Q*Ball – “Almost Paradise” available now – free download

Friday, December 30th, 2011

Q*Ball covers “Almost Paradise” from the ‘Footloose’ soundtrack, available for free download via the link below at Soundcloud.  The original version was sung by Mike Reno & Ann Wilson, aka the guy with the headband in Loverboy and the fat chick from Heart.  It was written by the guy who brought you one of the gayest songs ever – “Hungry Eyes,” Mr. Eric Carmen.

Almost Paradise by baldfreak

Q - “My cousin performed in a church community performance of ‘Footloose’ this past summer and the only redeeming thing I got out of that besides some free Twizzlers was a reminder that ‘Almost Paradise’ was a pretty dramatic, catchy tune.  It’s a quintessential 80s power ballad and after watching it 450 times on YouTube so I could learn the chord progressions, I must admit, it’s powerful.  Considering my fondness for 80s cheeze and Kevin Bacon, and my desire to learn to play songs by ear on the piano, I thought it’d be cool to record my own spin on the song.  My version probably sucks, but hey, you get what you pay for.  It was cool to learn how to play it.”

Q*Ball memorably covered 80s hits “Whip It” (Devo), “Maniac” (Michael Sembello) and “Take On Me” (A-Ha) back when he played shows and people cared.  This is Q*Ball’s first foray into self-producing in his home studio and he apologizes for that.  This is now the second song Q*Ball can play by ear on the piano in its entirety, after “Frosty The Snowman.”  Q*Ball is currently working on Kermit The Frog’s “The Rainbow Connection.”

Performers:  Q*Ball – Upright piano, keytar, MicroKorg, loops, vocals, slightly dodgy backing vocals.  Recorded using ProTools LE 8.  Inspired by SK and CB.  “Almost Paradise” is written by Eric Carmen & Dean Pitchford.  Copyright Sony/ATV Melody Publishing LLC (BMI).  All rights reserved.

Tags: Almost Paradise, Eric Carmen, Footloose, Q*Ball

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