Plato, plato

(The End / Fi)

(De momento / For now / De moment)

Four Cats

Hace un minuto empezó la campaña electoral del Parlament de Catalunya. No es que esto me incumba más a mí que al resto de mis conciudadanos, con-autonómicos, pero hoy he venido aquí con un propósito.

En algún momento juré que no volvería a hablar de política (creo que nunca llegué a cumplir mi promesa). Antes me afectaban mucho las decisiones tomadas por nuestros dirigentes, pero ahora me dan un poco más igual (i.e. me dan igual un poco más que antes, o algo así, que la sintaxis me trae de cabeza).
A veces me gustaría no ser catalán, porque parece que serlo es lo único que impide "al resto" a querernos. Me refiero a que en los últimos años, sea lo que sea que venga de este dichoso rincón de mundo, provoca un tsunami de opiniones desde los puntos más recónditos de éste, nuestro Estado (sólo hace falta que mencione el Estatut para que me deis la razón).
El caso es que como vaticino que esta Campaña va a estar en todos los medios, como siempre, incluso en los que no tienen nada que ver con "naltrus", he querido hacer un disco, un recopilatirio, al más puro estilo Habibi. ¿Cuál es la razón? Pues, para que no nos odiéis.
¿A quién le importan las elecciones? A mí no, desde luego (más allá de mi derecho y mi deber como ciudadano): me interesa mucho más la música. Y por eso he creado Four Cats, un recopilatorio de música en catalán y por catalanes.


Creo que queda bastante clara la portada: dos gatos están de acuerdo, otros dos no lo están. Amarillo y rojo (y los colores de en medio). Catalunya y un mar que la aísla (bueno, Llívia algo más aislada que de costumbre).
¿Y el título? Para aquellos alejados de la historia de la cultura catalana: Els Quatre Gats fue un hostal (y otras cosas) de la Barcelona a caballo entre el siglo XIX y el XX, creado por Pere Romeu (un tipo de Torredembarra inspirado por Le Chat Noir), y que se convirtió en el centro neurálgico del Modernisme catalán. (Todos hemos visto alguna vez la imagen de Pere Romeu y Ramon Casas en un tándem.) Más adelante se convertiría en revista y él en el símbolo del movimiento artístico, pintado por genios de la talla de Picasso.
Evidéntemente, 'cuatro gatos' significa 'poca gente' también en catalán.

Cuando hice el primer recopilatorio que formó parte de éste blog (The Hardest Thing to Do), no puse ninguna canción en catalán: no tenía en mi biblioteca ningún grupo que cantase en catalán). De hecho, en el disco Bienvenido a España, que no entró en este mundo, sí puse alguna canción, pero calzadas a empujones. Tuvo que pasar el tiempo hasta enero de 2008 para que una canción cantada en catalán (que no de un catalán) entrase en Twelve. La música en catalán ahora está viviendo un momento de gloria y es por eso que ya el último disco, Plus One, llegó al grand total de 6 canciones cantadas en catalán, más una cantada por un catalán en rumano.
Esta vez, todo el disco es catalán: no en lengua, ni en nacimiento, ni en nada; busquen ustedes el adjetivo adecuado.

Four Cats

1. Marbre i or: Anímic (Collbató, Barcelona) Son la utopía de grupo de música. Viven juntos al pie de Montserrat, se autograban, son buena gente, son buenos músicos y tienen éxito. Colaboran con otros artistas, entre ellos el que sigue. Una de sus componentes, Louise, es británica, pero su voz y su ternura te arrancan y te trasportan mucho más lejos. He de decir que sólo he visto el grupo en petit comité, Louise y Ferran, pero espero verlos en grupo. Canal de YouTube.
   
2. I tantes figues: El Petit de Cal Eril (Guissona, Lleida) Sigue en la misma estantería que Anímic (y otros como u_mä) por la experimentación y el juego musical. No puedo decir mucho sobre él porque es de los pocos que no he visto en concierto pero uno de los que más ganas tengo de ver (quizás su acento leridano influyen en que me encandile).. El vídeo de esta canción en del programa del Canal 33, Ànima.
   
3. Animal salvatge: Sanjosex (La Bisbal d'Empordà, Girona) Es la estrella del año, o eso dicen; sus conciertos se anuncian en las noticias. Lo he visto dos veces en vivo y parece que cuesta al principio, pero no desisto porque me gusta mucho, aunque quizás más en disco, por raro que parezca. Vídeo.
   
4. Homes i dones del cap dret: Quimi Portet (Vic, Barcelona) Mítico cofundador de El Último de la Fila, no hay palabras para describirlo. Uno se ha de meter dentro de su música. Autor de una de mis canciones favoritas, La Rambla, que formó parte de Colorful Drinks, versionada por Novo. El título de la canción es parte del cuento tradicional catalán del Patufet y también hace referencia a la "Rateta que escombraba l'escaleta" (Ratita presumida). Vídeo.
   
5. La pelu: Pepet i Marieta (Terres de l'Ebre, Tarragona) Escribo esta vez la veguería a la que pertenecen porque su acento meridional es muy diferente a mi acento central, a pesar de compartir provincia. Además, pertenecen a ambo lados del río Sénia, frontera natural de Catalunya y València. Sus canciones "sociales" y cargadas de humor animan cualquier día. Vídeo.
   
6. Un ninot i una nineta: Estúpida Erikah (Terrassa, Barcelona) A veces descubres un grupo o un cantante por casualidad y te cala hondo. Esto es lo que sucedió cuando fui a ver por primera vez a Mishima y me los encontré de teloneros (que hicieron una actuación muy larga para ser teloneros, puesto que el plato principal llegaba tarde). Me impactaron y, todavía, cada vez que escucho el disco, me llama la atención algún detalle. Su Alta fidelitat está inspirado en la novela High Fidelity que tanto me gusta. Ganador de la 9ª edición del Sona 9.
   
7. Ai, dolors: Manel (Barcelona) El Rock Català hizo mucho daño, lo sé, pero esto no es ni lo que aquello fue, ni una boyband. Esto es un grupo que subió como la espuma tras darse a conocer en el concurso Sona 9. Quiero volver a verlos, tranquilo y sentado. ¡No más conciertos de plaza con grupos bueno! Vídeo en directo.
   
