A pause to play... Noa

So, Spring is here. Did I mention I love the seasons change? I love them all, each one on it's proper time, but I'm most definitely a warm weather kind of person. What can I say? Sun light makes people happy! So, makes sense that I share with you music that makes me happy.

For some reason Noa's music always feels like spring to me. It's joyful and bright and almost looks like her songs have colors. Cheerful colors. The way she sings in her Israeli accent... Oh, and her whistle really looks like the chirping of a bird!

I was part of the cast of a musical show for 3 years, it was a fantastic experience with special people. The worst part always was dismantling everything on the stage after the performances, but it was nevertheless the funniest, because we were relaxed, all stress gone. The sound sistem was always the last to go down, so that we could have music as we worked. That's how I heard Noa the first time. That record did many shows with us and all those memories come to mind when I hear it.

I can only say that her music is pure beauty, specially this album produced by the great Pat Metheny. And, now that I've shared with you a bit more of the soundtrack of my life, I invite you to make a pause to play it! As usual I give you a live performance, well two, as there are two songs for you to listen. Make a pause, it's worth it! And a good Spring to you all!

**
Artist: Achinoam Nini (Noa)

Songs: Child of man, I don't know
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Mike Oldfield & Maggie Reilly

I woke up today feeling a bit nostalgic. Don't you have that sometimes? Well, I do.

For some reason this song came to my mind. Moonlight shadow. If like me you grew up between the eighties and the nineties, you'll remember this one. This is the kind of song that brings me back good childhood memories. I like to call it a good mood song, (although the lyrics aren't that happy, but we were kids, english words meant nothing back then) I can't help but smile and feel chills inside when listening.

Do you have any memories around this song too? Make a pause to play it and... remember!

**
Artist: Mike Oldfield & Maggie Reilly

Song: Moonlight Shadow
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Joni Mitchell

So, in the International Women's Day, it had to be a woman, right? And, not just a woman (well, not that any woman is ever just a woman, but you know what I mean), a lady, a diva.

I got to her music out of curiosity when I read about one of my favorite portuguese musicians and song writters, that her music had been an inspiration to her songs.

This particular song got to me from the first time I listened to it. The way she deliers the words... There's no way you can ignore the message. And what beautiful words! Almost a life story. From the time we looked at clouds, knowing nothing about clouds, to the time we look at love also knowing nothing about love, to the time we look at life, and realize, we still know nothing about life.

Listen. Do you see yourself reflected there? Make a pause to play it!

"Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As ev'ry fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all"

**
Artist: Joni Mitchell

Song: Both sides now
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Ayo

"every colour of my world thats what you are
like a lion rules the jungle
you rule my heart

and only you can have my soul
oh... you can have it all"

There are times, like last week, when I feel like sharing music I've loved for long, music dear to my heart for all the memories it bring me.

And there are times when I get surprised by a new song and, even if it doesn't mean much yet, I feel like sharing it, just because it makes me feel good listening. This is one I've been listening on repeat lately. I've heard of this lady before, but just never had listened carfully. I have a feeling I'll be listening much more of her in the future. Make a pause to play it!

**
Artist: Ayo

Song: Only you
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Carole King

Oh Carol!

Yes. This is the one and only woman that inspired Neil Sedaka's most famous song, did you knew that? Well, I can see she had the looks and the moves... I'm sure she was quite an heart breaker. Oh Carol...

Anyways, I recently ordered her digitally remastered Tapestry album. I can only say that this has been one of my all time favorite albums and not having it siting on our media shelf was odd, to say the least. It has a lot to do with her voice and the way she delivers the music, but it has as much, or even more, to do with the memories it brings me.

My father introduced me to her. He used to have a recorded tape with his favorite musics in the glove compartment of the car and we would listen to it all the time, specially during our family Sunday rides. She is definitely part of those happy memories, and now, as we listen to her at our place, just the two of us doing ordinary stuff like washing the dishes, I can see we are building new memories around her music.

She will always be part of the soundtrack of my life.

So, now I invite you: make a pause and play it!

"I feel the earth move under my feet
I feel the sky tumbling down
I feel my heart start to trembling
Whenever you're around

Oh, baby, when I see your face
Mellow as the month of May
Oh, darling, I can't stand it
When you look at me that way"

And if by the end of the song you feel like, keep on listening, there's a special treat after. "You make me feel like a natural woman" and "You've got a friend" sung by the woman who wrote them. As much as I admire Aretha Franklin or James Taylor, for me those songs will always be in Carole's voice and no one else.

**
Artist: Carole King

Song: I feel the earth move
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... John Legend

"Where do we go? Who knows?
But each day gets better
I just can't let her go.
Oh no!
Each kiss gets sweeter
I just can leave her, no..."

Today I felt like remembering more of the soundtrack of our wedding, so why don't you join me and make a pause to play it?

