Martin Savi

In this edition of Klaatu Barada Nikto I am featuring the angelic Martin Savi.  This is what beautiful music, and a soulful presence is all about.  Martin's music has become the soundtrack of my life.  I can't hear enough of it.  In the video clip below he sings an extremely haunting rendition of "La Carretera (The Road)".  God bless you Martin Savi.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Los Chicos de la Escolanía (Escolania del Escorial) │The Incredible Choral Group From Spain

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 pop star Jaime Terrón, who is the lead singer of the musical group Melocos.  It 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 contemporary music is all about.  I am in retirement now, and I live the life of the quintessential recluse.  There are days that go by that I don't see, or speak to anyone at all.  I live alone in a small apartment in Hilo, Hawaii.  My telephone rings, maybe once or twice a week, at most.  Outside of this self-imposed exile, and silence, it is music that sustains me emotionally, and spiritually.  Well, Los Chicos de la Escolania has turned out to be excellent company.  They fill a large void in my life.  I listen to them for hours on end.  In this post, I am featuring them performing three songs.  "Cuando Me Vaya", the beautiful "Ave Maria" by Franz Schubert, and "The Flower Duet (Sous le dôme épais)", from Léo Delibes' haunting, and mystical opera, "Lakmé".  The latter song has been featured in many movies, and television commercials.  It just so happens that I adore "The Flower Duet", and the "Ave Maria".  They are my most favorite music in the whole world.  The "Ave Maria" is a special favorite of mine, as I have a great devotion to "Our Lady Of Fatima".  In my apartment, I have a little shrine devoted exclusively to her, and to fill some of the spaces in my day, I enjoy reciting the "Hail Mary".  I used to belong to a Roman Catholic religious order, and the mysticism of the Catholic church is still near and dear to me.  There are three things that we have in common with heaven while we are still here on Earth.  They are Light, Love, and Music.  Los Chicos de la Escolanía possesses all three in great abundance.  It is interesting to note that the Los Chicos de la Escolania choir is comprised of young men between the ages of nine and fourteen, and they all live in The Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo (located North of Madrid).  The monastery was built in the 16th century by Filipe II, when Spain was considered one of the greatest and most powerful empires on Earth.  Astrologers, sorcerers, physicians and architects sought out the monastery as a supremely magical and strategic location.  The Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo has a cool website that can be found at this link:  Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo - Official Website  Escolania del Escorial has an excellent YouTube channel that can be found here:  Escolonia del Escorial - YouTube Channel  With that said, please click on the video widgets below to enjoy three selections from Los Chicos de la Escolania, the "Flower Duet" from "Lakmé", Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria", and "Quando Me Vaya".  "The Making Of Pop" video is added as a bonus.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

"Quando Me Vaya"

"The Flower Duet" from Léo Delibes' "Lakmé"

"Ave Maria " by Franz Schubert

The Making Of "Pop"

Angelic Choirboys With An Attitude │ Lord Of The Flies

The images and the plot of "Lord Of The Flies (1963)" are so intense, and at times so horrific, that it makes one forget, or not notice, that the film contains an incredibly beautiful soundtrack.  Raymond Leppard, the composer, wrote a couple of sensational variations on the liturgical "Kyrie Eleison (Lord Have Mercy)" theme.  In this edition of Klaatu Barada Nikto I am presenting two different settings of the "Kyrie Eleison" from "Lord Of The Flies".  The first one is a cheeky, breezy, almost insouciant rendition by the rogue choirboys as they are marching along the beach at the beginning of the movie.  The second "Kyrie Eleison" is sung darkly to accompany the death of Simon.  I call this one the "Kyrie - Requiem".  The murder of Simon the mystic is so disturbing and senseless, that it makes me mourn for him every time I see this scene, but underscoring it is a "Kyrie Eleison" that is both haunting, and unforgettable.  By-the-way, the 1990 remake of "Lord Of The Flies" just does not have the impact, and power of the original.  It is my opinion that too much editing, and rewriting was done.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

 "Kyrie Eleison", On The Beach

 "Kyrie Eleison", The Death Of Simon

Smile

Smile

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shinning through for you.

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time  you must keep on trying
Smile what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
if you just smile. 

~ Charlie Chaplin ~

Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you 

may be. 

