pianogonzology: February 2015

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Do I Detect . . .

. . . some disconnect

. . . or some revision? . . . just one more step in the process. . . there will be more to bring the piece to its full realization . . . (stay tuned) . . .

What do I know about happiness
Do I possess some kind of key
To things that no one else can see

Just as far back as my memory goes
Sometimes it seemed I was alone
Only my point of view and me

As I reflect
Some disconnect
Could be afflicting me
Am I just one
Under the sun
Or am I quite unique

Others speak out very easily
No fear about who may get hurt
By words so hastily dispensed

For some reason I step back away
I hesitate to be so bold as to
Presume some insight gained

As I reflect
Some disconnect
Could be afflicting me
Am I just one
Under the sun
Or am I quite unique

Unique
by OHO (Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak) with special guests Lisa Griffee (vocal) and Bruce Kovacs (French horn)

What do you think?

Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at
http://www.ohomusic.com

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music will be released April 7, 2014 Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Friday, February 27, 2015

Where . . .

. . . Words Do Not Reach. . .

The comprehensive collection of instrumental music documenting music of the entire OHO musical collective from 1974 through the present, thanks to the vision, dedication and hard work of of Mr. Jay Graboski.

"Where Words Do Not Reach (the instrumentals)." Here is the artwork...gonna look NICE.

'Back cover. Band photo by David Norbut at a chance encounter, Fager's Island, OC, MD. March 2014.'

'On-CD art (by Connell P. Byrne, as is the front cover; this composed on an IPad).'

Credit sheet from the forthcoming OHO CD release, "Where Words Do Not Reach (the instrumentals 1974-2015)" OHO photos by Jon Considine 02/13/76.

'Credit sheet from the forthcoming OHO CD release, "Where Words Do Not Reach (the instrumentals 1974-2015)"--should arrive within 2 weeks. ("POP POP, Bop-Up head" gifted from my sister, Gail Jordan and her family.) OHO photos by Jon Considine 02/13/76.'

Unique
-the instrumental, by OHO from "Where Words Do Not Reach" - coming SOON!!

What do you think?

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Pitch . . .

(from http://attunedvibrations.com/432hz/)
". . . According to Brain T. Collins, a musician and researcher, the standard pitch (A=440 Hz) does not harmonize on any level that corresponds to cosmic movement, rhythm, or natural vibration. . . There’s a growing musical and metaphysical movement for recovering optimal integrity in the music industry and spirituality through the 432Hz tuning. . . In April 2008 Dutch journalist Richard Huisken founded the ‘back to 432 Hz’ committee, claiming that this original tuning was used in ancient cultures and is found on antique instruments like the Stradivarius violin. According to Huisken, music tuned to 432 Hz is softer and brighter, giving greater clarity and is easier on the ears. . . 432 Hz seems to work at the heart chakra, “the feeling”, and therefore could have a good influence on the spiritual development of the listener. Some people who are not able to distinguish the 8hz difference claim they can feel the music warmer due to the longer wavelength. . . Researchers and musicians . . .report that they feel calmer, happier and more relaxed when playing music at 432Hz. . ."

(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A440_%28pitch_standard%29)
". . . Prior to the standardization on 440 Hz, many countries and organizations followed the Austrian government's 1885 recommendation of 435 Hz. The American music industry reached an informal standard of 440 Hz in 1926, and some began using it in instrument manufacturing. In 1936 the American Standards Association recommended that the A above middle C be tuned to 440 Hz. This standard was taken up by the International Organization for Standardization in 1955 (reaffirmed by them in 1975) as ISO 16. . ."

What do you think?

Tell me at

http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at

http://www.ohomusic.com

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4

(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music will be released April 7, 2015 Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to

your browser: http://http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Also, be sure to visit:

http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Right . . .

. . . to bear. . .

(from http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/las-vegas-mom-tammy-meyers-went-looking-suspect-road-rage-n307896)
". . . A Las Vegas woman who was killed in an apparent road rage shooting . . .[recently] drove around with her armed son looking for the suspect who would later shoot her in front of her home, police said Tuesday. Tammy Meyers, 44, was shot by someone in a gray or silver four-door sedan outside her home around 11:22 p.m. Thursday, and died two days later. The suspect or suspects remain unidentified, police said. Police said Meyers and her armed 22-year-old son followed a car she believed had been involved in a road rage incident earlier that night, that they stopped following the vehicle and returned home, and when they got there a car matching the description of the one they'd followed pulled up and someone inside it began shooting. Meyers' son returned fire, police said.
"I did what I had to do to protect my family. Everyone can think what they have to think; I did it for a reason. And I'd do it for anyone I love," Meyers' son, Brandon, said at a vigil Tuesday. . .Meyers' husband, Robert Meyers, told mourners at the vigil that his late wife was a beautiful woman who loved her kids, but also that "she hated bullies.". . ."

With all due respect for the dead, I feel:
1. grateful that this young man does NOT love me
2. this beautiful, loving woman rivaled Mel Gibson in her overwhelming desire for vengeance (searching for the original 'road rage' guy? COME ON!!)
3. she hated bullies badly enough to find them long after the incident occurred
4. this story could have ended with the original 'road rage' person dead if the beautiful, loving woman and her armed son had found him first

I could be wrong . . .

What do you think?

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Complain . . .

. . . ME?!!!

I know I'm whining again, but I must admit, I've had it up to HERE with these cold, cold temperatures. I'ts just plain unpleasant to have cold hands with cracked fingers all the time. Any liquid out of doors is frozen, there's either wind or snow in the five-day forecast and one of the most pleasant things I do is sleep under multiple blankets and comforters.

