Yvonne Elliman is Home Again

photos: Alan Mercer lighting: Eric Venturo

Yvonne Elliman's singing career began in 1969 in London where she performed at various bars and clubs. This led to a recording contract and later, in Miami, a close association as a backing vocalist for Eric Clapton. She performed on many of his 1970s hits including "I Shot the Sheriff" and "Lay Down Sally". She sang the role of Mary Magdalene in the original album of Jesus Christ Superstar and in the subsequent Broadway and film version, and achieved her first hit single with the ballad "I Don't Know How to Love Him." This performance led to a 1974 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.

Her recording career began to take off from this point and she scored several hit singles throughout the world, including cover versions of the Barbara Lewis hit "Hello Stranger" and the Bee Gees' "Love Me." Her biggest success came in 1977 with her #1 hit from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, "If I Can't Have You" which was also written by the Bee Gees. The song was a big hit, rising to #1 in the Billboard Hot 100. Its success has resulted in Elliman being remembered as a disco artist, though this style of music was an exception to the medium-tempo ballads that she specialized in.

She appeared in a two-part episode of the television action series Hawaii Five-O during this period as an aspiring singer, performing the song "I Can't Get You Out of my Mind" with co-star James Darren. The single "Savannah" was also a hit and demonstrated Elliman's attempts to move away from disco music and create music that focused more on her vocal abilities.

After a considerable hiatus, Elliman reappeared on the music scene. An album titled Simple Needs, with all songs written by Elliman, was released globally on June 12, 2007. She has continued performing in music festivals, benefits and concerts throughout the country and around the world while calling Hawaii home again for the past nine years. She lives a peaceful life taking care of her elderly parents and cooking for her long-time boy friend, Allen Alexander, when she is not on the road.

I have always been able to appreciate the beauty of Yvonne Elliman's voice and music, as well as her obvious physical beauty. She can linger on a note, and sustain a purity of tone, that gets warmer, the longer she goes. She is raw and edgy in true 'rocker chick' style on songs like 'Can't Find My Way Back Home.' Check out the Youtube video of her singing this song. It's also available on her CD "20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Yvonne Elliman." She recently played in Los Angeles where I had a chance to finally meet up with, and work with, one of my long-time musical heroes. There was an instant connection. Hawaii's New First Lady of Song is an out-going, fun, warm, and beautiful soul with so much musical talent. As it happens Eric Venturo is a major fan of Miss Elliman as well, so we had a lot of fun getting these shots and talking to her before she went on stage at the Hollywood Bowl.

AM: Do you perform a lot in Hawaii?

YE: They don't pay very well. All the musicians who live there have to have day jobs. I don't know why that is because you would think that the tourists would bring a lot of money into Hawaii.

AM: Would you ever take a day job?

YE: If the truth be known I do not want a regular job.

AM: Would you ever go back to Broadway?

YE: I don't want to repeat myself. That is why I was only on Broadway for six months. The producers knew I was too young to be doing eight shows a week. It can get to you. I wanted to change the blocking! (laughing)

AM: Is it true that you took a flat fee instead of a percentage for the original Jesus Christ Superstar album?

YE: Yes I took $240.00. They spread it out on the desk like a deck of cards. I thought, 'Damn!' My manager and I were hungry. She told me, 'Darling, it's not very good. Take the money.' (laughing) We took the money and ran. We bought a case of Matusse wine and a bunch of steak. Then we had a party on top of the roof. It was the best time.

AM: What do you remember about recording 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' and "Everything's Alright' for that small amount of pay?

YE: We thought I would just do the songs real quick and I did record them in one take!?! In and out so we thought it was great money for one hour of work. If I had received a lot of money in those days I might not be here today. I was a naughty girl.

AM: You were wild.

YE: Well I was an only child, a latch key kid, and when you are left-handed as well, watch out!

AM: I understand that. It's only logical that when you were hanging out with Eric Clapton and people like that. There is no way you would not be 'living the life.'

YE: Yes, you had to be one of the boys. It all went hand in hand. I couldn't be a rock 'n roller and not have a drink in one hand and a coke spoon in the other.

