Where Pianos Roam

Video of the Week: Gravity

Okay, so I am a sucker for a beautiful piano ballad.  So sue me.  I am, after all, a piano player with a treasure trove of my own ballads that I play. This week's Video of the Week is actually a two for one deal.  I have two videos to offer up this time.    Both of them center around a very quiet little piano ballad.   It is a song from fellow pianist/singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles.  This is a gorgeous track off of her debut album "Little Voice", and it is called "Gravity". I cannot stop loving this song.  It is incredibly stunning as a musical piece, and Sara's vocal delivery within it is tender, subtle, and delicately sad.  The high falsetto note she hits in the end is about as good as it gets. The song doesn't come with a lot of bangs and beats, but what it does deliver is a few stanzas packed with powerful and understated emotion.  Gosh, this is one of those songs I wish I had written.  I might actually cover it someday. The first video is the official music video for this song.  I think it is more than appropriate for all of you to see the talented person who delivers the quiet force of nature that this song is. The second video continues on from last week's love of the show "So You Think You Can Dance".   Last season, two contestants performed a gut-wrenching and heartbreaking performance to this very song. So, here they are.  Special thanks to Sara Bareilles for writing this little masterpiece .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3mKQT08_rk] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kvk7WS5hZk] Hope you enjoy these. -g

Early On a Sunday Morning

It's been a crazy weekend folks.  I spent Friday night at Nashville's Belcourt Theater helping a friend perform at a burlesque show. I actually spent most of the time backstage knitting. Most of Saturday was taken up with helping another friend get her house ready for a Halloween party.  I was in charge of decorating, and I used mannequin parts and red x-mas lights to decorate the main dance room.  I'll have photos soon.  It was pretty wicked. The big event of the weekend was when I my younger sister Lloyda gave birth to a baby boy at Centennial Hospital here in Nashville, TN.  He actually wasn't due until April, but he arrived early nonetheless. My sister is still deliberating on his name. Here he is, all 2 lbs. and 10 ounces of him (14.5 inches)  .  .  . I got to meet him for the first time yesterday in the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU).  He has the tiniest hands and the tiniest feet.  They're going to keep him there for 10 weeks, and I am going to visit as much as I possibly can. Aside from being born pre-maturely, he's pretty healthy otherwise. I wish I could blog more, but I am off to the hospital for another visit!! More soon. -g

Good Things

I have some good things to report .  .  . First of all, my Mom is being released from the hospital today after undergoing some fairly heavy-duty surgery yesterday.  She'll be resting up all this week towards a full recovery.  Yay!! Secondly, there is now a brand new Oreo and Buttercup episode now available for viewing in the Oreo Gallery.   Just go HERE. This episode is the long-overdue sequel to Oreo's Big Date with Optimus Prime.  This time Buttercup, the oh-so-rowdy bench, gets a little action!! In a few days,  I unleash a brand new issue of The WWoG.  This is my very colorful monthly e-mail newsletter .  .  .  . The October 2009 issue will be full of some fun images and all kinds of goodies.  This will kick off a very heavy promotional campaign for my last two shows of the year which are a live radio broadcast for all the world to hear on Nov. 13 and a special Thanksgiving show at Cafe Coco in Nashville on Tuesday, Nov. 24.   To subscribe to the newsletter, just click HERE to fill out the subscription form. Up next, you may have noticed that this blog has a brand new look.  This renovation has taken a good bit of thought and planning.  The next phase is the expansion site which will be the new home of all previous Oreo and Buttercup episodes.  They are going to get their own very roomy online space. I've also been working on a bunch of other things, but I'll save all of that for a later time. Hope all is well in your world! -gordo

