Mr. Haxa Does The Blogs

Sumi Jo at the 10th Anniversary Festival of Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra

Sumi Jo, the Korean-born soprano sensation who was trained in Rome graced the 10th Anniversary Festival of Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra last night. Her splendid performance with some technically challenging arias was embodied with characters and souls to pieces such as Je veux vivre (from Romeo et Juliette), E strano ... Ah, forse lui... Sempre Libera (from La Traviata), and Olympia's Song (from The Tales of Hoffmann). Audiences were mesmerized and entertained in her comical performance that brought to life a mechanical doll for the Olympia's Song.

More on Sumi Jo:

1. Wikipedia Entry
2. Official Site
3. YouTube - Sumi Jo - Offenbach - Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Doll Song

Matthias Bamert, the principal conductor together with his strong 105-member symphony orchestra programming last night took us to different composers from France, Italy, German, Austria, and ended the night with a splendid performance on Ravel's Daphne and Chloe (Suite No. 2).

I had the pleasure of meeting friends from past acquaintances and made new friends with some of the musicians and ex-MPO staff. It was indeed a wonderful evening with great intermission food and some funny conversations with Tariq, Hani, & Fiza. Thanks to Fiza for the special invitation ticket and thanks to Le Meridien who catered wonderful array of finger food to the hungry concert goers and musicians last night.

I look forward to the new 2007/2008 season.

L-O-V-E

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore

Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you

(trumpet instrumental)

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is everything for you and me

Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you

My Brother Dodi & My Favorite Singer, Ning Baizura

GALA DINNER 047, originally uploaded by haxa.

the great farewell song

DSC_0521, originally uploaded by haxa.

sayu pepohon tertunduk
sayu hati kami ini
jiwa yang terasa
bagaikan tertusuk

terpisahlah, terpisah kini

doa restu kan dipinta
agar selamatlah kalian
usia panjang kami doakan
sejahtera hidupmu jua

bridge:

segunung kasih sekalung budi
moga rahmat tuhan cucuri
umur panjang harap diberkati
tercapai semua hasrat di hati

bunga-bunga mekar mewangi
buat pengiring lagu ini
bak mewangi segala budi
budi kalian kekal di hati

Pelangi Petang (Sudirman)

DSC_0212, originally uploaded by haxa.

Kumeniti awan yang kelabu
Kutempuhi lorong yang berliku
Mencari sinar yang menerangi
Kegelapanku

Kupercaya pasti suatu masa
Sang suria kan menyinar jua
Membawa harapan yang menggunung
Bersamanya...

( korus )
Engkau tiba bagaikan pelangi
Tak bercahya namun kau berseri
Tapi cukup menghiburkan
Hati ini

Seharian waktu bersamamu
Tak terasa saat yang berlalu
Bagai pelangi petang kau kan pasti
Pergi jua...

( ulang dari korus )

An Instructional Designer Diary on Subject Matter Experts and Putting in More Hours for a SAP SCM Module Project

This is how I want to remember this period of time in my life.

I've spent an average of 12-16 hours daily for the last few days at the office and home to get my current project completed. Last Friday, I had my first all-nighter (at this job) in the office and teleconferenced with the content expert for three hours.

This has been a special project for me for I've got to learnt a great deal on SAP different applications-pipes-systems, appreciate data flows, business process, transactions particularly in the world of Supply Chain Management (SCM). In a great revelation, I can finally relate to my MBA's Operations Management; and the guy whom I spoke to for three hours last Saturday morning has published a book on SAP! I look forward to get a copy of this book.

It's been a great experience working with him and four other Subject Matter Experts for this project alone! I feel sorry for one of the guy's kids who got scolded by their dad for being noisy in the background; so that he could focus on the meeting with me in at-home evening hours.  ;-(

These content experts were extremely busy in the last few months with system development and testing, thus leaving me with short window of time to engage with them. Perhaps, "stakeholder (SME, project team) management" is one area of the Instructional Design's project management that we should seriously look into.

