Reberetta's Walrus Reveal AKA Reberrus!

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 8:25pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song: No

Christina's a talented chanteuse; in the serenader stakes, I'd put her ahead of Taylor Swift, Florence, Britney, Pink, Rihanna and most current pop starlets. Soft piano, light drums; this has a Leann Rimes mood. Mariah Carey springs to mind too. Good company, in my opinion.

At around the three minute mark, the intensity raises in a bridge, before slowing down to a conclusive crawl again. I just noticed Glen Ballard co-wrote this track, he of Jagged Little Pill fame. Fine song, quality warbling, but not something I'll rush to listen to again.

Vocals: 8.5/10
Song: 7/10
Score: 15.5

6th place:

ShaneU

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 8:30pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song: No

This is a nice piano-driven bluesy number with gruff, gravelly trilling, interspersed with the rhythm of a harmonica. He's more like a brilliant big bear than a howlin' wolf and I enjoy his grainy tone. Some of the 'whoo hoos' are a little feeble but otherwise it's a stellar performance from a distinctive natural, although I'll bet he can croon to an even higher standard. The lyrics are a bit vapid and he resembles Frank Bruno a little so points deducted for those unforgivable faults.

Vocals: 9/10
Song: 6.5/10
Score: 15.5

5th place:

$hifty

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 8:38pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song: Yes, but not this version.

"I was going to make this my live performance entry, but I think its good here and I went for the live performance as I think JayKays voice is just so amazing, the band are fantastic and the first minute where the crowd sing the song before Jay even gets to the microphone is just awesome. Great vocals, great dancing! and of course he goes into the crowd for 3 minutes towards the end as well while the band just jams away in the background. But the vocal is just so crystal clear. In an age where everything is autotuned to the nth degree, its great to hear a voice that hasnt changed an iota in almost 30 years."

-Submitter

This is stellar musicianship throughout, but it goes on forever! And why is he dressed as an Indian?

I've always like Jay Kay's voice. It's unique and sometimes that is more important and alluring than generic technical perfection, which isn't to say he isn't capable of said flawlessness; this is pretty close to it. The back-up singers do a terrific job too.

This song is like something Prince would write. It's not as wondrous as Virtual Insanity but insanely awesome nonetheless. I like the guitar solo just before the end and the bassist really keeps it all together like glue, kicking in the doors at 3.12 like a boss. Marvellous.

Vocals: 8.5/10
Song: 7.5/10
Score: 16

4th place:

Rikand

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 8:42pm

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song: No

I get the feeling this guy can sing even better than this performance suggests, which isn't to say it isn't very good, but he sounds a little frayed; the lungs a tad jaded. He's a natural, with a great pitch and timbre. This is a really good jazzy number, similar to some of Van Morrison's music, given justice by the backing band playing what I think is sax and trumpet. The lyrics are something many Americans can relate to no doubt; I can picture Donald Trump in the oval office weeping to this plangent serenade.

Magnificent.

Vocals: 8.5/10
Song: 8/10
Score: 16.5

3rd place:

phatkev

Pretzill · 30-03-2020 8:43pm

Didn't realise a reveal was ongoing - I don't know what's going on, I can't remember what I entered...I'm going to enjoy this

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 8:48pm

So coming up shortly the final four reveals. In order: 14th, 2nd, 15th and last, 1st and winner.

lassykk · 30-03-2020 8:52pm

Reberetta wrote: »

So coming up shortly the final four reveals. In order: 14th, 2nd, 15th and last, 1st and winner.

I'm nervous! Still in the running but this could go either way

phatkev · 30-03-2020 8:53pm

Reberetta wrote: »

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song: No

I get the feeling this guy can sing even better than this performance suggests, which isn't to say it isn't very good, but he sounds a little frayed; the lungs a tad jaded. He's a natural, with a great pitch and timbre. This is a really good jazzy number, similar to some of Van Morrison's music, given justice by the backing band playing what I think is sax and trumpet. The lyrics are something many Americans can relate to no doubt; I can picture Donald Trump in the oval office weeping to this plangent serenade.

Magnificent.

Glad you liked it, Bradley is one of the most under rated soul singers of his time. Theres a great doc about him called "Soul of America", he had a fairly tough life and didnt actually release a debut album until 2011. Critics have mentioned the point that he gets a little over emotional during live performances, but this just adds to the beauty of his voice imo

Electric Nitwit · 30-03-2020 8:55pm

lassykk wrote: »

I'm nervous! Still in the running but this could go either way

Likewise, just tuned in and I haven't been yet...

lassykk · 30-03-2020 8:56pm

Electric Nitwit wrote: »

Likewise, just tuned in and I haven't been yet...

