Music Sunday

It's been a long time since I did a Music Sunday post, so I figured it's about time! Right!?

Back in February I shared the amazing mash-up of Thinking Out Loud/I'm Not The Only One with Sam Tsui and Casey Breeves. I fell deeply in love with Casey's voice the first time I heard it, especially his lower range, and have been following him ever since and yesterday he posted a video with another collaboration that blows my mind and speaks to my music heart. This time it's with the 2014 winners of Britain's Got Talent, the music theater boyband Collabro. Collabro is 5 guys that have backgrounds in music theater. When they had their first addition for BGT they had only been singing together for about a month, but they blew the judges away, because boy can they sing and build a song up. You will most certainly hear more about these guys in the future. They are still young and I am sure they will evolve and grow over the years to come.

The song they are singing with Casey Breeves is a cover of Bob Dylan's Make You Feel My Love. There are 6 guys and a grand piano, and it will give you goosebumps. Collabro's second album, Act Two, was released in June and it is filled with goodies if  you are into music theatre songs. I know I am!

Collabro have a lot in common with Home Free; first of all they won a televised talent show, they are five guys that can really sing, their songs are built up with their voices and harmonies (although Collabro also uses instrumental backgrounds), their fans are passionate and range from the young ones to the elderly, they share an obvious love and admiration for each other, they seem to be honestly impressed when one of the others sings, and they don't seem to mind sharing the spotlight with each other so there is no obvious front person - they take turns.

They are touring the UK next spring, and if I get the chance I might fly up there to catch them live.

I'll share three videos with you today. First out is the one already mentioned, the collaboration with Casey Breeves - Make You Feel My Love;

Here's their first audition for BGT, I swear I get tears in my eyes watching this;

This third video is a live video from Symphony Hall, Birmingham, this song is on their new album Act Two; Music Of The Night;

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

Wow, time sure flies quickly! I can hardly believe it's Sunday again, already! I know I've been really bad at posting the last few weeks, I've been lacking a bit in inspiration, but it will turn around soon enough.

Usually on Sundays I post something other than Home Free, but today will be different as I'd like to say something about their latest video, Mom.

I LOVE IT!

Also, today is Mother's Day here in Spain, so it's suitable. My Mom is in Sweden, and Mother's Day is still a few weeks away there, but, hey, I'm a Mom and I'm in Spain so it fits like hand in glove, don't you think!

This song is a cover of Garth Brooks song (2014), which was a cover of a Bonnie Tyler song (2013), which she actually heard someone sing somewhere in Nashville. The song is written by Wynn Varble and Don Sampson. (source; Wikipedia)

So, this is to all Moms out there. I hope you have tissues ready, 'cause it's another weeper.

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday (On a Monday)

I was so busy yesterday I completely forgot to do my Sunday Music post, so here it is now, on a Monday, but hey, better late than never as the saying goes. Right?

As you probably have noticed by now I am a fan of talent shows on TV. Nowadays I rarely watch a full episode, but I do like watching bits of them on YouTube, and I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have watched this clip I am sharing with you today. 

This is Calum Scott, on the first audition week of Britain's Got Talent 2015. When Calum enters the stage his sister Jade has just left it, she is the girl back stage. Jade didn't even get one yes from the judges, so Calum is obviously very emotional from the beginning. 

Calum sings a slow version of Robyn's Dancing On My Own, and wow oh wow, I turn into a proper sobbing mess every single time I hear it. 

So, enjoy one of Britain's talents! Oh, and I'm not sure I have ever seen Simon Cowell so pleased with himself as in this clip, or maybe he's just pleased with Calum. Either way, I am pleased with Calum, he is great and I hope to hear more from and about him in the future.

Love//

Carina

Music Sunday

Today I'm sharing something I think most of you have probably seen before, but it is worth seeing it again. Not only because of the absolutely amazing voice, but because of the reminder that we shouldn't judge people by their looks. What I like about this clip is not only Susan's singing, but the reaction from the judges and the audience when she walks out there, and how she sort of puts them all in the corner of shame without even realising it.

This video makes me smile and cry, and it makes me think about how judgmental most of us are, even when we try not to, even when we think we aren't. I think most of us need to try harder. I know I do. I don't see myself as a very judgmental person, quite the opposite really, but from time to time a catch myself thinking something about someone, only by the way the dress or look. I think we all do, but it doesn't make it ok. Just think twice, and remember that you don't want to be judged that way.

I hope you are having a great Sunday, mine is almost over, but it has been a nice one.

Love each other, and love yourselves!

And sing! Singing helps!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

This Sunday I am bringing you something completely different from what I normally give you. I stumbled upon this on Facebook (where else?) a few days ago, and I was absolutely blown away.

This young girl is only 9 years old in this clip and she is self taught. She actually learned singing like this by watching YouTube videos, trying to sound like the singers sounded. Now, this isn't just any kind of regular singing, this is opera, something that takes years and years of lessons and training to master. But not for this girl, she just does it. She was discovered when performing on Holland's Got Talent in October 2013, so I'm sure my Dutch readers are already familiar with Amira.

I don't usually listen to Opera, but this brings tears to my eyes, and I very much enjoy this. Just watch it and listen. This is one of those times when I think that souls are reborn. Because this is an old soul in a young girl singing.

This is, then, 9-year old Amira Willighagen! Today she is 11 and she has an album out.

Emjoy, and leave a comment!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the Eurovision Song Contest that we have here in Europe in May every year. In Sweden this is a huge event, and the hunt for Sweden's contribution officially starts in January every year (although the job in finding songs starts long before that). For 6 consecutive Saturdays the Swedes are sat in front of the telly watching the Melodifestivalen (or Mello as it's commonly called) while artists perform songs. The first 4 weeks will show 10 contributions per week, with the top 2 going straight to the final week, and the 3d and 4th going to a second chance aired week 5. The top 2 of those goes to the final week. These evenings bring family and friends together over some nice food, loud opinions and laughter.

In the end there are 10 songs and artists ready for the big Final week 6. The winner is chosen by the votes of the viewers and jury groups around Europe. I'm not going to get in to the technicalities of how the votes are calculated, but they are.

The winner of all this gets to go to the Eurovision Song Contest, which is held in the country of last year's winning song. 

Nowadays most countries contributions are in English, but there used to be a rule that you were only allowed to sing in the official language of the country you were competing for. This was always unfair because a lot of people understand English, or Spanish, but very few understand Turkish, Polish or Greek. It was fun in a lot of ways, but I prefer it now when I can understand the lyrics of the songs.

Anyway, this is Sweden's winning act, and this year's contribution to Eurovision. There is an official video of this song, but I'm sharing the actual performance that won Melodifestivalen, because the light show is quite spectacular.

This is Måns Zelmerlöw. Måns came in fifth in Swedish Idol in 2005, and he won the first season of the Swedish Let's Dance in 2007. Here is Heroes.

Oh, and beware of his eyes. You might drown if you're not careful. 

Love//

Carina

Music Sunday

I'm having a lazy day today. Listening to music, reading, listening to books, watching telly, writing, and doing some sunbathing. It feels like summer outside. Lush!! 

This is one of my favourite artists, and one of my favourite songs with him, and it is a perfect song for today.

I give you Bruno Mars and The Lazy Song. I love this video too. 

Bruno is second on my list of artists I want to see live. Awesome entertainer!

Have a great Sunday! I'm on my way up on the roof terrace to soak in the sun!

How are you spending your day?

Love//

Carina

Music Sunday

It's Sunday again! I love Sundays, because I get to spend a lot of time surfing YouTube in the hunt for a music video to share here. Sometimes I already know which one I want, but sometimes I don't. Sometimes I change my mind and go with something other than planned.

Anyway, I've been feeling a bit under the weather, so to speak, for a while, but am starting to feel a bit better. I think it's allergies, so it's nothing serious.

So, back to Music Sunday! I had nothing planned for today, so I started the hunt. I've been listening to some of my favourite singers/artists, and also some new to me stuff. A lot of good music, but nothing that felt completely right. And so I decided to go with one of my favourites, when it hit me I should have a look in my likes playlist. That's where videos you have pressed like on end up, so it's easy for you to find. I scrolled down, past all my Home Free likes, and found this gem.

In Europe we have something called the Eurovision Song Contest in May every year since 1956. This is where ABBA got their big breakthrough when they won with the song Waterloo in 1974. Anyway, the ESC is a huge thing in a lot of countries, especially in Sweden. This is a night to gather your friends around, not because of the great music, but because of the fun of voting and discussing all the contestants. This year Australia will join us. Yes, we know Australia is no where near Europe, but the ESC is actually huge down under.