 

Faces of Children (Visages d'enfants) │ Jean Forest

Jean Forest

"Faces Of Children (Visages d'enfants) 1925" is a haunting film about a troubled child.  Even though it was released ninety-two years ago, it is still very powerful and moving.  Jean Forest plays the part of Jean Amsler, who is mourning the death of his mother, and is not quite able to come to terms with his personal loss.  In this edition of Klaatu Barada Nikto I am featuring a very beautiful edit of "Faces Of Children" that was put together by MikeLesMiserables.  He was able to distill the essence of the movie from two hours down to seven minutes. Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Project Vigil

Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

The Avenging Angel │ Ed Sanders (Toby)

Ed Sanders, who was born in England, is a remarkable talent who seemed to have dropped off of the entertainment radar screen.  Which is a shame because he had such a beautiful voice.  When Ed auditioned for the role of Tobias Ragg (Toby) in Tim Burton's magnificent "Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", he competed, literally, against hundreds of other boys to win that much coveted role.  It was a well deserved win, as I cannot imagine any one else playing that part.  Stephen Sondheim, the American composer who wrote  "Sweeny Todd" for Broadway, is considered to be a genius of the American musical theater.  Some of you may remember him as being the lyricist of "West Side Story", and the composer of the very special and enigmatic,  "Send In The Clowns" from the Broadway play "A Little Night Music".  Sondheim had the good fortune as a very young teenager, to be tutored personally, in the fine arts and craft of musical theater writing by the great Oscar Hammerstein II, who is also an iconic, American genius of the American musical stage, and screen.  "Sweeny Todd" is an incredibly violent movie, so that when Ed Sanders (Toby) sings "Not While I'm Around" to Nellie Lovett, played so excellently by Helena Bonham Carter, it is a brief, but well welcomed respite from all the killings that have transpired in the film.  It is a very difficult song to sing, as all of  Sondheim's songs are, because of its atonal nature and chords, that make it a challenge to ferret out the correct notes to sing.  To add to that difficulty, Ed sings "Not While I'm Around" in two key signatures, first in a high registry, than in a low.  Because of the extreme range of the melody, this is no small feat to accomplish.  The modulation that separates these two keys is very subtle, as a good modulation should be, so that one really does not notice it.  To put this in plain language, when Ed starts to sing the song, it sounds really high.  When he repeats it after Nellie Lovett's solo, it sounds low.  What a performance it is.  Ed's voice is so sweet, poignant, innocent, deeply moving, and so sensitive, that it is irresistible to the heart.  Whenever I listen to it, and I listen to it a lot, it puts me into a wistful, but deliciously melancholy mood.  I love this song.  I find it surprising though, that "Not While I'm Around" has not been discovered by more people.  It is a Twenty-First Century classic.  There are good reasons why I call this post "The Avenging Angel - Ed Sanders (Toby)", but it would spoil the plot for those of you who have not seen the movie as of yet, so I will not elucidate on it in this post.  "Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is a must see movie.  Let's bring out the popcorn, drinks, and candy, and enjoy Ed Sanders wonderful performance of "Not While I'm Around".  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Smile │ Libera

"Smile", sung by Libera, the extraordinary choir from England.  This song is simply beautiful!  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Desiderata │ A Paraphrase

 Desiderata

A Paraphrase of Max Erhmann's "Desiderta", by Gilbert Martines

Go calmly amid the noise and the rush, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  Avoid loud and aggressive people, as they are very troubling to the spirit.  As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with everyone.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly.  Listen to others, including the dull and ignorant, even they have a story to tell.

Be yourself, do not fake affection and do not be cynical about love, for it is as lasting as the grass.  Take kindly to the counsel of time, and give up gracefully the things of youth.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for there will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself.  Enjoy your achievements, as well as your plans.  Be interested in your own career, no matter how humble, it is a real treasure in the changing fortunes of time.

Be gentle with yourself.  Sometimes we search too deeply within ourselves, and allow darkness to feed our fears.  Many of these thoughts are not real, but are merely the children of fatigue and loneliness.  Keep your spirit strong, and it will protect you in times of trouble.

Be careful in your business affairs, for the world is full of cheats and fakes.  But do not let this make you blind to the goodness in others.  There are still many people who are brave, and have high ideals.  Be cheerful.  Despite all its problems and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful World.  Try to be happy.

