Eyes Wide Open...

A 24 year old boy seeing out from the train's window shouted 

"Dad, look the trees are going behind!"

Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, 

looked at the 24 year old's childish behavior with pity.

Suddenly he again exclaimed "Dad, look the clouds are running with us!"

The couple couldn't resist and said to the old man 

"Why don't you take your son to a good doctor?"

The old man smiled and said "

I did and we are just coming from the hospital, 

my son was blind from birth, he just got his eyes today..."

I've come across the story above on Facebook, Whatsapp and other shares by friends. But today seemed to be the perfect day to share it.... On World Sight Day. 

Observed on the second Thursday of October, the World Sight Day is a day to celebrate the sense of sight that we've been endowed with. And to make the right use of this gift to see Visions of Love.

While we step up the war against physical blindness with regular testing, healthy diet - especially for diabetics, we also need help from above to ward off spiritual blindness. Open the Eyes of My Heart.

   

It's nearing midnight where I am, and I need to go and close my eyes and get some sleep. And get up to a brighter world tomorrow morning. 

Simple Simon Scores a Diamond

If you've ever sung a duet or a group song, there a high chance that it would have been one of his. 

Today the simple half of an iconic duo scores 75 today. Over the years I've sung songs by Simon & Garfunkel on many occasion with as many groups, but I'll probably start quietly - with a song that my cousins - the Fernandes sisters - have covered in absolute brilliance. Close your eyes and open up those ears to listen to The Sound Of Silence.

Just earlier this week, I was hitching a ride with a friend, who mentioned that her mother was full of praise for the beautiful singing of the Pinto family singers from Fort, Mumbai - my Dad's family. And this song among the hundreds of others that I've heard them sing could soothe anyone - Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Simon and Garfunkel was a favorite duo from my brother and myself. One of the favorite songs we've sung together has been The Boxer. We did it again the last time we met as well.

My five years in college was memorable for the music that we played at the various intercollegiate competitions that we sang. And among the first songs that we sang in the group was about the Scarborough Fair.

Move on to the Summer Camp we'd have at our Parish in Chembur and the group singing competition. Won the first place for a modern rendition of the 59th Street Bridge Song (Feeling Groovy) complete with the 'boom-boom' on the vocal bass and the 'click-clicking' finger rhythms.

If you liked the rhythm on that one, you'll surely like the next song that inspired a reggae version - Cecilia. Used to sing that with the Blending Stars - led by Roney Gomes in the early '90s. 

Got called out to, the other day while climbing the bridge at the railway station - the reason being I was walking there in a world of my own, humming a tune to include on my blog of the day while being Homeward Bound.

I've reached home now (for the day) and back home as well after a fair share of travel and life away from Mumbai having seen the 59th Street Bridge as well. But thanks to Paul Simon (and Art Garfunkel) for the nostalgic memories. So from all of us... Happy #MusicalBirthday to Paul Simon - and its no ordinary birthday. He completes 75 today. 

I'll just leave you with a simple question - where is the 59th Street Bridge? Not very far from home. 




There are other #MusicalBirthday today as well. Find out more on my blog post on This Day Last Year - From Scarborough Fair to Graceland.

10000 Reasons

10000 Reasons... that's the name of that song...

And I have... 10000 reasons... to thank you.... 

Where Reason = Pageview, I have to thank you for the 10000 Pageviews on this Blog.

For those who've joined us recently, thought you would like to look at some of the most popular posts on the blog.



And the Top 10 Posts on A Musical Twist to Life are: 

At #10

One Year of Blogging

May 22, 2016

includes my top 5 blog posts from my first year of this blog. I said One Year not One Week (Barenaked Ladies).

At #9

The Lilting Voice of Indian Cinema - Lata Mangeshkar

September 28, 2016

Tracing the association of the great Lata Mangeshkar through eight decades of music on her 87th birthday.

At #8

Mother Teresa - Model of Mercy

September 4, 2016

On the occasion of the canonisation of Mother Teresa, this post includes many more songs inspired by St. Teresa of Kolkota.

At #7

Let's Dance... It's International Dance Day

April 29, 2016

Posted on International Dance Day... Just Dance.