Think mine might be at the bottom... Very left of centre!

Electric Nitwit · 30-03-2020 9:10pm

lassykk wrote: »

Think mine might be at the bottom... Very left of centre!

At least Reb's pulling the plaster off quickly

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 9:17pm

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song: Yes, but not this cover.

The original was lively with a slight disco beat; this is much slower, a schmaltzy piano-driven ballad which has diminished the potency of its source.

There's a part near the end where he shows his range, breaking the ceiling and going off into the clouds. Impressive. Although he's an excellent singer, I don't really like his timbre, and I think the song is more suited to a diva.

I prefer Cher's version. It had more oomph. She sang the chorus with more panache and pizzazz, even if she cheated with auto-tune. Plus, she's Cher and this is some greaseball called Adam Lambert. Even his name sucks. Cher gives it a standing ovation at the end? Screw her too.

Vocals: 8.5/10
Song: 4.5/10
Score: 13

14th place:

Pretzill

Electric Nitwit · 30-03-2020 9:22pm

Reberetta wrote: »

Have I heard of this artist: No

He's the lead singer of Queen now

lassykk · 30-03-2020 9:22pm

Reberetta wrote: »

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song: Yes, but not this cover.

The original was lively with a slight disco beat; this is much slower, a schmaltzy piano-driven ballad which has diminished the potency of its source.

There's a part near the end where he shows his range, breaking the ceiling and going off into the clouds. Impressive. Although he's an excellent singer, I don't really like his timbre, and I think the song is more suited to a diva.

I prefer Cher's version. It had more oomph. She sang the chorus with more panache and pizzazz, even if she cheated with auto-tune. Plus, she's Cher and this is some greaseball called Adam Lambert. Even his name sucks. Cher gives it a standing ovation at the end? Screw her too.

Vocals: 8.5/10
Song: 4.5/10
Score: 13

14th place:
Pretzill

Surprised you haven't heard of him. He "replaced" Freddie in Queen. I can't describe all the types of wrong that is!

The replacing Freddie that is not your assessment of the song

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 9:24pm

Pavarotti and Skunk Anansie You'll Follow Me Down (live)

"Such a weird juxtaposition.Every time I listen to it, when Pavarotti comes in, I think "what is this?". I still don't know if it actually works, but I love it."

-Submitter

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song: Yes

As a fan of Skunk Anansie, I knew Skin was a talented singer, but I'm surprised she could hold her own with Pavarotti! What an honour to have the opportunity to duet with such a world-renowned, respected behemoth of a tenor-I imagine he was thrilled.

Her gentle lilt really underpins the deeper intonations of Luciano producing the greatest blend of black and white since Keegan-era Newcastle United! Luciano is the Shearer of this team and Skin is Les Ferdinand.

There are better Skunk Anansie strains, but I guess Little Baby Swastika wasn't really appropriate for the occasion. Fantastic.

Vocals: 10/10
Song: 7/10
Score: 17

2nd place:

Electric Nitwit

lassykk · 30-03-2020 9:26pm

So last or first. My nerves are shot

lassykk · 30-03-2020 9:26pm

Look forward to listening to the skunk song tomorrow

Necro · 30-03-2020 9:27pm

phatkev · 30-03-2020 9:27pm

Jaysus that is a duet I would have never expected to see!!

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 9:28pm

Final remaining two songs to be revealed in one post.

Electric Nitwit · 30-03-2020 9:29pm

Glad you liked it

I agree it's not the band's best but it does allow Skin to show off her range in a way many of their songs don't

And I still prefer the original, but I had to meet the brief the best I could

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 9:30pm

phatkev wrote: »

Jaysus that is a duet I would have never expected to see!!

Me too. I didn't expect to see Skin dressed as a duck in The Masked Singer either.

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 9:42pm

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song: No

Because I wasn't watching the video, I only realised after a few listens that this is a single guy performing female and male parts in the style of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, like a crooner edition of Rory Bremner; a supremely inimitable and unique ability. As the French say: magnifique.

Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, it's a song of praise to the Lord above so the lyrics are humdrum. It's a mundane sentimental ballad and brings to mind a Disney movie scene with cartoonish lovebirds crooning to one another. Tedious fare from a big talent. Shame that he couldn't sing a good song like, say, I'm Already There by Westlife, a classic close to my heart.

Vocals: 10/10
Song: 2.5/10
Score: 12.5

15th place and last but not least:

lasykk

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song: No

"Just fantastic and raw. I've included the live version for extra oooommph, but listen to her talk initially and then she sings and you're like... WHAT?"

