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.

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

[flisscook]

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!

[pistachio]

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

[jerrera]

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

[dickloucks]

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.

[tinyshepherdess]

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.

[TrevorMag]

There’s a 3:30 minute scene from Doctor Who, easily found on YouTube, 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.

[pammillerhoward]

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

[QalinaCom]

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

[wrightgregson]

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.

[brittensmusic]

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

[rutha]

More beautiful than the original recording! Thank you.

[keithvincent]

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

[mosart]

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!

[Robert_Herring]

Stunning. Blake, you were sublime in this.

[learnchange]

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

[windchimerainbow]

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

[brentfoley]

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

[snowinthemeadow]

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

[DominicNJ]

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

[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.