Just had a great time meeting and watching Toto lead singer Bobby Kimball perform at Hard Rock Cafe Kuala Lumpur on November 29, 2008.
This special performance was in celebration of Hard Rock Cafe's recent re-launch and its 17th anniversary.
The cafe recently underwent a RM3 million refurbishment exercise involving both its exterior and interior and now sports an exciting new look.
Kimball performed Toto's hits such as Rosanna, Africa and Hold the Line, which made the band popular worldwide in the 1980s.
Toto was founded in 1977 with Kimball, keyboardist David Paich, (son of composer Marty Paich), drummer Jeff Porcaro (son of acclaimed percussionist Joe Porcaro), guitarist Steve Lukather and Jeff's brother, keyboardist Steve Porcaro. It released its first, self-titled album in 1978.
Toto also composed music for the 1984 science fiction film Dune starring singer Sting and Twin Peaks' Kyle MacLachlan.
Toto is best known for its technical prowess in the studio and its musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, R&B and jazz.
The band has released 17 albums and sold over 30 million records. Its 18th release, Falling In Between Live, was released last year.
Its earliest hits were Hold the Line, I'll Supply the Love and Georgy Porgy.
Its second album contained another monster hit, 99, inspired by Star Wars creator George Lucas' cult film THX 1138.
Toto also provided American Idol judge and notable choreographer Paula Abdul with her first claim to fame. She was a dancer in the band's music video for Till The End.
Steve left the band in 1987 to pursue a solo music and acting career.
Another Porcaro brother, Mike, joined as bassist.
Jeff died in 1992. He suffered a fatal heart attack caused by an allergic reaction to insecticide used in his house.
He was replaced by Simon Phillips, a Londoner noted for collaborating with The Who, Mike Oldfield and Mick Jagger.
In 2005, Greg Philinganes, a protege of Stevie Wonder, joined the group as its new keyboardist.
In April this year, Toto's members chose to call it a day as a band.
They performed together for the last time that month in Seoul, South Korea. Each member is currently working on solo projects.
Toto, and its individual members have collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry and they include Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Larry Carlton, Chicago, Sir Elton John, Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones, Sir Paul McCartney, Steve Vai and Lionel Richie.
Paich also composed music for the Beijing Olympics this year.
Here are the lyrics to some of Toto's greatest hit songs.
Africa (My personal favourite)
I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She’s coming in 12.30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say, “hurry boy, it’s waiting there for you”
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
We’re gonna take some time to do the things we never had
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what’s right
Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what’s deep inside, frightened of this thing that I’ve become
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
We’re gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa
We’re gonna take some time to do the things we never had
I'll Be Over You
Some people live their dreams
Some people close their eyes
Some people's destiny
Passes by
There are no guarantees
There are no alibis
That's how our love must be
Don't ask why
It takes some time
God knows how long
I know that I can forget you
As soon as my heart stops breakin'
Anticipating
As soon as forever is through
I'll be over you
Remembering times gone by
Promises we once made
What are the reasons why
Nothing stays the same
There were the nights holding you close
Someday I'll try to forget them
Someday I'll be over you
Rosanna
All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see your eyes
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that a girl like you could ever care for me, Rosanna
All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you tight
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn't know you were looking for more than I could ever be
Not quite a year since she went away, Rosanna yeah
Now she's gone and I have to say
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
I can see your face still shining through the window on the other side
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn't know that a girl like you could make me feel so sad, Rosanna
All I wanna take is a night you'll never ever have to compromise
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Georgy Porgy
It's not your situation, I just need contemplation over you
I'm not so systematic, it's just that I'm an addict for your love
Not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only girl
I'm not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only world
Just think how long I've known you, it's long for me to own you, lock and key
It's really not confusing, I'm just the young illusion, can't you see
I'm not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only girl
I'm not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only world
Georgy Porgy, pudding pie, kissed the girls and made them cry
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them cry
It's not your situation, I just need contemplation over you
I'm not so systematic, it's just that I'm an addict for your love
Not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only girl
I'm not the only one that holds you, I never ever should have told you
You're my only world
Georgy Porgy, pudding pie, kissed the girls and made them cry
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them cry
Georgy Porgy, pudding pie, kissed the girls and made them cry
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them high
Georgy Porgy
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them high
Georgy Porgy
Kissed the girls and made them cry, kissed the girls and made them cry
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Datuk Razali Ismail - A Gentleman Deputy Minister From Terengganu
This article is from the Malaysian National News Agency.