8. Guspira, estel o carícia: Mishima (Barcelona) Cuando un grupo que tiene un éxito moderado cantando en inglés pasa a cantar en catalán y tiene un éxito estrepitoso, ha de tener, por fuerza, algo especial. Este grupo, de rock del de verdad, sorprende y emociona en cada nota. Vídeo, carátula del programa Ànima.
   
9. Gat: Maria Coma (Barcelona) La mä de u_mä, Maria es un alma sensible y delicada. Su música, propia de una buena conocedora de la melodia, te acompaña a un mundo imaginario. Vídeo, fabuloso.
   
10. Les hores: Le Petit Ramon (Barcelona) No es nada convencional y, cuando alguien va acompañado de Pau Riba, no puede dejarse pasar.
    
11. Mahabandoola: Guillamino (Barcelona) Ha pasado por diferentes estilos de música, coordinando sardanas y jazz, pero esta canción es el punto más electrónico del disco. Además, es instrumental, por lo tanto, a dejar volar la imaginación.
12. La lluna i la mitjanit : Minimal21 (Barcelona) Aunque encontrar música electrónica en catalán ya no es tan difícil, que sea buena y tirando a house, sí lo es. Ha costado que finalmente pasásemos de escucharlos en maqueta a hacerlo en disco (también ganaron el Sona 9) y espero tener la ocasión de verlos en vivo y escuchar esa voz dulce de más cerca. Vídeo.
    
13. Corro sota la pluja: Anna Roig i L’ombre de ton chien (Alt Penedès) Otra vez con las zonas geográficas no definidas, este grupo es la unión de la cantautora y un grupo previamente formado. Grupos que canten en inglés hay a montones, pero en francés ya no es tan común. Otra de mis canciones favoritas trata de una asesina llamada Trini Sánchez Mata. Me la perdí la semana pasada, por causas ajenas a mí, pero la veré pronto, espero. No hace falta decir que la segunda parte del nombre viene de la canción Ne me quitte pas de Jacques Brel. Vídeo.
    
14. Ràdio: Ix! (Cadaqués, et al.) El nombre del grupo significa "Sal!" (de 'salir'). Uno de los mejores directos que he visto en 2010, su música te hace mover. Merece mucho la pena. Vídeo.
    
15. La merda se’ns menja: Els Amics de les Arts (Barcelona) Aunque residentes en la capital, no todos son de ahí: uno de ellos es de... no queda muy claro si Reus o Tarragona. Tendréis que ir a uno de sus conciertos (por la zona, claro) para que lo digan. Aunque su música es similar a Manel, y a veces se les confunde, sus letras son diferentes. También ganaron el Sona 9. Geniales en directo, muy divertidos. Vídeo.
    
16. Plou: Élena (Barcelona) Pop del de radio, pero pasado por un colador de los que yo usaría. Es un grupo de los que, oídos de lejos, te llaman la atención. Vídeo.
    
17. El saben aquell que diu: The New Raemon (Barcelona) La primera nota de castellano en el disco, aunque el título de la canción, que hace referencia a Eugenio, sea en catalán. Sus canciones están cargadas de un sentimiento que compunge. Vídeo.
    
18. Menuda: Immigrasons (Catalunya y Argentina) Esta formación, nacida de la mano del Mercat de Música Viva de Vic, une a mi adorada Sílvia Pérez Cruz (Las Migas), Raül Fernàndez "Refree", et al. para versionar canciones de ayer y hoy. Esta es de Serrat. Aunque he intentado no repetir cantantes, tanto con Maria Coma como con Sílvia, no me he podido resistir. Vídeo.
    
19. Una forma de hablar: Maria Rodés (Barcelona) (AKA Oníric) En castellano, también, sus canciones te llevan a un mundo onírico donde el pop y los juegos viajan juntos. Vídeo.
    
20. Allí donde solíamos gritar: Love of Lesbian (Barcelona) No creo que quede nadie que no les conozca todavía, este grupo hace un indie de esos que se está perdiendo la costumbre de hacer. Sus canciones, que a veces hace falta ser ellos para entenderlas, te llenan de un modo que, en mi caso, ésta y Club de fans de John Boy, las he puesto en modo repeat. Vídeo.

No he preparado las letras pero estoy seguro que sabréis encontrar y traducir (Google!). En todo caso, me podéis pedir ayuda si no entendéis algo.
Lo que sí tenéis es:

• Carátula
• Canciones (durante una semana)
  

Espero que lo disfrutéis.

Turn it up!

Llevaba tiempo pensando que tenía que arreglar el tema de los álbumes, puesto que el host que usaba no me va bien. Así que me he puesto a ello y he decidido hacer un post con todos los álbumes actualizado y arreglado.
A continuación tenéis todos los recopilatorios que he ido haciendo a lo largo de los últimos años, con su carátula, letras (no puedo colgar el html ya, así que para verlo se ha de bajar), resto de archivos asociados, enlace a los posts originales, etc.
También voy a tener las canciones para que las podáis bajar durante una semana.
Todos sabéis dónde conseguirlas, pero si no las encontráis, me lo decís y os enseño el camino.

Disfrutar y gracias por estar ahí
:)


En orden cronológico inverso:

Plus One
Primavera 2009

Casi un año después del último disco, esta vez para celebrar la llegada de la primavera, de la hora de menos (esa que quitamos supuestamente para aprovechar el día), hice el último recopilatorio hasta la fecha. Sólo hace dos posts de esto, así que es reciente.

Por cierto, éste álbum tuvo un cambio de un corte tras la publicación.

1. Dragostea din tei - Estanislau Verdet
   
2. Vos estim a tots igual - Antònia Font
   
3. L’autostrada - Daniele Silvestri
   
4. Boots of Spanish Leather - Dervish
5. La llamada - Òscar Briz
6. Mr Rock and Roll - Amy Macdonald
7. Hotel Cervo - Luca Dirisio
8. I’m Yours - Jazon Mraz
9. Je t’aime... moi non plus - Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin
10. Cançó del bes sense port - Miguel Poveda
    
11. La canzone che scrivo per te - Marelene Kuntz & Skin
12. Corazón - Albert Pla
13. Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones
14. I Kissed a Girl - Ivri Lider
    
15. Hansel i Gretel - Joan Miquel Oliver
16. The One - Kylie Minogue

Bonus Tracks

• Le tien, le mien - Najwa
• Ahora que la mierda ya me llega hata los ojos - espaldamaceta

Super Bonus Track

• Blanc - u_mä

Post original.
Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

Colorful Drinks
Junio 2008

2008 fue un año muy productivo, y para celebrar el inicio del verano, me fui de chupitos, aunque a La Rambla no iría un poquito más tarde.

1. Citizen of the Planet • Alanis Morissette
2. Orchidee • Amalia Grè
3. Oh My Life • Beth Rowley
4. Jodida, pero contenta • Concha Buika
5. Desafinado • Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan
6. Mercy • Duffy
7. Falling in Love Again • Eagle Eye Cherry
8. Space Oddity • Émilie Simon
9. Lovefool • Just Jack
10. Tothom parla • Las Migas
11. Crime • NajwaJean
12. La Rambla • Novo
13. Better • Regina Spektor
14. Handle Me • Robyn
15. Replacement • She Wants Revenge
16. Rapper’s Delight • Sugarhill Gang
17. Not That Big • Temposhark & Imogen Heap
18. Les formigues de la vida • Xerramequ Tiquis Miquis

Post original.
Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

Love/Hate Collection #4: The Way I need
Sant Jordi 2008

Para acabar la colección de Amor/Odio, saqué éste recopilatorio en Sant Jordi, además celebrando con más de una canción en catalán en el disco.

1. Fistful of Love - Antony and the Johnsons
2. My Melody of Love - Bobby Vinton
3. Love Me - Cetu Javu
4. Everythings I Cannot See - Charlotte Gainsbourg
5. Fresh Feelings - Eels
6. I Hope that I don’t Fall in Love with You - Emilíana Torrini
7. It’s Good to Be in Love - Frou Frou
8. Bota pa la lambón - Gertrudis
9. I Am in Love with You - Imogen Heap
10. Falling for You - Jem
11. Sent la nit - Kabul Babà
12. Pass This On - The Knife
13. Amante bandido - Miguel Bosé & Alaska
14. Boig per tu - Novo
15. Meu cel colorit - Òscar Briz
16. Samson - Regina Spektor
17. The Origin of Love - Stephen Trask

Super Bonus Track

• One Word - Kelly Osbourne

Post original.
Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

Love/Hate Collection #3: My Favorite Flavor
San Valentín 2008

En 2008 quise hacer una segunda réplica de los álbumes del año anterior pero esta vez con canciones de amor. Así que hice uno para San Valentín y otro para Sant Jordi, ambos días de amor.
No son siempre el tipo de amor tradicional. Los artistas son los mismos que en la saga "It's not me", excepto el artista especial que además, aparece indirectamente en la portada.

1. Alanis Morissette - Everything (Vancouver sessions)
2. Anna Maria Jopek - I Burn For You
3. Annie Lennox - A Thousand Beautiful Things
4. Beyoncé & Jay-Z - Crazy in Love
5. Björk & Brodsky Quartet - Unravel
6. Cyndi Lauper - Brimstone and Fire
7. Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter
8. Eurythmics - The Miracle of Love
9. Hooverphonic - Mad About You
10. Ivri Lider - Song to a Siren
11. Julieta Venegas - Eres para mí
12. Justyna Steczkowska - Życie na różowo
13. Kristian Leontiou - Fast Car
14. Najwa - I Like It
15. Perry Blake - Pretty Love Songs
16. Roxette - It Must Have Been Love
17. Sinéad O'Connor - Thank You for Hearing Me
18. t.A.T.u. - All the Things She Said
19. Air - Playground Love (As Special guest star)

Post original (english)
Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

Twelve
Enero 2008

Para celebrar el nuevo año, quise hacer un nuevo recopilatorio que representase lo que había sido para mí el 2007. Una canción por cada mes del año, una canción que me había marcado aquél mes. El recopilatorio más directamente relacionado con el blog.

1. Graines d’étoiles - Émilie Simon & Perry Blake
2. L’ultimo - Ania Dąbrowska
3. Changes - Mónica Cervera
4. Writer’s Block - Just Jack
5. Ah w noss - Nancy Ajram
6. Foto - Joan Miquel Oliver
7. Watching Cars Go By - Felix da Housecat
8. Vökuró (Gonzales mix) - Björk
9. Jesse - Ivri Lider
10. LDN - Lily Allen
11. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
12. You Don’t Know My Name - Alicia Keys

[Super Bonus Tracks]

• À cause des garçons - Yelle
• Bo - Ivri Lider vs. Henree
  

Post original (english).
Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

Serendipity
Noviembre 2007
[Unreleased]

Un buen día, alguien se me apareció, pero como no conocía su cara, le busqué por Hyde Park recopilando canciones de anticipación.
Éste álbum no se publicó pero aquí podéis encontrar la lista de canciones, por si os apetece.

1. The Man I Love - Ivri Lider
2. Heartbeats - José González
3. I Miss You (Dobie’s Rub Part One - Sunshine Mix) - Björk
4. Beautiful - Christina Aguilera
5. Breakfast at Tyffany’s - Deep Blue Something
6. Whish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
7. If You Rescue Me (Chanson des Chats) - Gael García Bernal, Sacha Bourdo, Alain Chabat & Aurelia Petit
8. Flowers - Émilie Simon
9. Precious Illusions (Vancouver Sessions) - Alanis Morissette
10. Catch My Disease (Live) - Ben Lee
11. Prego Amore - Erlend Øye
12. I Wish That I Could See You Soon - Herman Düne
13. You Don’t Know My Name - Alicia Keys
14. Lía - Jose Cano
15. How Soon Is Now? - t.A.T.u.

