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Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week First Birthday 

So, there you have it, the first 52 Tunes of the Week all done and dusted. We’ve seen an interesting variety of tunes, from classical to comedy, disco, soul and rock. Here, for your convenience, is a complete list of the first year. Click on the week number to jump to the article for that [...]

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 53 – The Hallelujah Chorus 

For the last of our Choral works we return to Handel. The Hallelujah Chorus comes from Part II of the Messiah, and is probably one of the best known classical tunes. It’s certainly good fun to sing The YouTube video I’ve chosen is special because it’s performed by a flash mob in a food court [...]

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 52 – I Bought Me A Cat 

Time for something slightly less serious than last week’s Handel. It’s Aaron Copeland’s “I Bought Me A Cat”, from his series “Old American Songs”. There are many versions on YouTube, but this one is my favourite so far: Here’s another version on Amazon: Old American Songs: I Bought Me a Cat

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 51 – Zadok The Priest 

The second of our Choral works is Zadok The Priest, written by Handel. In many ways, the first section of this tune qualifies as a Building Tune – it keeps building right up until the choir starts singing. As the Wikipedia says: Zadok the Priest (HWV 258) is a coronation anthem composed by George Frideric [...]

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 50 – Jerusalem 

This is the 50th Tune of the Week. Only another couple of weeks and we’ll have an entire year’s worth! As always, the new month brings us a new theme, and this month our theme is Choral Music. My goodness, how have I not done this before now? Late autumn last year I joined the [...]

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 49 – Camelot! 

And as we near the end of the month and the end of our foray in to Monty Python songs, we happen upon “Camelot!” from the film Monty Python and The Holy Grail. There are several versions I need to bring to your attention First, here’s my favourite clip from the film (mainly because of [...]

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 48 – Squad, Camp It Up! 

OK, this week I need a little bit of Artistic License – strictly speaking it’s not so much a tune, more a chant really. Still, it’s terribly amusing none the less Here it is on YouTube: Granted, it’s a rather short clip. So, to make sure you’re not feeling hard done by, here’s a bonus [...]

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 47 – The Money Song 

More madness from Monty Python this week with The Money Song. Does anyone else remember The Money Programme? It seems to have kept going until relatively recently – the BBC website shows updates until 2009. The Money Song features Eric Idle at his ranting bonkers best (second only to the rather marvellous Travel Agent Sketch [...]

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 46 – Eric The Half-A-Bee 

More amusement from Monty Python, this week it’s “Eric the Half-a-Bee”. Following on from a sketch in which a chap at the Post Office is attempting to buy a Fish Licence for his pet fish, Eric. In fact, the YouTube link below has the sketch and the song. So this week you get bonus jollity [...]

Dr Jan’s Tune Of The Week 45 – The Philosophers’ Song 

Slightly later than expected, it’s time to start a new theme for March. This month our theme is songs from Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Most of the songs from Monty Python were written by Eric Idle. Hopefully we can visit some of the lesser-known but just as funny tunes by Monty Python. I’ll probably try [...]