miércoles, 27 de abril de 2011

rendezvous at the bluebird



The Bluebird, 1911
Frederick Cayley Robinson


Alex went to sleep and he dreamed he was wandering the streets of an uncertain city. The twilight had fallen. High above the chimneys and the streetlights, appeared a silvery moon. Suddenly he began to recognize some of the places: a small café, a park where he had often played, a corner of unhappy remembrance.

“Alex, you’ve come at last!” said a young man with spectacles, who was standing by. “I’ve been waiting for a long time. The Bluebird must be overcrowded by now, but we made a reservation, didn’t we?”

Alex remembered that the young man with spectacles was Lewis, his long forgotten friend. The Bluebird used to be their favourite restaurant.

“Where’s The Bluebird?” asked Alex.

“Just here. Watch. The good old Bluebird.

As they entered, Lewis and Alex noticed a curious advertisement taken from a newspaper review, hanging on the doorway:

The Bluebird
Since Long Ago

Ambiance, 10
Service, 9
Décor, 8
Bathrooms, 7
Food List, 6
Wine List, 5
Desserts, 4
Price to Quality Ratio, 3
Presentation, 2
Music, 1
Others, 0
Type of Clients, Human Beings

TRESPASSERS WILL EXIT FED UP

The three-and-twenty tables looked empty. The jukebox played Sinatra’s Young at Heart.

“Is this the good old Bluebird?” said Alex, staring at the walls.

“You see, sir” answered politely a middle-aged man with a foreign accent, “we were tired of the blue, so we painted all in green. I’m Victor – the waiter, the cook and the owner.”

“You don’t have many customers around here lately, do you?” said Lewis. “I suppose nobody’s coming this evening.”

“I beg your pardon, sir? I think you’re wrong. Everybodys coming this evening.”

And all of a sudden The Bluebird was full of cheerful faces again.

Alex saw the evercharming Mirna sitting at a table, waving her hand. The song ended. After a few seconds, Sinatra was singing Young at Heart again.

“I love this song” said Mirna. “Only it doesn’t seem completely necessary to hear it over and over again. Hello, boys!”

“Mirna, we’re glad to see you. But I don’t think you were invited to dinner, were you?”

“Good heavens! Of course I’m uninvited, Lewis. That’s why I’m here. I only go to places when I’m uninvited.”

“Quite natural. Everybody does so” said Victor offering them la carte.

Alex, Lewis and Mirna gazed upon the pages with curiosity and astonishment:

CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST
SALAD-DAYS
FISHES OUT OF WATER
TALKING TURKEY
THAT TAKES THE CAKE
TILL THE COWS COME HOME
PORKIES
BIG FISHES
ODD FISHES
RABBIT ON

“I’m afraid I’d only have a mere paella, Victor” said Lewis.

Now Frank Sinatra began to sing Young at Heart again. The lyrics had become very familiar.

“How nice! Paella” said Mirna. “I like Spaniards.”

“We don’t have them, madam.”

“What?”

“Spaniards.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Victor. I don’t like Spaniards. I mean, they’re very nice and funny but I can’t understand a word they say.”

“Maybe that’s because they speak Spanish, madam” muttered Victor.

“I’ve heard Spaniards don’t speak Spanish anymore” said Alex holding a cigarette. The unlit cigarette was dancing at Young at Heart.

“Do you need a match?” asked Mirna. “So tell us, Alex. What have you been doing all these years?”

Alex lit the match and he awoke.


A story by niki

lunes, 25 de abril de 2011

beg, scream & shout! - the big ol' box of '60s soul, disc 1 (beg 1)




1. That's How It Feels - The Soul Clan
2. La-La Means I Love You - The Delfonics
3. The Whole World Is A Stage - The Fantastic Four
4. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
5. You're The Best (That Ever Did It) - The Precisions
6. Eight Men, Four Women - O. V. Wright
7. Every Little Bit Hurts - Brenda Holloway
8. Nothing Takes The Place Of You - Toussaint McCall
9. Private Number - Judy Clay & William Bell
10. I Don't Want To Lose Your Love - The Mad Lads
11. Who's Lovin' You - The Jackson Five
12. Cry Baby - Garnet Mimms
13. Dry Your Eyes - Brenda & The Tabulations
14. Yes, I'm Ready - Barbara Mason
15. The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
16. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - Sam & Dave
17. That's How It Is (When You're In Love) - Otis Clay
18. Sweet Inspiration - The Sweet Inspirations
19. Baby, I'm Yours - Barbara Lewis
20. It Tears Me Up - Percy Sledge
21. I Had A Talk With My Man - Mitty Collier
22. Love Makes The World Go 'Round - Deon Jackson
23. Back Up Train - Al Green & The Soul Mates
24. Choice Of Colors - The Impressions


Beg, Scream & Shout! - The Big Ol' Box Of '60s Soul, Disc 1 (Beg 1)

miércoles, 6 de abril de 2011

jules and the polar bears: got no breeding




1. You Just Don't Wanna Know
2. Black Fever Sleep
3. Lovers By Rote
4. Shadows Break
5. Convict
6. Got No Breeding
7. The Soul Of Many Places
8. Love It Again
9. Home Somewhere
10. Following Every Finger
11. Driftwood From Disaster

Bonus tracks
12. Love That Moment
13. One Heart
14. Good Safe Hug
15. You Just Don't Wanna Know [Single Version]


Jules And The Polar Bears: Got No Breeding