[Super Bonus Track]

• Hyperballad - Björk & The Brodsky Quartet

Love/Hate Collection #2: It's Not Me: The B-Sides

Mayo 2007

En mayo de 2007, como respuesta a "It's not me (it's you)" y, sobertodo, al darme cuenta que una de las canciones que había inspirado el disco se había escapado por error de la primera parte, saqué las caras B, con canciones, casi todas, de los mismos autores. Así son ya, 36 canciones para romper con alguien.

1. Smile (at Radio One) – Lily Allen
2. Я Твоя Не Первая – Тату (I'm Not Your First/Show Me Love - t.A.T.u.)
   
3. Love Is a Losing Game – Amy Winehouse
4. Left Outside Alone – Anastacia
5. Szepty i łzy – Anna Maria Jopek
6. Sod Off – Björk
7. If You Go Away – Cyndi Lauper
8. ¿Cómo repartimos los amigos? – Ella Baila Sola
9. I’ve Got a Life – Eurythmics
10. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
11. דבל – רדיל ירבע (Ivri Lider - Levad)
12. Canciones de amor – Julieta Venegas
13. To tylko złudzenie (to nie miłość) – Justyna Steczkowska
14. Spending My Time – Roxette
15. Dead For You – NajwaJean
16. I Want to Break Free – Queen
17. Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinéad O’Connor
18. Show Me Love – t.A.T.u

Post original (english).
Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

Love/Hate Collection #1: It's Not Me (It's You)

Sant Jordi 2007

Sant Jordi (23 de abril) es el día de los enamorados en Catalunya. En 2007 decidí ir un poco contra corriente y crear un recopilatorio con 18 canciones para romper con alguien.
Fue la primera portada que "realmente" hice yo. Hoy ya no me gusta el estilo, pero en aquél entonces estuve muy orgulloso.
Preparada para imprimirse en doble cara e insertarse en sobrecito o caja jewel.

1. Listen to your heart – Roxette
2. These boots are made for walking – Nancy Sinatra
3. 9 crimes – Damien Rice
4. Every time we live togethere we die a bit more – Hooverphonic
   
5. 5 Years – Björk
6. Jeżeli kochasz to nie pamiętaj mnie – Anna Maria Jopek
7. I want to break free – Mónica Cervera
8. Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
9. Sexed up – Robbie Williams
10. Irreplaceable – Beyoncé
11. Sick and tired – Anastacia
12. You ougtha know – Alanis Morissette
13. I will survive – Petra Magoni & Ferruccio Spinetti
14. Me voy – Julieta Venegas
15. Honestly – Annie Lennox
16. Happy ending – Mika
17. Ne me quitte pas – Faudel
18. When I’m over you – Perry blake

Post original.
Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

Bienvenido a España

2006
[Unreleased]

Estos son dos CD que hice para una persona que acababa de llegar a este país, y que al final nunca di.

CD1

1. The Wild Bunch – NajwaJean
   
2. Hey Boys, Girls – Najwa
   
3. Madness – Marlango
4. A Contratiempo (Botomless) – Ana Torroja
5. El uno, el dos, el tres – Mecano
6. ¿Cómo repartimos los amigos? – Ella Baila Sola
7. Tu nombre – Nek
   
8. Luna negra – Victoria Abril
   
9. Antoligía – Shakira
   
10. ¡Qué bonito! – Rosario Flores
11. El gato que está triste y azul – Tamara
    
12. Jugarem a estimar-nos – Marta Roure
13. Benvinguts – Cheb Balowski
    

CD2

1. Bailando – Astrud
   
2. Dicen que te vas – Ellos
3. Besos mua, besos chuik – L Kan
   
4. Brujería – Son de Sol
   
5. Niña de fiesta + Bailando mi pena – Concha Buika
   
6. La lloradora – La Lupe
   
7. No me vas a embolicar – Carmen París
   
8. Como los olivos – Bebe
   
9. El Coco – El Barrio
   
10. Sólo quiero caminar – Chano Domínguez
    
11. La China – Chavela Vargas
    
12. L’estaca – Lluís Llach
13. Con las manos en la masa – Vainica Doble & Joaquín Sabina

Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

The Hardest Thing To Do
Diciembre 2005

Este fue mi primer recopilatorio y ciertamente el más difícil de hacer. ¿Sólo 10 canciones, me dices? ¡Uff!
Portada por separado o en booklet con las letras, preparado para imprimirse en doble cara en A3.

1. Ania Dąbrowska – Zima ‘81
2. NajwaJean – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
3. Björk – Jóga
4. Mecano – Hijo de la Luna
5. Damien Rice – Volcano
6. Justyna Steczkowska – Wędrowni sztukmistrzowie
7. Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet
8. Madonna – Like a Prayer
9. The Smiths – Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
10. El Barrio – El Primavera

(Bonus tracks)

• The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
• Mecano – Figlio della Luna
• Mecano – Dis-moi Lune d'argent

Post original.
Portadas, letras y demás archivos.

Plus One

UPDATE: one of the songs has been replaced

Last night, officially, Spring started. Yes, I know, it actually started last friday, the 20th, but last night we moved the clock one hour forward.

From today, days will be longer and nights shorter. Soon enough, they'll be warm and dry. Today it is cold and rainy here in my town, so not going along. But anyway, I wanted to celebrate this event by doing a new album.

Plus One

The photo is at the Beach Library, where I work sometimes.

1. Dragostea din tei (O-zone) - Estanislau Verdet
   
2. Vos estim a tots igual - Antònia Font
   
3. L’autostrada - Daniele Silvestri
   
4. Boots of Spanish Leather (Dylan) - Dervish
5. La llamada - Òscar Briz
6. Mr Rock and Roll - Amy Macdonald
7. Hotel Cervo - Luca Dirisio
8. I’m Yours - Jazon Mraz
9. Je t’aime... moi non plus - Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin
10. Cançó del bes sense port - Miguel Poveda (Maria Mercè Marçal)
    
11. La canzone che scrivo per te - Marelene Kuntz & Skin
12. Corazón - Albert Pla
13. Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones
14. I Kissed a Girl (Katy Perry) - Ivri Lider
    
15. Hansel i Gretel - Joan Miquel Oliver
16. The One - Kylie Minogue

Bonus Tracks

Le tien, le mien - Najwa
Ahora que la mierda ya me llega hasta los ojos - espaldamaceta

