Saturday, November 19, 2011

Making a Joyful Noise

SEEN FROM OUR BALCONY. "STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT."
Street musicians are very common here in Sevilla.  I've mentioned them in earlier posts.  Some are wonderfully talented and a joy to hear.  Others are pure torture and I'm tempted to pay them if only they'll stop.  One day last week, I heard the tune "Strangers in the Night" being played fairly decently outside our windows.  Musicians making their rounds regularly stop in front of Dos de Mayo to perform for tips for the four restaurants/bars on our plaza.

Last Saturday afternoon, I heard an energized flamenco beat being carried by some sort of drum and clapping hands.  When I went out on the balcony, I found one man playing a guitar and singing while another drummed on a large box.  A baby in a carriage was mesmerized, and people around them clapped skillfully to the beat.  It was uplifting. At the end, no hat was passed; no money was exchanged.  They just hugged and headed on their way.

FLAMENCO LAST WEEK IN FRONT OF EL SANEDRÍN.

As we neared the plaza on our walk home from dinner late last night, we heard a joyful noise.  Many voices were raised in song.  They sounded great despite the fact that we groaned when we realized they were singing "Cielito Lindo." However, as we turned the corner, we discovered the crowd was being led by a group of traditionally garbed troubadours.  And, thankfully, the troop's next and last song, which they sang alone, was something much more fun — and less familiar to us — than "Cielito Lindo."

We were so grateful to have arrived home before they made their musical exit.  I hope the video I caught of that last number — right at our front door — will give you a sense of the happiness we felt as we headed upstairs for the night.



22 comments:

  1. Now I know why you choose Sevilla, nice weather, not to cold, good food, music without turning on the radio or iPod.

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  2. Sevilla is starting to sound a little surreal - the stuff that goes on day to day there sounds like something scripted in a movie.

    -Rosalinda

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  3. Peter:
    I think you get the idea how much I love it here. And the music is amazing.

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  4. Rosalinda:
    This video made me appreciate how unreal my reality now is. What joy!

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  5. How cool was that! Yes, you absolutely,sir, cannot take any of this for granted! You hear! Capisce!
    Let me see, I am imaging this occurring as we arrive home late one evening, along the shores of the NORTH ATLANTIC!......doesn't seem to work! lol

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  6. and the singers are not hard to look at either!

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  7. I have missed visiting with u!

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  8. Wow! It's like being on permanent vacation. Oh, wait... you are!

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  9. Jim:
    I'm sure Sophie could learn to play the guitar if she really tried.

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  10. Miss Wendy kisatrtle:
    Always a pleasure!

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  11. Walt the Fourth:
    I was going to qualify that statement, but then I realized it's true!

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  12. Plenty of singing now - but I wonder if there'll be more or less of it after the results have been declared? I guess that there certainly will be rejoicing if it goes the expected way, but I reckon it won't last very long before reality bites - no matter who wins.
    (I assume, Mitch, that you've got to have resided in Espana for quite some time before you personally get your vote?)

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  13. Raybeard:
    Tough times. You're right about reality biting. We are only residents and not citizens, so no votes here for us.

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  14. So, do you have impromptu dance contests at your house?

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  15. Maria:
    IN the house, no. But, outside... nothing would surprise me!

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  16. The video would have made me smile with happiness. Seville sounds a lovely city so vibrant and alive.
    Thanks for sharing such happiness.

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  17. the cuby poet:
    I'm glad you liked it. I keep watching it and it makes me smile every time!

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  18. I love it when the musicians come over. I am such a sucker for live music and it really lifts the energy. Sounds lovely mister.

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  19. Jeff:
    This truly was uplifting. I hope we see these guys again.

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  20. Seville is truly a happy place. I look forward to visiting one day soon.

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  21. Nubian:
    And I look forward to enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to the music with you!

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