-Submitter

I've never paid much heed to Adele. This is touching. In a sexual way. She's like a hot Susan Boyle. But seriously, I could imagine this track moving a robot to tears. The crowd's participation adds to the emotive intensity and they actually sing in tuneful synchronicity, unlike the drunken Arch Enemy fans at that rock festival I attended.

I like her cadence. She's a melodious, powerful songbird. Admittedly, she'd probably break the branch (timbre!) but I'd pick her up and take her to the vet pronto. It's a glorious soulful song, one of the most astonishing live performances I've ever witnessed, and I'm going to be honest: it almost made me cry. But only 'almost' because I'm a hard man who survives on a steady diet of steak, weight-lifting and Dolph Lundgren movies. Did she write it herself?

Stunning, love this.

Vocals: 10/10
Song: 10/10
Score: 20

1st place and winner of category:

Necro

Electric Nitwit · 30-03-2020 9:45pm

Reberetta wrote: »

1st place and winner of category:
Necro

Last to first, great recovery!

lassykk · 30-03-2020 9:46pm

I feared this would be the result. I did think the ask was an amazing vocal performance which this undoubtedly hits the brief for. I'm no lover of the song myself but the singer is otherworldly talented

tusk · 30-03-2020 9:46pm

Reberetta wrote: »

]

unreal song watch it live

Necro · 30-03-2020 9:46pm

My first EVER 1st place in a Walrus category!! That's it, I can retire happily now

Pretzill · 30-03-2020 9:51pm

Adele - ummm Now I remember I put up Adam Lambert even though I actually hate the original song - Love the commentary Reberetta

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 30-03-2020 10:00pm

Jaysis! Necro getting a 1st in a Walrus? That's one of the signs of the apocalypse isn't it? As if we weren't already f**ked enough.

Ah fair dues Neccers, Adele has a whopper voice.

Enjoyed the reveal Reberetta, even if I question some of your decisions... and I'm not just talking about my own song - quite a few I reckon should've been much higher up in the rankings.

30-03-2020 10:03pm

That live version of Someone Like You is much better than the studio recording - I really don't like the high note in the chorus of the recorded version, it's not in her range and it just sounds jarring. Whereas live she sings the whole chorus in her natural range and it flows way more smoothly. Nice choice.

As for mine...

Reberetta wrote: »

I don't know what the lyrical subject matter is, and I don't want to know; I'm just going to assume she is a Mexican bandit singing about the death of one of her gang at the hands of the villainous sheriff; it has the tinge of lament.

...I don't think that's what it's about but I much prefer your theory so let's go with that!

Shame you didn't particularly like the song itself but I'll just conveniently ignore that bit of the score and be happy with the mark you gave for the vocals.

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 10:14pm

Pretzill should have been in 13th place, beakerjoe in 14th. It makes little difference in this Walrus. Let me know if you see any mistakes.

Scores After Round

Name|B-side/Live|Funeral Song|Vocal Performance|Weird Music|Total
Homer J|10|7(7)|13.5(11)|0|30.5
A.S.L.B|9(2)|5.5(12)|14(10)|0|28.5
tusk |9(3)|6.5(9)|13.5(12)|0|29
Spook ie |8.5(4)|7(8)|14.5(9)|0|30
lassykk |8.5(5)|7(5)|12.5(15)|0|28
$hifty |7.5(6)|6(10)|15.5(5)|0|29
beakerjoe |7.5(7)|4(13)|13(14)|0|24.5
Necro |7.5(8)|0.5(15)|20|0|28
phatkev |7(9)|3(14)|16.5(3)|0|26.5
Gru |7(10)|7.5|15(7)|0|29.5
ShaneU |7(11)|10|15.5(6)|0|32.5
fixXxer |6.5(12)|8.5|14.5(8)|0|29.5
Electric N.|6(13)|9.5|17|0|32.5
Pretzill |6(14)|6(11)|13(13)|0|25
Rikand |5(15)|7(6)|16(4)|0|28

Next reveal will probably be tomorrow night. Tune in for the finale of the closest Walrus possibly ever!

Electric Nitwit · 30-03-2020 10:32pm

Reberetta wrote: »

Scores After Round

Name|Total
ShaneU |32.5
Electric N.|32.5

Reberetta · 30-03-2020 10:32pm

1. The Weirdest Music/Song Ever

I am going to score this one out of fifteen. Weirdness factor scored out of five. Song itself scored out of ten. Added together to give a score out of fifteen.

