February 22, 2009
Wanting to go was never the question. In what manner was the only thing at stake.
Normally I would have gone straight from work. Not this time. Because I had counted on stopping at home, I had left everything at home.
I thought I left with plenty of time left. However, along M11 there was an incident, which caused the traffic to a complete standstill in both directions. By the time I was clear of the incident, I pretty much decided that I would not be able to make it to the train station on time. Given the time and traffic, I also decided driving would be too painful.
When I got home, I wasn’t even sure if I would even try to get to the train station. I did. No dinner. Miraculously I made it to the train station with about 4 minutes to spare for the 7:20 train. The ticketing machine was acting strangely so that took another 2 minutes. I went through. Now which platform am I supposed to go to? Platform 4. I turned right. Platform one, two, three. Okay I must want to turn right again. I got onto an empty train going through three or four cars. Hmm. This is weird. I looked out of the train. It’s platform 3! Oh no. Where is platform 4? Darn! I was supposed to turn left and had no business missing the train! I seem to make wrong decisions all the time when rushed. I saw the train leaving as I got near platform 4.
Now what? There is a train leaving at 7:28. It’s a slow one though. I bet this wouldn’t get to Kings Cross until 9 rather than 8:15 or whatever time the earlier was supposed to arrive in London. Oh well. I already paid for the train ticket. Royston. Baldock. Letchworth. Hitchin. Stevenage. Finsbury Park. Finally Kings Cross. Hmm. That was a little better than I expected. 8:40 PM.
One would think karma might at least favor me with a nice SOS. Karma schumala. SOS was held on the South side tonight. On second thought, maybe it was the curse. You know who you are – the reason why I had planned to go home first.
The outside signs were not great either. As I neared the entrance following a herd coming down from the North side, Eva walked out of the entrance with Mauro and told the group not to go in – a sure sign that it must be ridiculously hot tonight. I considered going back and actually turned around. But then another pair of people I know walked in and asked me if I was going in. I said in a minute after getting rid of my glasses.
It was hot and steamy alright. I didn’t have much will to do much to start with. It took me three songs to get my first dance in. After a break and another dance, someone asked me so I ended up with a two in a row. After that, I lost the will for quite some time. By ten, I had only five dances. All night long, I’m not sure if I had ten dances. I probably did. Maybe even twelve. I think it was close to two thirds On2 – or trying to stay On2 in some cases. I really couldn’t fault some of the partners for losing concentration given the conditions and perhaps their inexperience or (absence) of expertise.
A bit after 10, I was asked for a dance right after another. I was amused for two reasons. The song being played was the second version of Camina Prende Y Fogon of the night. Also just like the first time I was asked, I ended up dancing On1 – I’m thinking half of my On1 dances were by someone who asked me. To boot, the next song was the second version of Agua Limpia Todo for the night. There were many others versions of lesser known covers (e.g. Hacha Y Machete, Mambo Diablo (T.P. but from the 70s), Bilongo (T.R.), others?), many of which I would have been happy to dance to if it weren’t so hot.
It wasn’t like they weren’t using the AC. The funniest thing was that the AC right in front of the DJ was so overworked that the DJ must have thought he was looking at the dancers through a mini downpour. The floor was wet of course. They even placed a large green bucket underneath a particularly wet spot. By the time I was came over to the DJ booth to comment on the second duplicate songs of the night, the bucket was full and in danger of overflowing. No joke.
There was absolutely no reason to stay for the last song. I wasn’t going to take any chances missing the 11:15 train back to Cambridge. I did dance with someone I know for the next to last song – one of my favorite London partners – as perhaps could be demonstrated by the fact that tonight I only danced with only two people, whom I have danced with more than once before ever to my best knowledge. Too bad the song was the most difficult song of the night too.
