Of course, on Friday evening after work when I tried to do the hair poshly for the fashion show, nothing was working, so I had to do my best Madonna Erotica impression and slick it down like a (very very very red) helmet. What's a boy to do... Jack and I had Mexican and margaritas before sashaying to Sendagaya to the grounds of the Meiji Portrait Gallery (I think?) where Fashion Week had set up camp. After the Taishi Nobukuni (www.tashi-nobukuni.co.jp) show, which was very cool, we decided to stay for the DressCamp (www.dresscamp.org) show, which was tons of fun. The music was excellent, although the show was a bit tawdry since it was the very last show of the week and the models looked bored, tired, and occasionally downright hostile - perhaps due to the clothes they were wearing. The collection was rather inspired by vintage Versace, with print hints of Pucci and D&G. Alas, while this might sound like a good thing, it wasn't entirely. Certainly it was a fun, outrageous event, complete with a veritable menagerie of dead animals and stuffed-toy-worthy furs draped over emaciated models, but I won't be rushing out to buy DC. Well - maybe their boots, some of which were amazing.
Thereafter J and I went for (more) drinks, and met up with our new friends from Tuesday night - no, not the soldiers, but Mako, Takeshi et al., aka the fashionistas. The Baileys was flowing, and before I realised, it was 3am and we were piling into a taxi, polluted (again! am I starting to have a problem?!), heading back to Mako's place.
Saturday was a gorgeous day, and - when not in bed "recovering" I managed to fit in a walk around Soshigaya to enjoy the blossoming cherries (nearly there - next week will be gorgeous) and re-discover Kylie's "Impossible Princess" album. Anyone reading this should instantly go and listen to "Breathe" and "Limbo". I mean it, right now. "Some Kind of Bliss" while you're at it.
After writing the introductory (rather silly) chapter to the book, I met Mako and his hag Ayumi (1st Japanese hag! woohoo!) for dinner in Shimokitazawa. We had simple izakaya food and beer while Ayu-chan told stories of her trip to Florida and we discussed the grammar of various languages and how to be rude in all of them. No prizes for guessing who won that game!
On the way home this morning I realised I'm a total sellout and I love it. I love me my Starbucks White Mocha, and I absolutely adore my iPod. Yes, I have been completely hoodwinked by agressive marketing. BUT with these two white-encased joys in hand, on a sunny day as the millions of cherry flowers pop open and the sun comes out from behind a cloud at the perfect moment in a song I've rediscovered, I can't help feeling it's good to be alive.
Bleurgh - I just re-read that last sentence, and BAM my hangover hit. Pass me a sick-bag...
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Dance! Get On Your Feet!
Tuesday was the best day I've had in months. Despite being a little cagey about it, I agreed to meet Jack and Alfred and go and enjoy plum blossoms for the afternoon, weather permitting. I met the boys (with Takuma and Takeshi, a new face, in tow) and we headed out on the Keio line to I-forget-where. Spirits were high and the weather was pleasant. Off the train we clambered up a whole lot of hill to get to the lovely garden (photos to follow) choc-full of plums in various delicate stages of beautifully coloured blossom. Yours truly had been a little late, so alas we missed almost all of the local municipal grass-blade orchestra performance (aka old women blowing on grass in a vain attempt to make communal music) but this was a grief easily borne.
We lunched on posh bagels and pittas courtesy of Jack, and had fun people watching before clambering around the whole of the park and seeing a pretty spectacular view of Tokyo. This all took about an hour, after which it was still way to early to go home so we went back into Shinjuku with the intention of seeing a movie. Alas, our five differing agendas and temperaments ensured that we couldn't pick anything to watch, so we went for a coffee, before finally deciding to go for dinner at a place Alfred new that purveyed Nagoya gay chicken wings. Imagine chicken wings prepared with masses of aromat and salt. Delicious!! (Don't yet know what made them gay, mind you...) Dinner was really nice, with soup, and sweet-miso kebabs, and the wings (galore), swilled down with plum liquor (for the day that was in it!).
