Due to many, many requests to make the TOBs a regular feature, here I am again, bringing you music from my eclectic playlists. (OKAY, OKAY, I got one Kosmail from Most Awesome Nana, asking me to do it again)
Warning: there will most likely be what some consider inappropriate language in these music diaries. It is probably hidden and if you find it, you'll probably get a door prize.
This week, we will be hearing pianists that I love. I have played the piano since I could reach the keys. I play by ear and just learned the Civil War waltz, Ashokan Farewell, and am quite the sassy little bitch now. Now if I could only find a Democrat to play it for.
Please add your favorites for us. You don't even have to be a TOB or a TOM.
Off you go!
I was (imprisoned) married for 13 years to a die-hard Republican country music fan. I had grown up on rock and roll in the 50s. I found myself driving around in my car, shhhhh, listening to illicit rock and roll. It was reminiscent of being out behind the barn smoking cigarettes I stole from my brother-in-law. Actually, his little sister and I were in the outhouse and he saw the smoke coming from the cracks of the "structure".
Being married to a control freak who counted the change when I grocery shopped, made it hard to save any pennies, but it wasn't my first rodeo. I became very good at returning certain items to Piggly Wiggly and getting the money back. :)
My first purchase was "Honky Cat" by Elton John. How can you resist a pudgy little happy guy from England, who played the piano like he was possessed. EJ is still THE Honky Cat. 45 years later and I'm still in love with him. I absolutely love this video because it is apparent he is having a blast and so is the band. I would drink a very cheery champagne with this.
I bought Maria Joao Pires's album about 15 minutes after I heard it on NPR. I was in my truck on I-40 and whipped into the one town that had a music store. This piece is 1:49:22 long, so you might want to get into your favorite recliner with two bottles of good wine. No glasses needed. Just wine.
This is the only song by Jerry Lee Lewis I have in my playlist. If you grew up in the 50s you probably remember one of the bigger scandals we experienced as teenagers, Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13 year old cousin! Yes, he did. Jerry Lee recorded "Twilight" for the movie "Last Man Standing". Robbie Robertson, who penned the lyrics, is one of the greatest songwriters and guitarists of my time. Jerry Lee Lewis's piano playing on "Twilight" is his signature hard style. Robbie Robertson always writes genius lyrics and is playing guitar on this. This calls for tequila with lime and salt on the hand.
Blues Pianist Luca Sestak's is playing his Slow Blues Improvisation. Luca was born in Celle, Germany in 1995. His parents sent him for classical piano lessons at age 9. He didn't enjoy it and eventually turned to the blues. I first heard him when he was a kid of 14. He makes makes me happy. If you like him, listen to The Blame Game. This kid is too young to drink
Born in Lawton, Oklahoma, my old home town, Leon Russell's initial commercial success was "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" with Joe Cocker. I first met Leon backstage at a New Year's Eve party in Dallas in 1973. He decided it would be fun to cover my white jeans with "Leon Russell is a Star". I was in a mellow place and also thought it would be fun. After I returned home I had to wash them 11 times to remove the writing. A big fan of Leon heard about them and offered me $500 for them. Too late. :) Weed with this.
Contrary to what a lot of people believe, Leon wrote this song, not Ray Charles. The strangest recording, out of 82, would have to be the version by Bizzy Bone. It is on the 2008 album of the same name. BB produced a weird take on the song with fellow rapper DMX and singer Chris Notez. An interesting note for this diary is the fact that Elton John and Leon Russell made an album together recently. Leon said that he was lying in bed watching "As the World Turns" and Elton John called him from the back of an elephant in Africa, asking if he wanted to make a record with him.
In case anyone is interested, I have a headful of useless trivia about music, NBA basketball, girlie-hens and bull riding. I still count time in 8 second rides. Just call 888-888-8888. 90 cents a minute. The phone call should only be made if a six pack of Dos Equs is nearby.