Super Bonus Track

Blanc - u_mä

Some of the songs have a reason to be here, others are just because I love them today.
You can find that, once again, there are repetitions of artists in the same album. Pau Vallvé is member and soul of the two formations that start and end the disc: Estanislau Verdet and u_mä. This last band, I saw them live couple of hours before we changed the clock (if you have the chance, it is a must!). The other, I will see very soon.
Also you'll find Joan Miquel Oliver, the letrist (and for me also soul) of Antònia Font. Both, I've seen live, the former much better, I must say.
A lot of Catalan Countries in this album, as even the songs in Spanish are by artists from the Païssos: Òscar Briz (who I have also seen live) is from País Valencià and espaldamaceta (sic) is from Tarragona. Albert Pla isn't singing in Catalan lately, but we all remember his "Papa, jo vull ser torero". Miguel Poveda, who normally sings in Spanish, is from Barcelona and sung that album in Catalan with well known poems by Catalan authors.
Also, lots of Italian, but no real reason, except the sake of it.
And as well, some artists singing in a language they don't normally sing.

As usual, I have placed the artwork that I designed and an html file with the lyrics here. The tracks are here, but will be removed in a week. You all know ways to get the songs, and if you can't find it, let me know, and I'll advise you.

I'm having problems with the web host where I normally have the lyrics, so it is only in the link above. But as soon as I figure it out I will update this, so come back.

Well, enjoy it.
This post will be updated. It has been: thrice.

Nice and warm

Once again, I come here to talk about language. And yes, I am going to talk about Catalan language. And indeed, I am going to talk about Catalan language in English. Why? Because I've the need of writing in English since I don't use the language that often anymore.

Most of you must already know that the Generalitat de Catalunya has launched a new campaign called Encomana el català, which literally means "infect Catalan" or "transmit" or something like that, but it is more like "spread the love of".
Well, many Spaniards have been offended by this campaign (Jiménez Losantos included, of course), and I have had multiple conversations/discussions about it.

I just don't get what people's problem is. It is just obvious. As another blogger said one day: you go to Catalunya, you expect people to speak Catalan. That's it! Well, or at least you do if you have a minimum of culture and know that there is an actual separate language.

Note: this is about language, not about politics.

But let's get to terms with the ad. --- OK, I love it!

It is just so cute!

But wait, let's pay attention to it. What they sing?:

1. [Baker]: Què li puc fer per berenar? -- What can I get you (as an afternoon snack)?
2. [Guy]: Si us plau, voldria un entrepà --Please, I'd like a sandwich.
3. [Guys from behind]: Tingui: ben bo i ben calent -- Here you go: nice and warm.
4. [Baker]: Que vagi de gust, i passi-ho bé! -- Enjoy it and have a nice one!
5. [Assistant]: Li parles en català? -- Do you speak to him in Catalan?
6. [Guy]: És clar! Així el puc practicar -- Of course! This way I can practice it.
7. [Everybody]: A la feina, al carrer, al cafè de l'amic Joan; la primera paraula en català: un "Bon dia", un "Què voldrà?". Encomana el català! -- At work, in the street, at Joan's café; the first word in Catalan: a "God day", a "What could I get you sir/ma'am?". Spread Catalan around!

Let's see what is happening:

1. A guy enters a bakery. He isn't white, but it doesn't matter because in Catalunya there are many adopted children who could already be this age. The baker speaks to him in Catalan, paying no attention to the fact that he could be foreigner. Hey, he is busy baking and maybe has flour in his eyes!
2. The guy speaks back in Catalan and the baker just flips out for this, rolling his eyes.
   
3. Then the other two guys appear from behind offering him the s/w.
   
4. The baker saying goodbye to him at the door (btw, using the "respective" form even though he is half his age.
5. The assistant asks why is he talking to the guy in Catalan when he is obviously not from around. Ok, yes, she is judgemental.
6. The guy answers that this way he can practice it.
7. Then it goes about the main slogan.

So what does this ad mean? Well, for me it is obvious: the main thing is that we could speak first in Catalan. This is, when we don't know a person, don't assume that s/he has not learned Catalan. You'd be astonished how many foreigners speak perfect Catalan.
At work I use Catalan 95% of the time. I speak to everybody in Catalan (remember that my mother tongue is Spanish) whatever the origin they seem to have. The only people who never reply to me in Catalan are the South Americans (well, never no: I met 1 Argentinian who spoke in Catalan, but he is a Linguist and lives in Barcelona). I am not making a distinction between Portuguese and Spanish speaking people, because Brazilians expect me to understand Portuguese with total easiness. After so many years working with people fromn this country, I can say that it is very difficult for me to understand them, unless they are making an effort to speak slowly. But this is not the point.
Almost (99%) everybody from Northern Africa, Europe, Asia and North America reply to me in Catalan. There are few British and German people who have been living in Catalunya for decades and they don't speak the language yet, but they don't speak Spanish either, so forget about them. And what's more, most of the "foreigners" who speak Catalan speak it much better than me -- they've gone to school and learned it, I just happen to know it.

The advert tells us to use Catalan at first just because of that, because we tend to assume that if you don't have a barretina on your head you won't speak our language. You can't imagine how many times I have asked to the person I have next to me: "Do I look Spanish or what? Why is s/he speaking to me in Spanish instead of Catalan?"

The other thing that this campaign tells us, without telling, is that if you are Catalan speaking and you are talking to someone who lives in Catalunya and just chooses not to speak Catalan but understands it correctly, you needn't change your language: you can have bi-lingual conversations. Listen, I've had totally multi-lingual conversations and there is no problem what-so-ever!

This is not telling us at all that we HAVE TO talk in Catalan if we don't want to, but it is telling us that if your language is Catalan, you shouldn't have to change your habits for someone who LIVES here. Obviously, if you are talking to someone who's been living here for three months, you are going to try and make him/her comfortable and speak in his/her language if you do speak it, or Spanish.

So, really, what is the problem with this ad? It is not willing to do any harm at all. Why is people not happy? Why does people feel threatened? It is not like Spanish is going to vanish! In any case, in about 50 to 100 years, Catalan will be long gone (or this is what linguists say). Language is culture and we have to try and keep culture alive. That's all!

