Clive Powell │ Children Of The Damned

 Clive Powell

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the 1963 classic film "Children Of The Damned".  This movie is actually the sequel to the "Village Of The Damned" that was released in 1960.  Both of these films were loosely based on the novel "The Midwich Cuckoos", written by British author John Wyndham.  Clive Powell plays the part of Paul Looran, the leader of the children.  I have to say that "Children Of The Damned" is one of the most frightening and intense movies that I have ever seen.  Much of this is due to Clive's enigmatic and extremely otherworldly persona.  Needless to say, this is Clive's movie.  It is interesting to note that the children in the movie are clearly implied to be Christ-like advanced human beings, complete with virgin births, and the raising of the dead.  Unfortunately though, the children are destroyed because society is not able to accept them due to ignorant paranoia.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

ירושלים (Jerusalem) │ Shira Chadasha Boys Choir

In this very special edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the Shira Chadasha Boys Choir, from Israel.  When I heard them sing " ירושלים (Jerusalem)" for the first time, I wept for hours afterwards.  The text is taken from Psalm 125, and the words are haunting and beautiful.  Here are the lyrics:

 ירושלים (Jerusalem)

Haboitchim b’hashem kehar tzion,
lo yimot le’olam yeshev.
Yerusalayim harim saviv lah
ve’hashem saviv le’amo

Those who have faith in G-D are like Mount Zion
which never sways but remains forever.
Yerusalayim, her mountains surround her
so to, G-D surrounds his people.

Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

João Pedro │ The Lost Fadista

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the incredibly talented João Pedro, who is also known as the "forgotten fadista".   As some of you may know, I am an aficionado of Fado music, and I am also very fond of João Pedro's voice, and his superb singing style.  João Pedro was the winner of the prestigious 1996 "Bravo, Bravissimo!", music competition that is held annually in Italy.  His career started out with a bang, and shortly afterwards, he just vanished without a trace from the terra de Portugal.  How, may I ask, can someone just disappear off the face of the earth at the peak of his career?  I have done a massive search on the internet looking for information about about João Pedro, but did not have any meaningful success.  The mystery of João's absence continues unabated, and lingers on as an enigma.  Lucky for us though, that some of his music has been preserved on YouTube.  In the video below his sings the beautiful "Lenda da Fonte (The Legend's Source)", that was composed by Domingos Silva.  By-the-way, João Pedro was the first young fadista to ever do a cover of this song.  I find it truly remarkable that one who is so young, can sing with such maturity and passion.  Take notice of the intense right-hand gestures, and finger motions that João makes when he sings "Lenda da Fonte".  It's really quite interesting and evocative.  João sings with his whole body and soul.  Please click on this link to listen to João Pedro sing the incredibly haunting "Dorme Criança (A Child Sleeps)": Dorme Criança Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Lenda da Fonte

Maria do monte, nascida e criada
Na encruzilhada que fica defronte para a fonte sagrada
A lenda é antiga, mas há quem a conte
Que descia o monte uma rapariga
P'ra beber na fonte

E aquela hora por ela marcada de noite ou de dia
O Chico da Nora na encruzilhada esperava a Maria
Seguiam depois, bem juntos os dois, ao longo da estrada
Matar de desejos, a sede com beijos
Na fonte sagrada

Mas um certo dia, como era esperada
Na encruzilhada não veio a Maria à hora marcada
Seus olhos divinos p'ra sempre fechou
Aldeia rezou, tocaram os sinos
E a fonte secou

E aquela hora por ela marcada de noite ou de dia
O Chico da Nora na encruzilhada esperava a Maria
Mas oh santo Deus, escureceram- se os céus, finou- se a beldade
E diz- se no monte que a velhinha fonte
Secou de saudade

Mas oh santo Deus, escureceram- se os céus, finou- se a beldade
E diz- se no monte que a velhinha fonte
Secou de saudade

Les Misérables │ Daniel Huttlestone

Daniel Huttlestone as Gavroche

"Les Misérables" is the greatest musical, or operetta if you will, ever written, and the new movie version of it will probably go down in cinema history as one of the best films ever made.  The lyrics and music were composed by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg.  It was based on the 1862 French novel "Les Misérables" written by Victor Hugo.  Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) and Russel Crowe (Javert) are magnificent, but the real scene-stealer, is Daniel Huttlestone who plays the streetwise Gavroche.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be. 

Mary, Did You Know? │ Johnny Hammer

 

 

My Dear Aunt Martha and I spent the whole afternoon surfing the internet trying to find something new, and different to share on Angel Watchers.  Well, Aunt Martha finally suggested that I search for some Techno Praise music.  You see, Aunt Martha, having been a professional opera singer all of her life, still keeps tabs on all of the latest musical trends, which is something that I am really loathe to do.  I had never heard of Techno Praise but I do trust Aunt Martha's judgment.  I typed in the search term, and dozens of hits popped up.  It did not take long to find this Techno Praise version of Mark Lowry's wonderful Christmas gem "Mary, Did You Know?".  It is sung by a fresh new singer by the name of Johnny Hammer, and he is sensational.  The power, honesty, innocence, and freshness of Johnny's performance brought tears to both Aunt Martha's, and my eyes.  Johnny also has an amazing angelic presence that makes him so much fun to watch.  I predict that this version of "Mary, Did You Know?" will turn out to be a perennial Christmas favorite.  By the way, the group that Johnny belongs to is called Technopraise.  Please join Aunt Martha and I in watching this amazing video by clicking on the widget below.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Jedi Camp

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring a new mini-series called "Jedi Camp".  It stars Stuart Allan as "Lucas", and Andy Scott Harris as "Andy".  To say that "Jedi Camp" is well made would be an understatement as it is really great.  Click on the video widgets below to watch two exciting episodes of "Jedi Camp".  May the force be with you, to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Historia de un Amor │ Diego et Esteban

 

Esteban

In this special edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the very talented Diego et Esteban.  They are from the Municipality of L'Ile Saint Denis, located in France.  By-the-way, Diego et Esteban are cousins.  Esteban, the younger member of the duo, has a real knack for singing rhumba flamenca.  "Historia de un Amor (A Love Story)", is usually sung as a bolero, but Diego et Esteban give it a refreshing gitano interpretation that is simply amazing.  "Historia de un Amor" has an interesting history though.  It was written by Panamanian songwriter Carlos Eleta Almarán after the death of his brother's wife, and it was first performed on the soundtrack of a 1956 Mexican movie of the same name starring Libertad Lamarque.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Carol Of The Bells │ Libera

A very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

He Will Carry You │ Scott Wesley Brown

Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Amós Lora │ Recherché

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am revisiting Amós Lora, the fantastic flamenco guitarist.  I featured Amós in a previous post that can be found here: Amós Lora - Entre Dos Aguas  Amós continues to impress me with his incredible playing.  I predict that he will eventually become the best flamenco guitar player on this Planet Earth.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Latcho Drom │ Manuel Vargas

 

Manuel Vargas

In this special edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring Tony Gatlif's documentary masterpiece "Latcho Drom (Safe Journey)".  It traces the history of the Roma People, through their music and dance, from Northern India to Spain.  The film has a minimum of dialogue, it's almost all music, which I think is wonderful. I too have Roma blood running in my veins, so it is no wonder that "Latcho Drom" speaks to me at such a visceral level.  I love this movie.  In the  video below the young gitano Manuel Vargas sings a very emotional Flamenco song from the ending of "Latcho Drom".  He is terrific.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

The Tree Of Life │ Hunter McCracken

Hunter McCracken

"Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation ... while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

 (Book of Job)

"The Tree Of Life", a film by Terrence Malick

Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

When You Wish Upon A Star │ Jackie Evancho

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the enigmatic and wonderful Jackie Evancho singing the immortal classic "When You Wish Upon A Star".  This has to be the best cover of "When You Wish Upon A Star" ever recorded.  For those of you who may not know, "When You Wish Upon A Star" is the main theme from the movie "Pinocchio" that was released in 1940.  The song was performed in the movie by Cliff Edwards, who was also-known-as "Ukulele Ike".  He did the voice of Jiminy Cricket.  Jackie Evancho has cool website that can be found at this link: Jackie Evancho - Official Website  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Hale Lytle

