To cover or not to cover...

I think I mentioned in a post a few years ago how I usually don't like covers because it's very rare that it ends up being better than the original. That being said, there are some situations when covers take a song to the next, much more sublime level. One of those cases is when an artist covers themselves (as in, they record and/or perform a song of theirs in a reworked, new style) and the other one is when a musician writes a song, sells it to someone else but records it himself as well.

Though I am not really a fan of her latest work, there are quite a lot of Madonna songs (especially from the 90s) that I like and listen to from time to time (mostly when they're on the radio) and Don't Tell Me has always been one of them. The story behind it is quite interesting: Joe Henry wrote and recorded the song Stop and then sent it to Madonna, who also recorded it (after some alterations, of course). It wasn't after a few weeks ago that I discovered the original version (confession: I was sitting at Starbucks, heard the song and I knew I had to have it...) and I can't get enough of it. But is it really a cover? After all, he wrote it, he recorded it first... but then again, it came out a year after the Madonna version... Does it even matter? This cover/original/call it whatever you want version of Don't Tell Me is much better (or at least according to my musical taste), much more sensual and - as I said before - simply sublime.

Just Apple.

Nowadays it seems there are two kinds of people: the ones who love Apple and the ones who hate it. Needless to say, I belong to the first category. I find the company more youthful, dynamic and witty than any other IT firm out there, not to mention their impeccable design and the fact that their devices can do anything I can dream of (and many other things I don't even think of).

So when I heard they were about to open a new store in Barcelona's Plaza de Catalunya, I was really excited. They already have a store in the city, but it's far from where I live and, since it is situated at a shopping mall, it lacks some of the signature Apple store features (big glass windows and whatnot).

The announcement outside the then opening-soon store made me smile - the classic logo, presented in Barcelona's traditional mosaic style and the tagline: An Apple Store tailored to Barcelona. I knew I just had to take a picture (and so did many others).

However, as I discovered this new store today I had to realize not all inventions of Steve Jobs are for me. Glass stairs for someone with a fear of heights? Thanks but no thanks.

In response to Chavela Vargas's passing.

If you asked me who my favorite male singer was, I would have a rather hard time answering your question - there are so many I love, respect and follow, so many whose words cheer me up, give me hope, make me think or smile. However, if you asked me who my favorite female singer was, I would not hesitate for a second: Chavela Vargas.

She is the only woman whose voice eats itself under my skin, who moves me, makes me think, believe and hope, whose unique way of performing I can not admire enough. Her enormous talent and influence is obvious and she is, without a doubt, one of the most significant artists of the 20th Century. A muse and friend of artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera or Pedro Almodóvar, a true icon of Mexican music, she passed away yesterday at age 93.

It goes without saying that she will be greatly missed and never forgotten and her soul will live on forever in her beautiful songs. Because this is why she was so special - if you listen to her, what you hear is not yet another woman singing a love song; it's a soul telling you the story of her life.

Finding perfection in imperfection.

After rewatching all my favorite series I needed something new (for me, anyway), so I asked around a bit and a few friends of mine recommended Dexter. Although I knew what it was about - it's kind of hard to forget a plot consisting of a serial killer killing serial killers -, I have never seen any episode before so I thought I'd give it a try.
I knew it was impossible to live up to the level of Mad Men and The Sopranos, but I was pleasantly surprised. The protagonist is extremely well-written, one of the best characters on TV I think, and this not so tiny detail makes me watch all the episodes one after another. Dexter has a lot of flaws (the other characters are often quite flat and many of the dialogues and scenes are boring, sometimes even annoying), but the leading man's internal monologues, his philosophy, sarcasm and indifference save the show, big time.
As you might know, the show (and especially the first season) was based on a novel called Darkly Dreaming Dexter and it's pure genius. It is sad though that it took the creators another two years to come up with a comparably interesting storyline, but it was worth it - the fourth season is just as good as the first one. Currently I am watching the 5th and have yet to decide whether I like it or not... But for someone who's interested in writing (books, articles and screenplays as well), this series is a great lesson; on the one hand, you can learn how to write a character so that it's perfect, and on the other hand, you can wonder how you could improve those people and scenes that aren't so brilliant.
There is only one thing I cannot understand: how is it possible that one component of a series is one of the best things we've ever seen on TV, while the rest is only a so-so...? How can screenwriters be so right when describing a character, writing scenes and sentences for him and be dead wrong when doing the same for other characters of the same fictional world? Maybe it doesn't matter... Maybe we should just appreciate Dexter for what it is - Dexter himself.

