I love pretty much any kind of music especially when I can see it live.  It's a lot easier when your next door neighbor is one of biggest concert promoters in the area and loves to treat you to free tickets!  While my tastes always tend to run quite schizophrenic the last week has been particularly so.  In one week's time, I went to the world premiere of the new Stephen Schwartz opera, "Seance On A Wet Afternoon," saw the jazz-lounge band Pink Martini, heard Merle (Haggard, that is) and went to a classical concert with two pianists performing Stravinsky, among other composers.

The Stephen Schwartz opera was commissioned by the Santa Barbara Opera and it took him four years to write.  Here's my question for anyone who may know about these things -- how much would you have to pay STEPHEN SCHWARTZ to get him to spend four years writing an opera???  I mean, come on, seriously?  I'm thinking the bidding probably started at a million.  But that's only a quarter of a mil a year which seems cheap for someone like him.  But I digress...it was a GREAT show and the Santa Barbara Opera did an amazing job.  Stephen Schwartz was there and came out at the end so it was a thrill to see him.  Also, a friend of mine was actually in the show and has been asked by Mr. Schwartz to be in the Australian production of the show next year.  Hmm...I may need to make a trip to Australia to see that - guess I'd better stock up on my airline miles!

Oh - and guess who I bumped into outside the theater - Paul Williams!  Remember him?  The little guy who wrote the theme from The Love Boat!  (Not to mention a gazillion other songs for The Carpenters and almost anyone else who recorded in the 70's and 80's.)  He still looks exactly the same!

Pink Martini was fun.  While musically not exactly challenging or brilliant musicianship, it's what it is meant to be - fun.  Honestly, I wish I had it in my to write more fun stuff.  I tend to write darker, heavier music, which I love, but occasionally it would be nice to write something a little more frivolous.  Note to self:  stop being so serious!

Merle Haggard.  To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.  I mean, this is MERLE HAGGARD.  While I'm not the biggest country music fan, I do appreciate legends and find most of the time that they know how to put on a good show.  But Is it too much to ask that he show up sober and learn the words to his songs?  I lasted about 40 minutes, which was gracious on my part. 

Four Hands - One Piano.  My friend Natasha and her friend Hatim played some of the most frenzied music I've heard in a while.  Anyone who thinks classical music is boring should have been there last night.  Sharing one piano required a few acrobatics on their part but they pulled it off!  Bravo!

It truly does the heart good to see live music -- it inspires me and makes me want to sit down at the piano and just play my little heart out.