orchard Wednesday: Shopping in Tampines with Yifen Thursday: Shopping in Tampines with Beryl, Grocery shopping in Marine Parade
To contact us Click HERE
Teddy Chua just got back from his UK work trip and his work requires him to fly off to Washington by Sunday! *sob sob* Initially, news was that they may post him to US for 1 month...when I heard it, I almost fainted...luckily, on Valentine's Day, it's confirmed that he has to go for 1 week.
Saturday: he is on duty for the Air show then he joins my family for dinner at Thai Village Restaurant (Goodwood Park Hotel) to celebrate my dad's birthday. Sunday: he will bring me to the Air show before his late night flight to Tokyo->Chicago->Washington (as the air tickets were bought too late).
To contact us Click HERE Woodwind instruments have been standard instruments in choro since the beginning. The flute was the lead melody instrument of the terno, the original (trio) choro ensemble consisting of flute, cavaquinho and guitar, while larger ensembles like the bands led by Anacleto de Medeiros also excelling in early choro were based on brass instruments. Pixinguinha started as a flutist, but already after his visit to Paris in 1922 with his Oito Batutas, he fell in love with the tenor saxophone, but was prevented from playing the instrument in public until much later, mainly because of national critics claiming the saxophone to spoil Brazilian music by Americanized jazzinfluence. The saxophone was early on perceived as an American jazz-instrument, although the origins of it was French and in Europe was considered a respectable member of the woodwind ensemble of a symphony or militaire orchestra. However, gradually the saxophone was heard as a melody lead voice in choro despite public animosity, pioneers of the instruments in choro like Pixinguinha, Luiz Americano, Severino Rangel (Ratinho), Severino Araúja and Abel Ferraira brought the saxophone to prominence in Brazil, and Ratinho's classic, 'Saxofone, por que choras?', soon became a part of the standard repertoire of any choro ensemble. - The choro revival in Brazil from the 1970s and on continued to showcasting the saxophone as a respectable choro instrument, and in later years a renewed interest of the history of the instrument in choro has been established through various projects and important recordings like i.e. the cds 'Choros, por que sax?' by Mario Sève and Daniela Spielmann and 'Brasileiro Saxofone' by Nailor Proveta. A recently released cd by sax-player Flavio Sandoval, 'Vibrações Brasileiras' (Tratore, 2012), continues the focus on the saxophone as a lead voice in a repertoire of choro compositions.
Flavio Sandoval is a multi-instrument-player from São Paulo, who turned professional at 15. His main instruments are saxophone, flute and violão, and besides being a musician he also does research and gives lectures on Brazilian music tradition. He has recorded three cds before the shown 'Vibrações Brasileiras', and he tours every year both in Brazil and Europe, where he often plays together with Nelson Latif in a duo named 'Dois no Choro'. On the new cd Flavio Sandoval is accompanied by Mauricio Marques on piano, Edimilson Capelupi on violão 7 cordas and Alexandre Biondi on percussion and vibraphone. Flavio plays both tenor and soprano saxophone, and several tracks on the cd have over-dub of the lead instrument to enrich the impression of a multi-voiced ensemble. - The repertoire of the disc is concerned with classic choros like 'Murmurando', 'Aguenta Seu Fulgêncio', 'Atlantico', a selction of Jacob do Bandolim titles like 'Assanhado', 'Diabinho Maluco', 'Vibrações' and 'Sapeca', further some tip-of-the-hat to other Brazilian saxophonists like 'Modulando' and 'Haroldo No Choro' - in all, 13 tracks exposing the saxophone as lead voice in an excellently produced recording. - The cd is available for download as mp3-files from Amazon, and more info about Flavio Sandoval is to be found at his official website (both in Portugues and English), click here
You can watch several uploaded videos featuring Flavio Sandoval at his website, here is an example from YouTube recorded last year at a live performance. Sandoval plays soprando sax and is accompanied by Edimilson Capelupi on violão 7 cordas and Alexandre Biondi on pandeiro - enjoy!
In a way, a score such as that of FROM INSIDE may be the hardest to score. A score that resides firmly in the territory of atmospheres conflicts with many of the traits one would associate with proficient film composing. More often than not film score lovers, in their early discovery years within the genre, would find themselves being whisked away by the more thematic-heavy scores out there as opposed to the brooding atmospheres and creeping soundscapes. As a result it could be argued that opposing the idea of a theme or melody goes against the very nature of a film composer, yet some tasks require exactly that, and FROM INSIDE is one of them.
