Joe Orlando's blog.

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 51

2012-01-08T12:50:00.001-05:00

Michel Petrucciani

I first noticed a video of Michel Petrucciani just last night. Before then, I'd never heard of him.

He was a jazz pianist who also suffered from a physical condition that made things difficult for him in terms of getting from place to place. He had osteogenesis imperfecta which was the reason for his very short stature.

When I listened to his first video, I wasn't overly impressed. I was wondering if he really was a great jazz pianist, or whether the novelty and distinctness of seeing a man with this physical ailment playing the piano was the cause for the fame he had.

After listening to several of his performances, I decided that no, it was not audience sympathy or anything related to his physical issues that made people want to see him, it was, in fact, his playing.

If you're a jazz lover and you've not heard of him, and heard his music, it's time you did.

Michel is no longer with us. He died in January of 1999, at only 36 years of age.

Following are some of his video.

And you can guess what I was asking myself while listening to him...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Caravan

Billie's Bounce

Full Concert

'Round Midnight

Hopefully, I can get back to doing more of these posts. Hopefully, someone will enjoy this music.

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 50

2011-06-08T22:35:00.003-04:00

Well folks, it's been a very long time since I've done a "Music & Musicians" post (as you can see).

But, in the following performance, someone commented, "More talent in her little finger than today's 'singers' have in their entire bodies.".

That's why I'm going to put the video here. The whole point of the series was to let us hear what music really is, and what musicians really are.

I can't say that the stuff on the radio these days is junk, because it's been junk for a several years now (not just these days).

So, in this following video, I can't agree more with the person who commented, "More talent in her little finger than today's 'singers' have in their entire bodies."

Judy Garland, Ole Man River

One more thing:

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 49

2011-03-29T09:06:00.003-04:00

...days turn to minutes...

Most of the music in this blog is going to be classical, jazz, and what I really consider music. But, once in a while, a rock-n-roll songs might sneak in.

I had this song in my head this morning. Great song.

The first video here is the studio version. As a young singer, Mellencamp hit some very hit notes (3:12).

Also, I found a video of him singing this live just a few years ago (2007). He sings it in a lower key, and at one point in the song (1:32) even admits that he didn't like how a certain note came out. There are no high notes to pressure him, but it's still a great song.

Minutes to Memories (George M. Green & John Mellencamp):

On a Greyhound thirty miles beyond Jamestown
He saw the sun set on the Tennessee line
Looked at the young man who was riding beside him
He said I'm old, kind of worn out inside

I worked my whole life in the steel mills near Gary
And my father before me, I helped build this land
Now seventy-seven and with God as my witness
I earned every dollar that passed through my hands

My family and friends are the best things I've known
Through the eye of the needle I'll carry them home

Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories
Life sweeps away the dreams we have planned
You are young and you are the future
So suck it up and tough it out, be the best you can

The rain hit the old dog in the twilight's last gleaming
He said, "Son, it sounds like rattling old bones"
This highway is long but I know some that are longer
By sun up tomorrow I guess I'll be home

Through the hills of Kentucky across the Ohio river
The old man kept talking about his life and his times
He fell asleep with his head against the window
He said "An honest man's pillow is his peace of mind."

This world offers riches and riches will grow wings
And I don't take stock in those uncertain things

Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories
Life sweeps away the dreams we have planned
You are young and you are the future
Suck it up and tough it out, be the best you can

The old man had a vision, but it was hard for me to follow
I do things my way and I pay a high price
When I think back on the old man and the bus ride
Now that I'm older, I can see he was right

Another hot one out on highway eleven
This is my life, it's what I chose to do
There's no free ride. No one said it'd be easy
The old man told me this my son; I'm telling it to you

Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories
Life sweep away the dreams we have planned
You are young and you are the future
Suck it up and tough it out, be the best you can

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 48

2011-02-21T23:43:00.002-05:00

Fields of Athenry

One of my favorite Irish songs is (The) Fields of Athenry.

From what I've picked up online, "The Fields of Athenry" is an Irish folk ballad set during the Great Irish Potato Famine (1845-1850) about a fictional man named Michael from near Athenry in County Galway who has been sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, Australia, for stealing food for his starving family. The food he stole was "Trevelyan's corn". This is a reference to Charles Edward Trevelyan, a senior British civil servant in the administration of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in Dublin Castle.

I've already had this song appear in this blog last year. Click HERE to see and hear that blog post.

Following are some other renditions...

And finally, my rendition...

Thank you for listening.

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 47

2011-02-19T21:56:00.001-05:00

I was watching this from "Oliver" tonight. And guess what thought passed through my head, "They don't make 'em that anymore."

Therefore, I knew I had to add it to my blog series.

Between the choreography, the music, and the singing, this is good stuff.

So, I ask you...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 46

2011-02-18T21:51:00.003-05:00

There are few out there who are as big fans of the musical, Les Misérables, as I.

If there are such fans out there, you know who you are.

Here are 2 renditions of 2 pieces from the musical.

Here is "At The End Of The Day" & "I Dreamed A Dream"

First from the cast:

At The End Of The Day (1.1 million views on YouTube):

I Dreamed A Dream:

Then from me (both pieces):

Ok. I'm addicted to the musical.

Concerning musicals...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 45

2011-02-16T23:45:00.003-05:00

I had this song in my head tonight. I used to play it about 20 years ago.

It's finally happening. Joe's getting old.

Enjoy...

Once upon a dream,
I was lost in love's embrace.
There I found a perfect place,
Once upon a dream.

Once there was a time,
Like no other time before.
Hope was still an open door,
Once upon a dream.

And I was unafraid,
The dream was so exciting.
But now I see it fade,
And I am here alone.

Once upon a dream,
You were heaven-sent to me,
But it wasn't meant to be.
Now you're just a dream.

Could we begin again?

Once upon a dream.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 44

2011-02-08T22:02:00.001-05:00

How about an instrument playing in a genre not usually played by that instrument?

I like this next recording. It's, well, jazz violin.

Enjoy...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

By the way, if you want to hear my own rendition of "Killing Me Softly..." (on piano), click HERE.

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 43

2011-01-12T21:26:00.013-05:00

In my opinion, nobody does the slimy inn-keeper Thénardier from Les Misérables better than Alun Armstrong. His facial expressions are priceless.

At the very end of this scene, you see Jean Valjean appearing in the background. This is leading to the scene where Jean Valjean buys cosette away from the Thénardier's.

If there are any people out there who are big fans of Les Mis, like myself, here's the scene it leads into...

(with a different cast)

The singer playing Jean Valjean in the above video is not Colm Wilkinson. Rather, it is John Owens-Jones, who is a fantastic singer in his own right (check out the high notes at 2:06). I've been meaning to put some of his singing on this blog.

While I'm at it, here's another performance by John Owens-Jones (you can see him a little better).

If anyone out there actually watches the above performance to the end, you will understand why I always ask...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Interest Rates...

2011-01-11T14:16:00.004-05:00

Hey, don't believe 'em when they say interest rates have never been this low. They have been, in 1958!

I found this mortgage when I was researching a property today...

(Click on the image for a slightly larger, easier-to-read version.)

While I will admit that now is a difficult time to be a Seller. It's a great time to be a Buyer for a number of reasons (only one of which is the interest rate these days).

I represent both Sellers and Buyers. So, if you're interested in purchasing a property (residential or commercial), please contact me.

Happy Anniversary to Me!

2011-01-10T20:55:00.003-05:00

2 days ago, January 8, 2011, was the 10-year anniversary of my licensure as a Real Estate agent in Maryland.

If you are one of the Buyers or Sellers (or both) in one (or more) of my 141 settled transactions, I want to thank you.

Whomever you are, I look forward to being your Realtor one day.

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 42

2010-12-28T22:17:00.029-05:00

If you listen to no other musical blog post on this blog, listen to this one.

This next blog will present singers who "own" their song. That is, there is one particular song that they do not sing, they own. It is theirs.

It is a single song that:

1. they can sing well,
2. they like, and
3. they can empathize with the character which they are portraying,

These ingredients come together for a performance in which not only the musicianship of the artist comes out, but the intents of the author are clearly conveyed.

Following are performances in which the singer owns their song (if anyone out there is actually following this blog and listening to this music, I hope you're using good speakers):

Tommy Körberg owns "Anthem".
(This footage is from the actual CD recording.)

Judy Kuhn owns "Nobody's Side".

Michael Balls owns "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables".

Ray Charles owns "Georgia on my Mind".

Murray Head owns "Pity the Child".
I bet he really dreads getting ready for the high notes at 3:18 and 4:26...

The following performances are in previous posts, but they area clearly examples of a performance in which the singer owns their song.

Mary Black owns "Song for Ireland".

Philip Quast own "Stars".

Ruthie Henshall owns "I Dreamed a Dream".

...um, excuse me, but...
Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 41

2010-12-28T21:00:00.005-05:00

My goodness! It's been a long time since I've done a "Music & Musicians" post. But, I think I stumbled upon a worthy singer.

His name is Anthony Warlow (born 18 November 1961 in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia). I've never heard of him before this week. However, from what I've listened to, he's very good. He has sung in both Phantom of the Opera, and Les Miserables, two musicals greatly loved by theatre-goers.

From what I've read, he has battled cancer yet returned to the stage.

Here are a few of his performances:

In this last piece (describing the French Revolution) he makes his appearance at 0:27.

You decide...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Do they make 'em like that anymore?Comedy

2010-12-25T22:23:00.003-05:00

If you are following this blog (and I'm not sure anyone is), the purpose of the "Music and Musicians" series of posts was to show you and let you hear real music, in case you have listened to the radio in the last 10 years and think that that is music.

Well let me show you, for just a minute, true comedy. This stuff is classic. I remember seeing this clip at my grandparents house decades ago and laughing so hard it hurt. Tonight, I decided to look for it on the internet. I found it. Again, I laughed so hard my sides hurt.

If you can go from 10:20 to 12:47 without laughing, you need to seek professional help.

I'm not even going to ask "Do They Make 'em like this anymore?".

They don't. Period.

Click HERE to see the clip.

When the new page opens, first click on the triangle in the middle of the video. Then click on the triangle in the lower left-hand corner of the video.

Tech Tip: Zoom In, Zoom Out

2010-11-23T23:51:00.001-05:00

If you're viewing an internet webpage, a Word document, an Excel spreadsheet, a Powerpoint presentation, an email, a PDF, as well as many other items, you can quickly and easily "zoom in" to make the text larger and easier to read.

Simply hold down the [Ctrl] key on the keyboard, and (if your mouse has a wheel) spin the mouse wheel away from you.

Very easy. Very cool.

To zoom back out, hold down the [Ctrl] key on the keyboard, and spin the wheel towards you.

Go ahead and try it with this blog!

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 40

2010-11-18T20:54:00.002-05:00

Genre: Rock

Ok. For those of you who are never going to listen to the music of this blog because it's too classical, or boring, or old fashioned, it's now time to rock.
But promise me that if I put some rock and roll, you'll also listen to the other stuff.

Are we going to listen to Van Halen?

Are you joking? Not in this Blog...

I've mentioned before that the some of the most excellent musicians are the ones you've never heard of. Rock and roll is no different. This blog series is about music and musicianship, not hype.

Let's start with Eric Johnson (who?):

Note: This is a long video. If you don't have time for it, I suggest starting at about 4:00 or 5:00.

Next...

Rhandy Rhoads, whose life was taken prematurely (in 1982) while in a small plane whose pilot was trying tricks slammed into a house, was, in my opinion, one of those guitarists who (although he was a rock guitarist) was also a musician. He was classically trained first, then went on to rock guitar.

There is, unfortunately, very little video of him that I could find.

You can do your own research on him.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 39

2010-11-14T18:41:00.002-05:00

Insrument: The trumpet.

Rafael Mendez Plays Flight of the Bumble Bee, then Mexican Hat Dance in one breath.

