Best Performances ever

This page contains some of my favourite performances, as viewed on the wonder that is the internet. You can spend hours trawling through rubbish to find the diamonds on YouTube. Here is my own personal selection, cherry picked for being awesome. These videos each contain something that makes the hair on my arms stand up or moves me to tears.

Enjoy…

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This is an unbelieveable piece of real-time visual art. It is one of the most incredible and moving perofrmances I’ve ever seen. She tells the story of the Ukraine’s history with the Nazi bombings etc in sand sculpture. Breath taking.

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The middle section of this tune (where it differs from the album) conatins one of the most gracefully executed build ups I’ve ever heard. Every band member plays beautifully throughout, but the build and the second guitar solo are perfect.

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Elbow – immaculate vocal peformance, gorgeous strings, a wonderful song. There is hope for live music in the UK when bands like Elbow can make a sound like this. No bullshit, no overdubs, live and for real.

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Another live at Abbey Road performance, with a crack team of musicians in the band, but check out the story of how Melody Gardot became a singer. Mental!! Her delivery on this is effortless and beautiful.

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The Bad Plus. Without doubt, the rudest mother f&*kers in Jazz. If this doesn’t raise your pulse, you might well be dead.

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When Joan Osborne wails and those drummer go for the fills towards the end of this song I get a lump in my throat every time. Every time. And I’ve been watching this clip for years. Incredible.

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Anthony Jackson, Anthony Jackson, Anthony Jackson.

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Tommy Emmanuel is possibly the finest guitarist in the world. If he ever plays near where you live, go see him. You will be amazed. One man, one guitar, so much music.