Revenge of the geeks

When I was a kid it was kind of geeky to take piano lessons and be interested in science. I guess that makes me a geek!

Boosting science enrolments - check out this article, if you sympathise with issues surrounding science. If you want my opinion (and if you don't, click off!), it has a lot to do with high school science teachers like my yr9 teacher - Mr Pavlowsky, who seriously wore socks, sandles and shorts, and whose lips didn't move beyond a circle shape when he talked in his monotone. Rote learing is probably a bit of a fizzer also, instead of fostering curiosity.

Now, onto piano... lately have seen 2 concerts that have rocketed up into my "top 5 concerts".

1) Ben Folds @ the Enmore Theatre (Sat night)
This was a seriously fun concert. Consisted of him + piano, bassist and drummer. Raced straight into a version of "in between days" which was a suprise. Played tracks from his new album which are growers. Had amusing anecdotes about what inspired the songs ("This really happened, I promise..."), jammed at the end of songs, and somehow incorporated a few minutes of "popcorn" into one of them. This guy seems to be able to do anything with 10 fingers and a keyboard.
The most fun was had with songs from his first album and from his former band (Ben Folds Five). In some of the songs (such as "Army"), he taught the crowd 2 or 3 part harmonies to make up for a lacking horn or vocal section. The musical talent in the audience was such that it worked well! He did a version of "Bitches ain't shit" (written by Dr Dre) - the lyrics of which are awful, but came across as just hilariously lame when played with a 3 piece band instead of rapping.
What got me was that he is a REALLY talented piano player, and that I have never had so much fun at a concert. GO SEE HIM WHEN HE TOURS HERE NEXT.

2) Rufus Wainright @ the Basement in Sydney (a few months back)
Played his (slightly dramatic) songs in a one-man show, either on his piana or guitar. This son of 2 prominent 60's folk artists belted his voice out to perfect pitch, improvised, and charmed the audience with his camp, witty humour. Had a little story to tell about many of the pieces he played. (ie no "1.2.3.4 waaa"). You left the concert wanting to become his best friend. Better to see live than to listen to on CD (his pieces are a bit distracting on the home stereo, due to very dramatic phrases that interrupt your thoughts/discussion etc). A mesmerising show in intimate settings (shame we didn't have a seat, though).