As a form of penance or atonement for introducing that last gloomy topic ('Reintroduction of Capital Punishment'), I thought I'd try something a little nicer, more uplifting if I may ? Music that we each like that captures our souls. Music that can literally make the hair at the back of your neck rise ?

There're are two operatic performances that 'push all my buttons', one being that classic last act of Puccini's 'Turandot' the incomparable, 'Nessun Dorma' and the second is in, Verdi's 'Nabucco', the evocative and hauntingly beautiful, 'Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves'.

As an uneducated 'clod', I rather like Opera, though I haven't the remotest clue about the technical components, or the musicology these brilliant composers bring to the table ? Rather I like what I hear and what I see. I suppose that's all the composer would wish for ?

I'm of the same generation as the Beatles, of whom I enjoy immensely, as I do ABBA, the 'ageless' Rolling Stones. One of my favourite more contemporary singers, is the late great Ms Whitney HUSTON and her beautiful rendition; 'I will always love you'. I will admit to having a long term love affair with a beautiful French singer, Mlle. Mireille MATHIEU who has a similar singing style to the incomparable Edith PIEF. I was fortunate enough to have seen her 'Live' in London and at the Olympia, in Paris about a hundred years ago now ?

Johnny CASH and his indubitable, 'A boy named Sue' and 'Folsom Prison' were marvellous too I thought ? As was Andy WILLIAMS and many others of his genre ?

But for that utterly poignant and dramatic experience, of feeling the hair at the back of your neck rise...well it's got to be something very similar to Maria CALLAS singing, 'Ava Maria' or PAVAROTTI'S rendition of 'Nessun Dorma' , that are really needed I believe ?

Dear O Sung Wu,

There's so many that can capture one's soul,
depending on one's mood - and the occasion.

And the variety is so vast.
I went nuts when "Fame" first came out.
And there was also - "What a feeling!"

Operas I love, but again it's a difficult choice -
from Aida, to Nabucco, to Carmen, its a wide choice.

Then there's Latin American music which I also love,
from dance music (tangos), to the three tenors, to
Dean Martin, to Mario Lanza,
to Ricky Martin.

There is of course Abba, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel,
The Rolling Stones, and even Rod Stewart (Do you think I'm sexy?)
and many, many more.

Then there's what I call "Church Music," - "Amazing
Grace", and so on - which can bring a tear to my eye.

cont'd ...

Fancy my forgetting to mention - The King.

Elvis of course.

That guy's music still rocks - even today!

The ones that move me particularly are your two favorites, OSW, along with 'The Coulin' played on the Uillean pipes and 'Mise Eire', by full orchestra.

Good evening to you FOXY...

Of course Elvis with his lovely rendition of 'American Trilogy'. His life was far too short, like many people, I recall exactly where I was when I heard of his death. A real tragedy.

I agree with you when it comes to Latin American music especially their dancing, the samba and other very 'erotic' style dancing.

FOXY there was this one tune back in the late sixties, which somehow has always resonated with me with poignancy and desolation ? I somehow regress back to those incalculable days in South Vietnam ? It was titled, 'MacArthur Park' a quite lengthy song, but for the life of me I can't remember who sang it ? Though every time I hear it, I become quite capricious and quiet, I have no idea why ?

And Hi to you too, IS MISE...

Yes (our) two favourites are hard acts to follow for sure IS MISE. Composers like Puccini, Verdi and many others of their genre, are musical geniuses. I must admit I don't think I know 'The Coulin' ? There again perhaps if I heard it, I'd more than likely recognise it ?

There's something about quality music that tends to soothe the 'savage beast' in us all I reckon. I'd come home from a particularly hard shift with the car radio tuned to 'Classic FM' and when the right score was playing you'd feel all the tension drain from you almost immediately ? I'm afraid 'hard rock' just doesn't do it for me actually ? It's more like 'noise' than a quality musical score ? To each his own I guess ?

O sung wu, I am of the same era as you, more or less, I guess.

My formative music days were a few years after the Beatles, around the time of Abba.

I like them both greatly. But I’m afraid I can’t stand anything remotely like opera!

I like Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Diana Krall, Simon and Garfunkel, The Eagles, Elvis… and Rod Stewart’s renditions of lots of old 40s and 50s songs.

Oh and the Oils and Acca Dacca!

But the singer that really hits the emotive nerve is Eva Cassidy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1TD-7k52y4

Good one o sung.

I'm a bit surprised at you being such a low brow Luddy, I guess we are more similar than I thought. I'm rather partial to Nat King Cole & Simon and Garfunkel, add in Harry Belafonte, & the big band stuff, with a bit of Acker Bilk with that please.

Stranger On the Shore always sends a shiver down my back, as does the march from the Dam Busters.

Not real interested in hearing the fat lady sing, perhaps being married to a ballet choreographer for a short while in my silly youth turned me off the heavier stuff.

Then there are those tunes that relate to special times, people or places in your life, that can make smoke get in your eyes, as the song goes.

