One doesn’t simply walk into Mordor. But apparently in Wisconsin you can walk into a tunnel and just start playing a really long flute. That’s just what Paul Harvey, also known as Flute Guy, did on a recent hike. What better music to play than part of Howard Shore’s enchanting score from The Lord of the Rings trilogy? He even used a long flute, called a drone flute, that doubles as a walking stick. It’s very appropriate, considering how far everyone walked in the series. The acoustics are gorgeous and even the added sounds of dripping water and kids whispering add to the magic.
An ironworker, Harvey often records videos from job sites still wearing high visibility clothes and a hard hat. He finds good acoustics in unlikely places like stairwells and rest stop bathrooms. This is far from the first time Harvey has shared his take on the ethereal music of Middle-earth. He previously recorded a version in a parking garage, even singing along to Pippin’s song from The Return of the King. Harvey also sings and plays “Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold” from The Hobbit, which we’ve heard a deep bass cover of as well.
He also covers the memorable music of everything from Titanic and Star Wars on the Paul Harvey Flute guy YouTube channel. We saw this video thanks to Laughing Squid.
If you’re looking for a less relaxing take on the gorgeous Lord of the Rings score, don’t forget that there’s a heavy metal version of the entire three-plus hour Fellowship of the Ring score. No matter the instrument, we always enjoy hearing the music of Middle-earth.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.
