Coldplay "Clocks": Eric Lewis on Piano (ELEWTube)

[WizArdLoVe7219]

anyone notice how he never has sheets of music?! he freakin memorizes it all!!

[kmccor2008]

dubstep for piano?

[blackopspro283]

What the fucks up with his left hand?!?!?!?!

[hollyfigueroaoreilly]

This is one of the greatest interpretations of a piece of music I have ever seen. Notice i said "seen", not "heard". Eric is capable of things that 99% or more of the people watching this will never understand. (I include myself in this equation). There is an interview here on Youtube by Wynton Marsalis about Eric and his abilities. It is an interesting watch for anyone who loves Eric's music, or is interested in learning more about what art is.

[AaronC183]

elew and david sides are my favorite pianists

[TheAwesomite]

SOMEDAY THIS MIGHT JUST MAKE A PIANO TALK!!!!

[gymnastmiley95]

i saw him last night at the josh groban straight to you. probably the best opening act ive ever seen in any concert ive been to. HE WAS AMAZING!!<33 and i love the fact he played coldplay, they're my fav band<33 thanks elew for an amazing opening!!

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi So since you can't show either of them interpreting the music ELEW interprets, all you have are theoretical criticisms about techniques that are less obvious in ELEW.But ELEW has techniques that you don't see or choose to ignore.And his audience continues to grow.Worldwide.Especially in Asia.But u don't care.Cool, but so what?

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi Yo/Yu don't need to play Nirvana BUT you would need them to in order to make ur ATTACK symmetrical.Because as Attacker you have to show the proof.You said Yo was the best Rock pianist but he only plays originals.Is Yuja the best classical pianist? But ELEW is a JAZZ pianist

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi but anyway I really enjoyed the Yuja tracks! XJapan was lame to me but whatever. Yuja is really awesome.But I love ELEW. If she played Coldplay or Nirvana maybe I would like her even more.But she doesn't.ELEW does.

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi and if you want to say ELEW will never get the Yuja technique,that is just Doubt.And since you HATE him you don't want him to have it.So again your motivation is negative.But it still Doesn't Matter! ELEW will continue to Rock around the world and be LOVED by his growing Fans

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi Ok cool.Checked out the links. Here's the problem,you are using an ad hominem attack.I think XJapan is NOT harder or more melodic than Cply or Nirvana.TRULY.But that's just taste.But if you want to compare Yujas Bach to Lang Lang on Bach,Ok. But how can you compare her Polka to ELEWs Coldplay?

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi also, your argument still lacks a point. Are you saying Lewis should practice? Give up? Are u angry at him for some odd reason? You want the Asian pianists that you have named to be more popular in USA? Not sure. But anyway, when Yuja and Yoshi rock out on Nirvana or Clocks I ll be the first to agree if they rock harder. Btw this is an old video

[SuperMrToshi]

@johncoltranestyle Rock out on Nirvana? HAHAHAHA. Yoshiki's X Japan is a much, much harder band than Nirvana. Nirvana is not some extreme epitome of everything. I'll send links in a pm to show you.

Yoshiki is much bigger in comparison to his country than Nirvana will ever be.

Would you really compare Yuja's interpretations of CZIFFRA (LIKE THE KING OF PIANO), Chopin, Bach, Mozart to some silly interpretation of...Nirvana? Coldplay. WHAT A JOKE.

[SuperMrToshi]

Yoshiki IS probably the best rock pianist in the world. He outplays Nirvana and Coldplay. Compared to him...THEY LOOK LIKE JOKES.

Yoshiki doesn't need to play them.He plays his own compositions. Compositions that have even been composed upon Emperor Akihito's request.

Yoshiki>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>­Nirvana>>>>>>>>>>>Coldplay>>>>­>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Lewis

Wang>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>­>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>all

And, that's just it.

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi Lewis is touring the World including, Korea, Japan as well as opening for Josh Groban in Arenas everywhere. Sooo, he is for ReaL too! The Facts speak much louder than your amateur opinions. And by the way, none of your heroes play his repetoire and since you want to compare, you still are still coming short. Does Yoshi or Yuja play Nirvana or Coldplay? Let's hear it...(No they don't of course)

[chubs6579]

This song is insane, I love it. When I think about the original version of "clocks", it reminds me of when I think about that special someone and how I feel about them. When I listen to this version, it's as if I feel hurt by them or that I was hurt by them but the love is still there and although you cant express how hurt you are through words, this version seems to express the torment of both happiness and anger one must feel at some point.

