Fun winter-music duet on keyboard

(...because if it's not about Christ, it's not Christmas music)

Jim Caviezel, Chicago... and Christopher Walken

This is pretty funny. Jim Caviezel (of the movie The Passion of the Christ, and the TV series Person of Interest) with Chicago's Keith Howland, doing "If You Leave Me Now" — as Christopher Walken.

Christmas medley flash mob

(Thanks to Tom Westervelt)

"Hallelujah Chorus" flash mob from Simpson College

Thanks to m'man Chris Brauns for that.

The sound quality isn't the best, but actually it adds to the experience, I think. But I did have a rueful chuckle at how, after this glorious and un-erasably Christ-exalting marvel of a song, they conclude with a gutless "Happy Holidays"!

Still, my favorite "flash mob" version stands as this one from last year.

Terrific concept, glad it's still being done.

Sugar Plum Fairy by P.Tchaikovsky - Glass Harp LIVE

I'm kind of funny, in that I don't tend to categorize "Christmas" music as Christmas music unless it has something to do with, you know, Christ. So I've never perfectly understood what "The Nutcracker" has to do with Christmas.

But my family likes it, it's Christmas-season music, and this is pretty terrific.

(Thanks to reader Philip Priddy for the tip; others followed)

Music from the coming robot overlords takeover

Discovered by BSIL — who must now live as a marked man:

Just for the drummers: "Pretty" Purdie's ghostnotes

I'm musing several ideas for posts, and (A) haven't had time to write them out, plus (B) am unsure at which blog to plant 'em.

In the meanwhile...

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie's explanation and demonstration is fun and painful for any drummer to watch.

If it were a Tweet, the hash-tag would be #YouWillNeverDoThis.

Monday Music: "Mr. Sandman" by Pomplamoose

We enjoyed their take on "Beat It" and "Favorite Things." Here they are with a smooth, fun "Mr. Sandman."

Now, the song actually ends at about 2:10, the rest is the usual random stuff. It's actually kind of cute... but don't feel obliged. That material will not be on the test.

Not-exactly-music Tuesday: Steven Wright

Music video: "TSA Is Patting You Down," by Bronn Journey

For Phil Johnson... well, and me, in a a few months.

(Thanks, Barbara Jackson)

Good Friday/Easter video and shared thoughts on the Cross

Blessed Good Friday, friends.

Here's how we'll put our minds there. First, enjoy this video suggested by reader Susan:

Second, share what verse in the Bible is standing out in your mind at this moment as most revealing and meaningful to you concerning Christ's work on the Cross that Friday. We won't hold it to you as your here-I-stand position-statement on the most important verse in all of Scripture; just share what is standing out now, as you sit before your monitor.

Warming up to the topic: my surrface thought is actually a carol. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight" is sung of Christ's birth, in "O Little Town of Bethlehem." It occurs to me that this applies richly to Easter as well.

The Scripture I go to is Ephesians 1:7 — "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." I think of that verse a lot; I often reflect on it as I partake of the cup in Communion.

The redemption rests on the truth that I was born a slave to sin, unable to obtain my own freedom. By nature, thought and choice, I was sold over to rebellion against God. I was a captive, willing and helpless, miserable of my bondage but wanting no part of the real God. It took a miracle to liberate me.

The blood reminds me that my salvation is objective and external, in this sense: it did not rise from within me. It was not improvement, enlightenment, a new leaf. It was conceived, bought and paid for by the Son of God. It was not a philosophy or a program of moral improvement that He taught. It was Him dying, Him pouring out His personal life in His blood, that purchased my release. My release was not secured by, and is not retained by, my feelings of piety or deeds of holiness. It was in spite of both. It was secured and is maintained by the infinite value of the blood of the Son of God.

And this blood secures both freedom and forgiveness. All my sins were atoned for by His blood. This includes my sin yesterday, and my sins today, for all my sins were future on that Friday; so all my sins were encompassed by His blood atonement.

All this is in Him, borne by His strong, immense shoulders, with the undergirding of His eternal resolve and His impeccable character. Apart from Him, nothing of lasting good. In Him, all good and blessing and hope and joy.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

What Scripture stands out to you, and why, Christian friend?

A whole drum solo on a snare drum: bo-ring?

Not if you're Carl Palmer, it isn't.

Thanks to reader Philip Priddy for the suggestion.

Now, for bonus points: why does this have me thinking, of all people, of Charles Spurgeon?

Talent on the street - what's the story?

As a sometime drummer, I tell you: I'd like to see this guy spend some time with a real drum kit.

Here's a set of three more:

In each case, there's a lot of talent and discipline; in each case, as we see the snapshot, it isn't going anywhere.

There's a story there, clearly. What I wonder:

• Are we seeing this side of Proverbs 22:29?
• Or are we seeing that side of Proverbs 23:29-35?
• Or something else?

Hymn: "...Evolution Made Them All"

H-T a tweet from Phil:

Evolution Made Us All from Ben Hillman on Vimeo.

Two Christmas-themed Pomplamoose Hyundai commercials

We've featured Pomplamoose a couple of times in our musical meanderings (here, and here). Seems Hyundai noticed them too, and has cleverly worked their stylings into a couple of seasonal commercials. Here they are, thanks to DAOD:

...and...

...in which I give the Today Show its due

As you might guess, I'm no great fan of the Today Show. But wow, this is a work of art. What precision timing it took! Hokey smokes, and how many takes did they have to do?

Thanks to Al for the tip.

Another Hallelujah Chorus popup choir (I like this one even better)

(H-T Challies; I'm calling it "Monday Music" in the tag, so that it's included with the other music)

Think this kid has a future in music - and two bonuses

Thanks to a recommendation from Julie, here's three-year-old Jonathan conducting the fourth movement of Beethoven's fifth.

Dude conducts with all four limbs! (Needs to bring a hankie to the stand, next time.)

But note: Jonathan is not just an admirer. He's a budding performer.

Not sure what the sib in the background is playing.

If he keeps this up, I've no doubt that by age seven he'd be able to give the likes of the next little fellow a run for his (parents') money.

"Too Late to Apologize," 4th of July music video

(h-t, mirabile dictu, Justin. BTW, the meta of his post starts off typically for that site, with hand-wringers immediately [I gather] proposing that we in fact should apologize and come back under British rule. However, as is not always typical, some pretty solid answers are brought to bear, and are prevailing... at the moment. As I've often said, Justin commonly combines some of the very best resources on the web, followed by some of the very worst meta's.)

"Mommy Rhapsody"

Mommy Rhapsody from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

(Thanks to reader JTW for the tip!)