I wonder if I’m lacking sleep. I feel like I have been having mild hallucinations frequently. Maybe it’s because I’m hungry too now. I’m breaking down things I’m watching into actions and consequences – more in the physical sense than mental sense. I pull my fingers against each other and watch my arm moving in response. I see a video where a guy pulls a girl into an elevator and I break down the mechanics of how it is being done. I’m sorry; I don’t love you. I’m not sure if I like you all that much either. I think I’m getting sleepy.
The laptop has 21% of battery power left – supposedly good for 38 minutes of power. I think there’s about 20 minutes of train ride left before arrival. What’s with using beans to write? The words make no sense to me. Maybe it’s heat exhaustion – but I didn’t dance very much, and I’m not especially tired – at least not due to physical exertion. I am also cold though not as cold as about half hour ago when my clothes were wetter. I seem to get these hallucinatory sensations once a year or two – perhaps most vividly in Phoenix on my way to a grand Oregon-California trip before graduate school. I guess it’s an amusing coincidence that Ben just e-mailed to suggest a dip at Lake Ediza?
It really hasn’t been the most efficient day aside from making travel plans – not that I am anywhere near finished with this either. Paris next weekend and then a 2-week trip in April in the UK, France and possibly Netherlands – I guess I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be my grand European trip.
Hmm. The train stopped. It’s Cambridge. I better hurry and get off. I don’t want to go to Ely.
Hear from a Mimi, see another Mimi
February20, 2009
I seem to have become accustomed to waking earlier while going to bed late. Probably because of lack of sleep I have been feeling a bit dazed lately. Even without it, I suspect I would have felt disoriented by the musical selection.
Lately Joe had been mixing in a lot of R&B Salsa and such but not this time. Early on he had a Javier Vazquez double (Tu No Me Has Visto Miguel & Se Formo Rumbantela), and his set concluded with a Tito Puente double (El Numero Cien & Mambo Gozon original) followed by Cuando Te Vea cover by German Villarreal. Things were fine in between with gems like Llevatela, which I had been thnking of playing for several weeks. Mandingo's Swing A La Moderna was the only predictable track. Only his Bachata selections could be considered off-kilter (but who know if people's taste will change in another six month's time?).
Perhaps it was more the case of playing music to suit the people.It was an odd mix alright. Haihan was there before me dancing with Jane; I arrived at around 10:10 AM. Like last week Natalia was there but only for very early part of the evening once again. Mark and Ivan arrived shortly afterwards. Haihan thought it was a very good crowd.
There was a new girl whom all old-timers seemed to know quite well. After seeing Ivan hanging around her for quite some time before and after a dance (as well as seeing Johnny do the same), I had a pretty good guess for her identity.
When Ivan became free I asked, “An old friend?” He replied smiling, “Yeah, my first dance partner in Cambridge.”
“It’s Mimi, isn’t it? Funny. I didn’t have to be told to know who she is. By the way would you believe I just heard from the other Mimi earlier this week too?”
The past and the present, the queen-bee of Cambridge Salsa during the time I jokingly refer to as the golden age when Cuban style dominated. What about the future? How would it look if one of the San Miguel Gang were to make a return trip to Cambridge Salsa scene in 5 years?
People who I’m used to seeing arriving later in the evening showed up early tonight. That too was disorientating. Steph arrived a bit later too. Despite all that I was not dancing a lot more than I was dancing.
Now what about Vish? It was one thing when he played Bilongo (Eddie Palmieri) and Todo Tiene Su Final (Colon & Lavoe), but I think I lost it when he played Los Rumberos by Mark Dimond & Frankie Dante. I can’t decide what was most surprising. Was it that Vish played this song (apparently gotten from NYC Salsa CD)? Or was it that there were plenty of people dancing to the song? Or was it that all the potential partners I would have liked to ask had all been taken quickly by others?
I felt somewhat dispensable as DJ. Can I do any different? Would playing the full introduction of Borinquen cause confusion and uproar?