You could start with Rod Stewart,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCccPGtjaCU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RkWs6P2IwE

He has good taste in musicians too, including saxophonists.

Hasbeen,

You might be interested in this,
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2170

To capture my soul, music needs to be elevating, it needs to be directed at God, or at least whatever is beyond the mundane.

Most religious music does so, regardless which religion or whether I agree with the factual accuracy of the verbal statements (if words are used).

Here are a few of my favourites:

Handel's Messiah - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1vNacrcobI

Bach's immortal Art of the Fugue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_TNaDNFg5s

Delalande's "De Profundis" (out of the deep) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOjYz-MVho4

Bruch's "Kol Nidrei" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXqPGQm1UFI

Finzi - Prelude Op. 25 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvG-JCVpRyY

The chant of Metta - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5JAVk3Qwi8

N'kosi sikeleli Africa - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFW7845XO3g

These are of the serene quality, but at times when you are stuck in inertia and need something more active to take you out of there, I suggest Krypteria's Liberatio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjoK98zdFD0

Finally, there is one other class that captures my soul, which is the very young musical talents like these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN2SQ4m7M04 then http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVEjrBZhs0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8W0LWDjkfI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyEL3NJSHIk

Hi o sung wu,
You beat me to it. I was just about to start this thread. Anyhow for me there's one melody & the lyrics of which are sung in just about every language & every singer who is worth their two bob has recorded it. This particular melody/song is claimed to be the most popular & most recorded in the history of music. It was written in Cuba in 1861 & is called La Paloma.
No matter what mood I'm in it makes me feel good whenever I hear it. I find it impossible to pick a favourite version but I must admit Nana Mouskouri with julio Iglesias is a good one as are Andre Rieu & Elvis's No more. Some of the chinese versions are excellent also.
Watching Andre Rieu in Mexico on Youtube the reaction of the crowd when they realise what they are about to play is a clear indication of the mentality of this song.

Thanks all for the broad range and diversity of music put up thus far. Ludwig 'Tennessee Waltz' one of my dear old mums favorite songs, along with 'Red River Valley'. Beach, Rod Stewart what an enduring talent he is, great songs, last forever. Yuyutsu some great clips too, and those kids are so gifted with talent.
My partner and I very much enjoy live music, we go to see live entertainment at least once or more every week. We have so many friends in the entertainment industry. "T" is the talented one coming from a very musical family, she can play sax, guitar, uke and keyboard, sings a bit to. traditional Maori, country, rock etc. She is presently learning the following Prince Tui Teka song, Tu Whenua.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLfa9_l0OYg

For me I like all good music, I can't really pick a favorite but I'll put up Bob Marley's 'Three Little Birds' as one of my all time favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGYAAsHT4QE

Hasbeen nothing wrong with the sounds of Acker Bilk and the other greats you have named. I particularity like AB's Ramblin' Rose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdEfLb6RDbQ

o sung wu Johnny Cash, The Big O himself Roy Orbison and Foxy can't forget the 'King' Elvis. One of his that is not over played.
'Walk A Mile In My Shoes'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmkNCpfgQzI

One of the greatest gifts bestowed on mankind has to be MUSIC!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqyx4TW4Ptw

I've never understood this fascination with noise.
I suspect I may be a mutant but music does absolutely nothing for me, it's just noise I prefer to live without. I have no players, no recordings, and the only reason I discovered the radio in the car had died was because I lent it to someone who tried it.
Perhaps I'm am "evolved" human, a Homo Superiensis?
My take on "music" is that it's a primal left-over, the noise kept the boogymans at bay back in our prehistoric past and soothed and distracted the children, and we will inevitably outgrow it, thankfully.

<< I'm a bit surprised at you being such a low brow Luddy… >>

( :>|

<< I guess we are more similar than I thought. >>

Awww Hazza…. I’ve never never EVER thought of you as a low brow!!

Thems who is fans of Acca Dacca is a bit low-browish.

But thems who likes Acker Dacker is deffnitley not!

Oh now oim confewzed…coz oi loikes bofth!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJLJCctP6Rg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etAIpkdhU9Q

Ludwig, Acker Bilk's signature tune 'Strangers On The Shore', and AC/DC 'Hells Bells' a classic of theirs. Very du=ifferent but both enjoyable.

Bruce "Music calms the savage beast" this may not be the thread for you.

Dear O Sung Wu,

I Googled "Macarthur Park," for you.

It appears that Jimmy Webb wrote it and
Richard Harris sang it - I hope that helps.

I want to add a few more to my list -
I love the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Weber - and
"Phantom of the Opera," gave me goosebumps.
Loved the lyrics and the music.

Then of course there's always - "Smokey Joe's
Cafe," which has so many great - rhythm and
blues songs on it.

"House of the Rising Sun," is another golden
oldie.

Soul stirring music for me, as follows:

Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s “Alleluia” and everything else by both of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKnxmkOAj88
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBFQg7P5YKw - “Sisters of Mercy”, LC

Everything (well almost) by “The Smiths”
“There is a Light that never goes out” etc
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-cD4oLk_D0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnpILIIo9ek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTGdidPP5Aw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqjkbvs8A4s

Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_1Pa6vE14c

Dawn Upshaw sing Henryk Górecki - Symphony Nº 3, of "Sorrowful Songs by Henryk Gorecki (in response to Auschwitz - evocation of the ties between mother and child)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymuF7uG6wis

Lisa Gerard and Brendan Perry from “Dead Can Dance” (transcending - world music at its most authentic)
Host of Seraphim for a start, there’s heaps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJhVM930YXY

Thurston Moore’s “Benediction”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wllPXb4lkI

Bill Callehan – various
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li9fZOGckVA&list=PLpRlVMnlg5M57W7naOnPJO1kVknw6okBx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ebEN4PeC8

Sharen Van Etten
Serpents
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yznQnh3HNpE
Your Love is Killing Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbnJ6nYKFQ

Billy Holiday - various
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs

Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren” by This Mortal Coil’s Elizabeth Fraser (and Tim Buckley)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1LeXdP9lcM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMTEtDBHGY4

George Harrison, “Give Me Love” & “My Sweet Lord”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wZIpRfqaco

Shyte, Paul Kelly and The Triffids, Nick Cave etc. Got to go.

These are what come to mind at the moment.

* THANK YOU,YOU KIND & GENEROUS PEOPLE *...It's funny really what can bring us all together - perhaps it's music, a great voice, profound lyrics, a haunting melody, the sweet sounds of a beautiful choir or choral chorus singing lovely old Christmas carols, or the beguiling voice of Julie ANDREWS or Dame Kiri TE KANAWA. And in my humble opinion, our National Anthem has never been intoned better, than that rendition by Ms Julie ANTHONY

I've carefully read each of your suggestions and I'll do my level best to listen to EVERY SINGLE ONE of your considered proposals, and I thank everyone very much indeed, for your input and your recommendations.

Extraordinarily, there's one movement I find both sombre and yet quite intriguing, and I don't really know why ? It's the German born composer, Handel's 'Funeral March'. The first movement is without doubt, a very heavy, bleak and sombre piece of music, that ultimately transforms itself into something else entirely ?

Thank you all very much for so kindly sharing your proclivities in music tastes, I've no doubt it's stirred some great memories in most of us, for times and people that have gone by.

Hello there FOXY...

Thank you very much for enquiring about 'MACARTHUR PARK', sung by Richard HARRIS for me. I love it, but it does somehow unsettle me ? I used to listen to it on my little Aiwa tape recorder, whilst sitting shirtless outside our tent at Nui Dat, while gazing across at the bloody Long Hai's ? A song, or words can transport a person way back to another time and place I reckon ? Thanks again FOXY !

My first post! Hello everyone. As a musician of 45 years, I have a very eclectic taste. I love the "Flower Duet" from LAHKME and Nessun Dorma played by Jeff Beck on Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010. I hate all things Elvis, and do not like anything he recorded. Just me. I still listen to Moody Blues and CS&N regularly, just to feel young again. Yes .."Close to the Edge" is another favourite, and so is Rodrigues .."Cold Fact, and my all-time Favourite Album .. "Oddessy and Oracle" by the Zombies. This captures the swinging sixties and flowers and Carnaby Street fashions perfectly for me. You all have such a mix of likes and dislikes! However there is a lot of good music in this discussion. Please continue, I am enjoying the posts. F/E

I was listening to a lot of this sort of music in 07-08 when I was drying out after 15 years of alchoholism and drug use, it soothes the raw nerve endings and slows the tears alright but damned if I'm not right back in that head space listening to it, especially that rendition of "Wild Horses":
Emmylou Harris - If I Needed You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a3jr-Xn1GM
Guy Clark - L.A. Freeway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTwUpkEK6yk
Richard Thompson - Beeswing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HApy-Xoix-g
Steve Earle - Fort Worth Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4WOys7sWvU
Nanci Griffith & Townes Van Zandt - Tecumseh Valley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7_oQU2vuUQ
Lucinda Williams and Elvis Costello - Wild Horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYAOFFzDct4

My everyday spotify playlists however are mostly full of European rock music.
Korpiklaani - Pellonpekko (Finland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP3Qacgn66E
Anneke van Giersbergen - "Take Me Home" (Netherlands)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu0ZWRKgi_E&list=PLldnQ5smt4IPbX1LAbnc6f9Q6kbLHNsNR
Nightstalker - Baby, God Is Dead (Greece)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdNQcChKMmM
Motorjesus - King Of The Dead End Road Live (Germany)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M60SdtYmv28
The Carburetors - "Allright Allright" (Sweden)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3F5xAVkDek
Subway To Sally - Besser Du Rennst (Germany)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZtJMUXOS7A

so far as western music is concerned Marty Robbins' FELEENA & Big Iron are great songs.

Good evening to you G'DAYBRUCE...

