Father And Daughter Perform Moving Version Of 'Angel'

Jun 21, 2020 by apost team

Johannesburg's father-daughter duo Adrian and Emma-Jean Galliard posted their rendition of Sarah Mclachlan's Angel on their YouTube page in April. They recorded the cover a day before Freedom day in South Africa.

There are few things more moving than a beautiful duet between a father and a daughter. In these difficult times, it is so important for us to remember that love and faith can overcome any obstacle. For decades, Sarah McLachlan's song Angel has been one of the most powerful ballads ever written. Thus, it is inspiring to see it covered by such a capable father-daughter team.

Anyone with a heart won't be able to resist the emotion of this cover. Even in its original form, Angel is a startlingly beautiful melody telling about how faith and courage can overcome any strife in life, even if it means the end of that life. It's a poignant message, even if it is one that can be difficult to reckon with.

Adrian and Emma-Jean Galliard may not have the exposure of Sarah McLachlan, but they certainly have the single prowess. We think the true magic here lies in the contrast between their voices. The beginning of the song begins much like the original, with a slow and tense buildup.

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During this period in the song, Emma-Jean's innocent voice sounds almost fragile, as if she is teetering on the edge of a breakdown but grounding herself through hope. It is an acrobatic performance that sends a chill down your spine.

Yet, the central power in this song comes towards the middle. Most modern songs feel the need to take the easy way out, with a satisfying resolution that gives closure but is ultimately meaningless. Angel doesn't take this shortcut. Rather, as the song builds, so too does the raw emotion. The ominous brooding. The tragic understanding of what is about to occur.

This shadowy conclusion is represented beautifully by Adrian Galliard's delicate but somber tone. The low pitch of his voice combined with the slightly gravely quality makes it abundantly clear to the listener that his intention comes from love, but that does not make it a positive message.

Even though the father and daughter pair are not physically together in the video, their stunning harmonies form an incredible blend. It is almost as if they are dancing together using only their voices. A shift left, a spin, a pirouette, and a closing. This is the type of chemistry that can only be achieved by love and time.

The audio mixing is thoughtful as well. Especially in amateur or low-budget music, the mixing of the musical and vocal tracks is often imperfect. It is all too common for overbearing instrument tracks to drown out the vocal performance, especially when the vocals are delicate. No such mistake is made here.

The only instrument track, a piano, is so subtly applied as to almost disappear. It is there but serves almost as a metronome rather than a source of melody. This approach does a beautiful job of showcasing the poignancy of this piece without making any element feel forced or overshadowed.

Strangely, the tenderness does not end when the music fades. In homegrown productions, the tiny vignettes that happen before and after the content are often some of the most communicative elements.

Here, the subtle smile shared by father and daughter displays a feeling that we all know, or at least hope to. It shows love, respect, and tenderness. It is a look that quite simply goes further than words.

It is impossible to deny that this duet of Angel by Adrian and Emma-Jean Galliard will be remembered as one of the most moving and beautiful pieces recorded in recent times. And not a single sad dog was in sight. What is your favorite hauntingly beautiful song? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones.