Piano Puzzlers
If you’re a music geek (like me), I have a program for you. Now, let me be clear, to fully qualify as a music geek…you must have a fond appreciation for classical music (no, Poison, Quiet Riot, and Zepplin do not count as classical music). So, if you’re a “music geek” without an appreciation for classical music…well, I hate to burst your bubble…but, you’re not truly a music geek. Instead, you’re a music appreciator, but not a geek. So, if you just listen to indie music and scowl at anything on a label larger than Matador…don’t bother following the link I’ll provide…the fun will be lost on you…And, you probably won’t have a chance.
Every Wednesday night, on my way home from WNL, I turn on my local NPR station to listen to Piano Puzzlers on Performance Today. It’s absolutely incredible. A pianist/composer (Bruce Adolphe) takes a familiar folk or pop tune and sets it inside a classical masterpiece (or in the style of a particular composer). Sometimes it’s easy…sometimes it’s ridiculously difficult. There are days when I say, “got it” on the first pass. Then there are days when I say, “what the heck?” And, more often than not, I’m able to get either the popular/folk tune or the composer.
This is sad to admit, but there are nights when I’ll slow down on the drive home or sit in the car in the driveway to finish an episode. In fact, I get a little worked up if someone stops me after WNL…as I might miss the beginning of Piano Puzzlers (it usually hits around 8:20pm on our local station).
Take a listen to some of the archives and see if you can figure it out! It’s really cool…but probably only appreciated by music geeks (the kind of people that listen to NPR for their musical programs and not just the snipets of cool indie rock between segments on All Things Considered…which is a great show too).
“Oh, yeah!! Rollin’ Stones!! Street Fightin’ Man!! GEE-SEVAHN!!”
“Uh, you just hit G8.”
~if you like pina coladas…~
Well, how’s that for musical content? It’s also a quote from the movie Dirty Work, an underappreciated cinematic gem as far as I’m concerned, but musical nonetheless.
And, speaking of Chris Farley, whose lines I just quoted, I recommend you pick up the the book “The Chris Farley Show.” Heartbreaking and hilarious, all at the same time. Wait, skip that first adjective. I have naught but ice water flowing through my veins.
Now, back to the Colts…My No 87 jersey’s all warmed up and ready to go, my breastbone is thickened from years of indulging in silverback gorilla dominance displays after Colts touchdowns, it’s football time!! Woo Hoo!!
Fartacus
p.s. Let me check my calendar. I might be able to make it to Middletown USA to see the Cardinals get stomped by the vaunted Annapolis triple option. Sing it with me!! “The Goat is old and gnarly and he’s never been to school! But he can take the bacon from that worn out Army Mule…”
Comment by It's me again — August 9, 2008 @ 11:00 pm