Babel

Category: Holidays

Holidays

  • 12/26 Yamoré, Happy Kwanzaa

    ‘Yamoré’ – Salif Keita with Cesária Évora, music video

    Powerful, moving, sultry and poignant. Song about love and life by two African greats… wow… I love it. Magic!

    Salif Keita with Cesária Évora, Song: Yamoré, Album: Moffou (2002), Recorded at Les Studios De La Seine, Paris, France between July 15 & December 14, 2001. Label: Decca. ‘Moffou’ was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best World Music Album.

     Kwanzaa Glow ©Kit Tossmann Louisville, KY

    Kwanzaa, founded in 1966 by Dr Maulana Karenga is held December 26th thru January 1st.  It is an African American celebration of family, community, commerce, responsibility,  and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is not religious or political, nor a replacement for Christmas; rather it honors roots and culture. It is celebrated by more then 18 million people worldwide.

    The word Kwanzaa means, ‘first fruits of the harvest’ in Kiswahili (an African language). The celebration is based on Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles) which are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).  On December 31st the community cooporative Kwanzaa Karamu or Feast is held. To learn more visit tike.com     

    ‘The Black Candle’ is a movie about Kwanzaa. In the movie it says,

    Kwanzaa means access to your soul, to your people.

    The beautiful, striking image above right of the Kwanzaa candles is a quilt by Kit Tossmann of Louisville, KY. It is featured in the 2007 Sacred Threads Gallery.

    Happy Kwanzaa! Have a wonderful celebration.

     

    Salif Keita Salif Keita born August 25, 1949 in Djoliba, Mali, Africa is a singer and songwriter. He is considered the Golden voice of Africa. He began his career in 1967 in the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako. Then joined the group, Les Ambassadeurs in 1973 and fled Mali in the mid 70s because of political unrest. The name was changed to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales and they gained international acclaim. In 1977 Keita received a National Order award. He moved to Paris for a while then back to Mali in 2000 where he was inspired to create Moffou. You can learn more about Salif Keita at his official site at universalmusic.fr.

    Cesária Évora Cesária Évora born August 27, 1941 in Mindelo, São Vicente Island, Cape Verde is a singer. Her nickname is the ‘barefoot diva’ because she prefers performing without shoes. She is known internationally for morna (music and dance from Cape Verde) songs of sadness, sorrow and yearning. She met Eduardo (a sailor) at 16, who taught her the traditional Cape Verdean music coladeiras and mornas.  She recorded her first album in Paris called La Diva Aux Pieds Nus (The Barefoot Diva) (1988). ‘Sodade‘ was her first international hit single. At age 47 she became an international star with the release of her album Perfumado. You can read more about her at cesaria-evora.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/25 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

    ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ sung by Libera

    Wonderful, sweet and full of light. Loved hearing these singing angels. Beautiful!

    Dali-Sacred-HeartofJesusLibera, song: ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, album: Angel Voices 3 (1997), label: Music Club, distributor: Sony, video: TV morning show (I could find nothing else about the source of the video). Words and music: Traditional English, 18th Century carol. More about the carol at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

    Christmas day is a great day to feature this spectacular painting of Jesus Christ called ‘El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús‘ by Salvador Dalí (1962), Oil on canvas 86.5 x 61 cm, Private collection. El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús  means The Sacred Heart of Jesus. I feel power and passion emanating from this exquisite painting. It communicates ethereal yet tangible, ascending and transcending, compassion and light. Dali has always been one of my favorite painters. But I wasn’t aware of this beautiful work. Wow!

    Merry Christmas! May this Holy day bless you with abundant Hope, Joy and Faith. All is well,  God’s Divine Plan unfolds with perfection.

     

    Libera Libera is a group of boys directed by Robert Prizeman who sing like angels and often appear in white robes. They have been on TV, radio and in films. There are about 30 boys from South London, England aged seven to sixteen who make up the group. They think of themselves as an alternative boy band rather then a boy’s choir. You can read more about them see photos and video at their official website libera.org.uk  or visit this site with everything Libera boysoloist.com.

    daliandwife Dali’s full name is Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech 1st Marquis of Púbol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain was a surrealist painter. He attended drawing school in 1916 and 3 years later had his first exhibition. His extensive artistic endeavors include painting, film, sculpture, and photography. You can find out more and see many of Dali’s wonderful works at virtualdali.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/24 O Holy Night, Merry Christmas

    ‘O Holy Night’ sung by Mariah Carey

    Amazing, inspired, WOW! I can feel Spirit moving through Mariah and all her back up singers and the room. Whew! I love this rendition… it gives me chills and brings tears.

    Mariah Carey, Song: O Holy Night, album: Merry Christmas (1994), label: Sony, Official Music Video by: Columbia/Sony (2008). Words: Placide Cappeau (1847), music:Adolphe-Charles Adam (1847)

    'Christmas Aurora' photograph by © Sauli Koski

    ‘O Holy Night’ was written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877) as “Cantique de Noel’. He was a wine merchant in Roquemaure, France who wrote poetry for enjoyment.  The music was written by his friend Adolphe-Charles Adam (1803-1856) who is best known for the ballet Giselle (1841).

