Mike Massé's Vocal Acrobatics

It must have been around March, 2011. I was trying to decide what cover to do at one of my gigs and thought that the song "Pride" (U2) would be nice. So, I looked up a bunch of youtube covers to get some ideas and came across Mike Massé playing acoustic guitar and singing, accompanied by Jeff Hall on bass and The Phil on electric guitar. I clicked the video to start playing and waked across the room to get something. I distinctly remember this. I heard the song start out, guitar nearly identical and thought "Ah, well, The Phil must have studied The Edge's guitar settings." Then, Mike's voice boomed in and I was sure that it was the actual recording, without drums. It sounded identical. I returned to my laptop, looked at the three of them playing and was just confused. What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q377uHhyNe0

So, after checking out another U2 cover of theirs (I can't recall which one), I discovered a cover of "Africa" (Toto). I was curious how they were going to manage to pin down those vocal harmonies and rhythmic guitar. Well, I was stunned! I must have watched that video a couple times a day for a week. I sent it to everyone I knew saying stuff like "Can you believe this?" It was like watching a gymnast do the most fantastic acrobatics. Funnily enough, I didn't subscribe to his youtube channel because I remembered his name and looked him up from time to time. I only realised that I hadn't subscribed a little while ago and subscribed.

I honestly didn't know much about him, since there wasn't much information on his Facebook page or website but some time this past summer I found out a little more about him and it was quite touching. His one year old son was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour and Mike reached out to the universe via youtube, with a cover of the Beatles' "Let It Be". I urge you to watch this. Things are going better with his son Noah now, from what I can tell on his Facebook page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YAu-sGIpwQ

Well, he has a couple original songs on youtube. I wish he had more because they are great. The song that stood out to me is called "Sarah", a song he wrote in 1993 about a girl he met in college. I can just hear the Beatles' influence in this song. It's fantastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lofgx6vLvA4

I'm certainly enjoying writing about all these talented youtubers every day. Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out Mike Massé.

Alex Hamel