AM: Do you feel more like a Rocker or a Pop star?

YE: I've always been tagged 'Pop' but the 'Rock 'n Roll' heart was always there. When I went to London it was to be the first kick-ass, female electric guitar player. That's what I wanted to be.

AM: What happened?

YE: I got discovered! (more laughing) I used to go all around all the double-decker buses with just a fret board made of paper and practice the scales so I would know where the notes are. I heard Jimmy Hendrix did that with his fret board in his desk at school. I really wanted to play. I was learning Jimmy Page licks and getting it all together and of course that's when 'Superstar' came along, and it was a total different direction.

AM: Aren't you glad you did it?

YE: 'Jesus Christ Superstar' ended up being totally brilliant, especially for Christianity. It brought a lot of young kids into the Church. I thought Mary Magdalene was Mary's Mom. That's the level of my education at the time. It did teach a lot of people that at least Jesus was a man. It was a good thing.

AM: Many young people learned about the Bible from that show.

YE: Is that right? I went to hospitals and actually had to touch this girl who had been in an accident and she wanted me there. The parents were praying for her to make it through...and she did. They gave me the credit. It was getting too heavy. I did that twice and I thought, no I can't do this anymore. I became an Agnostic actually. I was getting so much flack from people who were Buddhists and Krishna's. The 'God' thing was getting on my nerves.

AM: It's called art.

YE: It's called will the real God please stand up. I was so confused.

AM: From 'Jesus Christ Superstar' to disco is a long way.

YE: Don't forget there was Clapton in between. He was my idol and he asked me to be in his band. Talk about a freaking moment when you cannot speak! I had just been on an album of his and he featured me in two songs. I was riding an incredible wave. I'm on the road with Clapton for three and a half years and Robert Stigwood said to me, 'You have to leave the band and get a band of your own. You have two singles and they are climbing the charts. You have to go out and tour.'

AM: How did Clapton react to this?

YE: I had to tell him I was leaving and he got very mad. I did not want to leave. I'd be there today if I could. I'd be very happy if I was still doing that today. I love the man's music, but he got mad and I got to do my own thing which was totally different from his. There were no more Lear jets and trains waiting to take us to our five star hotels. I was on a bus and we shared rooms in hotels and played little bars when it was a freezing cold winter. It was very hard. I paid my dues. But then 'Saturday Night Fever' came along.

AM: I remember a photo of you in Billboard magazine when you had your number one hit. You were with a group of executives and you were all holding up champagne flutes, celebrating.

YE: Oh really!?! That was a 'trippy' day. I got a call early in the morning, 'You are number one with a bullet.'

AM: Was it a dream come true?

YE: Yes I had been waiting and waiting. I was watching that thing climb the charts and then get stuck. There was some heavy competition. So it was a relief when it made it to number one. I don't know if there was any payola going on and I didn't want to know if there was. Then I got the 'Hawaii 5-O' part because I had a number one hit. I was Yvonne Kanekoa! (laughing)

AM: I remember that. I may have even seen some of it on YouTube. Now why did you move back to Hawaii?

YE: I mainly just had to get out of LA. I was living on top of Decker Canyon in a decrepit house and we were being evicted. Time to go. I took that opportunity. It was like God answering a prayer. I also decided to stop singing songs that I wasn't crazy about. I want to just do songs that I love. I don't want to waste my time doing that and then what if something I do hits? If I don't like it I am stuck. That's how I got stuck in disco for so long.

AM: Do you appreciate disco more now?

YE: I can see now what the power of it is. It is very positive and that's great to have in this day and age when everything is so negative. Back then I was not as into it because I was a Rock 'n Roller' so I was ready to leave the disco thing behind.

AM: What have you been doing musically the past few years?

YE: I started to write music. I liked what I was doing. I was kind of scolding people.

AM: What do you mean?

YE: My songs are about being more aware. I don't know why. I have things to say I suppose, right? I did write a great love song for my boyfriend called, 'Just Right.' I'm really hot on that stuff. I have an album's worth of material ready to go. I don't know why I can't just make that my priority and work on that. People want to record me over there for free. Come on let's just do it. I'm just not organized.

