Antony & The Johnsons: Hope There's Someone

This entry goes under the "Songs That Stopped My In My Tracks" category.

I first discovered Antony and The Johnsons after seeing the video clip that accompanied his song, Hope There's Someone on ABC-TVs Saturday night music program, RAGE. I was immediately captivated by the vocal on this song. The voice seemed to be like nothing I had ever heard before. High-pitched, plaintive, feminine, vulnerable, unique. It is a voice that goes straight to the heart.

About his performance on the 8th of September in Copenhagen, one person wrote, "I was crying from the start to the end. Oh my, he's amazing." Time and again, people talk about the voice: "this is such an amazing song...it gives me the shivers everytime i listen to it"; "Amazing voice. This song really tugs at the heartstrings."; and "Antonys voice just reach inside to your very heart and grasp it..." (Ok, the grammar may not be very good, but I know what the writer means).

You will either love this singer and his beautiful songs, or you will probably hate him. Here is Antony performing a live version of Hope There's Someone. Unfortunately, neither the date or the location are mentioned on the YouTube site where this clip is located. Never mind. It is just as beautiful anyway. Look, listen, and weep.

HOPE THERE'S SOMEONE


Since you are listening to Antony, why not take the time to check this clip for the song My Lady Story, from the same concert...

MY LADY STORY

Now that you've heard the songs, and seen the performer, go out and buy his albums, and catch him live in concert.

In this age of homogenised hit factory pap that masquerade's as popular music, a voice (and talent) as unique as Antony's deserves to be seen and heard far and wide.

Oh, and visit the Antony and The Johnsons website...

Classic Videos: Weapon of Choice

When I first saw the video for the Fatboy Slim song, Weapon Of Choice, I was completely blown away. The shock of seeing the actor, Christopher Walken dance was amazing enough, but to see him dance with such joy and enthusiasm, turns this into one of my all time favourite music video's.

Christopher Walken is one of the great American character actors, up there with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Dennis Hopper, and many other great actors of his generation. I don't think I've ever seen Walken act badly in any movie, or not give 110% in every role, no matter how small. His performance opposite De Niro, and Meryl Streep, in the movie The Deer Hunter in 1978 put him on the acting map.

His brief monologue as Captain Koons in Pulp Fiction remains a genuine classic. Sadly, this man, who is one of the great acting talents of the past 40 years or so, seems to have been relegated to minor support roles and bit parts throughout most of his acting career.

I can't understand why great directors like Martin Scorsese, or the Coen Brothers haven't given this man the starring role he deserves. But hey, what would I know? Ok, don't get me started...

Anyway, back to the video. The director was Spike Jonze, who has directed a bunch of other great music videos, some of which I will write about as time goes on.

You can visit a very good unofficial Christopher Walken website here...

But before you do that, do yourself a favour and watch Chris strut his stuff to Fatboy Slim's, Weapon Of Choice...

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