Deliver Me: Opera mixes with modern music: U2, Pavarotti, Sarah Brightman, Elton John, Martina McBride, Jim Brickman

"DELIVER ME"     SARAH BRIGHTMAN

One of the most accomplished and powerful voices in music history, Sarah Brightman can hit THREE octaves and has recorded in almost a dozen different languages.   She's the voice of "Phantom Of The Opera", "Evita", "Cats", and is the go-to soprano for many of Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic productions.    I'm not a big fan of classical music or Broadway but I caught a duet of Sarah with of all people, KISS' Paul Stanley, and wanted to learn more.    I was reminded of her breathtaking earthquake charity single, Deliver Me, complete with a angelic choir and backing by Enya.    

"MISS SARAJAVO"     U2 with PAVAROTTI

When people tell me they hate country music or they hate rap,......I often tell them, it may not be your favorite genre but I take as a challenge to find some crossover song that they'd love.  For me, operatic music can be painful to my ears.   My iPod of 20,000 songs has about 15 opera type songs on it, but there is something so magical about the collaboration with Bono and Pavarotti on "Miss Sarajavo".    A song about the war-torn starving people who struggled to survive while the Serbian/Bosnian political conflict raged on for years.   During a Miss Bosnia beauty pageant, one contestant held up a sign saying "Don't Let Them Kill Us".     The imagery is striking and captured in this video.

   
"VALENTINE"    JIM BRICKMAN Ft. MARTINA McBRIDE

Flipping channels on your TV, you might have stumbled across the PBS Telethons to raise money to keep their network on the air.   Jim Brickman was featured on a PBS special, Jim is a subtle master at the piano and has created some of most beautiful romantic love songs of all-time.    He's collaborated with artists as diverse as Olivia Newton John, Christian artist Michael W. Smith, Lady Antebellum, even Wayne Brady had a big hit with Brickman.   His music has been described as "new age", greeting card music, but there is no denying the power of his first and biggest hit with Martina McBride.

"YOUR SONG"  (Charity Single)   ELTON JOHN with ALESSANDRO SAFINA

In case you missed my very first blog, here's Elton John singing one of my all-time favorite songs, remixed with a children's choir and opera superstar, Alessandro Safina.  Click the above link to see an incredible piece of music history.

Promises In The Dark: Armin Van Buuren Ft Jacqueline Govaeart, Martina McBride With Pat Benatar and ASIA

"NEVER SAY NEVER"   ARMIN VAN BUUREN FT. Jacqueline Govaert

Trance love song that inspires you with the romantic lyrics and picks up your heart rate with a syncopated techno beat.   The beats remind me at times of Wham!   Jacqueline brings the right emotion to the lyrics and Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren blends the perfect mix of sweetness with raw energy.   From the 2 min. mark to 3 min, it's pure bliss.

"PROMISES IN THE DARK"   MARTINA McBRIDE and PAT BENATAR

From the CMT Crossroads series, two of the most iconic powerful female voices team up for a remake of a 80's smash.  "Crossroads" brilliantly pairs current country singers with rock artists who inspired their music.   ZZ Top with Brooks & Dunn, Steve Miller Band with Kenny Chesney, and Jimmy Buffett with Zac Brown Band were some other notable pairings.    Martina began her career as a rock singer and her "pipes" are still amazing matching Pat note for note!

"WITHOUT YOU"   ASIA

From the mega-selling debut CD from 1982's supergroup, Asia, came this album track that didn't get a video or much airplay but stands among the best Asia has ever done.   "Without You" has it all, grand crescendos of drums, swirling rock guitars, Yes-like moments, keyboard solos, and lyrics that inspire.    The original members released a new CD last year and are working on a 2012 project.

Pay It Forward: Martina McBride, Robbie Williams, and John Lee Hooker

"LOVE'S THE ONLY HOUSE"   MARTINA McBRIDE

Martina packs arguably the biggest female voice in country music with one of her earliest, yet most powerful videos.   Small things in life can mean the biggest things.  A kind word, letting a frustrated driver into traffic, lending an ear when someone desperately needs a ear, even a sweet note in your packed lunch can make someone's day.  Great scene, Martina as a cashier paying for a pregnant woman's groceries when she has no money.   "Pay It Forward" - simple principal, amazing results.

"BETTER MAN"   ROBBIE WILLIAMS

Robbie is one of the biggest selling acts in music history and he's practically an unknown to many in the States.  Originally from the boy band, Take That, Robbie was named the UK's "Greatest Artist of the 90's".   "Angels" set records for chart longevity.   His videos for "Come Undone" and "Rock DJ" are creative, disturbing, and legendary.   "Better Man" is my favorite song by Robbie, simple, sincere, and lyrics that should affect any true man.

"BOOM BOOM"   JOHN LEE HOOKER
The embodiment of the Delta Blues, John Lee Hooker was a sharecropper, a blues pioneer, and as authentic as any artist of any genre.    A true "gangsta", this video captures his talking-blues style and his "don't mess with me" attitude.   I dare you not to tap your feet on this song!   To underestimate his legacy on Southern blues music and electric guitar would be criminal.   He had a notable scene in the Blues Brothers movie which to many was their first memory of this legend.