Music Notes (OT): YouTubist (Hello 'Cello)

A few musical finds found YouTubing:

1. My second favorite piano player (after Hank Jones). Watched this three times in a row. I like how he starts out by mopping his brow like he'd been digging ditches or something. Didn't know this piece, the Berceuse ("a musical composition usually in 6/8 time that resembles a lullaby" —Wikipedia). Lovely.

2. Speaking of lullabies, a nice new song—simple, but lyrically elegant and unspoiled by the usual cruditup electronica-y productioniness. And a sentiment to coincide with the Tao Te Ching discussion.

I've listened to "Let's Be Still" about ten times and for some reason my brain doesn't mind. I have a pretty serious problem with "earworm," i.e., pop songs getting stuck in my head. There's a radio song in rotation right now called "Royals" by a New Zealander singer-songwriter called Lorde that was like poison to my brain—I only heard it like twice in the car and I could not get that damned ditty out of my head. I thought I was going to have to submit to hypnosis. That one was so bad I'm scared to listen to the damned thing again.

3. Beautiful guitars, for those more or less of my generation. Nice live performance.

The older I get the more I like live performances better. This clip also seems like a demonstration of how much pop music has changed in my short adulthood...like that 'cello? Hello? 'Cello?

Mike

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TOP's links!

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Carsten W: "That Gilmour performance was just magnificent, exactly the opposite of the flamboyant, over-the-top, hundred-notes-per-second live performances that so many bands do, just quiet, beautiful, and true to the original. Gilmour has always been my guitar hero. Competent, unrushed, and with incredible feeling."

Cmans: "Chopin's Berceuse Op. 57 is my #1 go-to for defusing my negative mental energy. If I concentrate on the soothing tones and the interplay of the pianist's two hands, I'll have no room in my head for negativity.

"My favorite recording is from Maurizio Pollini's c. 1960 performance and is very similar to the Michelangeli you found, except that to my ear, Pollini's right hand plays a little softer and with slightly different coordination than Michelangeli's. Chopin's Berceuse seemed so complicated to me when i first heard it, that I had for a long time thought that it was played with four hands.

"If you search on YouTube for Chopin's Berceuse, you may find the post with ten different artist's renditions of this Bercuese. The portraits in the video that accompany these versions are as stunning as the various interpretations of this piece, and I think are worth the price of admission to view."

Comments

[Manuel]

Hearing 'Let's Be Still' reminded me somehow of one of the most beautiful songs written in the last ten years - IMO, quite better than 'Let's Be Still':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMFWFhTFohk
Although I'm in the last third of my expected life span, I feel proud of being still able to keep up with what youngsters are making in the alternative musical scene nowadays. I hope I never lose it and don't end up listening to music of the past while thinking something grumpy like 'they don't make music like this now.'
That would be the case of David Gilmour. It's the kind of past I don't care much to revisit. My favourite song from Pink Floyd is still 'Time', but I don't have much patience to listen to Pink Floyd, who simply were extinct after Roger Waters left the band.
Finally: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli is indeed a fabulous choice. If you like his playing, you'll love Maurizio Pollini too.

[Wolfgang Lonien]

Wow. Both.

[Patrick Dodds]

A beautiful live performance here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk2xaeXnxlM
(Apologies for all the linking Mike - but one good link deserves another, it seems only fair).

[Clayton Jones]

Over the past 10 years I've noticed cello making an increasing appearance in traditional folk music, at festivals and in recordings. Here is the world famous Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser with cellist Natalie Haas. They have become an international sensation and are currently in a full time touring schedule.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08zd3hI87bc&NR=1

[cfw]

"Wish You Were Here" is on my short list of all time favorite "rock and roll" songs. I never get tired of hearing it. Thanks for the link to this splendid version.

cfw

[John Gillooly]

So refreshing to just see and hear great music without all of the crap that they seem to think is necessary! If the music - the singing and instruments - is great, you don't need the video screens, dancers and sideshows. Great video!

[Gingerbaker]

I thought I was over this one. Then I listened to it to post it here. Do not listen to a bluesy Gillian Welch sing "Pass You By"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzHTB0-Gog4

[ctein]

Ah, remember, Mike, there's always room for Cello.

(I'll shut up now)

pax / Ctein

[wts]

You want cello, then try this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFk_y2Dwwpc
(Rastrelli Cello Quartett - Take Five)

[Paul Retzlaff]

Interestingly Lorde's inspiration for the song was a National Geographic (I think) picture of George Brett of the Kansas City Royals. You were captured by a photography driven tune.

[Hfwilke]

If you like that Head and the Heart song, you should check out their self titled album. Really nice music.

[Roger Bradbury]

Mike,

on BBC iPlayer, but only until 11:34pm (English time) on Saturday, is Pink_Floyd_Wish_You_Were_Here, a 60 minute documentary on the making of Pink Floyd's ninth studio album. I watched it last night, which is why I recommend it here. There's quite a few stills to look at. There's some swearing.

