Thursday, December 16, 2010

Por Una Cabeza

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Note 1: If you are wondering what the title is, it is a spanish tango music piece by Carlos Gardel.

Note 2: If you are wondering why I wrote this, don't. Because, if you are wondering, you aren't supposed to know.
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I knew what that man, Al Pacino, was capable of when I saw 'Scarface' 5 years back. What I don't know is that how could I not have seen 'Scent of a woman' until a month back. If you haven't, watch it NOW. It is pure magic.

Coming back to Por Una Cabeza. When I wrote 'I See You', the lyrics were the beauty. And therein lies its fallacy. And therein does Por Una shine. Yes, there are lyrics, but the music is fascinating and haunting. Play it once, you will crave for more. Play it twice, you want more. And before you know it, you are playing it on loop, can't get it out of your head, and would go something like this -> "Damn! I am playing it on loop, want to stop it, but can't. There! It started playing again!" And the beauty is, if you are playing it on loop, the distinction between the beginning and the end fades away.

Losing by a head...
if she forgets me,
doesn't matter to lose
my life a thousand times;
what do I live for?

To me, this piece of music is memorable because of the fascinating performance by Al Pacino in 'Scent of a woman'. A full orchestra performance can be found here. But the performance I am talking about is embedded below. There are a couple of things about this scene which amazes me.

Al Pacino is a blind retired army-man. A man of class, and a man of taste. He is with this young gentleman at a restaurant. And, they discover a pretty young lady across the hall. He decides to approach her for a dance. Teach her to tango. The girl is hesitant, but agrees, and the man is confident, and smiling. When the movements begin, the girl gets conscious. And once they get into the rhythm, the girl begins to lose her inhibitions, and forgets about the people watching. Then she lets go, and magic happens! :) And the expressions Al Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar give! :O

And, since I don't expect you to believe what I say just by reading these words, watch it, and experience it for yourself!

Many deceptions, losing by a head...
I swore a thousand times not to insist again
but if a look sways me on passing by
her lips of fire, I want to kiss once more.





PS: Since after watching this clip, you will want to watch more, here is an extended clip.

PPS: It is natural for guys to go - "I want to dance like that!". Just know that it took Al Pacino a week to rehearse and 3 days to shoot this gorgeous scene.

Por Una Cabeza...