BillM; Gorgeous rendition of this beautiful song... based on an old Russian folk song.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Those_Were_the_Days_(song)

Here's something I did a few years ago.. I used the Mandolin setting on my Roland (supposed to sound a little like a balalaika). You've inspired me to try to redo it, though..

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Stumbler - a curious piece. Until today I didn't realise strathspey was a style. I googled it.
Bill - you really bring out the lyrics in this one and, yes, evoke the melancholy. PM me for a little more info.

[b][/b]Elssa - It's a great tune isn't it?

Elssa - I really liked your more upbeat interpretation. I'm not surprised that you have recorded this one - we seem to have very similar tastes in music. I particularly liked your ending including your cat's contribution.

BillM - Those were the days
It is amazing how you can put out so many great performances here. As I have said many times, your voice is golden and your piano playing is fantastic as you look so relaxed in front of your great piano. It is a true pleasure to listen to your contributions here. You need to release a CD with all your covers!! Thanks for sharing!

Elssa - Those were the days
Another great performance! I like how you managed to change the sounds in the mix while playing. Great job!

Newman - You and Me
You are in a class of your own here. Your originals are simply amazing!! I loved it. Your songs (and voice!) really remind me of the Beatles! When will be able to see a video of you playing your piano? Thanks for sharing!!

Stumbler - Miss Drummonds
Great performance!! Your piano keys must be glowing at the end of that piece... Great job! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, Bill and Amaruk. You are too kind. There are many more originals to draw upon and turn into piano based rather than guitar based songs. A lifetime of listening to, playing and singing Beatles songs has left its mark!

Stumbler - The March of the Campbells (or McDonalds)! A very Scottish flavour. Full of purpose.

Ellsa; "Those were the days" Love the run up the keyboard! I`ve never been able to do that very well; better try this out for meself ha ha

"Those were the days" Loved this Bill. Super arrangement; piano could do wi being a tad louder, mind (mho) It`s a lovely instrument. What model is it?

"Polish Dance" Amaruk - Hey, what a sound, man! That piano looks . . .great and not easily transportable!!

Plus - we got dancers! Lovely piece o` music, man.

Those were the days:
nice interpretation BillM.

I like yours too, Elssa.

p.s. I didn't know it was based on a Russian folk song.

Amaruk. I sort of let the tempo get away from me.

Here`s another. Rough and Ready version. I`m working on the bits I sort of skipped over. And it`ll be slower because I prefer it that way . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98jMNN00S38

There are many wonderful music this month.

BillM: Your voice is very touching. You sing with passion.
Those were the days: Its touching.

Amaruk: The difficult Easy Piano is well played. I enjoy it.
Wish4 Thing: Very good. Its baroque feel. If give you comment, I would like to say you can pay attention to one hand only at each time. From 1 min onward, your left hand seems less confidence. At 37 sec, transition from right hand to left hand has a gap. Try copy LH and RH score to same staff. The music is not divided to LH and RH. LH and RH cooperate to make same line of music.

I am a newbie, I have 99% confidence I am wrong.

Amaruk: The Polish Dance. Wow, passionate. I never think I can play it. The movie is very good. Enjoy it.
Greener: Thank you for the music of Bugs. Its funny. I enjoy it.
sislermi: Final Fantasy X Soundtrack, very good.
peterws: The Irish Winter is rather warm. It like winter in my city. The Bach French Suite 5 is very good.
Ellsa: Near You, music make as closer. Thank you for the music and the video. Your rendition of The Those were the Days is very good.
Newman: You and Me, very good song. Enjoy it.
Stumbler: Miss Drummond of Logiealmond's Strathspey. It seems blues progression! Wow! Enjoy it.

Thanks for a member,s suggestion last month, I bought an ipod holder from Taobao, the China ebay. I can make video now.

Bach Preludio I from the Well Tempered Claviar.



Thank you for watching. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Weiyan,

Well done on the Bach prelude. It is a lot of fun watching your monthly progress via the pieces submitted to the bar. Keep up the good work.

Jim

Elssa - thanks for sharing the Aristocats video, made me smile! In "Those were the days," I don't really like the mandolin sound. It's disturbing. Might have to do with the quality of the recording maybe?

BillM - it's so nice how you can sing and play at the same time. And pretty good too, on both accounts!

Weiyan - is the lowest A key broken? It looks so sad. Bach is really not my thing, but I appreciate the technical difficulties one faces when playing his music.

I have more listening and catching up to do this month, and I will be back. But, just want to quickly comment on what I just heard...

Weiyan; Fabulous job.
Your playing is really coming along nicely and rapidly. You must be practicing a lot. It shows. I love this prelude. This is the best I've heard from you yet. Well done.

Stumbler - a fun piece. I like how you are not afraid to give the keys a good whack.

Peterws - Bach French suite- what a lovely recording. I'm not a big classical fan but enjoyed your energetic performance.

Weiyan - I agree with Greener - this may be your best yet. I enjoyed watching you play - keep the videos coming.

Weiyan - Bach's Prelude in C major


Great job!! I am glad that you ordered the adapter for your camera as it is great to be able see you play on your piano now. I like it that you uncovered your action. It makes for a very interesting video. You are becoming a Bach expert. You even had the piece memorized!!

Weiyan - I'm impressed by the range of music you play. Good work!

Thank you for kindly encouragements and suggestions. My tuning mentor suggest me to play this prdlude, he said it used all twelve keys of the keyboard.

The lowerest A is broken during move to my house.

I ordered the iPod holder from TaoBao, a lot cheapper than Amazon.

Uncover the piano make the sound open, but I still not satisfy the sound quality of the video. I also like to see the action dancing.

Ok. I'm on a roll now. Here's a song I wrote in 1980/81


In Love With Love

It's one of my wife's favourites.

That was 30 years ago . . . .! A good `un, man. McCartney/Lennon in one. Keep `em comin