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!!

Musical Genres

Stardust

Stardust

August 24, 2023

Photo credit: Rick and Dall-E Stardust I always liked this song by Hoagy Carmichael written in 1927.  But I didn’t realize just how beautiful the lyrics (Mitchell Parish) were (although I’ve heard them many times) until read them as I was posting the lyrics to my music video. (see below for full lyrics.) Others apparently have also liked ‘Stardust’, which has been recorded over 1,500 times by such diverse names as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong,  Coleman Hawkins,  Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Ringo Starr (who recorded the song featuring arrangements by Paul McCartney), Willie Nelson, Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan (in 2017). I promised to record this song for one of my patients who is getting eyelid surgery tomorrow. I hope that it evokes wonderful ‘stardust memories’ for her. Enjoy, Dr. Weiss Dr. Weiss Recommends: If you are interested in Hoagy Carmichael and the period during which ‘Stardust’ was written, watch ‘Young Man With a Horn’ (on Amazon Prime or Apple TV), a film directed by Michael Cortiz, about the life of Hoagy’s best friend jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, starring Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Lauren Bacall and Hoagy Carmichael himself lending considerable authenticity. It’s worth a watch if only for […]

And I love her 3

And I Love Her

August 15, 2023

And I Love Her ‘And I Love Her’, one of McCartney’s personal favorites, was released July 20, 1964 (almost 60 years ago – yikes!).  McCartney called ‘And I Love Her’ “the first ballad I impressed myself with”. Lennon called it McCartney’s “first ‘Yesterday’”. But try to imagine the song without George Harrison’s signature guitar riff. A beautiful and peaceful 2 minutes, for sure. Dedicated to my wife and constant companion. Enjoy, Dr. Weiss

Its Over graphic

It’s Over

August 7, 2023

It’s Over Words and Music by Rick Weiss Illustration: Rick and Dall-E This music blog is all about sharing, so let me share this song I wrote years ago about suddenly realizing that a love affair is over. Although I feel the music stands on its own, I’d love to hear it sung properly. However, my limited voice is not well suited for this song. Anyone who wants to try recording a vocal please contact me and we could see what develops. In the meantime, enjoy. Dr. Weiss LYRICS Verse 1 It’s over, all the love that we shared as two Believing, that ours was a love to last forever Not knowing, just how quickly it all could end In a glance, and we both knew It’s the end, of our love true But I know, that we’ll find I’ll be strong, I’ll go on Cause it’s over Chorus Until you I never knew the true meaning of love before The touch of your hand In the still of the night and the robe you wore Now that you’re gone I can hardly get used to it That your look and your love and your smile’s not for me… Now you’re gone […]

The Secret Life of Plants title

The Secret Life Of Plants – Debussy Intro

May 22, 2023

The Secret Life of Plants Words and Music by Stevie Wonder with an introduction by Debussy I came upon this song that I recorded about 5 years ago and it was so beautiful that I thought I’d share it again. The music is haunting and evocative of a secret communication between plants that we may be unaware of. And as always, Stevie’s words say it all: And what we think as insignificant, provides the purest air we breathe… But if you ask yourself where would you be, without them you will find, you would not So please join me in marveling at the wonders of nature, and take a break from all of our worldly concerns, for at least a few minutes (3:42 to be exact.) Enjoy, Dr. Weiss PS For the story behind my arrangement: click here PSS Plant lovers might enjoy a book that a patient of mine turned me on to: The Overstory by Richard Powers, which was heavily inspired by the life and work of forest ecologist Suzanne Simard. Simard is best known for her research on how  fungi and roots facilitate communication and interaction between trees and plants, and her own book about her research being ridiculed before it was vindicated is also fascinating, Finding The […]

Harry Belafonte as a young man, standing on a boat for an album cover, titled "The Best of Harry Belafonte."

Jamaica Farewell

April 25, 2023

"Jamaica Farewell" is a Jamaican-style folk song. The song appeared on Harry Belafonte's album Calypso. The lyrics for the song were written by Lord Burgess (Irving Burgie), an American-born, half-Barbadan songwriter. It is about the beauties of the West Indian Islands. Many, including Belafonte himself, have said that the song was popular in the West Indies since long before Burgess. It is believed that Burgess compiled and modified the song from many folk pieces to make a new song. [from Wikipedia] The Kingston Trio, who led the folk revival of the late 1950s, took their name from the mention of Kingston, Jamaica in the song, though they only recorded it many years later, in 2006. I have an affinity for this song because of the time I’ve spent enjoying life in the Caribbean - especially in Jamaica. Enjoy, 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 [...]
Chopin 1

Chopin Waltz in Gb major Op 70 No 1

March 1, 2023

Frederic Chopin Waltz in Gb Major, OP. 70, No 1 (3:31) On this day, March 1, 1810, Frederic Chopin was born in Poland. He was a Polish-French composer and pianist of the classical Romantic period. He moved to Paris at age 21 where he lived until his death at age 39 in 1849. Chopin was the master of the classical waltz, and the center section (Meno mosso at 0:53) is one of the most beautiful and sublime melodies that I know. Believe it or not, Chopin ultimately decided against publishing it, believing it unworthy of publication! However, lucky for us, it was published posthumously, after his death. I have played this waltz for years but have never felt that I have gotten my performance quite right, but I’m getting closer. I tend to play all of his waltzes rubato, which is the temporary disregarding of strict tempo to allow an expressive quickening or slackening, usually without altering the overall pace. I just know that I try to play it emotionally, as if it was pouring out of my (and Chopin’s) soul. Special Bonus Track: Waltz in G# Minor, Op. 64, No 2 (recorded February 29, 2024, 4:53) Enjoy, Dr. Weiss Dedicated to David G. and Charlie B. Some […]

Footprints

Footprints in the Sands of Time

January 1, 2023

Footprints on the Sands of Time Adapted from “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow New Year’s Day is always a moment during which many of us reflect on the passage of time. This year we have also been constantly reminded of our own mortality. So, it’s particularly appropriate that I present this song to you today, as it was something I wrote earlier during the pandemic. ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time’ is a phrase from “A Psalm of Life” by Longfellow, describing the legacy that individuals leave behind after they pass away. The poem attempts to describe nothing less than the purpose of life. In Longfellow’s optimistic view, though our body dies, the soul remains immortal. When we strive to lead ethical and moral lives of consequence, we will leave behind ‘footprints’ that others can follow as they pursue their own exceptional lives. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year! Enjoy, Dr. Weiss “Music is the language spoken by angels.” Longfellow

Sinatra singing

That’s Life

December 12, 2022

That’s Life In Memory of Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra was born on this day (December 12) in 1915. I guess I gotta actually sing this one! My father took my brother and me and some friends to see Sinatra at Resorts International Casino, the first casino that opened in Atlantic City, at one of the first shows, if not the first. I’m from Philadelphia, and we spent our summers in Atlantic City, so my father had some good connections. We had a table literally adjacent to the stage and carte blanche! It was all very exciting, and I’ll never forget the look of satisfaction on my Dad’s face because he was able to take us all out in such a manner! And in the casino itself, it was like there was electricity in the air. Here’s to a great singer and bon vivant!  Happy Birthday, Frank! Enjoy Dr. Weiss Related Posts: The Things We Did Last Summer – my attempt at a ‘trumpet’ solo (I love this song!) (Or enter https://youtu.be/gHWa2CjyZFg in your browser, if you don’t like clicking on hyperlinks) All The Way – dedicated to my dear friend Pat D, who danced with Sinatra at her wedding! ( or enter https://youtu.be/Nyh4bOAXJEg in […]