Ella fitzgerald – Mack The Knife High quality

I am who I am today by a variety of experiences and inputs. Some are more obvious than others, some are more revered than others. One of the most crucial influences in my life is that of music. There was the music in my home and then there was the music at school and the music that school introduced. One of the most important influences in my musical development at an early age was my music teacher at Secondary School. She was also my first English teacher at the time and turned me onto acting and the power of the spoken and written word, so I owe quite a lot to Mrs Michelle McBride. She’s part of a special group of teachers that I’d like to see again and thank them for all they ever did for me.

In Mrs McBride’s case she opened my ears to jazz. I never gave it much thought before, but she evidently was keen on the style. In not too dissimilar a style she also introduced me to Ella Fitzgerald. Her versions of Mack the Knife has to go down as the best just for their swinging manner and tributes to the ones done by Bobby Darin and Louis Armstrong. She knows how to vocal her way through a song like virtually no one else.

This video is a brief version of some longer versions she’s dedicated to record. Such a masterful vocalist and such a masterful song. I’m grateful for the chance to hear it and have a whole style of music for me to appreciate thanks to brilliant teachers like Mrs McBride. Enjoy.

Shalom
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Curiosity Killed The Cat – Name And Number

Ahh some of the old ones don’t really age that badly at all. Enjoy.

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Change The World – Cover That

As you may recall I am a big fan of hearing songs that are good and hearing decent cover versions of those good songs.  This is a special treat though – the origins of the song by the initial songwriter, the version before the popular version, the version released in the hope that it would change the world by Eric Clapton featuring Babyface and a decent guitar cover as well.  How neat is that?  Very neat.

So here’s the origins of the song as it were

Here’s one that apparently preceded Eric’s version by Wynonna Judd, not a bad version, got elements of a 60’s thing going on if you listen carefully.

And here’s Eric’s effort

Then check this neat guitar version

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Golden Lady Cover

Checking some of these covers out can be a bit of hit and miss. You can come across some shocking attempts at music. This effort though is alright. Well it’s more than alright, it’s a version that I’m more than happy to chill to. I’m not into all the shows that parade people’s pathetic performances in the bid to select just one who they’ll push as pop’s next big thing before letting them down. I like to invest in proper stuff and encourage them as they grow in what they’re doing. I’d encourage someone to work with this fella. He sounds alright to me.  Check his solo version and the live rehearsal with his crew.  Enjoy.

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dmcd

Rainbow – Full Theme

Seriously this is awesome and I didn’t know anything about it – well YouTube has its uses after all!! You may remember the shortened version – but seriously, this absolutely rocks.  Enjoy.

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James Taylor – Your Smiling Face

This song has a lot of personal value to me. I remember coming across this song not long after the birth of my first child and it was so appropriate for the time.

I’m a big fan of the various versions JT has done of this great song. I particularly like this version because of the fun he’s evidently having with it especially the reggae version of the bridge. Lovely stuff. Enjoy.

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Pinball Number Count

This the best way to learn maths at least in getting to grips with the whole numeracy agenda that’s sweeping the nation … kinda. Dig this, baby, it’s way cool, man. Enjoy.

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1-2-3 Sesame Street – With Stevie Wonder

This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen on YouTube, just to see someone doing the connection in this funky way is just awesome. Special thanks to Ben Eshmade who referred me to this video a few years ago now and got me on this whole YouTube interest. Thanks Ben. Enjoy.

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Virtual Insanity Acoustic Cover

So I’m a big fan of this song especially the album version and I couldn’t find it, just the single version, until I came across this cover and these guys do a really good job. Enjoy.

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Social Media Revolution

• Someone said there are lies, damn lies and statistics and anyone creating an argument will look to make an appeal from statistics. Whether those stats are from research or from opinion polls or whatever the case maybe. Still, we come across a video making some big allegations about how influential social media is – it makes for intriguing viewing. Enjoy.

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