Tune In

This is a bit of a strange one. This Russian singer called 'Vitas' is clearly full of himself. It's not clear why for about the first minute, then there is a bit of a surprise.

Apparently he's tied to the Lucia di Lammermoor opera in The Fifth Element. I could be wrong. Perhaps he's just someone who has sung it. I didn't think it was worth the trouble to research.

Speaking of Lucia di Lammermoor, here's someone on YouTube that posted themselves singing it. It's pretty impressive to see a human doing it rather than a blue alien.

Back to Russia, now. This is Vladimir Vysotzky singing the Russian folk song Koni Privyeryedlivyye (Fastidious Horses). I first heard it in the movie White Nights. There's a scene where Baryshnikov dances to it. The scene is also on YouTube if you want to see it. Powerful stuff. I've found the English lyrics.

This one was hugely popular, so you've probably seen it. It's one of those "feel good" moments from Britain's Got Talent. Pretty impressive, to say the least.

Off to north-west Africa for a little Berber music. This is a lullaby called A Vava Inouva. Can't remember where I first heard it, but I stumbled across it as a fan of World music and have loved it since. I found an English translation of the lyrics in a discussion forum.

Over to England, now. I grew up watching Rolf Harris on the telly. This one brings back memories of the Rolf Harris show on the BBC. He did some amazing "speed paintings", as well. That link isn't the greatest, but dig around a bit and you can probably find a better one.

I can't really do any music posting without including a personal favourite of mine. This one is a bit rare, too. Vanessa Mae playing Tocatta and Fugue on an acoustic violin. Here's the same on her more usual electric violin. I like both. For a little range, there is this amped-up version of Cotton Eye Joe. Oh, and she's hot. In case you failed to notice.