What an extraordinary performance by a gifted singer and person. This video contains her singing “Tomorrow” for a preliminary competition and “My Way” for the finals. She was recognized as the grand champion of the competition for the year. When the news is depressing and I am having a bad day, I listen to her authentic personality, gifted voices, and the lyrics of “Tomorrow” to remind me to never give up. It is recommended to have a box of tissues nearby when listening to her sing. What a gift from God.
Unexpected Performances by Average People
I am not much for network television. Too often I have missed tremendous performances by average people who would likely be overlooked by others. I have enjoyed these individuals who performed on either Britain’s Got Talent or America’s Got Talent. These individuals have taught me to not underestimate the beauty that often lies hidden within others. Enjoy these performances by extraordinary people.
Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.
She sings “I have a dream” from Les Misérables (a favorite of mine). Check out her biography on Wikipedia and the musical career that followed this break-out performance.
Richard Goodall on America’s Got Talent in 2024.
He sings “Don’t stop believin” by Journey. Check and see if he has a Wikipedia page yet to share his humble story.
Older Elizabeth Zharoff Reacts to Her Own Younger Voice
I have featured several episodes of Elizabeth’s YouTube sensation,, The Charismatic Voice. She has always reacted to other music bands and performers. This time, we have the privilege to hear Elizabeth reaction to her own voice singing opera. As you probably know, she is an internationally-known opera singer. Sit back and enjoy.
Snippet of the Younger Elizabeth Zharoff singing Martern aller Arten.
This is a snippet of the opera performance that Elizabeth reacted to in the YouTube video above. Notice Queen Elizabeth at the very end giving her hearty approval of this performance.
Lyrics for "Freewill" by the Progressive Rock Band, "RUSH" Lessons for Life
I am waiting for Elizabeth Zharoff of the Charismatic Voice podcast to do a vocal analysis of the song “Freewill” by the progressive rock band RUSH. But I wanted to share the lyrics with you.
There are several reasons why I like the band RUSH so much. One of them is the lyrics are thoughtful and provocative. I do not always agree with their viewpoint, since they are often inspired by Any Rand and other philosophers. However, they often stimulate to think more deeply about what I do believe.
This song has a wonderful line in it, “ If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choic. You can choose from phantom fears, and kindness that can kill. I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose free will”
I can’t expect every lyric from a song to line up with my interpretation of the Bible. However, I think how the lyrics in this song can inspire us to not be passive actors on the stage of life. Rather, we have free will to act and make choices that are better for us and those around us. Enjoy the lyrics to the song. I think there is a positive message. However, I am not waiting for the choir to sing this in church this weekend. :-)
There are those who think that
Life has nothing left to chance
A host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance
A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
The stars aren't aligned
Or the gods are malign
Blame is better to give than receive
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears, and kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose free will
There are those who think that
They've been dealt a losing hand
The cards were stacked against them
They weren't born in Lotus land
All preordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can pray for a place
In heaven's unearthly estate
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears, and kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose free will
Each of us, a cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears, and kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose free will
Red Robin Has Recovered!
My roommate, Red Robin, has recovered from his serious infection. He is now eating as normal, full of more energy, and just as enjoyable as ever.
Vocal Analysis of "The Spirit of Radio" by the Progressive Rock Band, RUSH
Elizabeth Zharoff provides a vocal and musical analysis of “The Spirit of Radio” by the progressive rock band, RUSH. This was actually her first of the four RUSH songs that she analyzed. The sheer joy, surprise, and deep analysis she provides with all four of these four RUSH songs are PERFECT. Yes, there are a couple of imperfections or song lyrics she misses. But remember, while she studied the lyrics ahead of time, she has not seen the performances ahead of time. She really reacts to them. You can see there are no jump cuts or heavy editing. The slight, very slight imperfections are testaments to the authenticity of what she is doing. Check out her website, charismaticvoice.com
“The Spirit of Radio” by RUSH from YouTube
I resonate with this song so much. When I was little, I listened to the local rock stations in Kansas City, MO. At night, I would secretly listen to an alternative rock program broadcast from Little Rock, AR. The following is from Wikipedia. Beaker Street with Clyde Clifford was the first underground music program broadcast regularly on a commercial AM radio station in the central US. The station's signal carried far and wide. In early 1967 Beaker Street was a staple for adherents to the burgeoning underground communities in the upper Mid-West especially in Des Moines, Iowa, where it was the only access to Dr. Demento and Firesign Theatre. Beaker Street began on Little Rock, Arkansas 50,000 watt AM radio station KAAY late in 1966 and ran through 1972. The show's original announcer, Clyde Clifford, moved to FM in 1974 as the rise in popularity of FM radio began to impact the operations of many AM stations. Beaker Street pre-dated the FM radio boom of the mid-1970s and foretold the rise of album-oriented Rock and Classic rock formats.
Maybe this love of radio led me to be a radio station DJ while attending Emporia State University. The radio transmitters only carried the signal through the residence halls, but we were spinning albums and having a great time. Following is the music video that Elizabeth reacted to for her joyous episode. Notice the homage to the RUSH drummer at the end of the video. He died of brain cancer. As did his wife. RIP. Also, notice the names of important historical figures who helped invent radio and the progressive DJs who boldly supported RUSH and other progressive artists when other radio stations shunned them.
Here is the Animated Version of The Spirit of Radio.
Vocal Analysis of "Tom Sawyer" by the Progressive Rock Band, RUSH
Elizabeth Zharoff takes us on another adventure by analyzing the song “Tom Sawyer” by the progressive rock band RUSH. It is a fascinating reimagining of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Needless to say, the journey is a little different. Enjoy the ride. Check out her website with links to all her social media channels: https://thecharismaticvoice.com
The Original Video “Tom Sawyer” from YouTube
This is the video that Elizabeth reacted to for her musical analysis.
“South Park” video that introduced the RUSH “Tom Sawyer” at some concerts
Lyrics to “Tom Sawyer”
A modern-day warrior
Mean, mean stride
Today's Tom Sawyer
Mean, mean pride
Though his mind is not for rent
Don't put him down as arrogant
His reserve a quiet defense
Riding out the day's events
The river
What you say about his company
Is what you say about society
Catch the mist
Catch the myth
Catch the mystery
Catch the drift
The world is, the world is
Love and life are deep
Maybe as his skies are wide
Today's Tom Sawyer, he gets high on you
And the space he invades, he gets by on you
No, his mind is not for rent
To any god or government
Always hopeful, yet discontent
He knows changes aren't permanent
But change is
And what you say about his company
Is what you say about society
Catch the witness
Catch the wit
Catch the spirit
Catch the spit
The world is, the world is
Love and life are deep
Maybe as his eyes are wide
Exit the warrior
Today's Tom Sawyer
He gets high on you
And the energy you trade
He gets right on to
The friction of the day