[cabbaman98]

@chubs6579 Shame the song was just about a time keeping device Chris Martin specifically liked really.

[AndreasM01]

You kinda press to much lower bass notes=/ sounds to heavy and out of place=/

[thekeyboardguy]

@AndreasM01 - it's part of his style. You need to understand that he's approaching the piano completely differently to anyone before him. Sometimes pristine, clear notes just won't get the right feeling or emotion across. There are other videos from ELEW which show this much clearer - where he goes completely insane almost just hitting any notes his fingers fall on ... total chaos ... but then, instantly it changes to clear, calm ... you either get it or you don't ...

[LandonDoor]

why does everyone have to bitch about who is more talented on youtube. Elew is awesome and so are the other artists mentioned.

[tcdahn7]

Yuja Wang usually is a huge pianist...at least mine iz

[jasonemilio]

SuperMrToshi: "Go watch some Yuja Wang or Cziffra... They are real pianists. "

Okay, they're incredible.......but again you close minded , jealous stuckup, you're comparing apples and oranges. They're amazing at their own unique style and Eric Lewis is amazing in his own right. Just because you don't align with his playing style/phrasings/techniques/typ­e of music doesn't mean he's not an amazing pianist.

NO ONE here is saying he's the greatist pianist ever . Move on. Troll somewhere else

[jasonemilio]

And "real pianists?" I bet you must be a "real pianist" yourself if you're able to judge "real" talented pianists.

Again "Mr Toshi," what have you achieved in your life? How tight are your pants? Open your eyes and learn to appreciate diversity and unique "talent" Geez.

[MrBaconator51797]

Thumbs up if you want Elew to guest star on AGT

[kittylinks6]

It's a cover. You're not supposed to like one or the other more. A good cover has its own merit.

[casperboo2002]

Elew...you are a gift to the world of music. A prodigy for sure.

1 minute watching you just threw my last 8 years of piano studies out the window!

[nikkim1978]

does super mr toshi actually think this guy couldn't play songs like valentina lisita or yuja wang if he chose to??

[J0v41]

coldsplay liked this video.

[RichardSandsUK]

@SuperMrToshi It seems the judges of the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competion disagree as Eric Lewis won in '96. Other luminaries like Wynton Marsalis must disagree too as Eric has toured with a number of them. Admittedly this video isn't his best showcase, check out the TED video of Eric playing Going Under. He plays piano the way I dream I can play it.

[nathancja]

wish he would have stayed on America's got talent, easily would have won, and would have flown from Canada too see this guy play in hollywood, wicked good

[JKWHJR]

i hate piano but he makes it worth listening to



[Bajungadustin]

Michael J Fox behind the camera?

[sergio101239]

and ill say it again you know you made it when there are these many hateres congrats Elew

[SuperMrToshi]

Absolutely horrible. His piano skills are not great...at all. Just cause he hits the piano, it doesn't make him good. Just not usual. But, he's nowhere near virtuoso.

[colintje3]

@SuperMrToshi It's the fact that he's different from all the other pianists that makes him great and he isn't even bad at how he does it. Simply beautiful.

[SuperMrToshi]

@colintje3 He's not different than all other pianists. You think beating the piano is new? There are pianists out there--TRULY good, virtuoso pianists--who beat the piano as well. Elew doesn't even manage to stay on tune during his songs--songs that are VERY easy to play, by the way. When he can play Rachmaninoff like Valentina Lisita, "beast a piano like Jay Chou, bang the piano like Yoshiki Hayashi (or play drums at the same time OR compose music for Emperor Akihito), etc, I will be impressed.

