Well done, Remo! Qudos to you and your music! Indeed, Mother Theresa has showered her blessings with the shake of her hands with you 32 years ago!
Best regards, Maria Do Ceu Santimano De Souza P.O. Box 2246, Dubai, U.A.E. -----Original Message----- From: Goanet [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Goanet Reader Sent: Friday, October 11, 2019 12:53 PM To: Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! Subject: [Goanet] Teresa... and the Slum Bum (Remo Fernandes) By Remo Fernandes Via WhatsApp In December 1987, I had an extra day in Calcutta due to a flight cancellation, and decided to visit Mother Teresa's homes. I didn't think it would be easy to meet her personally, but as instructed, I pulled the bell string hanging outside the old gate at Mother House at 3 pm. I told the nun who opened it that I was just a musician from Goa and had no official work with Mother Teresa, but would it be possible to see her for just a few seconds? She said "Of course", and ushered me into the courtyard. A few minutes later this little 72-year-young lady comes skipping down a rickety flight of wooden steps, looks at me with piercing smiling eyes, and clutches my right hand in between both of hers. I can't describe what I felt at that moment. Call it a psychological reaction at meeting such a personality, but I've never felt it again -- and I've met quite a few. Personalities, I mean. A thought came into my mind at that very moment, and it simultaneously came out through my mouth. "Mother, I would like to compose a song about you, and contribute it’s earnings towards your work," I managed to speak. "I don't wish to waste your time, but your blessing is all the inspiration I need." Her eyes twinkled even brighter. "Sure, my son. Do it. But do it with love". On the flight back home that evening, I composed three full songs with lyrics and music. I had never written more than one song in a day. I started recording them as soon as I reached home, but couldn't find quite the right singers in Goa at the time. So I decided to shelve the project for a while and proceed with singers from Bombay later. However, I was then at the busiest period of my career, recording my own albums, shooting music videos, touring India and abroad on concert trips, endorsing international products such as Pepsi and Shure Microphones... and, before I knew it, the 'later' had turned into 27 years. But I never forgot those songs and that intention, and once I left Goa and settled here in Porto, Portugal, their time had come. As I set out to finally record them in 2016, those three songs gradually turned into a full-fledged two-hour musical on the life and work of Mother Teresa, complete with an overture. A double album with a total of 26 songs and two instrumentals. It was a creatively frantic time. I was composing and writing a new song almost before I had completed recording the previous one. I had never worked this way before. And now, after I've recorded 35 awesome singers from India, Europe, USA and UK singing their respective parts in it, it is finally released today, 10th October 2019. Every cent which comes in from the sales of this alumb is going directly to the poorest of the poor. My account books will be wide open to anyone who might wish to visit them. And I am not going to deduct a cent for the three years that I've worked on it, or for the cost of recording studios, mastering engineers, instruments, travel, stay, designing art works and making ad videos. All this is my little contribution towards the poorest of the poor of this world. Buying this album will be your most valuable contribution to this project. I thank you very much for it in anticipation. Remember, you won't be giving your donation to the poor for free -- I'm giving you two hours of music in exchange for it. It is most worthy of mention that every singer mentioned in the ad video attached here has sung in this album for free. Remo Fernandes Porto, Portugal 10th October 2019 Give, Mother, Give https://youtu.be/YPNM3qRJuKo Take, Mother, Take https://youtu.be/c-YZTJxGJqw Teaser https://youtu.be/30z9UtwgH1s
