Mary, Did You Know? │ Johnny Hammer

 

 

My Dear Aunt Martha and I spent the whole afternoon surfing the internet trying to find something new, and different to share on Angel Watchers.  Well, Aunt Martha finally suggested that I search for some Techno Praise music.  You see, Aunt Martha, having been a professional opera singer all of her life, still keeps tabs on all of the latest musical trends, which is something that I am really loathe to do.  I had never heard of Techno Praise but I do trust Aunt Martha's judgment.  I typed in the search term, and dozens of hits popped up.  It did not take long to find this Techno Praise version of Mark Lowry's wonderful Christmas gem "Mary, Did You Know?".  It is sung by a fresh new singer by the name of Johnny Hammer, and he is sensational.  The power, honesty, innocence, and freshness of Johnny's performance brought tears to both Aunt Martha's, and my eyes.  Johnny also has an amazing angelic presence that makes him so much fun to watch.  I predict that this version of "Mary, Did You Know?" will turn out to be a perennial Christmas favorite.  By the way, the group that Johnny belongs to is called Technopraise.  Please join Aunt Martha and I in watching this amazing video by clicking on the widget below.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Jedi Camp

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring a new mini-series called "Jedi Camp".  It stars Stuart Allan as "Lucas", and Andy Scott Harris as "Andy".  To say that "Jedi Camp" is well made would be an understatement as it is really great.  Click on the video widgets below to watch two exciting episodes of "Jedi Camp".  May the force be with you, to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Historia de un Amor │ Diego et Esteban

 

Esteban

In this special edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the very talented Diego et Esteban.  They are from the Municipality of L'Ile Saint Denis, located in France.  By-the-way, Diego et Esteban are cousins.  Esteban, the younger member of the duo, has a real knack for singing rhumba flamenca.  "Historia de un Amor (A Love Story)", is usually sung as a bolero, but Diego et Esteban give it a refreshing gitano interpretation that is simply amazing.  "Historia de un Amor" has an interesting history though.  It was written by Panamanian songwriter Carlos Eleta Almarán after the death of his brother's wife, and it was first performed on the soundtrack of a 1956 Mexican movie of the same name starring Libertad Lamarque.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Carol Of The Bells │ Libera

A very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

He Will Carry You │ Scott Wesley Brown

Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Amós Lora │ Recherché

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am revisiting Amós Lora, the fantastic flamenco guitarist.  I featured Amós in a previous post that can be found here: Amós Lora - Entre Dos Aguas  Amós continues to impress me with his incredible playing.  I predict that he will eventually become the best flamenco guitar player on this Planet Earth.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Latcho Drom │ Manuel Vargas

 

Manuel Vargas

In this special edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring Tony Gatlif's documentary masterpiece "Latcho Drom (Safe Journey)".  It traces the history of the Roma People, through their music and dance, from Northern India to Spain.  The film has a minimum of dialogue, it's almost all music, which I think is wonderful. I too have Roma blood running in my veins, so it is no wonder that "Latcho Drom" speaks to me at such a visceral level.  I love this movie.  In the  video below the young gitano Manuel Vargas sings a very emotional Flamenco song from the ending of "Latcho Drom".  He is terrific.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

The Tree Of Life │ Hunter McCracken

Hunter McCracken

"Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation ... while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

 (Book of Job)

"The Tree Of Life", a film by Terrence Malick

Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

When You Wish Upon A Star │ Jackie Evancho

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the enigmatic and wonderful Jackie Evancho singing the immortal classic "When You Wish Upon A Star".  This has to be the best cover of "When You Wish Upon A Star" ever recorded.  For those of you who may not know, "When You Wish Upon A Star" is the main theme from the movie "Pinocchio" that was released in 1940.  The song was performed in the movie by Cliff Edwards, who was also-known-as "Ukulele Ike".  He did the voice of Jiminy Cricket.  Jackie Evancho has cool website that can be found at this link: Jackie Evancho - Official Website  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Hale Lytle

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring a return to Hale Lytle and "Henley". Craig Macneill, the very gifted writer/director of "Henley", is working right now on an extended version of the film-short.  I can't wait for it to be released, as "Henley" is so good, it leaves one wanting for more.  Hale Lytle is astonishingly believable as Ted Henley, who sells roadkill to his father John (played very realistically by James Vidos), who owns and runs the rundown, The 60 Henley Motel.  I'm surprised that there isn't more buzz about Hale on the internet, because he is a very talented actor, and has a great future ahead of him in the movie business.  For a very short time, yahoo.com streamed the  complete version of the "Henley" short online.  The movie is eleven minutes and twenty-eight seconds long.  It's unfortunate that "Henley" is no longer available for viewing online, as it is a remarkable film, that has a very haunting and wistful quality to it.  The video below is a cool photo montage that was put together by the producers of "Henley".  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Sanctus │ Libera

In this edition of Angel Watchers, I am presenting a moment of peace from Libera, the extraordinary choir from England.  I felt that with all of the turmoil going on in the world now-a-days, we need a chance to spiritually recharge ourselves, and Libera's "Sanctus" is just the right prescription for that.  "Sanctus" is loosely based on Pachelbel's Canon in D.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Compassion │ JoJoRock

In this edition of Angel Watchers, I am featuring the very talented JoJoRock, who is from Australia.  JoJo is socially conscious, and used the money generated from his cool "O Holy Night" video to sponsor a child in need from the international aid group Compassion  By-the-way JoJo's "O Holy Night" is so compelling, it is appropriate to watch it all year round.  I love it so much, it actually moved me to tears.  Visit his YouTube channel at this link: JoJoRock on YouTube  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Silent Night │ Libera

Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Adair Cardoso │ Brazilian Soul

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring the amazing Adair Cardoso.  Listening to Adair makes me long for my "home", that I left so many, many, years ago.  In my life before this one, I was a Brazilian, which is why I have such an affinity for everything about Brazil.  Eu tenho muito saudade do Brasil.  Eu sou Brasileiro do coração.  Adair's voice is incredibly expressive.  He sings from the chest, and heart, so his singing sounds rich, and powerful.  I can't get enough of it.  I love the way that Adair moves about the stage with a cool dancing motion, and shifts the microphone constantly from hand to hand.  Adair's diction is impeccable.  He pronounces each word, and syllable with precision and clarity.  Even with my limited grasp of the Portuguese language, I can understand the song perfectly.  What a stage presence.  I feel so happy that I found him on the internet this evening, and it's such a pleasure to share his music with all of the fans of Angel Watchers.  In the video below Adair sings the beautiful "Andança (Wanderings)", which just so happens to be one of my favorite songs.  It was composed by Edmundo Souto, Danilo Caymmi, and Paulinho Tapajós.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.

Los Chicos de la Escolanía

In this edition of Angel Watchers I am featuring a very special choral group from Spain called Los Chicos de la Escolanía.  In the video below they sing "The Flower Duet (Sous le dôme épais)", from Léo Delibes' haunting, and mystical opera, "Lakmé".  It has been featured in many movies, and television commercials, and just so happens to be one of my most favorite songs in the whole world.  By-the-way, I am sure that this video will brighten up your day because it is so charming and innocent.  Los Chicos de la Escolanía has a really cool website that can be found at this link:  Los Chicos de la Escolonía - Official Website  They also have a very good YouTube channel at this link:  Los Chicos de la Escolanía - YouTube Channel  Safe journeys to all the fans of Angel Watchers, wherever you may be.