Archive for July, 2010
Yasmine Tamara on the Stage in Geneva – Did I hear Annabel Lee?
Yasmine Tamara is one of the greatest voices I discovered that the Montreux Jazz Festival although she never took the stage. I met this pleasant and hospitable woman as I raced off the Miles Davis Hall, before the doors got closed and the show began. Claude Nobs, the Founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival gave explicit instructions to anyone in the front row that they must be present and seated before the concert begins, or bad luck – wait outside til the artist takes a break. CLAUDE’s HOUSE RULES!
When I was introduced to Tamara I think I was on my way to see Simply Red. Although I heard that she was an artist I met her as a woman – a mother, who had been at home tending to her children afflicted with chicken pox all week long. She was naturally beautiful and there was a casual elegance to her that evades much of the Swiss I met on this trip. When she reached out her hand to shake mine and delivered the three polite kisses of the French, you felt substance to her. There was a bonding of kindred sympathies and her warmth and kindness shown through her and reached me.
I put her CD in my briefcase and on return to Sydney played it in my office for the first time. I listened. My staff listened. Each of us choosing a favorite song for one reason or another. In my search to actually see her belt out a song, I came across this video. The editing is such that we do not get to see her complete any of the songs however I relished at getting to watch the beginning of what is my personal favorite song off the Auguries of Innocence album, Annabel Lee. Annabel Lee is a famous poem written by Edgar Allen Poe of lost love. Legend states that Ms Lee was the last woman Poe is reputed to have loved before his death. She could be a fictional character because Poe was delirious in the days just before his demise in 1849. I love that poetry leaves us with mysteries and a story of great love and separation. You will recognize the first stanza as the last few seconds of what Yasmine Tamara delivers video.
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;
But we loved with a love that was more than love-
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.
Tell me your first reactions on Annabel Lee.
Got a favorite poem or new artist? Share it with me and leave me a comment, please.
Bling Bling – If it is good enough for Jennifer Hawkins…
I can proudly and fully disclaim that I know a few talented women. Women who have chops. Style. Flair. The gals Song Chun Dug and Geraldine Dielenberg are two of my beautiful friends and the dynamic duo behind the rockstar brand Bijoux Bemille. Bijoux Bemille is a bijoux jewelery range that touts some of the best designers in the world of couture. These ladies have impeccable taste and their range reflects an understanding the needs of modern feminists to look and feel fabulous. From my friends I occasionally get the down low. This one is a secret…a SECRET Gallery. A lair of all things elegant.
Every fabulous girl needs an occasional pick me up. In the aftermath of a global financial crisi swanning into Louis Vuitton after a long lunch for trinket-laden handbag or new pair of monogrammed platforms is considered self indulgent. Grossly decadent. Down right delicious.
At present we are meant to be on economic diets. Affordable elegance is the new black and Bijoux Bemille a nouveau Chanel. It is French couture and for two days you can afford to appear reasonable. (There is a quiet little pop up store happening and prices are discounted 40% off retail.) Splurge on the beautiful metallic ring inspired mesh chain mail necklace, Aris Geldis, or on the whimsical and feminine bow of the Rock Cristal Rubis. (I wouldn’t turn down either, truthfully).
Bijoux Bemille are going the uber popular route of a Pop Up Sale on August 2 – 3rd at the Crystal Bar. If you are not familiar with the GPO, follow the trail of suits to the Westin Hotel and take the escalator downstairs. Ask a waiter, discreetly, because if the necklaces are good enough for J-Ho (Jennifer Hawkins), they are good enough for me.