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring a return to Hale Lytle and "Henley". Craig Macneill, the very gifted writer/director of "Henley", is working right now on an extended version of the film-short.  I can't wait for it to be released, as "Henley" is so good, it leaves one wanting for more.  Hale Lytle is astonishingly believable as Ted Henley, who sells roadkill to his father John (played very realistically by James Vidos), who owns and runs the rundown, The 60 Henley Motel.  I'm surprised that there isn't more buzz about Hale on the internet, because he is a very talented actor, and has a great future ahead of him in the movie business.  For a very short time, yahoo.com streamed the  complete version of the "Henley" short online.  The movie is eleven minutes and twenty-eight seconds long.  It's unfortunate that "Henley" is no longer available for viewing online, as it is a remarkable film, that has a very haunting and wistful quality to it.  The video below is a cool photo montage that was put together by the producers of "Henley".  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Sanctus │ Libera

In this edition of Angel Watchers, I am presenting a moment of peace from Libera, the extraordinary choir from England.  I felt that with all of the turmoil going on in the world now-a-days, we need a chance to spiritually recharge ourselves, and Libera's "Sanctus" is just the right prescription for that.  "Sanctus" is loosely based on Pachelbel's Canon in D.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Compassion │ JoJoRock

In this edition of Angel Watchers, I am featuring the very talented JoJoRock, who is from Australia.  JoJo is socially conscious, and used the money generated from his cool "O Holy Night" video to sponsor a child in need from the international aid group Compassion  By-the-way JoJo's "O Holy Night" is so compelling, it is appropriate to watch it all year round.  I love it so much, it actually moved me to tears.  Visit his YouTube channel at this link: JoJoRock on YouTube  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Silent Night │ Libera

Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Adair Cardoso │ Brazilian Soul

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the amazing Adair Cardoso.  Listening to Adair makes me long for my "home", that I left so many, many, years ago.  In my life before this one, I was a Brazilian, which is why I have such an affinity for everything about Brazil.  Eu tenho muito saudade do Brasil.  Eu sou Brasileiro do coração.  Adair's voice is incredibly expressive.  He sings from the chest, and heart, so his singing sounds rich, and powerful.  I can't get enough of it.  I love the way that Adair moves about the stage with a cool dancing motion, and shifts the microphone constantly from hand to hand.  Adair's diction is impeccable.  He pronounces each word, and syllable with precision and clarity.  Even with my limited grasp of the Portuguese language, I can understand the song perfectly.  What a stage presence.  I feel so happy that I found him on the internet this evening, and it's such a pleasure to share his music with all of the fans of Angel Watchers.  In the video below Adair sings the beautiful "Andança (Wanderings)", which just so happens to be one of my favorite songs.  It was composed by Edmundo Souto, Danilo Caymmi, and Paulinho Tapajós.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Los Chicos de la Escolanía

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring a very special choral group from Spain called Los Chicos de la Escolanía.  In the video below they sing "The Flower Duet (Sous le dôme épais)", from Léo Delibes' haunting, and mystical opera, "Lakmé".  It has been featured in many movies, and television commercials, and just so happens to be one of my most favorite songs in the whole world.  By-the-way, I am sure that this video will brighten up your day because it is so charming and innocent.  Los Chicos de la Escolanía has a really cool website that can be found at this link:  Los Chicos de la Escolonía - Official Website  They also have a very good YouTube channel at this link:  Los Chicos de la Escolanía - YouTube Channel  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Mariposa Traicionera │ Maná

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am doing something very different.  I have been wanting to feature Maná, the rock group from Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico, and this is just the right time to do it.  Maná is considered to be the best Latin rock band in the world.  In 2002 they released "Mariposa Traicionera (Treacherous Butterfly)" from their "Revolución de Amor (Revolution of Love)" album, and it was a huge international hit.  One might say that this is their signature song.  Well, I just love "Mariposa Traicionera" a lot, and I was so happy when they recorded a live version of it and released it on their "Arde el Cielo (The Sky Burns)" album.  That is the version that is featured in the video below.  Maná supported President Obama in his 2012 reelection bid.  By-the-way,  I often get email from the fans of Angel Watchers who are trying to guess what my ethnicity is.  Most of them think I am either German, Russian, French, or British because the content of this blog is truly international.  Well, let me start off by saying that I am an American, and will always be an American, but I am of Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Roma ancestry.  Portuguese is my second language, but I can puzzle through Spanish as it is so close to Portuguese.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

 Mariposa Traicionera

Eres como una mariposa
vuelas y te posas vas de boca en boca,
fácil y ligera de quien te provoca.
Yo soy ratón de tu ratonera,
trampa que no mata pero no libera,
vivo muriendo prisionero.

