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Music and Other
YouTube Music
“New Age”
I am not particularly a fan of a lot of the New Age philosophies basically because most are a mish mash of the old, the new and the crazy. A lot of the philosophies also tend to be very self centred. So New Age philosophies can include useful practices such as meditation (which is really "Old Age" regurgitated) but can also include things like crystals. However this said I must also say that I like some of the music that has come out of this genre.
Sacred Earth
Sacred Earth are a duo who are based in Queensland. Their music is great and I particularly like this song which I have heard them perform live. I seem to remember them saying at the time that it was a prayer or a call to Shiva, the Hindu God, to destroy all misconceptions so that they may see the world clearly as it really is. As I don’t understand the language that the song is sung in I can’t verify this. For really beautiful songs I don’t believe that it is necessary to understand the words.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1gXh6gidis
Temple of Silence - Deuter
This is a little bit more music in the New Age genre. This music
is very beautiful and relaxing.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMJaYXTa5Ig
Folk
Caoineadh Cú Chulainn (Lament) - Davy Spillane
This performance appeared in the middle of the Riverdance show and was easily the best aspect of the show. Davy Spillane playing the Uilleann pipes (which some people say is the Irish version of the bagpipes, but it is really quite different). It is very mournful.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwxga8udIio
Classical
Nessun Dorma - Pavarroti
Pavarotti, the best tenor of our era singing one of the most popular operatic arias. Can't get much better than this. None Shall Sleep - not with that voice around.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATmgtmR5o4
O Mio Bambino Cara
Talking about popular opera, another hugely popular aria. This time sung by someone who has the one of the sweetest voices in opera.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNHf26uNfok
Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
What can I say about this piece. It is so beautiful yet so sad. Which is understandable when you learn that the composer, Henryk Górecki, was inspired to write the music and words after reading the words scratched into the walls of Nazi concentration camp cells.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEaF873VGTM
Moonlight Sonata - 1st Movement - Wilhelm Kempff
For some beautiful light finger work you don’t get much better than Wilhelm Kempff. Brilliant touch. Some versions of Moonlight Sonata sound like elephants stomping on the keyboard – not this bloke. Thoughtful finesse. I love his expression – he is really feeling it.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6txOvK-mAk
Moonlight Sonata - 3rd Movement - Tina S Cover
I am not sure I even like this interpretation of Beethoven. But
you can’t deny the talent and skill. I had no idea an electric
guitar could be played that way. Amazing. She was 17 when she
performed this.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6rBK0BqL2w
(For a more traditional treatment see
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqSulR9Fymg)
Hildegard and Palestrina
I was only recently introduced to Palestrina and Hildegard and the music of the Middle Ages. Simply lovely. I will have to get more.
Hildegard Von Bingen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6qFCYRQKVA
Palestrina - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pp0XUU6Rmk
Concerto de Aranjuez (2nd Movement) - Pepe Romero
Another beautiful piece of music with a sad back story. It was
written by the composer at a time he and his wife were mourning
the loss of their child - hence the very mournful second movement.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye-FvKCZp3s
Pie Jesu – Angelis
Beautiful.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfN8j9r-jGQ&feature=fvw
Marble Halls - Enya
Often when a popular singer tries the classical repertoire it doesn't work. That is not the case with Enya. She sings it better than most operatically trained singer - you can understand each word of the song. (Often it is worse when operatically trained singers try to tackle the popular repertoire - usually it doesn't work, their over trained voices just don't suit the style.)
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnvKPQ26U_g
Recent / Popular
To Her Door - Paul Kelly
One of my favourite singer songwriters.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZrfG9P6_D0
From Little Things Big Things Grow
Kev Carmody, is another good singer song writers - for some of his songs. His 2 CD set - "Cannot Buy My Soul" is one of my favourites - though another CD set of his that I bought was nowhere near as good. Here Kev is at the top of his song writing form as he sings this popular song with his co-writer, Paul Kelly.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tHEGo-g3mw
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Many have tried but none have succeeded in performing a better version of this song. He sings with a smile in his voice.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWzrABouyeE
Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Roger Waters
Song of Bernadette - Jennifer Warnes
Hallelujah
Another Leonard Cohen song this time by Alison Crowe. Just
disproved my earlier statement - others can sing Cohen songs very
well. Its the quality of the music and writing that makes it so
good (though what are the lyrics really about?)
