Nostalgia ---music blog

                                     You like continental food ? Maybe you don't . Its bland . I love it . You like action movies . Maybe you don't . Its too violent . Ahem I love it too (better than being violent :) )  . But whether you love or hate English music I suggest you listen to the golden oldies of the 60s western music . Though you are a classical Hindustani fan or a heavy metal fan I assure you you will enjoy it ..

Today was listening to Cliff Richards songs and the band "Cascades" songs . Having used to lyrics which are hard to understand and tempo which makes a speeding train to shame many pop songs and rock songs are fast .But here there was a series of songs slower in tempo , with clear lyrics and many of them straight from the heart . Listening to the golden oldies of the decade makes me even wonder if the culture of the period is reflected in the songs . 

Though i have just started sampling them a few of interest :

Summer Wine by Nancy Sinatra :Daughter of Frank Sinatra a legend in music his daughter has carried on with his music genes and her song Summer wine is awesome .

All alone am I : by Brenda Lee .. Called Miss Dynamite this short singer could hold attention with her operatic voice .

Young ones : Sir Cliff Richards beautiful song with beautiful melody it was pictured in movie of the same name .

Sealed with a kiss : Oh really ? can you do that :)  This is a cool romantic song sung by many singers and though i like Donovans version (sung later ) this song was initially written in 60s period .

Rhythm of the Rain : by Cascades . Ex navy people joined to form a band which became world famous known as Cascades .

If you liked the originals listen to the covers sung by amateur singers in youtube . Paradoxically there are many covers from many youngsters  of these songs .Not  only because many of these songs are very melodic and easier to sing but also because many of these songs were put in audio equipment when their parents were rearing them .Some of them heard these songs like that and later started singing it when they were a little older . Isnt it beautiful when todays youngsters sing songs not from the oldies of  the 80s but of the really old period of 60s ....Nostalgia of an yesteryear when music was synonymous with romance , longing and belonging ... No wonder they say old is gold ..
                  

Daring to Dream

                                                             I have blogged earlier about Oscar Pretorius who with his both legs amputated (later fitted with prosthesis called blade runner ) became world champion not only against fellow physically challenged but at least once against able bodied people . Take most of the human inventions or achievements even the "chance " discovery of pencillin or the Wright brothers first flight everything was achieved with hardwork , determination , luck to some extent but most importantly the "dream " of achieving something .

I am not now talking about the big dreams but the smaller dreams of lesser mortals like you and me . Yup we are called lesser mortals to distinguish from the big dreamers like Napoleon who told nothing is impossible ...

What are your dreams?  ... and how many have you achieved ? Or are you like someone who doesnt dare to dream .. ?   Though each persons small dreams are so varied for illustration purpose i will say of a small dream i achieved long back .

I wanted to learn salsa the latin dance form . But as is even the case in kerala proper classes were not available . And im not wealthy enough to go to South america to learn it . And as if nature is cruel when i got a job in mumbai the happening place with a vibrant salsa scene i was shuttling from city to city . But the dream lingered on . And the impossible happened which arrested most of the travelling jobs for a few months in 2009 . The recession . Though it hit all , for the first time could be in mumbai for a few months at a stretch and viola .... Basic salsa course was finished . I think if that smouldering desire was not there for years and i had given up on my dream i would have been thinking of n number of things during the recession . When i look back : recession for me was salsa . one of my dream realisation .

Ok you hate dances and u may hate me too :) So let me iterate dreams of other people more dignified . Did i tell you about the class sleeper in college . He was literally dreaming in college . Spread over in the bench he dreamed of becoming a computer engineer . You may ask he should have studied hard instead of dreaming . But this guy who was my classmate was dreaming of being a computer engineer sleeping in MBBS class .  Especially in those days it was frowned upon and career options were more rigid . But i saw his dream getting realised over years and he is now abroad pursuing his passion in computing . Of course with eyes open now .

Though i am not iterating my dreams here let me tell you honestly that as long as the dream was dared it was achieved . Of course hard work was involved , some luck , some time etc but the main energy was the dream . Many seemingly impossible things were achieved of course with time .

Nowadays when i talk to friends there is one thing  i really get worked up about and i speak my mind . Its when any of them says somethings is impossible or too difficult that they dont dare to dream . Though its said if wishes were horses beggars would ride im yet to find a beggar who dared to wish or dream and didnt ride a horse .. At least he will ride a bicycle .. Try it :)

PS : for the highly academic oriented substitute salsa for PHD or equivalent and those who want cars substitute  a bmw for salsa etc .. Your dreams are yours alone ..But as the title says Dare to Dream