Yet More Music

[ellyssian]

See, for a long time that's been my function.

I get people to listen to stuff they might otherwise dismiss. Things like introducing Rhapsody to a classical music fan (that would be my dad; he went out of his way to buy a couple of their discs). Or a violin piece that might widen the scope of influences of a metal guitarist, and show them that fast is nothing new. Well, to really see that, you have to look back a bit.

I've played Yngwie J. Malmsteen's works in New England's only classical compact disc store. I've played Al Di Meola in the Lehigh Valley's only hard rock and metal store.

So, here I present to you San Francisco's own thrash superstars, Death Angel, performing the most REMish sounding tune outside of REM: Room with a View. For, perhaps, a more impressive song, albeit tied to a video that is a collection of stills, check out the short and sweet Veil of Deception:

Going in the other direction, Windham Hill recording artist Michael Hedges, practices some rock moves in a cover of a rock classic: the Jimi Hendrix tune All Along the Watchtower (yeah, I know... the tune was written by some guy my neighbor grew up with back in Minnesota, but he may write good tunes - I just can't abide the way ol' B.D. sings 'em! =)

Michael is just a phenomenal player, and he can even make a part written for piano sound good.

Or e.e. cummings:

Or the Fine Young Cannibals. Or the Who (after 2 minutes of introductory material!) Or Pink Floyd.

Or the Beatles. Or, even, the Beatles (no, that's not an error.)

Or Madonna.

Or Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky:

The power of Michael is best seen in the form of a Ritual Dance:

or, if I had to pick just one tune, it would have to be... The Rootwitch:

And just Because It's There:

Edit:
I meant to come back with the quip about piano pieces, but I went off to far on a Hedges tangent.

I correct that. Here's Jack Gibbons playing Alkan's Concerto, where the solo piano plays both the part of the orchestra and the part of the solo piano:

...and, for yet more intensity, he plays Allegro barbaro...

(aequitaslevitas: take notes! Something like that might work well, in part, in the new song! =)

And just to wrap it all up, Earl Wild, playing a Liszt transcription of Gounod's Faust:

Comments

[westlinwind.livejournal.com]

Oh my. Thank you for reminding me how fun it was to watch Michael Hedges play as well as listen to his amazing talent. I was at one of his last shows before he died, here in Philly. A huge loss, that.

(I found you through Tamson House, btw. Hope you don't mind.)

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

Welcome aboard!

I never managed to go see him play but I wish I had. When I was perusing the videos to post these I was amazed at how many were made near where I used to live. If I had watched him play way back when - instead of just listening - I might have attempted some of his tunes. I'd probably almost be able to play some of them now! =)