Of course, now quite well-sauced, we were in no mood to go home, so instead we headed for Sin City for some dancing. And a whole lot of sinning. The club wasn't particularly crowded and the DJ was sufficiently impressionable that we got our way all night. Which was fun! As were the soldiers who were enjoying their national holiday (perhaps we were the entertainment!!). I doubt I have ever been so drunk. I had about a pint of vodka, without as much cranberry as I shoulda had with it. But who cares?? It was hilarious. Top tracks of the night are below...
On our way out, we all pulled, too.
Then Wednesday was clearly spent recovering... In the evening I met Nicky for dinner (in truly foul rain) at Good Honest Grub. I am loathe to sing the praises of this wonderful place, but it's not like I'm A.A. Gill, so I'm sure that a glowing mention here will ruin the place at all. We LOVE it. Nicky and I were the only customers when we got there, so we were treated like royalty and given free booze and all manner of niceties. Not least of which is their moderately priced and always delicious food. Or indeed their fun cocktails - eg Love Bubbles (created for Valentine's Day, with champagne, amaretto and a strawberry) or Green Margaritas (regular Ms with lots of Melon - my poison of choice the other night...). On the way home, in the dreadful rain, I happened across M's TRUE BLUE album on the joyPod. This album is so summery and fun, it almost made me forget the rain!!
Thursday I was back in Saitama, and in the evening got a call from home - finally the Columbia communication arrived, and, alas, I have not been accepted. Boo hoo, next business...
Tonight I am going to a fashion show in Harajuku as part of Tokyo Fashion Week. Since I had nothing exciting to wear, I dyed my hair.
Kinda red!!
More news will follow if/when it happens...
The Soldiers' Night Playlist:
Love at First Sight - Kylie
Erotica - Madonna
1, 2 Step - Ciara (* why why why is this pronounced Sierra...??)
Hung Up (SDP Remix) - Madonna
All Nite (Don't Stop) - Janet
Filthy Gorgeous - Scissor Sisters
Vogue - Madonna
Sorry (PSB Maxi Mix) - Madonna
Believe - Cher
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Cher
Butterfly - Kylie
Jump - Madonna
Outrageous (Junkie XL Mix) - Britnah
Just A Little While (Remix) - Janet
These Boots Are Made for Walking - Jessica Simpson
We lunched on posh bagels and pittas courtesy of Jack, and had fun people watching before clambering around the whole of the park and seeing a pretty spectacular view of Tokyo. This all took about an hour, after which it was still way to early to go home so we went back into Shinjuku with the intention of seeing a movie. Alas, our five differing agendas and temperaments ensured that we couldn't pick anything to watch, so we went for a coffee, before finally deciding to go for dinner at a place Alfred new that purveyed Nagoya gay chicken wings. Imagine chicken wings prepared with masses of aromat and salt. Delicious!! (Don't yet know what made them gay, mind you...) Dinner was really nice, with soup, and sweet-miso kebabs, and the wings (galore), swilled down with plum liquor (for the day that was in it!).
Of course, now quite well-sauced, we were in no mood to go home, so instead we headed for Sin City for some dancing. And a whole lot of sinning. The club wasn't particularly crowded and the DJ was sufficiently impressionable that we got our way all night. Which was fun! As were the soldiers who were enjoying their national holiday (perhaps we were the entertainment!!). I doubt I have ever been so drunk. I had about a pint of vodka, without as much cranberry as I shoulda had with it. But who cares?? It was hilarious. Top tracks of the night are below...
On our way out, we all pulled, too.
Then Wednesday was clearly spent recovering... In the evening I met Nicky for dinner (in truly foul rain) at Good Honest Grub. I am loathe to sing the praises of this wonderful place, but it's not like I'm A.A. Gill, so I'm sure that a glowing mention here will ruin the place at all. We LOVE it. Nicky and I were the only customers when we got there, so we were treated like royalty and given free booze and all manner of niceties. Not least of which is their moderately priced and always delicious food. Or indeed their fun cocktails - eg Love Bubbles (created for Valentine's Day, with champagne, amaretto and a strawberry) or Green Margaritas (regular Ms with lots of Melon - my poison of choice the other night...). On the way home, in the dreadful rain, I happened across M's TRUE BLUE album on the joyPod. This album is so summery and fun, it almost made me forget the rain!!
