What I'm listening to....

A bit of Kate Miller-Heidke. There's one song with the rather up-front title "I Like You Better When You're Not Around."

Her Dad taught me Maths 2 at high school. That's growing up in Brisbane for you. It's a small world.

I missed the Paul Kelly and Neil Finn concerts

I was feeling a bit sad when I saw people posting all over Facebook and their blogs about how amazing the show was.

So I was pleased to discover that their final concert at the Sydney Opera House next Monday night is being streamed live on YouTube. Link here.

Not quite as good as being there live, but nice to be able to watch it without leaving home.

Image from here.

Home from church with sick kids

Listening to this:

I see there is also a companion album called He Will Have His Way for the blokes. Might get onto that one next.

But the girls' one is sublime. Some gorgeous voices singing great lyrics here.

What I'm listening to

On Spotify. Spotify is my weekend discovery. You should check it out if you don't know about it already. It's very cool.

Friday night music

A bit shattered here after my first couple of days of work. And next week I have to do a three day week (fortunately that is just a one off, and I will return to two days per week after that. Two days is hard enough).

Tonight I have to read the second half of The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom for Book Chat tomorrow afternoon. And read about the same amount of Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel. That one was due back at the library today, I'm hoping if I return it tomorrow I'll escape a fine because it's not ages late. Sadly it's in huge demand so I can't extend it any longer.

Normal blogging service will resume....well, not sure when. Lots to do in the next week or so, but I'm sure I will be checking in at some point and writing something. Don't expect too much exciting news though....

So here is some Piano Guys for your entertainment in the meantime. The bits where he uses his forearm on the keyboard are incredible!

More Christmas from The Piano Guys

Watch for the spinning cello at around 2:50.

Christmas music from The Piano Guys

Awesome stuff. Great film location too.

Christmas music for your enjoyment

While on the subject of music....

When I'm not learning new Christmas carol arrangements, I've been teaching myself to play this. It is very beautiful when it's played well (still getting there....).

Happy belated birthday Claude

Last week it was Debussy's birthday. Here is some nice music of his to celebrate.

This year's Classic FM Top 100 is French music. I'm going to call it early and say I'm fairly confident Debussy will be heavily featured among the top ten.

Here's a cool cover of Adele...

This song has had so much air play, it's become a bit boring. This version makes it bearable again.

If you missed Q&A on Monday night....

...then you missed this.

You had to hang in there to the very end through all the political palaver that went on, but eventually after that was all over, Tim Freedman performed his cover version of the Rolf Harris classic Two Little Boys (to quote Tony Jones, "in an effort to prove that daggy is cool").

What a great song. Lovely piano accompaniment as well.

I've just booked tickets to go and see him in Brisbane next month. Really looking forward to it.

A bit of Chopin...

...as an accompaniment to this evening's main event, which is coming up with client confidentiality scenarios that are appropriate for first year students.

(I'll never be able to play this one!)

I am going to see these guys tomorrow night!

I'm so excited. Can't wait to see them.

It's been a very busy week here. Looking forward to catching up with a good friend and enjoying great music.

More 80s music gold...

Some truly bizarre action in this...not sure what to make of the little dancing man with dwarfism. Some of the commenters on YouTube were unkind enough to call him a troll...

I know...I have way too much time on my hands. Definitely time to get back to work....

Listening to...

Walk of Life by Dire Straits. From the Sultans of Swing album.

Classic stuff. Big hair. Big bright clothing. Big crowd (at one point, the video cuts to a crowd view, it's huge!). This version also has a big instrumental finale that's worth hanging in there for.

Listening to...

Loving it. I didn't mind his work with The Whitlams either.

Christmas presents 2010

I've finally finished spending up my ABC shop gift cards from last Christmas. These arrived yesterday. The AWW Christmas Collection book is full of food and decorations to drool over. I don't think I'm ever likely to cook a roast goose for Christmas dinner, but if anyone else is keen I have a recipe. The ginger marmalade glazed ham is my pick for this year.

And a fantastic CD by The Idea of North. I have blogged about them before here. Have a listen. Their voices are amazing.

Off to have a listen again now and to eat some dessert.

Thursday YouTube: Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken

One of John Newton's less rated hymns, but I love the tune. Sadly not many great versions to be found of it on YouTube. Think lots of choirs of elderly people having a go, but not sounding much good.

So I've posted bhigdaddymark's version, minus the elderly choir. He tries out some interesting harmonies, but his cameraman is a little bit wobbly. And it's all too obvious when he makes a mistake, as you'll see...

YouTube pick-me-up

I think the video of this song is very strange, especially those weird little blue and yellow hats they are wearing. Probably reflects the excesses of the late 80s and early 90s era.

I wish I could show you the original version by the Village People but YouTube have embedded it so I can't post it here (if you do check it out over there, enjoy the great microphone stand work by the singers...).