This week we are going back to the 1960s...well sort of
The song is classic 1960s. Roy Orbison's, Pretty woman. What a voice that man had. Silky smooth, never stressed but oh so recognisable. Perhaps even unique
Here's a couple of rockers giving it their best effort - Bruce Springsteen and John Fogerty (remember Creedence Clearwater Revival?).
And wait for the bit where John sings alone. Spooky or what?
Friday again. This week a singer I came across about 15 years ago, Mariza
She sings in the style of Fado although her more recent material has moved away from the voice and guitar incorporating full orchestra. Historically a Portuguese guitar would have often accompanied a single voice
The style is mournful and often melancholic but the artistry comes in the singers ability to make it feel intimate and engaging
Enjoy!
Here's my musical off the beaten track offering for this week
Schubert's Die Winterreise (winter trip) song cycle was originally written for tenor voice. Schubert composed the cycle in 1827 as he was dying of syphilis. The poems by Wilhelm Muller he chose are mainly melancholic
I first came across the cycle with Peter Pears singing with Benjamin Britten on piano
My favourite version though is by Brigitte Fassbaender, mezzo-soprano. Enjoy
Every Friday I'm going to post (if I remember!) a clip from that video channel of a song or version of a song that you may not have heard before. I'm no musicologist but my taste is eclectic so don't expect run of the mill!
Today it's a pianist famous for his improvisations often jazz infused. He's quite ill now having suffered two strokes and may never play again 😕
Ladies and gentlemen, Keith Jarrett and 'Londonderry Air'
Enjoy!
Alan Stedman