I will admit you're probably the only person I've ever met that doesn't have at least some taste in music ? Is it only orchestral music, or does it include all vocals too perhaps ? A very strange situation I must say ? Nevertheless, I fully respect your views and opinions concerning music equating it merely to 'noise'.

Thank you for your comment, I do appreciate it.

Gosh I feel like a redheaded stepchild here...

I'm a fan of Kamelot, Serenity, Katatonia, Nightwish, Xandria, Draconian.

well, nice to have the happy topic of music

Foxy,
We have a liking for the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber
in common
My very favorite piano piece is
"Memory", by Andrew LLoyd Webber from the musical "Cats"
played by Richard Clayderman.

The original stage version was sung by Elaine Page.
It is beautiful to hear her sing it, because of the beautiful words. But a bit highbrow to listen to all the time, that's why
I usually play the piano version.

It always brings back the memory to me of the old homeless
lady, stepping out of the shadows, with the cats all sitting around
the walls on the street and singing about the "Memory"
of her earlier life.

The two big talents of Andrew LLoyd Webber and
Richard Clayderman come together in the piano version
of the song. It is best to listen to the sung lyrics
first though,if you have never heard the lyrics, so the piano playing can combine with the beautiful
haunting, words in your mind, as the song is played.

"Le's enfants de France", is another really beautiful piece
played by Richard Clayderman. Have the sound turned to the
right volume, not overloud, as there is a certain sound level at
which the tinkling sound of the piano stands out, too loud and
the horrible loud chords dominate.
Richard Clayderman is a master of the tinkling piano chords.

I do like your choice of songs Indy, but I can't help but think you have left behind some sad memories from old Mejico. You wouldn't happen to have a few Mariachi favourites and maybe a little música norteña would you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKJbSu8scNc

Nowhereman, you're not alone
I don't mind Sirenia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njPWBTIv9qw
Nightwish in the Tarja Turunen years:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9GxUZqyXwE
Therion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXKgP6mkwuQ

I'm more into Black Metal and the newer neofolk-pagan music:
Faun - Egil Saga
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgGIOZiVCVU
Eivør - Trøllabundin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpiFmZLICgM
Arkona - Slavsia, Rus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaP1wDvkA6E
Eluveitie - A Rose For Epona
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_nnkVa2Agg
Finntroll - Trollhammaren
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ_y-BrUK4E

Dear CHERFUL,

I loved "Cats," and saw the stage version
with Debbie Byrne singing "Memories."
It still brings a lump to my throat even today.
Andrew Lloyd Weber - is quite something as is
the viruoso - Richard and his piano playing.
Sheer magic!

I was fortunate enough to be given two great oil
paintings of "Cats" by the Australian artist -
Bernard Lawson. They hang in my bedroom and remind
me of the music of Weber.

Foxy I enjoyed Les Misérables some years ago, loved the music, hope to see it again when it opens once more in Sydney in 2015. My partner was quite taken by 'The Lion King' recently, never had the opportunity in her life to see these kinds of stage shows, so I think LM will be something for her.

Because you mentioned Callas you strike me, o sung wu, as someone who might find Gulio Caccini's Ave Maria an awesome piece of music...

Certainly it 'does it for me'... Plus there are so many great versions.

Inessa Galante's is deservedly one of the most famous recent ones:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru8Yah-CMv0

Few seem to be aware of the Libera version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAULcisUEGw

"...utterly poignant and dramatic experience, of feeling the hair at the back of your neck rise."

Dear Paul,

I also saw "Les Miserables," some years ago
and we did have tickets to "The Lion King,"
for Sydney. We were driving from Melbourne
and were half way to Sydney when I became ill
and had to turn around and come back to
Melbourne. I gave our tickets away to a
mother and daughter we met at our motel - who
were on their way to Sydney. We heard from them
later - and they loved the show.

I would love to see it - as its now coming to
Melbounre - but I don't dare suggest it to my
husband - he's still upset over what happened
previously - but I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Ludwig,
no, I haven't had anything to do with mejico ever, I just happen to find their spanish beat, trumpets & accordeons rather stimulating. The germans have some really great music & songs too, not that lederhosen clapping type stuff. Type in Freddy Quinn & the Wolgalied etc. or the gorgeous french Mirelle Matthieu (Vladimir Putin's favourite) & her song La Mer. Ronnie Berger & Sierra Madre del Sur. Then there was ABBA's Sydney recording with I have a dream etc. All great stuff !

Ludwig,
I almost forgot the late Ivan Rebroff who sang 4½ octaves & his rendition of the Legend of the twelve robbers is one of the best.

I forgot to add the violin virtuoso -
Andre Rieu to the list. His concerts -
including the -
"Under The Stars," series - are simply
uplifting and awesome.

Dear Individual,

I've inherited a stack of Ivan Rebroff's records
from my mum. They were consistently played in our
home. We got to see the man in person during his
concert tours in Australia. He came to Melbourne
and gave a concert at Hamer Hall. A consummate
performer and showman with an amazing range to his
voice. His trademark Cossack hat, brightly coloured
peasnant garb and fur greatcoat - quite a presence on
stage. "Moscow Nights," and "Kalinka..." are among
the favourites

'afternoon to you WM TREVOR...