Two pieces performed by trumpter Tine Thing Helseth:

Funny how the young folks know all about Britney Spears & Lady Gaga but have never heard of this musician.

Actually, it's very sad.

The musicianship in this second piece is really excellent on a number of levels. I'll keep looking for quality music and posting it.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 38

2010-11-13T15:29:00.003-05:00

Back to the music...

It's been almost a month since I've done any blog post. And, it has been nearly 2 months since I've done a "Music and Musicians" post. If you go back to the beginnings of the series, you'll see that my goal was to allow people to hear, remember and know what real music sounds like. So, if you hear these crazy noises coming out of your radio of the stuff passing as "music" and you ever wonder to yourself real music might actually sound like, come on back to visit this blog. I'll try to keep it updated with good, quality music and musicianship more often.

Here are two great perfomances from Philip Quast from Les Miserables.

The first singer in this second recording is actually Colm Wilkinson. I did a blog post on him in May. Click here to visit that post. In this piece, Philip's solo begins at 1:46.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Technical Support Phone Numbers

2010-10-15T17:46:00.007-04:00

Hey folks,

In the paperwork of a product I purchased recently, was included this document which has support phone numbers of several electronics companies grouped by product type.

Hope this helps someone, somewhere:

Take care,

New Maryland Cell Phone Law

2010-09-30T17:11:00.007-04:00

Effective Friday, October 1, 2010 is a new law concerning cell phone use while driving in Maryland.

Following is text from a document from the SHA, MVA, & MDT.

1. What is Maryland’s Cell Phone Law that takes effect on October 1, 2010?

Maryland Senate Bill 321 and House Bill 934 were signed into law by Governor O'Malley. The new law will prohibit all Maryland drivers from using a cell phone without a hands free device while operating a motor vehicle in motion on a street or highway. In addition, the new law would prohibit a school bus driver or a holder of a learner’s permit, or provisional license who is 18 years of age or older, from driving a motor vehicle while using a handheld telephone. A driver under 18 already is prohibited from using any cell phone.

2. What exceptions are allowed?

Phone calls placed to 9‐1‐1, ambulance, hospital, fire, or law enforcement agencies are allowed, as are calls made by emergency and law enforcement personnel. A driver is allowed to turn a handheld phone on or off and to initiate or terminate a call.

3. Is the law a primary offense?

The new law is a secondary offense, meaning that a driver must first be detained for another offense, such as speeding or negligent driving, before he or she can be ticketed for a cell phone offense. However, be advised that “negligent driving” is a primary offense in Maryland and can be used as a precursor to citing violators of the new cell phone law.

4. What is the fine for the offense?

The fine for a first offense would be $40 and subsequent offenses would be $100. Points will not be assessed to the first‐time violator’s driving record, except, three points are assessed if the violation contributed to a crash. One point is assessed for a second or subsequent offense.

5. Is this the same law as the texting law?

No, Maryland also bans texting while driving. This law prohibits an individual from writing or sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle that is in motion or in the travel portion of the highway. If convicted of violating this law a person may be assessed a fine not exceeding $500. This law does not apply to texting 9‐1‐1 or using a global positioning system.

6. Why is this law needed?

Studies indicate that cell phone conversations distract a driver and delays reaction time, which can cause and increase the severity of a vehicular crash. The National Safety Council has estimated that cell phone use is responsible for 1.6 million crashes a year, nationally ‐‐ about 28 percent of all crashes. Maryland now joins 7 other states (Calif., Conn., Del., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands in banning handheld cell phone use while driving. For more information, please visit www.ChooseSafetyForLife.com. [End of document.]

So, if you were thinking about getting some kind of a Bluetooth headset, now is the time to do so.

(Bluetooth is the circuitry that allows for short-distance transmission and reception of data wirelessly when 2 devices - such as a mobile phone and a headset, or a computer and a printer - both have Bluetooth circuitry)

There are tons available:

Take care,

Real Estate Update:FHA loan rates

2010-09-24T13:33:00.008-04:00

Hey folks,

This is from a settlement that I had earlier this week. There are great rates on 30-year fixed FHA loans these days. Not only that, but there is tons of inventory available and we're in a buyer's market.

Let me sell you a house!

Real Estate Law Update: New law

2010-09-20T12:12:00.011-04:00

This law will be going to effect on October 1, 2010.

Rental Housing - Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Under this new law, a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault who has received a protective or peace order from the court may terminate a lease upon 30 days notice to the landlord. The law also would require landlords to change the locks within 24 hours upon request of a victim or if not changed would allow tenants with protective or peace orders to change the lock using a certified locksmith. The tenant would have to provide the landlord with a copy of the key by the close of the next business day after the lock change. The tenant is responsible for paying the reasonable cost of changing locks, which the landlord may charge as additional rent or withhold from the security deposit if not paid within 45-days.

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer. While I do my best to give accurate information, this information should not be relied upon without independent verification.

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 37

2010-09-19T09:54:00.006-04:00

Genre: Country

But, you say, "I don't like country music!"

Too bad. Music is music. Give it a shot.

Here's Martina McBride singing "Independence Day".

For those who don't like country, notice how I didn't choose a song played with a fiddle or written about a truck.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Tech Tip - Keyboard Shortcuts

2010-09-17T12:07:00.008-04:00

Hi folks. I save a lot of time on my work that involves computer use by using keyboard shortcuts, that is keys (or combinations of keys) on the keyboard that perform a particular function.

This seems to be faster (if you learn the keyboard shortcuts) than using the mouse to find and open menus and sub-menus and then selecting the action from the menu or sub-menu.

Click HERE for my list of keyboard shortcuts. By the way, these are for PCs, not Macs. I don't know much about Macs.

Note: If you're going to print this document, print it onto legal paper (8.5" x 14").

Till next time,

Important Real Estate News:Monthly Mortgage Insurance ratesset to go up on October 4.

2010-09-13T16:52:00.021-04:00

Let me start by saying that it seems like Real Estate professionals and Realtors are always saying, "Now's a great time to buy!". I hear it so much on radio advertisements that it gets old (even for me, a Realtor)! Fact is, now is a good time to buy because interest rates are very low (today 4.375% - call for details) and there's a good amount of house inventory out there. It is, however, somewhat difficult to get a loan these days.

A lot of Buyers are getting FHA-insured loans because the borrower does not need a huge down payment (such as 20% of the price of the house) like they may need with a conventional loan.

Now, though, there is yet another reason to buy, and buy soon (like, this month!).

Beginning on October 4, 2010 (less than a month from now), the monthly mortgage insurance on FHA loans is going to really jump. It's going from 0.55% (of the loan amount divided by 12 - for the 12 months in a year) to 0.9%. Ouch. It's the kind of thing that will, not can, will, raise the monthly payment on an FHA loan (all other variables staying the same).

Heather Sozio, a highly-recommended loan office of Prosperity Mortgage Company (a division of Wells Fargo), puts it this way:

"Buyers usually use the FHA product when they don't have a lot of money to put down as a down payment. Because of the small down payment and more risk FHA has to take on, FHA has two different Mortgage Insurance Premiums, Upfront and monthly.

Both premiums are going to be changed with case numbers ordered on and after October 4, 2010. When is a case number ordered? The case number is ordered when we order an appraisal and the case number is attached to the property for 4 months. The case number is usually generated approxiamately 1-2 days after the appraisal is initially ordered. Some case numbers do take longer.

The Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium will decrease from 2.25% to 1%. It can still be financed into the loan. This would be good news if this is all they would change.

The change in the monthly mortgage insurance is changing from .55% to .9% when your buyers are putting less than 5% down. This increase takes away some of the affordability from your buyer because of the increase in monthly payment. It will be roughly a $8-10,000 decrease in affordability.

If your buyer is able to put 5% down, then the monthly mortgage insurance is .85%."

If you're confused about any of this (because it sometimes sounds complicated), give me a call. I would be more than glad to explain it with clear and concise terms and examples. Or, you can click HERE to send an instant message to my mobile device. (Go to the middle of the webpage that opens).

If you'd like to speak directly with a loan officer, Heather's number is (410) 307-6312 and her email is heather.sozio@prosperitymortgage.com.

If you'd like to begin the loan application process using Heather's secure website, click HERE.

We hope to hear from you, and I hope to be your Realtor one day.

Joe
(443) 865-1069

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 36

2010-09-01T20:22:00.004-04:00

Here's another piece from the musical "Chess" again, in Swedish. Great music here, even though I don't understand Swedish. There are fine singers on that stage.

Crank it up...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Interesting evening...

2010-08-30T23:43:00.011-04:00

Tonight, I got home from my office at about 11:15pm. And found this unsigned note...

...and this cat...

...next to my front door.

We'll see how this turns out.

Til next time.

Take care,

Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 35

2010-08-25T21:44:00.004-04:00

After I uploaded my rendition of "Killing Me Softly...", I found this.

Good stuff...

Just like I used to ask...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:My piano playing for your enjoyment.Posting 3

2010-08-16T11:58:00.003-04:00

This is my redition of "Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)".

Enjoy

- Joe

Funny Picture

2010-08-13T08:08:00.003-04:00

Hey folks,

In my first blog post, I said if I saw something funny, I'd post it.

Here's one I like:

Have a great weekend.

- Joe

Music and Musicians:My piano playing for your enjoyment.Posting 2

2010-08-10T22:30:00.002-04:00

Ol' Man River

This is my interpretation of "Ol' Man River" from Show Boat. Words & Music Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein, II. Most of the first part is an introduction that sometimes is not performed. The song as we recognize it begins at 1:28.

Enjoy.

- Joe

Music and Musicians:My piano playing for your enjoyment.Posting 1

2010-08-07T21:15:00.006-04:00

I'm going to start putting on a few of my own short performances along with those of other musicians. I'll be playing jazz, classical, popular music, and show tunes from musicals. Fortunately for you, I won't be singing. I will, however, try to take your requests.

Hope you like the music.

Here's the first one: "When Sunny Gets Blue"

Words by Jack Segal, Music by Marvin Fisher. Written around 1956.

Thanks for listening.

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 34

2010-07-27T00:03:00.002-04:00

A 9-year-old girl wins a vocal competition singing "Think of Me".

This is unreal.

Think of me.
Think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while
please promise me you'll try.
When you find that, once again, you long
to take your heart back and be free,
if you ever find a moment,
spare a thought for me.

We never said our love was evergreen,
or as unchanging as the sea
but if you can still remember
stop and think of me.

Think of all the things
we've shared and seen.
Don't think about way things
might have been.

Think of me, think of me waking,
silent and resigned.
Imagine me, trying too hard
to put you from my mind.
Recall those days
look back on all those times,
think of the things we'll never do.
There will never be a day,
when I won't think of you.

Flowers fade.
The fruits of summer fade.
They have their seasons, so do we.
But please promise me, that sometimes
you will think of me.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

The Fourth of July

2010-07-04T10:38:00.021-04:00

What are we celebrating? (Click on the pictures for larger versions.)

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain. Then, on the 4th of July 1776 the same Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

In case you never read it, following is the original text of the Declaration of Independence:

In Congress. July 4, 1776.

The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Happy Fourth of July

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 33

2010-07-03T13:50:00.004-04:00

This piece and performance deserve a blog post. This video was taken during a rehearsal. This is another piece from the musical "Chess" (as several of these blog pieces have come from). I've seen the actual performace that Adam Pascal was rehearsing for here and I think that this is actually better than the performance.

This piece, Pity the Child, is quite boring in the beginning, but starting at 2:30 you'll understand why this piece is known in theatrical circles as "Pity the Singer". It's very difficult to sing well, especially the high note at 3:03, which I think (and I'm not a vocal coach by any stretch of the imagination) he pull's off pretty well.

If I tried to sing the high portion of this song, I'd have to name it, "Pity the Dog, Cat & Neighbors".

Enjoy.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 32

2010-06-25T02:24:00.005-04:00

His name is Brian Setzer and he might be the best guitarist you've never heard!

