The song “Enjoy Yourself, It’s Later Than You Think” by Louis Prima has a catchy tune and some really amazing lyrics! (Discovery by: Ani)

Yesterday me, Ani, and our daughter, and some very good friends of ours, went to a Tim Booth & We Are James concert. The event was in Thessaloniki, at the Moni Lazariston monastery, in the open. It was an amazing experience!

Different — yes, but also fantastic, like the previous time (in an age long gone, it was the summer of 2019) when we went to see Tim Booth in Thessaloniki, at the Fix Factory.

Music is magic. Tim’s music is pure magic. 🎵🎶

Update (2023.07.14): I recorded a few short videos during the concert. Here’s one:

P.S. Tim Booth liked my tweet after the event!! 💖

I very rarely check my Twitter now (I’m still in my “digital detox” mode) but I’ve made an exception that night in Thessaloniki. :)

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
He’d say “I’m gonna be like you, dad”
“You know I’m gonna be like you”

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home, dad?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play
Can you teach me to throw, I said-a, not today
I got a lot to do, he said, that’s okay
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
It said, I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m gonna be like him

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home, dad?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then

Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?
He shook his head, and they said with a smile
What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home, son?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then, dad
You know we’ll have a good time then

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, I’d like to see you if you don’t mind
He said, I’d love to, dad, if I can find the time
You see, my new job’s a hassle, and the kids have the flu
But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad
It’s been sure nice talking to you
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
“When you coming home, son?” “I don’t know when”
But we’ll get together then, dad
We’re gonna have a good time then

Cat’s in the Cradle, written by Sandy Chapin and Harry Chapin

* * *

“Cat’s in the Cradle” is a 1974 song by Harry Chapin from the album “Verities & Balderdash.” The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1974. As Chapin’s only number-one song, it became the best known of his work and a staple for folk rock music. Chapin’s recording of the song was nominated for the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011. In 1992, the band Ugly Kid Joe covered the song and released it as a single; their version became a major hit in several countries, including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United States.

* * *

The lyrics though… So good. So powerful.

…is gone. (Un)forgiven.

His last album, “Hard Knocks,” was pretty good, and there were quite a few good songs in it — at almost 70, his voice was still amazing.

(But, of course, Joe will be mostly remembered by his hits “You’re So Beautiful…” and “Unchain My Heart“.:-)

R.I.P., Joe! You passed through some rough times, but brought to us so much warmth with your music! Thank you!

You might have seen him on the streets of Sofia lately: red-haired, cool dude, with an acoustic guitar in his hands, and a strong voice.

He travels, plays and sings for his own pleasure (it seems). He’s now in Bulgaria and you can go and listen to his music in the Sofia music clubs — but sometimes on the street, too.

First time we heard him, it was when we were walking with Ani on Vitosha street, in the Winter. Two days ago we heard him sing again, on almost the same place. We stopped to listen for a while…

…then, after his last song, I asked him, where’s he from. Once we knew Jamie is from Ireland, it was quite obvious we’ll ask him to sing us some Irish song, since we’re big fans of Irish music!

So, the next song is “by fans’ request”:

Jamie Mc Donald: Fiddlers’s Green (shot with a Canon S5 IS camera)

Jamie Mc Donald has an official Facebook page and a YouTube channel.

Here: http://soundcloud.com/jamie-mc-donald
you can listen to a few tracks from his next album, The Way It Was (where he performs with Boyana Zhelyazkova, violin). I like the music, a lot!

In the next few weeks you’ll be able to hear him sing in one of the Sofia clubs (maybe Mc Carthy’s or Swingin’ Hall)… or again, on the street.

Stop and listen for a while, if you happen to “bump” into him somewhere. You never know — maybe Jamie will soon leave for Ireland… or for the next destination on his travel list?… :)

PS Thanks for the music, Jamie! It was so nice meeting you! :-)

If you haven’t yet heard about these crazy great musicians, here’s a special selection of 4 videos:

Cello Wars (Star Wars Parody): Lightsaber Duel

(Steven Sharp Nelson)

Michael Meets Mozart – 1 Piano, 2 Guys, 100 Cello Tracks

(Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson)

Moonlight – Electric Cello (inspired by Beethoven)

(Steven Sharp Nelson)

The Cello Song – Bach is Back (with 7 more cellos)

(Steven Sharp Nelson)

Watch them, enjoy the music and the awesome performance! :-)

One of the most interesting versions of “Smooth Criminal” that I have ever heard. Better than Apocalyptica! :)

(Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic playing Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson for two cellos solo. Arranged by Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic.)

A greeting from Jon Bon Jovi to all my Twitter followers:

[Flash player with embedded video]

:-)

(You may find this music video on YouTube, too.)

On a //sideline, Jon Bon Jovi released a new album on 2009 — “The Circle” — and I find it surprisingly pleasing for listening :)