(871) MUSIC AND ME (Dec. 11, 2014) THE MISSING CHORD OF THE SONG "SOMEWHERE IN TIME"

CHINESE LADY AND HER DAUGHTER BOTH CAN PLAY PIANO
    This Chinese (or Taiwanese) lady ask me to let her daughter, left, play the piano. I let her play 2 songs and then she plays next some American songs including the 2nd or 3rd "Somewhere In Time" which reminds me of a middle-aged guy in 1984 in Philippines, who is looking for a pianist who can play the 'missing' chord of that song.           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



THE MISSING CHORD OF THE SONG
        "SOMEWHERE IN TIME"

THE MOST requested song to me among middle-aged ladies in the Philippines is the theme song from the same movie "Somewhere In Time" starring Christopher Reeves, the Superman lead actor.

Because it has a very complicated chords, I have to buy the score sheet of that song at National Bookstore worth about 18.oo Php. I followed meticulously all of its chords -- from Major 7th, minor 7th, minor augmented Major 7th, Major, minor, 7th, and many chords with different bass.

When one of my piano students in Philippines got married, she requested me to play in the church and reception of the wedding. She requested me to play "Somewhere In Time", Looking Through The Eyes Of Love, Endless Love and the 4th one, I can't recall.

I have noticed since then that Somewhere In Time is really popular among ladies but I haven't seen the movie yet and always ask myself, "Why did they like this song and the movie?"

When I worked in Bahrain for 2 years and 3 months at Khayam Taverna (Greek Restaurant) in 1987-1989, I was able to see the movie 'Somewhere in Time' when I rented that film in VHS cassette. THEN I FOUND OUT WHY!

I remember when I'm playing that song in 1984 at the terrace of Aristocrat Restaurant in Greenbelt, Makati, some people surrounded me and watching me playing it with expression.

There's a middle-aged guy who waited for me to play the refrain of the song and specifically looked at my left hand to see what chord I will play at the part where he can't figure out what key is that when he is playing it-- it's key of B!
He said, "So, it's B key that I can't figure out myself."

NOW IT'S MY TURN TO SEE IF THE LADY IN THE PHOTO WILL PLAY THAT CHORD AND FIND OUT IF SHE IS ALSO METICULOUS ABOUT PLAYING CHORDS.  

SHE'S NOT!

She plays only Major and minor chords.

                  CONTINUATION OF 
        MY REPERTOIRE OF INTERNATIONAL SONGS
                              -J-   and    -K-

             JAMAICA FAREWELL (Peter, Paul and Mary)                                          B    78

1952    JAMBALAYA (Hank Williams) (Carpenters)                                                DB189

            JEALOUS GUY (John Lennon)                                                                    B    79

1969    J E A N                                                                                                        R    70

1971    JENNIFER (Bobby Sherman)                                                                       V    45

1982    JESSIE’S GIRL (Rick Springfield)                                                                B   343

            JOHNNY B. GOODE (Chuck Berry)                                                          G   105

1971    JOY TO THE WORLD (Three-Dog Night)                                                  B     56

            JULY MORNING (Uriah Heep)                                                                   DB  43

            JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE                                                       G   107

1985    JUST AS I AM (Air Supply)                                                                          B   256

            JUST AS LONG AS WE HAVE LOVE (Dionne Warwick & Spinners)         DB179

            JUST FOR A MOMENT (David Foster)                                                       B   250

1981    JUST ONCE (James Ingram)                                                                         B   332

1983    JUST TELL ME YOU LOVE ME (England Dan & John Ford Coley)           B   292

            JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (Billy Joel)                                                        R     18

            JUST WALKING IN THE RAIN                                                                 G   109

            JUST WHEN I NEEDED YOU MOST (Randy Vanwarmer)                        DB  92

196      JUST YOU (Sonny & Cher)                                                                         B   110

            KABILUGAN NG BUWAN (Apo Hiking Society)(Filipino Song)             OPM190

1982    KAHIT KONTING PAGTINGIN (Ric Segreto) (Filipino Song)               OPM 50

            KAHIT MAPUTI NA ANG BUHOK KO (Sharon Cuneta) (Fil. Song)    OPM110

            KAHIT NA (Zsa Zsa Padilla) (Filipino Song)                                            OPM150

            KAIBIGAN (Anthony Castelo) (Filipino Song)                                         OPM 64

            KAIBIGAN (Apo Hiking Society) (Filipino Song)                                    OPM 65

            KAIBIGAN LANG PALA

            KAILANGAN KITA (Leah Navarro) (Filipino Song)                               OPM 35

            KANEOHE (Palauan Song)

            KAM PAI (Japanese Song)                                                                         J     16

            KAPALARAN (Rico J. Puno) (Filipino Song)                                           OPM 38

            KAPANTAY AY LANGIT (Pilita Corrales) (Filipino Song)                       OPM 36

            KARINYOSA (Filipino Song)                                                                    OPM 87

            KASAMIENTO (Chamorro Song)                                                               

            KASTILYONG BUHANGIN (Basil Valdez)                                             OPM131

            KATAKA-TAKA (Filipino Song)                                                              OPM115

1985    KATARUNGAN (Freddie Aguilar) (Filipino Song)                                    OPM209

            KAU EL NGALK (Palauan Song)                                                            G  P  5

            KAWA NO NAGARENO YO NI (Misora Hibari) (Japanese Song)         J      18

1978    KAY GANDA NG ATING MUSIKA (Hajji Alejandro) (Filipino Song)    OPM 67

            KAY LUPIT MO PAG-IBIG (Victor Wood)

1982    KEEPING THE LOVE ALIVE (Air Supply)                                              B   322

1972    KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG (Roberta Flack)                     R     40

1965    KIMITO ITSUMADEMO (Japanese Song)                                               J      19

1982    KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS (David Pomeranz)                              B   321

1965    KING OF THE ROAD (Roger Miller)                                                       G   111

            KINGSTON TOWN                                                                                G   113

1976    KISS AND SAY GOODBYE (Manhattans)                                              G   115

            KISS ME GOODBYE                                                                              G   117

            KISS ME HONEY, HONEY KISS ME                                                    B     64

1982    KITA SAKABA (Takashi) (Japanese Song)                                               J      20

1985    K N I F E   (Rockwell)                                                                               B   203

            KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR (Guns ‘N’ Roses)                           DB  46

1971    KNOCK THREE TIMES (Tony Orlando and Dawn)                                 G   119

1980    KOIBITO YO (Japanese Song)                                                                  J      22

            KOI SHIKUTE (Japanese Song)                                                                J      23

            KOKOMO (Beach Boys)                                                                          B     74

1955    KOKONI SACHI ARI (Japanese Song)                                                    J      24

1981    KOKORO NI IRO (Japanese Song)                                                          J      25

            KOMM, GIB MIR DEINE HAND (German Song)                                    DBI 20

            KOU JOU NO TSUKI (Japanese Song)                                                    J      15

            KUK SOKOK (Lisa Sandei) (Palauan Song)                                              DBI 67

1991    KUMUSTA KA (Freddie Aguilar) (Filipino Song)                                       DBI 18

            KUMUSTA KA (Rey Valera)(Filipino Song)                                              OPM  67

1982    KUMUSTA KA (Nonoy Zuniga) (Filipino Song)                                        OPM  55

            KUNG AKO’Y IIWAN MO (Basil Valdez)                                               OPM122

1980    KUNG KAILANGAN MO AKO (Rey Valera)                                        OPM134

            KUNGLA RAHVAS (Estonian Song)                                                        DBI   7

1998    KUNG MAIBABALIK KO LANG (Regine Velasquez) (Filipino Song)    OPM135

1982    KUNG TAYO’Y MAGKAKALAYO (Rey Valera) (Filipino Song)           OPM  49

Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

             The Beginning of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

            1984 - 2015

             To be published as a book in the future 

 

  

      



 

   

(564) MUSIC AND ME (August 22, 2013) MILLION SELLERS

FISHING - FAVORITE PAST TIME WHILE IN BAHRAIN
       Roberto Hernandez have been to Bahrain for 2 years and 3 months (Jan.1987-April 1989) as musician. His favorite hobby is fishing. He used to fish at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort since 2007 but it's not allowed now. These 2 Taiwanese guests fish at that bar and caught white snapper which they threw back to water - a sort of sports-fishing. They only want to experience the thrill of catching a fish -big or small.
                                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


                    MILLION SELLERS 

WHILE in Bahrain playing Greek music with Cypriot bouzuki player Antonis Sergio, I happened to listen to an FM radio station that plays "Million Sellers" every Friday.