So everyone still has a chance of winning. I already know the final scores now and I can tell you it's mighty close with some drama.

Electric Nitwit · 30-03-2020 10:36pm

Reberetta wrote: »

I am going to score this one out of fifteen. Weirdness factor scored out of five. Song itself scored out of ten. Added together to give a score out of fifteen

Zaph · 30-03-2020 10:53pm

Reberetta wrote: »

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song: No

This is a nice piano-driven bluesy number with gruff, gravelly trilling, interspersed with the rhythm of a harmonica. He's more like a brilliant big bear than a howlin' wolf and I enjoy his grainy tone. Some of the 'whoo hoos' are a little feeble but otherwise it's a stellar performance from a distinctive natural, although I'll bet he can croon to an even higher standard. The lyrics are a bit vapid and he resembles Frank Bruno a little so points deducted for those unforgivable faults.

Vocals: 9/10
Song: 6.5/10
Score: 15.5

5th place:
$hifty

I honestly never expected to see Howlin' Wolf in a walrus reveal. Great shout $hifty.

fixXxer · 30-03-2020 11:34pm

Reberetta wrote: »

1. The Weirdest Music/Song Ever

I am going to score this one out of fifteen. Weirdness factor scored out of five. Song itself scored out of ten. Added together to give a score out of fifteen.

So everyone still has a chance of winning. I already know the final scores now and I can tell you it's mighty close with some drama.

BUT WHEN

Rikand · 30-03-2020 11:48pm

When i looked at the table initially I thought I was in the running, but then I sorted it by Total and I realised I wasnt.

Spook_ie · 30-03-2020 11:51pm

Reberetta wrote: »

1. The Weirdest Music/Song Ever

I am going to score this one out of fifteen. Weirdness factor scored out of five. Song itself scored out of ten. Added together to give a score out of fifteen.

So everyone still has a chance of winning. I already know the final scores now and I can tell you it's mighty close with some drama.

Going down the pan with this one (literally) you never said you were going to mark it other than weird!

1. The Weirdest Music/Song Ever

What's the most bizarre song or piece of music you have ever heard? Because I want to hear it too.

Pretzill · 30-03-2020 11:54pm

Spook_ie wrote: »

Going down the pan with this one (literally) you never said you were going to mark it other than weird!

I think my second to last ranking might capture the wooden spoon because I certainly went weird over good too

Rikand · 31-03-2020 12:00am

I also went wierd, but I also love my submission

but it probably wont score well lol

Spook_ie · 31-03-2020 12:10am

I would estimate my chances of scoring 5/5 on weirdness as good, and of scoring 0/10 For the song itself as equally high, hope you've all got ear plugs!

Oh by the way it's not this one, which I would have submitted if I knew the song was being scored instead of just weirdness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9YhMRRQA90

ShaneU · 31-03-2020 12:19am

Electric Nitwit wrote: »

Reberetta · 31-03-2020 2:32pm

I sort of assume you guys know that the music has to be good too; sort of goes without saying, that's the whole point of it!:p

Rikand wrote: »

When i looked at the table initially I thought I was in the running, but then I sorted it by Total and I realised I wasnt.

But you're only 4.5 behind the leader, oh ye of little faith.

Table updated because Homer's score was incorrect. Let me know if you see any more mistakes.

Scores After Round 3

Name|B-side/Live|Funeral Song|Vocal Performance|Weird Music|Total
Homer J|10|7(7)|14(11)|0|31
A.S.L.B|9(2)|5.5(12)|14(10)|0|28.5
tusk |9(3)|6.5(9)|13.5(12)|0|29
Spook ie |8.5(4)|7(8)|14.5(9)|0|30
lassykk |8.5(5)|7(5)|12.5(15)|0|28
$hifty |7.5(6)|6(10)|15.5(5)|0|29
beakerjoe |7.5(7)|4(13)|13(14)|0|24.5
Necro |7.5(8)|0.5(15)|20|0|28
phatkev |7(9)|3(14)|16.5(3)|0|26.5
Gru |7(10)|7.5|15(7)|0|29.5
ShaneU |7(11)|10|15.5(6)|0|32.5
fixXxer |6.5(12)|8.5|14.5(8)|0|29.5
Electric N.|6(13)|9.5|17|0|32.5
Pretzill |6(14)|6(11)|13(13)|0|25
Rikand |5(15)|7(6)|16(4)|0|28

Later, the weirdest song/piece of music category reveal in this order: 12th down to fourth, then 13th and 3rd, 14th and 2nd, 15th and last, 1st and winner.