Thursday I was back in Saitama, and in the evening got a call from home - finally the Columbia communication arrived, and, alas, I have not been accepted. Boo hoo, next business...
Tonight I am going to a fashion show in Harajuku as part of Tokyo Fashion Week. Since I had nothing exciting to wear, I dyed my hair.
Kinda red!!
More news will follow if/when it happens...
The Soldiers' Night Playlist:
Love at First Sight - Kylie
Erotica - Madonna
1, 2 Step - Ciara (* why why why is this pronounced Sierra...??)
Hung Up (SDP Remix) - Madonna
All Nite (Don't Stop) - Janet
Filthy Gorgeous - Scissor Sisters
Vogue - Madonna
Sorry (PSB Maxi Mix) - Madonna
Believe - Cher
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Cher
Butterfly - Kylie
Jump - Madonna
Outrageous (Junkie XL Mix) - Britnah
Just A Little While (Remix) - Janet
These Boots Are Made for Walking - Jessica Simpson
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Third Thai's the Charm
I've had a rather interesting ten days. (When do I not?!)
Zaki came to Tokyo to collect her mother around about the time of the Chita Rivera post, and the Mexican and I met her off the train. Of course, Miss Thang was about a week late, so plans of karaoke/dinner/dancing/anything needed to be shelved because I couldn't afford to stay out all night. (The Mexican and I had in fact had dinner beforehand and gotten in a dance to "Hung Up" before Z arrived...)
I had been up late working the night before so I was a dreadful host, leaving poor Z to watch movies all night after I disintegrated.
Sunday, I met Shin and Mark for some Karaoke in Hachioji, and was reminded of how toxic and dangerous J-pop can be (cut to me getting home that night and watching a variety of music videos from such true talents - not - as Koda Kumi and Amuro Namie... In fairness, the videos are often fabulous. It's the music itself that sticks in your head). After we sang our hearts out we went for dinner in a nice izakaya and introduced Mark to the wonders of ume-shuu (plum liquor!). This made us all drunk enough to agree to go into Shinjuku to accompany M while he waited for his date. So we went to a quiet bar and sat and stared, exhausted, at a concert by Koda Kumi that was conveniently playing on the wall. M's date arrived, and Shin and I went home.
Monday I spent working on my book proposal - yes, people, it might actually be published sometime this year! - and generally feeling unwell. Also I paid my health insurance, fearing that the malaise might need serious attention.
Tuesday I went and met Kan from Company Izuru. ANYONE IN LONDON MUST GO SEE THIS SHOW, IT'S FABULOUS! (See image below) . I have been working on translations for their programme also, and we had a good laugh in Hiroo as we figured out what he wanted me to say and how he wanted it said. His appreciation for blank verse is commendable!
After meeting Kan I met a Chinese friend for dinner in Ginza. I was knocked for six by how spookily he resembles the Mexican. What a funny old world...
Wednesday morning I bit the bullet and found a clinic in Aoyama that I could visit to get myself looked at. I had a swollen gland (think My Big Fat Greek Wedding - "it was my twin!") and it was clearly bugging me. Having battled with my Japanese and the relatively patient ladies at the front desk, I was finally seen by the doctor, who told me it was a lymph node infection, and sent me out to wait for my drugs. These were delivered in a cute little bag, with clear instructions etc. But I only got enough for 4 days! And, surprise surprise in this delicate, gentle country, they appear to have had absolutely no effect...
That evening I went over to Takuma's house for a new phenomenon (here at least) known as American Idol night. The show is broadcast on cable here, but they show the entire week's shows together so it's a 3 hour epic. I know I'm very new to this year's show and all, but there's only one contestant for me, and that's Mandisa. If that lady doesn't win, I don't know what.
Thursday, feeling better (probably the placebo effect of just HAVING drugs) I got up early and went to Nishimachi International School to give a presentation to a class full of 14 year-olds, whose teacher had asked me to come speak to them about Greek drama and my "work". I felt so grown up. Despite my fears, they were absolutely lovely and very attentive. Thank god for powerpoint and dvds, I guess. Cleverly, I spoke for almost all of the allotted time, leaving very little room for questions. And those that slipped through were amazingly informed and insightful.
But no, I still don't want to be a teacher.
