I discovered this form of music not so long ago. Someone gave me a CD of Mariza which I strongly recommend (Mariza concerto en lisboa) I really enjoy Flamenco music and I was happy to discover this new style from Portugal. I do not know why but Portuguese is such an amazing language especially when it comes to music. It’s so intense and it is as if I understood what the singers were trying to tell us (even though I do not speak a word of Portuguese)

The word Fado comes from the Latin word fatum, from which the English word fate also originates.The word is linked to the music genre itself and, although both meanings are approximately the same in the two languages, Portuguese speakers seldom utilize the word fado referring to destiny or fate. Fado only appeared after 1830 in Lisbon.

So if you have a minute, trust me you should check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppgim8oQbDc

Nina Simone is just the most amazing singer to listen to when you feel happy.

What I love about her is that it never gets out of style, from generations to generations, we all listen to her and feel such an amazing feeling. I’d say I’m an old soul when it comes to music. I love MUSIC in general. Anything that makes noise, has a beat which I can dance to is interesting and I can get started. Started for what?

I experience music in a way that’s maybe unknown for others but it’s perfect for me. I just focus on the beat, the melody, the lyrics and get to travel so far away from my concerns or bad thoughts. Music makes me stronger if I feel low, weak or even sad. It awakens my soul and my body when I use it to dance or exercise. I can cry, laugh, reminisce … It’s a memory, an old image that comes back like the Madeleine (smell) for Marcel Proust (French writer)

Music has inspired my life, has helped me make the most important choices and I am not even a musician … I’m just like these kinda people who get overwhelmed by sound.

I’ll post songs and the feelings that emanate from them …

My dream would be to be able to pick up any instrument and improvise. I feel I’d be a great musician. However it takes time, energy and patience. Patience has never been my strong suit. I am a rather calm person, who waits in line like anyone and feels okay about it. Patience maybe is not the term I was looking for. I have this habit to start something, discover it, explore (the surface usually) and stop for no reason. It’s not a harsh, immediate stop. No, it’s progressive and happens when I get caught up in something new and different that seems challenging. I started so many different things and I guess I am a curious person.

I am interested in every areas I can learn something from. I took piano lessons when I was younger. John was my teacher. A very laid back Australian pianist who never said anything when I had not done my homework. I guess the way he taught me was so relaxed that I figured I didn’t have to work for it. I was too young to understand that in order to play an instrument you actually have to work hard for it. I got busy, studied for school and forgot about my piano desire. Yes I liked it, I loved to touch the keys and be able to make something work. Yet, it wasn’t extraordinary obviously, but I felt enthusiastic about it.

Playing an instrument whatever it is, is a great source of happiness. You feel like the creator of something else, another world, the sound universe which is the biggest world there is out there and the big production companies are spoiling it. I am not saying that old is good and modern new singers are horrible. They have great talent too. I just feel that someone who cannot sing and is just viewed as an artist for his style and his capacity to get the biggest fan club possible in a split second is not a true meaningful artist that gets to you so deep you cannot stop listening to him/her.

So pick up an instrument (even a ukulele sounds fun and easy for transportation) … I started and bought a set of electric drums. It was hard to practice or do anything because of my Parisian neighbours at the time. Very very annoying neighbours who once even screamed ” shut up” because I dropped a spoon on the floor. This will be another subject one day for a post: our relationship with our surroundings!