Those two renditions are truly evocative and poignant, particular that of Ms Inessa GALANTA and the boy soprano LIBERA. The latter I've not heard of previously. And it's very true, a great voice together with a beautiful melody does make one's hair rise on the back of the neck !

Andrew Lloyd WEBBER and his collaboration with any competent musician makes for some beautiful music for sure. I don't know about anyone else herein, I often hear a melody or some classical movement and I've no idea what it is, either the composer nor the singer, the musician or the orchestra ? It's really quite disappointing when you hear some beautifully haunting music, without having any idea about it ?

So as you can well see HASBEEN, there's nothing remotely akin to 'highbrow' about me, my good colleague in arms ? Quite the contrary believe me, I'm strictly the public bar type !

I've seen a few ballets over the years, but despite appreciating the music and the spectacle or the extravaganza, of something like 'Swan Lake', I don't harbour the same level of enthusiasm for classical ballet as I do for music per se including opera, but NOT operetta similar to Gilbert and Sullivan and similar.

But if I were much, much younger, I'd love to acquaint myself with the nuances of classical ballet, whilst in the company of a 'prima ballerina' !

Hi Foxy,
Great to see someone else knew about him. I spent quite a few hours with him having dinner & drinks & during our yarning he told me that the best hall he'd ever performed in was the Workers club in Mount Isa, he said it had the best accoustic.
He really had a beautiful powerful voice & his breath control was simply amazing.
Raskolnikov is my favourite of his songs.

Dear Individual,

Thank You for sharing your meeting with Rebroff.
It must have been very entertaining. I imagine
he would have been very good company and had plenty
of stories to share. Some of my other favourites
of his are - "Dark Eyes," (I used to think he was singing
about me with that song), "Evening Chimes," "Song of the
Volga Boatmen," and of course from Dr Zhivago -
"Somewhere My Love."

Hi there FOXY...

Speaking of 'The Song of the Volga Boatmen' I heard it performed by this Russian gentleman who's voice would've been no higher register than a double bass ? His voice absolutely resonated with me, it really did. As you'd know, to sing such a song requires a very very deep male voice. Not unlike that Negro chap who sang 'Ol Man River' in that lovely musical comedy...sorry I just can't recall the name ? It was set on an old Paddle Steamer plying it's trade along the Mississippi River, back in the late 1880's - 90's . Was it 'Showboat' ? I just can't recall, I suppose it's just further evidence of my rapidly advancing dotage ?

o sung wu,
that was Paul Robson, beautiful deep voice.

Hi there INDIVIDUAL...

Spot on my friend, spot on !! Thank you very much for advising me of his name, Mr Paul ROBSON. I probably would've not slept tonight trying to think of him. Sadly, didn't he pass away quite recently ? But what a voice eh ? He seemed to be able to sing completely without any effort whatsoever, it all came so naturally for him - what enormous talent he possessed ! Thanks again my friend.

Foxy,

Those Oil paintings sound absolutely wonderful.

The talent and abilities of my fellow humans
never ceases to amaze me.

The capabilities that lie behind the most ordinary of
faces is at times surprising and amazing, I try never
to underestimate other people, a hard thing to do at times
when like all humans I have to guard against being
swayed by attractiveness and looks. Not that some
beautiful people are not extremely talented too,seemingly
having more than their share of genetic gifts.

The Greek singer Nana Mouskouri is one beauty who they say
speaks at least half a dozen languages. It is easy
to dismiss a beautiful person as just a pretty face, also.

So happy we both share a liking for Andrew Lloyd Webber's music.

So beautiful. Thank you Andrew for this music for the soul.

Foxy,
I forgot to comment on your saying you heard
Debbie Byrne sing "Memory" on stage. I have never
heard Debbie sing Memory but I know she would be one of only a few singers in Australia who could really do
justice to it.

I remember hearing her sing
quite a while back now, I think on television once
or twice and I thought, that girl has just got the most
wonderful voice.

Hi folks...

Ms Debbie BYRNE surely had a most beautiful and sustained voice with great control and pitch. The last I heard of her years ago now, she was performing in 'Cats' in Melbourne ? I've not heard from her since ? Anybody have any info. ? I understand she had quite a struggle with an addiction, but heard she put all that behind her and had moved on ? I can only hope so, so much talent, so much to give.

Speaking of some of the great 'crooners' Matt MUNRO and Andy WILLIAMS were two of my favourites, as was Tony BENNETT.

Not to forget another musical discipline I like very much, Jazz ! Played by those gifted African Americans way down south, in the twenties and thirties brilliant on their guitars, trumpets, in fact anything they cared to put their mind too.

Generally it was the exclusive domain of those from the southern states in the US - Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, and not to forget the home of 'Blue Grass' --> Kentucky, of the late Django REINHARDT fame ?

Dear O Sung Wu,

My husband took me to see a recent concert of a
band that called themselves - "Glenn Miller and
his orchestra," from the US, at Hamer Hall here in Melbourne.
They were amazing. And talking about American musicians -
my husband also has a great collection of the music of -
Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole
(my favourites are - "Mona Lisa," and
"Autumn Leaves,"), Ella Fitzgerald. He also has Herb Albert
and the Tijuana Brass, and many more.

Just goes to show that music certainly has the power to move
us all. I dance to Shakira - when no one is watching.

Hi there FOXY...

An admission I feel I should make...I couldn't dance to anything these days if my life depended on it ? Indeed, the 'Big Band' sounds are really great, as you said Glenn Miller and many others. Ella FITZGERALD has a beautiful voice particularly when she sings some of those haunting American spirituals ? She exudes effortless power whenever she sings with her intonation as smooth as honey ?

It's truly amazing how gifted African Americans are, with their natural rhythm and elementary swing. Whether it's dance, vocals or a combination of the two, they just seem to have it in spades.

I was absolutely mesmerized awhile back, watching Sammy DAVIS Jnr. do an easy 'soft shoe shuffle' on top of this small, round wooden table, all the while he sang 'Mr Bo Jangles' ! So easy, so effortless, and with consummate class ! A brilliant performer, though he once described himself in such a self-effacing manner '...a black, one eyed, Jewish boy...' ? Enormous talent from this little African American fellow who apparently led a very miserable lifestyle ?

It's really quite curious how many of these really gifted performers who are so unhappy in their private lives, despite all the fame, adulation and the accompanying fortune, that generally came with it . Ms Whitney HUSTON is a prime example ? A beautiful voice brought to her knees through an addiction to drugs ? Such a dreadful waste of an enormous talent, so very sad.

What I love about my music is the way i can relate and just feel it from my heart, the music helps me journey into a place of peace like no other.
If you feel me let me know.

Good evening to you PUELE LUKA...

It's quite interesting really, the dramatic effect that nice music has on us, as individuals ? In your case, it tends to help transport you to a place of sublime peace, and that can only be good ? I've not seen your epithet previously, therefore I welcome you to The Forum.

Bye for now.

Dear Puele Luka,

Welcome to the Forum.

I know what you mean about music.

I also find that through prayer I can
find what I cannot find elsewhere:
a peace that is not of this world.

Good on you Foxy, do it & enjoy it.

I'm afraid I'm with you o sung wu, I do remember dancing being great fun, & rather sexy, but it is a fading memory I'm afraid.

I forgot to mention I am a great fan of Hawaiian guitar music. It really does only suit that slow rhythm of the hula, & always gets me swaying, but alas, only in my chair these days, the knees can no longer hack it.

Hasbeen, do you like the Hawaiian ukulele, none better than Harold Uchino CD 'Blue Darling'.

Foxy, one of my partners extended whanau who has done very well for herself, and not yet 30.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GXua6gD4Hc

Off to see a live band this Saturday night out west, you can't beat live music. All our mates in the entertainment industry in Sydney are doing it tough, all have been at it for years, but not getting the gigs they once were, they keep saying not much around in the clubs and pubs. The crowds seem to be down too. A couple of places used to be packed Friday or Saturday night, but not so now days.

Dear Hasbeen,

Thank You and I'm sure that your kind words,
high spirits, and sense of humour, will continue to lift
the spirits of everyone around you. We are blessed to have
you, O Sung Wu, Paul, and others, on this forum.
You guys certainly do wonders for me.

Dear Paul,

You are lucky to have an extended family - it must bring
you a lot of joy, so many petals to your flower.
From what I've gathered from your posts on this forum -
I imagine that all flourish under your nurturing.

I love that Hawaiin guitar and the Hula - learning
belly dancing and the hula is on my "to do," lists.
Whether I end up doing it - who knows - but I can dream.

Foxy you may find this hard to believe, but I used to teach the hula.

Way back in the dim & distant past, I was involved with a number of resort islands in the Whitsundays. Daydream Island used to put on a Luau on Saturday nights, which included a floor show with a hula danced by girls from the island staff.

Tourists from the mainland were invited, for a price of course, & for some time I ran the boat taking them over & back. This meant spending Saturday nights at the Luau.

One night I realised all the girls were actually just doing a twist in grass skirts. The skill of doing a hula had been passed from girl to girl as the staff changed, & the hula had been lost with changing staff. Having learnt the real thing in the islands, I offered to teach them.

The Hula is all in the knees. It actually looks horrible with girls wearing shorts or bikinis, but is truly magnificent when done in a long grass skirt. The girls loved doing it once shown how.

For years after I was no longer involved in running the boat, I would get a call to come over & run a couple of classes. It was always amazing how a synthetic grass skirt & a plastic frangipani lei could convert a house maid or waitress into an exotic dancer in just seconds.

Dear Hasbeen,

Who'd have thought that the hula is all in the
knees. And I agree that a grass skirt and
flowers around the neck would add to the ambiance.

It must have been fun teaching the hula.
What a dashing figure you would have made.
Lucky ladies!