[cnmaster01]

@SuperMrToshi If you prefer classical over Jazz, go listen to Classical. The manner in which Eric Lewis handles tone clusters, the Aeolian harp, complex polyrythms as he improvises, suggests to me that he a has profound technical ability. Yes, maybe he can't play a Rachmaninoff Concerto like Lisita but, maybe she can't improvise like this. or maybe they can and both opt not to because it's not their cup of tea. If it's not your cup off tea, that's plenty fine.But leave it at that. =)

[SuperMrToshi]

@cnmaster01 He doesn't have any profound technical ability, and improvisation is key to virtuoso pianists....hence, making their own arrangements.

Anyway, I'll leave it.

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi I think the problem with your argument is that Ms Wang and others like her have no PRO videos playing pop music. Their MONEY/FAME is based upon their Execution of 300 to 400 yrs old GENIUS Classical COMPOSITIONS.Lewis is popular for USA and UK Pop/ROCK tunes.To ATTACK Lewis without examples of Wang or LangLang or Kissen playing EVEN 2 different Rock songs in PUBLIC is strange.Where is YOUR logic? Technique? Lewis makes mistakes,LOL! He just let's you SEE IT! That's the POINT! LIFE!

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi Lewis plays HUGE ROCK GUITAR music. His TECHNIQUE is for ANTHEMS!! For ARENAS, not Carnegie Hall. Do Arenas SING and DANCE to Wang? No.. Watch E on America's Got Talent. People are DANCING AND SINGING to Lewis. The COMPOSITIONS that Wang has practiced for hours, what about the composers who made it EASY for her? They gave her the notes!! Yes, it's hard to learn but do you realize HOW MANY PIANISTS CAN PLAY MOZART AND CHOPIN, BEAUTIFULLY?? U hate Lewis's playing. Cool. So what...

[SuperMrToshi]

@johncoltranestyle That's ridiculous. Yes, other people wrote the music for what Yuja plays, but she composes on her own...and makes her own arrangements...like many classical pianists. Compare her "Turkish March" with the "real" one.

Rock pianist? No, a real rock pianist is Yoshiki Hayashi. 280,000+ people danced to his piano at the same time.....

[johncoltranestyle]

@SuperMrToshi Ok ....just checked out X Japan's Yoshiki Hayashi. Two different songs that sounded like originals. They were impressionistic, sort of romantic and slow. Listen to Lewis play "Sweet Home Alabama" on America's Got Talent. Or his video of Smells like Teen Spirit. Yoshiki is not as strong as Lewis. It's obvious. Yoshiki deosnt play NIRVANA and if so, give the link. Also Yuja doesn't have any MODERN rock classics that she is interpreting does she?Give the link. Can you? um, nope..so ?

[SuperMrToshi]

@johncoltranestyle Yoshiki has plenty of originals: Art of Life had a great piano solo, Silent Jealousy, Crucify My Love, Rose of Pain, Unfinished....All originals, some fast, some slow. Yoshiki is a classically trained pianist since the age of four and is capable of classical piano playing. Just look at the concerto he composed for the emperor of Japan upon the Emperor's request. Or, look at the classical version of "Without You" or anything from Eternal Melody I and II.

[firegod001]

@SuperMrToshi Bullshit.

[MrAlphafox]

@SuperMrToshi I don't think you get jazz music at all. A jazz musician will take a melody and improvise on it creating something new and original. This is called their "line". The song might be easy to play, but really he isn't playing the song. He's distorting it, and turning it on it's head. He's altering it. sometimes in subtle ways and sometimes to such an extent it's almost unrecognizable. If you don't get it say you don't get it, but do not say he's bad because you look like a fool.

[SuperMrToshi]

@MrAlphafox It doesn't matter if he's distorting it and altering it. Any good pianist (jazz or not) can improvise and, depending on how you look at it, improve upon the song.

But, plainly speaking, his technical ability on the piano is almost non existent.

[elirentz]

@SuperMrToshi You're kidding right? I've played piano for almost 20 years and studied jazz in college if you think he has no technical ability you have no idea what you're talking about. Watch some of his other videos. If you don't like his style that's all well and good but to say he has no technical ability on the piano is absolutely ridiculous. How's your solo piano career working out for you.......thought so.

[SuperMrToshi]

@elirentz Compared to a classically trained pianist, he has no talent. That's all I'm saying. Watch someone like Valentina Lisita or Yuja Wang. Those girls are piano beasts.

Not this man.

