Tuesday Tune: Stand by me - the street musician version

It's a favourite song of mine but this version really got me today. It's a simple collaboration between street musicians all around the world performing the Ben E. King classic. What I love is how they all added their own little bits as the song travelled. Let it build. It's worth it.

This is taken from the playingforchange.com project, a multimedia movement created to

"... inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world."

This version started with the vocal and guitar talent of Roger Ridley, a street musician in Santa Monica, California. It then travelled to New Orleans to have vocals and harmonica added by one Grandpa Elliott as he listened to Ridley's base track on headphones.

From there it went through Africa, South America and Europe with more and more instruments and vocals resulting in the final version above. Rather inspiringly, it was all done with a simple laptop and some microphones.

You'll find much more details on the Playing for Change website. There's a CD you can buy, they have a YouTube channel and more. Really inspiring stuff.

Tuesday Tune - Endless Art - Dave Couse, Duke Special and Divine Comedy

It's been a week since I was at the Amnesty International Divine Comedy vs Duke Special gig and I'm still thinking about certain versions of songs they performed. One, as covered by Darren was this updated version of A House's Endless Art:


Dave Couse, who performed on the night with Fergal Bunbury and Rike Soeller, seemed to enjoy doing this.

Thanks to a lovely email from someone who reads the blog, I spent some time updating any of the videos I'd shot on the night. The visual quality's not great but the sound is fairly alright. I don't have Andrew's favourite (sorry dude!) but what I do have are the following:

• Our Love Goes Deeper Than This - a fantastic version performed by both
  
  
• What becomes of the broken hearted - again, duet by both. This is possibly my favourite ever version of this song
  
  
• National Express - Neil Hannon with Duke Special on piano
  
  
• Drink to me only with thine eyes - lovely version performed by the two
  
  
• Down at the old Bull and Bush - Duke Special. Video is followed by footage from a rather silly duel
  
  
• Everybody wants to be a cat - duet of the two
  
  
• You're so vain - performed by both artists with Thomas from Pugwash
  
  
• Because I couldn't let Anthony have the only copy, here's their lightsaber duel in glorious technicolour
  
  
• Songs of Love - performed by Neil Hannon. Unfortunately a bouncer saw me about 60 seconds before the end, hence the premature cut off...

and dedicated to Lottie and her commenter The Bad Ambassador, Neil Hannon singing Our Mutual Friend:


Brilliant concert and great memories from an unforgettable evening.

Tuesday Tune - the least sexy version ever

There are certain covers and remixes of songs that improve on the original. This is most definitely not one of them - it is rather funny though. "Enjoy"(?) Max Raabe's version of Sex Bomb performed with Das Palast orchestra.


(You'll need to let it (down)load)

Big thanks to Elly and George for an amazing meal on Sunday, but also introducing me to the La Musique de Paris Derniere collections. A very eclectic mix of covers and interpretations from different artists. I've had it on play since Sunday.

What do you reckon? Woeful or hysterical?

Tuesday Tune - I like it like that

Fan of the Odeon Cinema chain in the UK will recognise this one - it's almost the Odeon theme music. They use a sample of it before each film. I love the Cuban vibe it evokes. The joy in the singer's voice - Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez - is evident.


(You'll need to let it (down)load)

Every time I sat in the cinema and this played, I got a shiver of anticipation, especially if I was really looking forward to the film. I don't think it's possible to listen to it and still be in a bad mood afterwards.

Do you?

Tuesday Tune - my theme song?

Raptureponies is asking what your theme song is over on The Blog Pound. For me, it's that tune that comes to you in the happy moments, in the moments you need cheering up or the one you find yourself humming walking down the road or on the bus, much to the amusement of those around you.

My iPod goes practically everywhere with me - I'm far more likely to have that than, say, my bank card or passport. However, as many songs as I have on it, I don't have this one. I'm not sure why, but it's the one that came to me when I read her question today.

I worry sometimes that it's an indication of a subconscious need for friends as validation, rather than me just thinking it's a good tune, but still I come back to it time and again. I have great friends, and yes, it's them I'm normally thinking of when I'm bopping along to this tune.

Andrew Gold - Thank you for being a friend.

Mildly embarrassing? Yes, especially it being the theme tune of The Golden Girls, but hey, it makes me smile, each and every time.

What's your theme song? Head on over to tell Raptureponies!

Tuesday Tune - Take a walk on the wild side

It may be dull and damp outside, but in here I have a coffee, convenient snacks and Lou Reed and Suzanne Vega with a marvellous saxophone sound on loud.


(You'll need to let it (down)load)

All together now - doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo...