99 Luft Balloons, Nena

Who says Germans cannot rock? Here is proof they can.

This is one of the best New Wave songs, and I do prefer the version in German. The English version is wishy washy.

This 1984 song has a great arrangement, with good synthesizer, bass and guitar parts. The playing is tight, and the singer very charming. The lyrics (in English and German) have social meaning, something that is barely found in today's music.

If you have never see it, now is the time.

Closet Chronicles, Live Kansas

Kansas was a very underrated band. A lot of their music from the 70's is of the highest caliber, and they were definitely the best America had to offer to the world of progressive rock.

Unfortunately this is only an audio version of the song, done in Long Beach, but at least it is a contemporary one.  Singer Steve Walsh had a very bad cold, but that was not a reason to cancel the show. Notwithstanding, he does very well.

For the longest time, I thought the song was prophetic, related to the Shah of Iran. Actually, such was the fate of many a king, however, the narration does fit well what happened to the former ruler of Iran.

It is worth hearing the studio version, which can also be found in Youtube.

Hold out your hand, Chris Squire

A great song from 1975, Chris Squire's solo album. Too bad the actual video was removed from You Tube and is nowhere to be found. Patrick Moraz plays organ in this song.

The rest of the album is also great, and deserves a listen. Chris Squire has re-released the album, I do not know whether any additional material was added.

Samba do Aviao, Mu Carvalho

Mu Carvalho tocando em festival em Montpellier, Franca, 2012. Por pouco não fui. Grande interpretação, embora a qualidade do video não seja muito boa. Este é um solo de piano. Armandinho Macedo também esteve presente no festival.

Sacramento, Middle of the Road

The song says "There is something about the weather, that everybody loves, they call it the Indian spring of Sacramento". Just for starters. This was not the age of video yet, and who know how much record companies spent on videos of any sort. So, not surprisingly, the Scottish band Middle of the Road, who was really popular in Norther Europe, rather than shooting the video in Sacramento, California, shot it in the canals of Amsterdam, Netherlands, in typical gloomy, grey weather.

It did not matter much. The song about California's capital was catchy, and Sally Carr, the looker that she was back in the day, kept everyone interested with tons of charm. Admittedly, her nasal voice was an acquired taste.

So, in spite of any shortcomings, this is one of my favorite videos.

Safety Dance, Men Without Hats

Here is a fun video from 1982. The synthesizer part is also nice, the beat catchy, and the whole video ambience is neat. Seems a throwback to the middle ages, or at least, whatever we perceive of the middle age. I remember dancing to this song a lot in discos. The song brings good memories.  

It used to play on MTV a whole lot.

Choro Feliz, Moraes Moreira e Waldir Azevedo

Uma joia do Fantastico de 1978. Um grande chorinho de Moraes Moreira, acompanhado do grande Waldir Azevedo, mestre do cavaquinho e do chorinho. Vale a pena ouvir. Melhor não falar muito.