Where Pianos Roam

Early On Sunday a Morning

So I thought I'd take some time to share with all of you a few discoveries I've made over the past couple of weeks here and there. First off, here in Nashville, I was at the Belcourt Theater last week when I happened upon their November art exhibit.  This month's showing featured the paintings of a local artist named Steven Knudson.  I have  to say that I love it when I stumble upon beautiful artwork without expecting it.   Standing in the Belcourt lobby and absorbing these portraits  of women playing musical instruments in desolate country fields just totally made my day.   There's a sparse and dark loneliness about his work that I really love. Unfortunately, the exhibit goes down this weekend, but you can view just about all of the pieces on his official website.  Just go here: http://www.stevenknudson.com Secondly, my sister posted video a couple of days ago on her blog.  It was a cartoon that I will be posting tomorrow for my Video of the Week feature.  In any case, this cartoon is one of many independently made Animation Short Films that can be seen for free on a wonderful website called aniboom. I wish I had a few minutes every day to watch all of the little clips they feature.  They are all so brilliant!!  Just go here to check it out: http://www.aniboom.com Lastly, I'm not sure if any of you ever click on the links I have on the right side of this blog.  There happens to be a wee little link to a photo blog called "The Sartorialist" under the Fashion category. This is the photo blog of a world-reknown fashion photographer.  He basically takes pictures of people out in the streets of whatever city he happens to be in at the time--Milan, Paris, Barcelona, Rio, London, and so many other places all over the world. I have to say that I appreciate fashion in an artistic sense more than a materialistic one.  I could give a rat's ass about clothing labels and big names.  Show me a suit that is tailored well or an outfit that presents a strong and rich perspective, and I will love you forever.  I really love The Sartorialist for giving me a glimpse of how people choose to dress all over the world.  Even the photos themselves are really wonderful! Check it out here: http://www.thesartorialist.com So, grab some coffee this Sunday morning and feel free to check out these really great sites.  Beautiful paintings, fun animated films, and gorgeous everyday fashion await!! -g

50 Precious Things

On this day, November 26, here in America, we celebrate Thanksgiving.  It is a special, national holiday in which we all take the time to embrace all that we have for which we are thankful. Here is a list (which could be much longer) of 50 odds and ends in my life for which I am HUGELY grateful .  .  .  . 1.  My Family 2.  My Mom 3.  My dear friends all over the country (especially the ones in Seattle, Charlotte, and Nashville) and all over the world (especially folks in the Philippines and in the UK) 4.  Every Filipino dish imaginable (especially the one with pig's blood.  It's my favorite.) 5.  My Piano 6.  My ability to play the piano and all my music completely by memory 7.  Oreo and Buttercup 8.  My computer and internet 9.  All of the books I've ever read 10.  My vintage Roland JD-800 keyboard synthesizer with all of the kooky sounds it makes 11.  Balthazar--my cute black Toyota Corolla (has great gas mileage and is a smooth ride) 12.  The Golden Girls 13.  Cookies and Cream Ice Cream 14.  Macadamia Nut/white chocolate cookies 15.  Sushi 17.  Beethoven 18.  The art of Egon Schiele 19.  Tuna 20.  Madonna's ENTIRE music catalogue 21.  Hugs from my niece and nephews 22.  Dinners, lunch, brunch with friends 23.  Memories of growing up on a little green island in the middle of a big blue ocean far far away 24.  My first full album of music (Seahorses) 25.  Chop sticks (I carry a pair everywhere I go for whenever my sushi cravings get the best of me) 26.  My wardrobe of vintage clothes 27.  My small collection of foreign films 28.  My record player and all of the cool vinyl records I own 29.  All of my artwork (which is mostly in storage these days) 30.  Spam (the food, that is) 31.  Bacon (yummy) 32.  Everything Chris Van Allsburg has ever written or illustrated 33.  Eggs and the countless ways they can be cooked 34.  The small YMCA gym near my house 35.  The really big lake near my house 36.  Shoes 37.  My knitting 38.  HGTV 39.  Nashville's Belcourt Theater 40.  Four Seasons (especially Fall and Winter) 41.  Flossing 42.  Laughter 43.  Coffee 44.  Being a performer 45.  Peanut Butter 46.  Peaches 47.  Dancing 48.  Quiet moments lost in thought 49.  The time my family had with my nephew Baby Kit 50.  This blog where pianos roam .  .  . Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! -g