After that, 3.5 bonus points added to the score of the entrant who entered the best song overall taking into account all four categories.

Then minus 3.5 points to the entrant who entered the worst song overall taking into account all four categories.

Finally to conclude, 3.5 bonus points added to the score of the entrant who guessed my favourite band correctly! And I confirm someone has guessed correctly! But who?

$hifty

The Beatles
tusk

Prince
Pretzill

Soundgarden
Spook ie

Anything not by Slade
Necro

Pearl Jam
Rikand

Blur
Gru

Foo Fighters
lassykk

Nirvana
ShaneU

ELO
beakerjoe

Prince and the New Power Generation
FixXxer

BTS
Electric Nitwit

Pink Floyd
Homer J. Fong

Metallica
Also Starring LeVar Burton

Fleetwood Mac
phatkev....................................The Rolling Stones

Tune in to find out who will be crowned the champion of Reberrus.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 31-03-2020 3:04pm

Just realised I went with all-female vocalists for this Walrus, and I can't remember if I did that intentionally or not.

Pretzill · 31-03-2020 5:16pm

Reberetta wrote: »

I sort of assume you guys know that the music has to be good too; sort of goes without saying, that's the whole point of it!:p

Nope, not weird and bizarre - that's normally the sort of music I swerve to be honest :cool:

Reberetta · 31-03-2020 6:00pm

Kicking this off soon. Songs with tied scores will be placed higher depending on weirdness first, and if that's a tie too, according to personal preference, naturally.

Reberetta · 31-03-2020 6:33pm

Let battle commence!

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: No

Apparently, Death Grips are an experimental hip-hop band from America. The video seems to have cost around 100 dollars to make and suits the song well. I don't know how you would describe this accurately, but it sounds like what I imagine ambient trance hippity-hop to be.This song sounds a bit like a spaceship moving slowly, with a man being anally probed within. Its repetitiveness and longevity are not a good mix.

I can certainly imagine this being enjoyable after an ingestion of copious amounts of drugs. Sadly, the only thing I ingested before listening to this was Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, which although delicious in their own right, don't produce the desired effect on the senses.

Weirdness: 5/5
Song: 2.5/10
Overall: 7.5

12th place:

phatkev

Reberetta · 31-03-2020 6:40pm

The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: No

This band must get their name from a message left by Jack The Ripper, so I like them already. This is a good humourous punk ditty. Blastworthy, short, simple and sweet. It's good to see that even gutter punks appreciate the outstanding engineering work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and are spreading his message to the disenchanted youth of today. It's better than singing about masturbation for the millionth time like those rambunctious rascals Greenday. A lot of men might give this a higher score but...I'm not a lot of men.

Weirdness: 2/5
Song: 7/10
Overall: 9

11th place:

Electric Nitwit

Goes into the lead, but will he stay there?

Reberetta · 31-03-2020 6:45pm

Have I heard of this artist: Yes
Have I heard this song before: Yes, but not this cover.

This is a rendition of a Nirvana song. The first time I listened, I genuinely thought it was one of the most distasteful things I'd ever heard, but I quickly learned to tolerate its dark humour. It's supposed to be cheesy, ironic and anti-rape, but it's a bit of an insensitive take on a serious issue.

Nevertheless, this is a good cover which incorporates synthesised brass sound via organ/piano and genuinely good intoning to transform grunge rock into a cruise ship lounge jingle. However, it's not something I would ever want to listen to on an even semi-regular basis and I prefer the original. OK.

Weirdness: 3/5
Song: 6/10
Overall: 9

10th place:

beakerjoe

Reberetta · 31-03-2020 6:50pm

The Showhawk Duo Insomnia by Faithless, Kernkraft 400 by Zombie Nation, Sandstorm by Darude (live)

Have I heard of this artist: No
Have I heard this song before: No

I don't usually watch the videos while listening to music on Youtube. I made an exception for this Walrus but only at the last. It's a good thing, because I presumed that the drumming on this track was being provided by a drum machine or drummer. In reality, the dude with the guitar is doing most, if not all, of the drumming! This is music you can definitely appreciate more upon watching the skill required to produce it. Although I'd prefer pot noodles and the original versions, this is impressive technical noodling, if a bit repetitive and lengthy.

The Showhawk Duo sounds like a WWE tag team. If I were them, I'd get on the phone to Vince McMahon pronto. They could be a mix between Legion Of Doom and the Honky Tonk Man.

Weirdness: 3/5
Song: 6/10
Overall:9

9th place:

lassykk

Reberetta's Walrus Reveal AKA Reberrus!

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