From Thursday 3 August 2023
A song about beauty
Anything that you consider to be beautiful.
Liezel
Qing Feng Wu, AURORA – Storm
Even though storms can be very scary, I’ve always loved them and found them uniquely beautiful for some reason.
One of my special memories was diving and getting an emergency signal from the skipper to return to the surface immediately. It was very surprising leaving the serene underwater to a full blown storm at the surface. We got into the boat as soon as possible, only to experience a severe “attack” of heavy rain and lightening. We had to put our masks back on just to see where we were going. We couldn’t see the island and the skipper hadn’t put the coordinates of the island in, so we were travelling “blind”. I honestly loved every single second of that storm, even though the poor skipper was seriously panicked. When we finally found the way and were back on the island (sheer fluke apparently), he confided the dangers of how much in “kak” we really were in, but it was over a delicious cup of hot chocolate and I was cool with it.
As an aside I LOVE Aurora and find this pairing with Qing Feng Wu to be really enjoyable.
Arno
Maria Callas – “Un Bel Di Vedremo” – Madame Butterfly, Act II
Paul
André Rieu & 150 dancers – Lara’s Theme & Light Cavalry
There are many things that can qualify in this round, whew. My choice is from a guy who includes many beautiful qualitiess and moments in his concerts. He is Futch, and loves performing in his hometown of Maastricht, where he usually blocks off a huge square for his concerts.
Apart from being a perfectionist whose concerts include absolutely gorgeous visuals, dress code, music, layout, vibe, colours, lighting & sound, his lightheartedness, getting the crowd involved and all and all, some of his most beautiful traits is bringing young talent to the world.
This is where I also saw our little Amira Willegagghhgggghhggen for the first time. ????
What I chose though was a beautiful song which just showcases his perfectionist qualities. In the mix you’ll also see why I shed a tear or two (“special” dancers).
Enjoy.
Karen
I See Fire – The Hobbit – Ed Sheeran – Peter Hollens
Soundtracks are important to movies not only because they provide a musical structure for the film, but because they emotionally connect the audience to the film.
Often, iconic movies’ soundtracks are just as, if not more, memorable than the films themselves…
This song plays during the end credits of the Hobbit movie The Desolation of Smaug. Director Peter Jackson and his co-producer wife Fran Walsh chose Ed Sheeran to write and perform the tune following the advice of their daughter. “‘I See Fire’ is Ed’s emotional response to the film,” said Jackson. “It’s perfect.”
Sheeran watched the film, wrote the song, and recorded most of it in the same day. “I was allowed complete freedom to create what I thought was fitting for the film, which is very rare, and Peter, Fran and Philippa [Boyens, screenwriter] were always on hand to give notes and pointers,” he said. “The entire team down in New Zealand was out of this world.”
Despite having never played violin in his whole life, Sheeran choose to perform it himself via overdubbing. He tweeted: “I got the chance to produce and play all the instruments on it apart from the cello. Managed to learn violin for a day, hope you all dig it.”
The song was an international hit, topping the singles chart in several countries including New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines and Sweden.
Chrisna
Beauty and the Beast
Wilfred
Toto – Africa (metal cover by Leo Moracchioli feat. Rabea & Hannah)
As they say in the classics, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
So in that vain, let me change the tone a tad. Also, before you ask, this philosophical piece was produced with the help of my trusty assistant.
Music, like the human spirit, is in constant evolution. When it comes to beauty, it is neither stagnant nor formulaic, but rather is found in the various interpretations and transformations of the mundane into the extraordinary. Using Leo Moracchioli’s metal rendition of Toto’s “Africa” as a canvas, we can paint a vivid picture of the multifaceted nature of beauty.
At its core, Toto’s original “Africa” is a passionate ode to a continent that has been the cradle of mankind. It speaks of its vast landscapes, the thunderous rains that bless the parched lands, and the ineffable pull it exerts on the soul. “I bless the rains down in Africa” is not just a lyrical line but a sentiment that underscores the sheer force of nature and its beauty. Moreover, the insistence that not even a hundred men could pull one away from this attraction is emblematic of the undeniable allure of natural beauty — the kind that resonates with the primal instincts within us.
Yet, beauty is not just confined to nature or its original forms. Enter Leo Moracchioli, a virtuoso who sees the world through a metal lens. By metamorphosing Toto’s classic into a metal rendition, Moracchioli showcases the beauty inherent in transformation. Metal, often seen as raw, powerful, and intense, gives “Africa” a new dimension. For many this transformative act is where beauty emerges — in the reimagining of the familiar into something novel and equally captivating. It’s a testament to the idea that beauty can be multifaceted and can be found in the contrasts and juxtapositions of life.
Further testament to beauty’s vastness is Moracchioli’s artistry itself. The mastery over multiple instruments, the genius in scoring a new rendition, the prowess in making an evocative video, and the brilliance in collaborating with other talents – all these components accentuate the depth of his creative vision. It’s a reminder that beauty also lies in skill, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of one’s passion.
In conclusion, the beauty of “Africa” and its metal rendition is a symphony of contrasts — between nature and transformation, the familiar and the new, and the individual and the collective. Like the rains that quench Africa’s lands, beauty too pours down in various forms, nurturing our souls and reminding us of the boundless wonders of both the world outside and the world within.
And if you like, a “reaction” video on this song. Watch it or not, I found it fun.