Video of the Week: Right Here Waiting

Richard Marx is a pianist and singer whose work I've actually loved over the years.  His use of melody, the thoughtful pacing of every nuance, and that unmistakable voice are trademarks of all his classic hits. My video selection this week is arguably the biggest hit of his career.  It is easily one of the the best pop ballads of the 80's (if not all time).  This song brings back so many memories.  Again, I've always been a sucker for a gorgeous piano ballad, and this one is so hauntingly powerful.  Every note packs a punch.  After the crescendo at the end of the bridge, the guitar swoops in and just breaks your heart completely. This video is live footage from a concert Richard did back in 1993.  He sounds just as good as he does on his album. Ladies and Gents, Richard Marx sings "Right Here Waiting" .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bddLDofeRKI] Things are getting back to normal here at Where Pianos Roam. More to come soon. -g

With Love, Uncle

I feel like I've been cast under a dark and fuzzy haze over the past week with shadows and bursts of soft and gloomy light pulsing in and out of focus all around me.  The untimely passing of my nephew, Francisco Kitiona Marcelo, has been a heartbreaking ordeal.  My family and I are still reeling in its aftermath.  I wanted to take the time to tell my nephew's story, as seen from the perspective of a loving uncle.  I do this now to preserve my own sweet memories of him and to honor his life .  .  . This story, as it relates to me, began back in September.  I was getting ready to leave town to do a show in Charlotte, NC one night when my younger sister Lloyda called.  After a bit of small talk, she confided in me that she was pregnant.  I was surprised and actually a little excited by the news though I honestly was concerned about the struggles that come with impending motherhood.  I left it to her to tell the rest of the family in her own time while I bit my lip and shared her growing secret with no one. According to the math, the baby was to be born some time in April of 2010.  I was relieved to have plenty of time to prepare for this new addition.  I was looking forward to a baby shower and finding all kinds of baby clothes once we knew the gender.   (I LOVE shopping for little babies.   Ugh.  It just kills me how cute their clothes are!) These plans, as it happens, were hugely altered when my sister suddenly and unexpectedly gave birth early--on a Saturday morning, October 24, to be exact.  I remember this day so vividly.  I got the call from my older sister Leth early that morning that Lloyda gave birth.  I rushed to pick up my brother-in-law Danny and went straight to the hospital. Lloyda was at the Centennial Women's Hospital in the West End area of downtown Nashville.  I walked through the first floor lobby and passed by the little glass gift shop full of newborn balloons and tchotchkes of all kinds.  Ordinarily I would have stopped for a minute and bought some cute  baby stuff, but I was too worried about the fact that the baby was born WAY too early. When Danny and I finally made it to Lloyda's room, I looked straight at her face, and I saw exactly what I was expecting.  She had this glow about her.  The kind of glow I've only seen on women who have just given birth.  She had the face of a new mom, and I was so happy for her. We all sat together (myself, my two sisters, Danny, and our dear friend Maria), and posted messages on Facebook announcing the birth of the baby, smiling all the while. Not too long ago, I was nine-years-old when Lloyda came into our family's life.  I was old enough to hold her when she was a baby.  I changed her diapers and adored her like everyone else did.  I was as happy to be an older brother as I was happy to be an uncle. The baby was a boy who would be named Francisco Kitiona Marcelo--named after a close friend of Lloyda's and our wonderful brother-in-law Danny). On that same day, we would all head up to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to see him for the first time.  My older sister led me in to the secured area where they keep all the pre-mature babies.  I had to wash my hands for three full minutes and put on a snazzy little hospital robe over my clothes.  We walked to the end of the room, and there he was--with what looked like a gazzillion tubes plugged into him.  He was SO TINY!!!  I had never seen an actual premie baby in person until that moment.  He looked so delicate and frail.  (In fact, my first impulse was to look the attending nurse straight in the eye and say, "If anything happens to him, I swear to God I'll kick your ass!!"  But then, I thought "Calm down Asian, it's gonna fine.") He was encased in a glass incubator-thingy-majigy--as I prefer to call it.  As I stood there looking at him for the first time, I vowed to him that I would be there to cheer him on and help him get better.   I've always believed that you could manifest great things just by imagining and thinking them.  I tried to imagine a slightly older version of this tiny baby--a cute, fat, and plump little boy running in a wide open field.  