**
Artist: John Legend

Song: Each day gets better
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Midge Ure

Just breathe...

**
Artist: Midge Ure

Song: Breathe
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... A silent film

First of all, have you seen my New Year's resolutions post? Call me crazy... but I would love to know what you think about!

Now, to the poin. Just a short one, this time, to share something I've been obsessing about, this week. This is kind of a new music discovery to me, and I say kind of because, oddly enough, even though you can't see me I can assure you I was in among the crowd in that concert you see on the video. Two years and half ago. We were there to see The Dave Matthews band and Chris Cornell, and in between shows we caught the end of this concert, and the encore of this song. I remember enjoying the sound, I remember us talking about how we should search the album to hear. And then... I completely forgot it. Till this week when I came across this video.

Ignore the noises and just enjoy their energy. Make a pause to play it. Loud!

**
Artist: A Silent film

Song: You will leave a mark
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Mariah Carey

Wait!! Don't go away, not just yet. Give me some credit here, will you?

Ok, so... Once upon a time there was a girl with a powerfull voice that conquered the world with her musics. She was young and talented and needed no more than her beautiful smile to gain the crowd. Time passed by, and with time wrinkles came. The girl started to loose her confidence and soon her pure smile started to fade. From there was just a step to contracting the Jennifer Lopez/Rihana syndrome. The rest of the story you all know.

Do you remember that girl? Did you ever got to know her? If not, take a time to do it now. I remember my father talking about a girl he had seen on TV singging a song caled Vision of Love (her first single) but he would not remember her name, he kept looking for her till one day he brought home her MTV Unlugged album. We used to listen to it all the time and this song allways made me wanna dance. It still comes to my mind when I feel like it.

Seems like I'm starting the year with a certain need to shake things up. Well, it better be a good omen!

Today I was received in a home full of lighted candles, a complete (and delicious) dinner ready and an apple crumble coming out of the oven wich made the house smell wonderfull! All by the hands of the sweet husband of mine. And today is not even a special date! Should I be worried? Oh... I know I'm lucky! So, I guess this music makes even more sence today...

"You've got me feeling emotions

Deeper than I've ever dreamed of

You've got me feeling emotions

Higher than the heavens above"

**
Artist: Mariah Carey

Song: Emotions
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... The Black Keys

Talking about starting the year with good vibes, this is the perfect song for it! Not an old one, this time, but I'm getting more and more addicted to it. Check it out, and try not to smile while watching! I'm sending good vibes to you for the following twelve months, now make a pause and play it!

**
Artist: The Black Keys

Song: Lonely boy
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... David Fonseca

Say that the days before Christmas around here are chaotic it's an understatement, but I could not let this week pass without sharing a song, specialy when I love the season's tunes. So I managed to find five minutes for a short post featuring a portuguese artist (another one).

If you're from my generation, when you think of christmas you imediately start humming "last christmas I gave you my heart...", well, I do! And so, here it goes, a cover from that song, and a good one!

And, just because it is Christmas, keep on listening, there are two extra songs, just as good as the first one. I say, this guy should record a Christmas album! David, if you're listening to me, 2012 is the year for you to do it!

**
Artist: David Fonseca

Song: Last Christmas
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Tori Amos

After sneezing every ten seconds for two whole days (nights included) I am absolutely ready to face winter. You can't scary me now! I have my defenses all ready for you! I hope...

Many years ago, watching one of the firsts talent contests on portuguese TV, I saw a girl singing "Winter", by Tori Amos. I had never heard of such artist, but that song got my attention. I searched for her music and quickly got addicted to her. She is absolutely talented, beautiful and unique. And, obviously, I can't go through winter without her. I just wish we had more snow around here, so I could really sing "Snow can wait / I forgot my mittens / Wipe my nose / Get my new boots on"! (Oh yes, I just got the new boots! I am an happy girl with warm feet.)

Since I've been sneezing so much lately, it's only fair that I share another one of my favorite songs, "caught a lite sneeze", so, this week there's a bonus, two songs!

Today I'm paying a tribute to my gone cold and welcoming winter in advance, (and may the style gods help me find the proper coat to get through it!) so I invite you to do the same. Make a pause and play it!

**
Artist: Tori Amos

Songs: Caught a lite sneeze; Winter
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Rita Redshoes

Today I bring you something different, something you probably haven't listened before, because this is a portuguese artist. There was a time when I used to hear this album a lot. The cd belonged to my brother and was in the car we all shared at home and, as I'm not a radio fan, every time I would grab the wheel this would play over and over.

Listening to this always brings to my memory driving alone under the rain, and the street lights on Christmas time flickering at me, as I drove for kilometers to see the boy play with his futsal team. It was the beginning of our relationship. Eventually I changed the cd on the car, but I always go back to her music, not just for the memories it brings me, but because it is intense and beautiful to hear.