Thank you for taking the first step to ask me out and giving us a chance to experience the ups and downs in our life journey. Your love and efforts to make me happy can be felt and seen by myself and those around me. I know I have someone to motivate and support me and I wish to become your supportive half. I look forward to our life together as a married couple, beginning another phase and many other interesting chapters in our life from now on. I love you.
To contact us Click HERE
Feeling very blessed to enjoy my birthday on Children's Day. It's the first year that MOE decided to allow the 1st Friday of October to be Children's Day holiday and it falls on 7 Oct this year. I woke up much later and spent my day playing Facebook, thanking all well-wishes and completing a project report. By evening, it was time to set out to meet Teddy Chua for my birthday dinner treat. It was pouring quite heavily and I was running late as I got carried away doing my report. Luckily, Teddy Chua was patient enough to wait for me (think i was abt 15min late). We went to Bugis, Hotel Intercontinental, where he treated me to Japanese food. We walked to Bras Brasah to check out a book store but it was already closed. The slight drizzle added a romantic feel to the after-dinner walk. We walked over to artichoke, at Sculpture Garden but it was a full-house. We went back to the lounge area in Hotel Intercontinental where Teddy Chua insisted on getting a mini birthday cake for me. The pianist was very observant and when the cake was served with a single lit candle, he immediately played the birthday song before resuming his original piano piece. Though Teddy Chua is tired out from work, his efforts to make me happy on my birthday is much appreciated. I got home and sis gave me a handmade letter with our photos and a red packet...Thank you all dearies...i feel very loved and blessed to have all of you in my life. =)
To contact us Click HERE
Shopaholic Lai is back...miss the exhilaration and adrenalin rush from shopping...Previously, Shopaholic Lai restrained herself and went "cold turkey" to save $$$ for her wedding.
Now, when the Xmas season is here and Chinese New Year is round the corner, she decides to furnish her wardrobe with new clothes. The festive sales also helped to attract her to the stores...have spent 3 days this week shopping and counting...=P
Sunday: Shopping in Orchard with Teddy Chua Tuesday: Shopping in Somerset with Mum & sis, Shopping with Teddy Chua in Orchard Wednesday: Shopping in Tampines with Yifen Thursday: Shopping in Tampines with Beryl, Grocery shopping in Marine Parade
To contact us Click HERE
Teddy Chua just got back from his UK work trip and his work requires him to fly off to Washington by Sunday! *sob sob* Initially, news was that they may post him to US for 1 month...when I heard it, I almost fainted...luckily, on Valentine's Day, it's confirmed that he has to go for 1 week.
Saturday: he is on duty for the Air show then he joins my family for dinner at Thai Village Restaurant (Goodwood Park Hotel) to celebrate my dad's birthday. Sunday: he will bring me to the Air show before his late night flight to Tokyo->Chicago->Washington (as the air tickets were bought too late).
To contact us Click HERE
Finally I have visited my dream country, London and went to the Stadium of Dreams, Manchester United Old Trafford with Teddy Chua Momo...
Happen to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebration so the atmosphere in London is great, with lots of celebration and happy partying Londoners...
We went to the River Parade where the Royal family was on a boat down River Thames with other boats cruising along. Waited 4 to 5 hours just to catch a glimpse. It started to drizzle after the Royal family passed us by.
Bought the London Pass but didn't get to use it at all as I was doing more shopping than sight-seeing...haha...
We had to buy another suitcase to put all the purchases along with some items our family and friends asked us to help buy.
Went to Paris but didn't buy any branded goods from there. I got my Ted Baker bag from London already and I am contented.
We went to Arc de Triumph and the elevator wasn't working!!! Had to climb the seemingly unending stairs up and down!!!
We were so tired out with all the walking that we did not even go to Eiffel Tower...
Went to Disneyland Paris too...the parade was good but not as fantastic as Disneyland Tokyo...
Sent a few postcards from London and Paris to ourselves and to my sister, my mother and to my Taiwanese friend, Nina. Hope they will receive them soon...
Took lots of photo which I put in an album on Facebook.
