ITRP WZUP Radio August 1994 - Part Two

Robin Williams was my favorite comedian. 

Like the rest of the world, I admired Robin and the work he created. After hearing of his passing my thoughts turned to a sonata I wrote for him in 1999 after being so moved by his cumulative legacy. I wanted terribly to get this song to him at the time but had no idea how to as I'd have been just one of his millions of fans. 

In any case, today I share that song I wrote for Robin with the world. It's a classical piece - one that may not be easily digested. I hope I was able to tap into his brilliance... and perhaps some of the pain.

The song is available for download on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sonata-17-for-robin-williams/id1019404531 and Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013RKL3UA/ref=dm_ws_ap_tlw_alb113

Sonata 17 For Robin Williams

I wrote this in 2008 when my piano was being tuned and left the felts deadening its strings as I composed - leading to this... the quietest piece I've ever written. 

Contemplation

I used two pianos and had a lot of fun improvising over the bass line in this his track from my album, The Bowie Variations. 

Let's Dance

This was a wild interpretation I did of the song Heroes. As it builds, I added a second piano and then a third. Somehow it tickles my funny bone. I hope you enjoy it.

Heroes

a little tune about marijuana... 

music & lyrics & sung by Jeff Marx
background vocals by me & my man Andrew Hawkins
orchestration & instrumentation by Michael Starobin
produced by Thomas Bähler / engineered by Roy Hendrickson
recorded 10.9.15 @ Avatar Studios NYC


Weed Wants To Be Shared

The best way to express my sorrow is through music. This song, “A Tribute to David,” is very important to me. I recorded it in 2011 for my Bowie Variations album and haven’t performed it since. While the whole album was variations on David’s music, this one meant the most to me because I wrote it for him. It’s how I felt about David in musical terms. Though there’s no doubt I have more music for David coming, this is what I have to offer this morning. Please feel free to share this with others and respond with your memories, thoughts and feelings.

Tribute To David

This is a *demo* of a song I wrote with Jeff Marx (of 'Avenue Q') to lend our support to the It Gets Better Project (www.itgetsbetter.org). I'm on piano and vocals.

Far too many young LGBT people commit *suicide* because they feel isolated and hopeless. So, the It Gets Better Project was created to show these young people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach — if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project reminds them that they are not alone — and it WILL get better.

The project is mounting a live, touring show to reach out to, and educate, families and communities. That show will feature this song.

ITRP WZUP Radio August 1994 - Part Two

Mark Bakalor

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