Yes, one of the songs we did tonight. :-)
But dance music isn't really in my CD collection or in my repertoire but I wanted to help a friend with a school project and was happy to contribute lyrics and sing. So after tango class, I was in NTU recording till past 2am on last night, or this morning (Sunday night, or Monday morning), so I got home after 3am and did I have time for a shower? Tsk, no.
Good thing I had no classes to teach this morning but had meetings this early afternoon. After which I went back to the far-away-from-everything-else-I-gotta-do NTU for some bits I couldn't muster up the strength for when my eye lids grew too heavy and my legs weakened too much to even stand. The studio was stuffy on Sunday because on weekends, there was no air conditioning or ventilation for that matter. This time it was better and I was much more productive. I also had a chair! I wonder if that's what I need for singing... Hmm...
I often sit during my Holiday Inn Atrium gigs. The sets tonight went very nice and smoothly. So happy! Maybe from warming up and yelling with vengeance at the recording and all. :-)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Night 20 - Fever
Football fever actually. What a party tonight!
From the first song, "Blue Moon", we already had attentive appreciative audience, even amongst those watching football on the Lobby Lounge's big screen. A very responsive guest in the bright cyan blue shirt was moving to the beat and even singing along. I remember telling this interactive gentleman, "lovely blue moon, lovely blue shirt!"
While I sang "Cheek to Cheek", he also had a fantastic looking burger which was supposedly a deal during happy hour, just like the drinks: 1 for 1 before 9pm. I should consider trying that sometime!
Everyone seemed so receptive and alive tonight, applauding every song and beating or singing along, we did upbeat numbers for a Saturday night such as "I Will Survive", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "Killing Me Softly" (where I told them about Norman Gimbel who wrote English lyrics for a lot of foreign songs, turning them into classic hits in the English speaking world).
I must say the new sound is great and the clarity and sharpness in my voice is heard all throughout the Lobby Lounge. I suspect it is also brought up the volume a little and has beckoned a few people at the buffet on the 4th floor to come down to listen ('everybody's got the fever'), or perhaps to stone me. Good thing stones in the hotel are not so easily accessible.
Speaking of the buffet, I had predominantly tempura last night and tonight was almost the same. But I had ice-cream too which I brought down with cake. Finally! (I also finally saw the pool but that's off tangent here.) Of course, only with the manager's permission. Thank you! Everyone up there is so hospitable and sincere. I must say the word 'hospitable' or 'hospitality' could also give rise to new vocabulary partners like 'hotelable' or 'hotelity'. You know, erase the potential image of bloody gauzes and imaginary whiffs of surgical spirits... Gee... now that's living up to one's potential.
One of our favourite regulars requested "Besame Mucho", which meant 'kiss me much' and I was reminded of a cute little toddler I played with on the train by simply making silly faces. I waved goodbye to him and he returned the wave. I blew him a kiss and he blew me one too!
From the first song, "Blue Moon", we already had attentive appreciative audience, even amongst those watching football on the Lobby Lounge's big screen. A very responsive guest in the bright cyan blue shirt was moving to the beat and even singing along. I remember telling this interactive gentleman, "lovely blue moon, lovely blue shirt!"
While I sang "Cheek to Cheek", he also had a fantastic looking burger which was supposedly a deal during happy hour, just like the drinks: 1 for 1 before 9pm. I should consider trying that sometime!
Everyone seemed so receptive and alive tonight, applauding every song and beating or singing along, we did upbeat numbers for a Saturday night such as "I Will Survive", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "Killing Me Softly" (where I told them about Norman Gimbel who wrote English lyrics for a lot of foreign songs, turning them into classic hits in the English speaking world).
I must say the new sound is great and the clarity and sharpness in my voice is heard all throughout the Lobby Lounge. I suspect it is also brought up the volume a little and has beckoned a few people at the buffet on the 4th floor to come down to listen ('everybody's got the fever'), or perhaps to stone me. Good thing stones in the hotel are not so easily accessible.
Speaking of the buffet, I had predominantly tempura last night and tonight was almost the same. But I had ice-cream too which I brought down with cake. Finally! (I also finally saw the pool but that's off tangent here.) Of course, only with the manager's permission. Thank you! Everyone up there is so hospitable and sincere. I must say the word 'hospitable' or 'hospitality' could also give rise to new vocabulary partners like 'hotelable' or 'hotelity'. You know, erase the potential image of bloody gauzes and imaginary whiffs of surgical spirits... Gee... now that's living up to one's potential.
One of our favourite regulars requested "Besame Mucho", which meant 'kiss me much' and I was reminded of a cute little toddler I played with on the train by simply making silly faces. I waved goodbye to him and he returned the wave. I blew him a kiss and he blew me one too!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Night 19 - What A Difference A Day Made
What happened to the sound?