Playlist
Borinquen – Sonora Poncena (1)
Chiquilla – Raphy Leavitt*
Sirena – Santiago Ceron*
Philly Mambo – Cal Tjader (-4%)* (2)
Me Libere – El Gran Combo
Sandunguera – Los Van Van*
El Verdadero Son – Estrellas Caiman
Para La Luna – Los Nemus Del Pacifico
Telarana – Jose Curbelo* (3)
Mary – Joe Arroyo
Solo Se Que Tiene Nombre De Mujer – Angel Canales (4)
Cuando Se Canta Bonito – Willie Rosario (-3%)
A Pedir Su Mano – Juan Luis Guerra
Rompe – Daddy Yankee
Musica Ligera – Toque D Keda
Otra Oportunidad – Jimmy Bosch (5)
(1) Confusion? Check. Anyone dancing? Hardly. Uproar? Not quite. I guess I have enough credit with the audience not to be booed off the DJ booth.
(2) I’m definitely pushing it to the limit despite all others that came before.
(3) Haihan requested Cha Cha. He later wanted to select something of his own (by Azuquita?), but there was not enough time for me to listen to enough of it beforehand.
(4) Steph found beats confusing in the middle.
(5) Vish wanted to have one more Bachata here as the final song a little after 1:30 AM. I thought I would have one more dance.
Total = 16 songs. 1 Merengue. 1 Bachata. 1 Reggaeton. 1 Cha Cha new. 12 Salsa including 4 new.
This probably was one of the worst DJ work in terms of connecting with the crowd for me in a long time. Or maybe I was feeling unusually sensitive.
I seem to have become accustomed to waking earlier while going to bed late. Probably because of lack of sleep I have been feeling a bit dazed lately. Even without it, I suspect I would have felt disoriented by the musical selection.
Lately Joe had been mixing in a lot of R&B Salsa and such but not this time. Early on he had a Javier Vazquez double (Tu No Me Has Visto Miguel & Se Formo Rumbantela), and his set concluded with a Tito Puente double (El Numero Cien & Mambo Gozon original) followed by Cuando Te Vea cover by German Villarreal. Things were fine in between with gems like Llevatela, which I had been thnking of playing for several weeks. Mandingo's Swing A La Moderna was the only predictable track. Only his Bachata selections could be considered off-kilter (but who know if people's taste will change in another six month's time?).
Perhaps it was more the case of playing music to suit the people.It was an odd mix alright. Haihan was there before me dancing with Jane; I arrived at around 10:10 AM. Like last week Natalia was there but only for very early part of the evening once again. Mark and Ivan arrived shortly afterwards. Haihan thought it was a very good crowd.
There was a new girl whom all old-timers seemed to know quite well. After seeing Ivan hanging around her for quite some time before and after a dance (as well as seeing Johnny do the same), I had a pretty good guess for her identity.
When Ivan became free I asked, “An old friend?” He replied smiling, “Yeah, my first dance partner in Cambridge.”
“It’s Mimi, isn’t it? Funny. I didn’t have to be told to know who she is. By the way would you believe I just heard from the other Mimi earlier this week too?”
The past and the present, the queen-bee of Cambridge Salsa during the time I jokingly refer to as the golden age when Cuban style dominated. What about the future? How would it look if one of the San Miguel Gang were to make a return trip to Cambridge Salsa scene in 5 years?
People who I’m used to seeing arriving later in the evening showed up early tonight. That too was disorientating. Steph arrived a bit later too. Despite all that I was not dancing a lot more than I was dancing.
Now what about Vish? It was one thing when he played Bilongo (Eddie Palmieri) and Todo Tiene Su Final (Colon & Lavoe), but I think I lost it when he played Los Rumberos by Mark Dimond & Frankie Dante. I can’t decide what was most surprising. Was it that Vish played this song (apparently gotten from NYC Salsa CD)? Or was it that there were plenty of people dancing to the song? Or was it that all the potential partners I would have liked to ask had all been taken quickly by others?
I felt somewhat dispensable as DJ. Can I do any different? Would playing the full introduction of Borinquen cause confusion and uproar?
Playlist
Borinquen – Sonora Poncena (1)
Chiquilla – Raphy Leavitt*
Sirena – Santiago Ceron*
Philly Mambo – Cal Tjader (-4%)* (2)
Me Libere – El Gran Combo
Sandunguera – Los Van Van*
El Verdadero Son – Estrellas Caiman
Para La Luna – Los Nemus Del Pacifico
Telarana – Jose Curbelo* (3)
Mary – Joe Arroyo
Solo Se Que Tiene Nombre De Mujer – Angel Canales (4)
Cuando Se Canta Bonito – Willie Rosario (-3%)
A Pedir Su Mano – Juan Luis Guerra
Rompe – Daddy Yankee
Musica Ligera – Toque D Keda
Otra Oportunidad – Jimmy Bosch (5)
(1) Confusion? Check. Anyone dancing? Hardly. Uproar? Not quite. I guess I have enough credit with the audience not to be booed off the DJ booth.
(2) I’m definitely pushing it to the limit despite all others that came before.
(3) Haihan requested Cha Cha. He later wanted to select something of his own (by Azuquita?), but there was not enough time for me to listen to enough of it beforehand.
(4) Steph found beats confusing in the middle.
(5) Vish wanted to have one more Bachata here as the final song a little after 1:30 AM. I thought I would have one more dance.
Total = 16 songs. 1 Merengue. 1 Bachata. 1 Reggaeton. 1 Cha Cha new. 12 Salsa including 4 new.
This probably was one of the worst DJ work in terms of connecting with the crowd for me in a long time. Or maybe I was feeling unusually sensitive.
Late Arrival
February 13, 2009
Haihan said, “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Because I’m so late?” – it was nearly 11 PM.
I continued, “I didn’t leave Gurdon until 9:30.”
I had been working in Cambridge proper all week and working quite intensively too. I don’t think I’ve had many such intense days in a row since leaving Boston. Maybe there were a day or two in row here and there, but even those have been relatively rare.
Anyhow a week outside normal environment meant some unusual experiences. The awful catering service in transition led to lunches at Downing College and Savino’s with referral from Sergio. I might have bicycled in snow possibly for the first time – I don’t recall for sure if I ever did this in Portland. I discovered the joy of drafting (or slipstreaming).
Compared to past Valentine’s parties, this one wasn’t particularly crowded thus there was plenty of space to dance. Quite a few regulars from past year were missing – out of town, out of mind or possibly intending to go to the CDC Salsa Ball instead. I didn’t learn about the CDC Salsa Ball until tonight, and because of work I think I’m more likely not to attend than to attend.
Joe was back. Vish was in Lithuania. The DJs were in order Joe, Shorty, Haihan then me. Johnny was off for his own party. Steph was complaining that she wasn’t taking a break from dancing and that she had been drowning with dance practices (more hip hop). She also used a cold/flu excuse just like Sergio. No Liam – at least not tonight.
I think I might have had more On2 dances than On1 dances tonight. It was pretty close in number. The number of partners might have been greater for On1 – there were three On2 partners. The On2 dances with Steph were not a fiasco like the last time – three of the better dances were to Ojos Chinos remix (played by Shorty), Erben On The Phone (opener by Haihan), and Titoro. Haihan finished with Evil Ways (Cal Tjader), and I took over around 1 AM.
Playlist
Mambo For Vibes – Hilton Ruiz
Ay Amor, Cuando Hablan Las Miradas – Orquesta Guayacan
Titoro – Bobby Montez* (-3%)
Guallando – Fulanito
Impacto – Daddy Yankee
Te Extrano – Extreme
Hong Kong Mambo remix – Tito Puente (DJ Duste Remix Re-cut)
Canto Al Amor – Sonora Poncena
Bailando – Frankie Ruiz
Una Mulata En La Habana – Adalberto Alvarez
Lindo Yambo – Santiago Ceron
Lloraras – Oscar D’Leon
Luna Negra – Rey Ruiz
Total = 13 songs. 1 Merengue, 1 Reggaeton, 1 Bachata, 10 Salsa including 1 new. I danced to Titoro, Canto Al Amor, Lindo Yambu and Luna Negra.