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIMOdVXAPJ0
Sisters of Mercy - Leonard Cohen
Thank You for Hearing Me - Sinead O'Connor
Another great singer songwriter. Great voice, great songs.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj_xKA5C2vU
Everybody Hurts - The Corrs unplugged
I have a love hate relationship with the Corrs. I hate their over produced music that they generally release. It is produced to within an inch of its life, so much so it has no soul left. However I like their "unplugged" versions of the songs. Please Corrs, you've made enough money now, sack your producers and only do unplugged.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtGZGBvb7ic
Father and Son - Cat Stevens & Yusuf Islam
Another singer song writer (yes he is only one person - two stages of life). It is great the way he varies his voice when he sings the Father's part to when he sings the Son's part. It is also interesting to hear how his voice has changed over the intervening years between the two versions.
Cat Stevens - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-7c4VNGOgU
Yusuf Islam - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBO-6n9PVrA
Stop - Sam Brown
Good singer, good song.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muDZD3wgoHI
El Condor Pasa - Simon & Garfunkel
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np-LnAv815k
Solid Rock - Goanna
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t94RBuiOgsA
Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits
This song has the great quality of pathos. You can hear the world weariness is the singing.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LauDl7qwcA0
I was only 19 - Redgum
In the Year 2525 - Zager and Evans
I had forgotten about this song - and indeed the artists - until I came across it on Youtube. In this clip a fan has assembled a video montage to go with the music using shots "taken" from various movies such as the Matrix series and Lucy. It adds to the music.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNbUUSuiEho
YouTube - Interesting
TED(x) Talks
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFTWM7HV2UI
There's more to life than being happy | Emily Esfahani Smith - Interesting.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9Trdafp83U
Our democracy no longer represents the people. Here's how we fix it | Larry Lessig | TEDxMidAtlantic
About the US system of democracy, which is more stuffed than our own, but still has some things to say which are useful in the Australian context. Actually the US could learn a lot from Australia if they adopted some of our institutions, such as the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and the associated state based organisations. The AEC, for the sake of any US people reading this, is a Government funded organisation tasked with running elections independent of political interference. They set the electorate boundaries considering only trying to make the voter numbers in the electorate even. They determine much of the detail of the voting system and practices. Australia has compulsory voting which has many benefits and which I support - but some don't. (In practice voting is not compulsory as what is put on the voting paper is completely private. So turning up to get your name marked off the voters role is compulsory, after that it is up to you.) Australian elections (State and Federal) are held on a Saturday so less interference from work commitments for more people, though I do like the idea touted of calling a public holiday for elections - even if it was just a half day holiday. For USA they could make it so that people only get the half day holiday if they vote or at least turn up to vote - I bet that would encourage greater turnout. What better reason for a public holiday than participatory democracy. Preferential voting is also preferable to simple majority.
This article in the Guardian highlights some of the many issues afflicting USA "democracy". Judging by this article the Republican party has little respect for the principles of democracy - one vote one value and universal suffrage for all people of age - if it threatens their hold on power. This willingness to ignore principles to obtain power is also reflected in them allowing their so called grand old party (GOP) to be taken over by Trump. The Democrats are also to blame as they don't attempt to fix it when they have an opportunity and turn a blind eye to the blatancy of it instead of speaking out. In the recent primaries campaign I didn't hear any Democratic candidate speaking out about it - perhaps they did but if so it wasn't very prominent. It seems that they are a willing part of the system that allows the gerrymandering and disenfranchisement.