Enjoy!

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 31

2010-06-16T22:22:00.007-04:00

It's been a few days since I've posted music, but, we not back to English yet. We still have a few other languages to hear, and enjoy.

Celia Cruz (October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003) was a highly-prolific Cuban singer and recording artist. And although she passed away from cancer in 2003, her career is filled with amazing facts and broken records (no pun intended).

In 1987, she sang at "Carnival Chicharrero" with orchestra Billo's Caracas Boys. This event was attended by 250,000 people and was registered in the Guinness of Records as the largest gathering of people in an outdoor plaza to attend a concert, a record which still holds today. To get an idea of how many people this is, the Camden Yards stadium...

...hold 48,262 people. So, this concert was attended by enough people to fit 5 of these stadiums to capacity.

She is known as "La Reina de la Salsa" ("The Queen of Salsa").

Cruz was still on the charts the day she died.

As I mentioned, she was very, very prolific. Following is a list of the albums (not songs) she recorded:

2003 Homenaje a Beny Moré
2003 Celia & Johnny
2003 Dios Disfrute a la Reina
2003 Son Boleros, Boleros Son
2003 Reina de la Música Cubana
2003 Regalo del Alma
2003 Más Grande Historia Jamás Cantada
2003 Estrellas de la Sonora Matancera
2003 Celia in the House: Classic Hits Remixed
2003 Carnaval de la Vida
2003 Candela Pura
2002 Unrepeatable
2002 Hits Mix
2001 La Negra Tiene Tumbao
2000 Siempre Viviré
2000 Salsa
2000 Habanera
2000 Celia Cruz and Friends: A Night of Salsa
1999 En Vivo Radio Progreso, Vol. 3
1999 En Vivo Radio Progreso, Vol. 2
1999 En Vivo Radio Progreso, Vol. 1
1999 En Vivo C.M.Q., Vol. 5
1999 En Vivo C.M.Q., Vol. 4
1998 Mi Vida Es Cantar
1998 Afro-Cubana
1997 También Boleros
1997 Duets
1997 Cambiando Ritmos
1996 Celia Cruz Delta
1995 Irresistible
1995 Festejando Navidad
1995 Double Dynamite
1995 Cuba's Queen of Rhythm
1994 Merengue Saludos Amigos
1994 Mambo del Amor
1994 Irrepetible
1994 Homenaje a Los Santos
1994 Guaracheras de La Guaracha
1993 Introducing
1993 Homenaje a Beny Moré, Vol. 3
1993 Boleros Polydor
1993 Azucar Negra
1992 Verdadera Historia
1992 Tributo a Ismael Rivera
1991 Reina del Ritmo Cubano
1991 Canta Celia Cruz
1990 Guarachera del Mundo
1988 Ritmo en el Corazón
1987 Winners
1986 De Nuevo
1986 Candela
1983 Tremendo Trío
1982 Feliz Encuentro
1981 Celia & Willie
1980 Celia/Johnny/Pete
1977 Only They Could Have Made This Album
1976 Recordando El Ayer
1975 Tremendo Caché
1974 Celia & Johnny
1971 Celia Y Tito Puente en España
1970 Etc. Etc. Etc.
1969 Quimbo Quimbumbia
1968 Serenata Guajira
1968 Excitante
1967 A Ti México
1967 Bravo Celia Cruz
1966 Son con Guaguancó
1966 Cuba Y Puerto Rico Son
1965 Sabor y Ritmo de Pueblos
1965 Canciones Premiadas
1959 Mi Diario Musical
1958 Incomparable Celia

Anyway, like I've said in other blog posts, if you want to research more, the information is out there. She wrote an autobiography.

But now, let's get to the music.

Here are 3 favorites (favorites of mine at least).

La Vida es un Carnaval...

La Negra Tiene Tumbao (tumbao = rhythm):

Note: This song contains rap. Although I do have a blog post planned for hard rock, this is the last rap you'll ever hear on this blog.

Guantanamera

This recording was only 4 years before she died. She's not moving around as much as in earlier years. She is sharing the stage with musical icons (Pacheco, Tito Puente, La India, etc.).

Can I ask you a personal question...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 30

2010-06-07T07:16:00.002-04:00

As long as we're enjoying music in languages other than English, let's take a few minutes for Édith Piaf (1915 - 1963).

She is generally accepted as the greatest and most popular French singer of all time. Her life story is told in the movie "LA VIE EN ROSE" (released as La môme) in French.

Her real name was Édith Giovanna Gassion.

Many authors, screenwriters, and songwriters have referenced her in their works. Édith Piaf is mentioned in the song "My Mother was a Chinese Trapeze Artist" by The Decemberists. I also recall a scene in "Saving Private Ryan" in which her music is playing on a phonograph and one of the young soldiers is translating it for his buddys.

Anyway, if you'd like to learn more about her, the information is out there. Let's get to the music.

Following are some of her recordings/performances.

"La Foule"

"Padam Padam"

"Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" (No, I regret nothing):

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 29

2010-06-05T00:33:00.001-04:00

"More music in other languages? Come on, Joe. Bring us back to English!"

Not yet...

Andrea Bocelli sings "La donna è mobile" from Verdi's "Rigoletto". What more needs to be said? Except, perhaps...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 28

2010-06-02T19:03:00.003-04:00

Continuing on with our segment on quality music and singing that is not in English, here is a beautiful Swedish version of the same piece (Someone Else's Story) that showed up in an earlier blog post.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 27

2010-05-31T06:27:00.006-04:00

Ok. This is where I'm going to lose my one or two viewers of this blog.

As a part of my Do they make 'em like that anymore? music series. I'm going to a set of pieces in other languages. I do believe that if the singing is quality and the music is as well, you can enjoy music and singing, even if it is not in a language that you understand.

I'm starting the series with music from Les Miserables sung by 17 different singers who have played the part of Jean Valjean in a variety of languages. Notice that 3 singers on this stage (Colm Wilkinson, Tommy Körberg, and Ruthie Henshall, who can be seen at 3:15) have already been featured in this blog.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 26

2010-05-26T20:47:00.000-04:00

Ruthie Henshall gives a wonderful performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 25

2010-05-22T20:42:00.006-04:00

This is the piano transciption of a vocal piece called "Der Erlkönig". The text was written by Goethe. In the story, a child is dying and he's having hallucinations that some kind of angel of death (Elf King) is following him. Meanwhile his father is taking him on horseback to a doctor, and they're going as fast as they can. At the end, just as they get to the doctor, the child is dead.

As a pianist, I can tell you that it's one of those pieces that you hear someone play and you say to yourself, "Wow, I could really impress people with this." So you buy the music. You open the music. You try the first line, and then you say, "I wonder what is on TV tonight.". And you put the music in the piano bench, hoping to never see it again.

In this piece, you can hear the galloping of the horse (the repetitive notes), the narrator (expressed by middle right-left fingers), groaning son (left-hand thumb), stubborn father (by right-hand thumb), sweetly murmuring Erlkönig (by right-hand pinkie).

Performed by Jun Asai

Translation:

Who rides, so late, through night and wind?
It is the father with his child.
He has the boy well in his arm
He holds him safely, he keeps him warm.

"My son, why do you hide your face so anxiously?"
"Father, do you not see the Elf king?
The Elf king with crown and tail?"
"My son, it's a wisp of fog."

"You lovely child, come, go with me!
Many a beautiful game I'll play with you;
Many colourful flowers are on the shore,
My mother has many golden robes."

"My father, my father, and don't you hear
What Elf king is quietly promising me?"
"Be calm, stay calm, my child;
The wind is rustling through withered leaves."

"Do you want to come with me, dear boy?
My daughters shall wait on you fine;
My daughters will lead the nightly dance,
And rock and dance and sing you to sleep."

"My father, my father, and don't you see there
Elf king's daughters in the gloomy place?"
"My son, my son, I see it clearly:
The old willows they shimmer so grey."

"I love you, your beautiful form entices me;
And if you're not willing, I shall use force."
"My father, my father, he's grabbing me now!
Elf king has done me some harm!"

The father shudders; he swiftly rides on,
He holds the moaning child in his arms,
is hardly able to reach his farm;
In his arms, the child was dead.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 24

2010-05-21T07:59:00.007-04:00

Horowitz plays Chopin

Chopin Polonaise Op. 53 in A flat major is a piece with a lot of neat melodies. I've always liked the descending octaves (3:26) as well as the main melody (which makes its first appearance at 0:42 then comes back at 1:18 as well as other times in the piece).

Here it is being performed by the late Russian pianist Vladimir Horowitz.

I love his facial expression after the final chord.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Joe needs an assistant.

2010-05-20T12:58:00.008-04:00

I am pleased to say that I've been so busy in Real Estate lately that I could use an assistant. In the good years (2004 - 2007), I had an assistant. Obviously, during the slow years, I didn't.

A lot of what an assistant does is the "gopher" job. In other words, go for photocopies, go for getting keys made, go for documents at the court house. It also includes things like setting up times and dates of home inspections, loan applications, and the like.

An unlicensed assistant, generally, cannot show property or prepare a contract.

For a complete list of what an assistant (aka unlicensed employee) may do and may not do, click here.

If you know someone who might be interested in this, please have them contact me.

If you'd like to send me an instant message (rather than posting a reply to this blog spot), click here.

Hope to hear from you.

Joe

Renting vs. Buying

2010-05-19T18:50:00.011-04:00

When I started this blog, my goal was to keep in touch with people and update them on Real Estate information (and, honestly speaking, possibly gain some new clients along the way).

But, lately, it's been turning into a blog that's almost entirely about good music and great musicians.

I was thinking that it's about time that I do a blog post that has something to do with Real Estate.

So, let's talk about many benefits to owning over renting.

I want to start by saying that some people will say that if you're renting, you're "throwing your money away".

I disagree.

While it is true that you cannot recuperate the money you've spent on the rental payments, you still have a roof over your head and a place to call "home". So, you're not "throwing your money away". You're paying for a place to live.

Moreover, there are times when it's appropriate to rent instead of owning.

For example, if you are traveling for work and you're only going to be in a certain city for say 6 months to 8 months, or less, for a variety of reasons, I think renting would actually be better. You're not dealing with the marketing, paperwork, and closing costs of 2 transactions.

When you purchase a property, you’re going to have closing costs. Likewise, when you sell the property, you’re going to have closing costs. Even if you sell the property for a price higher than what you paid for it, when you add in what you paid as closing costs as a buyer, plus closing costs as a seller, you may not have any profit if you haven't been in the property long enough for the value of the property to significantly appreciate. You could actually have a substancial loss.

Another reason to rent would be if, either because of your current income or your current credit, you're not ready to buy. And, you're using that rental time to put both your income and credit into a position that will allow you to buy.

Be careful here. You might think you are not ready to buy, when actually you are. If you think you're not ready,it's best to hear it from a reputable loan officer. (Contact me if you need the names of a few good loan officers).

If you are ready to buy, by all mean, do it.

Following are the benefits of owning:

• Most of the first few years of your mortgage payments as an owner will be for the interest of the mortgage. All of that interest is tax deductible. This means that when you do your taxes, you will deduct that amount from your income, as if you didn't earn it. With lower income, your overall tax liability will be less. This is not cheating the government. Interest on home loans being tax deductible is the law.

(After a statement like that, I just realized that I have to put in my disclaimer: I'm not a CPA, and I have limited knowledge on tax law, so this blog should not be treated as professional tax advice. For professional tax advice, please contact a certified tax professional.)

Good. Now my disclaimer is out of the way. Let's continue...

• Like it or not, all home owners pay property tax. In most cases, this is worked into your total monthly payment, so you don't have to send 2 checks each month when making your monthly mortgage payment.

All of the property tax you will pay as an owner is tax deductible. When you rent, your landlord is including in your rent what he or she needs to pay for their property taxes. So in a way, you, the renter, are paying the property taxes. However, he, or she (the owner), is benefiting from the tax deduction! So, they’re actually getting a tax deduction for monies they’re not even paying! Wild stuff when you think about it.

• When you purchase a property, it’s yours. This means that when you sell it, if you sell at a profit, the profit is yours. If you sell at a profit, and you make money on the sale, recuperating all of what you had been paying in monthly mortgage payments, then it’s almost as if you had lived there for free. Think about it. If you paid $15,000 in mortgage payments over the course of a year, but had a $20,000 profit when you sold the property, at the end of the same time frame, didn’t you really live there for free?

Ok. I'm tired now. That's all for today.

More music to come...

Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 23

2010-05-19T07:08:00.004-04:00

Horowitz plays Mozart

Russian pianist, Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989) is considered by many to be the greatest pianist of the 20th Century. His ablity to play softly and quickly, yet clearly, is amazing, as you'll see in this video.

In comparison to other pieces he performed, this was not a difficult piece. Yet his ability to contrast the soft phrases against the loud is, well, as I said, amazing.

Here he plays Mozart Sonata in C Major K. 330; 3rd Movement.

As far as Mozart is concerned, you can research him yourself. But, in his 35 years on this earth, following is a list of what he composed:

Andante in C for Keyboard
Allegro in C for Keyboard
Allegro in F for Keyboard
Minuet in F for Keyboard
Minuet in G for Keyboard
Minuet in C for Keyboard
Sonata in C for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in D for Violin and Keyboard
Minuet in F for Keyboard
Allegro in B-flat for Keyboard
Minuet in F for Keyboard
Minuet in F for Keyboard
Allegro in C for Keyboard
Sonata in B-flat for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in G for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in B-flat for Harpsichord, Violin (Flute) and Cello
Sonata in G for Harpsichord, Violin (Flute) and Cello
Sonata in A for Harpsichord, Violin (Flute) and Cello
Sonata in F for Harpsichord, Violin (Flute) and Cello
Sonata in C for Harpsichord, Violin (Flute) and Cello
Sonata in B-flat for Harpsichord, Violin (Flute) and Cello
Symphony in E-flat, No. 1
Symphony in D, No. 4
Symphony in F
Aria for tenor and orchestra, "Va, dal furor portata"
44 Untitled Pieces, "London Sketchbook"
Sonata in C for Keyboard Four-hands
Motet in G minor, "God is Our Refuge"
Aria for soprano and orchestra "Conservati fedele"
Symphony in B-flat, No. 5
Symphony in A minor, "Odense"
Aria for Soprano, "Per pietà, bell'idol mio"
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "O temerario Arbace"
8 Variations in G on "Laat ons Juichen"
Symphony in G, "Alte Lambach"
7 Variations in D on "Willem van Nassau"
Sonata in E-flat for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in G for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in C for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in D for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in F for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in B-flat for Violin and Keyboard
Gallimathias Musicum (Quodlibet)
Kyrie in F
Piece in F for Keyboard
Recitative and aria for tenor and orchestra, "Or che il dover – Tali e cotanti sono"
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "A Berenice"
Symphony in F, "No. 43"
Symphony in F, No. 6
March in D
Offertory in C, "Scande coeli limina"
Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots
Grabmusik
Concerto in F for Piano, No. 1
Apollo et Hyacinthus
Concerto in B-flat for Piano, No. 2
Concerto in D for Piano, No. 3
Concerto in G for Piano, No. 4
Symphony in B-flat, "No. 55"
Symphony in D, No. 7
Sonata in C for Violin
Sonata in F for Violin
Veni Sancte Spiritus in C
Missa solemnis in C minor, "Waisenhaus"
Concerto for Trumpet (lost)
Song, An die Freude
Missa brevis in G
Bastien und Bastienne
Symphony in D, No. 8
Cassation in D
Cassation in G
Cassation in B-flat
Offertory in C, "Benedictus sit Deus"
Symphony in D
Symphony in B-flat
Symphony in B-flat
Minuet in D
Missa brevis in D minor
7 Minuets
La finta semplice
Missa in C, "Dominicus"
Te Deum in C
Symphony in D, No. 11
Symphony in G, No. 10
2 Minuets
Aria for Soprano, "Fra cento affanni"
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "Misero me"
Quartet in G for Strings
Symphony in D, "No. 44"
Symphony in D, "No. 47"
Symphony in D, "No. 45"
Contredanse in B-flat
Aria for Soprano, "Se ardire, e speranza"
Aria for Soprano, "Se tutti i mali miei"
Miserere in A minor
Minuet in E-flat
Antiphon in D minor, "Quaerite primum regnum Dei"
Mitridate, re di Ponto
6 Minuets
Aria for Soprano, "Non curo l'affetto"
Symphony in F, "No. 42"
Regina Coeli in C
Litaniae Lauretanae B.M.V. in B-flat
Offertory in G, "Inter natos mulierum"
Betulia liberata
Symphony in G, No. 12
Symphony in C, "No. 46"
Ascanio in Alba
Finale of a Symphony in D ("Ascanio in Alba")
Divertimento in E-flat
Symphony in F, No. 13
Symphony in A, No. 14
Canon in A for 4 or 5 voices in 1
Kyrie in G for 5 voices in 1
4 Riddle Cannons
14 Canonic Studies
K003 Concertos for Piano after J.C. Bach 3 Concertos for Piano after J.C. Bach
Church Sonata in E-flat major
Church Sonata in B major
Church Sonata in D
Kyrie in D minor
Divertimento in D
Divertimento in B-flat
Divertimento in F
Symphony in G, No. 15
Litaniae de venerabili altaris sacramento in B-flat
19 Minuets
Il sogno di Scipione
Regina coeli in B-flat
Symphony in C, No. 16
Symphony in G, No. 17
Symphony in F, No. 18
Symphony in C, No. 9
Sonata in D for Keyboard Four-Hands
6 Minuets
Divertimento in D
March in D
Symphony in E-flat, No. 19
Symphony in D, No. 20
Symphony in A, No. 21
Quartet (Divertimento) in D for Strings
Quartet in G for Strings
Lucio Silla
Missa brevis in G
Divertimento in D
Quartet in C for Strings
Quartet (Divertimento) in F for Strings
Motet in F for Soprano, "Exsultate, jubilate"
Quartet (Divertimento) in B-flat for Strings
Quartet in E-flat for Strings
Divertimento in B-flat
Divertimento in E-flat
Symphony in E-flat, No. 26
Symphony in G, No. 27
Symphony in C, No. 22
Symphony in D, No. 23
Missa in C, "Trinitatis"
Divertimento in C
Serenade in D, "Andretter"
March in D
Quartet in F for Strings
Quartet in A for Strings
Quartet in C for Strings
Quartet in E-flat for Strings
Quartet in B-flat for Strings
Quartet in D minor for Strings
6 Variations in G on "Mio caro Adone"
Symphony in B-flat, No. 24
Symphony in G minor, No. 25
Motet for Soprano in G, "Ergo interest"
Quintet in B-flat for Strings
Concerto in D for Piano, No. 5
16 Minuets
8 Minuets
Church Sonata in D
Church Sonata in F
Symphony in D, "No. 50"
Sonata in B-flat for Keyboard Four-Hands
Symphony in A, No. 29
Litaniae Lauretanae BVM in D
Symphony in D, No. 30
Concertone for 2 Violins and Orchestra in C major
12 Variations in C on a Minuet by Fischer
Concerto in B-flat for Bassoon
Missa Brevis in F major
Dixit Dominus, Magnificat in C
Serenade in D, "Colloredo"
March in D
Missa brevis in D'
Symphony in C, No. 28
Finale of a Symphony ("La finta giardiniera")
Missa brevis in C, "Spatzen"
Sonata in C for Keyboard
Sonata in F for Keyboard
Sonata in B-flat for Keyboard
Sonata in E-flat for Keyboard
Sonata in G for Keyboard
Duo in B-flat for Bassoon and Cello
Offertory in D minor, "Misericordias Domini"
La finta giardiniera
Sonata in D for Keyboard, "Durnitz"
Concerto in B-flat for Violin
Il re pastore
Aria for Tenor, "Con ossequio, con rispetto"
Aria for Tenor, "Si mostra la sorte"
Missa longa in C'
Concerto in D for Violin
Church Sonata in B-flat
Divertimento in F
March in D
Finale of a Symphony in C ("Il re pastore")
Serenade in D
March in C
Concerto in G for Violin, "Straßburg"
Concerto for Violin in D
Aria for Soprano, "Voi avete un cor fedele"
Missa brevis in C, "Spaur"
Missa brevis in C, "Organ Solo"
Concerto for Violin in A, "Turkish"
Song, "Wie unglücklich bin ich nit"
Song, Lobegesang auf die feierliche Johannisloge
Adagio in E for Violin
Rondo in B-flat for Violin
Concerto in B-flat for Piano, No. 6
Serenata notturna in D
Divertimento in B-flat
Divertimento in E-flat
Church Sonata in G
4 Contredanses, "Serenade"
4 Contredanses
Concerto in F for three pianos, No. 7, "Lodron"
Litaniae de venerabili altaris sacramento in E-flat
Church Sonata in F
Church Sonata in D
Concerto in C for Piano, No. 8, "Lützow"
Divertimento in F, "Lodron"
March in F
Offertory in D, "Venite populi"
Serenade in D, "Haffner"
Divertimento in D (No. 11)
March in D, "Haffner"
Divertimento in F
Divertimento (Trio) in B-flat
Recitative and Aria for Alto, "Ombra felice"
Aria for Tenor, "Clarice cara mia sposa"
Missa in C, "Credo"
Church Sonata in C
Church Sonata in G
Divertimento in E-flat
Violin Concerto in D (K3: 271a; possibly authentic)
Offertory in F, "Alma Dei creatoris"
Notturno in D for Four Orchestras (Serenade No. 8)
Divertimento in B-flat
Concerto in E-flat for Piano, No. 9, "Jeunehomme"
4 Contredanses
Trio in B-flat
Church Sonata in C
Divertimento in B-flat, "Lodron"
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "Ah, lo previdi"
Gradual in F, "Sancta Maria, mater Dei"
Missa brevis in B-flat
Capriccio in C for Keyboard
Sonata in C for Keyboard
Sonata in D for Keyboard
Quartet in D for Flute, Violin, Viola and Cello
Arietta in C, "Oiseaux, si tous les ans"
Concerto in G for Flute
Concerto in C for Oboe / Concerto in D for Flute
Sonata in G for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in E-flat for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in C for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in A for Violin and Keyboard
Arietta, "Dans un bois solitaire"
Quartet in G for Flute, Violin, Viola and Cello
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "Alcandro, lo confesso"
Aria for Tenor, "Se al labbro mio non credi"
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "Basta, vincesti"
Sonata for Violin and Keyboard in C
12 Variations for Piano on "Je suis Lindor"
Gavotte
Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Orchestra (K3: 297b; doubtful; later arr. of genuine Mozart work? Also numbered Anh. C 14.01)
Concerto for Flute and Harp in C
Ballet, Les petits riens
Symphony in D, No. 31, "Paris"
Sonata in E minor for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in A minor for Keyboard (Piano Sonata No. 8)
Sonata in D for Violin and Keyboard
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "Popoli di Tessaglia"
9 Variations in C on "Lison dormait"
Concerto in E-flat for Two Pianos, No. 10
Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-flat major
Vesperae de Dominica in C
Regina Coeli in C
Choruses and Entr'actes for Thamos, König in Ägypten
Sonata in B-flat for Violin and Keyboard
Church Sonata in C
Church Sonata in C
"Coronation Mass" in C major
Aria for Soprano in B-flat, "Kommet her, ihr frechen Sünder"
Symphony in G, No. 32
Symphony in B-flat, No. 33
Two marches in D
Serenade in D, "Posthorn"
Andante in C for Flute
Divertimento in D
Zaide
Vesperae solennes de confessore in C
Kyrie (lost; doubious)
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "Ma che vi fece"
Church Sonata in F
Church Sonata in A
Church Sonata in C
Missa solemnis in C
March in D
Symphony in C, No. 34
Song, Die Zufriedenheit
Song, "Komm, liebe Zither"
Canon in B-flat for 4 voices in 1
Canon in C for 4 voices in 1
