Summertime (Summer officially ends Sunday, September 22, 5:44 AM PST) Here is a special Weiss Music Minute (1:07) – Summertime, written by George Gershwin 90 years ago for the opera ‘Porgy & Bess’ – a song that needs no special introduction! Enjoy, Dr. Weiss Dedicated to my friend Leonardo
Many of you have asked me “What’s with all the music, Dr. Weiss?” Well, as I’ve told some of you:
I personally call every surgery patient on the evening of surgery just to make sure they are doing well and have no questions that need answering. Occasionally, I would be at the piano and play a song that we had listened to that day. I gradually realized that I wanted to go through all the music that I had played during my life and at least start making a list of the songs that I had recently played.
Well, there are now about 600 songs on the list and I realized that it in a way it represented the ‘soundtrack of my life’! And that’s how I got the idea to record these songs and share them with my patients, friends and family. After I record them they will reside here, for easy access.
Music is truth. It’s honest. It’s really the first social media, where in a way, people could share their souls directly. And isn’t that what the purpose of social media is and why it’s so popular - trying to share who you really are, as completely and directly as possible?
Finally, it has been (and will continue to be) a genuine pleasure sharing these different songs with you and I really appreciate all of your positive feedback!!
Tea For Two
June 10, 2024
Tea For Two! Published 100 years ago today!! “Tea for Two” is a 1924 song composed by Vincent Youmans (More Than You Know), with lyrics by Irving Caesar (Swanee, Just a Gigolo). It was published exactly 100 years ago today (June 10, 1924!) When I started this music blog, I was trying to show that many complete musical ideas can be expressed in one minute or less. This is a perfect example. It is instantly recognizable and is one of the most recorded songs in popular music. I’ve linked to two versions: Bugs and Daffy doing a soft shoe routine, and an amazing version by Art Tatum – one of the most talented jazz pianists who ever lived! Enjoy, Dr. Weiss Bugs and Daffy version Art Tatum version
Nice Work If You Can Get It
September 4, 2023
Nice Work If You Can Get It Another example of George and Ira Gershwin’s inventive use of words and unique chord changes Enjoy, Dr. Weiss
The Night They Invented Champagne
August 6, 2022
Click on the mice to watch! This is a feel-good song from the award-winning 1958 American musical Gigi; the music was composed by Frederick Loewe and the lyrics were written by Alan Jay Lerner. The prompts for the AI illustrations mentioned inebriated festive french mice, and if you listen closely for the second verse I’ve tried to play a little wobbly! So although there may be continued uncertainty about our Covid future, tonight, by focusing on a bit of positive news, Let’s Celebrate! Enjoy, Dr. Weiss PS Yes, Jackie, Tamara and I are finally back in the office seeing happy patients and doing eyelid surgery. Don’t worry – we’re all wearing N95 masks! PSS Here are some of the ‘runners-up’ original Dall-E artificial intelligence illustrations. Which one do you like the best?
Mountain Greenery
March 22, 2022
Mountain Greenery For all you show-tune lovers, here’s a toe-tapping, finger-snapping song from 1926 – smack in the middle of the Roaring Twenties – a perfect to celebrate the plunging Covid-19 metrics and a return to some kind of normal. “Mountain Greenery” is a popular song composed by Richard Rodgers (The Sound of Music, Carousel, South Pacific), with lyrics by Lorenz Hart (Blue Moon, The Lady is a Tramp, My Funny Valentine). In addition to the clever rhyming (I’ve reddened the rhymes in the lyrics below), there is a repeating rhythm of each verse that is recognizable even without the music. Fun fact: It was first performed on the Broadway stage by none other than the late, great Sterling Holloway, who voiced Winnie the Pooh (and also Kaa the snake in Jungle Book, among many others.) He appeared in over 100 films and 40 television shows! Also, it was Holloway who first gave voice to the classic Rodgers & Hart tune “Manhattan” (We’ll take Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, too.) I never realized that he was so suave and debonair when he was younger! Notable versions were recorded by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, The Supremes, Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé. Two great performances: Perry Como (you gotta see this!) and Dick […]
On the Good Ship Lollipop
December 7, 2021
On The Good Ship Lollipop Tribute to Shirley Temple What can I say about Shirley Temple (who passed away today – December 7 – at age 85)? I will miss her but never forget her spirit. Thanks for all your smiles! We should all slow down and watch a Shirley Temple movie soon! In the meantime… Enjoy, Dr. Weiss Dedicated to Josh and Lana