I've been a bit Sinead-obsessed lately, so here's another. The Times They Are A-Changing has somehow deepened over the years as it turns out to be appropriate for any number of moods and interpretations. Sinead's, listened to today, is both scary and reassuring at the same time. I've never heard anyone do the song with such an escalating emotion as the song progresses.

PS--
And as a bonus track, though this isn't a "great performance," Kris Kristofferson's song about Sinead is a great and wonderful gesture that makes me like Kristofferson a whole lot.

We all know "Unchained Melody" but this clip from him singing it on the Andy Williams Show in 1965 is so simple and romantic.

You can skip over the beginning conversation if you like.


https://youtu.be/m0EBs6uRgtw?si=-zjjzflBQPzZeMcn

.
Here's Roy Orbison singing "Crying" w/K.D. Lang accompanied by a soulful blues harp. Perfection.
.

My gosh, what a beautiful falsetto at the end there. Thanks for this one, John.

Here's an interesting contrast, a short clip of The Beatles' famous first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show:

https://youtu.be/GeguGXadtvo?si=lfRdPIIJOi01LNNl

And the Arctic Monkeys making a dirge of a normally upbeat song in Madison Square Garden. I think Alex Turner is trying to impersonate Paul McCartney too. I cringe slightly but it is unusual:

https://youtu.be/IJCTQFbnvGw?si=LhUy6pW13_qOt-y9

I've resisted posting any Beatles performances because it wouldn't be fair. In my mind, the entirety of the rooftop performance is perfection in so many ways. If you haven't seen "Get Back" produced/directed by Peter Jackson I urge you to watch it.

.

About ten years ago I went on a huge Les Misérables kick that included watching all of the anniversary concerts I could. Here is Norm Lewis at the 25th Anniversary Concert (a semi-staged production), singing "Stars." He is by far my favourite Javert, not only for the strength and beauty of his voice, but for the incredible pathos he brings to the role.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=57QiQDenG0k

Here's a fun song with a great vocal that includes lovely yodeling and fine instrumental solos.

Christine, as a hardcore fan you might enjoy Éponine's gentle "L'un vers l'autre" from the original French concept album, if you don't already know it.

This lovely piece didn't make it into the English version of Les Miz. Maybe the lullaby-like feel kept putting audiences to sleep. Or maybe the producers wanted Éponine to have a little more backbone than this. Or maybe they just had to cut something to keep from paying the cast and crew so much overtime. (As Forbidden Broadway's epic spoof sang, "At the end of the play you're another year older....")

While I'm here, another kind of performance. The reading of a letter. Alan Carr breaks character a few times, but I'll forgive him.