I have a point of order here Mr or Ms MODERATOR...!

I don't mind in the least that we contributors occasionally let our imagination get away from us from time to time - BUT ! My old 'Naval Aviator' mate 'HASBEEN' teaching the HULU Dance ? That being the case would you believe I was once 'prima ballerina' and lead dancer in 'Swan Lake' ! While it was true I did have some difficulty getting up on my 'twinkle toes', they did permit me (by special dispensation), to wear my old Army GP boots, dyed in a pink colour, with yellow laces for each performance ?

Anyway back to normality - HASBEEN, cast your 'rhythmic' mind back to the early sixties if you will - do you recall a young bloke by the name of Robby 'G' ? He used to play the Hawaiian Guitar on 'Bandstand' and 'Six O'clock Rock' etc. Perhaps you too may remember him also FOXY, though I would've thought you may've been a little young, and I say that with uttermost respect too FOXY.

Robby 'G' wasn't a bad Hawaiian Guitarist, and I think his biggest hit was, '55 Days at Peking' at the time ? Perhaps you do remember him HASBEEN ?

Dear O Sung Wu,

I'm sorry but I am not familiar with Robby G.

However my husband who's got a very vast collection
of old records that he inherited found for me amongst
his stack two old records. One entitled, "The Legend of Pele:
Sounds of Arthur Lyman," that includes some beautiful
music and exotic sounds. And the other one "101 Strings -
in a Hawaiian Paradise," that also includes the Hawaiian
War Chant, and many others. Both these old records virtually
provide a musical holiday in one of the most beautiful
places on earth. Breath-taking sound pictures of
sparkling beaches caressed by gentle trade-winds.

The enchantment of languid nights and hula guitars under
Polynesian skies. Truly Paradise.

Good afternoon to you FOXY...

Hawaii is a beautiful place for sure, even though Oahu the most populated of the Islands, is quite commercialised. Still the balmy evenings, the music in fact everything is very amenable to relaxing. Still if one were to unwittingly venture to, downtown Honolulu at certain times of the night, you'd swear you were somewhere in south central LA ? Still, that aside it's a truly alluring place nevertheless.

Years ago we spent six or seven nights at a hotel near the township of Hilo on the main Island, and it was brilliant ! Just about every evening they'd have a (sorry, can't think of the correct Hawaiian name?) 'party' come barbecue, on the beach with a small piglet being slowly roasted while turning on the rotisserie. The local chaps would sing along with their traditional songs, and the girls would do their hula's, it was very nice indeed. Particularly with the balmy evenings, the lights, together with the charming music and dance.

FOXY, it wouldn't take much persuasion, to entice my wife and I to retire over there, perched high up on some cliff with a commanding view of the beautiful sea in a palatial, but nevertheless stylized, traditional tropical bungalow. Ah well, that's the life !

Dear O Sung Wu,

I remember Hilo when we sailed to the US a
few decades ago. I thought it was Paradise
on earth. The colours were unlike any that
I had ever seen. The lushness really got to me.

However, I would never leave this country.
My family is here, my children, grandchildren,
extended family, family graves, and so on.
We've invested too much of our lives in this
country. Still it is nice to "arm-chair" travel.

No o sung wu, I didn't own a TV until the late 70s early 80s, so only occasionally saw bandstand.

When I was racing I was too busy to have time to watch it, & out in the islands there was none to watch.

I'm afraid my youth was severely deprived in entertainment.

Good evening FOXY...

Of course you're quite right, neither would I leave here, basically for the same reasons. I think it's just a moment or two of quietly musing over this and that, places you've been, people you've met, that's left an indelible impression on you.

Funnily enough, places you've visited on holidays that you've really liked, often when you return they don't seem to have that same persistent or enduring influence they did originally ? 'The pasture's always greener on the other side of the fence' ?

Not so music. A memorable tune or vocals, always seems capable of transporting you back to another time. There's one very simple melody that can make me ruminate upon my own poor decisions that I've made in times past. This tranquil but relatively solitary piano piece, by the great German composer, Ludwig van BEETHOVEN'S, first movement of the 'Moonlight Sonata' (after he wrote his famous 'Pathetique') can quieten me down no matter how 'stirred up' I might feel ?

I'm quite sure you're aware of this haunting, sad melody FOXY ?

Good evening to you HASBEEN...

It shows what a lazy lump was I sitting around watching TV all day ! No mate I just thought you may've seen Robby 'G' is all ? Your car racing must have been pretty intense I'd imagine, as was your involvement in the racing itself ? I recall we're speaking about the various circuits you've participated on and from memory you've pretty well covered all the major circuits, on the east coast at least ?

I did this course they called 'the pursuit driving course' when I was in the job (uniform). We concentrated on the 5.8 Falcons, and the old Cooper S, which I found bloody difficulty to access and egress the thing, but not too bad on the road. Though I successfully completed the course, a good driver I was not ! More like an adequate driver is all. Still at that time the old STP (the forerunner to the now Hwy. Patrol) did get you out and about a fair bit, and as long as you handed out a few 'pills' the bosses were reasonably happy. A dedicated GD's patrol meant you could be saddled with all manner of jobs, which could be a pain, in terms of being able to knock of at the conclusion of the shift.