[elirentz]

@SuperMrToshi Well Wynton Marsalis, Elvin Jones, and the people who judge the Thelonius Monk Competition all disagree with you. Just listen to the interview with wynton about him to hear about how good he thinks he is. By the way he is classically trained.

[SuperMrToshi]

@elirentz And, by watching really great pianists, I disagree with them. For his style, he may be good, but when it comes to classical piano, or just piano playing skills, he is not.

Classically trained? He doesn't show it. He didn't learn anything from that training.

[jasonemilio]

@SuperMrToshi

Go watch his performance at the google HQ. He shows off some classical and jazz techniques he learned, which he said he is trying to move away from, although he still utilizes some jazz "principles" in his new "rockjazz" niche. The guy comes from four generations of musicians and pianists, have played since he was 2, was handpicked by two jazz contemporary icons and won an apparently very prestigious piano competition, and has played with/toured with some very famous musicians.

[BrandonWilsonComedy]

@SuperMrToshi Obviously you've NEVER heard him play any classical music. Go to his channel ELEWtube. You're all opinion and no fact. Why do you think anyone give a shit about your opinion you ass ramming chink?

[SuperMrToshi]

@BrandonWilsonComedy Hmm...Obviously you have never listened to Yuja Wang. He will NEVER compare to the likes of her. EVER.

[jasonemilio]

@BrandonWilsonComedy

Using a racial slur doesn't make you any better either fyi.

[Onlinepoetrycafe]

OMG! PLZ DO THIS FOR THE NEXT AGT AUDITION! YOU BOMB!!!!!

[meldahl]

My husband and I have the same opinion... Brings a tear to our eye. I hope he can bring people back to the beauty of classical music. I hope he wins Americas Got Talent. He can truely be our next great composer.

[Soareon]

He pushes the envelope just enough with the non-chordal tones and pedaling. Its new and exciting but pays awesome tribute to the original version =)

[caffinefree666]

this is better than perfection

[hatefulfkface]

eric lewis is pristine example of a jazz fusion pianist, improvisational and pure. Beautiful, powerful, and emotional. Even though it lacks perfection.

[Pianoperson1251]

I was really expecting steam to come out of his ears, or his hair to catch on fire. lol

[dkatizanderdteibol]

WTF? I dont understand anything this SUCKED

But I bet this guy doing this on another song should be awesome

[JosePxR]

The Piano gonnaa to Caabooooooooooooooomm!!!!!!!!!

[showta77]

かっこいいー



[Philosophyofmind]

But I was thinking: Stevie Ray Vaughn of piano.

[Philosophyofmind]

I would pay a great fortune to see him live--if I had a great fortune. He is now officially one of my heroes.

[byoz111]

THE JIMI HENDRIX OF PIANO !!! :D

[IshThePrince]

Respond to this video... dude that SUCKED!!!!!!

[jippyeugene]

@IshThePrince lol

[johncoltranestyle]

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

[MrRodneyMcKay]

cool improved!!!!!

[megafallenprime]

Epic face Epic face Epic face JIZZ in my pants

[locomunk]

i seen him perform this at HR-57 jazz club in 2009 he is ill

[szumo1982]

LOVE THE JACKET!

[FloWisTheName]

he feels the music, awesome

[SparkPlugs186]

This is one of my favorite covers to this song, I love it.

[04ofjuly]

ugly.

[chavin82]

ESTA LOCO

[alexschinsky]

übertrieben

[jey2193]

Good job Eric.

[Gatorbait66600]

I wonder what hes looking at...

[taekneek]

@Gatorbait66600 your mom

[thekeyboardguy]

@Gatorbait66600 he's trying to find the notes in the air, so he can grab them with his soul and force them through his body onto the piano - I though that was obvious :) Hehe!

[haredotred]

...Is it okay if I like the original version of the song AND this version?

Or am I going to end up lynched by both parties?

Because I'd rather not be lynched by both parties. Or one of the parties, even.

[DekinBane]

@haredotred This is the internet... of course you'll be lynched for having an opinion.

[triestelondon]

It shows the strength of 'Clocks' central riff that Eric's interpretation weakens the further he departs from its simplicity.

[bonethug67]

Yes. This is a very good observation. Simplicity done right really gives a melody strength