History AwesomeMusic / Music

* [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVRJdMxf_nuCR6C1ZMgn7Ug Derek]] [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLLnIcQll56hJ89dDin4UcA & Brandon]] [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjMZjGhrFq_4llVS_x2XJ_w/featured Fiechter]] compose instrumental theme music styled after many different regions of the world. All of it is very beautifully composed.

*** Wiki/TheOtherWiki lists a large number of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Father,_Strong_to_Save variant verses]] that can be plugged into this hymn for many petitions on behalf of not only the military, but military families, astronauts, doctors and others. There are even [[HypocriticalHumor a few that plead for people to stop writing new verses]].

* AwesomeMusic/{{Progressive}} (Both Prog. Rock and Prog. Metal)

** AwesomeMusic/{{Pendulum}}

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaIZhKkgteA "Hopeless Wanderer""]]. Mumford & Sons just [[UpToEleven topped themselves.]]

* Russian Orthodox music also deserves a mention, for several reasons. One, there is a tradition of Oktavists. They are like a ''BassoProfondo'', except [[UpToEleven even lower]]. Two, it includes full voicing, including regular tenors, baritones, bass-baritones, basses, and bassos profondos, in addition to the Oktavists. HOWEVER, the Oktavist, of which there is usually only a small number singing or in the building, will often be louder and easier to hear than any of the other singers. Perhaps is this nowhere more evident than in the work of the late Vladimir Pasjukov, and, perhaps, no song shows this as much as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN4TbjI4F74 "Abandon Me Not In My Old Age"]]. This performance in particular is especially awesome, as this song is normally sung by two or three oktavists. [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome Pasjukov is not backed up by any other Oktavists or any amplification. THAT IS ALL HIM.]] As one of the deepest-voiced oktavists, and one of the deepest-voiced men of all time, his passing is one that, unfortunately, passed under the radar. For a man who can sing so powerfully and beautifully not to be better-known in the west is truly [[TearJerker sad]].

* Of all the musical tributes to Michael Jackson after his death, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R12QVtuB0_Q this medley of his songs]] by Sam Tsui is the most astoundingly awesome and TearJerker worthy of them all. And while we're on the subject of Mr Tsui, also check out his amazing cover versions of "Don't Stop Believin" by Music/{{Journey}}, "Run" by Snow Patrol, and a High School Musical song.

*** AwesomeMusic/{{Nightwish}}

** AwesomeMusic/{{Genesis}}

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqDBB0no6dQ Pancreas]] is a style parody of Music/TheBeachBoys, specifically Brian Wilson's Music/{{SMiLE}} album, that reveals an intimate knowledge of all things Wilsonian on Al's part. Of course, the song contains tons of unique instruments and awesome vocal harmonies, especially at the end.

* Don McLean's "American Pie" is an eight minute long tribute to the Baby Boom generation. And it's amazing.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d41l96fTMpM This performance]] of "The Bonny Swans" by Loreena [=McKennitt=] and her band. Even if you don't care for [[MurderBallad the story the lyrics tell]], it's got a a violin, and piano and an electric guitar sounding ''awesome'' together. And Loreena's voice.
** More awesomeness by [=McKennitt=]: "The Mummer's Dance," "All Soul's Night," and her brilliant adaptation of Alfred Noyes' "The Highwayman."
* Anything by Beirut. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-mqhkuOF7s "Elephant Gun"]] brings the level of ukulele awesomeness up about four million points, and then when the strings and the accordion and the trumpet kick in- live, it creates hordes of swaying, dancing onlookers.
** "The Gulag Orkestrar" is similarly INCREDIBLE. "They called it mine," indeed.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItugh-fFgg ALL YOUR BASE-BASE-BASE! ARE BELONG TO US!]]
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE6emvdmg-M There's also an excellent version]] with the lyrics set to the music of [[Music/{{Queen}} "Bohemian Rhapsody"]].

* "Bitter Sweet Symphony"by Music/TheVerve
* "Message to My Girl" by Split Enz.
* "Acid" by Ray Barretto. Oh, so brilliant.
* Music/LemonDemon's "Ask For Nothing" is one of those songs that seems uninteresting the first time, but gets better every time you listen to it. Even though on first listen it sounds like the time signature is screwed up, it's actually in 4/4. It's just disguised as what appears to be 17/8. That takes skill.
** Also of note is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPFYAd96WqE Bad Idea]], at least for "Too Much Spare Time" for the flash work, and [[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7084489538066105747 Word Disassociation]] for getting away with WordSaladLyrics, and still being awesome.

* "Bittersweet Symphony".
* "Message To My Girl" by Split Enz.

** AwesomeMusic/FreeBand

* Mairead Nesbitt playing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wzMfSiOkMQ Granuaile's Dance.]] Take Grace Kelly's dancing, add phenomenal violin skills, and you have Mairead. Made even better if you know [[PirateGirl who]] [[LadyOfWar Granuaile]] [[CrazyAwesome was]].

