Welcome to my music blog - The Soundtrack of My Life!

Many of you have asked me “What’s with all the music, Dr. Weiss?” Well, as I’ve told some of you:

I personally call every surgery patient on the evening of surgery just to make sure they are doing well and have no questions that need answering. Occasionally, I would be at the piano and play a song that we had listened to that day. I gradually realized that I wanted to go through all the music that I had played during my life and at least start making a list of the songs that I had recently played.

Well, there are now about 600 songs on the list and I realized that it in a way it represented the ‘soundtrack of my life’! And that’s how I got the idea to record these songs and share them with my patients, friends and family. After I record them they will reside here, for easy access.

Music is truth. It’s honest. It’s really the first social media, where in a way, people could share their souls directly. And isn’t that what the purpose of social media is and why it’s so popular - trying to share who you really are, as completely and directly as possible?

Finally, it has been (and will continue to be) a genuine pleasure sharing these different songs with you and I really appreciate all of your positive feedback!!

Musical Genres

Im In The Mood For Love

I’m In The Mood For Love

February 14, 2024

I’m In The Mood For Love (1:55) Recorded 2/13/24 George Shearing   George Shearing passed away ON THIS DAY, February 14, in 2011. One of the jazz greats, Sir George Shearing was known for his incomparable and complex reharmonizations. Usually, in classical, pop, or jazz, a piano player may use (hopefully sparingly) the damper pedal (the one on the right) to blend adjacent similar chords, usually one or two measures (4-8 beats). However, for this arrangement, I’m changing the pedal literally with each beat!! Listen carefully and you will hear how Shearing makes the song his own. Thanks, George, for showing us a new way of playing and listening. Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy, Dr. Weiss

Stardust

Stardust

August 24, 2023

Photo credit: Rick and Dall-E Stardust I always liked this song by Hoagy Carmichael written in 1927.  But I didn’t realize just how beautiful the lyrics (Mitchell Parish) were (although I’ve heard them many times) until read them as I was posting the lyrics to my music video. (see below for full lyrics.) Others apparently have also liked ‘Stardust’, which has been recorded over 1,500 times by such diverse names as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong,  Coleman Hawkins,  Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Ringo Starr (who recorded the song featuring arrangements by Paul McCartney), Willie Nelson, Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan (in 2017). I promised to record this song for one of my patients who is getting eyelid surgery tomorrow. I hope that it evokes wonderful ‘stardust memories’ for her. Enjoy, Dr. Weiss Dr. Weiss Recommends: If you are interested in Hoagy Carmichael and the period during which ‘Stardust’ was written, watch ‘Young Man With a Horn’ (on Amazon Prime or Apple TV), a film directed by Michael Cortiz, about the life of Hoagy’s best friend jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, starring Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Lauren Bacall and Hoagy Carmichael himself lending considerable authenticity. It’s worth a watch if only for […]

Sinatra singing

That’s Life

December 12, 2022

That’s Life In Memory of Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra was born on this day (December 12) in 1915. I guess I gotta actually sing this one! My father took my brother and me and some friends to see Sinatra at Resorts International Casino, the first casino that opened in Atlantic City, at one of the first shows, if not the first. I’m from Philadelphia, and we spent our summers in Atlantic City, so my father had some good connections. We had a table literally adjacent to the stage and carte blanche! It was all very exciting, and I’ll never forget the look of satisfaction on my Dad’s face because he was able to take us all out in such a manner! And in the casino itself, it was like there was electricity in the air. Here’s to a great singer and bon vivant!  Happy Birthday, Frank! Enjoy Dr. Weiss Related Posts: The Things We Did Last Summer – my attempt at a ‘trumpet’ solo (I love this song!) (Or enter https://youtu.be/gHWa2CjyZFg in your browser, if you don’t like clicking on hyperlinks) All The Way – dedicated to my dear friend Pat D, who danced with Sinatra at her wedding! ( or enter https://youtu.be/Nyh4bOAXJEg in […]