Other than working on project, I've been creating and editing more corporate wiki pages which is quite fun.

Besides, closing in two big purchases in my life have really taught the meaning of patience and perseverance.

While working late at night or early in the morning, these music have kept me accompanied and entertained:

1. Shostakovitch's Piano Concerto No.2 (Excerpt)
2. Ennio Merricone's Cinema Paradiso Score
3. Dave Koz' new album At The Movie. My favorite tracks are:
    - Moon River
    - Cinema Paradiso Suite
    - Schindler's List
4. Mute Math's Typical
5. The L Word Season 2 Soundtracks Shirley Bassey's Where Do I Begin

Although, it has been rought lately, I'm actually enjoying the experience and dealing with different people. May this project be deployed successfully.

I'm also sad on the departure of my cool colleague, Natalie. I wish all the best with her new undertakings. Read her posting about it here:

http://nkilkenny.wordpress.com/2007/04/08/my-new-life-and-farewell/

What's in store next week? I will be making some big decisions and hopefully things will turn out great.

Arizona Travelog 4: Live Like Horses "Vivrem Comme Cavalli" - Photos and Song Review

Bernie Taupin beautifully captured the spirit of horses and wrote this wonderful song with Elton John. I particularly love the duet version with Luciano Pavarotti (released in 1996 as single from the album The Big Picture). I have vivid visualization while listening to this version; while Elton takes me to Kentucky Derby, Pavarotti's tenor takes me back to Rome glorious days. 

You can watch their performance at a concert here:
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euiJzyuPWus

Live Like Horse Lyrics
Duet with Luciano Pavarotti:

I can't control this flesh and blood
That's wrapped around my bones
It moves beneath me like a river
Into the great unknown

I stepped onto the moving stairs
Before I could tie my shoes
Pried a harp out the fingers of a renegade
Who lived and died the blues

La promessa non fu chiara
S'erra solo impressa in me
Vidi solo il gelo dentro me
Quella notte dise a me

Vivrem comme cavalli
Liberi dai recinti di ferro

Che piu non voglio
Rinnegare i sensi
Su dai fuggiam
Vivrem comme cavalli

We're the victims of the heartbreak
That kept us short of breath
Trapped above these bloodless streets
Without a safety net

I stood in line to join the trial
One more customer of fate
Claimed a spoke in the wheel of the wagon train
On the road to the golden gate

Nel deserto la nave abbandonai
Per me aveva senso
Son stato troppo tempo nella bestia
Ed ora saro libero

Someday We'll live like horses
Free reign from your old iron fences
There's more ways than one to regain your senses
Break out the stalls and we'll live like horses
Someday

Liberi dai ricenti di ferro
Che piu non voglio
Rinnegare i sensi
Su dai fuggiam
Vivrem comme cavalli

Song Review: Mercedes Benz - Janis Joplin

Can money buys us happyness? Oprah Winfrey on opening up her all-girl academy in South Africa, said that she's fed up helping the American inner-city schools because the only thing the kids wanted are some sneakers and the iPod; when the South African girls are all about the education!

Janis Joplin (1943-1970) the singer, Bob Neuwirth the songwriter, and Michael McClure the poet parodied this social commentary into a form of prayer asking God to grant her a color TV, a Mercedes Benz, and a night on the town. This capella song is the last song recorded by Janis before her death at 27 years old (3-week after Jimi Hendrix demise) and it was posthumously released in her final album, Pearl.

I believe that Janis, a 'screamer' known for her ability to carry the blues, soul, and folk-rock materials, would've had produced some great originals should she have lived longer.

This song was used both by Mercedes Benz and BMW in their TV ads. Her great vocal with the powerful anti-materialistic lyrics make this song a memorable one, even without the use of any musical instruments!

So back to the question I raise in the beginning of this entry, Chris Gardner tells us in The Pursuit of Happyness that money does matter in making dreams come true. It is because of the fact that he made it at Dean Witter and that he can raise his son better that made him happy, and not because of the monetary value itself. In short, money is the enabler to happiness!