A trio of drunk guys begged me to play one more to have fun and make fool of themselves dancing. I chose Guayacan Pasodobles (scrached section in my CD removed).
Haihan said, “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Because I’m so late?” – it was nearly 11 PM.
I continued, “I didn’t leave Gurdon until 9:30.”
I had been working in Cambridge proper all week and working quite intensively too. I don’t think I’ve had many such intense days in a row since leaving Boston. Maybe there were a day or two in row here and there, but even those have been relatively rare.
Anyhow a week outside normal environment meant some unusual experiences. The awful catering service in transition led to lunches at Downing College and Savino’s with referral from Sergio. I might have bicycled in snow possibly for the first time – I don’t recall for sure if I ever did this in Portland. I discovered the joy of drafting (or slipstreaming).
Compared to past Valentine’s parties, this one wasn’t particularly crowded thus there was plenty of space to dance. Quite a few regulars from past year were missing – out of town, out of mind or possibly intending to go to the CDC Salsa Ball instead. I didn’t learn about the CDC Salsa Ball until tonight, and because of work I think I’m more likely not to attend than to attend.
Joe was back. Vish was in Lithuania. The DJs were in order Joe, Shorty, Haihan then me. Johnny was off for his own party. Steph was complaining that she wasn’t taking a break from dancing and that she had been drowning with dance practices (more hip hop). She also used a cold/flu excuse just like Sergio. No Liam – at least not tonight.
I think I might have had more On2 dances than On1 dances tonight. It was pretty close in number. The number of partners might have been greater for On1 – there were three On2 partners. The On2 dances with Steph were not a fiasco like the last time – three of the better dances were to Ojos Chinos remix (played by Shorty), Erben On The Phone (opener by Haihan), and Titoro. Haihan finished with Evil Ways (Cal Tjader), and I took over around 1 AM.
Playlist
Mambo For Vibes – Hilton Ruiz
Ay Amor, Cuando Hablan Las Miradas – Orquesta Guayacan
Titoro – Bobby Montez* (-3%)
Guallando – Fulanito
Impacto – Daddy Yankee
Te Extrano – Extreme
Hong Kong Mambo remix – Tito Puente (DJ Duste Remix Re-cut)
Canto Al Amor – Sonora Poncena
Bailando – Frankie Ruiz
Una Mulata En La Habana – Adalberto Alvarez
Lindo Yambo – Santiago Ceron
Lloraras – Oscar D’Leon
Luna Negra – Rey Ruiz
Total = 13 songs. 1 Merengue, 1 Reggaeton, 1 Bachata, 10 Salsa including 1 new. I danced to Titoro, Canto Al Amor, Lindo Yambu and Luna Negra.
A trio of drunk guys begged me to play one more to have fun and make fool of themselves dancing. I chose Guayacan Pasodobles (scrached section in my CD removed).
Atrophy Prevention
February 8, 2009
Let’s just say it was for regular maintenance – to avoid skills from atrophying.
I must be out of shape. By 10:30, my legs were shot. By the last song, I could feel that my left leg was about to cramp up. I can’t believe it – this was the first time it happened to me at SOS. Heck, I can’t remember it happening at Congress nights. Is it the shoes? After all I also had some problem at Athens. Or is it because I’m exerting more energy. Perhaps I’m just getting old.
At least I had several really nice dances tonight. For a change, I had many more great On2 dances compared to great On1 dances. As for total number, it was about half and half. There were two awful dances too – one On1 and one On2, one no surprise and one a small surprise. Both used to be better. One has been difficult for a long time - she seems to willfully disregard following - on time and in general. The other has started developing odd habits and getting worse starting about 3 dances ago - this time she was consistently losing balance and dragging me down along; no idea if it's growing pains. I also had one Bachata for a change – I was asked.