And I tested positive to being pregnant when I was in London...now to find a gynae to confirm our findings...=)
To contact us Click HERE It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act.
But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane. Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar winner Christian Bale again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar winner Michael Caine plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman reprises the role of Lucius Fox. Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.
You are looking at the list of orinigal soundtrack with bonus tracks, Amazon enhanced bonus tracks and one more track from Movie Tickets.com Exclusive from Hans Zimmer.
1. "A Storm is Coming" 0:37 2. "On Thin Ice" 2:55 3. "Gotham’s Reckoning" 4:08 4. "Mind if I Cut in?" 3:27 5. "Underground Army" 3:12 6. "Born in Darkness" 1:57 7. "The Fire Rises" 5:33 8. "Nothing Out There" 2:51 9. "Despair" 3:14 10. "Fear Will Find You" 3:08 11. "Why Do We Fall?" 2:03 12. "Death By Exile" 0:23 13. "Imagine the Fire" 7:25 14. "Necessary Evil" 3:16 15. "Rise" 7:11 Total length: 51:20
Digital Bonus Tracks (AAC VBR 256 Kb/s) 16. "Bombers Over Ibiza" (Junkie XL Remix) 5:51 17. "The Shadows Betray You" 5:20 18. "The End" 6:13
Amazon enhanced CD bonus tracks (MP3 256 Kb/s) 19. "No Stone Unturned" 7:29 20. "Risen from Darkness" 4:27
Movie Tickets.com Exclusive Track (MP3 128 kb/s) 21. "All Out War" 3:17
To contact us Click HERE Sometimes you do discoveries you didn't expect. I had such an experience recently after listening to the great CD by Yamandú Costa and Rogério Caetano, which I recommended in the previous entry. Among contributors to the repertoire of the disc there is a composer who didn't ring a bell in my limited knowledge of Brazilian composers. The name of this composer is stated as Lalão, and only after some research and googling I found a MySpace profile of this mysterious person.
The MySpace profile does not give info about the person on the photo above, but you have the opportunity to listen to the composition that put me on the trail of research for info on Lalão, 'Choro para Yamandú', here in a version slightly different from the version by Yamandú and Rogério, but definitly just as enjoyable and well played. Judging from the photo(s) of Lalão I counted on the fact that it is Lalão's own version of this earcatching guitar choro that is uploaded at the profile and further that Lalão himself is a great guitar player. After some more googling I found out that the real name of Lalão is Esdras Mariano and that he is from Recife, Pernambuco, a self taught guitarist 'discovered' by Yamandú Costa during one of his visits to this region and moreover a great friend of his.Further info on Lalão/Esdras Mariano is only to be found in an appraisal (- in Portuguese) by journalist and bandolonista Luis Nassif, which tells that this almost anonymous genius of the violão has been playing and composing for the violão during more than 40 years while earning his living as a bricklayer and a parttime musician as a member of both rock and jazzinfluenced local bands. An interesting detail noted by Nassif is that Canhoto da Paraiba praised Lalão's skills and recommended him as the only other violonista around, who would be able to do his (Canhoto's) part of the show in a concert dedicated to his music after he himself was paralyzed and unable to play any longer. Another detail in Lassif's article mentions that Yamandú and Lalão will play together and record a selection of Lalão's compositions, and this info is confirmed in another shortnotice from the website of the Muzak recording studio. Here it tells that Yamandú and Lalão have recorded together and that the producers try to raise funds to issue the disc. The disc has not been issued yet, but meanwhile we are looking forward to the recorded co-work between Yamandú and Lalão, you have the opportunity to listen to (- and even freely download) 15 brillant pices of choro and valsa by Lalão uploaded at a profile for Esdras Mariano in a Brazilian web, click here.
Among the 15 pieces you have Lalão's version of 'Choro para Yamandú', two guitars are heard - probably Yamandú on violão sete cordas, while Lalão plays the lead on the six-string violão. Several of the uploaded tracks have two guitars in interplay, while the remaining are solo pieces by Lalão/Esdras Mariano, everything excellently executed and probably the takes designated for the promissed cd-issue. - On YouTube you have the opportunity to watch Lalão/Esdras Mariano play some of his latest compositions, and there is also uploaded an interview with this great violonista. Below I'll insert some of the uploaded music videos to give you an impression of this great musician and composer in live performance. - Here is first Esdras Mariano playing his choro titled 'Renascando'
Here is a live performance of Esdras Mariano's 'Burguêsinha'
From another studio live recording, here is Esdras Mariano's valsa titled 'Clarice'
Finally, from the same recording session here is a performance of the choro 'Vagalume'
To contact us Click HERE This month the choro society has lost two legendary figures representing the best in choro tradition.
