Eric Lewis @ the White House - Mr. Brightside

[MrKickass907]

The faces he makes while playing makes me think that he is possed by some piano playing GOD!

[fraser107]

A unique talent should not be compaired to anything, Just let it simply be amazing.

[n054m]

Who are these people who keep comparing Eric to Beethoven? Just let him be himself - I highly doubt he considers himself on the same level as Beethoven and I'd put money on the fact that he wouldn't want to be compared to him. To those who claim to play Beethoven sonatas 'very well': that's great, but it seems as though Eric has extra creativity and passion in areas where a lot of musicians are lacking. Peoples' need to constantly compare music to other music or art to other art baffles me.

[LandonDoor]

I don't know if he is a song writer but he makes things amazingly new and to his own rhythm.

[bcoz7264]

This guy's too good for Americas got Talent!

[6menonaplane]

Possessed!

[abean16]

I see people debating whether or not Eric is on the level of Beethoven or not, and I say this: incomparable. Eric is a great pianist, i give him that, but he isn't a songwriter.

Beethoven was a musician and a songwriter, and that is what makes them stand apart.

[scottyis79]

@abean16 This level of interpretation of a pop tune does make him a song writer, I think. I'm confident ELEW could write brilliant music. I think the way he uses common songs and bends them to his own style is certainly genius. A composer of Beethoven's quality? Maybe not. But he has some talents the composer didn't have.

[AllergevKev]

Even if you don't like the music, realize this, I do not think he held a single note. Do you realize how difficult it is to play something at al comprehensible, by just playing quarter, eighth, or sixteenth notes? Let me tell you, it is very.

[KyciliaZabi]

AMAZING...

simply ^^

[gregoryburrows]

sheer ego-bloated crap. 

[johncoltranestyle]

youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEa­A ELEW's official Smells like teen spirit video !!

[hippitybippitybop]

@johncoltranestyle Eric should have played this at the White House!! Great version of Star Spangled Banner! I Stand Corrected!!!!!! I would like to hear Eric play some classical piano-WHERE IS IT???????????

[chubs6579]

@hippitybippitybop He started out playing classical, he stated that on America's got Talent.

[sydmariska]

genius...

[hippitybippitybop]

@sydmariska A Genius HE IS NOT!!!!!! Beethoven was a genius, Mozart was a genius, Bach was a genius, Handel was a genius, Schubert was a genius, Chopin was a genius, Saint Saens was a genius, Schumann was a genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[locomunk]

he is mad ..he makes like a face of possession hahaha but he is good he lets the talent take over

[hippitybippitybop]

He is fired and I am going to charge him for a tune-job on the fine instrument that he damaged!

Give me Herbie Hancock anytime who has a background in playing western classical music!

[DanMcCaffrey]

@hippitybippitybop

Finally. Jazz with Intensity. I've think of been waiting my whole life for where music is now going. If you haven't, that's fine. Just don't stand in the way...

[hippitybippitybop]

@DanMcCaffrey It is called Jazz with violence against a fine instrument . I bet he refers to himself as an African-American instead of an American of African ancestry! When Mr. Lewis played or I should say destroyed the piano at the Whitehouse for the Obama's he did not even bother to play the "Star Spangled Banner"!!!!!!!!!!!

[johncoltranestyle]

@hippitybippitybop youtube.com/watch?v=TVxMhLfmN3­g ELEW plays National Anthem for NASCAR .........

[DanMcCaffrey]

@hippitybippitybop

You've added nothing about the music - but a clearly painted picture of yourself as dusty fuddy-duddy that is out of touch with modernity, black folks, and lord knows what else. I adore Schumann too, as well as Stravinsky. But it seems you'd be the type to riot against "The Firebird" suite back when it debuted because it was simply too much for your delicate constitution. So be it. As Dylan said about roads - get out of the new one if you can't lend a hand...

[hippitybippitybop]

@DanMcCaffrey Actually I prefer Mahavishnu Orchestra's version of Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite". Thanks to John Mc Laughlin I have the complete musical score for all of Mahavishnu's music. So put that in your pipe and smoke it "Mr Smarty Pants". I can play Jan Hammer's keyboard parts but with my own improvisations!!!!!!!!!!!

