First time I’ve visited this odd ‘n’ ends of yours Hammer…not listened to all of the links yet but enjoyed all so far. Particularly Gerundula from Status Quo.
Oh, and the male choir…I enjoyed that too and so did hubby.
Hi Hammer, thanks for posting link to Brain Damage, crazy words!! Have that album but not played it for a while so good to hear it again and actually managed to listen to it on youtube without waiting for buffer!
You’ve got me into reading the lyrics now and I don’t know if you like Genesis or not but I love Selling England by the Pound and on one of the tracks, I always thought was there’s a bed in my wardrobe but just found it there is no bed in the wardrobe…
I know what I like, and I like what I know;
getting better in your wardrobe, stepping one beyond your show.
When the sun beats down and I lie on the bench,
I can always hear them talk.
Me, I’m just a lawnmower - you can tell me by the way I walk.
Hi Marian, I was never a big fan of Genesis but I liked the stuff they did before Gabriel left. I liked a couple of his albums too.
These two tracks are a little long but they deserve an airing.
This first one was a single and also from Gabriels album : Peter Gabriel (1980)
This one featuring Kate Bush was also released as a single and was included in his 1986 album: So.
This one will live with me for ever as I played it when the chemo treatment was getting me down.
Hi Janela, Thanks, if you liked the choir you might like these two. They are both peaceful but lovely Russian Chant.
Mind you the base section is not quite up to the standard of the Boleyn Ground male voice choir of so long ago. 
This first one is performed by the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir.
Alleluia, Behold the Bridegroom
This one is by the Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir.
Hi Hammer, thanks for the links, I remember these two tracks and have just listened to them. I have the SO album, I prefer Dont Give Up. Glad that it helped you whilst you were having chemo 
I really like what I call old Genesis and not too keen on their latest stuff…
Back in 2009 the shoppers at the Central Market of Valencia were treated to an impromptu rendition of, Parigi, O Cara and the Libiamo ne’ lieti calici from Verdi’s La Traviata, sung by some local singers as a promotion of Opera.
The video has a few problems and so does the soundtrack but take a look at the faces of the shoppers, in a lot of cases sheer enjoyment and some moved to tears.
I wish I had been there.
[URL=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds8ryWd5aFw&feature=fvst”] Opera at the market
Enjoyed this Hammer and what a good way to promote opera
George matey, Fabulous!!! - I loved it - wish it could happen here more often - Opera has always been a passion of mine. A few years ago visited Egypt and saw the Temple at Karnak where some years previously they performed Aida - in the setting where Verdi actually set the story - would love to have been there to see and hear it.
George matey, if you’re into Russian music - listen to this - sadly he’s no longer with us but he had a truly magnificent voice!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIte6b7Ntg0
Thanks for the link Uncle Joe but I prefer the way Nicolai Gedda sings this.
Not really comparable as they are so different in sound but I guess it is personal tastes.
[URL=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxqH5Sy21T0”]
The evening bell
Fantastic Hammer 
I love the spontaneity of the ‘event’
A Friday evening delight especially as it is so near to Christmas.
This is from a Christmas in Vienna concert recorded in 2008 anbd features the young Peruvian Operatic Tenor Juan Diego Florez.
Take a sip of your mulled wine and relax to a quite nice rendition.
Whilst we are at the concert it would be very remiss not to hear the entire company but chiefly yourselves, if you have a mind to, knock out another good tune.
Since it is the season of goodwill we need to get up and bopping.
Why not start off with a bit of nonsense from the Quo?
Lets face it it could have been Criff Lichard but I thought it was too much on a Wednesday.
This was live? on the South Bank in London for the ‘This Morning’ Show a while back.
This aria is from Xerxes by Handel and this version is surprisingly sung by the Russian Barritone, Dmitri Hvorostovsky. I say surprising but only in the fact that it is normal fare for the voices of countertenor, boy soprano or a mezzo-soprano.
I think you will agree this lad makes a fine job of it
The aria is actually sung in praise of the shade that a tree casts. It is a most lovely piece to be enjoyed.
Lovely interpretation Hammer
This aria is from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte and the rendition was admirably performed by Topi Lehtipuu at Glyndebourne back in 2006.
This tenor gives I believe one of the best renditions that I have heard. His voice goes far beyond that of a so called lyric tenor. That said, Jonas Kaufmann and David Hobson both give decent air to the piece.
As to the situation that brings about the aria, our ‘hero’ Ferrando is hanging about the sisters room smugly thinking he is just about to win his bet regarding his ladies faithfullness and so starts to warble in praise of her.
A breath of love
From our treasures
Will offer sweet sustenance
To our hearts.
A heart nourished
By hope, by love
Has No need
Of a greater lure.
Never mind all the spiel, just luxuriate in the warm glow of Mr Lehtipuu.
A few bars from Pink Floyd to rouse everyone from their over indulganced slumbers of Christmas and the New Year.
This is a set closer from the Division Bell tour. I was fortunate enough to be at one of the concerts at Earls Court back in late 94. I say fortunate as we avoided the scaffolding collapse. Looking at this again I had quite forgotton just how fine a live band they were.
This video does not really do it justice and nor does the PULSE DVD really but on the night we went it was sure some spectacle, everyone put in a good shift especially the backing girl trio of Sam Brown, Durga McBroom and Claudia Fontaine.
Superb.
Loved the Pink Floyd clip especially the lighting spectacle and how fortunate you were to see them live
Yes Marion I was lucky enough to see them quite a few times and they were always well worth the ticket price.
A nice one from Snow Patrol, I like this, maybe because I like laying down and doing nothing but dream.