Somewhere Over The Rainbow │Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (Brother IZ)

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole was a remarkable person and entertainer.  He was born on the island of Oahu on May 20, 1959 in Kuakini Hospital located in beautiful Nuuanu valley.  Israel's parents noticed, even as an infant, that their son had special spiritual qualities and gifts.  In his early childhood he lived with his parents in Kaimuki, a sleepy little town located just outside of Honolulu.  But, as fate would have it, as a young teenager, his family relocated to Makaha on the extreme West coast of Oahu.  It was there that he met Moon Kauakahi, Sam Gray, Jerome Koko, and they formed the legendary vocal group, the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau.  The rest, as they say, is history.  By-the-way, Makaha is one of the most hallowed places on the island of Oahu.  It is right next to the sacred Kaena Point, that Hawaiians believe to be the portal to Heaven.  Actually, I also believe that the be so.  I lived in Makaha for many years, and one of my favorite things things that I liked to do, was to ride my bicycle out to Kaena Point to enjoy the spiritual and mystical ambiance of the place.  Israel's haunting rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is a Twentieth-Century classic.  It has been used in numerous films and advertisements internationally.  It is interesting to note that Israel's recording is very simple and honest.  It does not contain any drums, bass, or background vocals.  It's just Israel singing and playing his ukulele.  There are no pretensions, just a sort of innocent humbleness, that is so intoxicating to the ears and heart.  Singlehandedly, Israel was responsible for a resurgence in the popularity of the ukulele in Hawaii and elsewhere.  You might say that Israel helped pave the way for ukulele virtuosos like Jake Shimabukuro, to be noticed and heard.  Israel ceased his earthly existence on June 26, 1997 in Honolulu.  Please click on this link to purchase Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's beautiful "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" from Amazon.com:  Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

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-three years ago to the day.  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' "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 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.  In this edition of Endyr's Planet we are featuring the complete radio broadcast of 1938 just as America heard it on that faithful evening.  Please click on the widget below to hear the complete broadcast of Orson Welles' "War Of The Worlds".

The Galway Girl │ The Wee Amigos

The Wee Amigos are a refreshing new Irish Country Music Band.  The members of the group are, Simon Peters, Ben Troy, and Gerald Ahern.  Let me say this:  The Wee Amigos are fantastic!  They hail from towns of Donegal, Cork and Monaghan in Ireland.  In this edition of Endyr's Planet we are featuring the The Wee Amigos singing that Irish classic "The Galway Girl".

La Malagueña Salerosa │ Luis Miguel

Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri (El Sol de México), is one of the greatest singers in the world.  He was born on April 19, 1970, in Puerto Rico.  Contrary to popular belief he is not Mexican, but is a Spanish citizen.  His father is the singer Luisito Rey from Cadiz, Spain, and his mother was Italian actress Marcella Basteri from Carrara, Italy.  In this edition of Endyr's Planet we feature Luis Miguel singing the beautiful and haunting Huapango "La Malagueña Salerosa" accompanied by guitarist Lusito Rey.  It is a very powerful and moving performance.  Luis was twelve years old at the time of this recording.

L'Envie d'aimer │ Ecole des Stars II (Finale)

In this edition of Endyr's Planet we are featuring one of the most beautiful songs in the whole world.  It is called "L'Envie d'aimer (The Desire To Love), from the incredible musical from France, "Les Dix Commandements (The Ten Commandments)".  This song was composed by Pascal Obispo, and Lionel Florence who have had several number one hits in France, and Patrice Guirao.  "L'Envie d'aimer" is one of the biggest selling singles of all time in France, and was also a hit in other Western European countries.  Unfortunately, though, it is not well known in America.  That is a shame, as sometimes, we who live in the United States, tend to be very insular, and provincial in our musical tastes, and forget that there is a whole world of music out there for us to explore, experience, and enjoy.  Valentin, Rémi, Madeleine, Enzo, and  Oliana who were the finalist from the first season of Ecole des Stars, were invited back to the program to perform this magnificent encore during the finale of the show.  I can listen to this song over and over again and it still brings tears to my eyes.  It's also one of my Dear Aunt Martha's favorite songs.

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

Blue Bird │ Boys Air Choir

In this edition of Endyr's Planet we are featuring a moment of tranquility with the incredible Boys Air Choir from Great Britain.  The Boys Air Choir was formed in 1986, and is comprised of seven members, aged eight to sixteen years old.  Each vocalist is carefully chosen from the choirs of various Cathedrals in London such as St. Paul's, Salisbury, and Westminster.  Each chorister attends school full-time, so all recordings and promotional activities take place during summer and Easter vacations.  Please click on the video widget below to hear the Boys Air Choir sing the hauntingly beautiful "Bluebird".  The CD by the Boys Air Choir that contains "Bluebird" can be purchased from this Amazon.com link:  Blue Bird - Boys Air Choir