VOCES8: 'Vincent' by Don McLean (arr. Jim Clements)

Members of VOCES8 (Blake on solo) perform Don McLean's tribute to artist Vincent Van Gogh. This performance was part of the ensemble's opening concert 'Stardust' for Live From London Summer Festival 2021, broadcast from the VOCES8 Centre on 4th July 2021.
You can view the whole concert by visiting voces8.foundation/livefromlon...
LYRICS
Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy, linen land
Now, I understand what you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now
Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand
Now, I understand, what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now
For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you
Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
Now, I think I know what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will

[@pistachio57]

Oh my, Blake’s voice is liquid velvet. Just stunning!

[@dickloucks8853]

This is truly beautiful. I am a 78-yr old man...and I can STILL remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I first heard this on the Radio in Schenectady, NY. I don't ever recall another song ever having had such an impact upon me at first hearing.. A piece of art.

[@FredWilbury]

Me too met my wife to be now together 50 yrs

[@wrightgregson9761]

this has to be one of the best "pop" songs ever when one looks at it as whole story/biography. Don McLean's masterpiece--so emotional listening to it.

[@TrevorMag62]

There’s a 3:30 minute scene from Doctor Who, easily found on KZbin, that portrays the Doctor transporting Vincent Van Gogh to the Musée d'Orsay in 2010. This gesture allows him to understand how his art - ignored in his own lifetime - would be appreciated in the future. It is one of the most emotionally profound scenes in the series, and a worthy companion piece to this wonderful song and arrangement.

[@JRLNeal]

I be just been to see the clip. Quite moving. Thanks.

[@charlesscott7748]

Totally agree. Best 3 minutes of Doctor Who, ever.

[@kevatasu]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5O3e3yVitWbhs0

[@ianavery4231]

I personally think the most moving Dr Who episode ever I cry every time and this version matches it so well

[@brucekuehn4031]

@@kevatasu Thank you very much. That was very special after listening to this song. Always nice to see Bill Nighy.

[@QalinaCom]

I just realised that I held breath for over 4 minutes listening to this...

[@tinyshepherdess7710]

This has to be one of the most gorgeous covers of a pop song that I have ever heard. The pure, smooth and perfectly-on-pitch tone of Blake the soloist is stunning. And every time I hear the climax, I cry. Every time. Not very many pieces of music continue to affect me in this way after several listenings! Brilliant.

[@DJKLProductions]

You should check out The King's Singer's arrangesments as well. I really like that of "Some folks' lives" which was orignally written by Paul Simon.

[@Pecosinger]

Me, too. Every time. This got me through the pandemic, along with their renditions of "Caledonia", "Finlandia", "the Luckiest" and so many others. It's such a gift!

[@ShelaghBluebell]

Yes, yes...

[@shawardara]

Bell-like tuning. Gorgeous❤.

[@brittensmusic2692]

Playing on repeat. Blake.. how amazing your voice is. You inhabit this song... and the rest of the chorus is just heavenly. Bravo!

[@mosart7025]

My soul must now take time to regroup and slowly come back to the mundane nitty-gritty of the real world. Thank you for that brief, but beautiful trip to the sublime!

[@DominicNJ73]

If I could slip from this world with Blake's voice playing in my ears I would die a very happy man.

[@1keithvincent]

More than one person has kidded Blake about his looking like Jesus, but the truth is that his performance here is truly divine.

[@LostintheTwilightZone]

Historically, Jesus would not have looked anything like that........At the time that Jesus supposedly lived men wore their hair short, not long ( that is a movie construct!!). They also were clean shaven, did NOT wear beards. Also, Jesus being middle eastern would have had dark curly hair and dark brown eyes and dark brown skin!!!. Stop buying into the white european Jesus that has been depicted in paintings and movies!!!

[@1keithvincent]

@@LostintheTwilightZone Ellen, I agree that the historical Jesus would have looked quite different from the white images of European art and Western cinema. Whether Jesus wore a beard or had long hair makes no difference to me. In fact, I was simultaneously offering Blake sincere praise and gentle criticism. Personally, I think Blake looks better with shorter hair and shorter beard, but his voice is all that really matters. He and all the other singers in Voces8 have a marvelous sound. In fact, I listened to their "Lux" album while in the dentist's chair yesterday, and I can personally attest to its pain-killing effects!

[@jerrera45]

Goose bumps and tears. What a phenomenal performance of a beautiful song.

[@peteg8920]

Loved this song when first sung by Don Mclean . Blakes voice suits it perfectly.

[@rutha1464]

More beautiful than the original recording! Thank you.

[@flisscook8934]

What a stunning rendition.... one of my favourite songs from the 1970s when I was a student.... Blake's singing here is liquid crystal.... and infinitely luscious backing by the rest of you.... Thanks for brightening my Sunday morning.... this is 'Church' for me!

[@Robert_Herring]

Stunning. Blake, you were sublime in this.

[@apolodoro11]

Blake is channeling the soul of Vincent and the homage of the composer.

