Cat Videos
No Cat Video Here
It was inevitable. Especially given the number of stories in which I have referenced “cat videos.” Unquestionably, it was simply a matter of time before I devoted an entire story to the subject. Per a casual Internet search, watching cat videos provides a laundry list of psychological benefits.
Yeah, whatever. Just another prime example of why you cannot believe everything you read on the Internet or Social Media. That is definitely not why I watch cat videos. Fact is, ninety-nine percent of the times, I am watching something other than cat videos. Sorry, kitty, kitty.
All my life I have been a huge fan of music. There was a time I could name most every song that played on my favorite radio station. In four notes or less. And, just about as quickly, I could rattle off the artist and the year the song was released.
These days, instead of listening to the radio, I tune into my favorite music streaming service, YouTube. Via my TV, my computer, my tablet, and my cell phone. And this time the internet got it right. Music is indeed the universal language and music does indeed sooth the troubled mind. And, I am not ashamed to say, brings a tear or two to my eyes more often than not.
What follows is my Top Ten Times Two “Not Cat Videos.” Admittedly, I have not listened to all the millions of songs in the YouTube music library. And to make matters worse, hundreds of new videos are added every week. As such, my top picks changes on a pretty regular basis. Incidentally, you might need more than one or two sessions to listen to all of the following “Not Cat Videos.”
Best Video Awards Goes to…
We’ll begin our music journey with a couple symphonic movie soundtracks. Starting with The Dark Knight Medley by Hans Zimmer. Next selection is A Fistful of Dollars by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra featuring Tuva Semmingsen. Next is the Epic Symphonic Rock version of Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir. Lastly the Sam Haug arrangement of the Beatle’s A Day in the Life which definitely belongs on this short list.
Live performances have got to start with Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane performing White Rabbit at Woodstock (1969). Followed closely by Caroline Esmeralda van der Leeuw and Caro Emerald performing A Night Like This. And The Waifs, featuring Vikki Thorn on harmonica, performing Crazy Train.
Not sure how Vikki managed to huff and puff as long as she did, but wow, definitely gave me goosebumps.
Continuing with great female artists, are Imelda May singing Kentish Town Waltz, and Courtney Patton singing What I Didn’t Say. Next Paloma Faith performs a very moving version of Only Love Can Hurt Like This. Followed by Norah Jones, featuring J. Walter Hawkes on trombone, singing Sinkin’ Soon. Lastly AJ Lee, with The Brothers Comatose, performs one of the smoothest versions of Harvest Moon.
Leading off my favorite groups list is Foxes and Fossils’ version of Telling Me Lies. Followed by the School of Rock’s version of I Want You To Want Me. A cover that sounds way better than the original, in my opinion. Next is Milk’n Blues medley of Miss You, The Happiest Days of Our Lives, Another Brick In The Wall. Lastly, wrapping up this category is a Pomplamoose’s mashup of Every Breath + 500 Miles.
One Final Purr or Two
In my just created, Up and Coming category is a very talented, young group called The Graystones. Their performance of I Can’t Tell You Why is awesome. In my Swinging category is a Tanya Solo Performance and a dance routine by KP Rutland and Bryn Anderson.
In the Honorable Mention category is Dummy Hypnotises Ventriloquist staring Nina Conti with her monkey. Nina has several videos, some of which are for mature audiences. The Perfect Best Man Speech, and Sled Driver: Flying the World’s Fastest Jet are definitely must see videos as well.
It should be noted that the above list is in no particular order. After all, asking me to pick my absolute favorite is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child.