Bille Holiday

You Go To My Head

February 24, 2022

You Go to my Head Billie Holiday   On This Day (February 24) in 1938, Larry Clinton first recorded this song with his orchestra, followed by subsequent versions later the same year by Duke Ellington, Teddy Wilson, and my favorite version by Billie Holiday. This is one of the songs that are so good, everyone wants to sing it or play it, with notable recordings by Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, and of course, Frank Sinatra. You Go to My Head was written by J. Fred Coots (with lyrics by Haven Gillespie.) What makes this song so special that is has been described by one music critic as “a minor masterpiece”? The harmonic composition is surprisingly sophisticated for a “pop” song. And those harmonies are showcased by a melody with an unusual number of repeated notes. It wanders from major to minor chords and ends with a unique coda. I’ve added a final ‘major minor’ chord at the very end of my version to evoke the film noir ambiance. Interesting fact: Coots and Gillespie also wrote ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” but the two never seemed to have any other memorable successes (I guess I would settle for just writing these two gems!) Film Noir I recently described my encounter with […]

Leon Russell at microphone

A Song for You

November 13, 2020

A Song For You Leon Russell passed away on this day 4 years ago. In my opinion, this is one of the loveliest love songs ever written. Believe it or not (it's true), I once put on an international multi-specialty medical conference in Deer Valley and I had Leon Russell perform. Pretty crazy, eh? Enjoy, Dr. Weiss Bosendorfer piano sound - For this recording I’m playing a Yamaha Clavinova – which has the same keyboard action as a traditional acoustic piano, but there are no strings. Pressing a key activates (in this case) a sound which was sampled from a Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano. Try listening to it with a good set of headphones! It sounds better than any piano I've ever played!!
Frank Sinatra with a hat

Ain’t She Sweet (part of Happy Jazz Medley)

August 12, 2020

“Ain’t She Sweet” is a song composed by Milton Ager, with lyrics by Jack Yellen. It was published in 1927 and typified the Roaring Twenties and ‘Tin Pan Alley’ songs. Ager wrote “Ain’t She Sweet” for his daughter. Bosendorfer piano sound - For this recording I’m playing a Yamaha Clavinova – which has the same keyboard action as a traditional acoustic piano, but there are no strings. Pressing a key activates (in this case) a sound which was sampled from a Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano. Try listening to it with a good set of headphones! It sounds better than any piano I've ever owned!!
Rosemary Clooney in 1953

Tenderly

June 4, 2020

Stars like Rosemary Clooney (yes, she *is* related to George Clooney - he's her nephew!), Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong have given us great versions of this classic jazz tune!  Here's my cover - I hope you enjoy! Dr. Weiss Weiss Cosmetic LIVE Interactive Webcast! Is it now safe to see your doctor in Orange County? Saturday, June 6 @ 5:00 PM Join us for our first ever live interactive webcast presentation!  Tune in using your computer or mobile device at https://www.drweiss.com/weiss-cosmetic-livestream/ at 5:00 PM PST as we discuss the following: Safety issues in medical offices as they start to open up in Orange County and have a chance to ask your questions! What is a sty and how do I treat it at home? PLUS! World premiere of original, pandemic-inspired new song by Dr. Weiss: Footprints in the Sands of Time Requirements: All you need is a computer or mobile device and an internet connection! Bosendorfer piano sound - For this recording I’m playing a Yamaha Clavinova – which has the same keyboard action as a traditional acoustic piano, but there are no strings. Pressing a key activates (in this case) a sound which was sampled from a Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano. [...]
In the still cole porter

In The Still of the Night

November 18, 2019

"In the Still of the Night" is a popular song written  (words and music) by Cole Porter for the MGM film Rosalie sung by Nelson Eddy and published in 1937. A little about Cole Porter:  It’s no surprise that his talent manifested early in life. He grew up privileged and even brought an upright piano with him to school. He became class valedictorian and was rewarded by his grandfather with a tour of France, Switzerland and Germany. Entering Yale College in 1909, Porter majored in English, minored in music, and also studied French. In his senior year, he was elected president of the Yale Glee Club and was its principal soloist. Porter wrote 300 songs while at Yale! I’ve always like this song and the way Porter evokes a feeling of mysteriousness with the alteration of major and minor chords. Notable cover versions of this song: Tommy Dorsey, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Parker, Perry Como, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, Billy Eckstine and Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Eartha Kitt, Eddie Fisher, Rosemary Clooney, Neville Brothers, Michael Nesmith,  Neil Diamond, Aaron Neville, and Carly Simon. His other numerous hit songs include "Night and Day", "Begin the [...]