Kuala Berang-born Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail, 59, who died of a heart attack while playing badminton in Genting Highlands on November 28, 2008 will be deeply missed by Terengganu journalists.
He was well-liked for his friendliness and caring nature.
He was a also a good source of Terengganu news.
Razali was appointed Deputy Minister after winning the Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary seat for a second term in the last general election.
A history graduate from University Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and an education masters graduate from the University of Birmingham in Britain, Razali was a teacher in his home state who rose to become Terengganu education director in 2001.
In 2003, he became the principal of the Kuala Terengganu Teachers’ College.
A black belt in judo, he was the vice-president of the Terengganu Hockey Association and a committee member of the Terengganu Football Association.
Razali is survived by his wife Datin Nooraini Lob Yusof and five sons.
Kuala Berang-born Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail, 59, who died of a heart attack while playing badminton in Genting Highlands on November 28, 2008 will be deeply missed by Terengganu journalists.
He was well-liked for his friendliness and caring nature.
He was a also a good source of Terengganu news.
Razali was appointed Deputy Minister after winning the Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary seat for a second term in the last general election.
A history graduate from University Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and an education masters graduate from the University of Birmingham in Britain, Razali was a teacher in his home state who rose to become Terengganu education director in 2001.
In 2003, he became the principal of the Kuala Terengganu Teachers’ College.
A black belt in judo, he was the vice-president of the Terengganu Hockey Association and a committee member of the Terengganu Football Association.
Razali is survived by his wife Datin Nooraini Lob Yusof and five sons.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
AFRICAN AMERICAN INVENTORS
Many of the things we have in life were invented by African Americans.
The lift was invented by Alexander Mills, the automatic gearshift by Richard Spikes.
We must thank Joseph Gambol for the super charge system of engines, and Garrett Morgan for traffic signals.
The rapid transit system was created by Albert Robinson, while Charles Brooks invented the street sweeper.
The pencil sharpener is the creation of John Love while the fountain pen and hand stamp are William Purveys’ inventions.
Lee Barrage created the typewriter and W. A. Love the advanced printing press.
Other Black inventors were William Barry (postmarking and canceling machine), Philip Downing (letter drop), Joe Smith (lawn sprinkler), John Burr (lawn mower), Fred Jones (air conditioner), Lewis Later (electric lamp), Granville Woods (automatic cut-off switch), Tom Steward (mop), Lloyd Ray (dust pan), Jan Matzelinger (shoe lasting machine), Walt Sammons (comb), Sarah Boone (ironing board), George Samon (clothes dryer), and John Standard (refrigerator).
The lift was invented by Alexander Mills, the automatic gearshift by Richard Spikes.
We must thank Joseph Gambol for the super charge system of engines, and Garrett Morgan for traffic signals.
The rapid transit system was created by Albert Robinson, while Charles Brooks invented the street sweeper.
The pencil sharpener is the creation of John Love while the fountain pen and hand stamp are William Purveys’ inventions.
Lee Barrage created the typewriter and W. A. Love the advanced printing press.
Other Black inventors were William Barry (postmarking and canceling machine), Philip Downing (letter drop), Joe Smith (lawn sprinkler), John Burr (lawn mower), Fred Jones (air conditioner), Lewis Later (electric lamp), Granville Woods (automatic cut-off switch), Tom Steward (mop), Lloyd Ray (dust pan), Jan Matzelinger (shoe lasting machine), Walt Sammons (comb), Sarah Boone (ironing board), George Samon (clothes dryer), and John Standard (refrigerator).
Monday, November 10, 2008
Gong Li Is Now Singaporean
Welcome to Nusantara, Gong Li.
The screen goddess of China is now Malaysia's neighbour.
Her businessman hubby is a Singaporean.
The screen goddess of China is now Malaysia's neighbour.
Her businessman hubby is a Singaporean.
Miriam Makeba - Mother of Africa
Miriam Makeba, who passed away on November 9, 2008 at the age of 76, was a Grammy Award-winning South African singer, also known as Mama Afrika.
Born Miriam Zenzi Makeba in Johannesburg in 1932, she was maternally Swazi and paternally Xhosa. Her father died when she was only six. Her mother was a Swazi priestess.