Mariposa traicionera,
 todo se lo lleva el viento,
mariposa no regreso,
Ay, mariposa de amor,
mi mariposa de amor.

Ya no regreso contigo.
Ay, mariposa de amor,
mi mariposa de amor.

Nunca jamás junto a ti,
vuela amor, vuela dolor
y no regreses a un lado
ya vete de flor en flor,
seduciendo a los pistilos
y verla cerca del sol,
pa´que sientas lo que es dolor.

Ay, mujer cómo haces daño,
pasanlos minutos cual si fueran años,
mira estos celos me están matando.
Ay, mujer qué fácil eres,
abres tus alitas, muslos de colores
donde se podan tus amores.

Mariposa traicionera,
todo se lo lleva el viento,
mariposa no regreso,
Ay, mariposa de amor, mi mariposa de amor.
Ya no regreso contigo.
Ay, mariposa de amor,
mi mariposa de amor.

Nunca jamás junto a ti,
vuela amor, vuela dolor
que tengas suerte en tu vida
ay, ay, ay, ay, ay dolor,
yo te lloré todo un río,
ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, amor
tu te me vas a volar.

 

'CJ' Adams │ Redux

My Dear Aunt Martha and I finally went to the Ward Stadium 16 movie center (located in Honolulu), today to see "The Odd Life Of Timothy Green", and it was a trip well taken.  The film is a must see for all.  I wept several times during the screening because it was such an emotional experience for me.  'CJ' (Cameron James) Adams is sensational as Timothy.  By-the-way, the soundtrack of "The Odd Life Of Timothy Green" composed by Geoff Zanelli is very beautiful and enhances the film in so many ways.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Funiculi, Funicula │ Lucky Ten

In this very special edition of Angel Watchers I am presenting Lucky Ten, an incredible vocal group that is based in Boston.  Some of you may remember that Afanasy Prokhorov is a member of Lucky Ten.   In the video below Lucky Ten sings the ever popular "Funiculi, Funicula" which was written to commemorate the opening of the first funicular cable car on Mount Vesuvius in 1880.  Lucky Ten has a cool website at this link: Lucky Ten - Official Website  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

The Last Samurai │ Kenji Misumi

 Ken Ogata (left) and Hideki Takahashi (right) 

In this very special edition of Angel Watchers, I am featuring director Kenji Misumi's 1974 chanbara epic "The Last Samurai", not to be confused with the Tom Cruise 2003 movie of the same name.  Actually it has been said that the Cruise movie was loosely based on the Misumi film, but personally I see no obvious similarities between the two productions.  I saw "The Last Samurai" when it was first released in 1974.  It impressed me so much that I saw it five times, and it was the inspiration for me to join the Hawaii Kendo Federation where I eventually earned a Black Belt.  Hideki Takahashi is simply magnificent as the ronin Toranosuke Sugi.  For those of you who are history buffs, the time span of the movie covers the waning years of the Tokugawa Shogunate all the way to the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, which saw the transformation of Japan from a closed feudal society to an open industrial country.  By-the-way, the sword fighting sequences in "The Last Samurai" have never been equaled in the long history of samurai movies.  They are elegantly choreographed with an amazing attention to historical detail and realism.  I love this movie so much and I was so happy when it was finally released July 26, 2012 on DVD.  I had been searching for a copy of it for a very long time.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

The Circle Game │ Steven Curtis Chapman

 

 

In this edition of Angel Watchers, I am featuring the talented Steven Curtis Chapman, and a chorus of wonderful Chinese children.  They sing the always evergreen classic "The Circle Game" that was composed by the American folk singer Joni Mitchell.  As luck would have it, I stumbled upon this amazing video quite accidentally.  Talk about a serendipitous discovery.  This video makes me realize that we really live in a small, small world.  Steven Curtis Chapman has a cool website that can be found at this link: Steven Curtis Chapman - Official Website  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Libera │ The Most Extraordinary Choir In The World

