What music are you listening to?

Well, let's not stop there. How about Sharon and Tarja?

Oh God, I love that song beyond all reason. Probably my favorite non-Nightwish symphonic metal (well, there's a couple Epica songs contending as well, but probably).

Speaking of Epica, Simone Simon is another great symphonic metal vocalist.

Another excellent (Dutch) vocalist is Diane van Geisbergen. She was awesome with the German band Xandria.

Something old, something new. The band here, Envy of None, is new, as is its wonderful lead singer Maiah Wynne. But backing her are two rock veterans with probably close to a century of experience between them: Alex Lifeson of Rush and Andy Curran of Coney Hatch (and myriad other projects over the years).

I first saw Helene Fischer on TV whilst visiting Munich. I adored her Christmas concert from the Hofburg, Vienna. That was some six years ago. Imagine my surprise when I found this! I will probably be shot for daring to say that I actually prefer Adam Lambert to Freddie Mercury! 😲

I have heard some of his performances with Queen and Adam was actually a much better substitute for Freddie than I expected. Not sure I would say he is better, but hit more balls out of the park than I reckoned was possible for a guy who came from the TV talent show world.

I have been re-engaging with some old friends, namely the Moody Blues. This song from On The Threshold of a Dream may not be their most popular, but for my money, it is one of their best.

I like The Moody Blues, always have. Justin Hayward has such a distinctive voice.

That got me thinking of another distinctive sound, Procol Harum. Could this be considered a precursor to symphonic metal, perhaps?

Um. Wow. This is a quite a performance. From what I can find out, it's actually two bands, the German Faun and the Swiss Eluveitie. Thanks to our friendly lion for this. I have seen the video kicking around in my recommendations but his posting of it on another site we are both on got me to finally watch it.

Ray Thomas of The Moody Blues died just after their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was announced but before it actually happened. Too bad because he was a key member of the band during their classic 1967-1974 period, writing, singing, and playing various instruments on many songs from that era. He continued, albeit with diminished frequency, in the 80s and 90s incarnation of the band, producing a couple of my favorites of that era. He did have a solo career but it was overshadowed by his work in the Moodies. This song is from From Might Oaks, one of his solo albums.

I discovered Dorothy via my Youtube recommendations a while ago. Solid American hard rock band with an incredible lead singer. Dorothy, BTW, is both the band name and the first name of the lead singer.

Back in the day, I thought of Bad Manners as just another pop band, although I did like them. It is only in recent years that I realised what good musicians they really were.

A Dutch singer who lives in Sweden and fronts a Finnish band is now singing in German. Floor Jansen: multinational, multilingual vocal powerhouse.

And on the home front in the Netherlands, she's been doing some radio and TV performances to promote her recent solo single.

And she's also now on the road with Nightwish, her regular gig.

Easy 80's on Spotify

I love this cover of Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street by Noah Benedikt featuring Cara Vel and the awesomely talented, Sina-Drums.

Been listening to more performances from Sing Meinen Song today, both from Floor Jansen and from some of the others. Some terrific performances and some odd ones. Freunde is by German singer Elif and here covered by Floor Jansen.

And Elif covered "Fire", Floor's recent solo single.

Quote by AnnaMayZing

Nice. Have you posted her before? I am pretty sure this is not the first time I've come across her. Just playing some more from her channel.

Quote by Mendalla

Nice. Have you posted her before? I am pretty sure this is not the first time I've come across her. Just playing some more from her channel.

Yes, I have. A little while ago. Sometimes she reminds me of the beautiful Katie Melua.

I know Katie Melua. Haven't listened to her in a while, though. I like too much music.

Charlotte Wessels, formerly of the band Delain, released a really good video from her recent (2021) solo album last week.

Bleeding across from another thread, here is another non-Pink Floyd track featuring the guitar of David Gilmour.

From the 1986 Berlin Album, Count Three and Pray, this is Pink and Velvet. (It's great LOUD!)

Sadly, because he passed away yesterday, Vangelis.

R.I.P. Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou A.K.A. Vangelis. A supremely talented musician who will be sorely missed.

From Jon & Vangelis, his collaboration with English vocalist Jon Anderson (best known as the co-founder and longtime lead singer for Yes). They did four albums together and there's a couple "Best of" collections out, too.

This is from a new Finnish prog band called EGRES. I discovered them courtesy of the lead singer's sister (she's also friends with the composer), who I know on another website. I am quite impressed. Sadly, the singer had to leave for various reasons and a new lead singer debuted recently at a concert. Album is due out in June.

"Do you see the light?"

"The band!"

Even as she tours with Nightwish for the first time since 2018, Floor Jansen has put out a second solo single. The video was shot in Helsinki when she was there doing a warm-up gig before the tour. Due to her Nightwish and other commitments, Floor's debut original solo album (she has a solo live album out but it is all covers or material from her various bands) isn't due for another year but the anticipation is already building in her fan community.

I have never watched any of Stranger Things but any series that can put Kate Bush back on the musical map is by definition a favorite of mine. The song in question is "Running Up That Hill" from 1985's The Hounds of Love, which apparently plays a key role in Season 4. One of my favorite performances of the song is this one from 1987 featuring Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who has a long history with Kate going back to the beginning of her career (he had a hand in getting it started).