The other thing that bothers me is when people talk about "money": 1. This ad wasn't done last week, so most probably was paid for much before we went from recession to crisis. 2. This ad creates money and jobs, therefore, helps the economy. 3. Do you really think that the Generalitat hasn't really thought about the consequences of the ad? If it was to do bad, they wouldn't have done it!

Well, and the last reason why I love the ad is that I fell in love with the guy that comes out from behind the main character, to the left of the screen:

Next week: why did the visit of HRH Princess Anne bothered so much?

Sing to me

May I introduce you to:

Jóga

PS The name is still not for sure, so if you have ideas, let me know

Update: the name is definitely Jóga. For those who don't know, Jóga is a single by Björk. For more info, check the single's site or the Wiki.

Against the wall

I'm still in Madrid. Aún estoy en Madrid. Encara sóc a Madrid.

Pero ya mañana volvemos a Tarragona (y a Barcelona, claro está).

¿Cómo se define la amistad? Me lo pregunto a veces y no sé qué responderme a mí mismo. Y, ¿cuánto dura? Porque, ¿puede uno decir hasta aquí, up to here I care about you? Jo no ho crec.

Estos días en Madrid --queporciertomencantaylagentesmuymaja-- he visto amigos que hacía tiempo (que) no veía. Gente con la que había perdido el contacto a penas por algún correo electrónico aquí y allí. Pero también gente que conozco poco y que quiero conocer más. Y gente que quiero mucho y que he seguido queriendo aún con las horas.

Nunca he sido un buen quitter. Mentira. Dejé de fumar, dejé dos carreras, dejé muchas cosas e incluso he dejado a gente -las menos, todo sea dicho. Pero no he dejado de querer. A veces me aburro o we grow appart, because time and distance makes it difficult. Però no he deixat d'estimar.

Fue mi cumple y me gustó estar aquí. La gente importante me felicitó y algunos se olvidaron o lo hicieron al día siguiente o a través de un soporte que no me gusta. No me importa, nunca he sido mucho de cumples, la verdad. Pero han habido dos personas importantes que no me han felicitado. Ella no me molesta, por alguna razón. Pero él... me duele en toda el alma. Se lo he dicho, y ha dicho que sorry. Pero eso no ha cambiado nada. Mi corazón ha palpitado unos segundos pero ya está. Si ya lo sé, sóc un imbècil.

¿Cuándo y cómo deja uno de querer?

Por suerte, tengo amigos que me ayudan, que me apoyan, que vigilan lo que como, que me invitan, que me inspiran, que me seducen, que me abrazan, que me dicen qué no ponerme, que saltan en los bares, que sonríen porqué sí, que hablan con acento, que se ponen contentos, que no están cuando debieran, y que etán nerviosos.

Y estás tú. Y la distancia no importa, poque Il y a longtemps que je t'aime.

In my head, this movie's soundtrack and Alanis.

Is there any left?

Yo a veces pienso que soy imbécil. Creo que ya lo he dicho alguna vez, que quizás soy yo el imbécil y no él o ellos.

No, porque definitivamente él es imbécil pero además de los grandes.
Pero sí, yo también lo soy un poco. Lo soy porque me lo creo todo, porque me dicen ay yo yo digo uy. Porque uno va y se come con patatas lo que crees que son cumplidos pero no son más que juegos.
Y es que yo no sé aceptar los cumplidos. Fíjate, ni cosas tan obvias como las que a veces veis por aquí.
Pero lo peor es que todo fue de repente. Me sentí lleno y sonriente un día y al momento siguiente ya nada. Todo se convirtió en vacío.
¡Qué pena!

Aunque quizás tengo que aceptar las cosas como son y agradecer a Dios nuestro señor por haberme dado, siquiera unos momentos de sonrisa.

Adjusting to this "new" life here in Spain, again, is taking longer than I would like. Thought, I knew this was going to be this way.
I'm sick and tired of everything. I am tired of hoping and want-ing, and failing.

I wish I could stop to hope.

Alanis Morissette
Simple Together



You've been my golden best friend
Now with post-demise at hand
Can't go to you for consolation
Cause we're off limits during this transition

This grief overwhelms me
It burns in my stomach
And i can't stop bumping into things

I thought we'd be simple together
I thought we'd be happy together
Thought we'd be limitless together
I thought we'd be precious together
But i was sadly mistaken

You've been my soulmate and mentor
I remembered you the moment i met you
With you i knew god's face was handsome
With you i suffered an expansion

This loss is numbing me
It pierces my chest
And i can't stop dropping everything

I thought we'd be sexy together
Thought we'd be evolving together
I thought we'd have children together
I thought we'd be family together
But i was sadly mistaken

If i had a bill for all the philosophies i shared
If i had a penny for all the possibilities i presented
If i had a dime for every hand thrown up in the air
My wealth would render this no less severe

I thought we'd be genius together
I thought we'd be healing together
I thought we'd be growing together
Thought we'd be adventurous togheter
But i was sadly mistaken

Thought we'd be exploring together
Thought we'd be inspired together
I thought we'd be flying together
Thought we'd be on fire together
But i was sadly mistaken

Changes changes all over again

Well, most of you already know, but I am moving back to Spain.

This time, since I have not been cured of my fear of flying, I will be going by train.
Tomorrow I'm taking a EuroStar to Paris where I'll be a couple of days. If you are around, let me know.

And then down to Barcelona.

I am very sad today for leaving my friends here so I don't really feel like writing. The tears are blurring my vision.

"I'm branded"

This is what Eddie said when she became a product by appointment of HRH Queen Elizabeth. Well, I haven't been branded by the Queen of the United Kingdom, nor by the King of Spain. But I could say that I have almost been branded by the king of technology. Apple!

Yes, babes, Habibi now exists in iPhone (Superflicka, now I hope you like it more, huh).

Few months ago I was contacted by Schmap to add two photos of mine to their guides. One in Madrid (Schmap, Flickr) and another in London (Schmap, Flickr).

