The Sheepcat

Vespers Visitor

Prayers, please, for a friend of mine who has said he'll come to Vespers at Holy Family a week from tomorrow. Though it's the music that's drawing him, I'm hoping he will also recognize in the Eucharist something he cannot explain.

What a Wonderful World

Judy Garland, eat your heart out. Hawaiian ukelele master Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (1959–1997) blends "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with "What a Wonderful World" in this sweet, sweet medley.

Link via felix hominum.

Update: Vox has pointed out a tribute to "Bruddah IZ"--same music, this time with images from the memorial ceremony for him. I could replay either clip all day long.

Fun-Lovin' Geezers

I had no idea who The Ventures were, but they rock. This says they're "the number one instrumental group in the history of recorded music." And now they're going to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

They also recorded a cover of the Hawaii Five-O theme that reached #4 in the charts.

Thanks to nearly-geezer StatGuy.

For Your Listening Pleasure

I came across Choral Treasure a few weeks ago when the Curt Jester mentioned he'd been listening to it for years. The quality is terrific.

An online streaming radio station devoted to playing great sacred music growing from the Catholic tradition, including (but not limited to) Gregorian chant and polyphony.

There's lots of Advent music now.

Botched Catholic Hymns: Plus Ça Change?

The New Liturgical Movement: Who Botched Catholics Hymns and Why?

Elvis Sings "Miracle of the Rosary"

I have a soft spot for Elvis, and this recording came as a sweet surprise.
Link via CAEI.

Rob Paravonian's Pachelbel Rant

Very funny for lovers of baroque music, lovers of classic rock, lovers of folk music, haters of baroque music, … you name it.

There's no way to be cool when your instrument is larger than you. When you walk to school with a cello, you're like a wounded gazelle on the Serengeti, man – the bullies just smell you comin' from a mile away.

Link originally via the CAEI combox, but I'm now sending you to Rob's own site.

Update: Nice to see so many of you coming by, but I suspect you've been enticed by the hope of finding links to other blogs referencing you-know-who's rant, links that aren't there. Google has unfortunately just quoted some of TypePad's Trackback boilerplate text, which hopefully I've now removed by turning off Trackbacks for this post.

I don't want to let you down, though, so just so you don't go away empty-handed, here's Rob pointing out the dopiness of the extended theme song from Friends and a sweet, catchy melody I'd never noticed has lyrics about a guy cheating on his girlfriend.

Handel's Messiah Reminder

A reminder that we in the Sacred Music Society (along with the Sparrows Children's Choir and a small professional orchestra) will perform highlights from Handel's Messiah and other Christmas favourites this Friday in Toronto and next Friday in Ottawa.

• Toronto: St Paul's Basilica (83 Power Street, just east of Queen and Parliament), December 8
• Ottawa: Saint Patrick's Basilica, December 15.

Cancelled: We will also be singing at a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral Church of St Peter in Chains in Peterborough on Sunday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m.

Handel's Messiah in Concert

Come one, come all, to hear the Sacred Music Society and Sparrows Children's Choir perform highlights from Handel's Messiah and other Christmas favourites.

• Toronto: St Paul's Basilica, December 8
• Ottawa: Saint Patrick's Basilica, December 15

DREADNOUGHT on Madonna's Esthetics

DREADNOUGHT's take on Madonna is a good deal more sympathetic than that of many in the Catholic world and beyond. He sure has a point about the esthetic centre of gravity within Catholicism.

Like Boy George's early adaptation of Chasidic aesthetics, Madonna's focus is not on guitar churches and easygoing priests, it's on hardline imagery (bleeding Christs, burning cross, hushed confessional stalls) and deeply orthodox doctrine (virginity, redemption, divinity). Ultimately, why shouldn't a dancefloor - that vortex of desire and human interaction - provide yet another venue for sacramental confession?

:: The Upshot ::

Other than being enjoyable per se, such culture-jamming opens the door to a subtle and more effective translation of Catholic ideas into secular orbits. We know that a middle-aged mother of two can make shells of Catholic culture irresistible to same sex attracted men. How much more appealing will real Catholicism appear, if only we have the courage to carry it into the heart of queer culture, if only we confess Christ crucified, even on the dancefloor?

I have to say, she plays with the imagery in a way that I can understand would cause many people offence and that often leaves me uncomfortable, but she hasn't managed to empty the symbols of their genuine power. She may not realize it, but they are greater than she is. For the time being, I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Now, to answer Dread's first question: John, are you serious?? I can't see it myself. "That vortex" is it all right--insistent, throbbing music, flashing lights … the club dancefloor is the perfect venue for blotting out the still small voice that asks, "What are you doing here?" Is there any space on the dancefloor for someone to recognize contrition for what it is?

As for the second question, I'll venture into the bars on occasion, but I'm always concerned that I may fall into the sin of scandal. If you can show me how to evangelize within queer culture, sign me up.