ABC Wednesday - Letter B

"B" is such an easy letter for me.  A look at my blog title will tell you that, but there are so many more B's in my life, and the two most important are not even listed in that title.  I'll begin with Bill and I'll try to keep it non-mushy.  He makes me laugh, and he loves Black Jack, and we share good times and he understands me.  I love him.  Simple as that.  Here are a few photos, some that have been posted before, and some that I took a couple of days ago during our outing to Colony Farms.  

Playing with Black Jack

Trying out the new basket

Making me laugh

6 poses in 6 seconds

I love Black Jack too.

She also makes me laugh.

On the seawall a couple of days ago, her curly tail unfurled a bit as she anticipated a treat.

Perhaps a few readers remember I've made it a goal to post a musician and an artist who are new to me, to represent each letter for ABC Wednesday.  This is Waldemar Bastos.

If you have time, I think you will really enjoy listening to one of his songs at this link.  The album is called Pretaluz, and the song is "Rainha Ginga" (Queen Ginga).  Here is the link to a few comments that helped me to understand the music a little bit more.  I have copied two of the comments below:
"Waldemar Bastos is from Angola, he sings in Portuguese, he plays the acoustic guitar 'Spanish style', and his music is sprinkled with latin musical phrases. Whilst it is very common in Africa to hear African music with influences from South America (e.g. La Rumba Congolaise from the Congo and Mbalax from Senegal), it is quite rare to hear Latin influences direct from the former Latin colonial powers, not leastly as there were very few Spanish and Portuguese colonies in Africa. This is why this CD is particularly fascinating. Although many of the tracks reflect much of the grief and sorrow experienced by Angola over the last 20 years, there are also some very joyful and uplifting tracks.(e.g. tracks 5 & 9) After hearing this CD, one can't help thinking that notwithstanding the severe ecomomic barriers that restrict the creation & development of African musicians, how many brilliant African musicians have been denied us due to war and social turmoil ? Great production that does justice to the beauty of the music, by David Byrne (Talking Heads). This CD is a unique musical experience, treasure it!"
"I came across Waldemar Bastos when he played at the EXPO World Exhibition in Hanover, Germany in July. I was fascinated by his unique blend of african music and latin american/portuguese music.For example he uses a rhythm which is considered to be the african root of the samba. He sings in portuguese, plays a classical acoustic guitar, but the music is truly african, very sad but never heavy and at the gig he sent the entire crowd dancing! This CD might well be his only one generally available and it captures the spirit of the show quite truly. Just listen to the samples and you'll hear!"
And because I list the three B's (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms) in my profile, and because just this morning, I was transported to a a mood of euphoric tranquility (Can those two words go together?) as the slow movement of Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto played on CBC, I thought you might enjoy it too.  Beethoven  struggled in his personal relationships, but he was a man of great tenderness, and that comes through beautifully in this music.  Here's the link to a performance by Glen Gould.  

I took this photo from the television screen

(although I heard Alfred Brendel this morning).  The comments under the Gould link are fascinating.  He apparently was asked to perform the next day, hadn't played it in years, and called it "junk" but stayed up all night to prepare the performance.  His playing and facial expression tell a very different story from his words.  One other comment resonated so much, I have copied it here for you.

When I hear this there is no war in the middle east, no global warming, no crime-ridden slums, no marital problems...when I hear this all that exists to me is the sound of something that could almost be called divine...something so beautifully conceived I often wonder how it came out the mind of a mortal man.

The "B" artist I discovered is Glacomo Balla (1871-1958).  Here are two of his paintings:

Flight of the Swallows

Abstract Speed and Sound

I had a lot of fun exploring Balla's life and paintings.  On this page, you can see almost all of the work he did in his lifetime.  He was one of the founders of a movement called Futurism and although it didn't last a long time, it influenced subsequent movements that, if you are interested, you can explore from this link.
I have struggled a bit with this post, losing large sections of it, for some unknown reason.  I'll leave you with a few more B's that brighten my life, but will keep the commentary to short captions.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  For other "B" thoughts and ideas from across the world, do take some time to stop by the ABC Wednesday web site.

Blooms and the Colour Blue

  

Beasts
One of four baby racoons at Stanley Park

At the dog beach under the Burrard Bridge

Birds
Female Wood Duck at Stanley Park

Matt (in front) and Mimi: Osprey pair at Port Moody

 Purple Martin at Port Moody (I love this expression!)

Same Purple Martin in flight

Three stages of Mimi's flight

Matt bringing a fish to the nest.  Pat, the baby (on the left), seems to have done a face plant.  Mimi is trying to pick the fish out of Matt's talons.

Mystery Bird at Colony Farms.  Swallow, I think, but what type?

Redwing Blackbird at Colony Farms

A couple of "B" shapes seen in my travels
Driftwood at the beach

Playground apparatus, turned sideways

Boffo expressions and the colour Blue

I didn't know the word "boffo" but it means amusing.  Just took these this morning and love the expressions and waving hands.  Begging captions if any of you feel inspired.

That's it.  That's all.  Have a wonderful week!