Robin Williams Tributes

This post is a little late, but I thought I'd gather a few of my favorite tribute videos to Robin Williams. Certainly one of the funniest people to ever walk this earth.

Seize the Day
Melodysheep probably had my favorite tribute video.


Fire
Robin Williams singing a littel Bruce Springsteen as Elmer Fudd.


Remembering Robin Williams
Ellen put together a pretty nice tribute featuring clips of Robin on her show over the years.


Friend Like Me
Scott Bradlee pays tribute with his piano.

SpinTunes #9 Round 3 Reviews

It's been awhile since my reviews were needed as an alternate judge.  With no guest judge lined up, and John being unavailable this round, I guess it's time to make a come back.

This is how I'll be ranking you...  Was your song DQed?  If not, I simply rank them based on how much I enjoyed them.  Simple as that.  Since I'm not a musician, don't expect much technical feedback.  I focus on the lyrics a lot, and I usually enjoy upbeat songs.  I do read any notes that you may attach to your song on the album.  If you don't provide any background I normally don't do a lot of research to figure out what you may be trying to get across.

MC Ohm-I - Merriam Websters Dictionary And Thesaurus
I don't see how you made a catchy song with this subject matter, but you did.  Outside the box thinking going on here.  I think each round you've gotten stronger, and I can't really find anything I dislike here.  I've enjoyed your work so much that I think I want to hire you for a project after the contest is over.  Start practicing your banjo!

TurboShandy - Ready Player One
I've not read the book, but this song makes me want to read it.  And if there's a movie, I'd see it.  So...well done!  I think the topic helped my enjoyment of the song as well.  I've got a huge collection of books about VR, gaming history, violence in the media...  If only there were banjo...you could have pressed all my buttons.

Governing Dynamics - Blackbirds
I really liked the sound of this, and your vocals.  Didn't really get the story you were telling, although I'm sure if I had read the book I would.  I think this will stick right in the middle of the bunch for me.  If I could connect with it lyrically I'm sure it would be higher.  With banjo...you would have won.

Brian Gray - Maus
Honestly...I was getting bored at the start. But...before I could zone out...the chorus came.  And it made me sit up in my chair as I felt a mild aderaline rush!  Then I got bored again.  Then I got pumped again!  In short I think not knowing the source material kept me from knowing how awesome this probably is.  For now...I was bored with the verses...LOVED the chorus. Maybe if you added banjo to the verses?

Steven Wesley Guiles - Eyes Of The Dragon
I've enjoyed all 3 of your entries so far.  The last round, you flat out owned everyone (imo), but this round not so much.  I enjoyed it, but there were a couple things I didn't care for.  The multiple vocal tracks distracted me at times, and didn't really add anything to the song for me. The other thing I didn't care for....no banjo.

James Young - The Shadow Of The Wind
Although not my favorite song of the round, it felt like it belonged in a movie more so than the others.  At least to me it did.  Was a pretty arrangement, but it's hard for me to rank a more mellow song high when it was a strong round.  I'm beginning to think people didn't get my e-mail telling them banjos were required this round...

Zoe Gray - The Tell​-​Tale Heart
You just creeped me out.  Just sounds really spooky.  Overall I enjoyed it, but it's a little jarring going from the first verse to the chorus.  Almost sounds like 2 songs mashed together musically.  Biggest problem for me (aside from lack of banjo) is the transitions.

Outside In (Album Review)

Album : Outside In

Artist : Shagpile

Release Date : 12th July 2014

Genre : Singer/Songwriter

Homepage : www.shagpile.org

 

 

Wow, it’s been awhile since I reviewed music here.  But with SpinTunes 9 coming up, I guess I should try to get back into the habit.

Recently I was lucky enough to download/listen to Jason “Shagpile” Vare’s new album.  How new is it?  It gets released July 12, 2014.  So...pretty new.  I’ve been following Shagpile on YouTube for years now.  I know for a fact it’s been at least since August 2010...maybe longer.  He’s one of those guys that doesn’t get the views he deserves.  Whatever the reason, it isn’t for a lack of talent.  From the originals to the covers that he posts each song he uploads is worth watching.

The new album (titled “Outside In”) is his 4th solo effort.  When I started listening to it last night I got through the first 3 songs & started to worry the album was going to be full of very sweet sounding ‘missing you/thinking of you’ love songs.  All 3 were very impressive (especially “Lately”), but an entire album of the same thing would get old quick.

Those concerns were soon put to rest, as the next 6 songs took you through a range of stories & emotions.  The album is proof that whatever emotion Jason wants you to feel...he can get you there with just his voice & guitar.  Not that there isn’t anything else to these recordings.  For instance the strings in “Story Time” were amazing, and none of the songs felt empty or left you feeling it needed something.

The last 2 tracks of the album are a bit more quirky than the rest.  But whether it’s zombies or a lullabye that a lot of people will relate to, the quality never falters, and makes this an album you can listen to from start to finish.

I don’t really rate albums or anything...but I will certainly say this is an album you should check out for yourself.  For more details about the album visit his website: www.shagpile.org