Monday, August 31, 2009

The Waitress.

I am writing a lot lately but not playing songs for anyone (except one person). Am waiting for two grant notifications, waiting for upcoming grant deadlines, waiting for my guitar to be repaired, waiting for the perfect ontario macintosh apples to arrive in Kensington Market, waiting for so many significant things.

It is funny that life seems to center around waiting and arriving. I wrote this a long time ago now:

Another year goes by
The circle turns into a line
he drives me by the seaside and I dream of going nowhere.


These lines are followed by the chorus it makes me a little sad. I suppose it does make me a little sad. There is a quiet acceptance in a period of waiting that I suppose can make one a little sad at times. Maybe this is why we keep ourselves so busy - I am not part of a waiting culture, we are a culture of instant access to information, answers, and tweets. Maybe I need to learn how to "wait" (am trying to teach my little dog this, but in a different context as he exuberantly storms ahead of me on our walks).

Although I can't speak for anyone else (and certainly not my plucky little dog) I would like to learn how to be a better waiter (waitress?).

Another line from a song of mine:
and the afternoons are
after all then
not so sad...

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Summer Vacation ... Autumn Vacation ... Winter Vacation

I am writing a lot these days. And, practicing a lot - playing the piano endlessly, dutifully fingering scales and arpeggios, whipping through sonatinas and meandering through sonatas and variations. Nothing gives more strength of conviction for me than playing the dear old piano.

That being said, aside from a few private events in the next month or so, we are taking un petit break from playing live. I plan to record by next spring... mostly the songs I wrote while living in Paris. Songs like "Rosemary's Cerise Valise", "Blue Shoes" and "Lonely Prince". Also, older songs that found their juice again like "Angie, Say A Prayer", "The First Initial Sting" and "Toujours Tres Doux". Then there will be the songs no one has really heard. And of course, songs I have not yet written.

I shall keep up my blog between sonatinas...

"Oh be true:
I'll stick to you
like your best friend's shoes;
I don't know what I would do without you,
my Red Delicious apple tree..." - from "Little Marie"


Saturday, July 4, 2009

Not My Lover.

In an absent time
of mismatched under-lying
and unintentionally repeated stories,
the confusion has outshone Hollywood.
Lackluster and bare (for years)
we attempt to both remember and forget.

In an altogether other universe,
I wear a faded sundress
and listen to the lake.

Summer Show.

If you are in Toronto on July 16: please do come.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Sparrows

You flew in by a margin
we know that ain't no homemade cape those sparrows got caught in
You found your own ground
that old lot of big-talkin' ne'er-do-wells can't bring you down

I recall standing in your yard holding a candle
we lit you in beautiful view (beautiful you)
but you've got your wiles and your eyes on the prize
and I recall standing in your yard, standing in your yard.

It's a long way and you can't pay
but if you high-fived and hitchhiked and hi-jacked you'd find a way
The road turned to a slow burn
yet if you paid any mind to your roadmap, you'd never learn

And I recall standing in your yard holding my hands up
we put you up top of the trees kissing your sleeves
it's a long way to fall from so tall - but you've got an angle
and I recall standing in your yard, standing in your yard.

Yes I recall standing in your yard holding my hands up
we lit you in beautiful view (oh beautiful you)
it's a long way to fall from so tall - but you've got it handled
and I recall standing in your yard, standing in your yard,
standing in your yard.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Miss Caroline Pearsall.



My violist from the Parisian version of my band, Caroline Pearsall, is visiting me in Toronto this week. Quel excité!

We won't actually be playing any music together while she is here. Just visiting. Can't wait!

Friday, May 22, 2009

The Book Of Judith


Last night I went with one of my oldest friends Dmitry to see a play by Michael Rubenfeld, The Book Of Judith.

So, I'm no theatre critic (or any kind of valid critic), but I did want to spread the word about this play.

