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Katie Melua interview: ‘I once played a gig at the bottom of the North Sea’
I grew up in Georgia and my childhood holidays were always spent in Batumi, a resort on the Black Sea. My dad and uncle were hugely enthusiastic about the seaside and would get everyone up really early. We’d be at the beach by 8am so we could enjoy the sun before it became too hot. Then by midmorning we’d head back home.
I went back to Batumi recently to record a video for one of the songs on my new album, and it was just as stunning as I remembered. The old part of town, with its French and Italian-inspired architecture, is well preserved, but the rest of the city has undergone a facelift. Quite a lot of money has poured in, not least because it’s one of the few places in the region where you can gamble — Georgia is a Christian country surrounded by Muslim ones.
I recommend staying on one of its agritourism farms. I went to one near Khulo, a small town in the Adjaran mountains notable for the daunting, mile-long Soviet-era cable car that connects it with the opposite village, Tago. I consider myself an adrenaline junkie, but even I didn’t fancy it. I was after a more relaxing time, so I stayed on a farm with one guest room that could be reached only by walking through a cornfield. The farm also made its own wine. This is quite common in Georgia, which has one of the oldest winemaking traditions. Most villages make their own using kvevri pots, which are buried during the fermentation process.
I’m far from finished exploring my homeland and I plan to go back soon and stay in Ushguli, which is one of the highest inhabited villages in the world. It’s very old and has many tower houses because it’s covered in snow for six months of the year.
After I left Georgia I spent my twenties as a touring musician. In that respect I’m well travelled, but I mostly saw places through bus windows. One exception was a gig under a huge oil rig in the North Sea. We flew by helicopter, and the rig had a rickety lift that took us down 985ft to the level of the seabed. I played two sets in a small room and it holds the record for the deepest underwater concert.
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The rig was off the west coast of Norway, a country I’m fond of. I love the light there in winter. One January I took a train from Oslo to Bergen. It’s a breathtaking journey. You emerge from one tunnel by a frozen lake with a mountain backdrop, then from another into a forest. It was magical.
I also love Italy. A few years ago I biked along the Amalfi coast with my husband, and it was stunning. This summer I spent a couple of weeks in Puglia with my mother to celebrate her 60th birthday. We stayed near Lecce, which is a grand, historic city with beautiful cream baroque buildings; so beautiful I felt as though I was in a film.
I’m discovering more of the UK these days too. Last year I spent a few weeks shut away writing in a small village called Charlton Abbotts, near Cheltenham, and discovered how pretty the Cotswolds are. I didn’t have a car and the nearest pub was a 40-minute walk. It was just me, the countryside and a couple of horses in the field next door. Just to be still and take in a place that peaceful is transformative, and in a sense it’s as adventurous as travelling thousands of miles.
I’ve recently discovered the joy of seaweed collecting. I got in touch with Ffyona Campbell, who leads wild-food walks in Devon. She teaches you to recognise different types of seaweed and which works best in what dish. We walked around the shallows collecting various types, which was fascinating. I struck out on my own a couple of weeks ago on the Thanet coast in Kent. The seaweed I found was nowhere near as good, but I’m going to keep it up.
Katie Melua, 36, was born in Kutaisi, Georgia. She moved to London in 1999 and was spotted at the Brit School for the performing arts. Her 2003 debut album, Call off the Search, sold 1.8 million copies, and by 2006 she was the bestselling female singer in the UK. Her latest release, Album No 8, is out now ( see review in Culture ). She lives in Barnes, west London
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This is Katie Melua's music video for 'If You Were A Sailboat', taken from the album 'Pictures', available on all services: https://katiemelua.lnk.to/Listen ...
Katie Melua's music video 'If You Were A Sailboat' taken from the album 'Pictures'. Press "high Quality" for a clearer Video.Amazon:http://amzn.to/yp7RkRiTun...
Katie's music video for 'If You Were A Sailboat', the first single release taken from her 3rd studio album 'Pictures" - released in Switzerland on Sep 29, 2007
The video for Katie Melua's new single, filmed in Prague and directed by Babanuki.'If You Were A Sailboat' is released on September 24th, from the forthcomin...
