In a mirror, dimly A blog at the intersection of geek, faith and creative writing.

Its the guitar…

Both of these tracks feature fabulous guitar work by Santana and get me every time.

“Into the night” – Santana feat. Chad Kroeger

“Smooth” – Santana feat. Rob Thomas

Valentine

The summer of 1994 was eventful for Alison and I. Our first date was February 5th 1994 and on the weekend of August 5th – six months later – I proposed. On the radio that summer I remember two songs and I honestly cant choose between them so, it’s a tie for “Valentine Song”, firstly “I Swear” by the band All 4 One:

If those lyrics arent enough, there was a dance track kicking around – it was released and re-released several times over – “UR The Best Thing” by the band D:Ream. (there’s a WAY better streaming audio version on the official D:Ream website.

The Power of Love

Valentines is certainly a time for thinking (and singing) about love. Nillson my well have a song that can stop me dead in my tracks, but another that comes close is “The Power of Love.”

Dont confuse this song – there are several with the same title (and I really like the “Frankie Goes To Hollywood” song of the same title, but its a vastly different song without the emotional punch that this one has … or who can forget the “Huey Lewis and the News” song).

The definitive version comes from Jennifer Rush

Celine Dion

Air Supply

Without You

Carrying on the theme of Valentines songs, I have to visit ont that can literally stop me dead in my tracks. It wasnt until the late 80’s that I even knew who the singer was, but it’s one that pulls tears from a deep place inside. I remember walking around campus in the summer of ‘89, and hearing it from one of the dorm windows. I didnt know who the singer was, but it was that song again, and I loitered randomly outside a window in Surrey Court until the song was finished!

According to Wikipedia it’s been recorded by more than 180 artists!

The definitive version that gets me every time was a hit in 1971 for Harry Nillson

For reference though, here’s a few other recordings, none of which quite live up to Nillson.

Nolwen Leroy

Kelly Clarkson

Mariah Carey

Air Supply

Never gonna be alone (Nickelback)

With valentine’s day coming, I felt the need to let the music speak.

(listen)

Time, is going by, so much faster than I
And I’m starting to regret not spending all of here with you
Now I’m wondering why I’ve kept this bottled inside
So I’m starting to regret not selling all of it to you
So if I haven’t yet, I’ve gotta let you know

You’re never gonna be alone from this moment on
If you ever feel like letting go, I won’t let you fall
You’re never gonna be alone, I’ll hold you ’til the hurt is gone

And now, as long as I can, I’m holding on with both hands
‘Cause forever I believe
That there’s nothing I could need but you
So if I haven’t yet, I’ve gotta let you know

You’re never gonna be alone from this moment on
If you ever feel like letting go, I won’t let you fall
When all hope is gone, I know that you can carry on
We’re gonna see the world out, I’ll hold you ’til the hurt is gone

Oh, you’ve gotta live every single day
Like it’s the only one, what if tomorrow never comes?
Don’t let it slip away, could be our only one
You know it’s only just begun, every single day
Maybe our only one, what if tomorrow never comes?
Tomorrow never comes

Time is going by so much faster than I
And I’m starting to regret not telling all of this to you

You’re never gonna be alone from this moment on
If you ever feel like letting go, I won’t let you fall
When all hope is gone, I know that you can carry on
We’re gonna see the world out, I’ll hold you ’til the hurt is gone

I’m gonna be there always
I won’t be missing a word all day
I’m gonna be there always
I won’t be missing a word all day

The Phantom Of The Opera

Comparison of versions:

Sarah Brightman and Antonio Banderas

(did you know that ‘Puss in Boots’ from “Shrek” could sing?)

Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman

Steve Harley and Sarah Brightman

(ok, so who gave them permission to re-write the lyrics?)

Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum

(one minute he’s killing Persians in “300″ then he’s singing, who ever knew he had the voice?)

“Eve of the War” (from Jeff Wayne’s “War of the Worlds”)

“Wild” performing a cover of “Eve of the War” live

now, “Wild” broke up, and two members went on to form the band “Escala” (briefly called “Scala”)

Escala – Kashmir Featuring Slash (of Guns ‘n’ Roses fame)

I know that track – its been done before by the quartet “Bond”. Which version do you prefer:

Bond – Kashmir

Its a good thing that Escala renamed themselves, as YouTube turned up the “Scala” choir cover version of “Enjoy the Silence” (Depeche Mode)

which begs a comparison with other versions of the song:

Depeche Mode (the original)

Cover versions

Tori Amos

Breaking Benjamin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kd680Cz8gg

Yana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvRz0ouXOhw

Van Helsing & Van Giessen

HIM

Lacuna Coil

At the end of the day, my vote rests firmly with Lacuna Coil as being the best cover of this track.

Bryan Adams – “Heaven”

I was listening to a streaming radio station (on Pandora.com) that I’ve trained to play some nostalgic 80’s rock tracks. It played THE PERFECT song for the mood I was in, almost like it was reading my mind.

In a few days it’s the anniversary of my wife and I’s first date – we were married 18 months to the day from our first date – so the date has more significance than Valentines! So, a musical, emotional dedication to 16 years since the first date. (yes, and looking forward to a 15th wedding anniversary in August 2010).

Original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eT464L1YRA

Unplugged

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7b37l_B4vI

Cover versions

DJ Sammy featuring Yanou

Do (unplugged)

Leticia and Tito

Flyleaf – “All around me”

I was listening to a mix over on Pandora, and was introduced to Flyleaf. Wow. Fantastic stuff. I am so glad that I have a 30% off coupon for Borders – I am going to buy a CD this weekend! (who said streaming digital music was killing CD sales?)

Phantom

Is that the phantom of the opera?
Beware the phantom of the opera