Imagine

I fell in love with the song "Pure Imagination" from "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" this year. I've heard it before, obviously, as I've seen the movie before, but that was a long time ago and I wasn't impressed with the movie overall. However, going back to watch the song, I find it rather delightful now:



I was hankering to listen to it tonight and so looked it up on YouTube. Imagine my delight when I found many, many versions. I've decided to post a few of my favorites.

So the first, Lou Rawls, well, whoa. Gorgeous voice. Gor. Geous.



This one by Jamie Cullum is very different. It took me a little bit to get into his voice and style, but I really liked the jazzy feel. He is an incredibly talented pianist!



And then I found Jacob Collier's version. What???!!! Craaaaazy arrangement. Very cool!



And of course if there is a Muppets version, we have to do that one. It made me giggle hysterically. And sigh because it's really sweet. Ben Vereen, folks:

Nothing to do with Christmas

I've been meaning to post this version of Holst's "Jupiter" for a few months. So here it is!



I actually played this piece in my middle school band. We probably sounded more like this:

A Song That Reminds You of a Former Friend

My roommates and I had a piano when I was in college. The piano made us many friends. Mike became our good friend - he was attracted to our piano and my cute roommate. :) He loved to play Jon Schmidt's music and particularly (if I remember correctly) "All of Me."



Of course, no one can quite play it like Jon can.

Day Twelve - The Last Song You Heard

I've started listening to Christmas music to get me in the mood for the holidays. I love Josh Groban's CD "Noel." The last song I listened to (I was driving) was "Thankful." It's possibly my favorite song on the CD.

Day Eleven - A Song from the Soundtrack of Your Favorite Movie

I don't really have a favorite movie. I can never pick. But "Emma," particularly the 2009 version, would be high on my list. (And I really love the music from that movie, too.)

Day Ten - A Song by Your Favorite Band

Does The Piano Guys count as a band? Because I don't really have a favorite band if they don't. (Unless you count the BYU Marching Band???) Anyway, we've followed The Piano Guys from the very beginning and I only get more and more impressed with them. Almost every piece is stunning, including their newest.

Day Nine - A Song That Makes You Hopeful

I was trying to think of songs that make me hopeful, and there's quite a number. But I think this is a song that really resonates with me. There really are so many blessings that outweigh whatever trials I'm going through.