Between Imagination and Reality

When Herbie Comes To Town

2008-08-05T23:33:00.003+01:00

Herbie Hancock came to Porto to offer an amazing concert at Palácio de Cristal Gardens. We know that he is not playing jazz since his music travels among several styles that are connected by the jazz touch.

The night of last Sunday we had Herbie with us with four excellent musicians: Dave Holland, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chris Potter e Lionel Loueke; and two amazing singers: Sonya Kitchell e Amy Keys.
See you soon, Herbie!

Dylan in Portugal

2008-07-15T14:16:00.001+01:00

Last Friday, Bob Dylan was just Dylan. Maybe I am very suspect to talk about him, since I am a big fan of Dylan, but the truth is that this was really a wonderful concert that I will not forget too soon.

After seen him live on three other occasions here in Portugal, this fourth time was a new surprise to me with new revelations of his musical capabilities. He keeps on reinventing the music, without ever losing its personality trait, whether you like it or not.
For example, the reinvention of "Girl From North Country" with a completely different sound very far from the original one, was a surprise to everyone.

Like in 2004 concert that I attended, he was just playing keyboards. No guitar playing by him, but the band was amazing as usual and his presence on stage makes us to forget all our personal wishes. With him, we should be always prepared for surprises because he will do everything he wants not what the public wants. Comparing with 2004, his voice was much better, which makes me very happy.
Very professional (as usual) and with his rigorous behaviour, he seems to be amused with the concert below his white hat and his perfect suit.

Dylan has long realized that the live concerts are unique moments, maybe this is one of the reason that make him travel around the globe on tour for so long in what one day he called "Never Ending Tour". Last Friday, he played in Portugal again, and despite its 67 years he proved that he can still create and recreate music while giving us magical moments.

The video clip below did not have much quality since it was taken with mobile phone in the middle of more than 20000 persons. But it gives you a small idea of the night:

Set-list:
1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
2. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
3. Lonesome Day Blues
4. Things Have Changed
5. Girl Of The North Country
6. Tangled Up In Blue
7. Desolation Row
8. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
9. Spirit On The Water
10. Highway 61 Revisited
11. Ain't Talkin'
12. Summer Days
13. Ballad Of A Thin Man
(encore)
14. Thunder On The Mountain
15. Like A Rolling Stone

Lord Of The Ages

2008-07-13T19:15:00.000+01:00

Music by Magna Carta, one of my favourites bands. After the big success in the 70s, the band continued by the hand and soul of his leader Chris Simpson. Linda joined the band in the 80s giving a new life to the band that is still playing a mix of some old songs with fresh new songs.
If you do not know them, there is still time to discover their magical sound.

By the way: Happy Birthday Chris!

World Lymphoma Awareness Day

2006-08-15T12:18:00.000+01:00

Do you really know what is a lymphoma?

The Lymphoma Coalition, a non-profit network organisation of lymphoma patient groups, is gathering information from people with lymphoma, their family and friends to find out more about general awareness levels of lymphoma, patient fears and the support patients receive following diagnosis.

Please take the time to answer their questions after clicking the following logo and selecting your language.

You can also read more about World Lymphoma Awareness Day or about lymphoma in general on their website.

World eBook Fair

2006-07-15T22:54:00.000+01:00

The World eBook Fair gives you free access to over 330000 eBooks in more than 100 languagues until August 4th.
This event celebrates the 35 years of Project Gutenberg that started in July 4th 1971 with Michael Hart delivering the first eBook.

Take a look at World eBook Fair

Step by Step

2006-07-01T19:46:00.000+01:00

It always a drama when a soccer match has to be decided by penalty kicks. It is battle between the striker and the goalkeeper. Speed, technique, emotions control and also lick will take place on this game.
Once again (repeating Euro2004) Portugal wins over England in a dramatic match. None of them really deserved to lose the game, so going to this knock-out round was more than justified. England is out, but with honour. Portugal will wait for Brazil or France to continue this dream, step by step.

Changing

2006-06-26T00:18:00.000+01:00

In our life, everything changes a little bit each time it happens. Nothing happens exactly as before, because experience will always make an important role inside us. While avoiding fears and errors from the pass we will try to change the way things are done and recognized by our own minds.
We are also in a constant change since every piece of our life will introduce something new to us that we can incorporate in our being. So everything changes a little bit while we play our role in this world, including ourselves.

We Shall Overcome

2006-06-11T23:52:00.000+01:00

The voice of Bruce Springsteen is now with me while I drive my car. The new album “We Shall Overcome – The Seeger Sessions” is really a must. It mixes two realities that I always loved: Springsteen and Folk music.

If you love one of them, or both, please don’t miss this album.

More info at Bruce's site.

Choosing directions

2006-06-04T10:46:00.000+01:00

Where to go? There are some options and different directions. I stop and try to anticipate the travel.

Normally I took that direction seems to carry me to my goal and that looks like it will be a nice journey.
But sometimes I prefer to take another direction. Why? Maybe I am not sure about my destination or because the obvious road is full and I prefer a quiet travel. In other situations, I prefer to be surprised so I choose the unknown way.

Taking a road is not so easy, but most of the times we can not just to be stop looking to the live rolling through all the roads in front of our eyes.

On the road again

2006-05-06T18:59:00.000+01:00

Driving and travelling alone gives me the chance to talk with myself.
Probably this is a crazy thing, but it is true. I make the questions and after answer them. I listen my own words and make suggestions about my own ideas. I can always have my silence since my talking partner will respect it. I can share all my feelings since he knows everything about me.

I love to talk with me, it clears my mind.

Starting

2006-04-30T17:22:00.000+01:00

Starting this blog in English was just a different idea. This is not my mother tongue, so it will be frequent to find mistakes and errors around here. The main objective is to have some fun while trying to share ideas and feelings in a foreign language.

Everything here will run between imagination and reality; just like a mix of dreams with experience of life. Please, take my words with some pleasure to make me a little bit happier.

See you around here… in English!