I made this a separate category because 1) the sampled piano sounds on the Yamaha
Clavinova sound so good (especially with good speakers or headphones) and 2) it has
literally changed my life. Since I got the Clavinova, I’ve kind of become addicted to
listening to it on my headphones because of the sound quality. I always wondered how
some piano recordings sounded so rich even with a one-note melody as in a soft Carlos
Jobim tune backing Sinatra. Well, now I know. It has allowed me to be more expressive than I ever could be on my acoustic piano. So I’ve also been playing more than ever because it’s way more fun and I don’t bug my family because of the headphones! Anyway, I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I enjoy playing them!
“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!!
In case you missed the most recent Covid update (the medley was tacked on to the end of the last blog video): For a while, I was too shaken by the pandemic and the deaths to try to trivialize the suffering (in my mind) by putting out much music. However, somehow, life will go on and the healing power of music will go on forever, perhaps as vibrations after we are all long gone. So anyway, in addition to continuing to share Covid insights (as they occur) I will also continue to share music as it occurs. No disrespect to those who have lost loved ones. I have also. However, since I have been personally comforted by recording this music for you, I hope that at least some of you can smile with me for a few moments as you listen to some of my favorite songs. With that said: I was thinking about why the following songs are so popular, have stood the test of time, and why they feel so comfortable and satisfying to play and listen to. The songs were all written between 1927 and 1936. I may have first learned them from a Billie Holiday Greatest [...]
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. [...]
As far as the lyrics as are concerned, when I was single, I wish I was a tenth as smooth as this guy is trying to romance Jasmine! In these times, we need a minute to smile. As a matter of fact, as many minutes as possible. Here’s one. :) 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!!
Since it's Stevie's birthday today (May 13), I wanted to share one more cover I did - this time of "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)". This song is off the album "Talking Book", often considered to be the beginning of Wonder's "classic" period and his transition from child star to maturing artist. I hope you 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 owned!! Be among the first to know when we re-open! Fill out our COVID-19 Re-Opening Notification List (password: healthy2020) COVID-19 Re-Opening List
One of my favorite musical artists turns 70 years old today, and as the tributes roll in from celebrities and others all around the world, I thought I'd add my voice to the chorus. I was lucky enough to meet Stevie again at the Grammys years ago. I don't remember what we were discussing in the photo or if he won that night, but he's won 25 Grammy awards so the odds were definitely in his favor ?. Stevie's music inspires people all across the world, and inspiration is something we could all use right now. I recorded a piano cover of his classic, "My Cherie Amour", believed to be written about his girlfriend while attending the Michigan School for the Blind! Happy 70th Birthday to the legend, and we wish you many more! 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 owned!!
"Angel from Montgomery" is a song written by John Prine, who passed away yesterday from COVID-19 at age 73. He was a unique and singular talent and will be missed. Prine wrote "Angel from Montgomery" after a friend suggested writing "another song about old people", referring to Prine's song"Hello In There". Although Prine had "said everything I wanted to[about seniors] in 'Hello In There'" he was intrigued by the idea of"a song about a middle-aged woman who feels older than she is...[Eventually] I had this really vivid picture of this woman standing over the dishwater with soap in her hands....She wanted to get out of her house and her marriage and everything. She just wanted an angel to come to take her away from all this". [from Wikipedia] In memory of this gentle soul, who is ‘gonna get a cocktail, vodka and ginger ale’ up there right now. [from his song ‘When I Get to Heaven.] 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 [...]
“All Things Must Pass” was a song written 50 years ago by George Harrison. I didn’t previously know this, but the lyrics were originally written by Lao-Tzu (ca. 6th century BC), who is traditionally considered the author of the Tao Te Ching and the founder of Taoism. Timothy Leary, a Harvard professor and advocate for the use of LSD to expand consciousness, compiled his version of the poem from a collection of English translations. George Harrison then modified Leary’s version and added the music. I’ve slightly modified the lyrics for this global pandemic version and have found that it’s given me inspiration, perspective and optimism in this dark and challenging time. I hope it does the same for you. Enjoy, Dr. Weiss PS FYI (and for the more philosophically minded), here is the rest of the poem by Lao-Tzu: What always changes? Earth...sky...thunder...mountain...water...wind...fire...lake... These change And if these do not last Do man's visions last? Do man's illusions? Take things as they come All things pass 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) [...]
Hank Williams recorded this classic song in 1949. Elvis Presley thought that it was probably the saddest song he’d ever heard. Bob Dylan wrote: “I didn't have to experience anything that Hank did to know what he was singing about. I'd never heard a robin weep, but could imagine it and it made me sad." Songwriter Harlan Howard coined the phrase “Three chords and the truth” to describe the necessary ingredients for country and western music, alluding to the familiar simplicity of country music and the paramount importance of the truth of the story. Hank Williams wrote this song with only three chords (I-IV-V) but my arrangement was inspired by Leon Russell’s recording which subtlely reharmonizes the song with some extra chords. Because of the importance of the lyrics, I’ve decided to sing this one - a rarity because I do not consider myself much of a vocalist. And be sure to listen for the lonely whippoorwill chirping at the end! I’d like to dedicate this performance to Michael and Fred, my friends in Nashville. Thanks again to Michael for taking me to the church of country music, the Ryman Auditorium for the first time. Thanks to Fred for requesting [...]
"Across the Universe" is a Beatles song written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. I’ve always liked this song and playing it feels like meditating to me. In February 1968, (52 years ago!) the Beatles convened at Abbey Road studios to record a single for release during their absence on their forthcoming trip to India. Paul McCartney had written "Lady Madonna", and Lennon had "Across the Universe". Lennon referred to the song as perhaps the best, most poetic lyric he ever wrote: "It's one of the best lyrics I've written. In fact, it could be the best. It's good poetry, or whatever you call it, without chewin' it. See, the ones I like are the ones that stand as words, without melody. They don't have to have any melody, like a poem, you can read them." A truly cosmic song! On 4 February 2008, at 00:00 UTC, NASA transmitted the Interstellar Message "Across the Universe" in the direction of the star Polaris, 431 light years from Earth.This was done to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song's recording, the 45th anniversary of the Deep Space Network (DSN), and the 50th anniversary of NASA. The idea was hatched by Beatles [...]