As a child, she sang at the Kilmerton Training Institute in Pretoria, which she attended for eight years.
Makeba first toured with an amateur group. Her professional career began in the 1950s with the Manhattan Brothers, before she formed her own group, The Skylarks, singing a blend of jazz and traditional melodies of South Africa.
In 1959, she performed in the musical King Kong alongside Hugh Masekela, her future husband.
Though she was a successful recording artiste, she was only receiving a few dollars for each recording session and no provisional royalties, and was keen to go to the US.
Her break came when she starred in the anti-apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa in 1959 by independent filmmaker Lionel Rogosin. She attended the premiere of the film at the Venice Film Festival.
Makeba then travelled to London where she met Harry Belafonte, who assisted her in gaining entry to and fame in the United States.
She released many of her most famous hits there including Pata Pata, The Click Song (Qongqothwane in Xhosa), and Malaika.
In 1966, Makeba received the Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording together with Harry Belafonte for An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba. The album dealt with the political plight of Black South Africans under apartheid.
She discovered that her South African passport was revoked when she tried to return there in 1960 for her mother's funeral.
In 1963, after testifying against apartheid before the United Nations, her South African citizenship and her right to return to the country were revoked. She has had nine passports, and was granted honorary citizenship of ten countries.
Her marriage to Trinidadian civil rights activist and Black Panthers leader Stokely Carmichael in 1968 caused controversy in the United States, and her record deals and tours were cancelled.
As a result of this, the couple moved to Guinea, where they became close with President Ahmed Sekou Toure and his wife.
Makeba separated from Carmichael in 1973, and continued to perform primarily in Africa, South America and Europe.
She was one of the African and Afro-American entertainers at the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman held in Congo-Kinshasa.
Makeba also served as a Guinean delegate to the United Nations, for which she won the Dag Hammarskjold Peace Prize in 1986.
After the death of her only daughter Bongi Makeba in 1985, she moved to Brussels.
In 1987, she appeared in Paul Simon's Graceland tour. Shortly thereafter she published her autobiography Makeba: My Story.
Nelson Mandela persuaded her to return to South Africa in 1990.
In 1991, she made a guest appearance in an episode of The Cosby Show, titled Olivia Comes Out Of The Closet.
In 1992 she starred in the film Sarafina!, about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, as the title character's mother, Angelina.
She also took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony where she and others recalled the days of apartheid.
In 2000, her album, Homeland, produced by Cedric Samson and Michael Levinsohn was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best World Music category.
In 2001 she was awarded the Gold Otto Hahn Peace Medal by the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN) in Berlin, "for outstanding services to peace and international understanding".
In 2002, she shared the Polar Music Prize with Sofia Gubaidulina.
In 2004, Makeba was voted 38th in the Top 100 Great South Africans.
Makeba started a worldwide farewell tour in 2005, holding concerts in all of those countries that she had visited during her working life.
(Thanks to Wikipedia for information on Miriam Makeba).
Born Miriam Zenzi Makeba in Johannesburg in 1932, she was maternally Swazi and paternally Xhosa. Her father died when she was only six. Her mother was a Swazi priestess.
As a child, she sang at the Kilmerton Training Institute in Pretoria, which she attended for eight years.
Makeba first toured with an amateur group. Her professional career began in the 1950s with the Manhattan Brothers, before she formed her own group, The Skylarks, singing a blend of jazz and traditional melodies of South Africa.
In 1959, she performed in the musical King Kong alongside Hugh Masekela, her future husband.
Though she was a successful recording artiste, she was only receiving a few dollars for each recording session and no provisional royalties, and was keen to go to the US.
Her break came when she starred in the anti-apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa in 1959 by independent filmmaker Lionel Rogosin. She attended the premiere of the film at the Venice Film Festival.
Makeba then travelled to London where she met Harry Belafonte, who assisted her in gaining entry to and fame in the United States.
She released many of her most famous hits there including Pata Pata, The Click Song (Qongqothwane in Xhosa), and Malaika.
In 1966, Makeba received the Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording together with Harry Belafonte for An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba. The album dealt with the political plight of Black South Africans under apartheid.
She discovered that her South African passport was revoked when she tried to return there in 1960 for her mother's funeral.