[@joshthoreson4283]

So crisp. It’s perfect.

[@learnchange1929]

Hard to imagine anything more beautiful than this song sung by this group - I could listen to it again, and again, and again...

[@bettyh.3656]

Oh yes, I repeat listening this song and many others done by VOICES8 from time to time again and again 💙. These young people really know how to touch our souls 💙. All the best from the Czech Republic Betty H.

[@peterlowie5067]

Whatever you touch... It becomes GOLD....

[@pammillerhoward7785]

Best version of this song EVER. Every word caressed for perfect meaning.

[@nonyabidness5708]

Sacrilege. Don MacLean's version was perfection. This is VERY close second. 😊

[@mikeryan7213]

This is painful listening. Don mcclean's version was beautifully poetic

[@snowinthemeadow]

as beautiful as ... all of you ... every time I listen to this (often!) more and more unveils .. 💞🕊💞

[@M_elliote34]

Didn’t know Jesus could sing so good

[@AnjaHuebel1]

Jesus did not have blue eyes and he surely had a darker complexion. In fact, no-one knows what he looked like and how he wore his hair. Don't be taken in by depictions of Jesus that are tied to a certain time and culture.

[@M_elliote34]

@@AnjaHuebel1 lol relax. I was only Comparing to the modern image of Jesus we have today. And it was a joke 😅

[@mechthilds5083]

😂

[@catherinenelson9909]

They’re all excellent singers, beautiful voices.

[@misss3480]

Gorgeous! Beautifully sung by all. I loved the simplicity of Blake's interpretation - so moving.

[@DiddlyPenguin]

Blake sang that simply with lots of feeling. Superb

[@joshwaldmartinez-peralta7763]

Letting a much needed cry out

[@brentfoley3896]

Elevated this classic to a hymn. Superb arrangement and flawless execution.

[@sealyoness]

You've broken my heart.

[@PaulHankinsonMusic]

this is absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for this magical moment at the end of a rainy day - this is one of my all-time favourite songs - I arranged it for piano left hand alone - Jim Clements has created a beautiful arrangement and you perform it so delicately. Soul food. Thank you. Bliss.

[@carlosurbanejasilva1881]

This may be my most beloved non-classical song of all time. And this version is gorgeous.

[@jesselquilala2569]

Vincent, I do understand now 😢

[@majikthyse]

Staggeringly beautiful. Best version by a mile.

[@scathekh]

Have you heard Josh Groban's?

[@majikthyse]

@@scathekh I have now. Very good, but a different genre. As a first tenor I prefer the higher pitch, and the a capella arrangement.

[@nathalieoconnor5330]

Sublime Blake Morgan😍!!! Quelle perfection, vous tous les V8🥰 Merci pour cette magnifiiiique interprétation de Vincent! J'adoooore...

[@TheDivayenta]

Don sounds like Don McLean! Beautiful , touching.

[@Just_Sara]

That’s Blake!

[@magnificatanimamea2353]

That's Blake

[@TheMusicscotty]

The Jesus look-a-like has a glorious voice.

[@lukelindsay07]

I was hoping other Barber Shoppers were into this group

[@gailseatonhumbert]

Don't you mean Chris Stapleton style 😁

[@davelakin8711]

You’re right. Except Jesus would have had dark skin, been shorter, curly hair, and more SE Asian appearance. May have been a great singer though. Hard to know for sure. Lol. 😂

[@carolebates9235]

Jewish. But as a people they have a large gene pool.

[@thomasnickel2883]

Unfassbar schön... ❤️

[@riccardomagnaghi7584]

I was in Pavia at Borromeo College. It was a wonderful experience hearing your team. Bravi, Bravi, Bravi!!!

[@suellensimons-peters1597]

Blake has such beautiful artistry and interpretation! Lovely arrangement!

[@windchimerainbow136]

The most beautiful rendition of this song I've ever heard. You folks are fabulous. Truly.

[@stevenfromer3816]

Every piece of music and it matters not what genre they sing is pure perfection. This is such a fine rendition, absolute beauty.

[@pedroladislau1315]

Hear the version of Gregorian of it. Its very beautiful too

[@stevenfromer3816]

@@pedroladislau1315 can you provide a link?

[@pedroladislau1315]

@@stevenfromer3816 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kICXc3h4gpqHrtE

[@chrislemus9698]

Blake Morgan is literally the perfect tenor

[@urmorph]

In case anyone is in doubt about the meaning of the word "dolce"...

[@vanthommefamily4064]

Your sound soothes my very soul. Blessings for using your talents to heal others.

[@onkelflonkel9442]

Es ist zum Niederknien schön.

[@saira7cores]

Thank you for sharing the beauty of Vincent, through the beauty of the colours of your musical interpretation. Thank you, Voces8, for bring us all, a little bit of heaven through your dedication and commitment to excellence.

[@pattymulchi9933]

Vincent Van Gogh, perfect description!

[@corneliuslow]

Vincent is my all-time favorite song. Thank you!

