Mark Knopfler

* photo from thetimes.co.uk

I was in high school when Dire Straits came out with Sultans of Swing.  Listening to that was pure heaven.  Front man Mark Knopfler was the key behind it all, but it was only much later on that I learned to appreciate his guitar playing abilities.  It was funny, because when the song came out, I thought the band's name was the "Sultans" because the lyrics talked about the band, "...we are the Sultans of Swing."

Roy Clark

* photo from USA Today

Watching musicians on YouTube has kept me occupied and contented over the quarantine period.  I've reconnected with some music that I sort of have forgotten, and some of these songs just placed me in a melancholy mood.

I remember reading a magazine article that someone once asked Jimi Hendrix what it felt like being the best guitarist in the whole world.  Hendrix replied to the man, "I don't know... you should ask Roy Clark..."

I never saw any episode of his TV Show Hee Haw, and I only remember him from his rendition of Yesterday When I Was Young.  I've been pretty lucky in love, so the specific lyrics don't apply to me, but the disheartening pall of the Coronavirus can make one think back on the errors in one's life...

Yesterday When I Was Young (Charles Aznavour)

It seems the love I've known
Has always been the most destructive kind
I guess that's why now
I feel so old
Before my time

Yesterday, when I was young
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game
The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame
The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned
I always built to last on weak and shifting sand
I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the day
And only now I see how the years ran away

Yesterday, when I was young
So many happy songs were waiting to be sung
So many wild pleasures lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see
I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out
I never stopped to think what life was all about
And every conversation I can now recall
Concerned itself with me and nothing else at all

Yesterday the moon was blue
And every crazy day brought something new to do
I used my magic age as if it were a wand
And never saw the waste and emptiness beyond
The game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died
The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the play

There are so many songs in me that won't be sung
I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue
The time has come for me to pay for
Yesterday, when I was young

Glen Campbell

* photo from amazon.com

When most people talk about Glen Campbell, the song that automatically comes to mind is Rhinestone Cowboy.  In my case, however, the song that I associate him with is Wichita Lineman, which was penned by Jimmy Webb of McArthur Park fame.  In the late sixties, I wasn't allowed to tinker with Kong's turntable, so when I got my first cassette player, I would rewind the tape over and over to listen to the song.  I've had time during the COVID-19 lockdown to listen to a lot of the old music on YouTube, and I've revisited the song a few times.  Yes, it is a melancholy song, and yes it is haunting.

And I need you more than want you... And I want you for all time...

Few people know that Campbell was an exceptional guitar player, one of the best in the business.  He's worked on studio sessions for a lot of musical acts like the Beach Boys, the Everly Brothers, the Cascades, the Monkees and also recorded with Hollywood royalty including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Lou Rawls and Elvis Presley.  If you listen to him play the William Tell Overture (Lone Ranger song) live in concert, you will know exactly what I mean:

Bugatti Type 55

* photo from robbreport.com

I've always been fascinated by automobiles that came out prior to World War II.  There is something in the design that evokes visual elegance and a certain carefree driving spirit.  It's just like the car is telling me to "live the life on the road!"  During this extended quarantine, I came upon this report about a Bugatti Type 55 that is expected to fetch up to $9.5 million in auction, and I can't help but exude a longing sigh of pure envy!

Meteor Garden

* picture from wikipedia.org

La Fonsas Masareal

Koi Kei Bakery

Coppenrath Gewurz Spekulatius

House of Minis

House of Minis has been a mainstay of the Greenhills experience for as far back as I can remember.  It was the inexpensive steak house that automatically served soup and salad with every order of steak.  It had a cowboy saloon atmosphere, with an electric organ trying its best to put up that honky-tonk vibe.  I remember the music would be punctuated by sizzling sounds every time a waiter would pour mushroom sauce on cast iron steak plates.  Sure, the steaks were thinly sliced, but that didn't prevent us from savoring every single bite.  Sure space was tight and the place was frequently crowded making it difficult to get in and move out, but that's how they kept reasonable prices.  Sure, the smoke had a lingering effect on your clothes, but the aroma of grilled steak was well worth the trade-off.  As soon as quarantine restrictions are lifted, I'll find my way back there!

Strong Zero

Yormenok Stuffed Chicken Quirino

We've come to rely on the neighborhood fast food shops for quick deliveries.  Becca found this food shop online, the name of which comes from a word play on the Manila Mayor's media moniker.   Yormenok has an flavorful take on stuffed chicken, and it's not too expensive at around P300 each.

Ma Tsang

Hey Cha

Jacob & Co.

*photo from jacobandco.com

I can watch it all day.  Absolutely mesmerizing.  

Joybean

Jinro Chamisul

Carmen's Best

Prior to the quarantine, we were at the Power Plant Mall, and Monique had the sudden urge to buy ice cream for her sister.  Carmen's Best was her go-to choice, the rich flavors were all too good to resist.  I'm sure the two girls had much fun!

Tommy Emmanuel

This is one gentleman who carries on the guitar playing traditions of Les Paul and Chet Atkins, my favorite one-man band, Mr. Tommy Emmanuel!  I love the artistry at work here, warm tones coupled with wild rides, very entertaining and his finger style technique is top notch, bar none.  I found this remarkable video which shows the rich human warmth and open, gentle wisdom of this wonderful musician.  Enjoy!