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!!

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I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry

March 2, 2020

Hank Williams recorded this classic song in 1949. Elvis Presley thought that it was  probably the saddest song he’d ever heard. Bob Dylan wrote: “I didn't have to experience anything that Hank did to know what he was singing about. I'd never heard a robin weep, but could imagine it and it made me sad." Songwriter Harlan Howard coined the phrase “Three chords and the truth” to describe the necessary ingredients for country and western music, alluding to the familiar simplicity of country music and the paramount importance of the truth of the story.  Hank Williams wrote this song with only three chords (I-IV-V) but my arrangement was inspired by Leon Russell’s recording which subtlely reharmonizes the song with some extra chords.  Because of the importance of the lyrics, I’ve decided to sing this one - a rarity because I do not consider myself much of a vocalist. And be sure to listen for the lonely whippoorwill chirping at the end! I’d like to dedicate this performance to Michael and Fred, my friends in Nashville.  Thanks again to Michael for taking me to the church of country music, the Ryman Auditorium for the first time.  Thanks to Fred for requesting [...]
Slipping into Christmas Rick

Slipping Into Christmas

December 24, 2017

Slipping Into Christmas Hi guys, Here’s something a little different!  I was feeling a little under the gun by committing to my Christmas song countdown, so I put this song together quickly last night. It’s an old Leon Russell tune called ‘Slipping into Christmas’ from 1972.  For some reason it has haunted me for years! Two firsts: 1- Dr. Weiss singing (I was told once never to sing in public!). 2- my first attempt at lip-syncing (almost all music videos are lip synced!). Anyway, both done on the first take (c’mon, I’m a professional surgeon, not a professional musician!) But it’s alright – it’s just between us: my family, friends and family of patients, and it’s just what I would play for you if you were in my living room. Definitely not looking for a record deal. So. please enjoy today’s somewhat obscure Christmas song. Dr. Weiss