Memphis, Tennessee. I’m going to Graceland“. The lyrics of the song by Paul Simon are based on his own road trip to the Graceland mansion, the home of Elvis. Simon himself drove from Louisiana to Memphis, Tennessee along Route 61 to help him deal with the heartbreak after the collapse of his marriage to the …
Author Archives: M&M
‘Wah Gwaan’ Jamaica
“What’s Up?” Not much as you look at the grey sky and the rain pouring down. Wouldn’t you rather be somewhere warm surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Caribbean. This is the perfect time of year to be thinking of a wonderful holiday on the beautiful island of Jamaica. Jamaica has …
Northern Lights
The northern lights in the song title “Northern Lights” by the band Renaissance are actually a reference to the northern lights of England. So there is just a play on words in the title and no actual reference to the Aurora Borealis in the lyrics. The Northern Lights or to give them their technical name, …
I Imagine the Country
The song has its origins in the summer of 1989 just prior to the collapse of communism. At a local festival Dežo Ursiny sang John Lennon’s Imagine. This was followed by a Slovak version written by Ivan Štrpka. The Slovak version became “Predstavujem Si Krajinu” (I imagine the country). At the time it symbolised living …
Spanish Bombs
Strangely enough I came across this song, just a couple of days after returning from Madrid, where on my list was a visit to the Museo Nactional Art Reina Sofia. The museum is housed in a former hospital and provides a great space for view modern and contemporary art. It is most famous for the …
Travel the Canadian Dream. Letting the Train take the Strain.
Since 1990, Rocky Mountaineer, the world’s largest privately owned luxury tourist train, has welcomed more than 2 million guests to inhale the mountain air and let nature take their breath away. So to celebrate 30 wonderful years of service on board and experience historic storytelling, world-class cuisine, a first-hand look at the vast and untouched …
Continue reading “Travel the Canadian Dream. Letting the Train take the Strain.”
History in Food I
Esterházy (Torta) Cake is a reminder of the fact that modern day Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of the First World War. It was named after Prince Paul III Anton Esterházy who was an Austrian Diplomat who served at the Austrian Ambassador in London from 1815 to 1842. In Hungary …
Warszawa
For this posting we highlight another track by David Bowie featuring the title of another European City. “Warszawa” was released on the album “Low” in January 1977 and was regularly used as the opening number on his live shows. Part of the melody is said to be based on a Polish folk song and was …
Come take a break and go Mallorca
So sang Loft in their 1996 single “Mallorca”. Loft a German band founded by two Jamaican brothers Courtney and Richard Williams had a number of chart hits with their earlier singles but this one unfortunately didn’t but became a club favourite. However as we grow older we start to appreciate a different side to Mallorca. …
Budapest with George
George Ezra wrote his song Budapest despite not having actually been there. He was touring Europe and it was on his list of places to visit but he got a little hung over and missed his train. The video below was when George actually made it to Budapest. The British have had a big influence …