Something... has... changed. I was not used to it at first. Everything suddenly sounded clearer or sharper, which I didn't really notice until Adi pointed it out with a question. I wasn't bothered with it by the second set, and actually liked it by the third set.
It was a quiet night which was a far cry from the night before so I couldn't help but think "What A Difference A Day Made". Not just in the crowd, but also the sound. There were 2 or 3 tables taken and one even had a group of maybe 6 or 7 gathered with notebooks (both electronic and paper, each), occasionally typing and writing in them. A friend suggested they were taking notes of what I sang or said about songs or trivia. Haha! What an adorable thought. :-)
Since we never really rehearse or jam outside of our performances, a few fresh renditions were born tonight when we felt it was safe to try. One from the library book I borrowed was "I'll Be Seeing You" but the key was obviously not written for me so I actually changed octaves every few bars. Haha, what fun, but what disrespect. Didn't mean to, and certainly not with malice in my heart or mind. Adi has yet to be acquainted with the Sammy Fain melody, and I almost know by heart the literary poetry of this song by Irving Kahal. I have faith that we can deliver a gorgeous rendition soon!
As a special treat, Adi even sang "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees! It was great fun and I felt fancy free just dancing (badly) and doing little bits of harmony on the fly. He has a whole book of just lyrics which I didn't know about. Since my printer is kaput, if he lets me, I shall look through it soon to add more gems to our repertoire!
I told myself I will have ice-cream tonight but missed it and, quite frankly, didn't feel like it very much. I shall do that tomorrow. I will rest up now for a film by David Lynch tomorrow, called "Inland Empire". How exciting!
Something... has... changed. I was not used to it at first. Everything suddenly sounded clearer or sharper, which I didn't really notice until Adi pointed it out with a question. I wasn't bothered with it by the second set, and actually liked it by the third set.
It was a quiet night which was a far cry from the night before so I couldn't help but think "What A Difference A Day Made". Not just in the crowd, but also the sound. There were 2 or 3 tables taken and one even had a group of maybe 6 or 7 gathered with notebooks (both electronic and paper, each), occasionally typing and writing in them. A friend suggested they were taking notes of what I sang or said about songs or trivia. Haha! What an adorable thought. :-)
Since we never really rehearse or jam outside of our performances, a few fresh renditions were born tonight when we felt it was safe to try. One from the library book I borrowed was "I'll Be Seeing You" but the key was obviously not written for me so I actually changed octaves every few bars. Haha, what fun, but what disrespect. Didn't mean to, and certainly not with malice in my heart or mind. Adi has yet to be acquainted with the Sammy Fain melody, and I almost know by heart the literary poetry of this song by Irving Kahal. I have faith that we can deliver a gorgeous rendition soon!
As a special treat, Adi even sang "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees! It was great fun and I felt fancy free just dancing (badly) and doing little bits of harmony on the fly. He has a whole book of just lyrics which I didn't know about. Since my printer is kaput, if he lets me, I shall look through it soon to add more gems to our repertoire!
I told myself I will have ice-cream tonight but missed it and, quite frankly, didn't feel like it very much. I shall do that tomorrow. I will rest up now for a film by David Lynch tomorrow, called "Inland Empire". How exciting!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Night 18 - Condo Condo Condo
I had a fun pleasant surprise tonight.
Some friends came to visit! And one of them was my tango partner. So when I attempted to groove on stage, which was a comic sight, he gestured that we could be doing tango. Haha! Come Sunday, we will again. :-)
A few of them were avid bookworms and I suspected one of them knew every jazz standard before I finished introducing each of them. They were all So Nice! With so many friends who live in Singapore, I had no choice but to sing my Condo song (a "Quando" parody) for them! Read my lyrics at http://zjil.blogspot.com/2010/01/night-8-lets-fall-in-love.html , or better yet, sing along!
These lovely friends popped by without warning which was a wonderful surprise. So I was happy to end the set with "What a Wonderful World" where my favourite line 'what they're really saying is I love you' really got Under My Skin. I am only sorry, and honestly kicking my a**, that I did not take any pictures! Would have been lovely moments captured. Perhaps the moments stored in one's heart and mind are more precious.
Also, I am blogging now for the past few days from Monday because I have no work (meaning fun high energy classes of adorable kids to teach) tomorrow morning. I will, however, be teaching Primary 3's at 1pm. So I shall head to bed soon, and catch up on some sleep debt.