That evening I headed out in the foul weather to the Irish ambassadorial residence (incidentally JUST across the street from Nishimachi school) for a function to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This was a big hoo-ha, but it was very nice, and I met some fascinating people, including a professor from Sophia University and one John Dillon, Greek professor in Trinity, who just happened to be in Tokyo. It was rather startling to see such a sophisticated and distinguished crowd descending on the plush buffet spread, particularly when the (Irish) sausages were served and all dignity was eschewed, in a display only worthy of a Biblical pack of locusts...
Paddy's day itself was absolutely lousy. I was on my way to Saitama for the first day of Ninagawa's Titus rehearsals, when I fainted on the train and banged my tired head. So I went home and went to sleep. All day. That evening I called home to wish birthday/patrician greetings to all, and then got an email from Maria wondering if I'd be free to go to Shizuoka (halfway between Tokyo and Nagoya) to see a play the following day. Now, y'all know me and what a sucker I am for a play I like directed by someone famous... This was the Bacchae, remixed (see below! :P) by Suzuki Tadashi, perhaps Ninagawa's only real rival. So of course I agreed to go.
I paid a fabulously decadent sum for a return day ticket on the Bullet train and arrived quite relaxed at Shizuoka, in good time for the performance. Changed trains, got as far as Higashi-Shizuoka (where I was supposed to go) and was really impressed by the lovely station and shopping complex right there. I hopped into a taxi, and showed the driver the flyer for the performance and the map attached. Now, this woman was either biscuit-takingly stupid, or the most evil hostile bitch I have ever met. I knew the theatre was about 3 minutes from the station, so I was a bit confused when we seemed to be 8 minutes away from the whole town. The cow deposited me at Suzuki's performing arts centre, SPAC, which is his (amazing looking, delighted I got the chance to see it, but that's not the point because it wasn't where the show was on) base in the area. She took my money and scarpered, leaving me in the worryingly-empty car-park. I found a security guard at the gate, proferred my flyer (thank god I'd grabbed a few in the station) and asked, winsomely, if this was where the show was on. He was absolutely LOVELY, and said no, that the show was on in the theatre beside the station, and that the taxi-driver was a profiteering shameless bad person. Or words to that effect. It was by now 2.30, and the show was starting, so I asked, defeated, which of the two shows in the programme would begin first. Amused, he reassured me that what I'd come to see hadn't started yet... He ordered a taxi for me (and charged it to the S.P.A. Center!!) and sent me on my way. Of course, while I was waiting for the cab, it started pouring rain...
FINALLY I got back to the theatre (which was inside the posh-looking shopping centre beside the station!) and was met at the door by two very worried-looking assistants who ushered me to a seat and looked after me as though my lateness was somehow their fault. I only saw the last 15 minutes or so of "Nina" the modern dance piece by Kanamori Joh that preceded Dionysus, but it was enough to make me even angrier at that stupid/nasty driver. (Of course it is partly my fault for not asking someone other than the taxi driver, I accept, but I'm the injured party and I'll bitch if I want to...) I shall certainly be looking out for anything else by this really interesting amazing choreographer...
Also spotted in the audience for this very limited-engagement double-bill were numerous fab actors and actresses, and Miyagi Satoshi, artistic director of Ku Na'uka Theatre Company, whose Antigone, Medea and Othello I saw in Tokyo. We love them....
So finally, after much consternation and gnashing of teeth, I was there, in Shizuoka, dripping wet, to see my first Suzuki production since coming to Japan. What was most striking was how similar the soundscape was to that of his Oedipus, which I'd seen in Epidaurus in 2002 - and you can take that either way, as a mark of a distinctive theatrical voice at work, or as a sign of someone who's done nothing new for four years....
The show was almost amazing - Suzuki's eye for composition is flawless and the stage always looked absolutely beautiful. But the acting wasn't particularly life-changing, and there were several cringe-worthy moments. Agave was the most impressive, but she appeared to be doing her best impression of Shiraishi Kayoko (awesome awesome Japanese actress who's worked with Suzuki AND Ninagawa...) who originated the role. I really enjoyed the performance, and I'm thrilled I got to see it, but it was reassuring to feel, as I left, that I'm certainly concentrating on the right septaguanarian Japanese theatre director...!
