I had a similar epiphany recently at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip watching Tommy Emmanuel for the first time. His extraordinary talent aside (I was absolutely gobsmacked - first time I've ever used that word, but I've been reading Bob Spitz's great Beatles bio...), I found the spirit that animated his performance to be truly inspirational. It reminded me of the tremendous power you mention -- to fill a room, the air, the world, with vibrations that create harmony and a commonality of emotions among listeners. Its universality is unquestionable (have you seen the wonderful YouTube intercutting performers from all over the globe, singing "Stand By Me" in their own way, and yet all merging into a coherent, beautiful arrangement?). One of the reasons I have so much antipathy towards shows like "American Idol" (or "American Idolt", as I call it), is that it subverts the spirit of music, which is grounded in giving, sharing, harmony, and shapes it into a weapon of ego and greed -- it becomes a shouting match, rather than a communing of souls and spirits. Music shouldn't be misused and bent into a blunt object with which to beat an opponent. But we can expect nothing more from the minds that create TV shows as vehicles to create controversy (good for business/promo), and pander to our more primal instincts. I probably would have left the pizzeria (pizza in hand, of course) the moment I saw your Karaoke Man setting up, fearing the inevitable "Feelings", etc., and impassioned but usually grating performances, but that doesn't mean I'm not happy to see non professional musicians using technology to share their joy and delight in the music that moves their souls. May their lives not go unsung, and their audiences be filled with nothing but good vibrations. Everybody is a star.


I noticed you're watching "Once". One of my favorite movies of recent times, dealing with musicians, and filled with wonderful songs and live performances. A beautiful movie that I raved about to all my friends.

 

talk about finding a diamond in the dung, you do have a marvellous way of seeing the world around you. Seriously, that is a gift.

Parkstreet.

 

Elizabeth,
When I lived on the East Coast a lady who owned a local karaoke production company used to hire me to play with her machine behind me. Apparantly she thought it would impress potential clients. Cheesy as it was it provided a good income for a while.
Hey! We'll do almost anything if the pay is right eh? Best wishes to you my friend!
 

wow, elizabeth. you seem really taken by this karaoke thing.


does this signal maybe a career change?

merry xmas.


john h
 

I'll admit it, I like Velveeta once in awhile, even though it's a manmade substitute for real cheese.
Sounds like you experienced the musical equivilant of a Velveeta moment :)
 

Hey Elizabeth --

Reading this made me smile. Honestly I thought there would be a negative to the karaoke, however you translated his joy into your words. I don't think it mattered if he was good or not (I'll go with not .. because karaoke as a rule generally is "Not") It just seems like he loved singing and you felt that...

thanks for sharing

David
 

Cool.

 

I just found this Elizabeth! Really wonderful. It's true...some people just know how to connect and the means is secondary. As the years go by I find that I'm drawn to that sense more and more (over hip~deep~brainy~political~social driven stuff). Here in the subways in nyc some of the greatest performance have the quality you so beautifully describe. Recently a guy came on the subway proclaiming he lived on the subway...and that we all should clean up...he was expecting company...we all laughed uncontrollably!... Of course some artists have it all and that's incredible when that happens.

 

This was really interesting. You know, I've never even SEEN a public karaoke machine, but I think watching someone use one would be rather transfixing. I just love watching people and I know that if I had been there, too, it would have been a great evening for me as well.
:0)
 

poetry and live music...ah-h-h-h. btw - LOVE Once...makes me smile every time i watch (or listen to the soundtrack)...another really great movie: diving bell and the butterfly (three kleenex warning!).. 
 

Loved your descriptions Elizabeth. I loved your changing emotions. Still loving your music. Leo.x..

 

WHAT A GREAT THING TO SHARE WITH US. THANK YOU, GOD BLESS. SINCERELY PHIL.
 

I enjoyed reading this so much and it is so true how a machine and many people can bring things into life even if the singing is not the greatest it is the very fact that people are laughing and smiling!  I also enjoy poetry readings and slams as well and have read in a few and yes, even have done the karaoke thing a time or two as seen over at my place...lol...you not only sing excellent you write excellent as well and thank you for sharing your smiles with us...Bev B
 

Nicely put!  Bravest thing of all to stand in front of a crowd and just open your mouth and sing!