Wishing everyone around the world a beautiful day – at very least, with kindness of family, friends, a special meal, beauty of environment, the gift of life being a treasured day. For those who do not have such blessings, may the Divine protect you from harm, and bring you a gentle peace to keep your smile bright.
Look after your loved ones, health, heart and environment – to be nurtured with great care.
A very tough year for so many – myself included. However, singing has very fortunately brought me a form of emotional stability (despite four house-moves this year, university challenges, daily travel, teaching part-time and assisting behind-the-scenes of the community – all this, plus singing!) – music has been my Saviour to an insanely challenging time; and to this end, I have been blessed to work with some of the most wonderfully kind, and brilliantly talented musicians on the planet via the Smule App. Each song was crafted with so much love and passion – singing for any serious artist is a lifelong practice in pitch, timing, song choices, beauty, empathy, rhythmic challenges and sheer perseverance.
I am deeply grateful for my family, friends and musical collegues (whether in the flesh or cyber, local or international); for without, I would not have survived this very harsh year.
So here are some of the most endearing and beautiful Christmas recordings; and some ‘other’ beautiful songs to entertain and uplift you – I sincerely hope you enjoy them – please ‘like’ and ‘share’ this post far and wide – music is the glue that connects and unites humanity – the Universal language!!
SI TIENES FE
(When You Believe)
HALLELUJAH
O HOLY NIGHT
LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
Lets just say, my dearest friends and cherished (close and extended) family have been my saviour; with studies and Smule singing keeping me stable and sane during the most crazy ‘annus horrobillus’. To all who know me and have assisted, my gratitude is unchecked, as without your love and support, this year would have done me over in a few different ways if not for the kindness and practical support I have received – not so much from ‘many’ people, but the right few, who have genuinely cared.
I have spent my time studying with some of Australia’s most seasoned film and tv professionals, and I am so so grateful for the opportunity to ingest their practical knowledge. Now, I must put all I have been blessed to learn, into practice.
Singing also, has been the nectar and sweetness to an otherwise hugely difficult year – thank goodness, for musicians, whose love, care and sheer talents, inspire me always, to stretch for the stars – too many people to thank one by one – as I am just so grateful for having sung with them, to save my own sanity.
I will just end this post with a few of my favourite solo and duet songs, as ever, with the intention to brighten your day – wherever you are in the world.
I am actually feeling quite emotional – so sad to soon be leaving Uni, the safe place of inquisitiveness and learning… thank you to all my Mentors: Michael McMahon and Sandy Cameron; Wilson Main who selected my suitability; and the very gracious and lovely Kathy McIntyre – all who were incredibly patient with my incessant questions… the many guest lecturers from all over Australia and the world (Zoom calls are amazing); and of course, my academic peers – all the talented and vibrant younger students who gave me so many insights into their own worlds. May we all find our feet, and, be blessed into the future.
Sarai Qui
La Califfa
Someone To Remember Me
“Bailero” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/p/333880048_3788224967
Its been quite some time since I wrote a post – so much has happened in the past many months. The Australian bushfires that took the lives of many people, more than 1500 homes and a guess-timate of a staggering 1.25 billion native animals, and displaced 1000’s of people and their businesses and whole towns turned to ashes. And if that wasn’t enough suffering, we then suffered (with the rest of the world) a full lockdown with CoVid-19, millions losing their livelihoods, dreams dashed, innovation and community spirit rallying, all this amongst additional awareness raising of ‘Black Lives Matter‘ rallies that ironically then caused further lockdown in the state of Victoria. Its been a huge time for everyone.
I personally had three house moves in five months directly due to these events – life turned upside down for a while; and I lost all ‘traction’ with my video-business-card film business, instead, teaching ESL (English to 2nd language learners) online, and praying daily, for financial respite. Just beginning again, to gain a little movement forward in life again. Phew, tough times!
jayakhoobsurat.com 