What do you do in your spare time?

[James]

Marina - I meant to ask a long time ago. What do you do in your spare time? What have you been up to lately?

[marina]

I've been trying to finish the 4 books I am reading. Been watching some terrible b-movies on the sci-fi channel.
Hiking in the evenings. Recently went on this 6 mile hike with the Sierra Club group and we had a pot-luck picnic in the Verdugos on top of a mountain overlooking the Glendale/Burbank/Pasadena/La Canada areas. It was really cool.

For those of you living in the L.A. area, if you haven't been to the Hollywood Bowl, you're missing out on an amazing experience. Nick & I went a few weeks ago for an evening of Tchaikovsky's music. I never realized how cool the Hollywood Bowl was! It's a custom for people to bring picnic baskets to the show. It's really fun! And so beautiful at night.
I can't believe that I've been living in L.A. and just NOW finally went to the Hollywood Bowl.
We're going back next week for a night of Russian classical music. I can't wait smile.gif

Let's see, what else.
There was an explosion in Moscow a couple of weeks ago, I freaked out, of course, and called my family in the middle of the night to make sure they were ok. They were fine, thankfully. What a scary time we live in. I can't get out of my mind the picture of the schoolkids being held hostage in Southern Russia.

On a lighter note, I donated blood recently (I try to donate as often as I can, I am addicted to their free cookies) and I had this big blue bruise on my arm. I was a little nervous that people would think I was a heroin addict. I am pretty paranoid for a non-junkie.

A couple of days ago, I sang in ancient Greek. Yes, ancient Greek. I didn't know this would be possible!
My friend and an incredible musician/film composer, Alex Kharlamov (I sang on "200 cats", one of his songs, last year), asked me to come into his studio and record some vocals for a project he was working on. It was quite an experience. I can't wait to hear the final mix!

Also, I discovered Don McLean. I know, it's a little late. But I had no idea how amazing he is!!!
I am in love with his "Starry, starry night" (Actually entitled "Vincent.") I put it on repeat and listened to it for an hour!!

love,
marina smile.gif

[James]

Thank you for answering!
:D

[Nicole]

wow sounds like you do quite a bit in your free time, and I don't know who Don McLean is, should I go and discover him? is he that good? hehe. And i went to the hollywood bowl august 2nd to see Eric Clapton perform ^.^ that was awesome, but the parking and traffic for it sucked though hehe. laterz all

[marina]

Originally posted by Nicole:
wow sounds like you do quite a bit in your free time, and I don't know who Don McLean is, should I go and discover him? is he that good? hehe. So far I have heard a few songs and my very favorite is "Vincent" (starry, starry night) smile.gif
You probably know his song "American Pie". I didn't know much of his music besides that song and then I heard "vincent" and fell in love with it and bought it on iTunes.com
He has a very nice voice and his acoustic guitar playing is really pretty. I think "vincent" was recorded in the early 1970s.
I'm going to go to his website and learn more. smile.gif

[ScottZ]

When I moved to Portland Oregon in 79, there was a bar with open mic nights. My first time for this place, I played & sang a medley of Don McLean songs. Vincent, Crying, and American Pie. Finished off my time with Wish you were here, pink floyd. That was a fun night, but I wish I could remember the name of the featured performer, later that night! She was wonderful, a great folk singer who played fingerstyle with her long nails as plectrums (picks). tongue.gif

[Nicole]

oh so he did "american pie".... i know that song hehe ^.^ I'll have to check out the song Vincent soon then ^.^ hehe
WitheredRose

[marina]

Originally posted by Nicole:
oh so he did "american pie".... i know that song hehe ^.^ I'll have to check out the song Vincent soon then ^.^ hehe
WitheredRose Nicole - I love your WitheredRose name. it is beautiful.

[Nicole]

Thanks ^.^ my friends aol name is witheringsage i thought it sounded cool then i thought of WitheredRose and I've been using that for lots of things now hehe ^.^

WitheredRose

[Bluesman]

Geesh you guys....I'm old....getting very old....but since I never really heard anyone make mention of it....I thought I'd share the little tidbit I learned about Mr. Mclean. We all know that he drove his chevy to the levee but do you know the very strange connection that Marina has with Don Mclean?

[Michael]

Well, what is the strange connection?

[Lonny B.]

I figured I should write out the tune for the rest that aren't familiar with the lyrics to "Vincent"....

Here they are....

Also - Josh Groban does a killer version of the song in his live set (it used to be on his website at one time too...It is out there and should be heard as well!)...

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of China blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will.

[marina]

Originally posted by Michael:
Well, what is the strange connection? David, my manager, was instrumental in breaking Don McLean into the mainstream in the early 70s. smile.gif

[marina]

Originally posted by Lonny B.:
I figured I should write out the tune for the rest that aren't familiar with the lyrics to "Vincent"....

Here they are....

Also - Josh Groban does a killer version of the song in his live set (it used to be on his website at one time too...It is out there and should be heard as well!)...

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of China blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will. I prefer the Don McLean version smile.gif it's just sooooooooooooooooo nice...
thank you for posting the lyrics!!!!!!!!!!
smile.gif
see you in San Diego!