He'd be playing football with his cousins and figuring out how to hold his own against them.  (His cousins are an assertive, formidable brood.  He'd grow tough and strong just like them.)  I imagined his laughter and a face that looked just like his Mom's. As the days wore on, the worrying turned into joy.  I took my Mom, his grandmother, to see him in the NICU.  She fussed with the glass incubator-thingy-majigy and basically interrogated the attending nurse about EVERYTHING.  It was pretty funny actually.  My Mom is not someone anyone should ever mess with.   I think the nurse sighed with relief when we left. On Saturday, Nov. 7, I went by myself to visit him again.  I just had a blast performing a couple of songs on the radio a few blocks away, and I went straight to the NICU with my happy little self.   Up to that point, I still hadn't visited the little glass gift shop in the lobby, and in my rush to see him, I forgot to go there again.  I did my 3-minute scrub, and then hovered over him yet again.  He was laying on his side.  For several moments, he opened his eyes and stared right at me.  He gave me this glaring look that said "Why you all up in my grill!!".  I gave him back a stare that said "That's right!!  I'ma be all up in your grill!!!  Better get used to it!".  Yeah, this went on for awhile.   For a small second, I reached in and touched his hand.  It was the softest skin I had ever felt. Looking back, I wish I had stayed a little longer.  I didn't know then that he would pass away two days later. On the day he died, I responded to a text from my older sister Leth that said "Call Me 911".  I called her right back.  All she had to say was "He's gone.", and I knew.  I heard the sound of my sister Lloyda weeping uncontrollably through the phone, and I could feel the tears well up in my eyes.   At that point, I had dissolved into a blithering mess.  I went straight to the hospital.  I passed by that little glass gift shop and resisted every tearful urge to walk in. We spent that whole afternoon holding his little body and trying to say goodbye .  .  . A few days later, there were a couple of items that needed to be picked up from the NICU--a disc full of halloween photos of the baby that the nurses took, his little ankle band, and the stat sheet that identified him on the glass incubator-thingy-majigy.  I went to get all of this stuff, but on my way out, I decided to make one more stop. The gift shop in the hospital lobby was a small room with walls of glass.  Inside, it held a whole universe of little gifts and possibilities.  I walked in to behold all of these treasures.  I scoured the walls to finally find my nephew the perfect gift--a little bear he could have with him in his resting place.    (Because really, every kid should have a little bear or stuffed animal of some sort.  I was determined to give him one.)  Luckily I found one hanging on a display.    It was fluffy and white, and it had a blue sweater on that said "Baby Boy".  I bought one for Baby Kit and one for my sister Lloyda.  I held these bears in my hand, along with every hope, every dream, and every possibillity that I had for my nephew.  I stepped out of the glass and out into the world.  I felt like I was holding him and his spirit and letting him go out into a place where nothing would confine him anymore.  Somewhere wide, open, and carefee. As it turned out on the day of the funeral, the casket came with a little bear of its own.  It was sitting with Baby Kit when I got there.  When I saw this, I said to myself, "Aww, helll NO!!!!".  I promptly removed this evil bear and replaced it with the one I got him.  My sister gave him a light-blue-colored baby blanket  that she knitted.  My mom gave him a rosary that she got from her Mom.  We all gave him kisses goodbye before the memorial service began. The memorial service and funeral went very smoothly.  My sister Lloyda proudly spoke about her son.  My nephew Tyler read a poem and my other nephew Bubba read a bible verse.  My brother-in-law Danny gave the eulogy.  My sister Leth made this amazing slide show for the service, and several family members and friends shared this day with us.  I sang a song and played my keyboard.  It was a lullaby called "While You Sleep" that I wrote years ago.  I was so proud to sing for him that day. The kind folks at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home were just so amazing with us.  I am grateful to their entire staff for making this whole experpience more bearable, and even quite special actually.  I am also thankful to all of the folks  who were able to donate towards paying for the funeral. The day of my nephew's burial was beautiful--a fresh fall November day.  I could have taken off my coat and still felt nice and cool.  The sky was a clear, dark blue, and the sun was shining bright.  A whole family gathered around one sweet and precious gift that day.    He was the best gift our family ever could have gotten. My family and I stand by my sister Lloyda now as we try to move on. I''ll stand by my nephew always.  Cheering him on, just outside the glass, but now in a wide, open, carefree place .  .  . With Love, Uncle.