This is Malta's contribution in 2013. It's sung by a guy called Gianluca Bezzina, who is actually also a doctor. I like his voice, and I like the song. What do you think?

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday!
I'm about to do some writing. A new story will be up within a couple of days.

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

Today I want to talk about one of my favourite voices of all times, Jill Johnson. She is Swedish, and she sings country music, as well as other types of music. Jill has been a favourite of mine for many years, and I absolutely love her voice.

Jill has worked with a lot of big names over the years; Rascal Flats, Lionel Richie, Ronan Keating and Nathan Chapman just to mention a few of them. 

Jill recently had her own TV show, on Swedish Television, called Jills Veranda (Jill's porch) where. It was taped in Nashville and featured different country artists. The show was well received by both the viewers and the critics.

She is currently collaborating with a country singer named Doug Seegers, a former homeless street musician from Nashville, that released his debut album last year. Doug has had great success in Sweden, and has also released his album, "Going Down To The River", in USA. On March 27 Jill and Doug's album "In Tandem" will be released. The album is produced by the multiple time Grammy Award nominated producer Joe Chiccarelli, and you will hear The McCrary Sisters on choir and it is said to feature some of the most respected musicians out of Nashville.

This video of Going Down To The River, the title track from Doug's debut album, also features another of my favourite Swedish singers, Magnus Carlson of Weeping Willow.

 Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

Today's choice of music video is Maroon 5's Sugar, The video is filmed when the band spent a day crashing weddings. The look of surprise and joy on the faces of the brides and grooms are priceless. This was already, I assume, one of the best days of their lives, I'm sure the surprise performance didn't make it less memorable to them. This video makes me smile! And smiling is one of my favourite things to do in life! Enjoy!

I hope you are all having a great Sunday!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

I love the sound of this duo. They are husband and wife (Reilly and McKenzie). I'll talk more about them in upcoming post, as they have a part in more than one of Home Free's videos.

I hope you had/ are having a great Sunday! I did!

Love//

Carina

Music Sunday

So, this is my second post for the day. Here's the first one. Yeah, I know, but don't you just love it!

Since it's Sunday it is also time for another music video. Today's choice may have come your way before, you may or may not have checked it out when it has. I saw it pop up on my Facebook feed quite a few times before I actually looked at it. Of course it was late at night when I did, and so I ended up in the YouTube Hole. Once you fall into it it takes hours to get out. One video always lead to another and voilá, four hours later you find yourself still awake and the alarm will wake you up way too soon.

The good thing about the YouTube Hole is that you always discover new things, new artists, new songs. Or old songs and old artists.

Anyway, these two guys do a mash-up of two different songs. They sing one of the songs each, at the same time, and they blend them together perfectly. Not only is the mash-up done very well, their voices are amazing. I particularly love the voice of the guy on the right, Casey Breves, you should check him out on his YouTube channel, he's got some pretty good original songs there, along with a few covers, including a Whitney Houston medley. Yup, and it's good too. I hope and think we will hear more from him in the future. The guy on left, Sam Tsui, also has a great voice and is definitely worth checking out on his channel, as well, he's got a good mix of both covers and original songs there.

Hope you have had, or are having, a great Sunday!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

It's Sunday. I love Sundays here in Southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol, because (more or less) all the shops and supermarkets are closed. The only places open are restaurants and bars. Sundays are days of leisure, of resting and of catching up with yourself and your family. Some people find this stressful, but I think it's fantastic, and I think it should go back to being this way everywhere. There's too much stress in the world today. To me Sundays have become a day of nurturing my inner peace. And I think we all need more of that.

Anyway, one of my all-time favourite films out there is Pitch Perfect, and as most of you know, there is a sequel coming in May. Until then, we can all re-watch and re-listen to this video and song. This video speaks to me, as it is about following your heart and dreams, it's all about nurturing yourself.

Have a great Sunday, everyone! I'll see you next week!

Here's Cups (When I'm Gone) with Anna Kendrick from Pitch Perfect.

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

Every Sunday I plan on posting music that I like. I found these two young, extremely talented and cute sisters last summer, and I fell in love. It's been a while since I heard anything from them, but a few days ago they released this new video. They love what they do, and they love each other. And it shows. Have a look and a listen!

Love//
Carina