On the 15th of August the well-known and worldfamous flutist Altamiro Carrilho passed away 87 years old as a result of complications from cancer. Altamiro Carrilho demonstrated a talent for flute early in life, and he began his career after winning an amateur talent competition when he was a youth. He worked in a pharmacy during the day and studied his instrument in the evenings. He replaced Benedito Lacerda as a flutist when Lacerda left his conjunto regional around 1950 and the ensemble continued under the leadership of Canhoto. After his stay with Canthoto, Carrilho formed his own ensemble - Altamiro Carrilho e seu Bandinha, which had great success with the public following a recording of Carrilho's composition 'Rio Antigo' - one of the best-selling 78 rpm discs in Brazil ever - and through his own television show on TV Tupi.Altamiro Carrilho's talent extended to classical music as well as popular including choro and mpb, and from the 1960s he was often invited to give various concerts throughout the world. Carrilho has made an extensive number of recordings and has written approximately 200 pieces for flute. A detailed career profile in English is available here. - To commemorate Altamiro Carrilho, here is a live-performance from 2010 recorded at Instrumental SESC Brasil featuring Carrilho and ensemble playing Joaquim Calado's 'Flor Amorosa'
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On the 3rd of August clarinetist and bandleader Severino Araújo died, 95 years old. Severino Araújo was for more than 60 years the conductor, arranger, clarinetist, and leader of the Orquestra Tabajara. At four, Araujo was already taking musical lessons with his father, who was a bandleader and instrumentalist, too. Two years later, at six, he became his father's assistant in teaching his pupils. In 1928, Araújo began to take the instruments, beginning with horn and saxophone, soon taking the clarinet. At 12, he performed in public for the first time, playing clarinet with his father's band. In the 1930s Araújo worked in commerce and as a bureaucrat while playing in local bands of Pernambuco until hired by Rádio Tabajara as clarinetist and saxophonist in 1937. At that point, the Orquestra Tabajara had been created four years before, and when the leader of the band died in December 1938, Araújo was asked to be the new conductor, which he accepted. Later Araújo moved to Rio to play at various radio stations, and in 1945 he reunited with the Orchestra Tabajara in Rio. From then on Araújo and the Orquestra Tabajara performed with success in radio, TV and live-performance, many recordings were made and increased the success of the orchestra both in Brazil and abroad. The repertoire of the band included several pieces written and arranged by Araújo, among them his well-known choro 'Espinha de Bacalhau'. Araújo toured with the Orquestra Tabajara in many countries and had success everywhere. He semi-retired in 1968, but continued to conduct the band, which is now led by his son, until his eighties. - The above info is excerpted from a career profile in English by Alvaro Neder, available here
To commemorate Severino Araújo, here is the original audio of 'Espinha de Bacalhau' from YouTube
To contact us Click HERE The ARChive of Contemporary Music (ARC) is a not-for-profit music archive in partnership with Columbia University headed by Director B. George . The ARC has elected September 7th, 2012 - Brazil's National Day - Brazilian World Music Day, and the project director of this initiative is the New York based producer Béco Dranoff. The ARC has encouraged organisations and other stakeholders worldwide dealing with Brazilian music and culture to contribute in celebrating Brazilian World Music Day through events and written articles with the intention of exposing the diversity and richness of Brazilian music now, in the past and in future. You can read more about Brazilian World Music Day here.The choro-music.blogspot has also decided to contribute in celebrating Brazilian World Music Day, you can read our contribution below.---A Brazilian Musical Practice: The Roda de ChoroOnce the world famous Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos was asked: What is the heart of Brazilian music? His answer was immediate: Choro is the heart and soul of Brazilian music. The answer of course pointed to the musical form known as choro since its initial founders in the last decades of the 19. Century Rio de Janeiro started to use this term about an instrumental, chamberish music most often performed by small ensembles consisting of a reed instrument, guitar and cavaquinho. However, there is more to it than this in Villa-Lobo's answer. Choro may be defined strictly as a musical form, a certain style or genre, but choro is also a way of interacting while performing (instrumental) music. In the Brazilian concept of the word choro implies a certain state of mind while playing in an ensemble, in short, a kind of social attitude to (inter-)acting spontaneously and musically at the same time. These aspects of choro undoubtly were reflected in Villa-Lobos' answer as well, but to be more precise on the aspect of performing choro in the Brazilian way, we could put the next question in natural line: What is the heart and soul of choro? The answer to that question is the roda de choro, and what is meant by this term, we shall try to evaluate below.One of the characteristics of the traditional choro performance is that the participating musicians usually are seated in a circle or around a table fronting eachother to create an intimate atmosphere and leaving the opportunity to watch each other while playing (see photo). This was from the start the ideal setting for a roda de choro (- which literally means a circle formated of people performing choro music), and this practise is continued to this day in small clubs, bar rooms or at private gatherings. You could say that the mentioned setting of a roda de choro is well suited for this kind of chamberish music that demands concentration, great technical skills and the presence of a common feeling to (re-)create the spirit of choro.