AM: So you do have some music that you have already recorded?

YE: I have demos of some songs that I am really excited about. It's just me and a guitar playing in the studio. I am also in the process of writing a song called 'Elephant' because I love the elephant. I was called 'Yvonne Elephant' in school which was really terrible. It was a real drag.

AM: Do you think we will hear some of this new music in 2010?

YE: Thank you so much. I need a little encouragement because I am the perfectionist. The mood has to be right, the inspiration has to be right, I have to be in the right place. That's not good. Sometimes you have to push yourself and force yourself because you can get surprises. I've got to finish the 'Elephant' song and 'Leave Lefty Alone' and then I'll be ready to record. There's nothing holding me back except myself.

AM: Why don't you get into acting?

YE: I don't know about acting.

AM: You are a great actress.

YE: I did the Hawaii 5-O part and of course I was in 'Superstar' but there was no talking, so when I did have to talk for the first time I thought it was really uncomfortable. I don't think I am going to pursue any acting. I have a hard enough time getting the music out.

EV: Your voice has remained strong and clear.

YE: They say it is the tone of my voice. For years I didn't know what people liked about my voice. I don't have a huge range. I don't have the gymnastics that Whitney does.

AM: Whatever is in your voice I know it is a warmth that I like.

YE: Oh really. Thank you.

EV: What was it like working with (photographer) Norman Seef?

YE: Oh he was fast. He was about trying something different. He said, 'Let's take it outside.' He got me running down a hill where one boob is up.

AM: Do you feel like Hawaii inspires you as an artist and are you there for the rest of your life?

YE: Oh yes. I have been given such warmth and such a welcome. It's like being a big fish in a small pond. They fed me when I was at my most insecure point. I needed to rebuild the confidence and that was the best place for me to be. I feel comfortable to be in my own skin there. I know what they are saying when they talk Pidgen. My Mom and Dad are there. They are going through the old age stuff so it's a good time for me to be there for them.

Learn more about Yvonne Elliman on her MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/yvonneelliman

Juan Pablo II ya es Venerable

Todos debemos sentirnos alegres y satisfechos porque todos hemos sido testigos, incluso en primera persona, de la extraordinaria trayectoria cristiana de Juan Pablo II.El reconocimiento de sus virtudes heroicas es una gran noticia para todos.Es la constatación de una impresión, una certeza, que teníamos tantos, que teníamos todos.

Es la posibilidad de mirarnos en este espejo, seguros de que es espejo de virtud, espejo de auténtica y aleccionadora vida cristina.Aun cuando todavía quedan unos meses para su beatificación, hoy es un día de fiesta que Ecclesia Digital quiere compartir con todos sus internautas.

Esta es la oración para impetrar su pronta glorificación:

Oh Trinidad Santa,

Te damos gracias por haber concedido a la Iglesia al Papa Juan Pablo II y porque en él has reflejado la ternura de Tu paternidad, la gloria de la cruz de Cristo y el esplendor del Espíritu de amor.

Él, confiando totalmente en tu infinita misericordia y en la maternal intercesión de María, nos ha mostrado una imagen viva de Jesús Buen Pastor, indicándonos la santidad, alto grado de la vida cristiana ordinaria, como camino para alcanzar la comunión eterna Contigo.

Concédenos, por su intercesión, y si es Tu voluntad, el favor que imploramos, con la esperanza de que sea pronto incluido en el número de tus santos.
Amén

revistaecclesia.com

2012 ¿fin del mundo?

El Arzobispo de Guadalajara (México), Cardenal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez, minimizó el impacto mediático de la cinta dirigida por Roland Emmerich, 2012, y recordó que nadie sabe la fecha del fin del mundo, por lo que restó importancia a las "profecías" mayas en que se basa esta película.

Según informa Notimex, el Cardenal recordó que la Iglesia Católica siempre ha afirmado que en el futuro llegará el juicio final, pero nadie sabe ni el día ni la hora del mismo.