So, now that I shared with you another piece of my life's soundtrack, make a pause to play it! You should not miss this one!

**
Artist: Rita Redshoes

Song: Dream on girl
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Radiohead

Here I am with a late post today. We're enjoying a public holiday at home. Between some needed time to relax and some time to get a few things done, I managed to save a few extra minutes before sleep to come here.

Since I started this Pause to play series, were I share moments of my life that are directly connected with music, I've been alternating between older and more recent memories. This one is a very recent one, not that I just 'discovered' Radiohead, but his particular song for some reason never got my attention. I guess there's a perfect time for everything. One of last week's evenings was spent by the fireplace watching a movie that's been sitting for months, waiting, on the DVD's shelve. It was worth the waiting cause I really enjoyed "L'Auberge Espagnole". It's a fun soft european movie, but the thing that hit me the most was this music and the way it helped the story to flow and made it so much more intense.

This song has been playing in my head the whole week, so I had to share it. It is a powerful music, a master piece, I believe, and I'm sure whenever I'll listen to it, it will bring back the memories of that night, the warmth of the fire and the relaxed feeling the movie gave us.

So, now it's your turn, make a pause and play it!

**
Band: Radiohead

Song: No surprises
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... John Mayer

Before you ask, we were not drunk. Liquor was too darn expensive over there! And we don't do any other weird substances either. Going to a concert is the best trip if you ask me!

This was taken at the end of an exhausting/crazy/fabulous night at Rock in Rio Lisboa with a cool group of siblings and cousins. After jumping and doing crazy (read awkward) choreographed dances to Ivete Sangalo, enjoying John Mayer amazing guitar skills and voice, and trying to see a bit of Shakira, we looked like this. Just for the record: 1) that last part was just for satisfying curiosity purposes, we were there anyway, and, truth to be told, we didn't last half of it (who knew that a long long long time ago I used to kind of like her musics?); 2) we were not the only ones looking like this, I should know better not to ruin other people's reputation other than myself, for my safety, but I can't resist! Oh...

See?? Now, I'm going to run and hide!! Oh, and about John Mayer, the gig was amazing, but I will never forgive him not playing this song. John, you owe me one!

**
photos by Margarida

Artist: John Mayer
Song: Neon
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Dave Matthews Band

Last night's events at home:

Hub passing buy with a laundry basket - Any news? New comments on the blog?

Me on the computer - The usual. Oh, you should come and see the pictures I posted.

Hub talking from the back - So, what song did you post today, uh?

Demon on my right hear - Shit!! Is it thursday??

Demon on my left hear - Let's see... you just arrived home, from a two hour train trip, today was your last working day of the week... Yep. I'ts thursday alright.

Me out loud - Oh, stupid me, I completely forgot! It's blogger's fault! I was supposed to post this yesterday and he just decided (again) we would not work!

Demon on my left hear - Let me get this strait, one hour ago you were making fun at your sister because she thought today was saturday? Are you for real, woman?

Demon on my right hear - SHUT UP!!

Hub passing buy with an empty laundry basket and a naughty smile on his face - So, are you done or what?

Me - But... ain't you got something to do for work tomorrow?

Hub - Nop.

The rest you can guess. We went strait to bed, with me cursing all the way. So, this is how this goes this week. A thursday pause on friday. Oh well... What can I do?

Skipping to that now, without further ado, today I'm sharing one of my favorite bands, and this one might as well be one of my all time favorite songs. So, stop what you're doing, this is a big thing! Two years ago we went see them live at a summer festival. It was a hot july day and we sure appreciated the orange things some company was distributing to wrap our heads with, still I can not help smiling when I see the pictures we took with the cellphone. Happy moments, happy pictures!

Seeing them play live was one of the best experiences I can remember, and this song, wow... everyone singing along word by word. Amazing. They really are extraordinary musicians. So, now that I shared a bit more of the soundtrack of my life, go ahead and make a pause to play it!

**

Band: Dave Matthews Band
Song: #41
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... The Beatles

Ok, I know I said I would be posting another photo editing tutorial yesterday... Sorry! I got all messed up with things to do at work, but it's coming, I promise!

First things first, today is the day of the week when I unveil a bit of the soundtrack of my life and invite you to make a pause and play it. On to that now!

A few weeks ago the husband came to me saying that lately I was posting music that he doesn't see me hearing. I think he was talking about Mike and the Mechanics or Smashing Pumpkins, anyway, he was right. That's because those are songs that are attached to my memories, and therefor take part on the soundtrack of my life, but I don't necessarily hear them at this stage of my life. I'm in a different mood, I suppose. Anyways... This is fun because it means he is getting to know things about me he didn't knew before, so, here goes another one to surprise him:

I was about ten years or so when I started to learn how to play the guitar. Me, my sister, my cousin and a bunch of other kids, made quite a mess on saturday morning's at the house of the guy that was trying to teach us. Trying is the proper term. Truth to be told, he was not much older than us, I would say about five years,  but we saw him as the big guy. The boys, on the other hand, couldn't care less and gave him quite a hard time always running around. (Well, my sister being a tomboy always fighting them certainly did not helped.) Looking back now, I don't know how I ended up learning how to play the guitar. I think it must have been some kind of a miracle!