The roda has some - unwritten - rules to be a success for all participating in the event. First rule is that the roda is open to anyone who would like to participate, there are no restrictions as to age, skin colour, sex or ability. The roda is a truly democratic union of both amateur and trained musicians getting together to play together and having a good time in an informal setting that most often also attracts an audience of friends, family and admirers - the roda is a social event as much as a musical performance and often includes nice food and drinks as a part of the game.Another necessary condition or rule for the success of a roda is that the participating musicians accept the role of their chosen instruments in advance. There is an unspoken concensus providing each instrument a specific voice in the ensemble to create the best obtainable sound of a multi-voiced harmony. This may be perceived as a restriction laid upon each of the musicians according to the limits of their instruments in the same way as practised in professional music performance by a symphonic orchestra or a chamber string ensemble playing classics in exact accordance with a written score in the European tradition. However, the restriction is not a restriction as to freedom of expression, it is an immediate socially accepted respect for the nature and capacity of the played instrument when played in an ensemble that strives maiximum harmony. This aspect leads to the third important rule for a succesful roda de choro. It concerns the spirit of the roda. The spirit of the roda is a friendly cutting contest where everyone gets his or her chance to show off and develop playing skills. The art of improvisation is a crucial point to a successful roda, and everybody gets a chance to improvise by choosing well known choro tunes to inspire and challenge the improvisations skills of the participating musicians. Written music, if any at all, is only a guideline for stating the musical theme being played, not a demand. This sets the individual musician free to express him- or herself in accordance with a momentary mood supported by the ensemble, the successful result is harmony and magic moments of joy and happiness among all involved.Playing choro in a roda evokes strong emotion - the Portuguese word 'choro' means 'the act of crying', but we misunderstand the word in the context of a roda, if you connect the implied emotion with sadness. On the contrary, choro means to make you cry of joy wishing the magic moments of harmony to last.If you are curious to learn more about the experiences of choro musicians from their participation in rodas, the shown dvd, Nas rodas do choro (Biscoito Fino), is recommended. This documentary was filmed and directed by Milena Sá between 2004 and 2008, the film was launched 2009 and the dvd-edition 2011. In about 50 minutes, the film features meetings between choro musicians mostly in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The narrative fragments are accompanied by musical examples recorded at rodas do choro with testimonials from musicians about their relationship with choro and the roda. - Testimonials on the importance of the roda like "There's no other way to learn choro. It is transmitted in this way, not much to theorize about, what counts is to sit and play together" (Luciana Rabello) underline the informal setting and point to a way of learning that dissolves a coventional hierarchy between 'teacher' and 'student' in favour of the pleasure of participating in the roda. The music unites young and old, amateurs and experienced in a mutual spirit leaving space for improvisation and experiments of the moment - a true example of 'having fun' and learning at the same time.- The documentary has subtitles in English and French.---Jo
Composer Anton Sanko talks about his genre bending score for The Possession and gives us a safe peak into this tale of a dybbuk box. He also talks about how he moved from the world of the music producer to full-time composing and working on his tender yet tragic score for Rabbit Hole (2011).
