Live Music Picks
Live performances, memorable recordings and close looks at the songs and artists behind them.
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Jack and His Dad Give Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘The Boxer’ a Close Acoustic Reading
Jack sings Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘The Boxer’ with guitar accompaniment from his father. Their full-length performance keeps the familiar song…
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Adam Lambert Recasts Cher’s ‘Believe’ as a Kennedy Center Honors Ballad
At the Kennedy Center Honors, Adam Lambert gives Cher’s ‘Believe’ a measured ballad arrangement. The slower pace places the melody…
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Emma Wieriks Arranges Barry Manilow’s ‘Copacabana’ for a Conservatory Ensemble
Emma Wieriks arranged and conducted ‘Copacabana’ as a graduation project at the Utrechts Conservatory. The credited student ensemble, vocalist Job…
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Josh Stafford Maps Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ onto the Boardwalk Hall Pipe Organ
Josh Stafford plays ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on the Boardwalk Hall pipe organ, moving between keyboards and pedalboard as the song shifts…
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Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson Meet in the Released ‘There Must Be More to Life Than This’ Duet
Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson share the reflective ballad ‘There Must Be More to Life Than This’ on the William…
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Olivia Newton-John and Dolly Parton Revisit ‘Jolene’ Together
Olivia Newton-John and Dolly Parton sing ‘Jolene’ together in a 2023 video release. Parton’s connection to the song and Newton-John’s…
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Harp and Percussion Recast the Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’
The Harp Twins and Volfgang Twins place the Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’ in an outdoor instrumental arrangement. Harp melody…
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Josh Groban Shares ‘You Raise Me Up’ With the Hyde Park Crowd
Josh Groban performs ‘You Raise Me Up’ at Proms in Hyde Park with orchestral accompaniment. The familiar melody and measured…
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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Shape ‘You Never Can Tell’ Onstage
An audience request brings Chuck Berry’s ‘You Never Can Tell’ into Bruce Springsteen’s Leipzig concert. The official recording preserves Springsteen…
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Willie Nelson’s ‘Last Leaf’ at Farm Aid Moves at Its Own Pace
Willie Nelson performs ‘Last Leaf’ with his family at Farm Aid 2024. The song’s simple image, unhurried arrangement and familiar…
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The Harp Twins and Volfgang Twins Rework the Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’
The Harp Twins and Volfgang Twins perform the Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’ in an outdoor arrangement for harps and…
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Porter Elementary Students Turn a Stage Into an Imaginary Swimming Pool
Eight fifth graders at W.A. Porter Elementary use a blue tarp, simple props and synchronized movement to turn a talent-show…
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Robert Downey Jr. Joins Sting for ‘Driven to Tears’
Robert Downey Jr. joins Sting for ‘Driven to Tears’ at Sting’s 60th-birthday concert. The song’s rhythmic movement gives the guest…
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Father Ray Kelly Surprises a Wedding With ‘Hallelujah’
Father Ray Kelly adapts Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ for Chris and Leah’s wedding. The familiar melody and personalized words turn an…
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Martin Hurkens Sings ‘You Raise Me Up’ in a Public Street
Martin Hurkens performs ‘You Raise Me Up’ in a public street, bringing a familiar ballad into everyday surroundings. The recording…
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Whitmer High School Teachers Surprise Students With an ‘Uptown Funk’ Dance
Whitmer High School teachers took over the gym floor during the 2017 homecoming pep assembly with a coordinated ‘Uptown Funk’…
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Joe Bonamassa Turns the Beatles’ ‘Taxman’ Into a Cavern Club Blues Jam
Joe Bonamassa performs the Beatles’ ‘Taxman’ live at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, stretching the compact song into an extended blues arrangement.…
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Lady Gaga’s ‘Hold My Hand’ Takes a Close Vocal Focus at the Oscars
Lady Gaga’s 2023 Oscars performance of ‘Hold My Hand’ gives the Top Gun: Maverick song a close, vocal-centered setting. A…
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Ozzy Osbourne’s Farewell Returns to Birmingham for ‘Back to the Beginning’
Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Back to the Beginning’ farewell took place at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5, 2025. The event…
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Tom Jones Sings Leonard Cohen’s ‘Tower of Song’ on The Voice UK
Tom Jones performs Leonard Cohen’s ‘Tower of Song’ from his coach’s chair on The Voice UK. The quieter moment shifts…
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