. . . up to HERE! . . .

What do you think?

Tell me at

http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at

http://www.ohomusic.com

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4

(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music will be released April 7, 2015 Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to

your browser: http://http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Also, be sure to visit:

http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Monday, February 23, 2015

Unsettling . . .

There's something unsettling about sitting amongst these huge photographs of steamy young women in their underwear pouting provocatively at me as I drink my coffee and to write write something mildly amusing. I'm not sure whether they're invading my privacy or I theirs.

Such are the trials and tribulations of sitting at Starbucks in the mall just outside of Victoria's Secret.

What do you think?

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Despite . . .

. . . being Cooolllllllddddddd Outside. Many warm hearts turned out to see . . .

OHO at Johnny's Pub in Ocean City 02/20/15. Photo by Joan Graboski. A decent turn out and 3 sets of quality tunes.

. . including . . .

Plunge

by OHO, live at Johnny's Pizza & Pub, February 20, 2915

What do you think?

Tell me at

http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html or at

http://www.ohomusic.com

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4

(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak. Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com

My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music will be released April 7, 2015 Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to

your browser: http://http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Also, be sure to visit:

http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Monday . . .

(from Mr. Ron Goad, DC area musician and supporter/promoter of local arts and talent NONPAREIL!)
A WELCOME ADDITION -Brewer's Alley Songwriters' Showcase -- Monday Feb 23 -- FREDERICK, MD -- The show starts at 7:15 w/ Patrick Post on piano -- Also enjoy Cousin John Mobley -- Pianist Ray Jozwiak in a rare mid-show set -- Featuring the mesmerizing Nicole Belanus -- Violin monster Bruce Lebovitz will perform too! -- 124 North Market Street -- At this location since May 2007 -- Ride elevator to the 2nd floor -- Show info -- Roderick Deacey -- Todd Walker -- Ron Goad -- Enjoy poetry by John Holly and Service-with-a-smile thanks to Katherine Miller -- In lieu of cover charge, your donations go to the feature.

What do you think?

Friday, February 20, 2015

Play . . .

. . . us a little ditty . . .

ditty
noun dit·ty \ˈdi-tē\
: a short and simple song

Full Definition of DITTY
: an especially simple and unaffected song

Play us a little ditty.
<sung a little ditty in a minor key>

Origin of DITTY
Middle English ditee, from Anglo-French dité story, song, from past participle of diter to compose, from Latin dictare to dictate, compose
First Known Use: 14th century

OHO Live - 8:00PM

Johnny's Pizza & Pub

5601 Coastal Highway, Bayside

Ocean City, MD 21842

410-524-7499

http://johnnyspizzapub.com/ocean-city-md-location

Ocean City Ditty
by OHO, Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

What do you think?

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Cautious . . .

". . . I was cautious in that I said before the young lady, for I could not be sure that she was sane; and, in fact, there was a certain restless brilliancy about her eyes which half led me to imagine she was not. I confined my remarks, therefore, to general topics, and to such as I thought would not be displeasing or exciting even to a lunatic. She replied in a perfectly rational manner to all that I said; and even her original observations were marked with the metaphysics of mania, had taught me to put no faith in such evidence of sanity, and I continued to practise, throughout the interview, the caution with which I commenced it.

Presently a smart footman in livery brought in a tray with fruit, wine and other refreshments, of which I partook, the lady soon afterward leaving the room. As she departed I turned my eyes in an inquiring manner toward my host.

"No," he said, "oh, no-a member of my family-my niece, and a most accomplished woman." . . ."
(from "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" by Edgar Allan Poe)

What do you think?

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Unholy . . .

. . . trinity . . .

Up next: OHO at Johnny's Pub (5601 Coastal Hwy/Ocean City, MD/21842/410-723-5600)
When? 8:00 PM-12:00 AM, Friday February 20, 2015

Chicken calzone is wonderful and enough to feed at least 2, maybe even 3 people.
What to expect? 3 to 4 sets of contemporary rock & pop music ranging from Cole Porter to the Beatles/Stones/Kinks, and onto Fitz & The Tantrums/Weezer/Leonard Cohen and even a smattering of OHO original compositions: definitely an alternative to what one is usually exposed to in this Maryland province. Remember, there's magic at the beach even in the dead of winter..."burning gray, without its flare."

What do you think?

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Eye . . .

. . . may have mentioned that I have self-diagnosed SAD (seasonal affective disorder - a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.) I seem to have gradually been less and less affected by it over the past several years. But today, I feel it has returned with a vengeance.

I have these water pipes in my basement that invariably, whenever the temperature gets down around 10 degrees F, freeze. I have rigged the stopper in the toilet tank to allow a small leak of water which forces the pump to refill the tank and therefore move some water through the pipe, which is the only foolproof (so far) solution. I leave the door open and the heat vent open in the winter. I even attempt to flush the toilet frequently when such cold temperatures are in the forecast.

Now, after having the entire basement family room (including the half-bath where this pipe resides) renovated and insulation placed in the wall, tucked neatly to both sides of the pipe - it is actually flush against the wall making it an impossibility to wrap the insulation around the pipe, as should be done - and relaxing a bit while hoping that the newly installed insulation will do the trick, the pipe has frozen again. So here I sit, bathroom heater running furiously just past its third hour, waiting for the pipe to thaw, and hoping against all hope that the pipe did not split.

And the weather forecast only holds even more, sub-freezing temperatures.

What do you think?