And whether or not it is clear to you, the Universe is unfolding as it should.  You are Child Of The Universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

(The "Desiderata" which means desired things, was written by Max Ehrmann in 1927.  It is now in the Public Domain.)

 Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Miserere Mei, Deus │ The Boys Air Choir

"Miserere Mei, Deus (Have Mercy On Me, O God)" composed by Gregorio Allegri, is probably one of the most remarkable musical compositions to come out of the Italian Renaissance.  It was written around 1630 during the reign of Pope Urban VIII, for the exclusive use in the Sistine Chapel during matins, as part of the Tenebrae services on Wednesday and Friday of Holy Week.  The Tenebrae (Latin for shadows or darkness), which started at 3 a.m., consisted mainly of Gregorian Chant, and this went on for hours on end.  One can just imagine how numbing this must have been to the ears and minds of the worshipers in the Sistine Chapel.  Well, an acoustical respite was in store for them during the last part of the service which usually occurred around 7 p.m.  First they would hear a G minor triad, the most lovely of all minor chords being sung, then the polyphony that followed all of the monophonic chanting of the day, and early evening, would melt away, and this ethereal music would resound from the walls of the Sistine Chapel.  The contrast between the Gregorian Chants and the "Miserere Mei Deus" was so drastic, that it caused the listeners to be spellbound.  It is no wonder that the Pope ordered the Sistine Chapel's choir master to protect the score of the "Miserere Mei, Deus" and it was reserved exclusively only for the Vatican's use.  During the rest of the year the score to "Miserere Mei, Deus" was kept under lock and key in the Vatican Archives, and secured under the Papal Seal.  Adding to the mystery surrounding the "Miserere Mei, Deus", transcribing it, or performing it elsewhere was punishable by excommunication from the Catholic Church.  But, as with most forbidden things, the score of "Miserere Mei, Deus" did not remain a secret.  The fourteen-year old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was visiting Rome, when he first heard the piece during the Wednesday Holy Week service in the Sistine Chapel.  Later that day, he wrote it down entirely from memory which is a remarkable accomplishment, as the music is incredibly complex.  He returned to the Sistine Chapel that Friday to make minor corrections to his transcription.  Some time later during Mozart's travels, he met the British historian Dr. Charles Burney, who obtained the transcription from Mozart, and Burney took it to London where it was published in 1771.  Once the "Miserere Mei, Deus" was published and in the hands of the general music establishment, the Papal ban was lifted.  Mozart was summoned to Rome by the Pope because of this, but instead of excommunicating the boy, the Pope showered praises on him for his feat of musical genius.  In this edition of Klaatu Barada Nikto I am featuring an incredible performance of the "Miserere Mei, Deus" by the Boys Air Choir.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Admiral Television Studio

In this edition of Klaatu Barada Nikto I am featuring my most favorite toy of all time.  It was actually a FREE promotional premium from the Admiral Television Company called the "Admiral Television Studio".  With it, you could put on several different TV shows with cut-out puppets that were controlled by a Magic Wand.  It was all so very cool.  This toy came out in 1953, so it is very hard to find, but I was lucky to come across an unused one about a week ago, and I bought it right away.  For all you baby-boomers out there, this is the vintage toy to get.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Robot Monster

In this edition of Klaatu Barada Nikto I am featuring "Robot Monster".  It's a movie that is so bad, that it is good.  In fact, "Robot Monster" has been voted to be the worst science-fiction movie ever made.  I can heartily agree with that, but what makes the movie so cool is Gregory Moffett who stars as "Johnny".  He adds a freshness and life to an otherwise dull plot.  I find it amazing though, that Elmer Bernstein, the late-great master film composer, wrote the music for "Robot Monster".  Bring out the popcorn, soda, and candy for some incredible Sci-Fi entertainment.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

 

Alternative 3

"Alternative 3", is the classic conspiracy book:  It was first published by Sphere Books Ltd., of London in 1978.  Here are the major claims of the book:

FACT:  The Earth's atmosphere is becoming super-heated and unbreathable.  If this trend is not reversed, life on Earth is doomed.

ALTERNATIVE 1:  Blast "chimneys" in the stratosphere with nuclear weapons releasing heat and pollution.  Project Status: abandoned.