Some friends came to visit! And one of them was my tango partner. So when I attempted to groove on stage, which was a comic sight, he gestured that we could be doing tango. Haha! Come Sunday, we will again. :-)
A few of them were avid bookworms and I suspected one of them knew every jazz standard before I finished introducing each of them. They were all So Nice! With so many friends who live in Singapore, I had no choice but to sing my Condo song (a "Quando" parody) for them! Read my lyrics at http://zjil.blogspot.com/2010/01/night-8-lets-fall-in-love.html , or better yet, sing along!
These lovely friends popped by without warning which was a wonderful surprise. So I was happy to end the set with "What a Wonderful World" where my favourite line 'what they're really saying is I love you' really got Under My Skin. I am only sorry, and honestly kicking my a**, that I did not take any pictures! Would have been lovely moments captured. Perhaps the moments stored in one's heart and mind are more precious.
Also, I am blogging now for the past few days from Monday because I have no work (meaning fun high energy classes of adorable kids to teach) tomorrow morning. I will, however, be teaching Primary 3's at 1pm. So I shall head to bed soon, and catch up on some sleep debt.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Night 17 - The Way I Am
Today was a long and exciting one.
Before my 8:30am class with a school in Aljunied, I had a hearty breakfast of nasi lemak with vegetables since I was early and knew I needed the nutrition. For just S$1.20, it's a good tasty meal. How cute is this?
At 9:30, I ended class and headed off to meet a friend who was able to help me with recording my original songs. That was interesting and productive. Can't wait to update! The journey there and the bus driver was memorably adorable. I had told this attentive captain I wanted to get off at Serangoon MRT, and when I tapped
out too early, he called out to me and explained the sign I saw was for an non-operational station. He didn't ask for extra payment, and was trying to describe the bus services and the way Serangoon was built. He helpfully directed me to the entrance of the MRT station. So sweet! And I also saw this in his bus and just had to snap a shot.
I headed off to my next school after the music studio. Lessons were fun and the kids were good. After that I had a short nap and then headed to a audition with some friends with a sorta parody I wrote. It was well received. The Universe, God, everyone and everything is kind to me so I am utterly grateful.
At the gig, all went well but I wonder if I smelled. I wore the same outfit all day (little red riding hood comes to mind, though it was a red tube top) and for the evening, subtracted the black cardigan. Lots of people liked it. It was also the first time I wore pants to the Lobby Lounge's stage.
I had some American guests who have been visiting every night and one even came on stage with a country song done a capella. He was great in his delivery of Merle Haggard's "The Way I Am"! So much so I am naming this blog after this song. :-)
I brought out most of our country, folk and pop numbers from Patsy Cline's "Crazy" to Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight", to have these guys sing along. It was such a festive moment!
Before my 8:30am class with a school in Aljunied, I had a hearty breakfast of nasi lemak with vegetables since I was early and knew I needed the nutrition. For just S$1.20, it's a good tasty meal. How cute is this?At 9:30, I ended class and headed off to meet a friend who was able to help me with recording my original songs. That was interesting and productive. Can't wait to update! The journey there and the bus driver was memorably adorable. I had told this attentive captain I wanted to get off at Serangoon MRT, and when I tapped
out too early, he called out to me and explained the sign I saw was for an non-operational station. He didn't ask for extra payment, and was trying to describe the bus services and the way Serangoon was built. He helpfully directed me to the entrance of the MRT station. So sweet! And I also saw this in his bus and just had to snap a shot.I headed off to my next school after the music studio. Lessons were fun and the kids were good. After that I had a short nap and then headed to a audition with some friends with a sorta parody I wrote. It was well received. The Universe, God, everyone and everything is kind to me so I am utterly grateful.
At the gig, all went well but I wonder if I smelled. I wore the same outfit all day (little red riding hood comes to mind, though it was a red tube top) and for the evening, subtracted the black cardigan. Lots of people liked it. It was also the first time I wore pants to the Lobby Lounge's stage.
I had some American guests who have been visiting every night and one even came on stage with a country song done a capella. He was great in his delivery of Merle Haggard's "The Way I Am"! So much so I am naming this blog after this song. :-)
I brought out most of our country, folk and pop numbers from Patsy Cline's "Crazy" to Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight", to have these guys sing along. It was such a festive moment!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Night 16 - All The Way
The first of many LONG days from now till end of March.
I woke at perhaps 7am to get to work. I was teaching for an hour this morning. And then for an hour in the afternoon. I was to be at the Holiday Inn Atrium by 7:30 to sing... So I had to find a way to kill time since the hassle, cost and travelling time didn't warrant my going home.