Following the signs.

I've been rewatching a few of my favorite series this past month and that meant I did not really watch any (new) movies - I just get so attached to the story and the characters that I don't feel ready to bond with any other fictional people. However, tonight I felt the need for something else, for a different world with different problems, so I gave a chance to the Duplass brothers' Jeff, Who Lives at Home. I've had this film for a few months now and I forgot what it was about and who the actors were so it was a pleasant surprise to see Jason Segel's in it, because I liked a lot of his other movies and he really seems like a nice guy.

The plot is about a man who believes that we must listen to (and follow) the signs life (or God, maybe) sends us in order to meet our destiny. Now that's a thought I think many of us has had throughout our lives. Just think about it: you get a wrong number, someone's looking for Kevin, and then a few hours later you see a boy with a sweater and the name Kevin on it. Most of us would stop at thinking it's a coincidence, maybe a sign, who knows, it's interesting, but not interesting enough to distract us from our everyday duties. Needless to say, Jeff, our leading man, is not one of us. He is convinced that this is  only the first of signs he must follow to find an answer to his question: who am I, why am I here, what is the meaning and point of it all. So he decides everything else can wait, today he will listen to the signs. This is how he runs into his brother and his wife who may or may not be having an affair, and the rest is a nice independent movie that makes you think, laugh and have a great time.

Jeff, Who Lives at Home has a deeper meaning, an entire philosophy that is omnipresent but never too much, never too forced. Of course we really can't just stop wherever we are and follow something we believe is a sign to maybe get somewhere that is supposed to be our fate but it sure is interesting to contemplate what would happen if we did - and any movie that can help us doing so is worth watching.

The power of sincerity.

I love songs that have a meaning, whatever that is, and this is exactly what is missing from most of today's music (and by this I refer to the young and "new" performers). I know I've said this a lot but that's my opinion. Of course there are many musicians nowadays as well who do actually know that the lyrics are important but sadly they tend to be the less popular ones. I guess I'm just one of those who admires past eras and their representatives a bit too much... But whenever I listen to The Crystals' He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss), I am dumbfounded. Not only because of the lyrics (simple yet shocking) but also because it is written about an issue that is probably more present in the media now than ever before, shows what some of those women who suffer domestic violence might feel. This song, written and recorded fifty years ago, is brutal because it not only justifies such horror but also because The Crystals sing it in such an innocent way and the music itself is great. If you think about it, you discover the romantic side of it and then you are shocked when you realize you find something so violent so beautiful - anything that absorbs you like this is, without a doubt, a masterpiece.

One picture, two legends.

It's no secret that I love photography, especially old black and white pictures of legends and Alfred Hitchcock is definitely one of them. There are numerous funny, creative and beautiful photos of him and the one below is my new favorite. The big cat is another film icon - none other than one of the MGM lions...

The exception makes the rule.

As someone who doesn't watch TV, it is obvious that I hardly know anything about shows like X-Factor and their participants. I generally prefer it this way (if someone is truly talented I'll hear about them anyway), but when I heard that there was a man in Hungary's version of Britain's Got Talent who sang opera and folk songs, I knew I had to see him.

For weeks I followed his performances and couldn't believe what I saw - not only because he has a beautiful voice and an incredibly down to earth character but also because he seemed to be one of the most popular contenders; to achieve this in modern mass media is something to remember.

Of course János Elek Mészáros couldn't avoid the comparisons with Paul Potts (an English tenor who won the first series of Britain's Got Talent), especially since János Elek also finished first in the Hungarian version just a week ago. Below you can see his beautiful interpretation of the Hungarian folk song A Csitári Hegyek Alatt.

As much as I don't believe in contemporary talent shows, if they found just one performer like him in every series, it would be worth it (for the record: in this specific series there was another talented musician who finished fourth).

The end of an era - or two.

Two of the 2000s most successful series ended this month and although they were quite different, I always found they belonged to each other. It's probably because they premiered more or less around the same time and I started watching them both together (back then they were on the same channel every Wednesday in my country): Desperate Housewives and House M.D.

I was just an adolescent when became a follower of these two and now, 8 years later it's like saying goodbye to two old friends. Of course during these years many things have changed not only in my life but also in these series and maybe they weren't as good anymore as they used to be but I never once doubted I will stay with them until the end - and the end came a week ago for Desperate Housewives and yesterday for House.

I believe that a series finale is just as important as a pilot. The latter is supposed to attract viewers and get them interested, while the finale should answer all questions, it should contain a little bit of nostalgia and it should be very careful with the tone since it has a huge influence on the way fans will think about the series itself when looking back.
Desperate Housewives' very last episode was written by creator Marc Cherry and it was everything it had to be and could be - watching it felt like watching those first few seasons that were the best and it was a great conclusion. House, on the other hand, was less impressive. Directed and co-written by its creator, David Shore, it wasn't until the last 10 minutes that I felt its tone changing for the better and it didn't give me that sense of proper farewell. Maybe they mixed up things so badly in the past two or three seasons that there was no other way out, but still, it could have been better (but I have to repeat myself and say that the last scenes were great). However, in House's case I am willing to forgive - his philosophy will always be remember, even when the ending is long forgotten.

I guess that's how it is when you part with old friends- sometimes you feel your goodbye was worthy and other times you feel it could have been more.

Now I get it.

For many years I've been a follower of Franz Ferdinand (the band, of course) but when back in 2009 they came out with the album Tonight, it didn't impress me as much as their previous two albums. I couldn't really tell you the reason, maybe it was too modern disco for me and I was expecting something else. However, a few months ago I decided to leave all my negative feelings behind and listen to it again and boy do I get it now.

Maybe I'm more open to this new kind of indie-ish music now, who knows, I just feel that if this is the direction dance music in the 2010s is going to take, we're still somehow gonna be okay.

Although I normally don't like what we call "modern contemporary" performers but this band (just like Muse) has that certain something that makes them different from the others. I like it when an artist does not only pay attention to one aspect of their performance but all of them and Franz Ferdinand qualifies. Plus, I've known it ever since Alex Kapranos uttered the words "you can feel my lips undress your eyes" that he wrote the sexiest lyrics nowadays (and by this I mean talking about it but not actually saying it) and with No You Girls he once again showed us how it's done.

It is said that they will have a new album out this year and I can't wait. Hopefully I'll like it right away, maybe it will take me a few years again but part of my heart (and my iPod) still belongs to these Scottish boys.

Girl power.

I have to confess that I don't like disco music in general and my opinion about girl power songs is anything but positive. Yet, I have always loved this song, performed by Gloria Gaynor. The reason might be the lyrics that I absolutely love and also the fact that the original version was released almost 35 years ago (yet another proof that even disco was finer a few decades ago). Today, of course, it is an anthem and several newcomers tried to perform it but this one follows the good old rule of "nothing beats the original".

The perfect merger.

It's been almost 10 years since we could first see and hear The White Stripes' version of the Dusty Springfield song I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself and I still can't get enough of it. The lyrics are simple but great, the sound is brilliant and the video is pure perfection. A true 21st century icon (Kate Moss) pole dancing in the beautiful music video of one of best and most interesting performers of our time (too bad they are no longer together) - can you ask for anything more?

75.

I know my last two posts had kind of a sad tone so today I decided to write about a living legend, who happens to have his 75th birthday today.

I don't think there is anyone who doesn't like Jack Nicholson - apart from being probably the most iconic living actor, his personality is also something to write home about; he is the ultimate bachelor and Casanova, a characteristic face with an irresistible charisma, paired with an enormous talent that manifested in classics like The Shining, Easy Rider or, more recently, As Good as it Gets.

I don't remember seeing a Nicholson movie I didn't like (and believe me, I've seen a lot of them) and I am sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Despite his more than 50 years in the business, he hasn't been typecast (unlike Al Pacino or even DeNiro, who most of the time play similar characters) and this is what makes him and everything he's in so exciting.

Sometimes of course it's hard to decide whether it is the movie that's good or simply Nicholson but it hardly ever matters - what he gives us is a superb experience, many hours of entertainment and the hope that maybe not all is lost for modern Hollywood cinema; at least not until he is around.

In memoriam.

This post is dedicated to the 1514 people who fell victims to the megalomania of some powerful men who believed they could defy the laws of nature, to those 710 who survived but could never find their peace afterwards and especially to those, crew members or not, who risked or sacrificed their lives to save others'.

Titanic - the movie, aka my first good experience with 3D

A 100 years ago Titanic left Southampton and the rest is history. As a tribute to this double anniversary (it was 15 years ago that the James Cameron movie Titanic opened in cinemas) a 3D version of the now classic motion picture is in theatres again and I couldn't wait to see it.

I love this movie because while fictional catastrophies leave me unimpressed, Cameron's masterpiece never fails to make me think about human nature and I believe it shows the disaster itself in the most authentic and shocking way ever experienced at the movies.

