"If you could read my mind"

 In 1974 I was 12 years old. I loved the early seventies. My life was wonderfully secure and hopeful. It was filled with fun and happiness. I fell hopelessly in love when I was twelve.
 He was a boy I had known all my life. He had always been something special to me. I was an only child and so was he. His mother and my father worked together and our families were close in many ways. I chased my little blond haired love from the time I could walk. He hated it and I didn't care...he was my Christodor.
 Years pasted and I drove this light eyed boy mad. I took his toys and knocked him down. I even sang to him as he ran from me. He was a proud young man who embarrassed easily at the hands of this dark haired chubby girl. If we were in the same place at the same time he was doomed. For the first 11 years of my life I drove him crazy, but in my 12th year on this planet it was he that began to torment my brain.
    

"Smile"

When I recently decided to record some songs, I had some hesitation. Like I said in my first blog post, I've sung all my life. I love to sing, I do it everyday. But it had been many, many years since I had performed publicly, so I was afraid. This is the first one. Please be kind.

"Somewhere"

Simply one beautiful song. The score from the musical "West Side Story" is splendid. Sprung from the talents of musical giants Leonard Bernstein and Steven Sondheim, this glorious ballad is melodic emotion and truly a joy both to hear and to perform. First released upon us in 1957, it has been covered by some of the greats. I can only hope that I have done it some justice. I invite you listen, sing a long, and enjoy :-)

"Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered"

I always loved this song. Originally from the musical "Pal Joey" it was first made famous by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra in 1941. I'm sure I had heard this song many times before I truly fell in love with it, but it was Linda Ronstadt's 1986 version that sealed my deal where this tune is concerned. 
 Anyone who knows me knows that this song could be about me and the men I love. Yes, 'I've done pretty well I think'...although men as a whole have pretty much undone me. I guess I'm destined to die a sad romantic.

"Songs My Mother Taught Me"

I started studying voice at the age of 11. This is one of the first songs I was taught to sing. 'Songs My Mother Taught Me' by Antonín  Dvořák is a song for voice and piano written in 1880, the seventh in a cycle of Gypsy songs. I'm sure I have sung it better, but this is a version I recorded on my i phone several months ago just shortly after the death of my Mother, Angelina Ochipinti Romeo. She enjoyed hearing me sing it very much...perhaps you will as well.

"What I Did For Love"

It seemed like a good idea. The perfect plan. Sweet emotions warming. Fast belief, future cool. Nope, not true. Belief does not sustain. Lightning strikes not often. Accuracy seldom. The believer done. The rest vindicated. Alone to hold in responsible hands. It seemed like a good idea. No, not perfect. Not so.

"Both Sides Now"

 It's a funny thing this life we live. Coincidental circumstance leaves us dumbfounded and shaken to the core when really we should be grateful for the second chance it renders. In recent years I have been such a victim of karmic intervention.
  I was a very lucky girl in my youth. I met and held dear a wonderful group of friends. I loved them all dearly and counted each and every one of them as family. Sadly though, due to my own confused young adult life I ran from them, and what a mistake that was. I missed them all so much, but my steadfast pride kept me from going 'home'.
  I have the internet and more specifically that little social network that could, Facebook, to thank for the reunion I could never on my own have 'manned' up to. Long story short, and an infinite number of logged  phone hours later, all the kindred spirits are back where they should be. Like I said I am one lucky girl.