A pretty sure sign that your having “writers block” is when you commence making lists of your favorite compositions much like I did in my last blog. I have had “blocks” before and I don’t much let them upset me like I used to. S. J. Perelman (perhaps my favorite writer) explained them as being the natural consequence of having […]
Writers Block etc. Read More »
According to the BMI catalog (and they should know) I have written and recorded 233 songs thus far. This number surprised me a little but also got me to thinking on the subject. Of course many of the 233 pieces are forgotten even to me. So I thought I would compile a list of songs that I have written and
My original repertoire Read More »
I recently saw the film of the William Luce play “Barrymore.” Christopher Plummer reprises the central (and nearly only) character. The play depicts the great American actor John Barrymore in the last year of his life. Plummer, as usual, is great. My interest in the film is natural since I did see the play at the Music Box Theatre in
Barrymore (Christopher Plummer) Read More »
As I get older, and hopefully wiser, it has become apparent to me how the best solution to any given problem is simplicity. As a musician and writer of songs it has become self evident that the key to any memorable piece is the “tune.” Simplicity is a primary ingredient in this case but because the public has heard nearly
It’s about the “tune” Read More »
This is the central question I have pondered my entire life. It is (in my opinion) the central theme behind all theology, science and physics as well. Brevity and concision (my main two rules of musical construction) also derive from my drilling down on this essential and existential question. I am certain that my life’s vocation as a musician and
I have stated previously that Maurice Ravel is my favorite composer. On March 7 of this year it will be 151 years since his birth. Ravel was born in 1875 and passed in 1937. In my opinion Ravel was the “Mozart” of the early 20th century. For those who have not sampled Ravel’s music I would suggest “Valses nobles et
Maurice Ravel (151 years) Read More »