Welcome to my music blog - The Soundtrack of My Life!

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!!

Categories


four leaf clover pic wplay

I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover

June 28, 2019

“I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover” was composed by Henry MacGregor Woods, who also wrote the music for “When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along)”! Although Woods became legendary from this song, in modern times the song is probably most associated with Merrie Melodies cartoons (maybe that’s where I first heard it). It’s also a common tune played by the string bands in Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade (a shout out to my home town, Philadelphia! Picture the Mummers strutting to this song at the speed that I’m playing it! Pretty funny!) This song is dedicated to my friends AB, Brett, Gene, Aileen, Jason and Nathan. Dr. Weiss Bosendorfer piano sound - For this recording I’m playing a Yamaha Clavinova – which has the same keyboard action as a traditional acoustic piano, but there are no strings. Pressing a key activates (in this case) a sound which was sampled from a Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano. Try listening to it with a good set of headphones! It sounds better than any piano I've ever owned!!
Easter Parade Poster w/ Judy Garland and Fred Astaire

Easter Parade

April 21, 2019

Back by popular demand, I'm happy to share again what is becoming something of an annual Easter tradition - me playing the Easter Parade for my poodle Bisou!  I'm not sure if Bisou ever got a chance to watch the classic movie with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, but she definitiely appreciated the music! I hope you enjoy! Dr. Weiss
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patricks Day! (Danny Boy)

March 17, 2019

Today I couldn't decide which song to choose, so here are the two Weiss Music Minute finalists! (recorded 3/16/19) First up, we have everyone's favorite Irish song: Danny Boy. This song was first written down in an old Irish song book from 1855 when it was called “Londonderry Air.” Although I had seen this title before, I didn’t happen to know that an air (Italian: aria) is a song-like vocal or instrumental composition. Or also that "The Londonderry Air" is an air that originated in County Londonderry, one of the original counties of the Kingdom of Ireland from 1613 onward. [Courtesy of Wikipedia :-) ] This is my short arrangement of a traditional song with a non-traditional ending. “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover” was composed by Henry MacGregor Woods, who also wrote the music for "When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)”! Although Woods became legendary from this song, in modern times the song is probably most associated with Merrie Melodies cartoons (maybe that’s where I first heard it). It’s also a common tune played by the string bands in Philadelphia's Mummers Parade (a shout out to my home town, Philadelphia! Picture the Mummers strutting to this [...]
An image of Dr Weiss' hands on the piano. Above the hands are the words "Weiss Music Minute" and beneath is the title of the Music Minute, "Danny Boy".

Danny Boy

December 7, 2018

Today's Weiss Music Minute is Today's Weiss Music Minute is a cover of an old Irish melody. "Danny Boy" lyrics were written by Frederic Weatherly, but the melody comes from an older tune called "Londonderry Air". If you've just stumbled upon this entry, you might also be interested in one of our latest features - Photo of the Week, where I share what I feel are particularly representative examples of the work that I perform.
Happy St Patricks Day 2018 IMage

I Wish I Had Someone To Love Me – (St. Patrick’s Day)

March 16, 2018

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to share this quick session I had with Aileen F., an Irish friend of mine  who lives in Limerick, Ireland.  She was happy to share this authentic and traditional Irish song with all of us – I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did!  What a beautiful voice! Did you guys get a chance to catch last year’s St. Patrick’s Day post?  If you missed last year’s St. Patrick’s Day video, it’s never too late to watch and learn about pennywhistles and hear my version of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”!

I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy!

July 3, 2016

Happy Birthday, America! From our family to yours, we wish you all a fantastic holiday filled with food, fun and fireworks! And to kick off your holiday weekend, we thought we’d give you a little song and dance. Enjoy your holiday weekend while we wait anxiously for the recording contract offers to come rolling in 😉   Happy Independence Day From Weiss Cosmetic

St Patricks Day Blog Image

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

March 17, 2016

As luck would have it, we’ve got a brand-new musical medley for our fantastic family of patients in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day!  Of course it’s filled with beautiful piano music, but it also features Dr. Weiss playing the penny whistle! Click to watch the video and find out a little more about penny whistles as well as hear some traditional Irish songs played on it! Wishing you all a happy, safe St. Patrick’s Day!