Video of the Week: Mr. Fancy Pants

Okay, so I'm breaking my rule again.  These featured videos are supposed to have something, anything, involving pianos, but I am going to abandon this rule for the second time this month in favor of one of the most beautiful, brilliant, and ingenious performances I have seen in a long time. I am generally not a fan of reality shows, but I have to admit that I love the show "So You Think You Can Dance". This show travels all around the country to recruit some of the best dancers to compete for the title of America's Best Dancer.  The contestants are physically, artistically, and emotionally challenged every week by having to perform choreography and dancing styles that are often not their own.  It's an amazing show to watch. In a recent episode, a young man by the name of Teddy Tedholm danced in the Boston Auditions.  When auditioning, dancers are either chosen to do choreography or, if they are already extraordinarily good, get a ticket straight to Las Vegas (where the contestants are whittled down to a mere Top 20). Teddy, or Mr. Fancy Pants, got a ticket straight to Vegas.   Even the judges could not deny how original and clever he was.  All of this happened on the strength of his performance (which by the way is danced to a sweet little song by Jason Mraz called "If It Kills Me").  It is whimsical, comical, magical, brilliant, gorgeous, and even a little heartbreakingly sad. I absolutely LOVE this .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtTnodKUQgY] I have come to find out that Teddy did not make it into the Top 20 in Vegas, but wherever he is, I hope he keeps on dancing.  Imaginative people like him are like the purest of diamonds--of a clarity and brilliance rarely seen and highly treasured. Thank you so much, Mr. Fancy Pants. -g

Video of the Week: First Train Home

To be honest, I am new to the sparkling galaxy that is the world of artist Imogen Heap.  I am finding her to be quite extraordinary. Back in August, she just release her new album which took over two years to complete as she built her new studio in her childhood home during the same timeframe. The album is called Ellipse .  .  . Back in August, she performed on Late Night with David Letterman and sang the first single called "First Train Home". I love this song, and I love her performance.  It's amazing what one person can do all on her own .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ilqdFKJqM] Get to know Imogen Heap.  She is pretty wonderful. -g

Early On a Sunday Morning

The Power of Words, Part 2

So, last week, I started the first installment of a series about the power of words on my blog.  Well, I wanted to spend a little time exploring the power we give to the words that are spoken to us.  Oftentimes, this is far more power than certain words deserve. Now mind you, I'm not talking about a thoughtful, helpful, and constructive suggestion from a good friend, loved one, or someone you inherently trust.  I am talking about a snide remark from a co-worker that you might barely know or not even like.  I am talking about anything that is said to you that feels hurtful, shameful, or just plain old bad.  (This can come from anywhere--sometimes even, and unfortunatetly, a good friend, a loved one, or someone you inherently trust). I've come to learn a simple truth to help me cope with words that are spiteful and only meant to harm .  .  . Don't take it personally. Sure, if you feel inclined, get mad.  Argue back if you feel you need to.   Throw in some sarcasm, or just walk away if you must.  Whatever you do just do NOT let it get so deep inside you that it eats away at your own confidence, and ultimately, at your soul.  It's just not worth it. I've come across enough hurtful people to know that they are often only trying to pass on a heavy load of their own baggage.  This is a weight I do not care to carry. When I have to be around harmful people, I try with all of my little Asian soul  to always keep things in perspective.  Keep my wits about me and keep a vigilance over my own emotional wellbeing.  Whether I choose to confront the person or eventually just avoid them, I have to keep their madness and negativity from getting inside my head.  Ultimately, I just don't take it personally. I focus on being positive and not letting the viral misery spread to me and through to others.  This gives the original misery-carrier/douchebag (MCD)the undeserving power that I mentioned earlier. I know that this is not as easy as it sounds, but after a bit of practice, it is possible to get the hang of it.  After a while, you'll begin to spot an MCD a mile away, to smell the stench of their cruel intentions and see underneath the masks they wear.   In time, you'll know not to let their words harm you. People say horrible, hurtful things all the time, and I think it's about time we equipped ourselves against them. Don't take it personally.  Stay true to yourself, and in the end, you'll be fine. -g