* AwesomeMusic/ParryGripp

* [[https://mabelpines.bandcamp.com/track/my-way Mabel Pines' cover]] of [[Music/FrankSinatra "My Way"]]. Words simply cannot do it justice.

[[folder:Jazz]]
* Music/DukeEllington. Period. He's the one who first showed that jazz could be taken seriously apart from pop music and he was the guy Gershwin listened to for inspiration not to mention he may have the record for compositions by '''any''' American composer...and that's not even enough to be considered a ''short'' intro!
** ''The Harlem Suite'' probably takes the cake here, with his swelling blues from the start to the cool swing, and back to the moody blues culminating into a awesome, jazzy, and slow march to the end. Bonus points for having been (at least initially) commissioned by Arturo Toscanini, and being a jazz piece that has been, and is still, played by classical orchestras today.
* As if Pharaoh Sanders and John Hicks weren't amazing enough already, they came together and made [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eeBaIUrdec "You Got to Have Freedom"]], which is just too amazing for words. The intro alone is a minute straight of John Hicks working wonders, and that's before the vocals kick in.
** "Creator has a Masterplan" certainly applies too.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U40xBSz6Dc "Rhapsody in Blue"]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zIe8FzV74U "Concerto in F, 3rd Movement"]].
** Since we're talking Gershwin... [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_XMUvnT_aQ "Cuban Overture"]] is ten minutes of pure ''fiesta''. And the ending ''will'' make you want to get up and dance.
* Most songs by the Puppini Sisters. Not even related in real life, these three ladies are putting the swing sound of 1940s pop music into songs like "Walk Like An Egyptian", "Heart Of Glass", and "Crazy In Love".
* Bobby Darin's version of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgykWqMh4V0 "Mack the Knife"]]. The ending is so badass it hurts.
* Music/EllaFitzgerald did a killer version of "Mack the Knife" on her album ''Ella in Berlin''. She forgets the lyrics halfway through and ad libs new ones: "What's the next chorus to this song now?/This is the one now I don't know." She then pokes fun at her flub: "Now Ella and the fellas/We're making a wreck, what a wreck of Mack the Knife." This doubles as a Funny Moment and an Awesome Moment.
* Listening to Music/CharlesMingus' "Haitian Fight Song" turns panty-waisted poindexters into switchblade-flicking badasses, and makes plain women gain a cup size and a bad (but sultry) smoking habit. Same with "Better Get It in Your Soul".
* Music/JohnColtrane. First, he wrote ''Music/GiantSteps'', which is universally recognized as one of the most difficult songs in jazz to perform, and there's also ''Music/ALoveSupreme'', an over-40-minute dedication to higher power that is often called one of the most passionate performances in jazz history.
** Coltrane's "Music/MyFavoriteThings" cover deserves a mention as well, taking a well known song and improvising sheets of sound in a nearly 14 minute masterpiece on the soprano sax with a drum, bass, and piano highlighting and adding to the song.
** For a while, Coltrane had the greatest quartet in jazz: himself, [=McCoy=] Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. That band had a power and an almost psychic interplay that few, if any, jazz bands have ever matched.
* Music/CharlieParker's "Charlie Parker with Strings". While some purists hate it for being too "pop" for bebop, you have to admit there is something incredible about his virtuoso bebop improvs being played over a full orchestra. There's something even more incredible about hearing his virtuoso bebop improvs being played with just a five-piece band behind him. Bebop is possibly the most difficult-to-play popular music ''ever'', and Parker, Gillespie, Al Haig, Max Roach et al. made it sound not only easy but fun.
* Almost anything by Music/RahsaanRolandKirk, but "Pedal Up" is probably his most ridiculous tune, especially his live performance of it on "Bright Moments." It's a 12-minute piece which includes circular breathing (he holds out several notes for minutes on end without stopping to take a breath), 3 saxophones (all played by Kirk simultaneously), and the last 3.5 minutes of it are an elaborate solo played just by Kirk without the backing band involving him droning on one sax, setting up a beat and chord progression with another, and soloing on the third (the end solo even has classical-influence harmonization with two of the saxes at once).
* Perfect blend of guitar, sax and rhythm: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhSx8uKdD5o "Lily Was Here"]] doesn't need lyrics to be awesome.
* Marc Cohn. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JzuZW-Lcns "Walking in Memphis"]].
* If you were told that in 2011 a female jazz singer who plays the bass could win the Grammy for best new artist over probably the most popular pop singer of the day, you wouldn't believe it, would you? [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJo7cT8WH_8 Well, believe it.]]
* Louis Armstrong singing "Bare Necessities" from Disney's ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXwEBp3cKfM Prepare to feel warm and fuzzy.]] And "What a Wonderful World". The perfect song to remind you that, yes, the world is worth living for.