And now they have just released Schmap for iPhone. So this means that now you can find Habibi in any iPhone (I don't know how it works, really).

I know, it's nothing, but I find it funny and it makes me smile. Other people will think this is "unauthorize practice of a profesion" (vamos, intrusismo) as I am not a professional photographer. But, hey, who cares.

Enjoy ... me!

I need to confess: I am in love

Indeed. I am in love but life is a bitch and I am not loved in return. I am in love with this:

HTC Ted Baker Needle Lilac

I know, it is a mobile phone. A machine. But, I am telling you, since I saw it for the first time I fell in love. (I have a witness.)

But I am cheating. Cos I am in love with someone else:

Kevin Walker

I am terrible, because I am a double cheater, because the one person that I am REALLY in love is:

Scotty Wandell

Yes, world. I confess: I love Scotty Wandell. When, at the beginning of every chapter, they have that "Previously in Brothers & Sisters" and it shows him in the past, I get so happy, because this means that he is going to be in the chapter. And if he hasn't been for a while, I jump of joy. He is so cute.

Well, now I have finished the second series so I have to wait until the third one comes out. Oh, I can't wait.

I am talking about the character, because I know nothing about the actual actor. I know, thought, that he is actually gay. But this does not mean that I can still have hopes, because the one I am in love with is Scotty, not MacFarlane. I'd love to meet him, obviously, because I do realise that meeting Scotty is kinda difficult. And, also, because part of the actor is in the character (not only the appearance).

I feel so free now that I have confessed my love.

But, hey, I still have all my love to give.

Free Way

Last night I went to see Yelle live. It was part of the iTunes Live festival. I was so happy to be able to go as I missed her at the Old Blue Last in February.

I like her music a lot.

Yelle live is like playing her music super loud when you are driving a convertible 200 km/h in a wide motorway and you look to your side while you sing Ye Veux Te Voir and next to you there is the hottest man you have ever been with.

Then you arrive to a toll, you slow down and she sings À Cause des Garçons. But then you are lucky and the motor way is free and you get your ticket and speed up to an empty road: Tepr.

This is Yelle in concert and I hope I see her again.

"I'll pray for you"

Thanks.

Colorful Drinks

Summer has arrived and to celebrate I have decided to create a new album. I wanted to release it on the 23rd, the shortest night of the year, i.e. the longest day, but, as always, I was busy and I couldn't until today (plus some technical difficulties - thank you guys, to be at the other end of the wire).
You'll see that this time there are no Super Bonus Tracks, my beloved ones. I Wanted to do a 12 song album with one or two SBT as usual (12 for the number of weeks in the season) but in the end I couldn't pick which ones were the SBTs and which ones the actual songs. So you have to consider this as a whole SBDisk. Shuffle to enjoy.

As always, if you click on the cover and at the bottom you will be able to download the tracks and the artwork I have created. Also, at th bottom, you'll find a link to the lyrics and the translations for the non english songs.
I want to dedicate this album to Cvalda. Hope you all like it.

Colorful Drinks

Citizen of the Planet • Alanis Morissette
Orchidee • Amalia Grè
Oh My Life • Beth Rowley
Jodida, pero contenta • Concha Buika
Desafinado (G&J) • Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan
Mercy • Duffy
Falling in Love Again • Eagle Eye Cherry
Space Oddity (Bowie) • Émilie Simon
Lovefool (Cardigans) • Just Jack
Tothom parla • Las Migas
Crime • NajwaJean
La Rambla (?) (Quimi) • Novo
Better • Regina Spektor
Handle Me (Old) • Robyn
Replacement • She Wants Revenge
Rapper’s Delight (?) • Sugarhill Gang
Not That Big • Temposhark & Imogen Heap
Les formigues de la vida • Xerramequ Tiquis Miquis

Artwork and other files, and Tracks
•
Lyrics

I love Last.fm

Need

I don't need wise words. I don't need big words.

I just need a hug.

Spring cleaning

I think I need to clean up my heart.

Caution, you might slip and disappear.

The Way I Need

Sant Jordi arrived again and, what else could happen on the Lover's Day of Catalonia, but me releasing a new album (remember Valentine's Day and Sant Jordi 2007 and 2008: I'ts not me (it's you); It's not me: the B-Sides [español]; My Favorite Flavor [español] ).
This is the first album at Word Arranger and the third of the year. It is only April, I know. But this is also the last of the saga. A saga that started last year with the "I despise Valentine's Day" mood. But then I kind of liked it, I kind of liked the work in progress of releasing these albums.
They all have songs that cannot be considered 100% love or no-love, they even have songs that do not mean that at all. But, who knows what Love really is?

This time I wanted to do something very easy. This songs have been for a year in a playlist in my iTunes and I knew which I was going to use, actually. I tried not to use the songs or the artists that had been used in previous albums (including Serendipity, which wasn't released onto any of my blogs).
There are songs that I have "sung" in my blogs so many times. There are songs that are old and have been running around for so long. There are songs that are very new for me, even if they might be quite old as well. There are even two songs sung by the same person. But, especially, there are songs that make my heart to shrink.
Some of them have a name, most of them I would say. Some of them I wish they didn't have. But this is how things are, and this is how I feel right now. Because love is not something that changes from one day to another.

Anyway, here it is.

The Way I Need

1. Fistful of Love - Antony and the Johnsons
2. My Melody of Love - Bobby Vinton
3. Love Me - Cetu Javu
4. Everythings I Cannot See - Charlotte Gainsbourg
5. Fresh Feelings - Eels
6. I Hope that I don’t Fall in Love with You - Emilíana Torrini
7. It’s Good to Be in Love - Frou Frou
8. Bota pa la lambón - Gertrudis
9. I Am in Love with You - Imogen Heap
10. Falling for You - Jem
11. Sent la nit - Kabul Babà
12. Pass This On - The Knife
13. Amante bandido - Miguel Bosé & Alaska
14. Boig per tu - Novo
15. Meu cel colorit - Òscar Briz
16. Samson - Regina Spektor
17. The Origin of Love - Stephen Trask

Super Bonus Track

• One Word - Kelly Osbourne

You'll see that this time I didn't say no to more than one song in Catalan, but hey, Sant Jordi is the day all Catalan boys are giving ROSES to their girlfriends and they give them BOOKS back. So, what a better day than singing in their language? I am very much pleased with this. Although I am still looking for a Catalan singer with my own accent, (I am really not going to use Lax'n'Busto) as, again, Òscar Briz is Valencian, and Gertrudis, Kabul Babà, and Novo are from Barcelona, so no chance to pronounce like I do. Such an small country and so many diferences.
Also, you'll see that opposite to the previous albums, this has songs mostly in English (and Catalan, as said). No hebrew (but I wasn't going to use Ivri), no Polish (just few lines in one song). But still some French and Galician.

All these songs meen much to me. All of them are those that I never skip in my iPod. I am so happy with this compilation, I could cry - although I have already done so.

I wanted something simple. I knew that selecting the track list wasn't going to take me long, and it didn't. But the artwork took a while to come to my head. Kelly surprised me out of a sudden - she got the honourable place of SBT. "One Word" is what she says, and repeats. One word can change everything.
So suddenly the artwork appeared in my mind. I know very little about design and I am very bad at using my tools. But I am very happy with the result. Moreover, I had fun.

Nonetheless, even if I thought that was going to be easy, I had so much trouble with it. Somehow the files are bigger than what they normally are, that's why the artwork comes split.

Anyway, nothing much to say. I would like to talk about each song (I was hoping we'd done that for My Favorite Flavor), but I don't want to spoil anything.
But, please, take me to Gordon's Wine Bar, or let's share a mattress on the floor and we will talk about them. We will share an iPod, you'll get one earpiece and I'll get the other.

And this is it. This is the last of the 4 albums I had planned. I swear, nothing coming now, nothing in my mind. But if something does come up, it is not going to be about Love - or is it? (Because Love is Everything).

As usual:

Artwork and other files

BTW, happy Sant Jordi! Feliz San Jordi! Feliç Sant Jordi!

I know I should

Foundations
Kate Nash



Thursday night, every thing's fine, except you've got that look in your eye
when I'm tellin' a story and you find it boring,
you're thinking of something to say.
You'll go along with it then drop it and humiliate me in front of our friends.

Then I'll use that voice that you find annoyin' and say something like
"yeah, intelligent input, darlin', why don't you just have another beer then?"

Then you'll call me a bitch
and everyone we're with will be embarrassed,
and I wont give a shit.

My finger tips are holding onto the cracks in our foundation,
and I know that I should let go,
but I can't.
And every time we fight I know it's not right,
every time that you're upset and I smile.
I know I should forget, but I can't.

You said I must eat so many lemons
'cause i am so bitter.
I said
"I'd rather be with your friends mate 'cause they are much fitter."

Yes, it was childish and you got aggressive,
and I must admit that I was a bit scared,
but it gives me thrills to wind you up.

Your face is pasty 'cause you've gone and got so wasted, what a surprise.
Don't want to look at your face 'cause it's makin' me sick.
You've gone and got sick on my trainers,
I only got these yesterday.
Oh, my gosh, I cannot be bothered with this.

Well, I'll leave you there 'till the mornin',
and I purposely won't turn the heating on
and dear God, I hope I'm not stuck with this one.

Unravelling

Today I almost "put the foot". Today I almost said "It's not you, it's me" [do not reed between the lines, this is not about you (now)] and that very moment a pain started in my chest. How could I dare to say those words after last year (1, 2)? How could I imagine to start pronouncing them? But it was true, this time, really, it was true. I know that when people say those words they don't really mean them. I know, cos I have said them and I have been the receiver as well. That's why the album was called this way, because it is never me, it is always you. But, going back to the main plot: I was almost about to say those words, but this time they were for real. I really meant them. This time it was all about me. But then, with the pain, I realised that this time is STILL (once more, still) not about me (when the hell is it going to be about me? - you know why I say this). This time was about the dotted one. Again, the dotted one comes from the recent past to bother me. I don't love him, I don't want him, but still he is there and his presence does not let me go ahead (move on, that is, but I don't like this expression). And here I am, between East and Further East trying to understand whether North or South. So many directions, so many destinies. But I don't know how to follow. I don't know what to do. Cos I can't. I am not able to let myself love and I am hating myself for it.

I just want...
I just want to be happy.
Do I want a boyfriend?
Well, I don't know. The other cover tells that I do. I like to go to the cinema and to the theatre with you. But last Friday, well, last Friday you weren't by my side, you were in front of me. But on some moment, the couple next to you, and the couple next to me, both just hugged, both just were so romantically in love that I laughed. Did you hear? Well, I did. Because I want to hold you when we are watching a movie, but I want you to hold me back. But that is not the most important, the best is that we go to interesting things. We go to cinema that not many people goes - well, I know, the theatre is always full, but compare a few hundred people with the whole humanity - we go to spectacles that I die to go to. We have a cultural life that I always longed for. And I have so much to thank you. But I need you to hug me. I know you don't do those things, and that you don't even want to. But I need it.
But I am trying to be your friend. And now, Mr T is trying to get a second round and I am so scared, so deadly scared that I can't even think of saying yes. And he is real sweet, and I feel so sorry. If I say "well, no" he'll be sad. But I can't give him hopes. Can I? Is that being bad? I need him to be "badder". I need him to play hard to get, because this is what it really looks like I like. But do I?
And CupCake (is this a good nickname?). Let's call him Blue. So Blue is playing hard to get. And I do like him. But he is soft and I liked it.

But you know what? Escarola was right. She told me that I am confusing myself. I am "confús, confonent-me". I am making a mess of myself.
I can count to what? How many fingers did you say? So long...
This is two, and with this two it makes four.
This is exactly what I should do. I should just forget everything. I should just take my backpack and go to Danmark. Oh, Ísland is now? So Ísland it would be. I should just forget it ever happened. I should just, move away. That's even more effective than to move on.

------------but then, suddenly, someone else will come to entangle the ball of yarn that I had unravelled for so long------------

Before, I would have chosen this.

Still listening to Òscar Briz,
but of course, at work I have your CD.

I haven't knit in such a long time.