Place to Be

I admit, for the duration of my time on this planet, I've never been all that impressed with virtuoso concert pianists. I think it's partially for the same reason my classically trained wife doesn't enjoy 12 minute Eddie Van Halen lead guitar solos, as they tend to destroy the listener by throwing everything at them in addition to the kitchen sink.

So why so critical? I believe it's because those types of flashy performers/performances generally tend to be long on technique, & short on heart (which furthers my belief that just because you can, doesn't mean you should!).

Now I certainly appreciate technique as much as the next musician, as slop never moves me, no matter how cool he or she looks holding the guitar. But at the end of the day (or tune), I want to be emotionally moved by a musical body of work, & 32nd note runs executed to perfection by some little southeast Asian tyke still in diapers, whose parents obviously have their priorities out of whack, just doesn't cut it for me.

Besides, some of the most beautiful melodies in the world are the simplest in terms of chord structure & melody.

But all that changed last night.

My friend Randy (difficult as it is to admit) has once again shown me the light. Kudos to the Randall boy.

Enters one Hiromi Uehara. If ever the the phrase "Unfairly gifted" applied, it would be to this young lady.

But wait! She's merely a programmed robot who can only spit out classics like Rachmaninoff & Liszt!...Shyeah...when she was three maybe. Well...I'll bet there isn't a jazz bone in her body! Chhhh....in essence...she IS jazz! Yabut I bet she doesn't compose her own material, play anything deliciously contemporary, or slow & methodical.

Swing & a miss! Strike three, you're out dawg! Have a seat!

Okay, so she makes wacky faces & guttural noises when she plays. So do you & I in the course of everyday life (particularly after a big meal) & we don't even have a 9 foot Yamaha concert grand in front of us to pin the blame on.

In my book, when you play like Uehara, you can make all the bizarre noises & zany faces you please!

Without question, it's rare to discover someone with this much talent & technique, AS WELL AS depth/heart.

An extraordinary, delicate & priceless Crocus, to be certain.

Hope you enjoy the below video, "Place to Be" as much as I have. If not, you're obviously a Justin Bieber fan! ;-)