Why do the American people allow it? Please look to other examples of functioning democracies around the world. As much as you may like to delude yourself you do not have the best democracy in the world. It can be better - a lot better.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJy8vTu66tE
A History of Capitalism - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIuaW9YWqEU
The dirty secret of capitalism -- and a new way forward | Nick Hanauer
An interesting talk from a capitalist about the faults of capitalism and the ways to fix them.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th3KE_H27bs]
How to Improve Capitalism - School of Life
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOaJe68C-bU
My stroke of insight | Jill Bolte Taylor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU
What animals are thinking and feeling, and why it should
matter | Carl Safina | TEDxMidAtlantic
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wkdH_wluhw
Leaving the Cult of Happiness | Keely Herron | TEDxJacksonHole
Not really about happiness but a good thoughtful talk on confronting social stigma.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnovQVRHj5c
My son was a Columbine shooter. This is my story | Sue
Klebold | TED
You can but imagine the personal impact if the shooter had been a member of your family – it would have been devastating as indeed this woman found out. Fascinating to see how she carefully worked through the issues to get to the place she is in this TED talk. Clearly sharing her story and journey is part of her method of dealing with the tragedy.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXlnrFpCu0c
Youtube - Other Stuff
Happiness | Steve Cutts
A short amusing animation. Despite its name it is really about
the traps most of us fall into in the search for happiness that do
not ultimately end in happiness.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9dZQelULDk
Man | Steve Cutts
Gee I like Steve Cutts' animations.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfGMYdalClU
Table Tennis
I recently (2019) restarted playing table tennis after a break of
20 years. I was speaking to someone about why I had done this. The
answer was in two parts: I enjoy table tennis, and it is one way
of getting some much needed exercise without going to the boring
gym. The person I was speaking to scoffed at the idea that much
exercise could be had from table tennis, or as they called it ping
pong. As evidence to support my assertion I provide this Youtube
clip link (not that I play anywhere near this standard!). There
are tonne more on Youtube.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yQJkAYTRjU
A Machine To Die For - The Quest For Free Energy
An enjoyable study of eccentricity – and obsession. The lengths they would go to and the contraptions they would build. The big wheel is fantastic - I love the way he counted the spokes as they went past - giving each a little push as they passed. It is not perpetual motion (applied math and physics teachers - get your Year 11 and 12 students to explain why it isn't). Still it is a remarkable construction. (So why does it go round? Well it would have low friction and a large angular momentum once it got going. And windmills also go round.)
The ball bearing track is great too - perhaps it is a perpetual motion machine! He should sell it to a museum with a money back guarantee if it has stopped working in two years. It would be a great hit. In fact I am sure every museum in the world would want one - if it works - so he could make a fortune manufacturing them and selling them to museums around the world - and into the private collections of billionaires - and make a real name for himself in history. Instead he has it locked in a vault in this house - which may tell you something.
A lot of the people shown in this documentary don't understand
the basics of physics, engineering and the laws of thermodynamics.
This is their weakness - but it might also be their strength.
Their imaginations are not restrained by the accepted wisdom
allowing them to dream up and then experiment with ideas that
anyone with the accepted knowledge would have dismissed soon after
having the idea. It also means that they can waste an awful amount
of time going down dead ends. However it is their time and if they
enjoy it then why not. And who knows - they may stumble across
something - a breakthrough that works - that others may have
dismissed soon after the idea stage. But I won’t be holding my
breath. Nor, more importantly, investing my money.
Warning - video quality is poor - but still worth watching.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6UgV3gVmd0
Some more "perpetual motion machines".
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hYYdmjuDac
The Jesus of History versus the Christ of Faith
Fascinating but long. This bloke might have made Sunday School
interesting.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VOMFjQfJ8w
Potholer54 - is an English journalist, who now lives in
Australia, who takes it on himself to debunk the claims of others
- primarily in the area of climate change and other science. Does
it in a very English style and is usually quite entertaining as
well.
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCljE1ODdSF7LS9xx9eWq0GQ
Juice Media - short satirical pieces having a swipe at the
hypocrisy and stupidity of the government, mainly the "Australien"
government but also the American government. Usually spot on. But
such foul language from such nice looking girls!
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRw8GAAtm27q4R3Q0kst_g
TED and TEDx talks - are usually up to 15 minute long
talks (though some are longer) about some topic with most done in
a very similar style - sole person standing on a large red dot in
front of an audience - no lectern - and talking. The talks cover a
large range of topics. Pick and choose - many are quite
interesting.
TED - https://www.youtube.com/c/TED
TEDx - https://www.youtube.com/user/TEDxTalks
Dust - Short Science fiction videos, some of them are
excellent, some a bit less so. Production values are often quite
high. I like some types of science fiction as it gives the writer
a chance to explore ideas and alternatives that would not be
possible in fiction restrained by current or historical realities
- in the same vein alternate histories can sometimes be
interesting. Not fan of fantasy sci-fi - e.g. Star Wars or
other fantasy - e.g. Lord of the Rings.
-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7sDT8jZ76VLV1u__krUutA
Steve Cutts Channel - Interesting animation
- https://www.youtube.com/user/steviecutts
YouTube Movies
There are a lot of full length movies on YouTube. Most of them
could fairly be described a "B Grade". There are some real
shockers - so bad you watch them in amazement that anyone could
make a movie with so many obvious flaws. But in among the movies
there are some that are entertaining - it is just a matter of
finding them. I have made a list of those that I consider not too
bad. Most are not good enough for cinema release but good for what
they are. The movies are mainly action or end of the world
disaster epics.
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL35zUQ1WlH3y-lZE1yxCnjMd38nc9i9b7
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