Sonata in C for Keyboard (Piano Sonata No. 10)
Sonata in A for Keyboard (Piano Sonata No. 11)
Sonata in F for Keyboard (Piano Sonata No. 12)
Serenade No. 10 for winds in in B-flat major, "Gran Partita"
Idomeneo, re di Creta
Ballet for Idomeneo
Kyrie in D minor
Quartet in F for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "Misera, dove son!"
Rondo in E-flat for Horn
Allegro in B-flat for Violin and Keyboard
Allegro in B-flat for Keyboard (incomplete; completed by M. Stadler)
Fugue in G minor for Keyboard (incomplete)
Sonata in G for Violin and Keyboard
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "A questo seno deh vieni"
Rondo in C for Violin
12 Variations in G on "La Bérgere Célimène"
6 Variations in G on "Hélas, j'ai perdu mon amant"
8 Variations in F on "Dieu d'amour"
Sonata in F for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in F for Violin and Keyboard
Sonata in E-flat for Violin and Keyboard
Serenade in E-flat for Winds
Sonata in D for Two Keyboards
Quartet in C for Flute
Twelve Variations on "Ah vous dirai-je, Maman"
12 Variations in E-flat on "La belle Françoise"
Song, "Verdankt sei es dem Glanz"
Song, An die Einsamkeit
Song, An die Hoffnung
3 Minuets
Rondo for Piano and Orchestra in A
Concerto in F for Piano, No. 11
Concerto in C for Piano, No. 13
Canon in C minor for 3 voices in 1
Canon in C minor for 2 voices in 1
Canon in B-flat for 6 voices in 1, "Leck mich im Arsch"
Canon in B-flat for 3 voices in 1, "Leck mir den Arsch fein recht schön sauber"
Canon in G for 3 voices in 1, "Bei der Hitz' im Sommer ess ich"
Canon in D for 6 voices in 1
Canon in G for 12 voices in 3, "V'amo di core teneramente"
Aria for Soprano, "Der Liebe himmlisches Gefühl"
Fantasia No. 3 for Piano in D minor
March in C
March in C
March in D
Concerto for Piano in A, No. 12
Arrangements of 6 Preludes and Fugues by J.S. and W.F. Bach
Arrangements of 5 Fugues by J.S. Bach
Prelude and Fugue in C for Keyboard
Suite in C for Keyboard (Overture, Allemande, Courante, & incomplete Sarabande)
Rondo for Piano and Orchestra in D
Aria for Soprano, "Nehmt meinen Dank, ihr holden Gönner!"
Symphonic Minuet in C
Serenade in C minor for Winds (later arranged as K. 406/516b)
Symphony in D, No. 35, "Haffner"
Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Solfeggios for Voice
Quintet for Horn and Strings in E-flat
O Calpe! Dir donnert's am Fusse (Gibraltar)
Quartet in G for Strings, "Spring"
Aria for Tenor, "Mußt' ich auch durch tausend Drachen"
Recitative and Aria for Bass, "Così dunque tradisci"
Aria for bass and orchestra (sketch), "Männer suchen stets zu naschen"
Sonata in B-flat for Keyboard, "Linz" (Piano Sonata No. 13)
Notturno for Two Sopranos and Bass, "Ecco quel fiero"
Notturno for Two Sopranos and Bass, "Mi lagnerò tacendo"
Notturno for Two Sopranos and Bass, "Se lontan"
Notturno for Two Sopranos and Bass, "Due pupille"
Notturno for Two Sopranos and Bass, "Luci care, luci belle"
5 Divertimenti in B-flat
Trio for Soprano, Tenor and Bass, "Liebes Mandel, wo is's Bandel?"
Canon for two voices, "Beym Arsch ist’s finster"
Scena and Rondo for Soprano, "Mia speranza adorata"
6 Variations on "Salve tu, Domine"
Concerto in E-flat for Horn
Quartet in D minor for Strings
Aria for Soprano, "Ah, spiegarti, oh Dio"
Aria for Soprano, "No, no, che non sei capace"
Duo in G for Violin and Viola
Duo in B-flat for Violin and Viola
Aria for Soprano, "Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!"
Aria for Tenor, "Per pietà, non ricercate"
Quartet in E-flat for Strings
Great Mass in C minor
Cantata, "Dir, Seele des Weltalls" (fragment)
L'oca del Cairo
Lo sposo deluso
Symphony in C, No. 36, "Linz"
Recitative and Aria for Tenor, "Misero! O sogno!"
Fugue in C minor for Two Keyboards
Introduction in G to Symphony No. 25 by Michael Haydn
Concerto for Horn in E-flat
Funeral March in C minor for Keyboard
6 Minuets
6 Contredanses
2 Minuets with Contredanses
Concerto in E-flat for Piano, No. 14, "First Ployer"
Concerto in B-flat for Piano, No. 15
Concerto in D for Piano, No. 16
Quintet in E-flat for Piano and Winds
Concerto in G for Piano, No. 17, "Second Ployer"
Exercise Book for Barbara Ployer
Sonata in B-flat for Violin and Keyboard, for Regina Strinasacchi
8 Variations on "Come un agnello"
10 Variations in G on "Unser dummer Pöbel meint"
Concerto in B-flat for Piano, No. 18, "Paradis"
Sonata in C minor for Keyboard (Piano Sonata No. 14)
Quartet in B-flat for Strings, "Hunt"
Concerto in F for Piano, No. 19
Adagio in F for Two Basset Horns and Bassoon
Studies for Thomas Attwood
Quartet in A for Strings
Quartet in C for Strings, "Dissonant"
Concerto in D minor for Piano, No. 20
Davidde penitente
Concerto in C for Piano, No. 21
Song, Lied zur Gesellenreise
Andante to a Violin Concerto of Viotti (lost)
Instrumentation for a Concerto for Violin by G.B. Viotti
Cantata, Die Mauererfreude
Song, Der Zauberer
Song, Die Zufriedenheit
Song, Die betrogene Welt
Fantasia for Piano in C minor
Song, Das Veilchen
Quartet in G minor for Piano and Strings
Maurerische Trauermusik (Masonic Funeral Music)
Quartet for Soprano, Tenor and Two Basses, "Dite almeno"
Trio for Soprano, Tenor and Bass, "Mandina amabile"
Aria for tenor, 2 basses and orchestra, "Del gran regno delle amazzone"
Song with Chorus, "Zerfließet heut"
Song with Chorus, "Ihr unsre neuen Leiter"
Adagio in B-flat for Two Clarinets and Three Basset Horns
Song, Lied der Freiheit
Sonata in E-flat for Violin and Keyboard
Concerto in E-flat for Piano, No. 22
Minuet in D for Keyboard
Rondo in D for Keyboard
Der Schauspieldirektor
Concerto in A for Piano, No. 23
Duet for Soprano and Tenor, "Spiegarti no poss'io"
Scena and Rondo for Soprano and Tenor, "Non più. Tutto ascoltai...Non temer, amato bene"
Concerto in C minor for Piano, No. 24
Le nozze di Figaro
Quartet for Piano and Strings in E-flat
Canon in F for 3 voices in 1
Canon in F for 3 voices in 1
Canon in C for 3 voices in 1
2 Canons in F for 3 voices in 1, 14 Canons in F for 2 voices in 1
Rondo in F for Keyboard
Concerto in E-flat for Horn
Trio in G for Piano, Violin and Cello
12 Duos for Basset Horns
Sonata in F for Keyboard Four-Hands
Trio in E-flat for Piano, Clarinet and Viola, "Kegelstatt"
Quartet in D for Strings, "Hoffmeister"
12 Variations in B-flat
5 Variations in G
Trio in B-flat for Piano, Violin and Cello
Concerto in C for Piano, No. 25
Symphony in D, No. 38, "Prague"
Scena and Rondo for Soprano, "Ch'io mi scordi di te?"
Quartet for Flute, Violin, Viola and Cello in A
Musikalisches Würfelspiel in C
2 German Hymns
6 German Dances
Rondo for Piano in A minor
Recitative and Aria for Bass, "Alcandro, lo confesso"
Aria for Bass, "Mentre ti lascio"
Quintet in C for Strings
Double Canon in F for 4 voices in 2
Quintet for Strings in G minor
Song, Die Alte
Song, Die Verschweigung
Song, Das Lied der Trennung
Song, Als Luise die Briefe ihres ungetreuen Liebhabers verbrannte
Sonata in C for Keyboard Four-Hands
Ein musikalischer Spaß
Song, Abendempfindung
Song, An Chloe
Canon in G for 4 voices in 1, "Lieber Freistadtler, lieber Gaulimauli"
Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Sonata in A for Violin and Keyboard
Don Giovanni
Scena for Soprano, "Bella mia fiamma"
Song, Des kleinen Friedrichs Geburtstag
Song, Das Traumbild
Song, Die kleine Spinnerin
Grazie agl'inganni tuoi (La Libertà a Nice), Sketch/fragment for a vocal trio and instruments
Quintet in C minor for Strings (arrangement of K. 388/384a)
3 Contredanses
Allegro and Andante in F for Keyboard (Sonata No. 15)
Contredanse, "Das Donnerwetter"
Contredanse, "La Bataille"
6 German Dances
Arrangement of Aria for Tenor by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Concerto in D for Piano, No. 26 ("Coronation")
Aria for Soprano, "Ah se in ciel"
Song, Ein deutsches Kriegslied
Adagio in B minor for Keyboard
Aria for Tenor, "Dalla sua pace"
Duet for Soprano and Bass, "Per queste tue manine"
Recitative and Aria for Soprano, "In quali eccessi … Mi tradì quell'alma ingrata"
Arietta for Bass, "Un bacio di mano"
Sonata in F for Keyboard
Sonata for Keyboard in C, "Semplice"
Trio in E for Piano, Violin and Cello
Symphony in E-flat, No. 39
March in D "Ein kleiner Marsch" (lost)
Adagio and Fugue in C minor
5 (6?) Variations in F for Piano
Sonata in F for Violin and Keyboard
Trio in C for Piano, Violin and Cello
Canzonetta for two Sopranos and Bass, "Piu non si trovano"
Symphony in G minor, No. 40
Symphony in C, No. 41, "Jupiter"
Song, Beim Auszug in das Feld
Canon in C for 3 voices in 1, "Alleluia"
Canon in F for 4 voices in 1, "Ave Maria"
Canon in A minor for 4 voices in 1, "Lacrimoso"
Canon in G for 4 voices in 1, "G'rechtelt's enk"
Canon in F minor or 4 voices in 1, "Nascoso e il mio sol"
Canon in B-flat for 4 voices in 1, "Gehen wir im Prater"
Canon in F for 3 voices in 1, "Difficile lectu mihi Mars"
Canon in F for 4 voices in 1, "O du eselhafter Peierl"
Canon in F for 4 voices in 1, "O du eselhafter Martin"
Canon in A for 4 voices in 1, "Bona nox! bist a rechta Ox"
Canon in A for 3 voices in 1, "Caro bell'idol mio"
Divertimento in E flat (Trio in E-flat)
Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in G
Arrangement of Handel's Acis und Galathea
6 German Dances
12 Minuets
Aria "Ohne Zwang" (lost)
Quartet for Soprano, two Tenors and Bass, "Caro mio Druck und Schluck"
Sonata in B-flat for Keyboard
6 German Dances for Orchestra
Arrangement of Handel's Messiah
9 Variations in D
Kleine Gigue in G for Keyboard
Quartet in D for Strings, "Prussian"
Sonata in D for Keyboard
Rondo for Soprano, "Al desio, di chi t'adora"
Aria for Soprano, "Alma grande e nobil core"
Aria for Soprano, "Un moto di gioia mi sento"
Aria for Soprano, "Schon lacht der holde Frühling"
Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A
Aria for Soprano, "Chi sà, chi sà, qual sia"
Aria for Soprano, "Vado, ma dove? -- oh Dei!"
Aria for Bass, "Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo"
12 Minuets
12 German Dances
Contredanse in C, "Der Sieg vom Helden Koburg"
Andantino in E-flat for Keyboard
Overture and 3 Contredanses
Così fan tutte
Quartet in B-flat for Strings, "Prussian"
Quartet in F for Strings, "Prussian"
Arrangement of Handel's Alexander's Feast
Arrangement of Handel's Ode to Saint Cæcelia
Comical Duet for Soprano and Bass, "Nun, liebes Weibchen"
Quintet in D for Strings
Adagio and Allegro in F minor for a Mechanical Organ
Concerto for Horn in D
5 Contredanses
Concerto in B-flat for Piano, No. 27
Song, Sehnsucht nach dem Frühling
Song, Im Frülingsanfang
Song, Das Kinderspiel
6 Minuets
6 German Dances
4 Minuets
4 German Dances
2 Contredanses
2 Minuets
3 German Dances
Contredanse, "Il Trionfo delle Donne"
6 "Landler"
8 Variations in F on "Ein Weib ist das herrlichste Ding"
Fantasia in F minor for a Mechanical Organ
Contredanse, "Les filles malicieuses"
German Dance
Aria for Bass, "Per questa bella mano"
Quintet in E-flat for Strings
Chorus "Viviamo felici" (lost)
Andante in F for a Small Mechanical Organ
Adagio and Rondo for Glass Harmonica, Flute, Oboe, Viola and Cello
Adagio in C for Glass Harmonica
Motet in D, "Ave verum Corpus"
Cantata, "Die ihr des unermeßlichen Weltalls"
Contrapuntal Study
Aria for Bass, "Io ti lascio, o cara, addio"
La clemenza di Tito
Die Zauberflöte
Concerto in A for Clarinet
Freimaurerkantate
Cadenzas for Piano Concertos
Requiem in D minor