It's the songs (in single recording or 45 RPM) that sold a million copies at least, from 1920's to early 1980's.  It's been broadcasted in alphabetical order and I was able to record it in 54 cassette tapes (90 minutes or 45 minutes each side).

There were Fridays that I have to teach Pakinee Shuler, a former Miss Thailand who is married to an American banker. I asked her that I have to record the "Million Sellers" while teaching her because I don't want to miss any of it. I brought my own blank cassette tapes.

IT IS A BIG HELP TO ME TO RECOGNIZED THOSE SONGS' DATE OF RELEASE AND DATE OF THE SONGS WHEN THEY ARE WRITTEN.

HERE IT IS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:  (Part 1)

                                 MILLION SELLERS  A-1
                      
                         SIDE A    (Cassette 1)  
1. ABADABA HONEYMOON (1951)
2. ABRAHAM, MARTIN AND JOHN (1968)
3. AFTER THE LOVIN' (1977) Engelbert Humperdinck
4. AFTERNOON DELIGHT (1976) Starland Vocal Band
5. AGAIN (1949) Vic Damone
6. AIN'T GONNA BUMP NO MORE WITH THAT BIG FAT WOMAN (1977) Joe Text
7. AIN'T IT A SHAME (1955)
8. AIN'T NO SUNSHINE (1971)
9. AIN'T NO WOMAN LIKE THE ONE I'VE GOT (1973)
10. AIN'T IT A SHAME (1955) Same song but different singer. Both sold million copies.
11. AIN'T UNDERSTANDING MELLOW (1972)
12. AIR THAT I BREATH (1974) The Hollies
13. ALL BY MYSELF (1955)
14. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM (1959) Everly Brothers
15. ALL SHOOK UP (1957) Elvis Presley
      Theme from "Sayonara". They broadcast some popular songs/TV themes that didn't made millions but very popular.

                                       MILLION SELLERS A-2

                    SIDE B - (Cassette 1)

1. ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE (1967) Beatles
2. ALLEY GAIETY MOON (1956)
3. ALLEY CAT (1962)
4. ALLEY HOOP (1960)
5. ALONE AGAIN NATURALLY (1972) Gilbert O'Sullivan
6. ALVIN'S HARMONICA (1959)
    Main Theme from "Sea Hunt"
7. AMAPOLA (1941)
8. AMERICAN PATROL (1939)
9. AMERICAN WOMAN (1970)
10. AMONG MY SOUVENIRS (1959) Connie Francis
11. A MISMOISES (1971)
12. ANGEL IN YOUR ARMS (1977)
13. ANGIE (1973) Rolling Stones
14. ANGIE BABY (1974) Helen Reddy

                                                             MILLION SELLERS  A-3

                      SIDE A   (Cassette 2)

1. ANNA (1953) Beatles
2. ANNIE'S SONG (1974) John Denver
3. ANNIE HAD A BABY (1964)
4. ANNIVERSARY SONG (1946)
5. ANYTIME YOU WANT ME (1956)
6. ANYTIME (1951)
7. APRIL MOON (1957)
8. APRIL SHOWER (1946)
9. AQUARIUS (1969) From the movie "Hair"
10. ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT (1926) Al Jolson
11. ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT (1960) Elvis Presley
12. ARIZONA (1970) 
13. AT THE HOP (1957)
14. A TIS KIT (1938)
15. AUVIDER SANE, SWEETHEART (1952) Vera Lynn
16. AUTUMN LEAVES (1955) Roger Williams


Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
            by Roberto Hernandez
            To be published as a book in the future  

 

 







   

(265) MUSIC AND ME (Aug. 9) Playing Greek Music in Bahrain

FLYER OF KHAYAM TAVERNA
This black and white flyer of Khayam Taverna (Greek Restaurant) in Bahrain features its 3 resident musicians -- -- Akis, bouzuki player, Helen -- singer and Roberto Hernandez, keyboard player in 1988.
(Flyer designed by Michael Stankiewicz)


PLAYING GREEK MUSIC IN BAHRAIN

WHEN I accepted an offer to play keyboard with a Greek (actually Cypriot) bouzuki player in January of 1987, I only know one Greek song – Never On Sunday. I didn’t anticipate that we will be playing 90% Greek music.