Sunday I did masses of laundry and tidied my room (I figure if I do Spring cleaning, it might actually become Spring...) and spent a good deal of time chatting to my new Thai friend. I have often heard that Thai people are wonderfully friendly, exuberant, kind and funny people, but my experience has been strange. There was Cortney's madcap friend Mary, who's just heaps of fun but whom I don't really know. I also lost a good Japanese friend to Thailand (he's obsessed with the place and has now moved there, boo hoo). And then of the actual Thais I have made friends with, the first turned out to be a total bore, and the second is very confused and introverted and a huge amount of work. So now I have a new Thai friend (am I not a saint for never giving up?!) and he's a hoot and a half, and all of those nice things Thais are rumored to be. So hurrah! Third thai's the charm....
PS If anyone has a version of Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out for a Hero, please please let me know. Am trying to find a particular one, which is beyond description, so all help gratefully received...
Zaki came to Tokyo to collect her mother around about the time of the Chita Rivera post, and the Mexican and I met her off the train. Of course, Miss Thang was about a week late, so plans of karaoke/dinner/dancing/anything needed to be shelved because I couldn't afford to stay out all night. (The Mexican and I had in fact had dinner beforehand and gotten in a dance to "Hung Up" before Z arrived...)
I had been up late working the night before so I was a dreadful host, leaving poor Z to watch movies all night after I disintegrated.
Sunday, I met Shin and Mark for some Karaoke in Hachioji, and was reminded of how toxic and dangerous J-pop can be (cut to me getting home that night and watching a variety of music videos from such true talents - not - as Koda Kumi and Amuro Namie... In fairness, the videos are often fabulous. It's the music itself that sticks in your head). After we sang our hearts out we went for dinner in a nice izakaya and introduced Mark to the wonders of ume-shuu (plum liquor!). This made us all drunk enough to agree to go into Shinjuku to accompany M while he waited for his date. So we went to a quiet bar and sat and stared, exhausted, at a concert by Koda Kumi that was conveniently playing on the wall. M's date arrived, and Shin and I went home.
Monday I spent working on my book proposal - yes, people, it might actually be published sometime this year! - and generally feeling unwell. Also I paid my health insurance, fearing that the malaise might need serious attention.
Tuesday I went and met Kan from Company Izuru. ANYONE IN LONDON MUST GO SEE THIS SHOW, IT'S FABULOUS! (See image below) . I have been working on translations for their programme also, and we had a good laugh in Hiroo as we figured out what he wanted me to say and how he wanted it said. His appreciation for blank verse is commendable!
After meeting Kan I met a Chinese friend for dinner in Ginza. I was knocked for six by how spookily he resembles the Mexican. What a funny old world...
Wednesday morning I bit the bullet and found a clinic in Aoyama that I could visit to get myself looked at. I had a swollen gland (think My Big Fat Greek Wedding - "it was my twin!") and it was clearly bugging me. Having battled with my Japanese and the relatively patient ladies at the front desk, I was finally seen by the doctor, who told me it was a lymph node infection, and sent me out to wait for my drugs. These were delivered in a cute little bag, with clear instructions etc. But I only got enough for 4 days! And, surprise surprise in this delicate, gentle country, they appear to have had absolutely no effect...
That evening I went over to Takuma's house for a new phenomenon (here at least) known as American Idol night. The show is broadcast on cable here, but they show the entire week's shows together so it's a 3 hour epic. I know I'm very new to this year's show and all, but there's only one contestant for me, and that's Mandisa. If that lady doesn't win, I don't know what.
Thursday, feeling better (probably the placebo effect of just HAVING drugs) I got up early and went to Nishimachi International School to give a presentation to a class full of 14 year-olds, whose teacher had asked me to come speak to them about Greek drama and my "work". I felt so grown up. Despite my fears, they were absolutely lovely and very attentive. Thank god for powerpoint and dvds, I guess. Cleverly, I spoke for almost all of the allotted time, leaving very little room for questions. And those that slipped through were amazingly informed and insightful.
But no, I still don't want to be a teacher.
