Flick your Bix

Why are solo piano compositions so idiosyncratic? This feels more like 20th century classical piece rather than a Bix Biederbecke tune. It feels like the work of a well-trained composer in a ramshackle world, everything is more complicated than it needs to be. Before it veers into John Cage-like nihilism it settles into a number of melodic asides that make for a lovely piece almost in spite of itself. McPartland is a fine interpreter, she clearly enjoys the challenge.

Marian McPartland -- 'In a Mist'

Walks like a woman, feeds duck just like a little girl

The performance is impressive but the video is cheesy as all get out! Swirling crane shots, atmospheric lighting, bizarre shadowplay, smoke so thick it makes the room look dusty and, of course, why the hell is she rocking out solo in a barn? Ah, artsy TV channels! So precious. Meanwhile, St. John plays with great dexterity and marvelous technique and the composition is gripping and it all rocks very well. And apparently she loves birds.

Lara St. John -- Czardas Caprice

'He was a rather melodramatic teenager'

I saw this live once many years ago and was blown away. They put on a helluva show but this was the bit that stayed with me the longest. I remember the ending a bit different: here he wipes his bloody hand on the backdrop but as I recall he cut his finger and the shadow behind him began to bleed. I don't know if he's changed it or if I just remember it wrong. This is a cool bit and live it was eye-opening.

Penn & Teller -- 'Shadows'

I got a 427 that'll make you die

Couldn't find any footage of my two favorite EH tunes, 'Green Haze' or 'Supersadomasochisticexpialodocious'. But this one will suffice as a worthy nugget of psycho-billy.

Elvis Hitler -- 'Hot Rod to Hell'

I'm not gonna get too sentimental

This video claims to be Costello's 1st TV appearance--perhaps the only one in existence! This is why God invented the internet. He's green, a little stiff even. But it’s a great song and he plays with style and confidence. You can tell he's gonna be a badass, one of the great songwriters of his era.

Elvis Costello -- 'Alison'

There must be a way I can dress to please him

I don't remember this video--truthfully I watch far more videos now than I ever did when they were popular--but I loved this record back in the day. Her drummer (name escapes me) was one of the great underrated rock drummers of the '90s and the overall sound is ferocious in its eagerness. PJ is the most devilish of women and this song captures it beautifully: trying to use femininity to transcend femininity. No matter how posed her snarl, everything she does drips of girly-ness!

But ah, even the girly-ness is a red herring here. Did you ever see Altman's film Ready to Wear? We all eagerly anticipated it back in the day and were bitterly disappointed. Only I went back and watched it a second time (by accident) and loved it. The key is to ignore the characters, focus on the clothes. The people are merely vehicles for the clothing. Here, too, PJ stands up and sits down and there's some grainy upskirt action but its not the woman. It’s the dress.

PJ Harvey -- 'Dress'

Being Rachmaninoff

I was hoping to find live footage of a real Rachmaninoff performance but there's only a pittance of actual film of the guy. Would've been cool. This is just a picture with some audio of Rachmaninoff playing live in 1939. It has the lush feel of a film score (it put me in a Fritz Lang mood) though much more expansive.

He went from being primarily a composer to primarily a player, a rarity I suppose though in the 20th century with recording technology and intercontinental transport improving one would think it wouldn't be such a rarity. Why is it that Vladimir Horowitz or Yehudi Menuhin, for example, were such reluctant composers while being such marvelous players?

Sergei Rachmaninoff plays his Piano Concerto #3

I know something you should know

Les Paul guitars, Marshall stack, grainy footage. This rocks.

The Swinging Neckbreakers -- 'Don't You Just Know It'

Get your vibe on

A percussion instrument that puts forth a tuneful melody is a beautiful thing. Stefon makes it look easy too.

Stefon Harris -- 'And This Too Shall Pass'