Yma Sumac 1922 - 2008

The legendary soprano Yma Sumac, often called the 'Peruvian Songbird', has died at the age of 86.

When asked recently how she would like to be remembered, this is what she said:

"That I made good music and made happy, their hearts."

She certainly achieved her wish.
Tributes have been made around the world.
Her international success was based on her extreme vocal range, well over four octaves, and at her peak a staggering five!!

Despite a lack of formal training her skill has influenced many over the years.
The song 'Ataypura' featured in the Coen Brothers 1998 film, 'The Big Lebowski', and samples of her songs have been used by the Black Eyed Peas.
In fact, Yma herself appeared in many films over the years.

A good example of Yma Sumac can be seen in the YouTube video of the song, 'Gopher Mambo'.

This displays an intoxicating cocktail of ethnic South American vocal sounds, Cuban and Latin American rhythms with amazingly virtuosic and tight trumpet section and the most stratospheric, scintillating classical soprano imaginable.

So, enjoy the good music and be happy in your heart....

The Robin Hill Saga

And so it goes on.
Robin made it to Chicago, but his suitcase didn't. He's making a habit of travelling very light these days.
He then had to endure another flight to Miami, unsure when, or if, he will get his case back, before the QM2 sets sail.
He spent the night in a hotel, and when he got up early the next morning, couldn't face his travel weary clothes.
The only shop open at that time of day was part of the hotel, so he ventured in to purchase a shirt. No such luck, the only thing they had was a t-shirt, with 'M*I*A*M*I' emblazoned across the chest. I think he's more distressed to be seen wearing it than he is about the loss of 10 days worth of clothes.

There's a bigger problem though. If the case doesn't arrive before 5pm US time, then he won't see it until Thursday when he docks in Bonaire.
Thanks to the security alerts last year, strings, nail kit, footstool, all have to be in the 'lost' case.
Whilst Robin's guitar obviously does have strings on, he needs to change the treble strings prior to every concert. Therefore will need a set of Savarez very quickly.

I read the other day that Fergie, from the Black Eyed Peas, recently suffered a similar fate with the loss of luggage, except they lost all 30 (!) of her cases. How does she remember which case she packed her nail kit in? I'm sure it's tiny compared to the one Robin needs. Which brings me to another point. Every day minor repairs to nails are required. No nail kit, no repair.

So, having settled into his very nice room on board ship, (at least it didn't take long to unpack), he decided it best to assume the case wouldn't appear, so urgent supplies were needed.

With the help of a local taxi driver he found a music shop and got himself some strings and a footstool. He was delighted to see a huge picture of Jaco Pastorius on the wall, and when he asked the shop keeper if Jaco had frequented this store the owner replied, "Hey, he was just a local guy"!

His friendly taxi driver then took him for some basics, you know, toothbrush, razor etc. He even managed to get a few pair of socks, but I, and Robin can't understand why they don't appear to sell underwear in Fort Lauderdale. Anywhere.
If any of our American readers can offer an explanation I'd be delighted to hear it!

So if you have been near Port Everglade, Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale today, and come across a rather dishevelled, unshaven, guitarist, sporting a 'M*I*A*M*I' t-shirt, I hope you were kind to him. If you see him again, will you lend him some suncream.