But any sort of competitive car racing, I didn't do anything of the kind HASBEEN, so I really know 'squat' about it all. Cheers Mate.

Just to say Saturday night didn't let us down. Fab night out with 'Frankie Valentine and his All Stars' Frankie gives 120% all night, something you just can get from a CD or Ipod. So folks, wherever you are and, whatever your taste in music is, if you can get to a live show, then just do it! This week for us was retro, next week its totally different with island reggae live.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zsW3eVQd_M

Thank you PAUL1405...

Indeed, live music, in fact anything 'live' tends to be much better than, as you've already indicated, listening to a CD or watching a DVD ? Though sometimes we've got to accept second best when attendance is out of the question for whatever the reason. Thank you for your contribution to this topic, I really appreciate it.

Dear o sung wu,

I have been flat out on a couple of projects so have not had a chance to dip the OLO toe in for a few weeks but thought I would sneak in a quick contribution.

I could provide a long list of songs that touch me but you asked for music “that captures our souls” and as each of us is unique then naturally so will be our lists. Quite often time and place along with life's experiences have as much to do with how much a song might move us as the quality or otherwise of the songs.

If I am to name the principal mover of my soul in the last 15 years it would have to be Archie Roach. I have been literally moved to tears listening to some of his songs.

'Took the Children Away' http://youtu.be/br83o_JpIFw but so many of his other gifts.

'Walking into Doors' http://youtu.be/XzD4JRnWHpE?list=RDbr83o_JpIFw

'Munjana' http://youtu.be/DgYDiIYKDck

One that I have on my phone at the moment 'A Child was Born Here' http://youtu.be/Rplk3qJWAaM is truly evocative has me looking at the land so differently now.

Having lost his wife (the beautiful Ruby Hunter), recovered from lung cancer and more recently a stroke, Archie Roach has copped more of his fair share of knocks but the dignity, the authenticity, the humanity of this man astounds me and his songs reverberate around this bloke's soul like none other.

SteeleRedux, what can I say, Archie Roach, how simple words set to music can deliver such a powerful message (no wonder they often hate these people). I played 'Took The Children Away' for my partner "T" it made her cry, thinking of her own young years, came from a 'tribe' of 13 back home in Aotearoa. Enough of the politics for the moment, I say again how much I have enjoyed all the music posted by everyone, such a wide range and varied tastes everyone has. Regardless of what it is, it proves that good music, is good music, no matter what it is. I do feel sorry for our friend who thinks music is nothing more than a collection of sounds, not worth listing to, unfortunate for him. My partner said I'm bias, because she has never met anyone who simply likes ALL music except me. not so, a mate once played his recordings of air horns and jumbo jet take offs, and truthfully I didn't like that "music" at all, well not in my ear at 500 decibels.

Great tribute to Vincent Lingiari, a Kadijeri man, who was one of the earliest fighters for land rights. I remember the day Gough Whitlam poured sand into Vincent's hand as a symbolic gesture of the coming home (I don't say granting, you can't grant something that is not yours in the first place) of Aboriginal land to the people.

Archie with Sara Stoner;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hGeDj-V1c0

I'll go along with that too, SteeleRedux.

Saw Archie and Ruby at the Three Weeds, must have been the late eighties, unforgettable.

Good afternoon to you STEELEREDUX...

Thank you for apprising us all of the eclectic music (and messages) of Archie ROACH a singer and lyrist I've not been fortunate enough to have previously heard. Certainly his compilations do send out powerful messages, adroitly contained within his lyrics. His, and the pain of his people are not far from the surface either, to the extent it's almost palpable as evidenced by the attentive expressions on the faces of the beguiled Adelaide crowds listening to him ?

I cast my own mind back to the sixties and the songs of Bob Dylan, and the 'messages' he sent through the medium of his music and lyrics, particularly on the morality of the Vietnam War.

There's little doubt music of all kinds does conjure up strong emotional responses in people, in ways that nothing else seems capable of doing. Archie ROACH'S music, though he was thoroughly immersed in his own private wretchedness and misery, must have utilised his own musical metier to aid him in his quest for finding exactly the right word, or right phrase for the many messages that are contained in his extensive repertoire.

I find it quite extraordinary really how, out of some moment of terrible sadness or some profound anguish, can emerge words of such beauty and sustained encouragement of hope, like nothing else seems capable of doing ? Truly amazing.

Thank you STEELEREDUX for your thoughtful contribution.

Off to see our favorite Tongan band tonight 'The Kamis' island music is not all drums and coconuts. Oscar (lead), Afa (guitar) Josh (keyboard), David (drums) and the girls, their sisters, Amelia and Kethey plus the fantastic Kiwi addition Madam Penelope. Great entertainment all night.

Check em' out;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foZvuJhQ1LM