Two Completely Different Pieces of Music News: Ben Folds vs. Singing Fishermen

22 Mar

I do not believe that I have ever posted two pieces of music news so far apart from each other on the music spectrum. But, there is a first for everything. So, without further ado, I present Ben Folds and the Fisherman’s Friends (that would actually be an awesome combination).

Ben Folds vs. Merlon the piano guy

There is a new Internet fad that has spread across cyberspace like a virus. It is called Chatroulette, and it enables any person throughout the world to randomly video chat with others. It is the perfect place to meet odd strangers. Some of these strangers decide to show a little too much of themselves on the video screen. And, when you get bored – or disgusted – you can simply disconnect and be brought to the next video conversation. A pianist known only as “Merlon” decided it would be a funny idea to melodically narrate the random people he encountered on Chatroulette. The video became viral and it is now well-known throughout the Internet community.

“Merlon’s Song”:

He looks a lot like Ben Folds. So much so that many people thought it actually was Folds in disguise. Heck, it is something the eccentric musician would do. On March 20, Folds performed his original version of Merlon’s idea at a concert in Charlotte, North Carolina. The end result was hilarious. Folds’ random serenading people was just great. Like usual, Folds was able to entertain a crowd in an unconventional manner. Here is his video below.

Article: http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/22/ben-folds-pays-tribute-to-chatroulette-improv-at-gig/

Folds’ Video:

Well, I am moving to England and joining a band of Fishermen who sing sea shanties. This is my new career goal. The Fisherman’s Friends, a group of sailors from Cornwall, have signed with Universal Music for around one million pounds ($1.53 million dollars). A music executive, Rupert Christie, was listening to the group of 10 sailors perform at a local bar when he decided that they were worth the deal. The mariners, who have been performing for more than 15 years, are surprised about the deal. “We don’t really know what to expect, to be honest — we’re just making it up as we go along,” said fisherman Baritone Brown (great name).

This is the classic success story and I am so happy for these guys. Their music is great and they definitely deserve the deal. Take a listen to one of their songs: