Mark Pentleton » major

365 Songs – Mona Lisa – Nat King Cole

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:09:53 +0000

This one’s for my mum! I wonder if she’ll post a comment now…

Mona Lisa was first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1950 and since then has been covered by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and … Shakin’ Stevens!

365 Songs – When all is said and done – Abba

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:08:39 +0000

This song was first appeared on the Visitors album in 1981 and it is said to tell the story of the separation of Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. It was reworked into a ballad for the Mamma Mia film, this time focusing on two people finding love again. I think it’s one of the best songs from the film. Here’s my interpretation which is more Mamma Mia than the Visitors…

If you’re enjoying my songs, please do consider contributing to the Haiti Earthquake appeal and downloading my From a Distance charity CD album.

365 Songs – From a distance – Nanci Griffith

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:05:02 +0000

Today’s song is a bit special because it’s part of something a bit bigger. This past week I’ve been horrified at the images coming from Haiti following the earthquake there, and I decided that I’d put together a CD of inspirational songs and hymns and “sell” it at church in return for a donation to the appeal. I then thought that these special recordings may interest some of you who are following the 365 songs project, so I’ve made an online version of the CD available and have created a fundraising page on JustGiving.com – click here to make a donation and access the songs. The CD includes You raise me up, Make me a channel of your peace, On eagles’ wings and From a distance, along with 12 other hymns and inspirational songs.

The song From a distance was written by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold and was first made famous by Nanci Griffith in 1987. It has since been recorded by Bette Midler and Sir Cliff Richard.

365 Songs – Tell me on a Sunday

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:33:25 +0000

Today’s song is by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black and was from the musical of the same name, first performed at the Sydmonton Festival in 1979 by Marti Webb. The one-act musical was included as the first part of the show Song and Dance in London’s West End in 1982.

365 Songs – Wind beneath my wings

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:02:50 +0000

Today is the final day here in London at BETT and I’m absolutely shattered. It’s been an enjoyable few days working with Oscar and Joe and everyone on the stand, but I’ll be really glad to get home tonight! Today’s song is The Wind Beneath My Wings. It was first recorded by Roger Whittaker in 1982 and but was made famous by Bette Midler in 1989 in the film Beaches. Not really my kind of film, but the song is nice! And must be played in G flat!

365 Songs – Just the way you are – with special guest Joe Moretti

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:10:44 +0000

As part of the Apple Leadership conference happening alongside BETT I attended a dinner on the Silver Sturgeon last night and I had been asked to play a few songs with saxophonist and fellow ADE Joe Moretti. We hadn’t had the time (or piano) to rehearse anything, but enjoyed ‘busking’ our way through a few songs. I managed to record some of the songs so I’m including our version of the Billy Joel song Just the way you are recorded live last night as today’s performance.

365 Songs – Wishing you were somehow here again – Phantom of the Opera

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:50:23 +0000

Since I’m in London this week I thought I’d do something a bit theatrical, so here’s one of the lesser-known songs from Phantom of the Opera. If anyone is coming to this blog having been at one of my presentations this week, then you may want to find out more about 365songs here.

This evening I’m attending a dinner on the Silver Sturgeon, and along with my ADE colleague Joe Moretti on sax, I’m going to be providing some musical entertainment. I’ll try to record something and post it soon!

365 Songs – Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:05:09 +0000

Today’s song is the Duke Ellington classic Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. The last time I played this song was around 1am in the bar at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow following the first day of the Scottish Learning Festival and I was joined by Derek Robertson from LTS who sang the song to the delight of those still in the bar. See the video here. I thought that since BETT starts today I should include this song in my 365 list, so this song is dedicated to everyone who is at BETT over the next few days. Come along to stand K16 and say hello if you’re there!

365 Songs – Against All Odds – Phil Collins

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:06:23 +0000

Today’s song was requested by Helen Myers. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Helen on several occasions and she wrote a lovely comment last week on Guldet Blev till Sand. I’ll hopefully catch up with Helen later this week at BETT. I hope you enjoy this, Helen!

365 Songs – These Foolish Things

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:42:48 +0000

This song dates from 1935 and I’ve always enjoyed playing it. Written by Harry Link, Holt Marvell and Jack Strachley, the song has been covered by lots of performers including Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, and Bryan Ferry, but I think my favourite has always been Ella Fitzgerald’s version.

I hope you enjoy today’s performance!

365 songs – Fields of Gold – Sting / Eva Cassidy

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:50:11 +0000

Today’s song is the beautiful Fields of Gold, written by Sting, although my performance is much more in the style of Eva Cassidy’s version. The last time I played this song was in the Café Rohan in Strasbourg when we were there in November with East Dunbartonshire. On that occasion the song was sung by Gail Ritchie, one of the teachers taking part in the visit. Gail has a fantastic voice – she has some sample performances on her site.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and requests – I will work my way through them and add your songs to the list!

