Erik Satie - 3 Gymnopedies - John Wheeler, piano

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Hayseed Frontman John here again. Since no bands can tour at the moment, here's the 2nd instalment from my solo piano record of French impressionist drinking music, Y'all.: Erik Satie's "3 Gymnopedies."

Written around 1888 in Montmartre, Paris, these 3 pieces go some way towards re-writing the previous rules on Western musical harmony. In these 3 pieces, with their emphasis on the 6th and major 7th notes in the chords, you find the harmonic structure that would go on to become much of the bedrock of Jazz, Western Swing, and jazz-influenced rock music like Steely Dan.

Since these pieces were written to be played on upright pianos in bars and cafes for wine and absinthe drinkers, I recorded them on an upright piano instead of a grand and went for an intimate sound with very little reverb - the way the Good Lord intended! Just because this music is considered "classical" by some people doesn't mean it should be treated like some sacred museum piece that only stuffy elites can groove on. That's definitely not how or why this music was created.

I've tried to play all of these pieces with a bit of Southern American swing and swagger, with some smoky gospel blues feel in the grooves, rather than the more rigid and precise way most classical people approach them. This is, after all, nighttime drinking music. So pop a top or a cork and sit back with this music in a dark and warm environment, breathe the mild dissonances, give your loved one beside you a sloppy-dog-tongue kiss or three . . .

From "Debussy and Satie: Intimate Upright Piano Series I" of solo piano recordings by John Wheeler. Here's a smart link to the complete album, multiple listening options!!!

http://listen.lt/JohnWheelerDebussyandSatieIntimateUprightSeriesVol1

#Satie #Gymnopedies #piano