Just tell me how . . . how I can rid my heart of this pain? Just tell me how, how did I not see the love right here in front of me? Just tell me how, how it is that I have only seen you as a friend? Just tell me how, how is it that I love you now? This seems to be the running theme of Tykeys’ gospel-infused R&B song, 말해버려 [Just Tell Me], one of my absolute favorite cuts on the incredibly rich and neo-soulifric Ty Project No. 1. Every song on this wonderful album that features G.O’s expressive and impassioned vocals is a Vocal Virtuosity moment and I am thrilled to have the time to expose all of them before he concludes his military service.
If you have been following this series (or even my blog in general), you know how very sentimental I am and how I enjoy commemorating special dates, milestones, and memorable moments. Today happens to be one of those days as one year ago today, G.O stepped upon the stage and sang for us one more time before entering military training camp four short days thereafter. It is silly, but for some reason remembering that snowy Valentine’s Day is making me tremendously emotional as I sit down to write. I write through my tears often so it is ok that they fall today. I chose to write a Vocal Virtuosity moment for today as the time is actually quite perfect to revisit G.O’s performance of his incredibly smooth and sweet Play That Song from the I.Callist Vocal Idol Show on 14 February 2016.
Every moment G.O has the opportunity to sing will always have a place here in this countdown series and will generally find its way into the Vocal Virtuosity archives. Every single one. But I admit there will always be some moments that stand out much like the one I share today where G.O turns a ballad into a tender lullaby in his rendition of Hurricane during a January 2010 visit to the Volume Up radio show.
I truly am of the firm belief that there is a time, season and reason for all things that happen in our lives. I still remember so clearly Lee Joon’s words during one of the Curtain Call shows back in November 2014 where he said that even brushing against someone’s shoulder is one’s karma. It may sound all granola breath and tree huggy, but I think that he (like me) believes in the power and force of the universe and how our lives play into and are affected by it, including the people we meet and come in contact with. This is perhaps why I completely missed falling heart first into the G.O vortex before he released either of his digital singles, and most notably, Play That Song. I wasn’t ready. But I came close, for it was by early December 2013 that I was on the road to G.O-ville. All things for a reason.^^ For our G.O One Shot today, I steal a moment from the mini Play That Song MV, in .gif form.
Over the course of his career, G.O has been fortunate to collaborate with other artists which has not only yielded some pretty fantastic music, but also secured his reputation in the business as a skilled and talented artist with an incredible work ethic. I am certain he also has learned so much in the wake of those collaborations. On this 78th day of G.O’s service I am rotating in The Heavenly Collaborations, and will start with his wondrous collaboration with Yiruma.