There was a new DJ. I think his name is Eric (the Saint) from DR. He started off the set with Ken Moussoul Guis Li. The third song was Mambo Is Here To Stay by Latin Giants of Jazz. Other songs used included Avisale A Mi Contrario (TR), Abaniquito (Pucho), Trompeta y Flauta (Duste rmx). On the whole I liked his selections a lot.
I ran into Liam and Robin. Robin was taking lesson (level 4?). Liam is talking about visiting Camb this week.
I’m too busy to write a better post, and I was too distracted to write anything on the train. I wonder how many SOS trips I have left. Two? Three? Five?
Let’s just say it was for regular maintenance – to avoid skills from atrophying.
I must be out of shape. By 10:30, my legs were shot. By the last song, I could feel that my left leg was about to cramp up. I can’t believe it – this was the first time it happened to me at SOS. Heck, I can’t remember it happening at Congress nights. Is it the shoes? After all I also had some problem at Athens. Or is it because I’m exerting more energy. Perhaps I’m just getting old.
At least I had several really nice dances tonight. For a change, I had many more great On2 dances compared to great On1 dances. As for total number, it was about half and half. There were two awful dances too – one On1 and one On2, one no surprise and one a small surprise. Both used to be better. One has been difficult for a long time - she seems to willfully disregard following - on time and in general. The other has started developing odd habits and getting worse starting about 3 dances ago - this time she was consistently losing balance and dragging me down along; no idea if it's growing pains. I also had one Bachata for a change – I was asked.
There was a new DJ. I think his name is Eric (the Saint) from DR. He started off the set with Ken Moussoul Guis Li. The third song was Mambo Is Here To Stay by Latin Giants of Jazz. Other songs used included Avisale A Mi Contrario (TR), Abaniquito (Pucho), Trompeta y Flauta (Duste rmx). On the whole I liked his selections a lot.
I ran into Liam and Robin. Robin was taking lesson (level 4?). Liam is talking about visiting Camb this week.
I’m too busy to write a better post, and I was too distracted to write anything on the train. I wonder how many SOS trips I have left. Two? Three? Five?
Snowy White
February 6, 2009
Snowy week – it snowed on Sun, Mon, Thu and Fri. The final MOT was done after three trips. Soaking was not fun. Am I losing weight?
At CS, I arrived shortly before the final practice song. I picked Abandoname Fue (Orchestra Harlow) with more than half minute at the start cut off.
Playlist
La Muy Muy – Roberto Torres (1)
Me Gusta Todo – Los Nemus Del Pacifico*
Se Me Fue – Conjunto Yumuri (2)
A El – Oscar D’Leon
Almendra – German Villarreal
Ponme El Alcolado Juana – El Gran Combo
Mary – Joe Arroyo
Campanero – Jose Mangual Jr
Mentira – Cheo Feliciano*
Perico Macona – Angel Canales (3)
Alonzo – Cal Tjader (4)
Total = 11 songs all Salsa including 2 new.
(1) Both Mark and Jane are here early. Both may have been involved with teaching.
(2) Ivan is here again – second week in a row.
(3) Vishal used the same song as his second or third Salsa selection – it was completely unexpected given he never played it before and I haven’t played it in over a year. His selections tonight felt carefully chosen in my opinion.
(4) I haven’t played this in more than 2 years – it was something of a disaster back then. Anyhow I danced with Jane to this one. It was arguably the most musically satisfying On2 dance I’ve had anywhere to date. The only downside was that it was the first dance of the night for me, and I knew right away that there was nowhere to go but down from then onwards.
No Haihan today so Vish was the DJ for the remainder of the evening. I'll probably have a longer set next week.
