Get Smart gets Ska

Remember Get Smart? If you’re of a certain age, you saw this when it was broadcast, or if you’re slightly younger, you saw it on reruns on Saturday mornings, or you might even have come across the 1990s remake, which I haven’t watched yet.

Anyway, the theme song was great. It’s instantly recognisable and the Melbourne Ska Orchestra did a great version of the Get Smart theme song with a ska beat. If you liked the original I think you’ll love this. Great video too!

Get Smart ska style.

The One-Minute Time Machine

You have probably seen the short film, One-Minute Time Machine already as it was originally released in 2014, but the YouTube channel it was on closed earlier this year. The creator of the film, Devon Avery, uploaded it to his own channel last month, and I think it’s worth another watch.

I’d love to comment on it but then that would spoil the whole thing. Go watch it!

Liza Minnelli – We Are The Champions

Liza Minnelli’s performance at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992 is an iconic moment that will be remembered by fans of both Queen and Minnelli for generations to come. Her rendition of “We Are The Champions” was a poignant tribute to the late Freddie Mercury, and her powerful performance was the perfect way to honour his legacy.

Minnelli’s unique style and voice are well-known to fans of musical theatre and film, but her interpretation of “We Are The Champions” added a new dimension to the song’s emotional impact. She brought her own brand of theatricality to the performance, infusing the song with a sense of drama and intensity that perfectly captured the spirit of the tribute concert.

The emotional impact of the song was not lost on the audience, either. As Minnelli belted out the lyrics, the crowd responded with cheers and applause, clearly moved by her passionate performance. This emotional connection was undoubtedly strengthened by the fact that Freddie Mercury adored Liza Minnelli – their close friendship was well-known, and he had expressed his admiration for her movies and songs many times.

One of the most memorable moments of Minnelli’s performance was when all the other performers came on stage to sing behind her, arm in arm, celebrating Freddie Mercury with a song he wrote. This spontaneous moment of unity and camaraderie was a fitting tribute to the man who had brought so much joy and energy to the music industry. George Michael, who was also performing at the tribute concert, hugged Minnelli and joined in the group sing-along with the other performers, creating a powerful and emotional moment that brought the entire audience together.

Personal anecdotes about Minnelli’s performance abound, adding depth and interest to the story. One notable example is the fact that she was not initially scheduled to perform at the tribute concert – she was asked to step in at the last minute after another performer dropped out. Despite the short notice, Minnelli rose to the occasion, delivering a performance that was both passionate and heartfelt.

In the broader context of the tribute concert, Minnelli’s performance played an important role in honoring Freddie Mercury’s legacy. “We Are The Champions” is one of Queen’s most popular songs, played at many sporting events, and its enduring popularity is a testament to the impact that Mercury had on popular culture. By choosing to perform this particular song, Minnelli not only paid tribute to Mercury’s musical talent but also acknowledged his impact on the wider world.

In conclusion, Liza Minnelli’s performance at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert was a memorable and emotionally charged moment that will live on in the annals of music history. Her interpretation of “We Are The Champions” was a powerful tribute to Freddie Mercury and his enduring legacy. Tthe spontaneous sing-along that followed was a fitting tribute to the man who had brought so much joy and energy to the music industry. With her unique style and voice, Minnelli brought a new dimension to the song’s emotional impact, creating a performance that will continue to inspire and move audiences for generations to come.

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons played by London Concertante

London Concertante in St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. March 2022

We haven’t been to a concert in a long time. Last night I went to St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral in the heart of Cork City to listen to London Concertante.

My son has shown a huge interest in music over the course of lockdown. He started with an electronic keyboard, and then on to other instruments. I know Matt would be delighted to hear he has expressed an interest in learning the saxophone too.

Anyway, we heard that there would be a classical concert in the Cathedral so we had to go. It was an amazing night. I’ll admit I don’t know much about classical music. I recognise the most popular compositions everyone else recognises. But despite that it was a feast for the ears.

In the video above they play Vivaldi‘s Four Seasons. I can’t imagine there’s anyone reading this who won’t recognise this fabulous piece of music.

PS. I shared this video on Facebook too and received a copyright strike. Luckily, I could dispute it without penalty and it was not muted “in 74 territories”.

A Dog Named Beau

Today is the day I first heard actor Jimmy Stewart read his poem about his dog Beau. You should hear it too. It’s beautiful.

A dog named Diego

I can’t post something about dogs and not include a photo of my dear little Diego. His muzzle is a little greyer than in the photo above but he’s still a puppy at heart, loving to play and go for walks. He’ll also happily accept cuddles, sit on your shoe for comfort, or curl up in a ball on top of you if you’re relaxing on the couch.

Storm Barra is upon us

Gusts of 130km/h were predicted and a gust of 156km/h was recorded off Fastnet Lighthouse but it’s not been too bad in Blarney yet. Fences are still standing and the wheelie bins are tucked away safe!

Cork Beo have live updates on their website as the City has all but shut down and the river has started to flood surrounding areas. It’s a good day to stay inside if you can!

Robin

Mork calling Orson, come in Orson!

This video gave me goosebumps. It’s my first time seeing Jamie Costa as Robin Williams and I swear it’s like seeing a young Robin again.

The nostalgia effect of Jamie’s costume and seeing the red space suit, brings me back to the 80s when I watched reruns of Mork and Mindy on TV. Amazing.

Thanks Cesar for sharing the video.

Damn it, I hate when links rot. The post I published on the day Robin died has a couple of links and a video which are no longer available. One link is behind a paywall, the other I’ve restored via archive.org but I have no idea what video I shared that day.

Edit: the video of Jamie Costa has been removed so I added a screenshot from this deepfake video.