It was a bit of a surprise to find that Syd Barrett's real first names were Roger Keith, as mine are. Same initial for the surname too. Of course, I was six when The Floyd were formed.

[Andrew Kirk]

Mike,

The Chopin was gorgeous. Thank-you.

Increasingly I wonder why we have so many genius musicians, mathematicians, and gymnasts.

And yet, there is no genius who moves us toward "world peace" or "environmental justice".

I fear that this onslaught of artistic and athletic genius is one more example of fiddling while Rome burns.

[Ludovic]

Oooooh - 'Royals'!

I don't want to poison your brains any more, but the cover by Piddles Pity Party is worth a listen. No, seriously :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmCJEehYtU

[Dave Sailer]

And then there is Sxip Shirey, for those more or less of the experimental generation. Some geezers too...

* Long Trains: Solo guitar, paper clips
* I Live In New York City: Harmonica, bullhorn, beatboxer, tuba
* Playing bowls with red marbles: Bowls, marbles
* Moon In Her Belly: Harmonica, siren, beatboxer
* Pandora: (A little of everything)

...in case you haven't come across him before. (http://www.sxipshirey.com/).

[Cmans]

Or was it Guiomar Novaes? Anyway, all are extraordinary.

[Vladimir Svoboda]

As you know pianist is Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli playing Chopin. He was very private and secluded artist. He did not like giving concerts. I was lucky to see one of his concerts many years ago in Prague.
Great artist.

Vladimir

[BAG]

Wish You Were Here is one of my all time favorite songs. I'm also lucky that both my kids are quite musical and like Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac and many current independent Australian bands and really dislike Bieber, One Direction etc. Here's a link to a video of my daughter playing the lead guitar on a version of this when she was 8 or 9 years old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sz0BPt6DK8

[She's a mighty good guitarist. She didn't like it when he sang "hell," though. [g] --Mike]

[Tony]

The David Gilmour clip made my day...then I found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWqyC52fRFU and it made me wish that Gilmour and Waters could get back together again!

[Steve Pritchard]

Thanks for these links, Mike; a very pleasant way to start the day. When it comes to lead guitar I don't think I've heard anyone with such a pure tone as David Gilmour. No flash, all feeling.
I'm just off to shed a silent tear into me cornflakes at the passing of all the years since I first heard Wish You Were Here.
Cheers.

[Simon Griffee]

Thank you for the introduction to Michelangeli!

One of my favorite Pink Floy live performances: Echoes Live in Pompeii http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGwPSPIhohk

[Boglev]

Wish You Were Here... Ah...

[Tim F]

"The older I get the more I like live performances better."

I think it's because you eventually get to realise that sometimes raw feeling, skillfully expressed, beats any amount of slick perfection.

[Tony]

Sigh....never fails to bring a lump to the throat. R.I.P. Syd.

[Patrick Dodds]

"I think it's because you eventually get to realise that sometimes raw feeling, skillfully expressed, beats any amount of slick perfection."

Which is what photography is all about.

[hlinton]

Not exactly the same but better IMHO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYY1T7BYd9U

Cheers.

[Dillan]

I don't identify with today's pop music at all. They don't seem to release anything that isn't over-produced garbage these days. I guess I'm not supposed to like any of it any more since I am now over 40.

'Wish You Were Here' is one of my favourites. It can still bring a tear to my eye if I'm in the right mood.

The Chopin was lovely. These days I'm much more likely to be found at a piano recital than a rock concert.

What I'm really trying to say here is: thanks again, Mike.

[Michael Bearman]

Mmmmmmmmm

[Dave]

While we're linking cello awesomeness:
Crooked Still - Ain't no Grave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SSUYVAv_dM

And to get even deeper, here's that Lorde tune the way it was meant to be played:
Bass Causality (one player, many tracks)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J_2K1Gvruk

[Boris Liberman]

As of recently my absolute favorite is Mark Knopfler. Here is an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTvc-bEP35I

And his lyrics are marvelous. Listening to his songs is just like talking to a good old friend.

I used to like PF, but I no longer have any of their records...

[Another Phil]

Hi Mike,
I've had 'We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl, Year after year...' going through my head all day;-) -much better than Kylie's 'Can't get you out of my head'.
Maybe the liking of live performances is because you are a visual person? I put on classical music but after a few minutes I find myself waiting for lyrics, but I can watch classical music on TV all day as I appreciate the musicians playing.

I actually like Lorde's downbeat/upbeat realism.
Saw a Portishead (with orchestra) video last night and the hope/longing/desire gave me goosebumps;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLrkE6T_m5Y
and the video that originally introduced me to them;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoI08LdWQwQ

best wishes phil

[Dean Johnston]

Late to the party as usual.

Speaking of acoustic guitar, here's the Gillian Welch / BBC Four Sessions concert at St. Lukes. Great "The Weight" at the end.

http://youtu.be/i_0b3J4BFcc

Peace and all that.

[Martin Fritter]

Michelangeli was Pollini's teacher.