How do you even fit that into 35 years?

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 22

2010-05-17T22:55:00.003-04:00

Sammy Davis, Jr. was, in my opinion, one of the greatest entertainers this side of Venus.

Here he is the year before I was born giving 2 outstanding performances (even if he did mess up the words at 8:39).

"Choreography", and

"'Ol' Man River" (starting at 5:18)

Funny how they could never release this original version of "Ol' Man River" these days because it's not "politically correct".

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 21

2010-05-16T09:57:00.004-04:00

What happens when a prominent, but aging, Swedish singer sings at an outdoor concert and he's accompanied by 2 guitars in a piece written for a full orchestra, and you have people talking in the background; moreover, it looks like he just slept for 2 summer days on a city parkbench?

Well, from what I can hear, it's still a good performance.

Tommy Körberg performs "Anthem" from the musical "Chess"

Here is the same singer, same song, several years earlier (this time with the orchestra). Another very good performance:

The Russian Chess player recalls his country:

No man, no madness
Though their sad power may prevail
Can possess, conquer, my country's heart
They rise to fail
She is eternal
Long before nations' lines were drawn
When no flags flew, when no armies stood
My land was born

And you ask me why I love her
Through wars, death and despair
She is the constant, we who don't care
And you wonder will I leave her - but how?
I cross over borders but I'm still there now

How can I leave her?
Where would I start?
Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart
My land's only borders lie around my heart

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 20

2010-05-12T00:47:00.002-04:00

Do you think the popular singers on the radio these days are actually talented, disciplined singers? Here's what I say, there are young, talented, disciplined singers out there. They just happen to be the ones you've never heard of (or seen on SNL or the tabloids).

Here, Sutton Foster beautifully sings "Someone Else's Story" from the musical, "Chess".

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 19

2010-05-11T08:20:00.002-04:00

This 3-year-old drummer is not just banging on the drums. He actually has rhythm.

Amazing how at 0:18 he can pull up his suspenders and not miss a beat.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

The doctor-as-patient came through.

2010-05-11T08:18:00.001-04:00

My dad made it through his heart surgery. He'll be in the hospital for a few days. And then, he's gonna be in some pain. But, we're gonna get some more years out of him!

Thank you all for your concern.

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 18

2010-05-09T07:29:00.002-04:00

Tine Thing Helseth masterfully performs a Haydn trumpet concerto ("Allegro" from Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, Hob.VIIe: 1) for a recording session.

When is the last time you heard a trumpet sound so mellow? She was 20 at the time of this recording.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Concerned? Yes. Afraid? No.

2010-05-07T20:36:00.008-04:00

On Monday, May 10, 2010, at noon, my dad, who is the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital, as well as the founder and director of the Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing Center at the hospital, and a great man, will have his own chest opened up as well as his heart for open heart surgery.

This is not bypass surgery. His heart will be stopped for 2 to 3 hours while his mitral valve is repaired.

Are we concerned? Yes. Afraid? No.

Is he concerned? Yes. Afraid? No.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 17

2010-05-06T20:08:00.005-04:00

Guitarist, Ana Vidovic, performs the music of Paraguayan composer, Agustin Barrios Mangoré.

She has excellent use of "dynamics" (variation between soft and loud) in this piece. At 0:51 she's playing softly, getting gradually louder until 1:09, when she's playing loudly. 3 seconds later, she's playing softly again. Good stuff.

When listening to pieces like this, good speakers are worth every penny.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 16

2010-05-05T23:44:00.006-04:00

Just for laughs

Years ago, I realized that there were musicians that made a very difficult piece of music sound easy. Then there were those that made an easy piece of music sound (or look) difficult, mainly because of their facial expressions.

The post before this one (Paganini on classical guitar) is an excellent example of what I consider real talent; a young disciplined guitarist is making a difficult piece look easy.

However, following is a perfect example of an easy piece made to look difficult. And although this rubbish got good reviews, I laughed out loud nearly the whole time. (Note: Even the backup cellist at 1:11 is trying not to laugh.)

Now you can see where I'm going with this blog series. We are trying to differentiate between musicianship and hype. After a while, you'll be able to tell the difference.

Yes, they do make 'em like this anymore.

- Joe

Note to viewers of this post: I actually don't know how this piece ends. I was laughing too hard, and I had to stop. I've tried several times to watch it all the way through, but I just can't do it.

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 15

2010-05-04T22:01:00.003-04:00

I've done a lot of these musical blog entries featuring singers. Now it's time for a few instrumentalists.

Following is a 15-year-old asian girl playing the Paganini variations on classical guitar. Betcha she's not making millions like the rappers. But then again...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

Till next time...

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 14

2010-05-03T21:43:00.000-04:00

There were times when I was younger when I thought that it's possible that Colm Wilkinson could be the greatest singer alive.

No one really knows who the best in the world is I guess, but following are some of Colm's performances.

Tell me, could I have been right?

Honestly...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Back to a commission-only life!!

2010-05-03T07:33:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my last day as a VISA employee. I'm now selling residential and commercial Real Estate full time. Contact me if I can assist you.

Take care,

Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 13

2010-04-28T19:58:00.001-04:00

Carly Simon sings "You're So Vain" at Martha's Vineyard.

She looks like she's having a great time. I wonder...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 12

2010-04-15T06:46:00.002-04:00

Kenny Rogers sings "Lady" when it was brand new.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Quote-of-the-DayPosting 1

2010-04-12T19:02:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow, I'm going to seek help for my procrastination problem.

- Unknown

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 11

2010-04-08T17:24:00.001-04:00

Another Irish piece. The Dubliners doing "Fields of Athenry".

By a lonely prison wall,
I heard a young girl calling
"Michael, they have taken you away.
For you stole Trevelyan's corn,
So the young might see the morn.
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay."

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.

By a lonely prison wall,
I heard a young man calling
"Nothing matters, Mary, when you're free.
Against the famine and the Crown,
I rebelled, they cut me down.
Now you must raise our child with dignity."

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.

By a lonely harbor wall,
she watched the last star falling.
As that prison ship sailed out against the sky
For she'll live and hope and pray,
for her love in Botany Bay
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Understanding the flashing light on the BlackBerry

2010-04-07T16:12:00.012-04:00

Here's the situation: Your BlackBerry is in locked mode. You don't really feel like unlocking it, but you want to know what's going on in there.

Towards the upper, right-hand corner of your device there's a light that flashes about once every 3 seconds. The color(s) of those flashes can indicate a variety of things to you.

Flahing green: Normal operation. Connected to network.
No new email or voice mail.
No missed calls. Not connected to Bluetooth headset.

______________________________
Flashing blue: The device is connected to a Bluetooth headset.

______________________________
Flashing red: There is new, unviewed email, text message(s), or voice mail since the last time you opened your email icon, or, you have a missed call. (In other words, when you see the red light, unlock the Blackberry and see what it is.)

______________________________
Flashing yellow: The device battery is low.

If there are 2 scenarios, the the device will alternate the colors.

For example:

Blue Flash … 3 seconds … Red Flash

...indicates that there is a Bluetooth headset connected and there is unviewed email or text messages (or a missed call).

Red Flash … 3 seconds … Yellow Flash

...indicates that there is unviewed email or text messages (or a missed call) and the battery is low.

And so on...

'til next time. Take care,

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 10

2010-04-06T22:28:00.001-04:00

Charlie Daniels' Band: "In America"

Good ole Charie Daniels, singin about America even before we knew how fortunate we are.

I just have to ask:
Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 9

2010-04-01T22:48:00.009-04:00

Johnny Cash was a legend even while he was alive.

Here are 3 versions of Johhny Cash doing "I Walk the Line", at 3 different points in his life.

Note: In his album recording of this song, you could hear Mr. Cash humming the first note of the next verse that was coming up. He does it somewhat in these performances as well. Check it out.

About 23 years Old:

About 50 years old:

Age unknown (when I find out, I'll post it):

You know I'm gonna ask it...
Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 8

2010-03-30T13:50:00.007-04:00

"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is a song (by Eric Bogle in 1971) that describes the World War I battle on Gallipoli, where Australians were defeated, badly defeated, by the Turks (on Turkish soil), as told by an Australian soldier. Here it is sung by Liam Clancy, who recently died.

Once again...

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Tech Tip: Finishing a sentence and starting a new one on the BlackBerry

2010-03-29T20:20:00.005-04:00

If you’re composing a text message or an email on a BlackBerry (especially the BlackBerry Curve), to quickly end a sentence and start a new one, hit the space key:

…twice in a row. This does 3 things:

· puts a period at the end of the sentence you just finished,

· moves the cursor over a space, and

· capitalizes whichever letter you hit next.

So, you’ve correctly ended one sentence and begun another without trying to use a combination of keys to get the period and the capitalized letter (for the beginning of the next sentence).

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 7

2010-03-28T22:25:00.005-04:00

As you know, in this blog series, I'm introducing you to good singing and good music because it's not as prevalent as it once was. However, in the cause of education, I want to show you what good singing is not.

The following example contains almost no good singing. It is, however, painfully entertaining. It is an epic masterpiece in its own right.

The Muppets do "Bohemian Rhapsody".

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

A name that says something

2010-03-27T22:21:00.003-04:00

I wonder 2 things about this citizen of Uruguay.

1. When he was a kid, did he have any idea of how popular his name would be?

2. What is his favorite method of communication?

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 6

2010-03-26T21:47:00.006-04:00

Have you ever heard the some of the songs on the radio today that they call music and wondered what real music and real singing might sound like?

Let's just say you didn't like it, wouldn't you at least want to know what it sounds like?

Folks, though you might not be used to it, this is real music and real singing. Try to enjoy it.

Anna McGoldrick sings an old Celtic song, "The Spinning Wheel". Text by John Francis Waller (1810–1894). Melody by Delia Murphy.