Donations for Little Kit

In light of recent events, I have temporarily converted this blogsite into a donation site to raise funds to help pay for the burial of my nephew Francisco Kitiona Marcelo (Little Kit, as we like to call him). For more details, please click HERE. Thanks to everyone for their love, kindness, and support during this time. -gordon

Video of the Week: Chasing Pirates

Norah Jones is one of those artists for whom I rush to the record store when they release a new album.  This list of artists who I do this for is very small.  Next Tuesday, Nov. 17, she releases her forth album "The Fall". I've been an admirer of her work ever since her first huge release, "Come Away With Me", which sold millions of copies and garnered Grammys for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and a whole slew of others.  I've often thought that she won all of these deservingly but also prematurely.  Honestly, I think her work has only gotten better.  Her second album had more of a country/jazz sort of sound, and her third album (my favorite so far) was very dark and contained songs that were mostly penned by her.  She has shown steady and consistent artistic growth over the years--taking risks with her musical approach and style. This new set of songs may be her boldest collection yet.  In fact, early reports have shared that she mostly plays guitar on it and has enlisted producers and co-songwriters she's never worked with before. The lead single for the album offers strong indication that this album steps much further from where she started.  It is a song called "Chasing Pirates".  While it contains her trademark tinges of sadness, it is a light and infectious little tune--the kind you can listen to while at a picnic or strolling through the park. Her voice is in top form and the keyboard work, which is some kind of organ that I can't identify, gives the song a very fresh sound. This week's Video of the Week is the new video for this lead single.  I think it's actually the best video she's ever done.  With a soft, neutral palette, she moves from reality to a whimsical dream world seamlessly, and she looks gorgeous all the while. Here it is, folks.  Chasing Pirates .  .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzoSEDSXHJs] I know what I'll be doing next Tuesday. -gordo

Early On a Sunday Morning

So I thought I'd just talk about a couple of other things I've been up to lately .  .  . I've been reading this new book lately, or rather, I've been savoring it by reading tiny bits and pieces here an there.  While I was in Huntsville, Alabama last summer, I stopped in at an small used books store.  Lo and behold, I found this sitting quietly on a shelf .  .  . This is exactly the kind of book that someone who authors a blog called "Where Pianos Roam" would absolutely love.  "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank" by Thad Carhart is about an American living in Paris who reclaims a long-forgotten passion of his.  You can easily guess by the title of this book what that passion is. While walking his small kids to their school on the weekdays, he passes by a curious little storefront.  As days and weeks pass by, he notices pianos of varying shapes and sizes being moved in and out of its front door.  His curiosity grows until he finally gets up the moxy to walk into that same front door.  Little does he know that there is an enchanting world waiting for him to inhabit--as if he was a prodigal son finally returning home. I am only a third of the way through this book, and I am honestly dreading finishing it.  I've been carrying it everywhere but constantly resisting the urge to read it.  Much like my sushi craze, it is a special treat I've been saving for times when I crave a special delight.  Every page of this book is just yummy. I am going to do a full review of this one as soon as I am done with this .  .  . whenever that might be. I do have a small project that I'll be working on this month.  I am going to be sending out my first annual holiday greeting card in early December.   I have some cool ideas for this card, and when my friends see it, they'll DEFINITELY know that it came from me. If you would like to be added to my holiday greeting mailing list, please feel free to email me at gordon(at)gordonroque(dot)com.   I'll even gladly be on yours if  you want to trade addresses. Well, that's it for this Sunday. I hope you all have the best week ever. -g

 

Gordon On the Radio!