During my first week, I sat near the stage where I am studying the style of playing/accompanying of an Indian keyboard player (part-time) playing with Antonis Sergio, a good-looking, gigolo -type Cypriot musician.

The Indian keyboard player uses his left hand as ‘bass’ and the right hand for chords and additional accompaniment. For one week, I listened to cassette tape music that they are playing every night. At first, it sounds all the same to me. That’s the biggest challenge in my musical career.

Antonis has his own rhythm box that has a set-up for the most complicated beat that I encountered, the 9/8 beat. In my more than a year partnership with Antonis, I can’t play the 9/8 beat without stomping my left foot just to get the feel of the beat.

My first two weeks with Antonis is the most difficult part. But after 3 months, I can sing Greek songs which became the reason for Antonis to get lazy. Usually our playing schedule is I play solo instrumental music from 8:00 – 8:45 pm and then 15 minutes break. We play together for 45 minutes starting at 9pm and 15 minutes break up to 12:45. On Thursday evening, it up to 2:45 am especially if there are lots of guests because Friday is rest day in Bahrain and other Arab countries.

When I can sing and play some Greek songs, Antonis break became 30 minutes as he lets me play extra 15 minutes alone before he joins me for 30 minutes. It keeps going on for a while until Antonis contract has expired and he was replaced by Cypriot couple Akis and Helen.

This time I don’t have to sing because Helen did the singing most of the time. I remember one time when they are arguing about the way Helen is singing without much expression. Akis likes Helen to sing all out in every song which is impossible to do if she is singing about 20 songs a night.

Helen never sings standing. She is always sitting while singing which is not a good thing to see a performer sitting while singing. It’s okay if she’s playing a piano but she’s not.

My partnership with the couple lasted only a few months and they were replaced this time by Mavroudis, a very sentimental guy who always misses his baby girl. He treated me once to a Dairy Queen food chain and he’s crying in front of me because he misses his wife and daughter.

A few months before the end of my 2-year contract, I’m playing by myself as Mavroudis can’t handle being away from his loved ones. My contract was extended for another 3 months before I went back for good to Philippines in April 1989.

One of my funny memories with Antonis was when Mr. Abdullah requested a song to him“Zorba, the Greek”, which he knows very well and we’re playing it every night. He said to Mr. Abdullah, “I don’t think I know the song.” It’s just a way of Antonis to make Mr. Abdullah do something so that he will remember the song.

Mr. Abdullah then would ask a waitress to change his 20 Bahraini dinars into single ones. He will ask her to staple 10 single Bahraini dinars to make it like a“dinar lei”. He will then put on our neck 10 dinar lei each and presto, Antonis remember the “Zorba, the Greek” right away!!!

It is also in Bahrain that I met my high school classmate (1973) Remedios Bautista Roy. At first, she is not sure that it’s me. She asked the waitress if the name of the keyboard player is Roberto. When she said yes, she asked her again, “is his surname Hernandez?” When it’s confirmed, I sat with her and her Lebanese employer. They are just passing by in Bahrain for a week. We haven’t seen each other since graduation—15 years.

During that week, she borrowed $500.00 from me which she was able to pay fully in pesos while we are staying in Philippines in 1989. During her final payment, she went to our house in Hagonoy, Bulacan and gave us jackets that they are making in the factory, as a show of gratitude.

I was able to teach some students in Bahrain as part-time job. I taught Pakinee Shuler, a former Miss Thailand who is married to an American banker. Also I taught 3 Taiwanese girls in which the youngest one, 8 years old, is doing better when she’s eating something while I’m teaching her!

When I’m attending church service there during summer, the mass is shortened by 30 minutes because it’s too hot. It’s the same thing during winter where it’s too cold.

Playing the keyboard using my left hand as bass was the best thing that I’ve learned in Bahrain which I was able to use that technique when I come to Palau in 1992.

A 3-member band (lead guitarist, drummer and keyboard player) became and sounds like a complete band because of that technique when I played with Wilson Prima and Willy dela Cruz at Image Restaurant in July 31, 1992 till 1994.

Source: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8-9
Volume 21
Issue 54
August 09, 2012