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Have You Seen This? Samoan wildfire crew sings as they work
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Something about this is moving, powerful and all around magical as a Samoan hotshot crew sings as they walk out of the woods. - photo by John Clyde
John Clyde
KSL.com
Published: Oct 12, 2017, 1:01 PM


THE WOODS This video is just downright fantastic. Not sure what else to say really. At first, I thought it was kind of cool, then I thought it was like something out of a Disney movie and then I started getting emotional and didn't even know why.

As the video starts, you see a lonely forest that is both beautiful and tranquil, but then you realize you hear something in the distance. Something melodic and harmonious. Then the noise grows, and you realize it's singing. Multiple voices harmonizing as they sing and send their voices through the trees. The voices are powerful and moving, a men's chorus. As the sound grows and the song becomes more clear, we get our first glimpse of the source of the melody: firefighters.

One by one this Samoan hotshot crew emerges from the trees and continues to bolster the tune as it resonates off the trees. There is something beautiful about the singing and it's not just the fact that these men are on key like a trained choir, but rather it's something intangible that resonates on a deeper level.

After doing some research I found the tune is called "Faafetai i le Atua," which translates to "thank God in heaven." I found several videos online of the song and it's often sung to different melodies. I asked a friend for a rough translation, and he told me the firefighters are praising God and thanking him for protection.

You don't have to be religious to feel the power of the music and enjoy this video of people doing their job to the best of their abilities as they are thankful for the opportunity to perform it.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot
Martha Ostergar
KSL.com
Updated: Dec 30, 2018, 5:00 PM
Published: Dec 29, 2018, 1:57 PM

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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