Mark mentioned near the end of the evening that he liked the songs I played. I didn’t think there was anything special initially, but how frequently I play these songs. Considering the last time I played these songs, two songs were played two weeks ago, three songs more than two or three months ago, two songs about 5-7 months ago, and two songs more than a year ago. In addition, it’s a surprise when someone else uses these songs on their playlist.
No doubt the frequency of play would increase if I were a real DJ working longer hours and more nights, but as it stands these songs are far from getting spoiled by overuse. I might add that even though I say that I haven’t heard any other DJ use many of these songs, all but one of the songs are recommended by salsanewyork.com – so it’s not like they’re being picked from nowhere (in fact it indicates to me that the I wasn’t being particularly adventuresome by New York standards).
Tonight was a night for dance rejections. I had three for Periodico De Ayer (Vish played this after Todo Tiene Su Final) and another three for another song – it might have been Bilongo by Eddie Palmieri. Vish’s other selections included Castigala, Sey, Africando, Clave Mambo, Ping Pong (?), Me Libere remix, Caballo Viejo, Fragilidad, Lo Bonito Y Lo Feo, a song somewhat similar to Cairo except much longer. There were three On2 dances – first time with Sharon.
Itchy.
Snowy week – it snowed on Sun, Mon, Thu and Fri. The final MOT was done after three trips. Soaking was not fun. Am I losing weight?
At CS, I arrived shortly before the final practice song. I picked Abandoname Fue (Orchestra Harlow) with more than half minute at the start cut off.
Playlist
La Muy Muy – Roberto Torres (1)
Me Gusta Todo – Los Nemus Del Pacifico*
Se Me Fue – Conjunto Yumuri (2)
A El – Oscar D’Leon
Almendra – German Villarreal
Ponme El Alcolado Juana – El Gran Combo
Mary – Joe Arroyo
Campanero – Jose Mangual Jr
Mentira – Cheo Feliciano*
Perico Macona – Angel Canales (3)
Alonzo – Cal Tjader (4)
Total = 11 songs all Salsa including 2 new.
(1) Both Mark and Jane are here early. Both may have been involved with teaching.
(2) Ivan is here again – second week in a row.
(3) Vishal used the same song as his second or third Salsa selection – it was completely unexpected given he never played it before and I haven’t played it in over a year. His selections tonight felt carefully chosen in my opinion.
(4) I haven’t played this in more than 2 years – it was something of a disaster back then. Anyhow I danced with Jane to this one. It was arguably the most musically satisfying On2 dance I’ve had anywhere to date. The only downside was that it was the first dance of the night for me, and I knew right away that there was nowhere to go but down from then onwards.
No Haihan today so Vish was the DJ for the remainder of the evening. I'll probably have a longer set next week.
Mark mentioned near the end of the evening that he liked the songs I played. I didn’t think there was anything special initially, but how frequently I play these songs. Considering the last time I played these songs, two songs were played two weeks ago, three songs more than two or three months ago, two songs about 5-7 months ago, and two songs more than a year ago. In addition, it’s a surprise when someone else uses these songs on their playlist.
No doubt the frequency of play would increase if I were a real DJ working longer hours and more nights, but as it stands these songs are far from getting spoiled by overuse. I might add that even though I say that I haven’t heard any other DJ use many of these songs, all but one of the songs are recommended by salsanewyork.com – so it’s not like they’re being picked from nowhere (in fact it indicates to me that the I wasn’t being particularly adventuresome by New York standards).
Tonight was a night for dance rejections. I had three for Periodico De Ayer (Vish played this after Todo Tiene Su Final) and another three for another song – it might have been Bilongo by Eddie Palmieri. Vish’s other selections included Castigala, Sey, Africando, Clave Mambo, Ping Pong (?), Me Libere remix, Caballo Viejo, Fragilidad, Lo Bonito Y Lo Feo, a song somewhat similar to Cairo except much longer. There were three On2 dances – first time with Sharon.
Itchy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)