#2 : "Have a musical love affair?!"
or "Who is the diva that sings the music of my heart?"
11/17/1999
I like a lot of singers and musicians. I like a wide range of music, such as new age,
jazz, pop, rock, and even Broadway musicals. Theresa always teases me by saying that I'm
addicted to sound. No kidding. The first thing I do in the morning before I start to shave
and brush my teeth is to turn on the radio. Right before fixing my breakfast cereal I
would turn on the TV. As soon as I get into the car on the way to work I would turn on the
radio. This goes on for the rest of the day. In fact sometimes I even fall asleep while
listening to the CD player. Yes, I admit it. I'm addicted to sound.
Maybe it's because I was deprived as a kid. No, I don't mean clothes nor food. My
parents provided me very well. Today I still regret that my mother did not send me to
learn how to play the piano. Actually, I don't know how much music lessons could have
really helped me--I think I'm hopeless when it comes to playing an instrument or carrying
a tune as I don't think I have any musical cell in my body!
Therefore I compensate by listening to music all the time.
I did promise that I'll reveal a musical love affair. Who could that be? Is it someone
you know?
Actually, it's Theresa. Shortly after we met in high school--I was a senior, and she
was a freshman (but that's another story for later)--I decided to spend more time with her
since she was so much fun to be with. So my strategy involved going to her band practice
every morning at 7:30a.m. before school starts. Yes, I was pretty dedicated. I still
remember vividly listening to her playing "Poet and the Peasant" on her
clarinet. Funny, huh? How love can make a teenage boy do strange things. So that's my
musical love affair. Theresa is the diva that sings of the music of my heart.
Theresa has not played her clarinet since high school, so I listen to a lot of other
singers for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is that most of them sing great
love songs. I know you have been waiting to find out more about the following divas. So
let the show begin...
- Mariah Carey: "Rainbow"; 1999
I blamed Theresa completely for getting me started with Mariah years ago. She is one of my
all time favorites. However, nowadays it's pretty embarrassing to claim her as one of my
favorite singers since the way she has been dressing--rather undressing :-) -- ever since
her divorce.
- Shania Twain: "Shania Twain"; 1993
She is about the only country singer I would listen to. Of course, her music video is very
novel (or really navel :-)...
- Celine Dion: "All the Way...A Decade of Song"; 1999
What can I say? She is the greatest. Theresa and I really enjoy listening to her at a
concert in 1998 at the Oakland Coliseum. We were really impressed by how down-to- earth
she is.
- Gloria Estefan: "mi tierra"; 1993
She is definitely the dance diva. I just love to be working out on the rowing machine
while listening to her. Of course I stole the line about "music of my heart"
from a movie that she is in.
- Barbara Streisand: "A Love Like Ours"; 1999
What a gorgeous voice. I wish she sings all the leading roles in all my favorite Broadway
musicals.
- Barbara Streisand: "Greatest Hits";
- Barbara Streisand: "Greatest Hits Volume 2"; 1978
- Tina Turner: "Simply the Best "; 1991
I tell you--Tina Turner best exemplifies a "Power Woman!"
- Kenny G: "Faith-A Holiday Album"; 1999
Well, Kenny G breaks the trend here. He is not a diva, but I have to get started with the
holiday spirits :-). Theresa and I attended a memorable concert at Oakland's Paramount
theater. I still vividly remember him playing his saxophone while walking down the aisle
to be among the audience. He is also one of my mother's favorite musicians.
TO BE CONTINUED...
