Daniel Paterok - Boogie Woogie & Blues (piano solo) #1

From the YouTube files of Daniel Paterok (more here and here):

"Hi there! This is a Boogie Woogie tune I wrote inspired by the arts of the great Boogie Woogie player Axel Zwingenberger. I hope you'll enjoy it."

Pure joy to listen to ~

Maurice Causey / Mikhail Karikis - Ominous Rumblings of Discontent

From the YouTube files of Maurice Causey ...

Choreographer: Maurice Causey
Music/Original Composition: Mikhail Karikis
Costumes: Marlowe Bassett
Company C Ballet

Keith Jarrett - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Through the end of winter there was this eager anticipation of better, sunny days to come and of spring to claim the land. As happens every year I'd totally forgotten that springtime promises include the promises of allergies. So with the eyes and nose dripping there's all the more reason to find some music that soothes the soul. ...

For today, that music is the phenomenal mastery of the piano by Keith Jarrett. Essentially, any of his piano pieces would do, but my all time favorite is the Koln Concert (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4) ~ if you have the time and the inclination take a listen, it's worth it, I promise. For now and for this blog it's his interpretation of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" - enjoy!

Over the Rainbow

Leo Kottke - Gewerbegebiet

I think that every season has its own melody, every mood has its own rhythm or rhyme, and that some artists create music which fits some days or moods, whereas others create music for every mood and season. To me, Leo Kottke is a musician for any time, any season ~

Nils Frahm - Says

If you would, take 10 minutes to sit back and relax and let Nils Frahm's "Says" wrap around you. Sometimes music says it all. This piece certainly doesn't need words ~ simply beautiful ...

Paco De Lucía, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin - Mediterranian Sun Dance

A little dose of sunshine before I succumb to hibernating ... Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin ~ each one a guitar genius of his own right. Together - simply breathtaking!

Jethro Tull - Bourée

I guess I could talk about Johann Sebastian Bach and his works, or about Ian Anderson during and after his time with Jethro Tull. But tonight I just feel like listening to - and drowning in - Ian Anderson's rendition of J. S. Bach's "Bourée" 

George Winston - Moon

The weather forecast promises snow – finally. There’s been the occasional flake forecast around ten days out for the last two months but the closer the date came the forecast tuned to warmer temperatures and rain or to colder days with sunshine. I’ve decided to put my trust in the two days of snow forecast and have started stocking up on music – starting with George Winston, quoted by Wikipedia as having stated

Every song I've ever heard, that has gone in and stayed in me, has always reminded me of a season. A picture and a place, maybe, but always a season.

Kitaro - Matsuri (live)

My parents weren’t big on letting their pre-teen kids watch TV, and bedtimes were adamantly set and to be observed. Of course, any exception such as allowing us to watch ‘adult’ TV on occasion made those TV programs extra special. One of those exceptions was “The Silk Road: The Rise and Fall of Civilizations” which aired way past my then bedtime.

I have to admit that I don’t recall too much of the documentary (I’ll have to search the web – I sure would love to see it again). What I do recall is the amazing soundtrack (composed by Kitaro) and breathtaking pictures of sweeping foreign landscapes beckoning to be explored ...

John Butler - Ocean

I can't think of a better song to ring in the New Year. To all out there: have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year filled with peace and joy! Be safe :)