el rinconcito

Reedplayernc doing some ocarina practice (sight reading) before going out to celebrate the New Year. He is playing an old French Christmas carol called "Bring a Torch."

I thoroughly enjoy Last.fm. If you share some listening data with them through your music player, and you rate a few songs as "love" or "ban", their computers will build a listening profile for you. It's amazing how pleasing the service can be and how good they are at it. No matter how well they have your listening tastes predicted, new or unusual stuff is presented from time to time. I like that, as you don't want to always listen to things always within your preference.

I find Last.fm very recommendable. Jamendo is another good one. I'm sure there are others. These are just two of my faves.

Here's this morning's pretty good LastFM predictions filling the room with some listening pleasure:

One of my favorite songs this time of year is Silent Night. In this area I frequently hear it in English, German, and Spanish. It works well in all three, and you don't have to have the vocal range of an opera singer to have fun with it. Gospel/Soul versions of it are particularly moving. I seem to recall Aretha Franklin doing a particularly nice job of it.

How about French? Does it sound good in French? I like French usually. Any others?

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute heilige Paar.
Holder Knab im lockigten Haar,
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!

Noche de paz, noche de amor,
Todo duerme en derredor.
Entre sus astros que esparcen su luz
Bella anunciando al niñito Jesús
Brilla la estrella de paz
Brilla la estrella de paz.