I had no idea what the show was about going in, except that our friend from theatre school, Alex Bulmer, traveled from the UK to perform in it, and aside from supporting Michael (whom we both know), we were also thrilled to be seeing Alex again.

I cannot tell you the plot of the show, because if you do go then you should enter as I did, knowing nothing about it.

I will say that the play takes place in a large tent, on the grounds of CAMH in Toronto, the street noise corresponding with the intensity of the script. Michael Rubenfeld is the show's leader/storyteller - he plays himself: a brave performance where he channels both his inner P.T. Barnum and Little Prince. The play's subject matter raised personal questions for me around the depth of exploration, as well as whether exploitation and passion can exist without each other.

Such a moving and provocative piece of theatre really shouldn't be missed; I can't imagine anyone walking away from the grounds of CAMH not feeling both altered and uplifted by the show.

The Book Of Judith runs in Toronto until May 31.

bookofjudithplay.blogspot.com

Sunday, May 17, 2009

The Long Weekend.

This year, the May 24 weekend falls, on, well, this weekend. Which happens to be the May 16th weekend. Quite confusing. I have however learned that the 24th of May must fall AFTER a Monday in order to be considered a long weekend...and this May 24th is actually a Sunday.

Sometimes I reflect on things like this and wonder:

Who made this shit up?


Nonetheless, I am thrilled and delighted to have an extra day no matter what time of year. So, happy birthday Queen Vickie. I shall be sure to eat a meringue or trifle or financier or palmier or whatever I think you might have enjoyed on your birthday, on your behalf.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Tomorrow's Show

We are so looking forward to tomorrow night's show at The Cameron House. By "we", I mean Alex McMaster on cello (lovely), Anna Atkinson on viola (fetching), and Joe Phillips on double bass (dashing).

Donovan Woods is our special guest, and one of my favorite Toronto singer/songwriters. I listen to his CD "The Hold Up" non-stop when I live in Paris because it reminds me of home.

Please come tomorrow night if you can ... we will have advance copies of "Lenni Jabour: Greatest Hits" for sale for the first time.

Friday, April 17, 2009

The Perfect Libra Man

Born in October
when weather gets colder
touch my shoulder burn my fingers
hold the door take me to dinner
turn on when I don't expect you
Sunday Special bring your friends too

I listened to Edie and where did it get me
receiver in hand and a sweater on my head
I believed in the story and in e.e. cummings
I shook my head at the papers
and signed the guestbook instead
I think I'm falling and then
I call you darling and when
I shut you out and pretend
you're the perfect Libra man

You are elusive
you are a nuisance
everyday I'm waiting for you
give it up you silly boy you
call your mother pour your heart out
sorry is nice - but love is harder

I listened to Edie and where did it get me
receiver in hand and a sweater on my head
I believed in the story and in e.e. cummings
I shook my head at the papers
and signed the guestbook instead
I think I'm falling and then
I call you darling and when
I shut you out and pretend
you're the perfect Libra man

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Show.


Our first proper show in Toronto in a very. long. time.

Things feel different. The show changed while I lived in Paris; my performances just sort of naturally took a different shape with the musicians I played with there and the audiences we played for... as well as the impact of my experience of simply living in Paris. I felt quieter, more grounded, less rambunctious - my desire to "put up a show" lessened as my desire to simply play escalated. Probably there is more joy in my concerts now than before because of this? Hmmm.

Anyhoo, we shall play in the back room of The Cameron House in Toronto on Thursday May 14. Our darling friend Donovan Woods is our special guest. He is one of my most favorite songwriters in Canada at the moment, you must promise not to miss him.

So, there will be more details soon. This is just the first announcement - Myspace, Facebook, etc updates coming in awhile...although this is mainly a show for our friends...

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Rosemary's Cerise Valise.

