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.