Mario's Vox Series: Rani Singam in Blue

I featured Rani Singam once maybe even twice before in this blog. So not much can be added to what I wrote before I am sure. I knew that already, of course, when I brought along my camera to the Vox series at Sing Jazz club last Thursday and what was I then going to do with the photos.

I am probably repeating myself as well when I say that these Mario Serio’s Vox series have easily become my favorite music outing here in Singapore. A great showcase of the variety of vocal talent available in Singapore set in a relaxing format, just piano and voice.  Singers often chose their own personalized theme.  So far I have enjoyed each and every one I attended and will look especially forward to the one coming up this Thursday.

I always tried to be as discreet as possible taking pictures, I hardly walk around and don’t stand in front of people. Although I tried to take the shots when the volume is higher I must have, on occasion, annoyed my neighbor with the clicking of the camera that day. To let that annoyance not be for nothing, I thought I should share some of the photos.

Ernesto Anaya: Me on Mexican Melancholy

Lonely is not the word I’d like to use. But it’s no fun when she’s not there! Sometimes I walk around like a zombie, not having my thoughts together. Yes I have all these opportunities to meet all these lovely people I know, but it’s not the same. There is always a gap, an opening right next to me, that even my massive dear German friend cannot fill.

I dread this melancholic feeling caused by missing some one you are close to, and yet, when invoked by music I simply love it. I love the songs that pull a chill down my spine, or bring tears to my eyes, the most heart wrenching lyrics of lost love and unconditional adoration, the blues, folk music.

Therefore a strange thing happened tonight. In spite of, not being able to have a face to face conversation with my companion for a few days now and it probably will take another couple of weeks for it to happen, it’s that musical melancholy that made me feel lighter. 

My dear friend Alina Ramirez already shared Ernesto Anaya’s music with me via a CD, that she gave me a few month ago, but she topped that up by having Ernesto perform at the Sing Jazz Club on Wednesday evening.

Songs from the heart sung with an emotion so true that you could only listen in aw. Some songs, but really a few, were a little upbeat but most of them, aaaahhh... Ernesto is clearly a storyteller, one who does understand the finesse of sentiment and has the voice of a tenor. 

It was as if the songs gave me a better understanding of my emotions. The melancholy turned into plain beauty and helped putting a slight smile on my face.

Now back home again, at a quiet apartment, I can only reminisce and slowly but surely turn back into that strange feeling. Blues a healer, all over the world, all over the world…

Christy Smith

Mario Lopez