She left her bracelet on the table
next to the mirror beside the candle
and oh can it be - an old cinema receipt
These are the things he keeps in Rosemary's cerise valise

A dry fountain pen that can't write letters
the special soap to wash her cashmere sweaters
and oh it would seem - a list of books she'd like to read
These are the things he keeps in Rosemary's cerise valise

The comb kept a few strands of her hair
the key left on the table by the stairs
oh how can she be just a string of memories
These are the things he keeps in Rosemary's cerise valise.

Monday, March 23, 2009

maple syrup.

For those of you who might not know, it is maple syrup season in Canada. This past weekend I went to a sugarbush and walked around the mud, sampling syrup in small paper cups. The sky was very blue and seemed extra-high on account of all the tall trees.

I highly recommend maple syrup for any of the following remedies/procedures:

- sweeten your morning latte.
- pour over thick plain yogurt with fresh fruit
- drizzle on grapefruit
- gulp a tablespoon to quell a mid-afternoon sugar crash
- forgo the flu shot and get your immune-boosting zinc & manganese as naturally found in pure maple syrup
- add maple syrup and cinnamon to puréed cooked sweet potatoes
- combine maple syrup with orange juice and tamari (soy) sauce, and use as a marinade for baked tofu or salmon

I of course do not need to say anything in regards to pancakes, french toast or waffles. My younger brother, when he was little, used to pour maple syrup on his plate of sausages every Sunday morning. Brilliant.

The maple season lasts until the end of March.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Moriarty is coming, Moriarty is coming!


My friends from Paris in the brilliant band Moriarty are coming to play Canadiam Music Week.

Please come to their show - it is full of typewriters and vintage suitcases and double basses and glockenspiels and overall magic. You will love.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Myspace and The Story of Fou Du Roi.

I have uploaded some new, unreleased songs on my Myspace page, including a live taping of my solo performance of "A Little Sad" on the popular French radio show "Le Fou du Roi".

The nicest thing about that performance was the audience. I was surprised that hundreds of people show up in the middle of the day to hear the whole radio show, which generally features authors, actors, all kinds of artists and thinkers. Because they are a live audience, the rule is that they of course cannot be very boisterous and for the most part must be quiet, aside from appropriate applause.

It is a fairly unceremonious thing after a live radio performance like that - generally the show just carries on, as it did in this case. I was led to the back of the stage towards the exit door...but just before I left, I turned to the audience and silently waved goodbye to everyone with a big goofy smile on my face.

One of my favorite moments of all my time spent in Paris is when pretty much the entire audience smiled, and silently waved back.

www.myspace.com/lennijabour





_____________________________________


J'ai mis des nouveau chansons sur ma page de Myspace, avec un enregistrement live de « A Little Sad » sur le radio programme Le Fou du Roi.

La plus agréable de cette exécution était la publique. J'étonné que des les de gens qui arrivent a midi pour entendre le spectacle de radio entier, qui présente généralement des auteurs, les acteurs, tous types d'artistes et philosophes. Parce qu'ils sont une audience "live", la règle est qu'ils ne peuvent pas être très bruyant (bien sûr) et doit se taire pour la plupart, à part les applaudissements appropriés.

C'est un peu brusque après une exécution de radio comme ça, en effet - généralement le spectacle continue juste, comme il a fait dans ce cas. J'ai été mené au dos de l'étage vers la porte de sortie ... mais juste avant que j'ai parti, j'ai tourné à l'audience et ai ondulé adieu silencieusement à tous , avec un grand sourire dingue.

Mon souvenir favorite de tout mon temps passé a Paris est quand l'audience entière a souri, et a ondulé silencieusement de retour.

www.myspace.com/lennijabour

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Kensington Market

If you visit Toronto, you will want to go to Kensington Market.

- Get caffeinated at iDeal Coffee (84 Nassau), or Louie's on the corner of Baldwin and Augusta. I call it Grumpy Louie's - but he makes magic coffee.

- Go shopping at Model Citizen (279 Augusta), the amazing clothing/accessories store for both women and men, owned/operated by my friends Julian and Georgia.

- Down a burrito at Big Fat Burrito (285 Augusta Ave). Get #2 spicy.

