Jonesing for Tom

We had the best time last night - we went and saw a 68 yo sing, and he sounded just fabulous, voice and form fit and flying. Yes, we went and saw Tom Jones, and it was so tongue in cheek and fun, and the songs were terrific, and he sold each one with perfect grace and sincerity and a great voice! He also danced, wiggled and even growled once or twice for us, and we laughed and cheered and sang along with him. (this clip is from a recent tv show, the clips taken on people's phones just have too crap quality, he's more mesmerizing than this in a live venue) I can't believe how many of his lyrics I know! No wonder I can't remember any one's name, all my brain's filing cabinets are taken up with lyrics to obscure songs!

He was performing at Terminal 5. I'd never been there before but knew I was going to the right place when I looked up the reviews. they were uniformly negative, because, as one reviewer put it - 'the crowd is so old, most people were over 35!' It's not a theatre - it's a club venue, mainly standing room though a few sofas and stools on the upper floors. For once I wasn't the oldest person in the room, in fact I was perfectly placed. The crowd was just there to have a good time, everyone relaxed and happy. The space was crowded, but pleasantly so - enough for a great energy, but not too packed, you could move and dance easily. (a couple of thousand? I'm really bad a judging crowds, esp standing ones)

And Tom - well he's been doing this forever. Many of those songs were well over 30 years old (His first hit, It's not Unusual, was released in 1965!!) He's not doing this to pay the mortgage. He's doing it because he loves it. He gave such terrific energy, and he got it all back. The audience was beaming, and he loved it too. It was a pleasure to watch someone with a terrific voice but also great showmanship just shining with joy.

As he sang It's not Unusual, the man in his mid forties next to us ripped off his shirt, tore of his undershirt and threw it at the stage and then proceeded to dance bare chested, tats writhing as he jumped about (our friend beside us said, well that's a little unusual...) Most of us weren't quite that exuberant but we were all dancing and yes, I did see quite a few bits of coloured fabric thrown at the stage.

It was just such sheer fun! A night of real delight. He's really much better than live than in his albums. I'm now on the hunt for a live recording to see if the magic translates there...

I hope you dance...

We've been watching American Idol (I know, I know, but it's not just getting all 3 of us sitting down at the same time, I actually like it now...) and I heard a few singers sing a song I'd never heard of - I hope you dance, by Lee Ann Womack (who I imagine is hugely famous, but I don't know her stuff either) I have to say, that I don't actually love the original version, though I do like that she's singing to her daughters, but I liked the lyrics, so here they are:

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)


Really, what a lovely blessing to ask for your children... or even yourself :)

With the wonders of the internet, I found that while Lee Ann Womack made the song famous, it was in fact written by Tia Sillers and Mark D. Sanders, and there is a version by Tia Sillers on itunes, which I like better than the Womack one - more gritty and sad...

the only thing I'm spending money on..

... is books and travel. Funny how recessions reveal your true priorities!

All my Internet clothes baskets languish as I think, I really don't need another long sleeved top (and I'm right, I really don't!) but I'm still filling my amazon orders (even if I am reading the reviews more carefully, some of those reviewers are far too easily pleased!) and we've just arranged an impromptu trip to Salt Lake City, which I'm very excited about, I've never been to that part of the US, and even if the boys are skiing, I'll have time to look around a totally new city in a totally new landscape. Now that is something I don't need, but really do appreciate :)

haunting... watch it twice

A friend on facebook had a link to this clip, Lost in the Moment. of people just sitting and eating in Japan. I usually try to avoid youtube clips, but there is something haunting about this... the music is just perfect and you really are a fly on the wall, watching people who don't notice you... Gives you that sad lost feeling... (of course, if you don't want that sad lost feeling, don't click!)

And if you want to wash away the sad feeling - watch this Heineken commercial...

Plane Crashes

There is something about plane crashes that always hits close to home for me. There is always someone I know, catching a plane to somewhere, and it always feels like there could be someone I know in that particular crash, though, thank God, that has actually not happened.

But I was moved to tears by the news that the recent plane crash of Continental Express Flight 347, which left no survivors, had carried a widow of a man who died in one of the twin towers in 9/11. It just seemed like too much random bad luck. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the survivors...

It starts to be seen...

Last September/October everywhere I went people were discussing the economy, in the packed restaurants, in the full stores, people were splashing out credit cards and talking about the economic collapse. I said to DH, I hear about it, but I don't see it. And he said, wait till Jan.

Well, it's early Feb, and as I walk around Tribeca, it appears thriving, there are well dressed children on the streets. The restaurants are still reasonably full, though there are articles appearing saying that they've lost 30% of their trade - and knowing how thin restaurant break evens are, that 30% was their profit...

But as I walk down the side streets, all those weird, sweet boutiques, who sold hand bags and shoes for ridiculous prices, one by one they are closing. Along Duane and Reade, the two prime Tribeca streets, loads of foot traffic, loads of exposure, stores are empty. Further up, on Hudson, store fronts are papered over, looking like they are planning to be empty for some time. I feel for those small shop owners, whose product was all cream - no necessities, only luxuries. The girls clothes shop on Duane is now telling customers to gather their friends and bring them in, otherwise they will close too.

And I think about how the rents have almost doubled over the past five years, which is what is really killing these shops. I only hope the store owners have the sense to see that not many folk are going to be opening new boutiques in the near future, and it may be worth their while to take in a much reduced rent - cover the taxes and common charges - rather than leave the stores empty. I guess as they see more shops empty out, their perspective too will change.

Everyone was making so much money for so long, they lost sight of how crazy the whole thing was. Rents really need to drop here, go back at least 2 years worth of over pricing, but probably even 5. Then everyone will have a bullet to bite. But as I keep saying if you are planning on staying put, the real estate can fluctuate, but you'll end up okay. Or if you sell in a bad market, but also buy in bad market, you can still do okay - as long as you bought 20 years ago and a mortgage doesn't factor in!