For A Good Mood, Listen To This Band

I got to attend a concert on Saturday night.  It was SO good.  A group I really enjoy, and a great venue.  Who knew our local Civic Center Music Hall in OKC was such a great place?  I just don't get out enough...
Anyway, we got to see Pink Martini in concert.  This is a joyful experience that everyone should have!  PLEASE, if you find out they are going to be playing anywhere near you, GO SEE THEM!!  The show they put on is SO much fun.  They are obviously having a great time making music, and they want to share this with you.  Let them.
In the mean time, I strongly recommend purchasing their albums.  The music is varied, it is lush, it is gorgeous.  This is a  group of very talented musicians.  I cannot believe that we had never heard about them before last year.  A Twitter friend shared a link to their YouTube page, and that was all it took, I was HOOKED!!  Matt has also become hooked on them.  I've gotten some of my coworkers started listening to them.  I put my Amazon Cloud Player on at work on Thursdays when I am there, and Pink Martini is a big part of my mix.  My mix is VERY eclectic, and even the younger ones working there find my mix amusing.  They all seem to wander around humming something from Pink Martini, though.

My concert book and the Hey Eugene cd that the group signed for us.

The Von Trapps were with them when we saw them, as they are featured on the most recent release, Dream A Little Dream.  The four Von Trapps sing so very well together.  Harmonies are gorgeous.  The original songs they presented were VERY good, and they blended well with the rest of the band on old favorites, too.
Thomas Lauderdale  is the one who started the band, and his talent is so very evident, also his appreciation of and ability to use the talents of others.  To watch him play piano is entertaining all by itself.
China Forbes is the lead singer with this group.  She has an amazing voice, and an uncanny ability to sing in almost any language, and do it well.

I had such a good time at the concert, and I always have a good time with their music playing. 

  

These are the  albums I own.  I love them all, I don't really have a favorite.  I can highly recommend any of them to get you started.  '78 is China Forbes' solo album, and it is also excellent.  (Pictured above also.)

I think Pink Martini's music has helped me hear more in other things I listen to.  I have found sight-reading and learning new arias or choral pieces to be easier since I started listening to this group.

The things I have been working on for church and for my voice coach not easy pieces, but they are clicking in my brain a bit easier than they were.

That's about all my tired brain can come up with this evening, but I do want to stress how much I enjoy Pink Martini's music, and I do hope if you haven't listened before, you will find their YouTube channel and listen, and maybe go to Amazon, or even Pink Martini's own website and buy some albums.  You won't be sorry.

Birthday Week Part II: The Birthday Itself

The morning started off sunny, but cold.  Had a nice stiff north wind all through my walk.  By the time I got done with my walk and my elliptical time, the clouds had moved in, and it was still cold.  I had to go out to Tinker for a follow up appointment at the clinic.  No big deal, took awhile, though, because the doc gave me a longer prescription for the Muscinex to get me through the allergy season without losing my voice (we hope) or going broke buying Muscinex over the counter.  (More ecologically sound, too, as the prescription variety doesn't have all the foil and paper packaging.)

While I was at the base, I stopped at the BX and found a couple of nice tops and a jacket on sale! Jacket is a bit snug for a medium, but then I realized it's a junior's size, not a misses.  It DOES fit, though, just can't wear sweaters under it like I can my other "motorcycle" jacket.

After I got home, I went out to check the mail and found flowers and a balloon on the porch!

They were from my dear friend Fiona, who lives in Australia!  Now, Fi and I have never met face to face, but we "clicked" right away on Twitter.  We are both Ron Perlman fans, and like a lot of the same music, and have a similar sense of humor.  She has an adorable little boy.  She's kind of like the little sister I never had.  Hayden,her little boy, calls me Auntie Katie.

 I had to make sure he had the right t-shirt and some gluten-free cookies.

I love Fi so much, it seems strange that we have never met in person, because it really feels like we've known each other a long time.  She really made my birthday special with her very thoughtful gift.

I also talked to my Mom today.  Had to let her know what I bought with the birthday money.  Also it's good to check in with your Mom from time to time, you know.  Even when you're as old as I am, your Mom still worries about you.

Our dear friends Mike and Nancy Rogers came over to share the home cured corned beef that Matt made for my birthday dinner.  Always a blessing to have the company of our very dear friends.  They are true friends, been through hell and back with us, and we've tried to be there for them, too.  They brought thoughtful gifts, but the best was their company.

I have here all my cards and gifts (except the Pink Martini concert tickets, which are put away safe until next month.)  I also celebrated by downloading Pink Martini's Sympathique album from Amazon.  I really enjoy their music, and I am looking forward to the concert next month.

There have been many greetings from my Facebook and Twitter friends all day.  It means a lot to know that people think of me and take the time to let me know.  It's been a beautiful day!
Most especially nice to hear from the #Perlgirls on Twitter, and from The Man Himself.  He is good to his fans, especially those of us who've followed since the 80's.  My fellow #Perlgirls are some really special people.  They are funny, supportive, and reliable.  Ladies, I love you all!
Michael Ornstein, you are also loved, and I adore your art.
Ron Perlman, it goes without saying that you are loved, my friend.  So glad to have met you! You are a class act, Mister!

Looking forward to the rest of Birthday week, wherein there will be a committee meeting at work, a little more shopping, and a lot more fun!

The Music List - Another Update

I have added some new stuff to the cloud player lately, and I am sure I have not gotten it all listed here.
First, the group I mentioned in my last post, Pink Martini
I not only have their Christmas Album Joy To the World,
But Also:
Get Happy
Hang On Little Tomato
Splendor In The Grass
and
Hey Eugene!

I really enjoy their music.  I love having it for background when I'm doing stuff around the house, or when driving, or on my walk.  It's a nice change of pace.

Also have added Volume 3 of the Songs of Anarchy  Enjoying all of these as well.

Songs of the Cat by Garrison Keillor has also joined the collection.  SO funny.

An album of Gaelic music based on the Carmina Gaedelica has also joined the collection
Gach La agus Oidhche - Each Day And Night
By Distant Oaks
As usual, an eclectic bunch of stuff.