Enjoy Janis Joplin's Mercedes Benz on YouTube and the lyrics here.

Mercedes Benz

I'd like to do a song of great social and political import and it goes like this

Oh lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsche, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Oh lord, wont you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing for dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh lord, wont you buy me a color TV ?

Oh lord, wont you buy me a night on the town ?
I'm counting on you, lord, please don't let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh lord, wont you buy me a night on the town ?

Everybody!
Oh lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsche, I must make amends,
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So oh lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Thats it!

Song Review: Yusuf Islam - Heaven/Where True Love Goes

In "Heaven Where True Love Goes", Yusuf Islam take us into his journey to his discovery of Islam 30 years ago. Read the CNN transcript of his interview by Larry King on his conversion. Some listeners just don't get it (read the comment section), literally thinking there are computer programmers in Heaven.

Yusuf; (born Steven Demetre Georgiou, known in a previous life as Cat Stevens) the name he used for his 28-year comeback album An Other Cup contains a collection of spiritual songs. "Heaven Where True Love Goes" is definitely my favorite track. It's been on my play list for so many weeks. The repetitive verses are effectively used to emphasize his deep faith that Yusuf had discovered and submitted to.

Beautiful strings starts off the song, climbs to the repetitive chorus, and later a Gospel music-like background vocal arrangements that would take you deeper into the soul of this song. The love message here is a metaphor to the submission to a new religion. It is poignant in every way you look at it.

So spread the words of love and be thankful that you have found yours. For I have found mine but lately lack in manifestation. I have to partly thanks to song like this and genius like Yusuf to remind us all to follow the path of the righteousness once you have found that love.

You may sample the song here.

Lyrics: Heaven/Where True Love Goes

The moment you walked inside my door
I knew that I need not look no more,
I've seen many other souls before - ah but,
Heaven must've programmed you

The moment you fell inside my dreams
I realized all I had not seen,
I've seen many other souls before - ah but,
Heaven must've programmed you.

Oh will you? Will you? Will you?
I go where True Love goes,
I go where True Love goes
I go where True Love goes,
I go where True Love goes

And if you walk along and if you lose your way,
Don't forget the one who gave you this today

Follow True Love, follow True Love,
Follow True Love, follow True Love

Oh will you? Will you? Will you?
I go where True Love goes,
I go where True Love goes
I go where True Love goes,
I go where True Love goes,

 

And if a storm should come and if you face away,
That may be the chance for you to be safe
And if you make it through the trouble and the pain,
That may be the time for you to know his name

The moment you walked inside my door
I knew that I need not look no more,
I've seen many other souls before - ah but,
Heaven must've programmed you

The moment you fell inside my dreams
I realized all I had not seen,
I've seen many other souls before - ah but,
Heaven must've programmed you.

The moment you said "I will"
I knew that this love was real,
And that my faith was seen - oh
Heaven must've programmed you

The moment I looked into your eyes
I knew that they told no lies,
There would be no good byes - Ah
'cause Heaven must've programmed you

I go where True Love goes,
I go where True Love goes
I go where True Love goes,
I go where True Love goes

Sean Ghazi Semalam

There are generations of crooners making albums covering selections of songs and music from the Great American Songbook collection. Michael Bublé became a household name because of his success in this genre. His version gives new interpretation to these songs and most importantly, new generation can now relate to these songs.

Better yet, Pink Martini breakthrough Sympathique and Hang On Little Tomato are so good they cover American, Latin, and Europe big ballad, big band jazz, swing collection; making it a daunting task to classify musical genre of this Oregon-based 12-piece band.

The Malay music scene has such classics throughout the decades and they need to be reproduced for our generation. I applaud Sean Ghazi's 5-year effort releasing this debut album, Semalam. "By looking back we find the way forward" says Sean in his album booklet. He's definitely right there. From marketing point view, this album is critical for him to determine the direction of his sophomore effort.