That evening I headed out in the foul weather to the Irish ambassadorial residence (incidentally JUST across the street from Nishimachi school) for a function to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This was a big hoo-ha, but it was very nice, and I met some fascinating people, including a professor from Sophia University and one John Dillon, Greek professor in Trinity, who just happened to be in Tokyo. It was rather startling to see such a sophisticated and distinguished crowd descending on the plush buffet spread, particularly when the (Irish) sausages were served and all dignity was eschewed, in a display only worthy of a Biblical pack of locusts...
Paddy's day itself was absolutely lousy. I was on my way to Saitama for the first day of Ninagawa's Titus rehearsals, when I fainted on the train and banged my tired head. So I went home and went to sleep. All day. That evening I called home to wish birthday/patrician greetings to all, and then got an email from Maria wondering if I'd be free to go to Shizuoka (halfway between Tokyo and Nagoya) to see a play the following day. Now, y'all know me and what a sucker I am for a play I like directed by someone famous... This was the Bacchae, remixed (see below! :P) by Suzuki Tadashi, perhaps Ninagawa's only real rival. So of course I agreed to go.
I paid a fabulously decadent sum for a return day ticket on the Bullet train and arrived quite relaxed at Shizuoka, in good time for the performance. Changed trains, got as far as Higashi-Shizuoka (where I was supposed to go) and was really impressed by the lovely station and shopping complex right there. I hopped into a taxi, and showed the driver the flyer for the performance and the map attached. Now, this woman was either biscuit-takingly stupid, or the most evil hostile bitch I have ever met. I knew the theatre was about 3 minutes from the station, so I was a bit confused when we seemed to be 8 minutes away from the whole town. The cow deposited me at Suzuki's performing arts centre, SPAC, which is his (amazing looking, delighted I got the chance to see it, but that's not the point because it wasn't where the show was on) base in the area. She took my money and scarpered, leaving me in the worryingly-empty car-park. I found a security guard at the gate, proferred my flyer (thank god I'd grabbed a few in the station) and asked, winsomely, if this was where the show was on. He was absolutely LOVELY, and said no, that the show was on in the theatre beside the station, and that the taxi-driver was a profiteering shameless bad person. Or words to that effect. It was by now 2.30, and the show was starting, so I asked, defeated, which of the two shows in the programme would begin first. Amused, he reassured me that what I'd come to see hadn't started yet... He ordered a taxi for me (and charged it to the S.P.A. Center!!) and sent me on my way. Of course, while I was waiting for the cab, it started pouring rain...
FINALLY I got back to the theatre (which was inside the posh-looking shopping centre beside the station!) and was met at the door by two very worried-looking assistants who ushered me to a seat and looked after me as though my lateness was somehow their fault. I only saw the last 15 minutes or so of "Nina" the modern dance piece by Kanamori Joh that preceded Dionysus, but it was enough to make me even angrier at that stupid/nasty driver. (Of course it is partly my fault for not asking someone other than the taxi driver, I accept, but I'm the injured party and I'll bitch if I want to...) I shall certainly be looking out for anything else by this really interesting amazing choreographer...
Also spotted in the audience for this very limited-engagement double-bill were numerous fab actors and actresses, and Miyagi Satoshi, artistic director of Ku Na'uka Theatre Company, whose Antigone, Medea and Othello I saw in Tokyo. We love them....
So finally, after much consternation and gnashing of teeth, I was there, in Shizuoka, dripping wet, to see my first Suzuki production since coming to Japan. What was most striking was how similar the soundscape was to that of his Oedipus, which I'd seen in Epidaurus in 2002 - and you can take that either way, as a mark of a distinctive theatrical voice at work, or as a sign of someone who's done nothing new for four years....
The show was almost amazing - Suzuki's eye for composition is flawless and the stage always looked absolutely beautiful. But the acting wasn't particularly life-changing, and there were several cringe-worthy moments. Agave was the most impressive, but she appeared to be doing her best impression of Shiraishi Kayoko (awesome awesome Japanese actress who's worked with Suzuki AND Ninagawa...) who originated the role. I really enjoyed the performance, and I'm thrilled I got to see it, but it was reassuring to feel, as I left, that I'm certainly concentrating on the right septaguanarian Japanese theatre director...!