I had a happy primary school canteen meal of chicken rice for S$1. Yummy and lasted me till my evening gig. I also ended up tempted by a $10 sign and bought 2 dresses from the rack (pretty good deal and just in time for Chinese New Year), toyed with the idea of new glasses since mine had been with me for about 4 years. Still S$90 seemed too extravagant. But I hadn't been shopping or window shopping for glasses for 4 years so am completely out of touch with what people pay for such things now.
The evening was quiet but peppered with happy little moments. I made sure I ate desserts tonight too, which had always slipped my mind. Take a look and drool! (I didn't have the feta cheese though.)
One lovely surprise was a tip! Simple and sweet, from Japanese Airlines stewardesses after we performed "Ue o muite arukÅ" aka sukiyaki. Tonight we tried "All The Way" which was the first time I ever performed it. Other fresh additions to our repertoire tonight were these 3 songs which I've always known by heart: "When You Wish Upon A Star" , "What A Difference A Day Made" and "Love Is Here To Stay". I was ecstatic when I finally got the chance to sing them!
I woke at perhaps 7am to get to work. I was teaching for an hour this morning. And then for an hour in the afternoon. I was to be at the Holiday Inn Atrium by 7:30 to sing... So I had to find a way to kill time since the hassle, cost and travelling time didn't warrant my going home.
I had a happy primary school canteen meal of chicken rice for S$1. Yummy and lasted me till my evening gig. I also ended up tempted by a $10 sign and bought 2 dresses from the rack (pretty good deal and just in time for Chinese New Year), toyed with the idea of new glasses since mine had been with me for about 4 years. Still S$90 seemed too extravagant. But I hadn't been shopping or window shopping for glasses for 4 years so am completely out of touch with what people pay for such things now.
The evening was quiet but peppered with happy little moments. I made sure I ate desserts tonight too, which had always slipped my mind. Take a look and drool! (I didn't have the feta cheese though.)
One lovely surprise was a tip! Simple and sweet, from Japanese Airlines stewardesses after we performed "Ue o muite arukÅ" aka sukiyaki. Tonight we tried "All The Way" which was the first time I ever performed it. Other fresh additions to our repertoire tonight were these 3 songs which I've always known by heart: "When You Wish Upon A Star" , "What A Difference A Day Made" and "Love Is Here To Stay". I was ecstatic when I finally got the chance to sing them!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Night 15 - Leaving On A Jet Plane
The internet has been crazy. I wonder why.
Could be its Monday blues. Virtually. So coupled with my worry about not being able to wake in time for school tomorrow (I teach drama and acting related courses), I did not blog on Monday. Or Tuesday, or... This however will be listed as a Monday entry. Muahahaha, how can one believe anyone online anymore? Or has that stopped ages ago and I am only catching on now? *scratches chin* Oh, no matter.
Well, on the way to work I was appalled that at rush hour on a very crowded train, around 7pm, there was this big unoccupied space in front of me. It lasted so long, I just had to take a picture to mark its permanence. Imagine this: a tight squeeze of a lot of tired office goers and shoppers all around this dreadful circle of dead air. I was honestly quite irked. What can we do about this??
Once the gig began, the night was lovely. My soul-pal had sweetly helped me print lyrics to about 15 songs which I cleverly and anally squeezed onto 3 sheets of A4 sized paper. Thank you! Adi and I performed some new songs like "Perfidia" (one of my absolute favourites) and it was wonderful to have a happy and grateful audience. Sadly it was the last night for a lot of our guests. So "Leaving On A Jet Plane" was apt.
There is a certain transience in this scene and it seems significant. I can't say I like or hate it. But I appreciate it.
Could be its Monday blues. Virtually. So coupled with my worry about not being able to wake in time for school tomorrow (I teach drama and acting related courses), I did not blog on Monday. Or Tuesday, or... This however will be listed as a Monday entry. Muahahaha, how can one believe anyone online anymore? Or has that stopped ages ago and I am only catching on now? *scratches chin* Oh, no matter.
Well, on the way to work I was appalled that at rush hour on a very crowded train, around 7pm, there was this big unoccupied space in front of me. It lasted so long, I just had to take a picture to mark its permanence. Imagine this: a tight squeeze of a lot of tired office goers and shoppers all around this dreadful circle of dead air. I was honestly quite irked. What can we do about this??Once the gig began, the night was lovely. My soul-pal had sweetly helped me print lyrics to about 15 songs which I cleverly and anally squeezed onto 3 sheets of A4 sized paper. Thank you! Adi and I performed some new songs like "Perfidia" (one of my absolute favourites) and it was wonderful to have a happy and grateful audience. Sadly it was the last night for a lot of our guests. So "Leaving On A Jet Plane" was apt.
There is a certain transience in this scene and it seems significant. I can't say I like or hate it. But I appreciate it.
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