At #6

TWIST

October 3, 2016

From just a few days ago, on the #MusicalBirthday of Chubby Checker...The King of Twist...

At #5

Much Ado About Shakespeare

April 23, 2016

Posted on the 100th death anniversary of the bard, this post includes songs inspired by Shakespeare or movies based on his writings. 

At #4

Chak De India... Rashtriya Khel Divas

August 29, 2016

The birthday of hockey legend Dhyan Chand is observed as National Sports Day...

At #3

Around The World... in 14 Songs

September 27, 2016

On World Tourism Day, we did the trip to various destinations around the world... Roam (B-52s).

At #2

Happy Friendship Day 2015

August 3, 2015

Posted on a Sunday morning, this post got me connected to friends from many years back... Friends (Michael W Smith & Amy Grant).

And at the top spot - #1

Back To School

June 29, 2015

A reminiscence of music at school, on being invited to coach the school choir for the feast. Did not include any music on the post... but the picture of the talented students was worth a million words. 

Thanks again for your support to this blog... Keep reading, following, subscribing... and also share your feedback (in the comments below).

Woof, Meoow, Neigh.... Talk To The Animals

There's a day for everything... and October 4 is designated as World Animal Day. But why?

October 4 is the feast day of the St. Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals and ecology.

St. Francis of Assisi - Patron Saint of Animals

With the day dedicated to animals, it seems only fair to dedicate this post to them as well. 

Our association with animal songs go back to our earliest years with nursery rhymes. From Baa Baa Black Sheep to Mary Had A Little Lamb, Three Blind Mice to Old MacDonald Had A Farm, we learnt the names of most of the farm animals.

But the earliest song (not nursery rhyme) I recall with animals in it is this Golden Oldie - (How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window (Patti Page).

The innocence and faithfulness of dogs (or their young ones) lends itself to the love between very young couples - Puppy Love (Paul Anka).

Not all dogs are gentle. Some can be gruff...like the Hound Dog (Elvis).

From the dog we move to the other domestic animal almost as popular as the dog - that the cat.

The mention of the cats reminds me of CATS - the Musical. I attended a couple of auditions for The Best Of Broadway put up in Mumbai in the 1980s - directed by Celia Lobo with music by Leon D'Souza and including performers of the calibre of Shahriyar and Ella Atai among others.

The other cat song that comes straight to mind is Phoebe's favorite performance song from Friends - Smelly Cat.

Sometimes we use the names of animals to call people names like Alley Cat (Peggy Lee). 

Flip the gender around... and many years later... She could be a Maneater (Hall & Oates)

A big cat like the Tiger has a keen sense of vision and Rocky Balboa in the title song of the movie based on him Rocky is said to have the Eye Of The Tiger (Survivor).

Another animal that is close to man and take him places is the Horse With No Name (America).

While researching for this post, I found that lots of animals and even birds rock. Wanna dance the Crocodile Rock (Elton John).

Now its time for the birds. And the Rockin' Robin (Jackson 5).

Birds are better known for singing. And a questions for those on West End London, have you ever been there when The Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (Manhattan Transfer).

Or have you heard the songs of the Blackbird (Paul McCartney).

We've been on the land and in the air... so let's take a trip Under The Sea (Sebastian The Crab - The Little Mermaid).

This post on World Animal Day would be incomplete if I don't mention one of the best animal movie series ever... Have you heard of Dr. Doolittle? He used to Talk To The Animals (Bobby Darin).

While he spoke to the dogs, cats, horses, birds, monkeys and elephants, I don't remember seeing any fox in the movie. That's because no one knows What Does The Fox Say (Ylvis).

There are so many more animal songs... Thank You to all those who responded to my post of Facebook and Twitter... I'm sure you can think of some more songs about animals... just share them in the comments. 

TWIST

twist

The dictionary defines twist as bending or curling. An alternative definition is to rotate around a stationary point. 

There is a 'twist' in the name of this blog and 'twists' and turns in the road to life. But there is also a 'twist' in music - and it encompasses not one but both of the definitions right above - bending and curling around a stationary point.