    ‘Cantique de Noel’ premiered Christmas Eve 1847 at the midnight mass in Roquemaure. It wasn’t popular, in fact one bishop said it had a “lack of musical taste and total absence of the spirit of religion’. Here is an English translation of the first verse of the original Cantique de Noël (Minuit Chrétiens). You can read more about the song here.

    Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour
    When God as man descended among us
    To expunge the stain of original sin
    And to put an end to the wrath of his father.
    The entire world thrills with hope
    On this night which gives us a savior.
    People, on your knees, attend your deliverance.
    Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!
    Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!

    Cantique de Noël was first translated to English as ‘O Holy Night’  in 1855 by John Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893) a Unitarian minister and music critic from Brook Farm, MA. ‘O Holy Night’ has been said to be one of the most beautiful Christmas carols of all time. The first verse of ‘O Holy Night’ as translated by John Dwight follows… you can read more about it here.

    O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
    It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
    Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
    Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
    A thrill of hope the weary world1 rejoices,
    For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

    Chorus
    Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
    O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
    O night, O holy night, O night divine.

    The beautiful photo above left I call, ‘Christmas Aurora’ is by Sauli Koski from Kittila, Finland. You can see more of his beautiful photographs at studiotunturi-lappi.fi.

    Another beautiful gift from Creator. Thank you, thank you, thank you Beloved God for all of your Glory and Wonders.

    Have a wonderful, inspired and happy Christmas Eve.

     

    Mariah Carey Mariah Carey born March 27, 1970 Long Island, NY is a singer and actress. She moved to the City one day after high school graduation in 1987. In 1990 Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola took her under his wing and the rest is history. Mariah married Tommey in 1993. In 2000 she was named the best-selling female pop artist of the millennium at the World Music Awards. You can read her bio at myplay.com or see the latest news and more at her website mariahcarey.com.

    ~Bonnee

  • 12/23 Winter Wonderland, Andy Williams

    ‘Winter Wonderland’ performed by Andy Williams and his brothers

    Wonderful, happy and joyful. I remember watching Andy William’s Christmas Shows when I was a child. It was part of our Christmas tradition for years. Loved finding and sharing this jewel with you.

    Andy Williams and the Williams’ Brothers, Song: Winter Wonderland, DVD TV Special re-release: Happy Holidays: The Best of The Andy Williams Christmas Shows. Recently aired November 28 – December 13, 2008 on PBS. The quartet performs holiday classics including, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ as well as many other songs. A DVD of the show is available at andywilliams.com. ‘Winter Wonderland’ words and music by Dick Smith & Felix Bernard, copyright 1934.

    ‘Winter Wonderland’ lyrics by Richard B. Smith (1901-1935) born in Pennsylvania. Music composed by Felix Bernard (1897-1944) born in Brooklyn, NY.  The song first sung by Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians (1934) was an instant HydeParkWinterWonderland ornamentsuccess. The song has become a Holiday tradition. You can read more about the it at Hymns and Carols.

    London, England is having a ‘Winter Wonderland’ event in Hyde Park, November 22, 2008 through January 4, 2009. A festive celebration of the Holidays you can find out more at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

    Have a wonderful winter and a joyous Holiday!

     

    Andy Williams Andy Williams given name, Howard Andrew “Andy” Williams, born December 3, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa is a music icon. His first singing performance was in a children’s choir at the local Presbyterian Church. In the late 1930’s he formed a quartet with his three older brothers Bob, Don and Dick. They sang together until Andy went solo in 1952. The rest is history. You can read more at andywilliams.com or wikipedia.

    Photo of the ornament is from Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

    ~Bonnee

  • 12/22 Ha Nerot, Happy Hannukah

    Ha Nerot sung by Chava Rachel Saban

    Happy and filled with Light, a wonderful tribute to Hannukah.  Enjoy the Holy Lights of the menhora dancing to this joyful song!

    Chava Rachel Saban, Song: Ha Nerot, album: Don’t Give Up (2008), video by: Daniel Jacob Pearson

     

    hanukkah litesHa-nerot hallalu  is an ancient chant mentioned in the Talmud (Soferim 20:6), which is a reminder of the sacred nature of the Hannukah lights. It is said after the candles are lit. Photo from history.com.

    Hannukah (Heb. Judaism, Dedication) is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It honors the victory of Judah the Maccabee, religious freedom and the ‘miracle of holy oil’ and celebrates the power of God. Hannukah begins at sundown the previous day and lasts for 8 days. This year it is celebrated 12/22 to 12/29.

    Happy Hannukah! May your life be filled with miracles everyday.

     

    Chava Rachel Saban says about herself,

    “I was a junior in Yale college, pursuing a literature degree along with a musical career as a classical violinist, when a wheel flew off the car i was driving. the car flipped, i was knocked unconscious, and had my first spiritual awakening. i clearly experienced the next world, and felt the presence of a friend who had passed away. i heard a heavenly sound; the sound of myself playing the violin. it was the sweetest sound in the world. i began to realize that this sound was inside of me, the song of my soul. i began to realize that i had a soul. I began to sing in order to heal myself.”

    I wasn’t able to find much about Chava Rachel Saban. Her webpage wasn’t loading this morning 12/22. I linked her name to it in hopes it works again soon.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan