A whole lotta Tammy Wynette

Since recently I got stuck with country somehow - it simply feels right here in the countryside where I spend my vacation - I was listening mostly guys so just to make sure there is a lady around, I checked out 3 CD box "Tears Of Fire 25th Anniversary Collection" by one of the genre's crowned queens Tammy Wynette. Like so many people, I know that particular song that she would forever be remembered and associated with, however in her time she had sold millions of LP albums and hit singles so out of curiosity I decided to give her proper listening and to find out what was all the fuss about.

3 CD box of remastered, classic material is probably heaven sent for hardcore fans, though they will always complain why their particular favorite B side of single is not included. Like with so many other artists, CD box treatment means that we are treated with necessary run trough decades and whole LP albums worth of material are represented with only one song per album. My initial reservation that this might be overkill of the similar sound proved wrong because it turned out Wynette had really good luck with producers and songwriters indeed, not to mention that she was naturally gifted with one of the most expressive voices in 20th century recorded popular music. Since I was familiar with her music really only casually this CD box served as a truly eye-opening introduction, apparently she was much, much more than that song and suddenly I find myself thinking that even that famous "suffering housewife" idea might be empowering in itself, if one see it as a conscious choice, not as a weeping doormat complain. 

Starting with early demo recording, this CD box truly dives into Wynette's wast discography and craftily shows just why and how this lady found herself in a company of such legends as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton - while each if them is unique and highly individual artist with particular style (and Cline might forever stand as a Titan above them all for the simple fact that she cleared the path for everybody else who followed) Tammy Wynette comes across as a Goddess of domestic suffering, a suburban divorcee who wipes her hands on her apron before turning to a inquisitive daughter who still don't understand what exactly divorce means. If it sounds corny, so be it, it is a genre where hamming it up means finding one's true voice and success.

I was warned that Wynette started strong in late 1960s and somehow lost focus later, but according to this CD box its actually not exactly true. Yes, she did have a very good start thanks to producer Billy Sherrill who served as her Pygmalion and basically created her music persona but it went both ways because it surely didn't hurt him to have been associated with best-selling female artist of the time. Once I went trough obligatory run of the late 1960s massive hits, I discovered that Wynette actually became female counterpart of Charlie Rich (who accidentally also used same producer) and her later recordings became very moody and sophisticated ("Woman To Woman" was far cry from twang of "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad" and the quiet intensity of her performance is still mind-blowing). For that reason I found second disc (covering roughly 1970s) the most enjoyable, because once you are done with best-selling melodrama hit singles, some of these mid-70s recordings are startling in their powerful dignity. The last CD (1980s and beyond) is not bad by any means since Wynette's voice remained unchanged power of nature but as aesthetic of the decade changed, the focus shifted more on generic production that was not good fit for her particular sound and she started to seem somehow anonymous - sharing the same destiny with so many veterans who valiantly tried to keep up with the times and ended up defeated by synthesizers. The very last song that closes this CD box is incredibly beautiful "Precious Memories" that is light years away from 1980s radio-fodder (and gimmicky collaboration with The KLF) and along with several tracks from her 1969 gospel album, this might be probably closest to real Virginia Wynette Pugh from Mississippi. 

Even though for the most of her career Wynette stayed firmly in a comfort zone of her specific genre and its limitations (after all, it is somewhat firmly mapped music landscape with its rules and subjects) Tammy Wynette comes across as incredibly gifted, sensitive and powerful vocalist with unique voice - strangely enough, she is the most effective not when she soars but when she tones it down and calmly reflects at all those innumerable problems of relationships. Cynicism aside, once you get swept away with the sheer beauty of her voice and her serious approach (all those music melodramas might sound corny but you can bet she deeply understood them and probably lived trough them) it does feel therapeutic. I bet that people who themselves got divorced and had to protect small children from all emotional scars did probably think of her as a someone they can connect on a spiritual level. And yes, I think she was a stunningly beautiful woman, which has nothing to do with the music but it does makes you daydream about what kind of person she might have been. In my opinion she was the classiest of them all.

Eddy Arnold

From Willie Nelson to Lefty Frizzell and now one more old-school country gentleman, Eddy Arnold.

Strange, I have no patience for any new country music but give me anything old, ancient and preferably forgotten and I'm perfectly happy with it. It was because of  Lefty Frizzell that I suddenly remembered another singer who perfectly fits on this list - but where Frizzell had relatively short burst, Arnold turned into artist whose success had spread over decades and he worked continuously for probably half a century (if not even more). I only have this CD compilation with his earliest recordings and its wonderful.

On these earliest recordings - hit after hit, mind you - Eddy Arnold croons and yodels sweetly, kind of camp fire balladeer. He does not have impossibly beautiful voice of Lefty Frizzell but in his own way, Arnold creates magic too. This kind of old-fashioned country always had huge appeal to me although for the life of me I can't explain why since time, continents and culture stands between us, its simply very easy listening, gently swinging twangy charm. All sorts of pictures go trough my mind when I listen to this - camp fires, cowboys, herds, dust and Zane Grey. Yes, today this would be considered grandfather's music and probably here lies its beauty, life seems so easy and somehow natural with Eddy Arnold singing about cowboy's lonesome cattle call. For once here is somebody who don't mop around and drown his sorrow in whiskey but sings something uplifting, even when lyrics are about heartbreak it sounds sunny because melodies are so lilting and dreamy. Just wonderful.

"The Lonely Guitarist" by Vasily Perov

This little painting is something I had discovered on Internet and always loved very much, though I surely don't agree with the English title given to it. You could name it anything besides "bachelor guitarist" which is way too simplistic for my taste - the sad, lonely, sensitive musician on the painting is adorable little soul finding solace in music and it makes me want to hug him. By the state of his tattered and worn out clothes you can tell he travelled a lot, he doesn't have money and perhaps he is a travelling musician who has finally found a little corner for himself where alone with his thoughts he rests for a while and strums his instrument alone just for himself, not for the audience.

It is almost unbearably poignant and heartbreaking painting describing a lost soul  - I could probably write a whole novel about him - just like every time I see homeless people on the streets I am aware they used to be someone's children, this little fellow was once loved and cared for but now at certain point of his life he faces the truth that basically we are always alone in our paths. Whoever Vasily Petrov was, he definitely showed great psychological understanding of what he wanted to say here, there is a lot of affectionate details (from worn-out boots to a half filled glass on the table, to a musicians face) and the whole painting just burst with love and compassion. It had always touched me deeply and I absolutely love this painting.

Just like the movie "My Dinner with André" that so eloquently talked about choices in life (money versus creativity, security versus soul search) this little painting could be about choice we make: this little guy perhaps could have been sheltered as someone's servant but his choice in life was different and he went on to became travelling musician. Or whatever job he does, when alone with himself he gives himself to music that serves like a meditation and healing balm for his loneliness. You can see it in his face, in the way he gently plays his instrument and dreams far away from reality. 

"Look what thoughts will do" by Lefty Frizzell

While listening and reviewing Willie Nelson I have just realised that somehow I missed to actually write about his predecessor and idol, a singer who came a good decade before him and left a huge mark on all the future country guys - wonderful Lefty Frizzell. Willie Nelson always idolised him and even recorded a whole album tribute to him.

It really surprises me that so far I missed to review this double CD compilation because Lefty Frizzell is one of my all-time favourite country artists. He belongs to classic, hard-core honky tonk twangy school of musicians who cleared the path and influenced a lot of future generations, his best-known work being recorded during early 1950s. I read very good recommendations about him and even bought this CD without actually hearing him first, just assumed it must be good when everybody raves so much about him. After first initial surprise (music is light, swinging and very, very gentle) this really went deep under my skin and it never fails to cheer me up, because its so timeless and uplifting. Majority of Frizzell's hits are here and they are without exceptions absolutely brilliant, old fashioned and good natured fun but the best of all is his voice - Lefty had instantly recognisable, soft croon and it does sound like he is seducing you with this sweet yodel, just listen "Always late with your kisses" or anything preserved here. It seems hits dried up at certain point but it has nothing to do with his talent, as later recordings show he always had that impeccable voice and even at the very end of this compilation listener might be caught by surprise because even later songs ("Long Black Veil") are first-rate. I could listen Lefty Frizzell for hours, he was such adorable singer. 

"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coehlo

On vacation now and decidedly focusing on my own, personal and most important, physical library (as opposed to everything I read in e-format). 

Lately I got so used to my new toy, e-book reader, that I almost forgot what pleasure it is to have actual book in my hands. It does make a huge difference   luggage-wise but now when I'm back home on dry land, I have carefully spread all unread books around me and there's no need for e-reader at this point, I have enough to keep me occupied for some time. I actually have much more books than I can read in a lifetime.

When I travel an constantly talk to cruise ship passengers, often we recommend books to each other. Every now and than there is a book lover and since people carry books around on vacation, it is a good conversation subject. Often I discover something I have not heard about previously and even recently wonderful "The Once and Future King" was recommended so many times that I took it as a sign that I have to read it (and it turned out unforgettable). There was a nice lady who just finished "The Alchemist" and very spontaneously gave book to me (signed with her name inside) which is something I often do when I am carried away with excitement. So I decided to check it out.

Naturally I was aware of Paulo Cohelo for some time now but the whole hype about this book killed the pleasure for me. People who talked about it passionately were just annoying, preachy and very much like Jehovah's Witnesses in their determination that "this book will change your life". When something has been pushed at me, I feel resentment towards it, be it anything massively popular like blockbuster movie, current pop hit or anything that sweeps the whole world, I am very cautious about anything like that. It also might be that things need to come your way in the right moment, not when others force it down your throat. So this little book came my way some 27 years after the fact (after the whole world had already discovered it and its author continued very successful career and became an institution) but it doesn't matter, it feels right now.

I started reading it last night - very relaxed, alone, with my two dogs and two cats playing around my feet, birds chirping in the countryside. And would you know, even with my initial suspicion, I was pulled into the book very strongly, in fact I found myself seriously musing about all this quasi-new age philosophy that is actually very appealing. I am perfectly aware why this book moved the millions and on the other hand why it repels many others, obviously one has to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy such a deceptively simple little book. Deceptively because it covers very much the same ground as "The Little Prince" and basically it doesn't say anything completely new or groundbreaking - hence resentment from some readers who expected vision of burning bush - after all, messages here are universal and deep inside we are all aware of them. But its good to be reminded. So far I don't find it life-affirming or absolutely breathtaking or anything like earthquake but darn it, this little slim volume is intriguing enough that I keep returning to it again and again although I am perfectly aware where it leads (I expect the final message will be that happiness comes from inside and is not connected to any particular place or material things). It does work very good as a kind of spiritual food and balm for worries & cares when reader finds himself a little bit unfocused about his life and directions. It is far more effective than most of self-help books I have encountered (my special pet hates are the ones that list examples of Jane or Mary or Stewart doing this or that, those I really can't stand) so in a way its not really a novel as much as new age self-help sub-genre and it seems that Coelho carved himself quite a successful career out of it. Now I am curious about his other work and how far did he managed to say anything new or did he fell into usual trap of successful authors who repeat themselves.

Willie Nelson

Because in the past I have been so busy with different music styles and was exploring everything from classical, jazz, blues and folk to Croatian/Ex Yu "schlager" pop music, often I didn't bother with some really world-famous artists because they didn't fall into a scope of my interests. It could also be that I was tired from radio pop (I worked as a music DJ on the radio long ago) that always focused on selected handful of successful artists - nothing changed here, they still do it - my curiosity usually leads me to something off-centre or less known, call it my own musical adventures. I still have mixed feelings about the whole question of talent versus publicity - some people have well deserved world success because they are really great in their field, but often I am aware of far more interesting talent sparkling somewhere in the third row (and don't even let me start talking about backing vocalists or all those anonymous musicians). For the sake of my own music education and to make sure I am not forever stuck with obscure  artists, I had been listening and reviewing here discography of well-known people like Sam Cooke, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton (I also had serious intention to plow trough Roy Orbison but that might come later) and now I will have a look at someone who kind of intrigued me for a long time. He is often played on the radio and surely well-known singer-songwriter, very much beloved around the world but when it come down to it we all know only handful of his music and the biggest hits are just a tip of iceberg, so I decided to dive in his discography. In chronological order, just to check him out.

"And Then I Wrote" (1962)

You listen this first solo LP debut by now world famous singer/songwriter and wonder why on earth he had such a hard time to crack Nashville music market. After all, his songs are almost without exception far better, heartfelt and sensitive than majority of what was being sold in huge quantities back than. You hear something like "Funny how time slips away" and it stops you dead in tracks, the message is so universally deep and profound that it transcends genres and time - it sounds fresh and urgent even now, half a century after its release. Sure, Willie Nelson never had a classic, beautiful voice like some of the people who can make you swoon by the sheer glow of their sound but right from the start his soulful, baritone was instantly recognisable and particularly his own trademark, something that I always cherish far above anything else in musician. I just love people who have their own voice and don't follow anybody else. It could be that it took some time for audiences to warm up to his voice but songs themselves were absolutely first-class (as hit versions by other singers proved) and best of all, composer himself sounds pretty darn brilliant in his own individual way. The way he creates magic just by gently sliding trough phrase "good night" is pure genius. This was Nashville circa 1962 so naturally arrangements and cellophane reflect the times, its all old fashioned and timeless at the same time, how else to describe one of the best songbooks in country music? "Crazy", "Hello Walls" and "Mr. Record Man" are also here.

"Here's Willie Nelson" (1963)

Not really bad but definitely less interesting sequel to Nelson's excellent debut, mostly because material is not really as near as strong. For the start, there are many fillers written by other people and no matter how convincing Willie Nelson is (and he is darn convincing) it all sounds very much like typical Nashville cliché of the times, strings, cooing backing vocals and all - if you have heard any of early 1960s country albums, this is just one of the many similar products. Disappointed, heartbroken man crying in his beer because the girl has left him half of the man he used to be. The lack of variety (most of the songs are weeping ballads) and outstanding highlights makes this just another exercise in genre, kind of strictly following the Nashville rules of the day. 

"Country Willie His Own Songs" (1965)

One of the highlights of Willie Nelson's early career and its almost as great as his debut, no wonder because it focuses on his own material (three songs are repeated from the first LP) so its kind of update of his songwriting work. Nelson sings like a dream - you either love his talk/sing or you don't and I do enjoy it very much, in fact I find much more emotions in his "less is more" approach than in other people's vocal acrobatics. Sure, production and arrangements place this music squarely in its time (Nashville, early 1960s) but strong material makes it country classic. Wonderful, bluesy "Night Life" is worth purchase already but there are some really good songs here, including one by young and unknown guy called Kris Kristofferson. And I could listen "Funny How Time Slips Away" again and again without ever complaining that it has been recorded before.This album is almost like "Greatest Hits" from this period.

"Country Favorites Willie Nelson Style" (1966)

Chugging, fast-moving "Columbus Stockade Blues" opens the album where Nelson pays tribute to some of his own favorites by other people. Since at this point he was known more as a songwriter, it does make a interesting point that he was actually very interesting, individual singer and excellent interpreter of other composer's music as well (but this recognition would come belatedly with "Stardust" when the whole world would be caught be surprise how effectively he can put his own spin on familiar material). Ballads are all fine but its Bluegrass that shines the best, just listen the fierce fiddle on "My Window Faces The South" and unexpected jazzy phrasing Nelson uses towards the end of the song. Its so unpredictable, original and off-the-wall that you can't help but wishing Django Reinhardt could pop his head in the studio. To my knowledge this is first time that Nelson recorded song by his idol, wonderful Lefty Frizzell who would eventually receive full-length tribute LP treatment in the future.

"The Party's Over and Other Great Willie Nelson Songs" (1967)

The title song is fine but the rest of the album is just anonymous selection of half-baked country clichés. Listening to Willie Nelson's discography you do get the impression that he follows a great record with something uninspired. Or perhaps late 1960 were simply not good years for him. Its not only music that hardly ever picks up but also his singing shows the signs of weariness and lack of energy, everything sounds exactly the same and you won't find here any of his trademark jazzy gliding or those effective off-centre little ornamentations. I guess this would be for completists and hardcore fans only.

"Good Times" (1969)

This sounds very much like stripped-down albums by Lee Hazlewood and since I always loved Hazlewood, this is a good news.

It means gone are Nashville strings and cooing backing vocals, focus is on acoustic, almost meditative, autumnal melodies where Willie Nelson gently ponders love, life, happiness and sorrows. Nothing here screams chart topping hit and it must have been nightmare for recording company who wanted to sell this, on the other hand music actually stands the test of time quite nicely and for once it doesn't sound dated at all but actually timeless. It really feels like he is in the room with you and softly hums just for you. "Sweet Memories" is haunting and so its the rest of the album, unfortunately the B side goes step back to that same old, tired Nashville overproduced sound drown in syrupy strings and all. If only he kept his focus completely on acoustic guitar-and-voice sound, it could have been just perfect.

Note: Three Years later he would come back to this sound and even re-record "December Day" again on his very first masterpiece LP.

"Both Sides Now" (1970)

As a Nashville veteran facing Woodstock, singer-songwriter avalanche and complete change of life everywhere in society around him, Willie Nelson must have felt certain mid-life crisis at this point. He was nearing 40, faced divorce, debts, his ranch burned down and hits have dried up at that point. This album reflects this need for a change - it goes very cautiously and unsurely into different directions but still holds on to the past in a psychological if not exactly musical way. Here he leaves overproduced Nashville sound behind him and focuses more on simple arrangements (opening "Crazy Arms" won't make you forget Patsy Cline but its surprisingly great in Willie Nelson way), there are a couple of uplifting, good-time songs ("I Gotta Get Drunk") that are defiant in the light of reality and there are few nods to new singer-songwriters (Kris Kristofferson, Joni Mitchell, Fred Neil) that show that Nelson was aware of what was going on around him and was not afraid to adopt their music to his own peculiar style. There is enough twang and country here for hardcore fans but it is the first time that Willie Nelson so openly flirted with pop music outside of his genre. What I miss here are those so beloved trademark gliding notes and imaginative re-inpretations, most of the songs here are recorded very straight with perhaps one exception "Everybody's talkin'" that shines and glows in the dark.

"Yesterday's Wine" (1971)

Vaguely conceptual album that circles around some religious theme, but its more spiritual than preachy and the whole atmosphere is actually perfection of what Willie Nelson already attempted few years ago on "Good Times" album, meaning moody, acoustic musings about life, death, love and state of the world. Call it country version of "What's going On". While plowing trough Nelson's discography it always bothered me that he had to survive overproduced Nashville sound of 1960s and here he finally leaves it completely behind, using the simplest of backing and clean, spare arrangements that never overshadow the music or the lyrics. Listener is aware of the backing musicians but focus is first and foremost on the voice and lyrics. Already recorded "December Day" is absolutely lovely, sweet, tender and meditative little number and it might be one of my all-time favorite Willie Nelson songs. I have no problems whatsoever with religious overtones of the lyrics since they are quite universal and listener can take them or leave them, according to his own point of view. Themes covered here are after all the essence of human lives and we all understand them.

From everything I have heard so far, this is first complete Willie Nelson masterpiece even if it didn't set the charts on fire. 

"The Words Don't Fit the Picture" (1972)

Well, that's one eye catching album cover for sure - looks like something straight from "Monthy Python" and it shows different, humorous side to wonderful Willie Nelson but make no mistake, there's nothing funny about this album. Where previously on "Yesterday's Wine"he tackled some really deep issues of religion and humanity, here he goes back to his usual territory of heart-broken ballads, loneliness and reflection. At first listening it sounds pretty safe and generic but give it few spins and slowly songs start to creep under your skin - for one thing, backing musicians are really strong (just listen to guitar on "Good Hearted Woman") and as "Stay Away From Lonely Places" proves, when he is inspired, Nelson is pretty unbeatable as songwriter. The most interesting song here is late night, after-hour "Rainy Day Blues" that would not be out of place in Charles Brown repertoire and is absolutely refreshing to hear Nelson stepping out of the box and bringing his twang to what is pure 1940s blues.

"The Willie Way" (1972)

Opening "You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago" is pure, classic Willie Nelson and I dare you not to stop and listen, it has such a strong story and message that it must have caught quite a few listeners by surprise. Unfortunately the rest of the album is pretty mediocre, even with help of such people like Kris Kristofferson whose "Help Me Make It Through the Night" is impossible to resist. New, uptempo version of old chestnut "Undo The Right" is interesting as comparison to original recording from a decade ago, though it does not really bring anything new. "Home Is Where You're Happy" is basically his countrified variation on famous Burt Bacharach song "A House is not a Home". Even mediocre Willie Nelson album still stands tall above competition but I can't help but think that instead of releasing two so-so albums, he would have been better off with one strong collection.

"Shotgun Willie" (1973)

In steps no other than Atlantic records own Jerry Wexler who had in the past brought both Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles (and countless others) to the dizzying highlights of their creativity and he steers Willie Nelson in completely different direction that feels so natural and right that it makes you wonder why nobody thought about it before: everything we always knew and loved about Nelson is still here, but now he is surrounded with completely different, loose and funky colours that gives his music completely new life. Here finally not just some Nashville songwriter crying in his beer but true ballsy cowboy, defiant and down to earth. Everybody by now have their own favourites but for me its one-two punch of opening numbers that definitely lifts it up to absolute top of Nelson's discography. Just a year ago he was still moping around and here he swaggers in "Whiskey River" I mean, this is a true rebirth from ashes. 

"Phases and Stages" (1974)

Concept album (there must have been something in the air back than, because lots of people did concept albums) that sounds strange on the paper but it works surprisingly well as a music novel - and what else to expect from country music top class songwriter? As psychologist Willie Nelson shows surprising compassion for "wife" in her part of the story but he is even better as no-good "husband" in the second half of the album, or its just a coincidence that guy's songs resonate stronger - he has no problems with using song from his back catalogue (sizzling "Bloody Mary Morning") and the rest of the music just feels as a perfect fit for the story. Even though most of the songs have acoustic feel, its when backing musicians pick up the speed that everything start to really rock.

"Red Headed Stranger" (1975)

Willie Nelson was 42 when he created the masterpiece of his life and even now, some four decades after its original release this album is a stunning as it once was - other people have already noted that once this music gets under your skin, it becomes obsessive listening. Its not just about concept (there is a story here), or the music itself (Nelson's own material mixed up with off-the-wall oldies that perfectly fit the story) but the whole deliberate simplicity of the stripped down instrumentation that completely hypnotises listener and sucks him in Nelson's world. What people at Columbia records initially didn't get, because they were used to big, polished productions is what a strong effect can be made by avoiding usual traps and creating something new and original by going back to music as a source of storytelling - there are no highlights here (oh well, "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain" is darn unforgettable) but final result is the album you listen from the start to the end with greatest pleasure. This is something that would live long after we all say goodbye to this world. Just a perfection, instrumentals and all.

"Game of Thrones" : Season 5

Previously I have rhapsodised around here about my current all-time favourite TV show and what a compulsive viewing that was. Not only that, but I got a lots of my colleagues hooked on it and we spent quite a few sleepless nights watching season after season, discussing it in the morning with red shot eyes. I still think its probably the best TV serial I have seen so far in my life, but let's be honest, season 5 dragged in the beginning and I had strange feeling that it became routine. Initially I was little confused because I really loved it until now - could it be that I overdosed on it, I asked myself? Characters were all here, scenery was the same but somehow I felt that spark was missing. "Just you wait" my colleagues told me "something really big is going to happen" but it took quite a few episodes until I really got into it, in fact it wasn't until episode 8 (I think) and a final arrival of "white walkers" that I felt the same old excitement. It was truly epic and I don't ever recall seeing this kind of big budget apocalyptic clash on TV screens (usually this was something reserved for blockbuster movies).

Now I have seen the last episode - "Mother's mercy" - which was the darkest, bleakest, the most brutal episode until now. 

It really was just death, blood and punishment left and right. And not only bad guys who you would expect to get punishment but some of the main characters. Which somehow make me think about George R.R.Martin being more than just little bit sadistic, I mean, guy created all these characters and now he drags them (literary) trough the mud, blood and shit. I couldn't help but recognising the parallel between cruel people in gladiator arena who are thrilled with fighters brutally killing each other for their entertainment and TV viewers who are watching this. And how about "walk of shame" (gloriously filmed in Dubrovnik) where previously proud and arrogant queen Cersei is forced to walk naked trough the crowd that throws insults and shit at her - actress Lena Headey (who apparently had body double) was magnificent and it was stroke of genius to show everything from her perspective, resulting in unexpected sympathy we feel for the character previously universally hated and feared. She starts her walk determined and brave but eventually breaks down and cries and my God, we feel sorry for her. Her sweet, gentle daughter dies poisoned, Sansa and Reek narrowly escape sure death and more torture, Stanis Baratheon is defeated and probably killed, his little daughter pointlessly sacrificed and her mother hanged herself, worse of all, final episode has one of the main and most beloved characters probably killed (a scene that caused unprecedented uproar all over the world and has upset half a planet). So it was really a lot of torture and suffering which made me wonder why on earth are we watching this because it surely isn't uplifting or happy experience, in fact you just feel disgusted and upset afterwards. 

Now we came to very interesting point where there are no more books so people who read them can't feel so darn special and smirking at the rest of us who don't know next chapter. Now nobody knows next chapter. How will TV show continue without actual next two novels being written at all is anybody's guess. Would producers simply make up their own story or would George R.R.Martin give them some kind of rough script? We just have to wait until 2016 and see than how things turn out. I think that there is no sense in killing off so many of the main characters because they kept the story going + there are quite a few people who somehow got lost along the way (whatever happened to little Bran, Gendry or Benjen Stark?) so I guess we might see them unexpectedly again. 

"A Game of Thrones" by George R.R.Martin

Dear reader, I read it - finally.

Why on earth have I not read this in 1996. when it was originally published? Difficult to say, who knows where my head was 19 years ago. Looking back, yes I do see my 27 year old self enjoying London, its museums, galleries, bookshops, nightlife, excitement of big city and just roaming the streets, but strangely I don't remember this novel at all. Add to it my suspicion towards the whole Fantasy genre that lined sequels and prequels way above my comprehension but on the other hand I was reading because I remember following annual lists of best-of novels and what critics considered worth recommending, this is how I discovered "Alias Grace" by Margaret Attwood and "Every Man for Himself" by Beryl Bainbridge. And tons of celebrity biographies, of course. 

It took 19 years and the whole phenomenon of now-world famous TV serial that I decided to face the first of the planned seven novels in the saga titled "A Song of Ice and Fire". So how is the novel compared to the TV serial? Honestly, I feel a little bit sorry that I had not read the novel first because it would give me freedom to create my own vision of characters and places as books mostly do - I would imagine these people, lands and clothes in my own head instead having them now firmly established in the way actors portray them on the screen. I simply can't really enjoy any of it now when I have already seen it on TV and it kind of makes the whole reading experience a bit pointless, specially as I already know what will happen in the next chapter and in the next several books. Yes, the novel gives you far more space and details (George R.R.Martin knows how to write, he is skilled and clearly enjoys creating his own universe) but you enjoy it only up to the point, reading it now after the TV serial feels more like exercise, more like self-given task than real pleasure in reading. TV serial follows the novel pretty close, even going so far that roams trough different lands from point of view of various characters just as novel does. Maybe I enjoyed TV serial more because most of this was condensed - very skillfully - so we didn't bother with supporting characters the way novel burst with them. On the other hand, novel gives you insight about the way characters feel and what they think, which is something TV simply can't do. In any case, I just finished first of the books in the saga and for various reasons it took me much longer than I usually read (for one thing, I was way too busy with other things than to relax and read) but now when I finally started to enjoy my vacation, reading continued - I am not sure that I really want to continue with other four books (published so far) because I have seen every TV episode and already know what will happen. I would probably read them if I was stranded on deserted island with nothing else to do, but in the meantime its time to turn my attention to something completely different.

"Biće sve u redu" by Maja Odžaklijevska (1982)

Talented singer and beautiful woman, Maja Odžaklijevska unfortunately never got her really big break into first major league of pop stars - and it wasn't for the lack of trying. She was constantly present on various local pop festivals all over Ex Yu, toured internationally and even performed in theatre (excellent as "Koštana") but it seems that her strong, impressive alto voice really needed strong composer who would knowingly create tailored repertoire. Give her a strong song and she was brilliant - sadly, for the most of her career she was dragged down with uninspired mainstream pop that constantly veered towards bland radio fodder and that voice was mostly wasted.

Take this LP album, one of two she ever had released. 

It starts very energetic, kind of disco-rock and before you know, the record suddenly ends in safe, ballad territory that placed her as neither completely rock, neither pop singer. Since the material came from mostly same team of successful composers/lyrics writers (A.Ilić/S.Marković/M.Tucaković) it is very unusual that these people couldn't find anything more original instead of this music. When inspired, Odžaklijevska can really thunder with that great voice but here she mostly croons and sounds subdued. I can't help but to wish she had better luck with composers - unfortunately in this she was not alone, from the top of my head I can think of another great singer (Radojka Šverko, for example) who got stuck on pop festivals without ever creating strong music identity.

"Pod sjajem zvezda" by Vokalni kvartet Predraga Ivanovića

This is surprisingly brilliant vocal jazz album - compilation tribute - of famous Serbian vocal quartet found usually singing backing vocals behind biggest pop stars of 1960s. I noticed that these backing vocals were often overshadowing the main stars and was curious who were these people - to my biggest surprise, it turned out they were actually wonderful, absolutely in class with the  "Four freshmen","Hi Lo's" and "Les Double Six" or any of the international vocal jazz quartets. 

I had no previous knowledge of vocal jazz in Serbia - surely, influences from the west were often felt in popular music all over Ex Yu but it was kind of second-hand experience, we would follow what Italians did on San Remo and then later serve our versions to Russian market that was closed to original performers. During 1960s East Europe was a planet in itself. However, these guys and girls really did create beautiful music even if they were inspired by American songbooks - what they did here with "Witchcraft" or "Yesterdays" was pure magic, sophisticated and elegant, stunning harmonies, arrangements... everything works so well that it makes you wonder why they were not treated with respect and huge discography instead of occasional cameo as backing vocalists on other people's recordings. As it happened, this long out of print LP compilation is all that is left from this wonderful vocal quartet, apparently they were not mainstream enough to appeal to mass audiences brainwashed with Mexican and Greek folk music, neither they find their place on than-popular pop festivals. Stranded somewhere in between, they had no real place to shine and this long-forgotten LP now stands as a reminder that Belgrade once had artists of world caliber. 

Music for the soul - Rachmaninoff "Vocalise" by Anna Moffo

First TV sets from 1930s

Not long ago I have seen something very unusual in Berlin's museum, there was a quite large box exhibited - something I have never seen before - which turned out to be one of the very first TV sets from 1930s, it was huge box that opened on the top and it looked very much like some massive ancient gramophone player but instead of music playing it was actually TV screen lying flat and electronic picture reflected in a mirror above. I don't understand mechanics exactly, why real picture was flat (maybe because the whole machinery was massive and hidden in a box bellow?) and why people needed to watch it as reflection in a mirror above, in any case it was very very strange machine and I was absolutely fascinated.

So I had mentioned it to my friends and nobody has ever heard of such ancient TV set - we all remember our old TV sets from 1960s on four legs - and searched on Internet to check the pictures, was it just my imagination or have I really seen something like this. Sure enough, I found several photos of these ancient TV sets where pictures were viewed in a mirror above, I am still not sure how popular these machines were because they must have been very expensive and not available for mass audience, from what I know the main mass entertainment during first half of 20th century was radio and only after WW2 it was very slowly replaced by TV. However, apparently TV sets were already made during 1930s and here are some of them.

Vacation

... and finally the day arrived - honestly I don't know was it really such a difficult contract or am I simply getting too old, but this time it was extremely tiresome and exhausting in every possible way. I really need a proper, good rest before I continue with work. 

Unfortunately some of my seriously determined plans won't go trough this time so this is a bummer - whatever I expected from re-location won't happen as I imagined and this is really disappointing. After I mulled it over for a few days and went trough serious soul-searching, I decided to continue with my chin up. What else. 

But first I need a really proper, good rest before I make any decision what next.

"Tales of Dunk and Egg" by George R.R.Martin

I know George R.R.Martin as a creator of "Game of Thrones" naturally, although so far I have actually not attempted to read the novels because I was so much enjoying TV serial. But I will eventually get there. However, he was one the authors represented in "Legends: Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy" collection, which I just finished and I must admit that along Stephen King, he by far towered above everybody else in the book. I did liked the other authors more or less, but George R.R.Martin was a real deal - his story "The Hedge Knight" was a top class and I felt completely lost in this  quasi-medieval world of lords and peasants, squires and knight competitions. The main character is extremely likable Dunk who is basically outsider from the very bottom of society but is strong, young and brave enough to search for some recognition in this world of knights, perhaps good position in some aristocratic castle under protection of influential lord. But first he needs to prove himself in knights tournaments and there is a whole saga about his arrival in town and how destiny throws him around from one trouble to another, while along the way he even gets himself a squire who turns out to be much more than just a sulky boy - when the dust settles, it is the relationship between Dunk and Egg that I enjoyed more than anything else, I truly loved both of them and when I finished the collection, I looked immediately for "Legends II" where another tale of these two was published.

This is actually something outside of "Game of Thrones" - same world, same universe but is happening some hundred years before - "The Sworn Sword" continues the story exactly at the spot where we left the guys last time around and it felt just perfectly to find them together again. This time Dunk gets involved with fight between two feudal powers and has to protect elderly Ser Eustace Osgrey from far more powerful Red Widow who turns out to be completely different from what we expect. There is a lot of sword fighting, lots of talk about ancient wars and even some interesting ideas about what makes a winners and traitors (basically just a wrong choice of the side) but the best of all is again the interaction between brave Dunk and his young helper Egg, how they love each other in their own way and yes, I gulped it all in one sitting with the greatest pleasure (I even skipped some pages because I was so engrossed in the story). I could just read about these two forever. When I finished, I thought how this could easily have been a western - with different clothing and scenery, one can easily imagine them somewhere in Colorado - basically it is a good guy fighting bad ones. As it happens right now Fantasy is very popular genre but some 50 years ago this would have been fantastically successful Western. 

There is a third story floating somewhere around and I am dead serious about finding and reading that one as well.

Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral

Since I am waking up in different city, no wonder occasionally I mix them all and have no idea am I in Trondheim or Tromsø.

Well, now I know.

Trondheim is the one with the church. Previously I have seen it only from the ship, it was pouring rain and not very inviting so I decided not to bother, but this time around it was bright and sunny day and I was curious what is this place I have no memories of visiting before. So bravely and full of adventure spirit, I took a walk where no man has gone before, alone - without colleagues or any acquaintances, which turned out excellent idea as I was free like a bird and without obligations to entertain anyone, just me with my I-pod. Than I turned it off, because I wanted to enjoy birds singing and the sounds of the sunny day around me. In all honesty, city is nothing much to talk about - clean, orderly and therefore slightly boring - I almost miss the chaos and dirt of Naples because every brick in this place shines unrealistically and there is a strange museum-like atmosphere of the whole place, it does not feel real somehow, maybe because there were not many people around except tourists.

BUT there is a very famous cathedral here - not just Europe's but world's northernmost cathedral - centre of medieval pilgrimages and built on a grave of Norwegian King/Saint Olav, so naturally it was something to check out as I love historical buildings and church was clearly visible over the rooftops. I enjoyed relaxing walk to there, somehow found my way to the impressive cathedral - Gothic, spiky and full of sculptures of saints, just as churches are all over the world. So far, so good. I walked little bit around the area, noticed that this cathedral is actually in a very good shape (later found out it had been extensively reconstructed, rebuilt and refurnished trough last two centuries) and than, in the spur of the moment decided to pay the ticket and have a look inside. This one is not just any church but also a tourist attraction and since something constantly needs to be rebuild - roof here, stained glass window there - visitors pay the ticket. Fine. 

I entered and immediately gasped in amazement. This is he most beautiful, the most perfect church I have ever seen - very simple (protestant, I think, this is north after all), very dark and theatrical, it is huge inside and feels Gothic, very "Game of Thrones", very medieval, like a temple, light coming from candles and from stained glass windows. Just beautiful and very, very impressive. I am constantly thrilled with protestant churches and equally unimpressed with what I see in the catholic world of Italy, Spain and at home - those leave me cold, while these northern temples are real and appeal to me far more. This feels like a God's temple. Its simply my own personal impression. I was perfectly happy here - not feeling like a small mouse in awe of big God who is going to punish me and squeeze with his thumb any moment (as you feel in Vatican, for example) but excited for being in such enchanting place full of history and shadows. My head buzzing from fantasy working overtime and everything looking like some huge theatre stage (am I medieval lord or the wizard or perhaps priestess of Avalon?) I peeked in every corner, gawked at few rare portraits and decorations (if there were any, there were historical and purposely placed there as memorial) and later hid behind the altar to take this crappy photo, because photography is forbidden. 

Why would photography be forbidden I have no idea, because my camera would definitely not damage 11th century stone cathedral, except that perhaps locals are sick and tired of tourists clicking and this is a very special place, after all. So I respect and agree with this, but clicked my camera nevertheless, hiding behind some wall and voilà there was ancient St.Olav's Well right behind me. The whole place was just magnificent.

After I roamed enough everywhere and discovered what it feels like a dozen little chapels inside, I found myself in front of the main altar where I had my usual little meditative moment & conversation with God but surprisingly, this time I had not asked for anything. This time I was just perfectly happy and content with myself and life around me, glad that I am who I am at this particular moment of my life, grateful for such a beautiful day, grateful for standing here and for seeing all of this. So I thanked for all of this and than had a coffee on a sunny terrace right in front of church, feeling relaxed, fulfilled and happy for once.