Probably this is why I was looking forward to see it all again on the big screen and in 3D. Although I was very young when it came out back in 1997, it made me interested in the story of this majestic ship and somehow I always felt sorry for not being able to enjoy it again in such a way (in my humble opinion, movies of this caliber are incomparable when watched at the movies and when watched at home on TV or on a computer).

I am no expert in 3D (mainly because the films that are made in 3D nowadays are the ones I never care for, e.g. Avatar) but I got more than what I expected. Seeing the Titanic collide with an iceberg and then sink in 3D was even more shocking and many times it almost felt like I was there myself.

Now that I know what it's like in 3D and after those 15 years of feeling sorry for not watching it more times in the cinema, I am seriously considering going again. It is experiences like this and motion pictures like Titanic that make me remember why I love going to the movies (and not just watch films at home) and why it is worth it to buy that ticket and sit there in the dark, waiting for something magical to happen. Sometimes you leave disappointed, but the chance of leaving with something more is worth the risk.

Still going strong.

When a successful series starts a new season, the question is always floating in the air: will it be as good as the previous one? This is especially true if we had to wait more than we're used to to see how our beloved characters' lives continue.

I have been an huge Mad Men fan for quite some time now and couldn't wait to see the 5th season. I had my doubts of course - nearly a year and a half without a new episode could have carried in itself a huge failure - but I was more than satisfied with the new episodes and am now wishing the week would go by a little bit faster to see the next ones.

Mad Men is still the best series on air (or could it be that it is the best ever?), most movies could envy the quality, wit, story line and acting talent it represents, not to mention the influence it had on fashion and, of course, on contemporary television; creators see a great potential in the glamorous 60s now (think Pan Am), although we have yet to see anything that is at least nearly as good as the series that made it all happen: Mad Men.

The sound of nostalgia.

I don't think there is anyone (maybe except for some uneducated youngsters) who is unfamiliar with this iconic song recorded by Sonny & Cher. It is one of the signature songs of the 60s and, of course, the hippie counterculture. Also, us movie fans can't help but identify it a little with the Bill Murray film Groundhog Day.

The lyrics obviously remind me of carefree young love - a little naïve, a litte immature and way too romantic in its morals but who's to say a few moments of childishness is harmful in a world that's often so gray and serious?

This to the one who touched my soul

It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It don’t matter, anyhow
An’ it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don’t know by now
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m traveling on
Don’t think twice, it’s all right

It ain’t no use in turning on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
An’ it ain’t no use in turning on your light, babe
I’m on the dark side of the road
Still I wish there was something you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway
So don’t think twice, it’s all right

It ain’t no use in calling out my name
Like you never did before
It ain’t no use in calling out my name
I can’t hear you anymore
I’m thinking and wondering all the way down the road
I once loved a man, a child I’m told
I give him my heart but he wanted my soul
But don’t think twice, it’s all right

I’m walking down that long, lonesome road, babe
Where I’m bound, I can’t tell
But goodbye’s too good a word
So I’ll just say fare thee well
I ain’t saying you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don’t mind
You just kind of wasted my precious time
But don’t think twice, it’s all right*

* Lyrics modified by me, the original is by Bobby Dylan, of course.

The Perfect Valentine. No, not that one.

To tell you the truth, I couldn't care less about Valentine's Day. I am not in favor or against this "holiday", I just simply do not seem to care that much about it, probably because I come from a country where it is much less common than, say, in the US.

However, there is one Valentine I can't seem to get enough of - Chet Baker singing My Funny Valentine, that is (by the way, I have no idea why I prefer this version to the countless other ones). I am madly in love with the lyrics, the lines reflect true obsession and adoration, the best word to describe them is "musings" - and isn't it what we all want, to find our muse in life, who might not be perfect in the classical way but just perfect enough for us, someone so mesmerizing it's sending shivers down our spine, someone we could look at and listen to for eternity and never get bored... just like I never get bored of listening to My Funny Valentine.

The voice that can't be erased.

Whitney Houston was one of the most important voices of the 80s and the 90s who produced, along with many, many other hits, one of the most important songs of music history - I Will Always Love You. This record, along with the movie The Bodyguard, marked the childhood of people my age. I still listen to it quite often and I am always amazed by the voice Whitney had, that enormous talent, that way she could perform, filled with emotions, making you feel uncannily close to what she was singing about and to Whitney herself.

Of course after a few years she started to have problems but the world never ceased to believe she would one day stand up again and give us more and more songs that easen our pain and make our lives better.

Sadly, now we know she will never be able to return to us - she is gone forever, but her voice will stay with us forever.