Swiss Swing (Music Thoughts: Introducing…Coco Favre, Coco Favre)

cd1Coco Favre has a great name, and to be honest, that’s what attracted me to listen to her album first before anyone else on my pile. I researched her and find that she is originally from Switzerland, and is now living in New Zealand. That’s a long way to travel and I wonder why she moved – for love? for family? In any event, when I first listened to the album, I was a little underwhelmed. Well, bored is more like it. She has a fine enough voice, but nothing about it called out to me. But on second spin (I usually give a second chance) I see that her strength is on swinging tunes. She definitely has a great sense of rhythm, as evidenced in her versions of ‘Down With Love,’ and ;It Don’t Mean A Thing.’ I am guessing she is also great live, as I get some of that energy on her disc. But the originals still put me to sleep. Half of this is okay, the other half I couldn’t get through and her disc, titled ‘Introducing…Coco Favre’ is a lukewarm intro.

Footballers In Love (Movie Thoughts: Mario)

0maInitially reading the synopsis of ‘Mario’ made me think that this movie,  directed by Marcel Gisler what was going to be sport-centric. But I was wrong, and I was glad that this is more a straight-up (yes, pun intended) love story between two Football teammates. And I am glad to note that it is quite touching and heartbreaking, as we see them try to fight the obstacles of falling in the still-conservative environment of European football. This one is set in Swiss-German and it was great to see that setting, one I am a little unfamiliar with. The actors, Max Hubacher and Aaron Altaras were both very effective and you can feel the character’s affection for each other. I like the tenderness that was shown in the backdrop of the rough and gruff world of football, and I couldn’t help but tear up at the bittersweet ending. I liked this movie much more than I thought I would.