365 Songs – Your Song – Elton John

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:30:45 +0000

Earlier this week I asked if anyone had any requests and I’ve had loads of suggestions from friends on Twitter, Facebook and even in the real world! I’ve started recording some of these and we’ll start today with Elton John’s Your Song which was requested by Carolyn, dedicated to her dad. I had the pleasure of working with Carolyn’s dad, John Adrain, while I worked on the Partners in Excellence project for East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Argyll & Bute. It’s an honour to dedicate this song to John.

365 Songs – Yesterday – The Beatles

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:27:56 +0000

Week 2 begins today – with Yesterday! Beautiful song, first released in 1965. According to the Guinness Book of Records, this song has the most cover versions of any song ever written. Here’s another one to throw into the mix!

365 Songs – A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:19:58 +0000

I’m in London today for an Apple meeting at Hannover St so I wanted to play something appropriate. With yesterday’s snow I wasn’t even sure I’d get here, but one cancelled flight, one late flight, one late train which broke down and another train later I finally arrived last night.

According to Google Maps I’m a 17 minute-walk from my hotel at Marble Arch to Berkeley Square, so I couldn’t think of a more appropriate song than A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. I recorded it yesterday – my piano isn’t quite that portable! – so I’m glad I made it to London and was able to post it today.

I’ve always loved this song. It dates from 1940 and has been performed by many artists ranging from Vera Lynn to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Rod Stewart. It was also apparently featured in an episode of Torchwood! I hope you enjoy today’s interpretation!

365 Songs: Bridge over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:44:38 +0000

“This one’s going out to Sorcha and Paul in Northern Ireland…” If you’re interested, you can find out more about the song on Wikipedia.

365 Songs: Guldet Blev till Sand – Kristina från Duvemåla

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:20:36 +0000

Sticking with the musicals theme from yesterday, Guldet Blev till Sand is one of many beautiful songs from the Swedish musical Kristina från Duvemåla, written by (my musical hero) Benny Andersson and with lyrics by Björn Ulvæus. The musical is based on the novels of Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg which tell of a Swedish family’s migration to America in the 19th century.

The musical was premiered in Malmö in 1995 and received a 10-minute standing ovation. Since then it’s been staged in Gothenburg, Stockholm and in Minneapolis. Last year an English version was staged in Carnegie Hall and a this version will be performed in the Royal Albert Hall on 14 April this year. Unfortunately I won’t be there (I’ll be Apple Teacher Instituting in Cheltenham…) but the English-language soundtrack apparently comes out a couple of days before the concert.

The song Guldet Blev till Sand (”The gold turned into sand”) is taken from the second act of the show. The family has moved to the New World and the character Robert has set out in search for gold with his friend Arvid. They end up lost in the desert and after drinking poisoned water, Arvid dies. Robert returns and explains to his sister-in-law Kristina what has happened. There’s a version on YouTube with English subtitles sung by Peter Jöback if you’re interested.

I better think of something a bit cheerier for tomorrow!

365 Songs: On my own – Les Misérables

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:21:33 +0000

There’s no particular reason for this one today. It’s the song On My Own from Les Misérables, sung by the character Éponine. The musical Les Misérables, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, was written in French by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil in 1980, but wasn’t staged in London until 1985 with English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.

365 Songs: Someone to watch over me – Gershwin

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:17:56 +0000

I’ve always loved this song. It was originally written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1926 for the musical Oh Kay! and has been sung by many performers including Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Streisand and Linda Ronstadt. The song has also featured on Battlestar Galactica and in Star Trek: Voyager and in the movie Mr Holland’s Opus.

Hope you enjoy it!

365 Songs: New York State of Mind – Billy Joel

admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:45:43 +0000

In this morning’s Herald “Review of the Decade”, I was reading about 9/11 and I was thinking back to one of my lasting memories from the time after the horrific events. Billy Joel performed the brilliant New York State of Mind at the benefit Concert for New York City and along with the other brilliant performances from the concert it represented so much.

The song was written in 1976 and first appeared on theTurnstiles album. Here’s my performance of New York State of Mind. It doesn’t quite have the emotion of the NYC concert, but I hope you like it nonetheless!

365 Songs: Happy New Year – Abba

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:13:49 +0000

Yesterday my new piano arrived – the Roland RD-700GX and I’ve been playing it pretty much non-stop since. As we entered the new year I was thinking back ten years to the Millennium and to the fact that at the time I was playing much more regularly – on New Year’s Day 2000 I was playing in the Marine Highland Hotel in Troon, entertaining the guests at lunchtime.

This year one of my resolutions is to get back into my music and make a bit more time for it, and I’ve decided to challenge myself to posting a song each day of 2010. I’ll just be playing the piano so no need to worry about my singing! I don’t intend these to be perfect performances – I just really want to make a point of recording some stuff because it’s so long since I’ve done so. I’ve no idea if I’ll be able to keep this up to date, but I’ll try my best.

Today I’ve decided to stick to something topical, so here’s a performance of Abba’s Happy New Year. If you’re interested, here’s a bit of history about this song.