You’re Not Alone

Amongst other things, I’m a bit of a music geek with eclectic tastes. We all have songs we know very well – “You’re Not Alone” by Olive is one of those I must have heard dozens of times on the radio and in pubs and clubs in 1997 when the remixed version exploded. Those opening clipped synth chords are instantly recognisable.

Sometimes you’ll hear a cover version of a song that changes how you listen and feel about the song totally. This cover, by Astræa is one of them:

I love songs with lyrics that I can appreciate and identify with. The sentiments are at the same time intimate and universal. First, who hasn’t had to deal with being at a distance from someone they love? Second, isn’t it wonderful to know that someone has got your back and is waiting for you to come back, literally or metaphorically?

Singers who can enunciate each word and phrase with clarity are also a big plus for me; there’s nothing more annoying than having to listen to a song multiple times just to make out the lyrics (REM, Bob Dylan, I’m talking to you here). This beautiful rendition ticks all the right boxes. ♥

Bach and Bobby McFerrin

There must be more than a few music geeks reading this. I’ve got pretty eclectic musical tastes, so I am delighted to share this video of Bobby McFerrin (probably best known for the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”) singing Bach’s Prelude in C major. The amount of precision and vocal control required to do this well is incredible. 

I hope you’ve had a relaxing weekend whether you celebrate Easter, Ostara, chocolate, or The Flying Spaghetti Monster. May this video continue that weekend a little bit longer. 

While you’re digesting all that chocolate, tell me what singer and song and combination has surprised you in a good way recently? 🙂 

Sound of Cylons – YouTube

Anyone who’s a fan of Battlestar Galactica will love this. Enjoy.

 

 

Even if you’re not a BSG fan, you still might appreciate this. What is your favourite musical pastiche or parody?

Obligatory Valentines Day post

Although I’ve already done one post this month on the topic of love in the geekyverse, I thought I’d make use of V-day for a truly blatant excuse for another blog post.  I know it’s not an original concept – so sue me.

Love is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!

Christian, Moulin Rouge!

Love, as has been noted by many, is a complicated thing, with all sorts of different expectations depending on who you are, who you’re dating (or not) and what culture you are from, or are living in.  Indeed, this most rose-coloured of European traditions is becoming rather popular with the burgeoning youth population in Iran, of all places, despite the government banning the production of such gifts.

Flowers – especially red roses – are so passé these days… how about blue roses instead?  If you’re feeling poor and/or are too far away to hand deliver a present, you can always send your beloved a ‘Walking Dead’ Valentine’s Day e-card or have a radiogram delivered.  You could, of course, go by the old standard and stay indoors watching a film together; if you’re stuck for ideas, here’s a list of the top ten romantic movies for geeks.

Of course, if you’re the kind of person who empathises with Ebeneezer Scrooge and exclaims “Bah, humbug!” at the marketing excesses of Valentines Day, you’ve probably gone and bought yourself (or your similarly cynical loved one) something suitably anti-Valentines already, while listening to a suitable playlist at the same time.  Such folk will also be happy to know that St Valentines was stoned to death, and not in the Cheech and Chong sense of the term either.