ALTERNATIVE 2:  Relocate Earth's population in massive underground caverns drawing fresh, cool air from the soil.  Project Status: abandoned.

ALTERNATIVE 3:  A bold venture into space built on revolutionary technology, officially-sanctioned murder, and a secret international conspiracy.  Project Status: unknown.

The major claim of the book is that a joint United States / Soviet Union space mission made a manned landing on the planet Mars on May 22, 1962.  That is an extraordinary assertion.  This was all started by a weekly British TV show called "Science Report".  The producers of that program were doing research on the "brain drain" in England, and quite inadvertently stumbled upon some amazing information.  They subsequently devoted a whole show based on their findings.  Hence was born the "Alternative 3" mythos.  After the original broadcast, there was an outcry from the viewers in London, who felt terrified by the conclusions of "Alternative 3".  This has echoes of Orson Welles' 1938 "War Of The Worlds" broadcast.  The British government got involved and Anglia TV which originally produced the broadcast, was forced to publicly state that the program was a hoax, in order to appease the government, and quiet down the negative reactions of the British people.  Shortly afterward, a book was commissioned by Anglia TV to set the record straight.  The basic issues, according to Anglia TV, were that the "Alternative 3" broadcast was not a hoax, and people died as a result of the revelations in the documentary.  The debate goes on and on, but the centerpiece of the broadcast was a video that purportedly shows the Mars landing of 1962. Click on the video widget below to watch this actual footage.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

The Phantom Empire

In this edition of Klaatu Barada Nikto, I am featuring "The Phantom Empire".  It was first released in 1935, and stars Gene Autry (The Singing Cowboy), Frankie Darro, and Betsy King Ross.  It is interesting to note that "The Phantom Empire" is an eclectic mix of science fiction, movie musical, and the traditional western.  I find it to be completely charming and irresistible.  Please click on the video widget below to watch all twelve installments of this cool serial.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Celestial Visitors

A moment of celestial peace.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft

Watch the skies.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Chandu The Magician │ Classic Radio Shows

Click on the video widget below to listen to classic "Chandu The Magician" radio shows.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Children Of The Damned

 Clive Powell

In this edition of Klaatu Barada Nikto 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.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

The War Of The Worlds │ Orson Welles

Orson Welles

 Few people remember now-a-days the panic that struck the United States on the evening of  October 30, 1938, seventy-five years ago.  Orson Welles was the director of "The Mercury Theater On The Air" which was broadcast live by the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS today).  It is hard to imagine how a radio broadcast could cause so much havoc, but Welles' adaptation of H.G. Wells' "The War Of The Worlds" was disguised as a program of dance music, inter-spaced with news bulletins of a Martian invasion.  Like today's channel surfers, radio listeners of the day would spin the radio dial looking for other programs when they got bored with what they were listening to.  It was no wonder that most of them missed the introduction of the broadcast, and took the news-bulletins to be real, and many of them fled to the hills for protection.  Keep in mind that the program was transmitted live from coast-to-coast.  Well, the rest as they say is history.  At the close of the program, Orson Welles said these words although it did not lessen any of the fears and the panic caused by the broadcast: "This is Orson Welles, ladies and gentlemen, out of character to assure you that  'The War Of The Worlds' has no further significance than as the holiday offering it was intended to be.  The Mercury Theater's own radio version of dressing up in a sheet and jumping out of a bush and saying 'Boo!'"  In this edition of Gort Klaatu Barada Nikto I am featuring the complete radio broadcast of 1938 just as America heard it on that faithful evening.  Please click on the video widget below to hear Orson Welles' "The War Of The Worlds".  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.

Klaatu Barada Nikto

On Friday, November 6, 2015, I made a pilgrimage to the actual landing site of Klaatu's flying saucer in the movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still".  In reality, it landed on the Ellipse that is located at the back of the White House, in Washington D. C.  Not too many people know this fact.  The video below shows me, in the ellipse, with the precious artifacts of Klaatu and Gort in my hands.  In the video, the White House is just visible over my left shoulder.  Notice that I am wearing my "Klaatu Barada Nikto" t-shirt, in homage to the extraterrestrials Klaatu and Gort.  Remember to watch the skies, and  call out to all of the Occupants of Interplanetary Space Craft.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Klaatu Barada Nikto, wherever you may be.