GIL SCOTT-HERON

I was still trying to 'digest' Gil Scott-Heron's 'WE'RE NEW HERE' (with Jamie xx), released a few weks ago, when I learned he passed away on May 27. 
The long-lost Seventies rap pioneer rasps his way through an acoustic version of a SMOG ballad. He turns indie-rock melancholy into the darkest, deepest country blues. (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-songs-of-2010-20101214/gil-scott-heron-im-new-here-19691231)

Tributes have been pouring onto Twitter ever since news of Scott-Heron's death hit Friday night. "RIP Gil Scott-Heron," Eminem tweeted. "He influenced all of hip-hop." Public Enemy's Chuck D, who has long pointed to Scott-Heron as one his biggest influences, wrote this: "RIP GSH..and we do what we do and how we do because of you. And to those that don't know tip your hat with a hand over your heart & recognize."

He was an American poet, musician, and author, known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and 80s, and for his collaborative soul works with musician Brian Jackson. His collaborative efforts with Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues and soul music, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Scott-Heron. The music of these albums, most notably Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and helped engender later African-American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul. Scott-Heron's recording work is often associated with black militant activism and has received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known compositions "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". His poetic style has been influential upon every generation of hip hop since his popularity began.^[3] In addition to being widely considered an influence in today's music, Scott-Heron remained active until his death, and in 2010 released his first new album in 16 years, entitled I'm New Here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Scott-Heron

BARCELONA 3 - MANCHESTER UNITED 1

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/28/barcelona-manchester-united-champions-league-final

There was no repeat of 1968 Wembley euphoria for Manchester United in their bid to lift a fourth European Cup, just an unwelcome reminder of how it felt to be outplayed in 2009. Once again, United could not get enough of the ball to do themselves justice, once again their most experienced players were unable to impose themselves and for a second time in three seasons, Barcelona did almost exactly as they pleased. [...]
Standing next to Messi, almost anyone in the world would look clumsy. The same seems to apply to any side unlucky enough to encounter Barcelona in a Champions League final.

Lionel Messi lights up Wembley as Barcelona humble Manchester United:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/28/barcelona-manchester-united-champions-league

Tom Jenkins for The Observer

Tom Jenkins for The Observer

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/sports/soccer/in-dominant-display-barcelona-wins-champions-league.html?_r=1&ref=sports

http://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2011/05/28/le-fc-barcelone-remporte-la-ligue-des-champions_1529011_3242.html

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/Wembley/enamora/Barcelona/elpepudep/20110528elpepudep_19/Tes

                     Barça show: campione!

http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/28-05-2011/barca-show-campione-801379360083.shtml

 

JOURNEY TO THE WEST

In spite of all the time I've been forced to waste on Facebook, I've managed to properly enjoy the awesome adventures of Monkey King or Sun Wukong throughout more than 2,200 pages. It has made me think a lot and even laugh. I read in the Siruela Spanish edition ('Viaje al Oeste - Las Aventuras del Rey Mono', surely the best one can find in this language. After the other two huge Chinese classics I referred to previously (Jin Ping Mei and Dream On the Red Chamber) I think I've had a big enough serving of Chinese flavours. Nevertheless, there are still a couple of books I would like to read when I come back from my present literary trip to Japan (I'll discuss it at the right time).

The novel is a fictionalised account of the legendary pilgrimage to India of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang. The monk travelled to the "Western Regions" during the Tang dynasty, to obtain sacred texts (sūtras). The Bodhisattva Guan Yin, on instruction from the Buddha, gives this task to the monk and his three protectors in the form of disciples — namely Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing — together with a dragon prince who acts as Xuanzang's steed, a white horse. These four characters have agreed to help Xuanzang as an atonement for past sins.
Journey to the West has a strong background in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology and value systems; the pantheon of Taoist immortals and Buddhist bodhisattvas is still reflective of some Chinese religious beliefs today. Enduringly popular, the tale is at once an adventure story, a spring of spiritual insight, and an extended allegory in which the group of pilgrims journeying toward India represents individuals journeying toward enlightenment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West

If you feel like having a look at the first part of the novel (in Spanish), follow this link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/6389628/Viaje-Al-Oeste-1-Las-Aventuras-Del-Rey-Mono

For the complete edition in  English click on this one: http://www.chine-informations.com/fichiers/jourwest.pdf

Turn off your computer or your TV set and take your time. You won't regret it.

SPAIN GETS INDIGNANT, AT LAST!

http://democraciarealya.es/
http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/05/20/actualidad/1305920877_763863.html
http://blogs.elpais.com/trans-iberian/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13437819
http://realdemocracylondon.blogspot.com/
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/New/democracy/movement/senses/its/moment/elpepueng/20110517elpeng_1/Ten
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/Youth/protests/continue/across/Spain/despite/election/weekend/ban/elpepueng/20110520elpeng_3/Ten
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/Demonstrators/defy/election/officials/by/converging/on/Sol/elpepueng/20110518elpeng_14/Ten
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/Madrid/demonstrators/vow/to/hold/their/ground/elpepueng/20110519elpeng_1/Ten
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/Mainstream/parties/quickly/taking/up/positions/around/protest/movement/elpepueng/20110517elpeng_9/Ten

CINEMA AND MUSIC (6)

ALAN SILVESTRI - 'FORREST GUMP' (1994), 'THE MUMMY RETURNS' (2001).
MAX STEINER - 'CASABLANCA' (1942).
JOHN WILLIAMS - 'STAR WARS' (1977), 'RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK' (1981), 'AMISTAD' (1997), 'HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE' (2001).

SPAIN'S MAY-15 PROTEST

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/world/europe/20iht-spain20.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=Francisco%20Camps&st=cse

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/We/don/t/want/to/remove/the/politicians/-/we/want/them/elpepueng/20110519elpeng_4/Ten

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/20/spanish-protesters-standoff-police-madrid

http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2011/05/20/espagne-la-contestation-prend-de-l-ampleur-malgre-l-interdiction-de-manifester_1525269_3214.html

MORE MUSIC FOR THE SPRINGTIME

If you want more, visit  http://blogs.elpais.com/pop-etc/2011/04/listamayo.html#more   and from there let yourself you. Incidentally, something funny: the Dutch band Eins, Zwei Orchestra  are flattered to be included in the POP-ETC May Playlist because, as they tell us they don't have a major label behind them.

Really, the Internet is a huge ocean you have to dare sail. And let Ithaca stay where it is, we're not in a hurry.

CAT'S EYES

Soothing sounds for your nerves and fears.
YouTube features an extra playlist of 11 fine songs by this Anglo-Canadian duo.

A DOG CARRYING A CAT CARRYING A MOUSE