Russ Conway's Side Saddle 50 years on

It's now half a century since Russ Conway's 'Side Saddle' spent 30 weeks in the UK Top Twenty in 1959, two of these weeks at Number One. Everyone remembers the tune when they hear it, but scarcely anyone ever plays it. Russ told me that a famous piano duo had recorded it, but had used four hands to play what he had played with two! It really is a very well crafted composition which is still hugely enjoyable and exhilarating to play. I hope you will also enjoy listening to it. Here it is performed in a charity concert in the summer of 2009 by Mike Thomson.
You might like to know that there is a website dedicated to Russ Conway: www.russconway.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Russ
• Conway
• Side
• Saddle
• UK
• number
• one
• hit
• record
• 1959
• Mike
• Thomson
• piano
• honky-tonk
• top
• twenty
• 20

[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.

[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

[honkytonkpiano]

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

[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 :-)

[vixenpsychedelia666]

Fantastic.



[MreViewer]

Excellent Mike! Thanks for for sharing

[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.

[fishybishbash]

@honkytonkpiano Great thanks for the 'heads up'

[alan8399]

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

[gerladiant]

Brilliant as ever Mike!!!!