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring Libera, the most extraordinary choir in the world.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Robbie The Robot

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring Robbie The Robot.  I want Robbie The Robot as a gift for Christmas because he is so cool.  Notice how Robbie has an incredible amount of mojo in his strut and dance steps.  That's the way to go Robbie.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Kids Will Rock You │ An Amazing Musical Experience

The musical group Kids Will Rock You was formed in France to provide the soundtracks for a series of Evian water TV commercials.  Kids Will Rock You specialized in doing cool covers of rock-and-roll classics.  Quite unexpectedly though, they became overnight musical sensations in France and Germany, and produced two CDs that were best sellers.  The members of the group are; Boys:  Andre, Mark, Africa, Nick, Matthew, Benedict, Charles, and Girls:  Jared, Georgia, Jessica, Emily, Christina, Lauren MC, Lauren MO.  In this special edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring  them in two outstanding videos: "We Will Rock You", and "That's The Way I Like It".  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

 

We Will Rock You

That's The Way I Like It

Maula Mere Maula - Roop Kumar Rathod

 Roop Kumar Rathod

In this edition of Angel Watchers, I am featuring one of the most beautiful and powerful songs in the world.  It is called "Maula Mere Maula (My Lord, My God)", and it was a mega hit in India for Roop Kumar Rathod.  The song was originally in the blockbuster Bollywood movie "Anwar", and since then it has become the unofficial national anthem of India.  Please click on the video widget below for a very moving musical experience.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Fireknife Champion Preston Weber Has Won Again In Hawaii 2012

Thirteen year old Preston Weber from Fort Lauderdale, Florida has just won the 2012 Fireknife Competition that took place on May 10, 2012, in Laie, Hawaii.  I featured him previously on Angel Watchers after his last win, and that post can be found here: Preston Weber - Master Of The Fireknife Dance  Well, the amazing Preston Weber has won again, and the video of his new remarkable performance can be viewed by clicking on the video widget below.  If you compare Preston's previous performance with his current one, you notice that it is obvious that he is a lot stronger and faster.  A big congratulations to you Preston Weber from Angel Watchers.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Angel │ Angelis

Angelis was a British singing group that was created by Simon Cowell.  They were initially formed in early 2006, and was made up of six children, who were then aged between 11 and 14.  They were discovered during nationwide auditions.  The members of the group were: Amy Dow, Camilla Seale, Sam Adams-Nye, Natalie Grace Chua,  Moray West, and  Joe Martin.  In 2007 Angelis was mysteriously disbanded for reasons that were never revealed publicly.  In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring them singing the ever beautiful "Angel" that was written by Earl Simmons, Irving Domingo Lorenz, and Taiwan Green.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Cuando Me Vaya │ Los Chicos de la Escolanía

Los Chicos de la Escolanía, from the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo, is a very special choral group from Spain.  In 1995 they had an international hit with the song "Nirvana".  They also had a very unique sound then that was sort of a cross between Enigma, and Hildegard Von Bingen.  At that time they were known collectively as Elbosco.  Their latest hit is called "Cuando Me Vaya (When I Go)", that was recorded in collaboration with Spanish pop star Jaime Terrón, who is the lead singer of the musical group Melocos.  "Cuando Me Vaya" is so beautiful, so plaintive, so soulful, that I wept when I first heard it.  There is a haunting harmonic tag at the end of the bridge, followed by some spoken words that sends chills up my spine.  This is what great popular music is all about.  In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring Los Chicos de la Escolanía" singing Cuando Me Vaya".  This song, and the CD that it is from, was actually recorded at the Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

You Were Never Lovelier │ The Singing Messengers

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring a cool video clip from the classic 1942 film "You Were Never Lovelier" starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth.  This scene showcases the "singing messengers", that were sent by Bob Davis (Fred Astaire) in an attempt to woo Maria Acuña (Rita Hayworth) who is playing hard-to-get.  The "singing messengers" are so good, I just had to share them with all of the fans of Angel Watchers.