"La gente está curada de espantos, se han anunciado muchas veces supuestos fines del mundo y nunca llegan, según las apariciones de Fátima que en 1960 se acababa mundo y no fue así, luego que en 1982, otro que en el 2000", dijo el Purpurado.

"Los mayas hicieron sus calendarios y dieron sus predicciones, pero no eran dueños del mundo y de los signos de Dios", agregó.

El interés por el film 2012 y los mayas es un "fenómeno de película" y de "folclore hollywoodense" inspirado en los mayas que es un pueblo misterioso con una altísima cultura, sobre todo astronómica, dijo el Arzobispo de Guadalajara.

"La Iglesia ha estado constantemente diciendo lo que señala el Evangelio, que nadie sabe la fecha del fin del mundo y que antes del fin todos los pueblos abrazarán la fe, todavía falta muchos para que eso llegue", señaló...

«Qué alegría inmensa tener por madre a María»

S.S. Benedicto XVI


Palabras que pronunció Benedicto XVI el martes, solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción, al rezar la oración mariana del Ángelus junto a miles de peregrinos congregados en la plaza de San Pedro.

Queridos hermanos y hermanas:
El 8 de diciembre celebramos una de las fiestas más hermosas de la bienaventurada Virgen María: la solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción. Pero, ¿qué significa que María es «Inmaculada»? Y, ¿qué nos dice este título? Ante todo, hagamos referencia a los textos bíblicos de la liturgia de hoy, especialmente al gran «fresco» del capítulo tercero del libro del Génesis y a la narración de la Anunciación del Evangelio de Lucas. Después del pecado original. Dios se dirige a la serpiente, que representa a Satanás, la maldice y añade una promesa: « Enemistad pondré entre ti y la mujer, y entre tu linaje y su linaje: él te pisará la cabeza mientras acechas tú su calcañar » (Génesis 3,15). Es el anuncio de una revancha: Satanás en los primeros momentos de la creación, parece vencer, pero vendrá un hijo de mujer que le aplastará la cabeza. De este modo, mediante la estirpe de la mujer, el mismo Dios vencerá. Esa mujer es la Virgen María, de la que nació Jesucristo que, con su sacrificio, derrotó de una vez para siempre al antiguo tentador. Por este motivo, en tantos cuadros o estatuas de la Inmaculada, es representada aplastando a una serpiente con el pie.

El evangelista Lucas, por su parte, nos muestra a la Virgen María recibiendo el anuncio del mensajero celeste ( Cf. Lucas 1,26-38). Aparece como la humilde y auténtica hija de Israel, la verdadera Sión, en la que Dios quiere poner su morada. Es el retoño del que debe nacer el Mesías, el Rey justo y misericordioso. En la sencillez de la casa de Nazaret, vive el « resto » puro de Israel, del que Dios quiere hacer renacer a su pueblo, como un nuevo árbol que extenderá sus ramas por todo el mundo, ofreciendo a todos los hombres buenos frutos de salvación. A diferencia de Adán y Eva, María permanece en la obediencia a la voluntad del Señor, con todo su ser pronuncia su « sí » y se pone plenamente a disposición del designio divino. Es la nueva Eva, auténtica « madre de todos los vivientes », es decir, de quienes reciben por la fe en Cristo la vida eterna.

Queridos amigos: qué alegría inmensa tener por madre a María Inmaculada! Cada vez que experimentamos nuestra fragilidad y la sugestión del mal, podemos dirigirnos a Ella, y nuestro corazón recibe luz y consuelo. Incluso en las pruebas de la vida, en las tempestades que hacen vacilar la fe y la esperanza, pensemos que somos sus hijos y que las raíces de nuestra existencia se hunden en la infinita gracia de Dios. La misma Iglesia, aunque está expuesta a las influencias negativas del mundo, encuentra siempre en Ella la estrella para orientarse y seguir la ruta indicada por Cristo. María es de hecho la Madre de la Iglesia, como proclamaron solemnemente el Papa Pablo VI y el Concilio Vaticano II.