Episode Highlights
00:16 Welcome and Intro: Anton Sanko 01:46 Moving from producing to composing 04:47 The Highs and the Lows of producing and composing 06:04 Too much time with The Possession 08:00 Rabbit Hole 09:34 From Rabbit Hole to The Possession 13:35 Progressing through the score/ Track commentary 20:06 Tales from The Dybbuk Box 22:40 Upcoming projects and conclusion
Music Selections
00:00 "The Morgue" (The Possession) by Anton Sanko 07:33 "Cleaning" (Rabbit Hole) by Anton Sanko 14:49 "I Don't Love You" (The Possession) by Anton Sanko 18:20 "Brett's Teeth" (The Possession) by Anton Sanko 23:47 "Shadow Puppets" (The Possession) by Anton Sanko
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It was like a most unexpected kick in the gut when I heard the news of Steve Sabol passing yesterday. If you know anything at all about the NFL (National Football League) then you know, at least, of the work of Steve Sabol and his father Ed Sabol. The two launched NFL Films way back in the 1960s and unwittingly set the NFL on a trajectory of popularity that no one could have anticipated.
Mike Greenberg of ESPN's Mike and Mike In the Morning, used the best word possible in describing what Ed and Steve Sabol did through their amazing camera work, editing, the unmistakable voice-talent of John Facenda and the inspirational music of Sam Spence. They made the games of the NFL mythic events and the players mythic heroes. NFL Films has done for football players as much as Marvel and DC have done. They have all given us modern-day myths; tales of challenge, heroism, bravery, defeat, brokenness, determination, restoration and victory. We shared these moments, these stories, with our fathers, and with our children. Somehow the stories about "a game" have become woven into the culture of this nation: The Ice Bowl, The Immaculate Recption, The Catch, Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Red Grange, The Monsters of the Midway all would be fading memories of the preceding generation without the work of Steve Sabol. What an astounding and unexpected legacy to have.
I recall spending many-a Super Bowl eve watching NFL Films presentation of every single Super Bowl leading up to the live game that Sunday. Steve Sabol introduced each one and so I felt like he was a mentor, a keeper of the lore of the NFL, and yearly telling us the unforgettable stories of the gridiron. The images and sounds they created are more like memories of personal experiences, as if I had attended each of those games, more than they are of watching a television program. There aren't many television show producers or film directors that I can say the same about.
So it's with a rather profound amount of sadness that I right this post and perhaps even greater sadness that all of the tributes and notes of thanks being poured out everywhere cannot be heard by Steve himself. I, like many others, I'm sure, wish they had known about his illness so all of these expressions of love and thanks could have been given to him prior to yesterday.
In any event, we re-present our special feature THE THEMES OF FALL: The Music of Football and Film as a tribute to the great Steve Sabol.
Volume 24 of our Quick-Reviews is the first in nearly 10 years! We figured you'd waited long enough. With the re-introduction of these "straight to the point" reviews for the busy, multitasking, soundtrack-geniuses out there, we bring your four brand new reviews. All four reviews are conveniently contained on one page. One click...four reviews. Here's what you'll find in Volume 24:
BATTLESHIP by Steve Jablonsky Review by Richard Buxton 5/10
"Guilty pleasure is an apt way of describing many a JABLONSKY score in recent years, and for some, BATTLESHIP is possibly the guiltiest of them all."
BRAVE HEARTS UMIZARU by Naoko Sato Review by Richard Buxton 8/10
"SATO’S music for the series is of a more of a Retro Remote control variety, favouring bold and exciting themes reminiscent of the 90’s Media Ventures scores. "
ELYSIUM by Jo Blankenburg Review by Christopher Coleman 8/10
"Elysium features the sort of music that is all too rare, because fewer and fewer feature films allow such unabashed emotion to be demonstrated in their associated scores. "
ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT by John Powell Review by Helen San 6/10
"The kinetic punch isn’t in enough tracks to overcome the more pedestrian and quirky listening experience in the rest of the album."
Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar winner Christian Bale again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar winner Michael Caine plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman reprises the role of Lucius Fox.
You are looking at the list of orinigal soundtrack with bonus tracks, Amazon enhanced bonus tracks and one more track from Movie Tickets.com Exclusive from Hans Zimmer.
