Russ Conway's Side Saddle 50 years on

[mikewoollett]

I often get asked when am I coming to England. Damned if I know why when they have you over there!! You are truly the King Of the Keyboard-I am in total awe of you!! Oh hang on-I know why I should go over. So I can meet you & have you play for me in person. Happy New Year & best wishes always :-)

[HaroldHanlon]

Hi Mike. Great playing. I really enjoyed it. Was this actual arrangement ever released on sheet music, or was a simplified version released on the sheet music, as so often happens? Regards,

Harold

[honkytonkpiano]

@HaroldHanlon Thank you, Harold. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The published sheet music was greatly simplified, and even in the wrong key. I had to do what I could to copy what was on Russ's 1959 recording, and also to pick up the odd thing from his radio broadcasts. I approached the Stanford family to whom Russ had left his musical rights, but was unable to persuade them to collaborate with me to publish more realistic arrangements. A great pity, in my view. Cheers, Mike.

[vixenpsychedelia666]

Fantastic.



[MreViewer]

Excellent Mike! Thanks for for sharing

[alan8399]

brilliant - great music and hope to see you live some time, when's your next coincert

[gerladiant]

Brilliant as ever Mike!!!!

[fishybishbash]

Great version. I've been playing piano all my life and still find this horribly hard to play. The left hand strides - hitting the tenths is ok but spotting the LH chords I find nigh on impossible

[honkytonkpiano]

@fishybishbash Keep your eye on the upper note of the back-tenth, and the lower note will (eventually) sort itself out - but stretch your left hand as much as you can, and don't simply jump with a closed fist). Then you're looking at the area where the chord will be played in beats 2 and 4 of the bar, and it should be easier to drop your hand on the right chord. I presume you're practicing with separate hands? If not, give it a try.

Best regards, Mike

[fishybishbash]

@honkytonkpiano thanks for that, I'll give it a go

[honkytonkpiano]

@fishybishbash Have a look at the russconway website as it now has a write-up on how to play the back-tenth style

[fishybishbash]

@honkytonkpiano Great thanks for the 'heads up'

[fishybishbash]

@honkytonkpiano Read the piece on the website re Russ' stride style - really excellent, a true insight. Now all I have to do is put it into practice..and practice! Many thanks.

[Schnorbizness]

Fantastic!

Ah the memories.

Best wishes,

Bernard.

[starkey7uk]

This was fabulous.

[krimskrams]

is there sheet music available?

[jerseyscampi]

Great stuff mike I can play this as well but as good as you

[Barpianoman]

great job!

Merry Christmas!

[honkytonkpiano]

Thank you! And a very merry Christmas to you too!

[MarcusTomatos]

Great stuff, Mike!

Even on a grand piano, it sounds amazing. MT

[honkytonkpiano]

@MarcusTomatos

Thank you! It's a tribute to the enduring qualities of Russ's composition and unique piano style.

[LillyC68]

Aah, Mike, that's great!

Thanks for that song. I have to admit I never heard about Russ Conway before I found your channel. Blame it on my age... :))

but in the meantime I read about his work and life and listened to a lot of his music.

I really admire him as a composer and pianist and for me you play his music the way it was meant!

5* and best wishes,

Lilly

[honkytonkpiano]

Thanks, and a very Happy Christmas to you and the others who have posted such kind remarks. Best wishes, Mike.

[bhondatn]

Thanks again,Mike. You have put some sunshine into my day. I enjoy your bright style.