If You Were A Sailboat by Katie MeluaAlbum: PicturesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5oRy2ssYwkGR9AFakr7Bnw?si=msL3AvLgSvebXCduSyvNzAIf You Were A Sai...
Sometimes I believe in fateBut the chances we createAlways seem to ring more trueYou took a chance on loving meI took a chance on loving you
Track 10If You Were A Sailboat , live AVO Session Basel 10.11.2007
This is Katie Melua's music video for 'If You Were A Sailboat', taken from the album 'Pictures', available on all services: https://katiemelua.lnk.to/Listen ...
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Katie Melua's music video 'If You Were A Sailboat' taken from the album 'Pictures'. Press "high Quality" for a clearer Video. Amazon: http://amzn.to/yp7R...
Katie Melua if you were a sailboat - YouTube Music. New recommendations. 0:00 / 0:00. A new music service with official albums, singles, videos, remixes, live performances and more for Android, iOS and desktop.
At its core, "If You Were a Sailboat" is a song about the strength of human connection and the impact it has on our lives. Melua's enchanting voice guides us through verses that evoke a sense of freedom and liberation. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of embracing life's uncertainties and finding solace in the presence of a loved one.
The only thing I can remember about it, however, is that it was very reminiscent of the sound of Katie Melua, especially her song "If You Were a Sailboat". However, I have listened through Katie's discography several times and I haven't found it, so I doubt it's her - could be though! More info: melody was very calm, used acoustic guitar
"What a Wonderful World" is a song written by Bob Thiele (as "George Douglas") and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in 1967 as a single. In April 1968, it topped the pop chart in the United Kingdom, but performed poorly in the United States because Larry Newton, the president of ABC Records, disliked the song and refused to promote it.
Katie Melua performing 'What I Miss About You', taken from the album 'Pictures', available on all services: https://katiemelua.lnk.to/Listen Pre-order Katie ...
I grew up in Georgia and my childhood holidays were always spent in Batumi, a resort on the Black Sea. My dad and uncle were hugely enthusiastic about the seasi. We haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
There are nine million bicycles in Beijing That's a fact It's a thing we can't deny Like the fact that I will love you till I die We are twelve billion light years from the edge That's a guess No-one can ever say it's true But I know that I will always be with you I'm warmed by the fire of your love everyday So don't call me a liar Just believe everything that I say There are six billion ...
katie melua - if i were a sailboat live 2007 [ ] 2007-12-25, 7:25 AM: ქეთი მელუას live კონცერტია. ძაან მაგარია ყველამ ჩაიწერეთ ...
Lyrics to Katie Melua I Think It: Broken windows and empty hallways A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with gray Human kindness is overflowing And I think it's Ketevan "Katie" Melua (Georgian: ქეთევან "ქეთი" მელუა, surname pronounced I…
Katie Melua. i think it´s going to rain today. Paroles i think it´s going to rain today - Katie Melua. ... If You Were a Sailboat : 2018: Just Like Heaven : 2018: Moonshine : 2012: Nine Million Bicycles : 2008: The Flood : 2010: No Fear Of Heights : 2010: Fields of Gold : 2018: All Over The World : 2012:
Buy Katie Melua - Ultimate Collection - BMG - 2xLP, Album, Comp, RE, Sil - 538446640, includes Nine Million Bicycles, What A Wonderful World, Plane Song, Crawling Up A Hill, A Time To Buy, Belfast, Thank You Stars, I Will Be There, River, The Closest Thing To Crazy, Dreams On Fire, Wonderful Life, If You Are So Beautiful, Piece By Piece, The Little Swallow, Just Like Heaven, Call Off The ...
"A Happy Place" is a song performed by the Georgian-born, British singer Katie Melua and the second single from her 4th studio album The House. It was released on 12 July 2010, featuring a remix of the track by Sparks. Music video. The video itself was filmed in a paternoster lift in Haus des Rundfunks, Berlin. [1]
Katie Melua - If You Were A Sailboat Author: Silvia Font Created Date: 4/28/2008 9:17:14 PM ...