Use the Force, Luc

February 23, 2010 4:38 AM

Ladies and Gentlemen, the amazing voice of Luc Arbogast. Here's another video of his impressive singing, if you can manage to ignore the dodgy camera work and annoying tourists.

Luc Arbogast's MySpace page.

"In front of the Cathedral of Strasbourg (France) you will see Luc Arbogast, his Gothic cloths will remind you how appearance can fool your judgment. If you are lucky, you will hear him singing, a man and a women getting out from the gate of the Cathedral hand in hand, light rain is falling, at that moment you will feel God is nearer."

posted by bwg (13 comments total)

Yup, the fellow's got a pretty amazing voice, alright. Good with those ankle rattles, too.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:54 AM on February 23, 2010

Yeah -- fabulous! Love this guy. I only regret that he feels the need to make a public nuisance of himself by singing out on the street. How about singing INSIDE the church? That's what churches are for.
posted by Faze at 5:11 AM on February 23, 2010

Does he still have his balls? Serious eunuch action here. No offense to Mr. Arbogast.
posted by fungible at 5:31 AM on February 23, 2010

a street musician is a public nuisance? "LOL he haz no ballz"?

Did you perhaps confuse the youtube comment form with the blue just now?
posted by ts;dr at 5:47 AM on February 23, 2010 [3 favorites]

If you watch other videos you'll note Arbogast can sing at lower octaves; I just find it fascinating that he as an adult he can also sing like a choir boy.
posted by bwg at 5:51 AM on February 23, 2010

Wonderful voice!

Too bad he feels it necessary to try and sell the whole renaissance fair kit and kaboodle along with it.

Gothic cloths will remind you how appearance can fool your judgment.

Actually, I'd find it much more of a clash--and more interesting--were he wearing a suit or jeans and a t-shirt. His appearance doesn't at all defy my expectations; his ability does, however, but that's a fault with my own prejudices.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 6:10 AM on February 23, 2010

This is the kind of post mf is for. Thanks.
posted by jefficator at 6:35 AM on February 23, 2010

He's really good, but for truly stunning multi-voiced street performers, I'll take Thoth any day of the week. (More here.)
posted by Nothing... and like it at 8:55 AM on February 23, 2010

He'd be a countertenor, I believe.

What's up with the comments in here? Is this still Metafilter?
posted by scottatdrake at 9:12 AM on February 23, 2010 [1 favorite]

Wow, this guy is good. I don't see anything wrong with his outfit, costumes are a standard part of performance. It's not even a very outlandish outfit.
posted by MrBobaFett at 10:45 AM on February 23, 2010

a street musician is a public nuisance?

Streets are for the silent contemplation of the universe to the accompaniement of the ambient sounds of commerce, transportation, or conversation. They are not a stage for your self-expression, attempts to get "discovered", or wish to bully passers by with noise. Music is meant to be listened to indoors, or under a shelter, or in an environment controlled for comfort, noise and ease of attention. Luc Arbogast happens to be brilliant, but 98 percent of street performers bite the massively huge baloney. In any case, just because I like Luc Arbogast, that is no reason why other people -- many of whom may simply find the guy annoying -- should be forced to listen to him. Talented people like Arbogast don't need to sing out on the street. Get thee to a concert hall, Luc.
posted by Faze at 1:53 PM on February 23, 2010

They are not a stage for your self-expression

Actually, at various times over the past decades, they have been a stage for my self expression, thank you very much, so, you're wrong about that. I'd like to add that on many of the occasions that I've played music on the streets (Amsterdam, Firenze, Boston, NYC) I've met and chatted with many wonderful people who enjoyed my music and seemed quite happy to have heard a bit of it.

I've also derived great enjoyment from hearing all sorts of musicians performing on the streets over the years, many of which I'd certainly have never heard in any concert setting.

...98 percent of street performers bite the massively huge baloney.

In my experience, this statement is untrue. I guess it depends on where you live, or how much traveling you do or have done. Or perhaps how much of a grumpy, unreceptive curmudgeon you happen to be.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:08 PM on February 23, 2010

I guess it depends on where you live, or how much traveling you do or have done.

And probably where you travel to. While a tour of the worlds major cities will likely turn up some highly accomplished street performers, a tour that took in towns like Birkenhead, Wigan, St. Helens, Ellesmere Port and Runcorn would tend to confirm the huge baloney hypothesis.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:04 AM on February 24, 2010