* Music/ArtTatum. [[BlindMusician Blind in both eyes]], he taught himself how to play and improvise jazz piano by ear, and became so technically proficient that other pianists regard him with awe to this day; one famous story recalls Fats Waller remarking of him, [[GodInHumanForm "God is in the house."]] Listen to Art Tatum playing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaPeks0H3_s "Tiger Rag"]]. Now remind yourself that that's only ''one'' person playing all those complicated chords and superhumanly fast runs... and he's ''improvising'' it.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDOEsQL7lA "Summertime"]]. Written by George and Ira Gershwin. Performed by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Sheer perfection.
* Ladies and gentlemen, Music/WyntonMarsallis based his third symphony around the history of jazz, aptly subtitled the Jazz Symphony. It's basically a concerto for an entire jazz big band and symphony orchestra.
* Music/MilesDavis. Listening to album after album of his is like taking the finest walk through an evolution in jazz. Special mention to the haunting introduction to the title track of ''Music/BitchesBrew''.
* There was a thing in jazz during the '50s and '60s were a band would perform at small parties set up by producers, and it would all be recorded as a live album. People showed up and were offered booze to help them enjoy themselves. Two classic albums of this particular variety are ''Mercy, Mercy, Mercy'' and ''Why am I Treated so Bad!'', both by Cannonball Adderley and his quintet, with special mention to the title track of the former (their most recognizable hit).
* Buddy Rich in general. His performance with the Boston Pops, playing ''Theatre/WestSideStory'', caused [[Music/JohnWilliams John freaking Williams]] [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMoments to nearly drop his baton in awe]]. There's a reason Neil Peart idolizes the man. He did things in a suit that any drummer alive would kill to do at all. He is, arguably, the greatest drummer to have ever lived.
* A lesser-known Japanese "death jazz" band called Soil & "Pimp" Sessions deserves mention here. Give them a listen, especially if you enjoy the faster-paced stuff by The Seatbelts (of ''Cowboy Bebop'' fame). So much energy for six musicians (one of whom has the sole job of yelling at the rest through a megaphone, and even then this is fairly rare). Try [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHpbxkKVnEU "Suffocation",]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axzOcH9KhN0 "Crush",]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaufAE7-imY "Mashiroke",]] or [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tuLK6I4lgM "Storm".]]
* Dave Brubeck's utterly magnificent "Take Five". Probably the most recognized piece of jazz music in the world. Sexy, soulful, and sophisticated. Made even more epic in the cover by Pakistan's Sachal Studios Orchestra, which adds a local feel. [[ApprovalOfGod Brubeck loved it]].
** Brubeck's "Blue Rondo à la Turk", a song made in punishing 9/8 meter with a 4/4 side meter from the same album mixes Turkish music with modern jazz.
* Herb Alpert's "Rise". Unfortunately forever linked to ''Series/GeneralHospital'''s rape of Laura by Luke, but still a thoroughly excellent piece of music.
* If you think Chuck Mangione was just that guy who did that disco-jazz tune "Feels So Good", you're in for a shock when you hear [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzR56x1Yjek "Children of Sanchez"]]. ''14 minutes long'' and not a single second is wasted. After a 3:40 minute flamenco shanty with a powerful vocal performance from Don Potter, the second those drums kick in, you're thrust into a jazz/mariachi/flamenco juggernaut that is at once stupidly catchy, tense and powerful and bombastic. The song serves as the theme to a film of the same name, and while you'd be hard pressed finding someone who remembers said film, you're likely to find someone who knows just how amazing this song is.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uTDa3771HM What I Say]]", by Music/RayCharles. He had twelve minutes left in a set, so he told his band and backing singers "Listen, I'm going to fool around and y'all just follow me". They improvised the song on the spot.
[[/folder]]

* Want some techno dripping with darkness? Try out [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udO8N4Mgrdo "Gone" by Sierra]]. Hell, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnaJc2bWqWY the whole EP]] is pure sonic bliss. It's what cyberpunk would sound like as a music genre.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCRi0W1oZKw&ab_channel=CityAlight "Home"]] by [=CityAlight=] is a joyful song that encompasses the Christian message of hope, and seems to bring heavenly delights in its catchy beats and wonderful lyrics.
-->''"I do not know what I will see,\\

But I am sure that it will be, \\

And He has said that I will know, \\

A Father’s love, a Saviour’s peace, \\
when I am truly home.''

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCRi0W1oZKw&ab_channel=CityAlight "Home"]] by [=CityAlight=] is a joyful song that encompasses the Christian message of hope, and seems to bring heavenly delights in its catchy beats and wonder lyrics.

* Shawn Phillips. His four-octave vocal range, strange yet compelling lyrics that tell many an odd tale, ability to blend various other genres such as funk, world, and jazz into his music, as well as his virtuosity on 12-string guitar make him a forgotten enigmatic legend in folk music. Just listen to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2lTL6YGvKM "Woman"]] or [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK2wNB96JMY "The Ballad of Casy Deiss"]] and let Mr. Phillips take the wheel.