Por tanto, mientras damos gracias a Dios por este signo estupendo de su bondad, encomendemos a la Virgen Inmaculada a cada uno de nosotros, nuestras familias y comunidades, toda la Iglesia y todo el mundo. Lo haré yo también en la tarde de hoy, según la tradición, a los pies del monumento que se le dedica en la Plaza de España.

Ciudad del Vaticano, 8 de diciembre de 2009.

El sueño de María.Artículo personal

Ahora que estamos en Tiempo de Adviento y estamos preparando la Navidad es el mejor momento para contaros una experiencia personal.
Cuando era más pequeño mi abuela de vez en cuando me contaba el siguiente cuento que agraciadamente he encontrado en Internet:

"Una mañana le dijo María a José: ¿¡sabes!? he tenido un sueño. Creo que se trataba del cumpleaños de nuestro hijo. La gente estaba haciendo los preparativos con semanas de antelación: decoraban sus casas y compraban muchos regalos... Aunque todo era muy extraño, ya que los regalos no eran para nuestro hijo. Los envolvían en vistosos papeles y los colocaban debajo de un árbol. ¡Sí, un árbol, José! Sus ramas estaban llenas de adornos y luces. También había mesas llenas de platos deliciosos: vino, turrón, champán..., pero nosotros no estábamos invitados.

Todo el mundo estaban feliz, comiendo e intercambiando regalos unos con otros. Pero no quedaba ninguno para nuestro hijo. Me daba la impresión de que nadie lo conocía porque nunca mencionaron su nombre. ¿No te parece extraño que la gente trabaje y gaste tanto en preparativos para celebrar el cumpleaños de alguien al que ni siquiera nombran?

Todo era hermoso y la gente se veía feliz, cantaban villancicos, brindaban..., pero yo sentía enormes deseos de llorar, porque nuestro hijo era ignorado por toda esa gente que lo celebraba. ¡Qué tristeza para nuestro hijo Jesús no ser deseado en su fiesta de cumpleaños!

Pero en el fondo estoy contenta porque sólo fue un sueño. ¡Qué terrible sería si se convirtiera en realidad!".

María acaba el cuento diciendo: "¡Qué terrible sería si se convirtiera en realidad!".
¿Acaso no se ha convertido en realidad?.Todo el mundo prepara la Navidad, poniendo el árbol, comprando regalos, felicitando la Navidad...pero, ¿cuántos tienen en cuenta en realidad lo que significa La Navidad?.Por televisión no he visto ningún anuncio en el que salga Jesús naciendo en el portal de Belén, solo he visto anuncios de Papa Noel.Nadie habla del nacimiento de Jesús que es por lo que se celebra La Navidad.La Navidad no es solo consumir y más consumir, es celebrar el nacimiento de Jesús, pero por desgracia esto último nadie lo tiene en cuenta.

Os pido a todos que este año hableis a vuestra familia, a vuestros amigos, a vuestros conocidos y a quien querais lo que significa La Navidad y la celebreis con su significado real: El Nacimiento de Jesús.

Señor, Dios, dueño del tiempo y de la eternidad

Señor, Dios, dueño del tiempo y de la eternidad, tuyo es el hoy y el mañana, el pasado y el futuro. Al terminar este año quiero darte gracias por todo aquello que recibí de TI.

Gracias por la vida y el amor, por las flores, el aire y el sol, por la alegría y el dolor, por cuanto fue posible y por lo que no pudo ser.
Te ofrezco cuanto hice en este año, el trabajo que pude realizar y las cosas que pasaron por mis manos y lo que con ellas pude construir.

Te presento a las personas que a lo largo de estos meses amé, las amistades nuevas y los antiguos amores, los más cercanos a mí y los que estén más lejos, los que me dieron su mano y aquellos a los que pude ayudar, con los que compartí la vida, el trabajo, el dolor y la alegría.

Pero también, Señor hoy quiero pedirte perdón, perdón por el tiempo perdido, por el dinero mal gastado, por la palabra inútil y el amor desperdiciado. Perdón por las obras vacías y por el trabajo mal hecho, y perdón por vivir sin entusiasmo.

También por la oración que poco a poco fui aplazando y que hasta ahora vengo a presentarte. Por todos mis olvidos, descuidos y silencios
nuevamente te pido perdón.

