Prayers from me

This hymn uses a sentimental popular song form with a verse/chorus pattern in 6,8 time. The excerpt from the composer says, "Although this hymn is a sentimental favorite of many, the subject of the cross is far from pleasant. As I read through this hymn text, I opted to set the first two verses in a minor key to underscore the agony of the cross. This arrangement starts in the style of the great romantics, like Rachmaninoff, and needs to be played with great passion as well as nuance throughout. I wrote in an orchestral fashion, using the full range of the piano. When the key center shifts to C major at measure 82, it comes as a welcome relief, partly because of the heaviness of the minor sound that precedes it." This hymn is one of the favorites of my friend, Wavalee. She and her husband helped found North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, where they have the great digital organ that my assistant, Duane, has worked many, many hours updating. I hope you enjoy it.

When I moved from the Chicago area to Scottsdale for the opening of the Nordstrom store here, I looked at houses near the store, and I found nothing that I liked, so one day the realtor brought me up farther north. When we got to the house that he wanted me to see, I fell in love with it! I was so happy! Not only did I like the house, but the neighbors next door were awesome! They did so many kind things for me. Every year, when it was time to trim the palm trees, they paid for mine too. Chuck enjoyed working with wood, so he fixed wooden things for Jimmy and me. His kindness was very much appreciated, and we have enjoyed many years as neighbors. Sadly Chuck just passed away, and they played music from my website for his memorial. Linda has a favorite piece that she asked me to play. It's "Fly" sung by Celine Dion. We are putting this out on the internet for you. Millions of blessings to each of you!

This song was requested from a family member who didn't want us to say who they were. The reunion for this tv show happened towards the end of last month. An interesting fact is that this song almost didn't make it as the theme song, and it was almost "Shiny Happy People". I hope all is well and that you enjoy this song.

This is another favorite that was requested from a valet person at Mayo Clinic. It's also a good accompaniment if you wish to practice singing it. Celine Dion originally didn't like this song, and the version used in the movie is a demo track that was done in one take, while Celine wasn't feeling well. The movie producer, James Cameron, also thought the song wasn't needed because he felt his movie was already good without needing a song to help. It all came together with fruition though, as the world embraced this song and the movie. I hope you enjoy this version.

I play the piano at Mayo Hospital every Tuesday morning, and sometimes the employees ask me if I could play their favorites. That's why I bought the sheet music for this song and started playing it. This is an ode to the power of positive thinking, faith and believing in your dream. It is from "The Greatest Showman" and is a way to let the employees know that I'm so grateful for them. A few weeks later another employee said, "Oh, I heard you play 'A Million Dreams' and that's my favorite." So I'm hoping that there are others who enjoy it too.

This comes from "The Tale of Tsar Saltan", an opera composed in 1899-1900. It's a popular piece that closes Act II, Tableau 1, where the magic Swan-Bird changes the prince into an insect so that he can fly away to visit his father. In the opera, the swan actually sings during the first part of the flight, but this is removed for most arrangements. I still enjoy playing this piece, but my fingers don't work like they used to in my youth. Hopefully you enjoy it.

This was Crosby's first hymn set to music by Lowry. A frequently told story about this hymn relates that it came to Fanny as a result of a prayer. Struggling financially, she desperately needed some money. As her usual custom, Fanny began to pray. A few minutes later, a gentleman offered her five dollars, the exact amount she needed. I chose this song, not only because I love it and the lyrics, but also because years ago I was privileged to attend a big Billy Graham Crusade Service in Chicago and it was wonderful! Tedd Smith, who arranged this piece was a pianist for Billy Graham. A reminder of how good God has been to me!

People come to Mayo Clinic from around the world. One day a couple came up, and started recording a video of me playing. I asked where they were from and they said, "Ghana". It's amazing how far people travel to come to Mayo Clinic. Many of them from outside the country have been to New York, so I'm guessing that's why so many are happy when I play that song. This is the theme song from the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York (1977). The composers Kander and Ebb have stated that they attribute the song's success to actor Robert De Niro, who rejected their original theme for the film, because he thought it was "too weak". The song did not become a popular hit until it was picked up in concert by Frank Sinatra during his performances at Radio City Music Hall in October 1978. This is the accompaniment that I usually play, and if you wanted to sing along, the lyrics are below.

José Gomes de Abreu, better known as Zequinha de Abreu (September 19, 1880 – January 22, 1935) was a Brazilian musician and composer. Abreu was born in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro. The title refers to a bird that got into the cornmeal, but we can imagine the same kind of grousing over morning coffee at the office. It was composed in 1917 but Hollywood attention made it popular in 1937 and there are many American-style covers. In Brazilian music, "Tico-Tico" is actually a choro, which is basically a song that typically shrugs off misfortune with good humor, good tunes and fast tempos.

This piece, "Wave", is a favorite not just because it has Bossa Nova rhythm (every other measure is syncopated), but also because it's a reminder of the Bible verse in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them". It is also known as "Vou Te Contar" in Portuguese and was recorded as an instrumental in 1967. Jobim also wrote the lyrics himself.