This is truly amazing.
More often than I care to admit I open up YouTube and watch Paul Anka doing his big band version of Nirvana’s song Smells Like Teen Spirit. I thought you might like to see it too.
Turn up your speakers and press play.
When someone claims musical influences as diverse as The Beatles, Bjork, the Motown sound and the Carpenters, you’re assured that their music won’t be anything ordinary. Shelley Harland’s music is indeed extraordinary.
Commuting between Sydney, New York and London, she combines a range of influences to create her own unique sound. She recently joined me on the phone for a radio interview on 98.5 Sonshine FM.
The song in the video, Wonder, is the first single to be lifted from her soon to be released album, Red Leaf.
Shelley has collaborated with a range of artists including John Cale from the very influential Velvet Underground who commissioned her to work on some of his recent releases.
You can hear my conversation with Shelley by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.
On a previous visit to Perth, Kate Miller-Heidke was invited on stage with Cyndi Lauper to help her sing Girls Just want to Have Fun. It’s a song that Kate could certainly make her own because she’s been having fun with music ever since she was very young.
Kate will be on stage with her band tomorrow night at Fremantle’s Fly by Night Club. This morning she joined me on the phone during my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM.
Kate is someone who refuses to be put in a box musically. She has performed everything from opera to pop music and won a diverse range of awards for her extensive musical skills.
If you’d like to listen to our conversation just click the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.
In November 2006, at the age of 69, Graham Laycock passed away while travelling in Thailand.
Graham had lived a remarkable and inspiring life and at the time of his death he had completed the first draft of his autobiography. Editor Chris Walker took that draft, and doing his best to stay faithful to Graham’s own words, completed the book which has now been released under the title What Colour is the Wind?
Losing his sight at an early age was only one of the challenges that Graham faced throughout life. He took on everything life threw at him and came out on top.
He was a man of many passions. He was passionate about educating sighted people about the life of a blind person. He was passionate about his career in physiotherapy. He was passionate about helping others to reach their full potential, whatever their ability or disability. Above all he was passionate about his faith in Jesus Christ. He preached all over the world and loved to share his faith with others.
Graham Laycock was also an accomplished musician. He made playing guitar look easy but his talent was backed up by constant practice. He was inspired to continue developing his musical talent after meeting the legendary Nat King Cole. It was Nat who encouraged him to keep practicing and developing as a musician.
I recently spoke about the book and about Graham’s life with his widow, Peggy Laycock on 98.5 Sonshine FM. You can hear more of Graham’s story by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.
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