- Buy soy milk, sprouts and Ezekiel bread at Essence of Life Healthfood Store (50 Kensington Ave)

- Take out cash at the TD bank machine (kensington Ave at St. Andrew)

- Purchase dried burdock, lemon balm and black cohosh at Chinese Herbs on the corner of St. Andrew and Kensington Ave

- Pet/feed/rescue a stray market cat or kitten. (You can volunteer or even adopt from Kensington Market Stray Cat Rescue. 416-596-2331)

- Eat a square of mango cake from Patty King (187 Baldwin St). I cannot guarantee it, but the ladies behind the counter will most likely address you as "sweetie"

- Stock up on tortillas, black beans and chipotle peppers at Casa Acoreana (235 Augusta Ave)

And, click here to visit the Kensington Market website for more info and photos, etc. Since you will inevitably bump into someone you know (even if visiting Toronto for the first time, it seems to be the way), perhaps I will see you there.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

11e

Where the cement met beauty,
a story flung itself out a window.
Furious and broken both,
There were shards of this and that - raw and fast -
blanketing the shock of is.

Awhile later, in a numbed café
important pieces got dropped.
Left to rot, then, on dusty floors;
no sweeping nor wiping nor shuffling away -
only a faded capture of once.

It was in this place:
the chairs, the stars -
where days turned to ever
(good-bye lovers),
a just was sought
but then never delivered.

And so it was thus,
That not became was.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

New York

I wrote a song a long time ago called "New York". I was living in a small attic apartment in Brooklyn Heights where I looked after two cats, learned the definition of shabby chic, and discovered The Moosewood Cookbook.

I wrote this song the afternoon after the Macy's Day Parade.

You think it might have been a miracle
America is floating down 5th Avenue
she looks at you with snowflakes on her eyelashes
all you can do is shake your head in wonderment
and wonder who you were before you breathed the fumes
of autumn leaves discarded on the avenues of New York.

The stars are getting brighter over Brooklyn now
a hooker wishes on Orion anyhow
the windowed homes are orange and red with yellowed glow
and you wish you could stop from feeling so alone
you search for his brown eyes every time you turn around
and you make a wish on every penny on the ground in New York.


Monday, February 16, 2009

I Love Rock'n' Roll. And, manatees.


I was thinking about it earlier, and although I really love dogs (I have the sweetest dog, named Moose):












I must say that my favorite animal these days is a manatee. Just look at these two manatees here. Aren't they perfectly darling? Wouldn't you be perfectly pleased to be swimming along in the sea one day, and bump into a manatee?



I certainly would.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Fall On Your Knees.


Thursday night:
I am playing at The Drake Hotel, for their lovely 5th Anniversary Party.
I think it might be very-crazy.

Everyone is supposed to arrive dressed as their favorite work of art. I don't have a favorite work of art, but I do have a gold lamé dress. Therefore, I will go dressed as a frame.

I must make sure my dress covers my knees, though. I slipped on some ice yesterday while jogging, and my knees looks like they belong to someone who is six and just fell off their new bike.

Monday, January 26, 2009

New New New Nouveau.

Thank you for visiting my new blog via my new website!

This is the page where I shall write sweet nothings for you.

I am better at writing personal letters than announcements and proclamations. Although I will fill you in on fun happenings with my music, true newsletters would probably meander and career updates would likely yawn - I don't sell things like that with much plume and zeal. If you would like a snapshot into my little world though, this is the place for you...
Link
You can head back to my website by clicking here.



Coucou,

Merci pour visiter mon nouveau blog, par mon nouveau site!

Ceci j'ecrirai les "quoi des neufs" , des clin-d'oeils , et les petites chuchotes .

C'est mieux pour moi si j'ecris une lettre que des annonces ... mais voila , et j'essaye en francais pour tous mes amis a Paris qui j'adore . En plus , je vous permets de rire à mon français ...

Rentrez-vous a mon site par cliquez ici.