Early On a Sunday Morning

The Power of Words, Part 1

I've been thinking lately about the power of words-- in terms of the power they have and the power we give them.  This is the first installment of a bunch of thoughts and ideas that have been rattling around in my head lately.  I'll offer up part 2 next week. I recently had the inclination to bitch somebody out.  Those of you who personally know me know that this is generally not how I roll.  In spite of the inclination, I took a deep breath, stepped back, and asked myself why I was so mad.  As hilarious as it might have been, my bitching would not have been all that effective, and so, I opted for a straight forward talk.   I decided that my angry-little-Asian-oh-no-you-didn't (!!)-OH-HELLLL-NOOOO-bitching-out-tool would be better saved for someone who really deserved it.  (I've used this tool a couple of other times to great effect, but it is a special gift that must only be used sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.) When you vocalize something, whether good or bad and privately or otherwise, it feels as if you are sending out a similar energy out into the world.  These things can be made manifest if you're not too careful. At the same time, I don't think it is necessary to censor all the things we say.  Maybe what we need is an awareness of our own intentions.   If you want to say  something that is only intended to do harm and no good whatsoever, then why bother giving it mileage by blabbing it out into the world?   Conversely, if you want to say something that is helpful, uplifting, and constructive to others, then go on ahead and do so.  (Tactfully and respectfully, of course.) In this day and age of multiple media outlets and blogs which are written by unknown faces and read by thousands of people, we have to know that what we say holds some power whether we like it or not.  We have a responsibility to take the time to step back and understand our own intentions.   Cruelty, when vocalized, is deafening. For myself, I make an effort every day to understand how I am feeling.  If there is something important I want to say, I make sure that there is a proper time, place, and intention to back it up.  (Then, I gather up the courage to say it.) This may seem like a lot of work, but it is worth it in the end.  I don't feel the need to waste time saying something pointless and cruel.  If I ever want to grow and evolve as a person and a human being, I have to be aware that what I put out into the world is just as vital as what I take in. I feel like there are too many voices out there saying mean-spirited and useless things.  I'm hungry for some silence and a better quality in the words we use.  I hope this isn't asking too much. My point is this.  Know your intention before you speak and go from there.   Understand that there are consequences for what you and all of us say.  The power that we each have can either do great harm or great good.  This choice is all yours. -gordo

The Week In Pictures

Behind the scenes here at the Wonderful World of Gordon, it's been extremely busy, but it is the events far outside of my own world that have occupied my mind all week. First off, on Tuesday, 4 massive tsunamis hit my island childhood home of American Samoa as a result of a colossal earthquake.  I grew up on this island for fifteen years having attended elementary and high school in this tropical paradise.   My cousin Ardie, his wife, and four kids still live there along with several friends of mine and my family's.  Thankfully, no one we know is among the over 130 total victims that were found in American Samoa, Samoa, and Tonga. Seeing images of my old home all over the news and hearing about the tsunamis on NPR felt both sad and nostalgic.  I recognized some of the old  buildings and definitely loved seeing Rainmaker Mountain jutting out high above Pago Harbor. This island is a place of pure, natural, almost magical beauty.  To see it ravaged by these tsunamis has been heartbreaking.  In addition to the victims taken, the physical damage done to the island (especially to the harbor, the airport, local businesses, government buildings, and the big Star Kist tuna plant) will make the road to an economic and collective emotional recovery a very difficult one.  As with most small islands like these, a bulk of the civic and economic infrastructure exists along the coast.  So much will have to be rebuilt from the ground up. This used to be my playground .  .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co_o1-FSirs] My thoughts and prayers continually go out to my friends and loved ones back in Samoa. To make matters worse, huge typhoons continue to hit the Philippines which is where my family is originally from.  Most of the capital city of  Manila has been submerged in water all this week.  Busy streets where cars and vendors once passed are now filled with water, floating cars, and debris.  Thousands of people have lost their homes. It's just unbelievable .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pAwx6gPF54] As I type this, another typhoon (the second one this week alone) is hitting the Philippines.  It's all just so overwhelming. Next week, the Katina Brothers here in Nashville, TN are hosting a benefit concert for the tsunami victims of Samoa .  . The earth, through days of sunlight and days of rain, will carry on as it will, and so must we.   I am hoping for better times to come.  Storms will pass.  Communities will come together to rebuild.  Somehow, we can become better prepared for catastrophies that will come. Oh, what a week it's been. -g