Manda Djinn : Gospel à Paris

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Ça fait deux ans depuis mon dernier passage à l'Église Saint-Germain-Des-Prés à Paris.

Voici tout l'info sur les premières d'une séries de concerts de gospel dans cette édifice magnifique. Je serai accompagnée par pianiste, Alberto Pibiri et les chanteuses Kimberley et Laura Senneron.

N'hésitez pas de nous dire "bonjour".

It has been two years since my last concert at Saint Germain-Des-Pres in Paris.

Please open video to see the details of the first in a series of gospel concerts to be held in this magnificent edifice. I will be accompanied by pianist, Alberto Pibiri and singers, Kimberley and Laura Senneron.

Be sure to say ""hello"!

Escapade Américaine

Champagne, live music and jamm session, in which I participated, made the vernissage a "happening event" Wednesday, August 18th at Le 59 Rivoli in Paris. Natalie, student and fan, asked me how does one jamm with musicians just met? The answer is in my book of top tips for singers now in the works.  
See vernissage info below:   

“Escapade Américaine”

Kristin Eager KILLION l Françoise EVRARD l Michel de MARMONT

Exposition du 17 Août au 5 Septembre 2010

Vernissage-Cocktails

le vendredi 3 septembre 2010 à partir de 18 heures

Le 59 RIVOLI http://www.59rivoli.org/

59, rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris

Ouvert du mardi au dimanche de 13h à 20h, le samedi de 11h à 20h (fermé le lundi)


If you miss the exposition, catch up with Kristin Eager Killion of Keager Design-sustainable art: at www.keagerdesign.us.tt and check out Kristen's  recycled art creations like earrings from champagne bottle caps.
 

On the Seine

Ever long for dinner by candlelight with intermittent music, in intimate company with a view of the Seine? Le River Café peniche, with its spacious wood interior is the place you're longing for. In fact, I sang there last night. Every Wednesday, all year round, is jazz night, presenting jazz artists of grand caliber such as Michele Hendricks, daughter of famed singer, Bill Hendricks of Hendricks, Lambert & Ross fame. I usually sing Jazz there but last night's concert was a changeup from the norm. With bassist Nicolas Rageau and newcomer on the Paris scene, pianist Greg Lloyd, we alternately rocked the house and soothed the spirit with gospel, negro spirituals and inspirational songs. What's that? Songs like "I believe", "You'll never walk alone", "If I had a Hammer" etc. Get the picture? Or rather, the song? If you're a musician it's a tough nut to crack, after all, people are eating and speaking. But eventually they finish dessert and then they're all yours. Le River Café is situated on Quai Alexandre in Issy les Moulineaux. Check out their site for further info and check mine for our next performance there and elsewhere.

Waiting for a hit!

Will wonders never cease? The electro-dance song I wrote and recorded with David Rubato two years ago, "Deep Inside," is out and spinning. Only available for the time being in the United Kingdom, it showed up in the top ten on the Funky House internet site today. My fingers ache from being crossed since David and I signed a distribution contract in 2006. I grew up believing that the least a singer needed, besides some talent, was one hit record and a career was made. Of course, no one is against having a string of hits to his or her credit. At this point in time, though, with record sales on the decline, it seems like a lot to ask for. At any rate, it's too early to uncross fingers. By the way, to date, Deep Inside has three remixes. DJs make the hits so let's hope they hit on this cut.

DEEP INSIDE

Not so long ago
I felt nothing but the pain
Every place I went
Real bad memories on my mind

Nights were passing by
'till the day I realized
Despite what I believed
All I need's inside of me

I can tell now

DEEP INSIDE LIES THE ANSWER
DEEP INSIDE WAITS THE POWER
DEEP INSIDE LIES THE ANSWER
DEEP INSIDE WAITS THE POWER

Now I'm on my way
I know what I'm heading for
Learning everyday
Taking one step at a time

Keeping my head high
I feel I've got what it takes
Never giving up
It's the only way to go

I can tell now

DEEP INSIDE LIES THE ANSWER
DEEP INSIDE WAITS THE POWER
DEEP INSIDE LIES THE ANSWER
DEEP INSIDE WAITS THE POWER



EYEZCREAM
GUT RECORDS 2008

How did you celebrate July 4th, Independence Day ?

July 14th is Independence Day in France, equal to our July 4th celebration. A friend invited us for a July 3rd party in the suburbs, at least an hour by car. I answered the invitation with a subtle hint that transport being a problem - my husband won't be driving for a while - I probably wouldn't attend. However, this friend who is forever sending out emails about his activities, never answers others emails or at least mine. So July 4th, hubby and I spent at home. We got a lot done, worked on writing blogs and etc. at the computer. Know what I mean ?

Then July 5th rainy, windy morning weather cast a damp outlook on the big picnic planned by my friend known on the net as "Island Girl". It was decided to wait until early afternoon, say three o'clock, before going to the planned rendezvous. Three pm arrived, I was ready to party but the weather remained overcast and slightly cool. Unfortunately the long ride and the late hour with thoughts of trekking home on the RER train and bus, I chose to stay home with hubby again. Sure, he couldn't even go downstairs for coffee because of the slippery sidewalk. His leg and foot cast has a metal piece on the bottom, practical for resting ones foot but not practical in the rain with his two canes. By four pm however, the sun shone bright enough for a walk around one of my favorite parks, the Roger Salengro, just up the street from our building.

Also stopped into what is euphemistically called, Clichy Plage (Clichy beach) in the stadium across from the park but that's another story. At any rate, the weekend had nothing to do with those remembered holidays back home: hot, sunny, fighting the traffic to get to the beach. Fried chicken, corn, lemonade, or are my souvenirs going back too far ? After all, France has been my home since nineteen-eighty-four. So how did you spend the American Independence Day ?

Caregiving

In a fit of temper brought on by our car stalling, my husband tried to push the car. Result: he tore his Achilles Tendon. Ouch. Naive as we were, we both thought he'd be back at work in a few days. Wrong.
After an operation he is now in a cast for two months and I'm in the position of caregiving for the first time in my life.

So what does it entail? As my sister-in-law commented, "Oh yeah, lots of takeout food". Well, I'm trying not to fall into that habit although I must say that we're eating small frozen pizza tarts at least once a week. The rest of the time I'm learning culinary skills in trying to serve nutritious and interesting food. I find that my husband who always has a healthy appetite has now turned into one yawning mouth. I discovered a great recipe for eggplant last week so we have that dish once a week. Also found a recipe on the net from Dr. Ben Kim for zucchini spaghetti. Nothing lasts forever and he'll be out of the cast and back on his feet in August. We already cancelled our August vacation because of his reeducation.

I remember the good old days BTA (before the accident) when he cooked dinner and we both shopped for food, etc. etc. Now it's cooking two meals a day, food shopping practically every day, taking down the garbage, watching the dishes pile up in the sink, and etc. etc.