The memories from those fun times are always full with songs that, at the time, we saw as music for grown-ups. The Beatles, Genesis, Pink Floyd... those were the songs he gave us to play, and he even recorded us tapes that we would listen at home and take to school to impress our friends.

I never learned how to play this song, but it has always been one of my favorites from the Beatles. Back then I still believed that nothing was gonna change my world. Now, I know that my world can easily change, but I will always be myself.

**

Band: The Beatles
Song: Across The Universe
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Extreme

Did you had rock band posters on your bedroom wall when you were a teen? I did. I won't embarrass myself by naming all of them*, but this one I don't regret. They were cool then, and I think they still are now, with a little more of charm that only comes with age. Just like wine.

When the boy and I started dating, the first thing I gave him was a cd with a few songs I selected. That cd played over and over, and those songs ended being all of them very special to us. One of those was Unconditionally (yes, cheesy, loving unconditonally), from Extreme. A few moths later, for my birthday, he bought us tickets for their concert in Lisbon, it was their reunion tour, after more than ten years apart. Needless say, I was in a happy place! Going to a concert, just one of my most favorite things to do, to see a band I grew up listening, with the person I knew I would be my whole life with. Could not ask for more. It was three years ago, in the end of October, and I remember seeing girls dressed as witches crossing the streets as we walked to Lisbon Coliseu.

The song I share with you today is one of my favorites. It has everything I love about their music: nice vibe, energy, a bit of funk, great voices, and the magic hands of Nuno Bettencourt on the guitar. (Oh, an by the way, he is portuguese, did you know that?)

So, this is the moment when I invite you to make a pause to play it. Come on, this was one of my teenager's band crushes!


*Ok, I'm exaggerating. A bit. There was some Bon Jovi stuff going on, though, I confess.

**

Band: Extreme
Song: Hole Hearted
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Billie Holiday

When the weather gets chilly, like it is getting now, all I feel like is to cuddle under the blankets and watch the rain fall against the windows. Good company, a movie, or a book to read... or just a cup of hot chocolate or tea and a warm music playing.

There's no better music to warm me in this time of year than Lady Day. She was unique, well, she is unique! Amazing souls like hers never leave this earth. She is the soothing company when I have something to do at home, she is the perfect inspiration for my creative moments, and she never fails when we have dinner parties.

When I first bought her collection of cd's, the boy confessed me he didn't enjoy it that much. Inside I was screaming "WHAAAAT?" but I kept the composure, and relied on her to persuade him in time. Don't know if she did it yet, but I know that we had great moments together listening to it, so, that's good for me. (For now)

I was not born in the fifties, neither in the US, so knowing about Billie Holiday was not a thing we would grow up with. I must have listened her lots of times, I'm sure, but I clearly remember how I got her bug inside. I used to love a show called Once and again and there was this cute scene of the two young girls listening to her. That music got into my head and I just had to listen more of her.

So, now it's your turn. Make a pause, grab a cup of tea, cuddle on the couch, and play her!

**

Singer: Billie Holiday
Song: God bless the child
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Iron and Wine

You know that big online store named as the largest rainforest on earth? Let me correct, huge store. Actually, the place has become so big so big sooooo... big... (let me breath before I say this, I'm still in shock!) that if you google it's name you won't find any information about the forest till the third or fourth page! Yes, that's right, go ahead and try it. I'll wait. Of course, you know what I'm talking about, yes?? The "Lungs of the World" where more than 20 percent of the world oxygen is produced, you know it, right? I recogn it's kind of obvious, but since Kellie Pickler said she thought Europe was a country I doubt everything!

Anyway, I buy a lot of stuff from there, mainly music and books, and there's a feature these stores have I've come to love, which is that customers-who-bought-this-item-also-bought thing. I know, it's not like they invented the wheel, but that thing really is cool. I cannot count the amount of stuff I've discovered through those suggestions. And you don't need to be Einstein to already know that this was how I came across Iron and Wine.

I've told you before how I heard Bon Iver for the first time, and how I got hitched by it's music. So there I was browsing that store for their CDs... and under it there was a bunch of Iron and Wine albums as a recommendation. And, well, you know I'm curious...

End of the story, it's time for you to make a pause and play it! It's only four minutes. Usually I like to share a live performance, but this time I couldn't help it, I love this video!

**

Singer: Iron and Wine
Song: Boy with a cin
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play