If you were born in the before the 60s (I wasn't), you'd would be very familiar with the dance form. But I've seen this dance and enjoyed songs with twists at the many weddings we've attended in the '70 and '80s. This is how they do The Twist.

Written originally by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters as a B-side, the song became extremely popular and went to #1 when covered by Chubby Checker. I used to be quite chubby as a kid... and used to love to play checkers as well. But this post is not about me... but about the rockin' (or rather twistin' singer) who celebrates his 75th birthday today. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUBBY CHECKER

The popularity he got with The Twist was not enough - he had to do it again with Let's Twist Again. 

The twist was an absolute rage from 1959 through to around 1962, the created the 'twist' around anything. There was even a comic book that was about the 'twist'.

There is even an Alvin Twist, the Peppermint Twist, the Spanish Twist... and (take a breath)...the Bollywood Twist aka Aao Twist Karein.

The twisting even caught with the Fab Four - the Beatles, who have their cover version of Chubby Checker's - Aa... aa... aa... aa... Twist and Shout.

Among the many covers of Twist and Shout include the Reggae versions by Chaka Demus and the Pliers and Shaggy.

After the mid-sixties, the rage seems to have died down. My favorite 'twist' song from the Eighties is the one near water - Twisting by the Pool (Dire Straits).

Twenty-five after the pool, Bollywood was back twisting at weddings and parties with the Twist from Love Aaj Kal.

If you enjoyed the 'twist' here follow The Musical Twist to Life right here or maybe request for it to be delivered right to your email box. 

KEEP TWISTING

Sting 65

An all-time favorite dish of mine in a Chinese Restaurant is Chicken65. Order it in a good restaurant and you enjoy the finger-licking goodness or maybe spice. 

One of my favorite singers - and definitely the most versatile one ever - celebrated his 65 yesterday. Since the day was absolutely full of commitments and deadlines, I thought I should just squeeze in a quick wish while it is still October 2nd  in some small part of the world. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STING

Since Sting is possibly one of the most featured artistes on this blog, I thought I could just curate some of my previous posts where he is mentioned.

Gandhi Jayanti and More Birthdays

Sting shares his birthday with Mahatma Gandhi - a model of non-violence for Indians and others around the world.  Last year, I posted a tribute to the 'Father of the Nation' (India) besides greeting some musicians who shared the birthday including Youssou N'Dour.

Gold and Diamonds - The Highlight of Festivities

Sting's birthday also marked the start of a festive month in India with Navratri having started yesterday... and Diwali at the end of the month. A few days before Diwali, India will celebrate Dhanteras. 

Money For Nothing

Sting has a special association with Mark Knopfler on this song and was mentioned on this blog post celebrating Mark's birthday.

Around The World In 14 Songs

Just last week, we celebrated World Tourism Day... with a special mention and a song for the traveler Sting - The Englishman in New York.

Signing off with an all-time favorite from Sting with The Police - Every Breath You Take.

World Music Day

How fast the weekends pass by...

Woke up on Saturday morning to a new month - October. A month of celebrations and festivities around the world. 

Also the masthead on The Times Of India announced World Music Day. 

Speaking of a day dedicated to music, my mind raced back to the best musical I have ever watched. Made in the 60s, I watched it for the first time in the 80s and many many times after that. And the movie began with the title song on top of the hills with The Sound of Music.

Julie Andrews - 'Maria' in The Sound of Music teaches the Von Trapp children to sing. And I wonder whether it is just coincidence that she happens to celebrate her birthday on International Music Day. She completed 81 this year. 

I really like the simple lesson she taught them to get started. Yes - music is made up of seven notes that can be put around in any order to make a wonderful song - Do Re Mi. (Unfortunately I couldn't find the full song on just one YouTube video).

Was sharing this concept with the young boy I give keyboard lessons to, as we were working about music scales.

Came across another theory on the origins of music in my Jazz collection. Here's how A Song Was Born (Louis Armstrong).

We all love music so much that my sources are confused when World Music Day really is. One of my sources showed it as 21st June which triggered the post on that day - Celebrate MUSIC - The Elixir Of Life.

If I had my way, I would celebrate Music Day everyday. Most of us do anyway... So let's do so today as well as we Listen To The Music (The Doobie Brothers).