En los próximos días iniciaremos un nuevo año y detengo mi vida ante el nuevo calendario aún sin estrenar y te presento estos días
que sólo TÚ sabes si llegaré a vivirlos.

Hoy te pido para mí y los míos la paz y la alegría, la fuerza y la prudencia, la claridad y la sabiduría.

Quiero vivir cada día con optimismo y bondad llevando a todas partes un corazón lleno de comprensión y paz.

Cierra Tú mis oídos a toda falsedad y mis labios a palabras mentirosas, egoístas, mordaces o hirientes.

Abre en cambio mi ser a todo lo que es bueno que mi espíritu se llene sólo de bendiciones y las derrame a mi paso.

Cólmame de bondad y de alegría para que, cuantos conviven conmigo o se acerquen a mí encuentren en mi vida un poquito de TI.

Danos un año feliz y enséñanos a repartir felicidad.
Amén.

webcatolicodejavier.org

Shèna Winchester: A Real Disco Artist

photos: Alan Mercer Lighting: Eric Venturo

Shèna Winchester is not just a sensationally talented vocalist. She is also a vivacious and gregarious beauty. The British born singer graduated with honors from the Royal Academy of Music. Her main goal has been to create infectious music that gets down deep inside the listeners head and body. You can't help but dance to her catchy sounds.

Shèna has produced some breath taking solo work with the release of three incredibly well produced and received singles and is currently working on her debut album, a project that will introduce a new sound that dices together big, bold and classic orchestral disco with raw and edgy breaks, beats and lyrics.

Now in 2010 she will release her first solo album titled, 'One Man Woman.' She came to Los Angeles recently to perform for the first time. Thanks to my friends, Michael Williams and Pedro Arista from Medium Rare Records in San Francisco, we had a chance to meet up and take some fun shots. I loved watching Shèna on stage and I 'loved' taking photos of her. She is pure magic to be around and work with. Shèna is blessed with a loving and kind disposition. We laughed the whole time we were together. Eric Venturo was around so he helped out with the lighting as usual.


AM: I have been listening to all your music. You have done so much work for other artists. How does it feel to be your own artist?

SW: It feels fantastic! I wonder why didn't I do it sooner? It's champagne meets lemonade. That's the difference.

AM: Who musically inspired you?

SW: In her prime, Whitney Houston. Also people like Ella Fitzgerald, Lauren Hill. I love voices that have power at the bottom range as well as the top. There is a richness in the lower end that takes it up to the next level. Oleta Adams is another prime example of that. Those are some of the people I listen to and want to sound like. They are brilliant.

AM: You do sound like them but in your own unique way. I don't hear anyone but you when you sing.

SW: That's fantastic to hear that. That is the idea. I want to sound like 'Shena.'

AM: Is your album going to be released in 2010?

SW: That's right. We are releasing it world-wide on my own label called No Prisoners Records. My huband and I founded it.

AM: You wrote your songs didn't you?

SW: My husband and I wrote all ten songs. We are bringing real disco back. We want the bass and the looseness of the grooves. It was such a great time for music and it's a shame it died.

AM: This was all before your time.

SW: Absolutely, I never got to experience it first hand so I have to catch it the second time around.

AM: Are you on a one woman crusade to bring back the joy and the fun of the music?

SW: Absolutely I am. I want to bring it back and put a modern twist on it. You want to bring a new crowd into it so they can appreciate it.

AM: Do you tour around the world? I see that you are performing in Moscow.

SW: I have quite a career in the dance world so I still get asked to perform my dance hits. Moscow is a place that really appreciates me.

AM: Have you performed there before?

SW: Yes I am always in Moscow. I have spent half my life in Moscow airport! (Laughing)

AM: Is this your first time in Los Angeles?

SW: Yes this is my first time and I love it. The people are positive and helpful and the weather is great!

AM: I hope you come back when your CD is out.

SW: I would love too. It's an honor and privilege to be here.

EV: You are on your way to greatness.

SW: Thank you very much.

To learn more about Shena checkout her web site

http://www.shena.co.uk/