That's right!  Later this afternoon, I will be the special musical guest on Nashville's WRVU 91.1 FM radio station.  This is Vanderbilt University's radio station and one of the  top college radio stations in the country. The show is called Queer Talk Radio, and I'll be interviewed by DJ Ron. I'll be there to talk about my music and to perform one or two of  my songs.  If you live in the greater Nasvhille area, feel free to listen in between 3:30P and 4P Central Standard Time.  You can also listen through a live stream online at http://www.wrvu.org if you live anywhere else around the world. It's gonna be so much fun. -gordo

 

Video of the Week: Eet

Regina Spektor is a sparkling gem in the world of pop music right now.  Quirky.  Uncompromising.  Hugely orginal.  Her new video for her song "Eet" is evidence of all these things.  It is one of a few new lovelies from her latest album "Far" .  .  . Her lyrics are often thoughtful and imaginative, and she boasts quite an enviable vocal range.  Most of "Eet" is sung in a high register that is not always at falsetto. Of course, her piano playing is also first rate. She presents such a warm and unpretentious vibe both on-screen and on stage.  I can't say enough about this woman. Here, for your enjoyment, is the new video for "Eet" .  .  .  . [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPMIXk-ipT0] More soon, -g

Early On a Sunday Morning

Surely enough, my life lately has been quite busy.    I've been quietly toiling away at other projects that have needed my attention for quite some time.  I cannot get into those now, but I can share a few other things .  .  . As many of you know, my nephew, Francisco Kitiona Marcelo, was born last Saturday.  He a was born around four months premature and came in at a whopping 2 lbs, 10 oz.  I was able to take my mom to visit him last Thursday.  He is doing well and has started to eat breastmilk.  Any day now, he'll start to gain weight and become the fat and plump baby that I know he'll be.  We are all gearing up for a festive baby shower that will happen soon. Last weekend, I decorated my friend Laurel's house for her Halloween party.  We were able to get mannequin body parts that were strewn around the house.  I was going for a creepy, avant-garde kind of aesthetic, and it all went over quite well .  .  . I was extremely proud of how this project turned out.  I like to come up with a theme and use a bunch of found objects.  It's really a lot of fun.   I have a few decorating projects in the works already.  Good times.  (By the way, that mirror ball in one of the photos is actually one that I own.  It is one of my prized possessions that I hope to use in my own home some day.) I've also spent a good bit of time upfitting my music gear with much-needed accessories.  My Roland synthesizer now has a sturdy black bag that it can be carried in when I go to my gigs.   (I found this bag at 50% off and saved a bunch of money) There will be a protective slip cover for my big Roland keyboard amp from now on.  (I once had to transport my gear from my car and into a venue in the pouring rain.  Since I did not have any kind of tarp to cover this expensive piece of electrical equipment at the time, I used a bunch of my clothes that I packed for the trip as covering.  Needless to say, I didn't have much to wear that weekend.)  I also plan on getting a new bag for my regular Casio keyboard that isn't torn and actually fits.  Yay!! On the knitting front, I finally started that basket-weave patterned scarf I've been yacking about.  I am almost halfway through in spite of all the crazy things I am working on .  .  . Next Saturday at 3 PM CST, I perform live on the radio for the very first time.  It will be on WRVU 91.1 FM.  You can listen locally here in Nashville and online at wrvu.org  This is going to be so much fun!!! Well, this is it for now.  I will have more to blog about very soon!! Have a Happy Sunday! -g