Barrelhouse Music

upright pianoLast summer, I did a little mini series of songs with piano in them. As I said at the time, the piano may seem delicate for rock, but it is a percussion instrument and it also has great range of expression.

Here’s one cut from the brand new LCD Soundsystem album Sound of Silver and one from Regina Spektor’s album from last year, Begin to Hope. Imagine the piano payer starts a riff with his (or her) left hand, a driving rhythm that repeats, propelling the song. It can be Willie “the Lion” Smith or Philip Glass. The pattern is percussive, providing a beat that acts as a foundation, but is also melodic.

Now listen.

LCD Soundsystem – All My FriendsBUY

Regina Spektor – EditBUY

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2 Responses

  1. mezon Says:

    Great comment at PhilNugent re Imus. Came here from there, and saw you note about piano rock. I recently came across Joe Jackson’s live album Afterlife and after being blown away, found myself having similar thoughts…that JJ is one hell of a rock piano player, and that this album in particular has some of the best piano rock I’ve ever heard.

    Best of the best on this album are (by track):
    1. Steppin’ Out
    2. One More Time
    5. Look Sharp!
    6. Down To London
    7. Beat Crazy
    8. Fools In Love
    11. Sunday Papers

  2. Music_Lover Says:

    Well, if it is all about piano, all music will be played perfectly. With the right sound and the heartwarming harmony, your may seem to like any music to be played with a piano. The melody is just right for a person with different taste of music

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