And even though this was written in the 1800s and what we call music has changed, you know, I guess human nature doesn't. Even centries ago, we've got a boyfriend and girlfriend sneaking out at night. Not only that, the girl ("young maiden") is lying to her blind grandmother that the tapping of her boyfriend ("true love") on the window, is really the ivy flapping against it.

To top it off, looks like boys still bossed around their girlfriends.

Disclaimer: I do not endorse lying to your blind grandmother!

Click HERE.

Mellow, the moonlight to shine is beginning
Close by the window, young Eileen is spinning
Bent o'er the fire her blind grandmother sitting
Is crooning and moaning and drowsily knitting

Merrily cheerily noiselessly whirring
Swings the wheel, spins the wheel while the foot's stirring
Sprightly and lightly and airily ringing
Sounds the sweet voice of a young maiden singing

"Eileen, achara, I hear someone tapping"
"'Tis the ivy dear mother against the glass flapping"
"Eily, I surely hear somebody sighing"
"Tis the sound mother dear of the autumn winds crying."

Merrily cheerily noiselessly whirring
Swings the wheel, spins the wheel while the foot's stirring
Sprightly and lightly and airily ringing
Sounds the sweet voice of a young maiden singing

There's a form at the casement, the form of her true love
And he whispers with face bent, "I'm waiting for you love"
"Get up on the stool, Through the lattice step lightly
And we'll rove in the grove while the moon's shining brightly."

Slower... and slower..., slower the wheel swings
Lower... and lower... and lower the reel rings
E're the wheel and the reel stop their spinning and moving
Through the grove the young lovers by moonlight are a roving.
______________________________

Looking at one of the original printings, you can see that there is some text that was slightly changed, and some that was left out.

Once again, I ask...
Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 5

2010-03-24T22:56:00.003-04:00

Sammy Davis, Jr. was a one-of-a-kind entertainer.

I can just hear his thoughts at 0:12, "I've got to take one more drag on this cigarette before I start, even though I'm already on the stage. Maybe there's an ashtray on the piano."

Can I ask you...
Do they make 'em like that anymore?

By the way, the song is a true story. Look it up. The info is out there.

The purpose of this series is to introduce you to the performers of yesteryear if you're not already familiar with them. This was not live music, this music was alive.

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 4

2010-03-24T05:49:00.003-04:00

Nat King Cole performs "Ballerina" live.

He'll probably be a recurring artist in this blog series

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

Understanding the Tax Credit for Homebuyers [Amended]

2010-03-23T10:28:00.004-04:00

Note: There have been major changes in this blog post. If you've read it once, please re-read it.

I'm posting this blog mainly because time is running out for the the Federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

This program was originally slated to end on Nov. 30, 2009, but it has been extended. There may be people out there who can possible benefit from it. I'm going to go over the main points of it as best as I understand it. But, (here comes the disclaimer) I'm not a CPA, and I have limited knowledge on tax law, so this blog should not be treated as professional tax advice. I'm going to do my best here, but any information I put here should be confirmed with a reputable CPA if you are thinking of taking advantage of the program.

With that said, let's go:

First-time homebuyers, who are purchasing their principal residence, may be qualified for up to an $8,000 tax credit on their Federal Taxes. This is not a tax deduction. It's an actual credit to the taxes you will owe for this year. So, dollar-for-dollar, it goes a lot futher than a tax deduction (a deduction from what you claim as income) could possible go.

Repeat home buyers may qualify for up to a $6,500 tax credit. I'll go over that later in the blog post.

Here are answers to some questions:

• How does one "qualify"?

A "first-time" homebuyer is someone who has never purchased a property, or who has not owned a principal residence within the last 3 years.

• Are there any first-time homebuyers who don't qualify?

If you are listed as a dependent by another taxpayer, or you're under the age of 18, you will not qualify. If you acquired the home by gift or inheritance of if you acquired your home from someone related to you, then you don't qualify. Furthermore, nonresident aliens do not qualify.

• Everyone is saying, "$8,000". How much is the tax credit really? Is it always $8,000?

No. The tax credit will not always be $8,000. That's the maximum. It's actually 10% of the purchase price of the house. So, on a $70,000, it would be $7,000. But on any house $80,000 or more, you'll get the full $8,000 (if you qualify according to the provisions of the previous 2 paragraphs).

• Are there any houses that don't qualify?

Only houses purchased at $800,000 or less qualify. Houses located outside of the U.S.A. do not qualify.

• Why do you say, "Time is running out"?

Well, to get this credit, you have to have purchased your house by April 30, 2010. In terms of buying a house, that is right around the corner. Actually, if you have a house "under contract" by April 30, 2010, then you are given until June 30, 2010 to close the transaction. "Under Contract" means that you've made an offer to purchase a property, and the Seller has accepted your offer, and you have a contract of sale with no missing signatures or initials. It's a time frame before settlement in which inspections, appraisal, survey, title work, and loan application & processing take place. For more information about the individual steps in buying a home, click here.

In short, if you want to take advantage of the program, and you haven't already located a property, you need to start looking now.

• Are there income limits that affect how much of the tax credit I'll receive?

Yes. Generally speaking, the income limit for individual taxpayers is $125,000. The income limit for joint filers is $225,000. However, this is where it gets complicated. If you're really thinking about taking advantage of this program, review the instructions provided by the IRS, and speak to a reputable CPA.

• What if I qualify for the full $8,000 tax credit, but I only owe, say, $4,500 in taxes?

The IRS will send you a check for the difference. This means that you get the full credit that the government is offering. This is actually kind of amazing when you think about it.

• Can I access the credit before filing my 2009 or 2010 tax return?

Yes. See a CPA concerning this. The purpose of this blog is to have you see that time is running out and go over basic provisions. I'm not going to go that deep into the subject matter.

• Are there special rules for Members of the Military, the Foreign Service
and the Intelligence Community?

Yes. Again, see a CPA.

• Can you tell me about the tax credit for those who are not first-time homebuyers?

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 put into place a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers, in other words, those who presently own homes. Again, the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the house, and caps off at $6,500. Also, like the previously-described program, houses above $800,000 do not qualify for the credit.

• How do I apply for the credit?

When you file your taxes, include a form 5405 as well as a fully-signed settlement statement (known as a "HUD-1") from the closing of the transaction.

• How much is this costing the government in loss of tax revenue?

The original plan that ended at the end of November 2009 cost the government about $10 billion in lost revenue. It is estimated that this extension is going to cost about $10.8 billion.

• What are some other sources I can check out for futher information?

www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

YouTube Video

IRS Article

Another IRS Article

• Do all economists agree that this program is beneficial to the long-term health of the housing sector and economy in general?

No. There are varied opinions on both sides of the fence. This is something that you can research on your own.

Thank you, Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 3

2010-03-21T19:33:00.001-04:00

In 1976, Gordon Lightfoot wrote these lyrics and recorded this song as a tribute to the 29 men who died November 10, 1975, aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior.

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

If anyone knows whether he used the melody of "I wish I Was Back Home in Derry", or whether "I wish I Was Back Home in Derry" used his melody, please let me know. I do not know which came first. I, personally, knew "I wish I Was Back Home in Derry" before I heard "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" for the first time.

- Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 2

2010-03-21T18:15:00.010-04:00

Irish singer Mary Black does a simply amazing performance of "Song For Ireland".

If, at no time in this performance, you say, "wow", please see put your index finger and middle finger on your neck to check for a pulse.

Walking all the day
Near tall towers where falcons build their nests
Silver-winged they fly
They know the call of freedom in their breasts
Saw Black Head against the sky
Where twisted rocks they run down to the sea
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland

Talking all the day
With true friends who try to make you stay
Telling jokes and news
Singing songs to pass the night away
Watched the galway salmon run
Like silver dancing darting in the sun
living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland

Drinking all the day
In old pubs where fiddlers love to play
Someone touched the bow
He played a reel it seemed so fine and gay
Stood on dingle beach and cast
In wild foam for Atlantic bass
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland

Dreaming in the night
I saw a land where no one had to fight
Waking in your dawn
I saw you crying in the morning light
Lying where the falcons fly
They twist and turn all in your e'er-blue sky
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And I sang a song for Ireland

(Phil and June Colclough)

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

- Joe

How much money do I need to have ready in order to buy a house?

2010-03-20T18:40:00.014-04:00

Short answer: About 3.5% of the purchase price of the house you're planning on purchasing.

Long answer:

When you purchase a house, your total closings costs (a.k.a. ‘funds needed to close’) are comprised of 2 things:

1. The down payment: This is the part of your purchase price to the Seller that you're not borrowing from your bank:

Think of the total purchase price to the Seller like this:

And 2. The non-down-payment closing costs: This is apart from your down payment and goes to 3rd parties that were employed to make your transaction a reality (for example, loan fees, transfer taxes, termite inspection, property survey, lender fees, home insurance policy, county document recording fees, and the like).

The combination of these 2 categories will produce your total closing costs (or funds needed to close):

Amounts of these 2 categories:

As far as a down payment is concerned: The amount you put down is really up to you and it depends on how much you have saved for your purchase. However, the minimum at this time (generally speaking) is 3.5% of the purchase price. This is required on the FHA-insured loan, which is very popular amongst Buyers. Again, this does not include the other (non-down payment) closing costs. (Note: There is a 0% down loan available for veterans.)

In my experience, as far as the non-down-payment closing costs are concerned, they usually come to about 4.5% to 6% of the purchase price of the house, sometimes less, once in a while, more.

I recently did an estimate of a Buyer's total ‘funds needed to close’ at a purchase price of $140,000, and the total he needs is $11,737.

Of this, $4,900 (3.5% of the purchase price) is the down payment to the Seller. The rest ($6,837) are the non-down-payment closing costs. You can see that in this situation the non-down-payment closing costs come to about 4.88% of the purchase price of the house.

Seller Contributions:

In the "short answer", I stated that you need to have about 3.5% of the purchase price of the house you're planning on purchasing ready in order to buy a house. So, what about these non-down-payment closing costs?

One thing that I do a lot with Buyers who might not have the full amount of cash available to settle, but can afford the monthly payment is to obtain a Seller Contribution. Buyers and Sellers negotiate Seller Contributions a lot these days. Here’s how it works:

Let’s say that the Seller says he won’t take a dime less than $134,000 for his property. You don’t have $11,000 to $12,000 saved up for your total 'funds needed to close', but you do have, say, a little more than $5,000 saved. You can offer $140,000 and request $6,000 back from the Seller as a monetary contribution on the day you settle the transaction. In the Seller’s mind, it’s the same as receiving his requested $134,000. But, for you, your monthly payment is going to be slightly higher (about $48 more per month higher) because your loan will be based on $140,000, not $134,000. But, you’ve got $6,000 waiting for you at the settlement table. With that, plus the monies you've saved, you can purchase the house.

Most times when someone buys a house, the very first step is to be pre-approved for a loan. We do this for 2 reasons:

1. You will know what price range you should be looking in. Therefore, any property you visit is a property you can afford.

And, 2. If you decide to make an offer on a house, you can show the sellers that you can afford their house by providing them with a copy of the pre-approval letter that your loan officer will give you.

If you're thinking of buying a house and don’t already have a loan officer, give me a call and I can recommend some reputable loan officers.

I hope that this was helpful, and I look forward to being your Realtor one day.

Joe

Music and Musicians:Do they make 'em like that anymore?Posting 1

2010-03-18T12:53:00.020-04:00

There was a time when musicians really refined their skills before they became famous. Knowing this, I don't even listen to today's music much anymore. But there are some great musical performances available to watch and listen to through the internet. For your enjoyment, I'm going to start posting a series of short musical performances that I think are worth your time.

In this series, you're going to be introduced to some very good music, whether you like it or not. Obviously, I won't be able to suit everyone's tastes, but try to have an open mind (not everything is going to sound funky and modern).