In 1963, after testifying against apartheid before the United Nations, her South African citizenship and her right to return to the country were revoked. She has had nine passports, and was granted honorary citizenship of ten countries.
Her marriage to Trinidadian civil rights activist and Black Panthers leader Stokely Carmichael in 1968 caused controversy in the United States, and her record deals and tours were cancelled.
As a result of this, the couple moved to Guinea, where they became close with President Ahmed Sekou Toure and his wife.
Makeba separated from Carmichael in 1973, and continued to perform primarily in Africa, South America and Europe.
She was one of the African and Afro-American entertainers at the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman held in Congo-Kinshasa.
Makeba also served as a Guinean delegate to the United Nations, for which she won the Dag Hammarskjold Peace Prize in 1986.
After the death of her only daughter Bongi Makeba in 1985, she moved to Brussels.
In 1987, she appeared in Paul Simon's Graceland tour. Shortly thereafter she published her autobiography Makeba: My Story.
Nelson Mandela persuaded her to return to South Africa in 1990.
In 1991, she made a guest appearance in an episode of The Cosby Show, titled Olivia Comes Out Of The Closet.
In 1992 she starred in the film Sarafina!, about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, as the title character's mother, Angelina.
She also took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony where she and others recalled the days of apartheid.
In 2000, her album, Homeland, produced by Cedric Samson and Michael Levinsohn was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best World Music category.
In 2001 she was awarded the Gold Otto Hahn Peace Medal by the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN) in Berlin, "for outstanding services to peace and international understanding".
In 2002, she shared the Polar Music Prize with Sofia Gubaidulina.
In 2004, Makeba was voted 38th in the Top 100 Great South Africans.
Makeba started a worldwide farewell tour in 2005, holding concerts in all of those countries that she had visited during her working life.
(Thanks to Wikipedia for information on Miriam Makeba).
Monday, November 3, 2008
Return Of The Oldest Malay Hero
A nation of plenty
Blessed but unmindful
Of God’s bounty
Awaits his return
He, the Oldest Malay Hero
Who conquers the enemies
Within and without
Who slays demonic monsters
With the power of his magic
The swish of his kris
And the strength of his faith
The Oldest Malay Hero
Does not show off
He meditates
Atop the Titiwangsa Range
Where his ancestors once dwelled
He drinks the pure water
Of the mighty Selangor River
Near its source
In Kuala Kubu Baru
To him, earth and life are sacred
All life is interconnected
And good and bad, is all because
Of living a life of imbalance
Of straying from the Middle Path
Of upsetting a man’ true self
The Oldest Malay Hero
Is a man who reveres life
In its every form
For life sustains life
And every creature that walks or flies
Shares the same spirit
Of the Creator Spirit, the One
For ages, since his grand-child
The mad king Mahmud
Turned his world upside down
And cursed his brothers
That they vomit blood and be him
The Hero has been lost
Mahmud’s laws conquered the land
And his sadism permeated the hills
But all this will change soon
For Mahmud is dying, slowly but surely
His time is up, and the world is rejecting his curse
Once he goes, the Hero returns
And the Real Malay Man
Will make himself known
Blessed but unmindful
Of God’s bounty
Awaits his return
He, the Oldest Malay Hero
Who conquers the enemies
Within and without
Who slays demonic monsters
With the power of his magic
The swish of his kris
And the strength of his faith
The Oldest Malay Hero
Does not show off
He meditates
Atop the Titiwangsa Range
Where his ancestors once dwelled
He drinks the pure water
Of the mighty Selangor River
Near its source
In Kuala Kubu Baru
To him, earth and life are sacred
All life is interconnected
And good and bad, is all because
Of living a life of imbalance
Of straying from the Middle Path
Of upsetting a man’ true self
The Oldest Malay Hero
Is a man who reveres life
In its every form
For life sustains life
And every creature that walks or flies
Shares the same spirit
Of the Creator Spirit, the One
For ages, since his grand-child
The mad king Mahmud
Turned his world upside down
And cursed his brothers
That they vomit blood and be him
The Hero has been lost
Mahmud’s laws conquered the land
And his sadism permeated the hills
But all this will change soon
For Mahmud is dying, slowly but surely
His time is up, and the world is rejecting his curse
Once he goes, the Hero returns
And the Real Malay Man
Will make himself known
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