[MsAppassionata]

@hippitybippitybop I see from one of your other comments that you respect Beethoven. It might interest you to know that he also destroyed many a piano in his day. He was, by all accounts, a ferocious pianist. You probably would have said the same thing about old Ludwig that you now say about Eric Lewis had you been alive in the 18th and 19th century. And, btw what difference does it make what Eric does or does not call himself? What has that got to do with the music?

[hippitybippitybop]

@MsAppassionata Beethoven was an incredible composer and pianist but I doubt that he was into destroying fine piano's!! Eric Lewis is talented musically and he should maintain and grow that musical talent without damaging an instrument. I would be envious to be playing on such a fine piano as he has played on. Even Eric would admit that he is no Beethoven or on that genius level musically.

[MsAppassionata]

@hippitybippitybop LOL! You're dead wrong about Beethoven and pianos. He destroyed many. Do a little research if you don't believe me. The pianos of his day were ill equiped to handle the pounding that he gave them. For this reason, many of his sonatas were not performed publicly until years after his death. As for Eric, I don't think it's really fair to compare him to B. Ludwig was, certainly, the greatest pianist in Vienna, a piano crazy city, and probably the greatest in Europe.

[hippitybippitybop]

@MsAppassionata There is no comparison of Eric to Beethoven. Eric is a very talented pianist no doubt, however, Beethoven is on a level of musical genius that few human beings have ever achieved. A very high level of pianistic talent is required to perform a Beethoven sonata on the same level as the composer. This can be done without damaging a fine piano. I know this because I can play a Beethoven sonata quite well. It does require a lot of practice and hard work to play them well.

[MsAppassionata]

@hippitybippitybop I don't disagree with you about Beethoven's talents. Actually, he's my favorite composer. But he did break a lot of pianos. What did he care anyway? Piano companies would give them to him for free in order to advertise their product. By the way, since, as you say, you can play his music quite well, I was wondering if you have posted any videos on YouTube?

[hippitybippitybop]

@MsAppassionata I do not need to post my Beethoven sonata on YOU-Tube as I have nothing to prove to you or anybody else. Many pianists can play Beethoven sonata's quite well also so my piano playing is nothing special. I love to play the piano so I will spend my free time doing that.

[oasiac]

Does Eric Lewis have a CD?

[johncoltranestyle]

ELEW rockjazz vol.1 coming in february

[Bentland]

The music is a shit, it is like another song called "evanecence" and composed by him, shit shit shit!! He is wonderfull, but those 'voyages' which pretend to be'deep musical experiences like that are unbeareble!!!!poor peple who had to hear the "crazy" genious playing his minimal and transcendent music!!

[johncoltranestyle]

Actually "evanescence" is a rock band , their tune he plays is called "going under".

[DanMcCaffrey]

Huh?

[albertoloco07]

wtf, wut a dumbass

[englshmadesimple]

wow

[clseven1]

he is amazing!!!! great!!!

[oronoko84]

Saw him yesterday in Viareggio...he simply blew everyone away with this performance!!! I was totally amazed by the passion he put into his playing, something really unexpected. I also had the chance to meet him in person and he's a very nice, humble guy. A new star is born.

[sophiaperon]

@oronoko84 OBING + MONOTONOUS + HE'S RUINING THE PIANO!

[reflex0r]

can't wait to illegally download his music!

[keanel0ve]

um this is fantastic... <3

[cqacamv]

wonderfull.

[ddandmm]

NPR all the way love this guy can't wait to buy his CD!

[KorgSynths]

wtf is npr ?

[xpez]

National public radio

[adeljou123]

yes, NPR. Amazing talent!

[QuidamByMoonlight]

I love NPR for finding such talented people as this guy. What a gifted interpreter of music. Absolutely amazing and full bodied version of Mr. Brightside. He really made it his own.

[mageshbag]

He is in musical heaven when playing. Thanks NPR!!!

[ismiletoyou]

+1 here because on NPR :)

[jeaniebaby001]

yup, NPR brought me here too... lol

[albertoloco07]

wow, alot of people listened to npr friday, and thats some good music

[s2kblinky]

So glad I caught NPR on this morning! This song is awesome in piano!

[ProxyErgoCogito]

This guy is amazing. So much better than other covers of Mr. Brightside. Thanks NPR!

[fastsloth]

AMAZING

i heard about this guy on npr :D

[thekillersforum]

great!!!!!!