I have no doubt that this album will grab few awards in  2006 Anugerah Industri Muzik. I'm thinking of best cover and vocal arrangement in an album. I'd have used the image below though for the cover album as it has more character.

Semalam (Yesterday), released in November 2006; takes you on a musical journey from 1951 to 2006 covering the likes of P. Ramlee, Anneke Gronloh, Pink Martini, Sudirman, Jimmy Boyle, and a few Broadway. The orchestra music recording was done in Sydney in analog format and later the voice was added digitally in Kuala Lumpur. You can read more on the album trivia in the Media Presskit provided on his website.

It's great vocal performance with great musical arrangement and good song selections that makes this album stands out this year! Enjoy the embedded YouTube video music of Ku Impikan Bintang.

1. Semalam (2006) (Listen to this song)
This is the only original song written for this album, his collaboration with Izlyn Ramli. It's almost like a collage of music from the rest of the other tracks; setting the mood for the entire album.

2. Ku Impikan Bintang (2004)
This is translated from Pink Martini's Hang On Little Tomato album (Let's Never Stop Falling In Love). The translation work to Bahasa Melayu lyrics is done nicely to capture the emotion of the song.

3. Rambut Hitam, Matanya Galak (1962)
This is Anneke Gronloh's classic. It's so catchy and the big band jazz music makes me want to tap my feet everytime I listen to this song. Hands down, this is my favorite song. You can check out Anneke on YouTube!

4. I Have Dreamed (1951) (Listen to this song)
This is what he does best, Broadway. Sean plays the character Lun Tha both in The King And I musical and 'Anna and the King'. I wonder which part of the musical this song is sung.

5. Hujan Di Tengahari (1954) (Listen to this song)
This is a soundtrack from the film 'Perjodohan' (Fated) sung by P. Ramlee. I love this big ballad arrangement. My dad hums and sings this song when I play the CD in the car.

6. Jauh-Jauh (1959)
Some history here. Jimmy Boyle who wrote this song was famous in Penang music scene in the 50's. He played piano, pop jazz and written number of songs. Besides his passion for music, Jimmy was a school teacher. Adibah Noor performed this song in Istana Budaya Konsert Putera Puteri in 2004. I hope Adibah records this for her next album.

7. Punch Card (1982)
I wonder whether you can call this Sudirman and Habsah Hassan work a rap song? This song reminds us the time when government servants can leave office at 4.15! Maya Tan Abdullah whom I worked with in OPs Ophelia is one of the background singers!

8. Getaran Jiwa (1960) (Listen to this song)
I prefer this version of Getaran Jiwa compared to Sheila Majid's Legenda. This masterpiece is a creation of P. Ramlee and written by S. Sudarmaji for the film 'Antara Dua Darjat'. It is both philosophical and poetic. P. Ramlee use music as common factor between the different worlds portrayed in the film.

9. Dengar Ini Cerita (1953)
This catchy P. Ramlee comedic song is about a husband dating his secretary, Mary (makan luar!) and had a day out in the park. It's a delight to have Ida Nerina (as Mary) and Adibah Noor (as 'My Wife) in this song. Interestingly, the lyrics are updated to this song:

" ... Merah bibirnya macam cherry, Sekali pandang macam Helle Berry" ...

... " Perabut IKEA terbang melayang-layang." ...

10. Somewhere My Love (1966)
Somewhere My Love is a song from the movie Dr. Zhivago. I personally think that this is a poor song selection in this album.

11. Sabar Menanti (1976)
Datuk Ahmad Nawab, our new Seniman Negara wrote this song for Broery Marantika and was used the film 'Hapuslah Air Matamu'. This is another favorite of mine from this album. Both Sabar Menanti and Anneke Gronloh's Rambut Hitam Matanya Galak are good bets to break into the Indonesian music scene.

12. Let's Never Stop Falling In Love (2004)
You decide on how Sean compares to Pink Martini's China Forbes.

Tell me what do you think of this album?