Sunday I did masses of laundry and tidied my room (I figure if I do Spring cleaning, it might actually become Spring...) and spent a good deal of time chatting to my new Thai friend. I have often heard that Thai people are wonderfully friendly, exuberant, kind and funny people, but my experience has been strange. There was Cortney's madcap friend Mary, who's just heaps of fun but whom I don't really know. I also lost a good Japanese friend to Thailand (he's obsessed with the place and has now moved there, boo hoo). And then of the actual Thais I have made friends with, the first turned out to be a total bore, and the second is very confused and introverted and a huge amount of work. So now I have a new Thai friend (am I not a saint for never giving up?!) and he's a hoot and a half, and all of those nice things Thais are rumored to be. So hurrah! Third thai's the charm....
PS If anyone has a version of Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out for a Hero, please please let me know. Am trying to find a particular one, which is beyond description, so all help gratefully received...
Remixes, Part Deux
The list I gave of favourite remixes could obviously never be complete, or all-encompassing. ..
I really love when a remixer can take a ballad and turn it into an amazing dance track (particularly the kind of track that sad music geeks use words like throbbing, or monster, or floor-filling, to describe...)
Of note today - the Scumfrog remixes of Britney (aka Queen of Trash) Spears' Everytime.
Ooh, and a curious remix in the opposite direction... (aka weird world-music lesson of the day:)
Dana International blazed out of the alternative club scene in Israel under the auspices and remix talents of Ofer Nissim. S/he was crazy, provocative, and controversial, singing in Hebrew and Arabic, and often doing ironic cover versions of camp classics like Baccara's "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" or "Hello Dolly" in Hebrew. She went on to win the Eurovision, and just when you thought she couldn't out-camp her feather-clad winning performance, the following year she created the Eurovision's interval act, and performed the Jewish Sabbath prayer (on a Saturday night) as a tribal dance remix extravaganza. And then fell flat on her ass when she was presenting the trophy, thereby ensuring that poor Charlotte, the Swedish winner, got only half the attention in the following day's press... Gotta hand it to her. ANYWAY, now that Dana is rather established, her most recent album was less provocative (or downright crazy) than previous efforts, and is a slick, sophisticated collection of songs. Most interesting is the "remix" of her song "Ani Nitzachti", which means "I Won" - from her Eurovision follow-up album - in a gentle, delicate acoustic version. Super classy, complete makeover, super remix.
If you are still reading this, god bless you.
PS Shout out to Ofer Nissim, whose monster remixes of everyone from Dana to Suzanne Palmer to Ofra Haza are throbbing, floor-filling genius...
I really love when a remixer can take a ballad and turn it into an amazing dance track (particularly the kind of track that sad music geeks use words like throbbing, or monster, or floor-filling, to describe...)
Of note today - the Scumfrog remixes of Britney (aka Queen of Trash) Spears' Everytime.
Ooh, and a curious remix in the opposite direction... (aka weird world-music lesson of the day:)
Dana International blazed out of the alternative club scene in Israel under the auspices and remix talents of Ofer Nissim. S/he was crazy, provocative, and controversial, singing in Hebrew and Arabic, and often doing ironic cover versions of camp classics like Baccara's "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" or "Hello Dolly" in Hebrew. She went on to win the Eurovision, and just when you thought she couldn't out-camp her feather-clad winning performance, the following year she created the Eurovision's interval act, and performed the Jewish Sabbath prayer (on a Saturday night) as a tribal dance remix extravaganza. And then fell flat on her ass when she was presenting the trophy, thereby ensuring that poor Charlotte, the Swedish winner, got only half the attention in the following day's press... Gotta hand it to her. ANYWAY, now that Dana is rather established, her most recent album was less provocative (or downright crazy) than previous efforts, and is a slick, sophisticated collection of songs. Most interesting is the "remix" of her song "Ani Nitzachti", which means "I Won" - from her Eurovision follow-up album - in a gentle, delicate acoustic version. Super classy, complete makeover, super remix.
If you are still reading this, god bless you.
PS Shout out to Ofer Nissim, whose monster remixes of everyone from Dana to Suzanne Palmer to Ofra Haza are throbbing, floor-filling genius...
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