For best results (and I'm not joking), go to Best Buy and buy some decent computer speakers.

For the very first post, here is Dobie Gray singing his hit, "Drift Away" (1972/1973).

Do they make 'em like that anymore?

I welcome your comments.

- Joe

Take a ride on a jet fighter

2010-03-18T08:37:00.004-04:00

This is why journalists are not fighter pilots. This one took a ride in the back of an F/A-18.

Passed out 3 times.

Click here

Great vocal performance

2010-03-17T04:24:00.006-04:00

Hello Blog viewers:

I'm a musician and a fan of good music. In that backdrop, I wanted to show what I think is an excellent performance by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson.

I'm especially impressed by the richness and depth of Barbara's (the taller one's) voice at 1:53.

Elaine is holding her ear at 2:57 because she's preparing to sing a G-flat in the key of B-flat (which does not come easily) and she's humming the note to herself.

Turn up your speakers and enjoy.

If I find other music worth listening to, I'll post it. I look forward to your comments.

'Till next time, Joe

Tech Tip: Typing non-English characters and symbols

2010-03-16T10:18:00.006-04:00

If you speak another language besides English and you need to type a character that is not part of our standard alphabet (for ex: ó, ú, é, æ, ñ, ¿, ç, etc.).

You can obtain the character by holding down the [Alt] key, and while it's down, punching in a 3- or 4-digit number using the numerical keypad to the right of the main keyboard, then releasing the [Alt] key. When you release the [Alt] key, the character will appear where your cursor was.

Note: If you have a laptop that does not have a separate numerical keyboard, and you want to insert one of these characters, contact me. It's a little more complicated.

Click HERE to see the which key combinations correspond to which characters

Furthermore:

If, you need one of these characters, and if you're typing an email on a Blackberry. Press the most similar letter on the keyboard (for example "a" if you want "á"). Hold the letter key down. While it is held down, spin the Blackberry mouse wheel. You'll see the letter change to all the similar variations (A, á, â, Â, Á, etc.). When you see the character you want, release the original key.

Till next post, take care, Joe

I guess the Post Office is hurtin'

2010-03-15T20:52:00.004-04:00

Today, I needed a money order urgently. One of my tenant clients had done a rental application for a property. He was at work, and there was an application fee, and the property management company wanted a money order. I told him I'd pick up the money order and he can pay me back later. That way, I can get it to them as quickly as possible. I went to the 21234 Post Office on Harford Road in Parkville; it was 1:10pm.

There was a sign on the door: "We are closed from 1:00pm - 2:00pm for lunch." I've been going there for 10 years, and I've never heard of such a thing. I googled, "post office closed for lunch" and got 19,700,000 results.

Anyway, be aware of that the post office may be closed for lunch, just about at the time of your lunch break (which is precisely when you were going to go to the post office!). It jolted my schedule somewhat. However, I was able to get a money order at Mars for $0.70.

What I'll do is find out if this is just the Parkville Post Office, or if other post offices in our region are going to be doing the same thing, then I'll post what I find out on this blog.

I know that in Greece, Spain, and hot cities where there's no air conditioning, places close for a time period in the afternoon for "siesta". However, this is not Madrid; this is not Paris; this is not Athens. This is just Parkville!

Till next time, Take care, Joe

My schedule

2010-03-14T19:02:00.005-04:00

Hello all of you who follow my blog (again, I know that there are at least 1 or 2 of you out there).

I've had a few real estate clients that are concerned that there are times that it's difficult to reach me because of my other job.

One client even told me he's going to work with another Realtor. I emailed him that I understand.

Here's the situation: 18 hours a week, I work for the credit card company, Visa. When I'm there I cannot take personal phone calls, I cannot send email to non-Visa employees, and I cannot send or receive text message (think about it, would you want someone who has access to credit card numbers, date-of-births, mothers' maiden names, and the like, to be able to text their friends?).

I can tell you from being on the inside, that Visa is a company that takes information security very seriously. Everything I do, from my mouse movements on my screen, to my visits to the men's room, is monitored.

But, I love real estate and I'm going to stick with it for the long haul. I was forced to go back to Visa when the real estate market was stagnate for me in 2008. I say "go back" because I worked there from '99 to '02.

Actually, like it or not, my days at Visa are limited, because they're moving to Miami in about 2 months (if this was not public knowledge, it is now), and I'm not going with them.

So, the purpose of this blog is to let you know exactly when I'm out-of-communication. My schedule at Visa is as follows:

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
9:00am to 3:00pm each day.

The other days (Monday through Thursday) I can dedicate to Real Estate.

Take care and I hope to be your Realtor one day.

Joe

A dog that obeys

2010-03-13T19:04:00.005-05:00

This virtual dog will repond to: sit, roll over, down, stand, sing, dance, shake, fetch, play dead, beg, high five, and kiss.

...and you don't have to feed him or clean up after him...

Click HERE.

(Tempts me to trade in my Manchester Terrier "Doc".)

Golfing incident

2010-03-12T22:26:00.004-05:00

Hello all of you who are following this blog (there is probably at least one of you out there - including myself).

In the real estate market, it's still a great time to buy. Prices are low and inventory is high. It's still somewhat difficult to obtain a loan (especially compared to 2001 to 2006 where all you needed was a heartbeat). But, if you've managed to maintain your credit, it's a great time to buy. If not, contact me, and I can give you some pointers on how to raise your credit score.

Anyway, in order to keep you coming back to my blog, here's a funny photo (actually, none of the golfers involved thought it was funny at the time).

In any case, don't forget to leave a comment, and especially don't forget to call me with any questions or concerns related to the sale or purchase of a house.

'Til next time, take care, Joe

Tech Tip: Walking with your GPS unit

2010-03-08T21:14:00.004-05:00

If you are going to a place in the city that has limited parking and you have a feeling you're going to have to walk a good distance from your car to your destination, take a portable GPS with you (borrow one or buy one if you don't have one, they're not expensive and you'll wonder how you lived without it).

Program the destination address, and go there. If you have to drive around to find a parking space, when you finally find a parking space, program the address of the house or building nearest your car into your GPS. Then, take the GPS with you and walk with it, letting it guide you to your destination. When you leave your appointment and are walking back to your car, use the "Recently Found" function of the GPS to guide you back to your car.

I did this last saturday night going to John Steven's Pub in Fells Point. Had to park several blocks away. The only limitation I found was that on the way back to my car, it didn't want me to go the wrong way down a one-way street (it doesn't know you're carrying it). However, being on foot, the one-way direction of the street didn't affect me and by zooming out, I could see the fastest route to my car, and I walked it.

Tech Tip: Internet Explorer full screen

2010-03-03T07:46:00.003-05:00

When viewing a webpage using Internet Explorer, to "blow up" the page so that it covers the full screen, hit the [F11] key at the top of your keyboard. By eliminating the excess material at the top and bottom of the screen, you can see more of the webpage that you're visiting. To bring the webpage back down to the size and position that it previously was, just hit [F11] again.

Unacceptable fire alarm

2010-02-25T22:00:00.004-05:00

The following smoke detector/fire alarm is inexpensive and requires no batteries. However, it will not pass an FHA appraisal.

Thought you should know. - Joe

Tech Tip: Quickly closing a program

2010-02-24T09:38:00.003-05:00

To close a program, rather than locating and clicking on the "X" in the upper right-hand corner of the program's screen, simply hold down the [Alt] key and hit the [F4] key.

Take care, Joe

New Credit Card Laws

2010-02-23T10:56:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, February 22, 2010, certain new credit card laws went into effect. From what I can see there are both positives and negatives for consumers.

Following are some of the details.

The positives:

• A credit card company will no longer be able to raise your interest rate if you have payment issues on a different card, but are on-time with the card in question.

• Credit card companies will have to impose a due date of at least 21 days after a statement is mailed or delivered, not less.

• A consumer has to "opt in" to over-limit fees. That means that if you haven't opted in, and you attempt a transaction that exceeds your available credit, your transaction will be declined (rather than allowing it and then charging you for being over your credit limit).

• Credit card issuers will have to indicate how long it will take to pay off your whole balance if you only make the minimum payment.

The negatives:

• Look for credit cards to be harder to attain and be more costly.

• Expect annual fees to become popular again. And expect fewer rewards cards.

• Credit card companies may charge "dormant" fees. That means they may actually charge you for not using your credit card.

Note: In each instance that I've said "Credit Card companies" or "Credit Card issuers", I'm not talking about Visa nor MasterCard, but rather the actual banks that provide credit (Citibank, Chase, Wells Fargo, Capital One, etc). Visa and MasterCard are only networks that connect millions of stores to tens of thousands of banks. Neither Visa nor Mastercard determine your payment terms. I should know. I'm a Visa employee.

'Til next time, take care. - Joe

Tech Tip: Taking a "screen shot"

2010-02-18T11:34:00.005-05:00

If you want to use or save an image of everything that is on your screen (corner to corner) at a given moment (for example if there's a portion of a website with infomation that you want to save), simply press the [PrtScr] button on your keyboard. While you will not notice any visible changes, the image of your screen will be stored in your computer's internal memory clipboard.

You can then paste it ([Ctrl] + v) into a variety of programs (for ex: Word, Powerpoint, Paint, Excel, etc., or into an email).

Thanks, Joe

Politically Correct Sign

2010-02-17T20:19:00.002-05:00

Hey folks,

On my initial blog, I mentioned that if I saw something funny, I'd share it. I love this picture:

Tech Tip: Rotating a PDF

2010-02-16T09:46:00.007-05:00

Rotating a PDF

If you get a pdf and it is not in the correct orientation for reading (in other words, it needs to be rotated), you can quickly rotate it with the following key combinations:

Rotate 90 degrees clockwise: [Ctrl] + [Shift] + Plus
Rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise: [Ctrl] + [Shift] + Minus

You must use the plus and minus keys that are on the numeric keypad to the right of the standard keyboard:

Obviously, if you need to rotate the document a full 180 degrees, hit either of the above combinations twice.

Till next time, take care. - Joe

Tech Tip: Have Adobe Reader read aloud

2010-02-14T04:03:00.005-05:00

Don't feel like reading that PDF? Adobe Acrobat Reader can read your documents to you outloud.

Open a PDF document that has text.

Press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + y (activates reading feature)

Then Press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + b (starts reading)

Press Press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + e to stop reading.

Remember 2 things:

1. Your computer speakers must be on.

2. This will not work if the pdf is an image and not true text. So, if the document you're reading is from a scan (for example, a MongoFax), it cannot be read outloud by the program.

Another Tech Tip...

2010-02-11T22:20:00.002-05:00

When viewing a webpage using Internet Explorer, to "blow up" the page so that it covers the full screen, hit the [F11] key at the top of your keyboard. By eliminating the excess material at the top and bottom of the screen, you can see more of your webpage. To bring the webpage back down to the size and position that it previously was, just hit [F11] again.

I promise I'll put something about Real Estate...soon.

Tech Tip: Quickly go to websites

2010-02-11T17:56:00.003-05:00

Most website addresses (URLs) begin with "www." and end with ".com". If you are visiting such a website, you do not need to type the "www." or the ".com". In your address bar, simply type the portion in the middle (for ex. yahoo), and press [Ctrl] + [Enter]. This combination will add the "www." and the ".com" and take you directly to that website. Note: This will not work when the address begins or ends with anything else (such as .org, .gov, .biz, etc).

Once you get used to this, you'll find yourself getting to your websites faster.

Joe's finally Blogging!!

2010-02-11T15:03:00.004-05:00

Well folks...this is my first Blog post. I'm going to keep you posted with what's going on in the Real Estate market. Also from time-to-time, if I get any interesting technology tips, I'll post those as well. If I find something funny, or interesting, I'll post those items as well. I hope to hear from you. Hope to answer any real estate or technology questions you might have, and I hope to be your Realtor one day. So, now that I've entered the world of bloggers... Who is going to be the first to post a comment?