You know what I mean?įRISHBERG: I was kind of writing down to my song. It wasn't very good because I didn't mean it. And I would write to make other recording artists - I don't even know who they were - but to get their interest, to see if maybe, you know, who could it be? Connie Francis or Paul Anka or - would sing such a thing, you know? And it turned out that I was writing - I wrote terrible stuff. And while I was a sideman, as you say - and I used to try to write so that other singers would be interested or that - because I never dreamed of myself as being a singer. What made you realize that, like, your ultimate calling was going to be writing songs as well as playing and singing those songs, too?įRISHBERG: Well, as far as writing is concerned, I began to write soon after I got to New York. You were a house pianist at one of the New York clubs. GROSS: You were a sideman with a lot of musicians. GROSS: (Laughter) You got your start as a pianist as opposed to a songwriter, pianist and singer. GROSS: And - oh, that's a really funny song. You know, you do something that Cole Porter used to do, which is, like, incorporate like proper nouns, you know, like names of people from the period that you're writing this song. We'll lock in the time frame, and you can pencil me in. I'll fax you back with a plan of attack to let the quality time begin. We got to take at least a day and night off.
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We've both been chewing more than we can bite off. But now I got to deal with this other call. And later, when we're alone - hang on there's my other phone - we'll have a ball. (Playing piano, singing) Come dine with me. (Playing piano, singing) We'll find some upscale friends to share some space with, a wealthy couple we can interface with, a smart attorney we can start a case with. We'll play it smart, of course, and let them beat us. Some influential sorts are bound to meet us. We'll hit the tennis courts in our Adidas. We'll do a workshop on the grieving process. We'll take a seminar on self-hypnosis so we can learn to stop and smell the roses. (Playing piano, singing) Quality time - a little frolic and frivolity time. I'll take a power lunch with Robert Vesco. We'll walk along the beach and dine al fresco. In the Bahamas, we can let our stress go. (Playing piano, singing) Quality time - we owe ourselves a little quality time. In case they want to sell, my firm could buy it. We'll find a small hotel, remote and quiet. Quality time - we both deserve a little quality time. So darling, let me bring you up to speed. We're not seeing enough of each other 'cause truth be told, we're up to our ears in our careers, and we're putting our hearts on hold. (Playing piano, singing) I'll be late getting home from the office, and so will you because we both got a million calls to return and a million things to do.
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GROSS: You've brought a brand-new song with you, and I'd love to hear it.įRISHBERG: OK. GROSS: Dave Frishberg, welcome to FRESH AIR.ĭAVE FRISHBERG: Thank you, Terry. Today we'll hear highlights of some of those FRESH AIR interviews and performances, starting with this 1991 FRESH AIR studio performance and interview. Those multiple appearances are a sign of just how much we enjoyed his music. I love hearing him interpret his own songs and feel so lucky that he was willing to perform on our show several times. Four of his own albums were nominated for Grammys. Some of the performers who recorded his songs are Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Blossom Dearie, Al Jarreau, Jackie and Roy, Diane Krall (ph), Susannah McCorkle and Rebecca Kilgore.
#Boogie piano midi files series#
But the lyrics he wrote were about the anxieties of contemporary life, songs like "I'm Hip," "My Attorney Bernie" and "Quality Time." But he also wrote beautiful ballads like "Heart's Desire, "Sweet Kentucky Ham" and "You Are There." One of his most famous songs, "I'm Just A Bill," was written for the kids TV series "Schoolhouse Rock!" to explain how a bill becomes a law. Many of his songs have the wit that's associated with American popular song of the past.
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Today we pay tribute to Dave Frishberg, a songwriter, jazz pianist and singer.