[@jeremygmail]

Beautiful arrangement and performance. As a fellow choir person, there is just something about a great arrangement with great performers in a great space which just warms the soul. You can color me subscribed! Well done Voces8! Looking forward to the day when I can see you live (in US). Till then, I will admire from afar.

[@MrCaptainpicard1701d]

So incredibly beautiful …

[@concertinamadrigals4058]

A wonderful rendition of an already-beautiful song!

[@apiphil]

Même à 5 c'est MAGNIFIQUE !

[@josephdeery7252]

Stunning! Very honest.

[@patrickdonnelly513]

I saw Jesus during this

[@margaritalopezrojas3050]

absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!

[@TheCiabbata]

Love this song and absolutely love the rendition

[@gehe8929]

Was für eine wunderbare Aussprache! So kann man Englisch lernen! Großartiger Vortrag. Vielen Dank an alle V8.

[@regomoditswetheo5590]

This is beautiful . So much harmony for a small group . Mind blew I tell you.

[@Currabell]

Astonishing. Beautiful.

[@danielolivier6350]

Without a doubt, your whole group has extraordinary voices. You don't just amaze our ears with your music, you get to reach our souls. Daniel Olivier, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.

[@Aeon8354]

The BBC should find a way to mix this version of this song into the Dr. Who episode that centered around Vincent van Goph.

[@kevatasu]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5O3e3yVitWbhs0

[@ShelaghBluebell]

Stiil so moving, this version of the Vincent song. Blake does such a good job of calling up the truth and beauty of both the song and the life and work of an artist whose life was certainly a great struggle. But he kept to the truth of his vision and the world has been enriched with it. Thank you for your life of painting, Vincent. Thank you Voces 8 for a sensitive and caring tribute to the same. Thank you Blake.

[@79Scifiguy]

Congratulations, ya'll made me cry! Gorgeous singing Blake; so pure, smooth angelic singing. Bravo!

[@ryanhill1363]

Absolutely beautiful - a stunning rendition of this song. Well done VOCES8!

[@charlesscott7748]

VOCES8 has the Midas touch.

[@anjelakewell9671]

So beautiful, soulful and emotional.

[@tomreingold4024]

Thank you for this.

[@susanfalcon8716]

Perfect

[@WhitneyMaslak]

Well, now I’m crying! I can’t decide which version is more beautiful, Don McClean’s, or this one!

[@miked1406]

Don McLean brought to the next level ... touching my soul ... thank you

[@oliviadawn9002]

I haven’t listened yet. But this is going to be soooo good. One of my FAVORITE songs by one of my favorite groups 😭

[@matthiaskopp9305]

So, did you like it then?

[@moshecohen8348]

Wow! Absolutely stunning!

[@marylove909]

This was beautiful! Thank you!

[@marcychristoff219]

That was lovely and thank you! 👏🎶

[@dennispalmini8335]

So very, very good. Blake has a wonderful voice. Only five vocalists is unique. Thank you all!

[@bobboyd7638]

Terrific performance---as always!

[@afemabenedictdeogratius139]

So beautifully done.

[@josamos4821]

Love this.

[@Angelina19601]

Wow! So beautiful! Thank you!

[@lillianlee4610]

So lovely and so moving. Thank you.

[@MrKeesStikkers]

This is absolutely stunning. Beautiful arrangement, perfectly sung and the recording is (as always) magnificent!

[@qianachloe]

Oh my 🥺💘 this is just SO beautiful!

[@sukuka]

Super! Gracias!

[@jthomasbrown1959]

Speechless. Absolutely and hauntingly beautiful!! ❤️

[@artursorba1465]

You never cease to amaze.

[@fusionjam]

Beautiful!!!

[@kristieroybal4888]

Stunning. Thank you.

[@KeudellMarga]

Muy hermoso! Gracias!

[@fairlyvague82]

Beautiful as always ❤️

[@pamelawillis9714]

Beautiful! Thank you.

[@LeanderMoens]

That's just beautiful! :)

[@WigbertTraxler]

Simply fantastic!!! Makes me speechless....

[@Caithlinn13]

gosh, I love this song!

[@ericaconce9891]

thank you for so much beauty... you guys are great!!!

[@rodger1nin]

so good! thanks for the starry performance 🎭

[@sonnysoldies5288]

Beautiful...

[@corlisscrabtree3647]

Thank you

[@MrMarioman107]

So beautiful! Thanks for making this a video to be enjoyed by so many:)

[@peteviney958]

Absolute bliss

[@Scottsdale46]

Sublime❣️

[@debbieowen8366]

Beautiful

[@mattosj.berger2081]

Absolutely incredible arrangement! Beautiful solo too!

[@shawnaharp]

So beautiful, this rendition gave me chills.

[@smokefireing]

Absolutely awesome

[@CarmenShenk]

Haunting and heartbreakingly beautiful! 💕

[@pearlkt]

Beautifully sang. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@michellemendelowitz-yuval7422]

Exquisite!