Check out my new solo piano video on YouTube, called "Waltz the Waltz".

Also, The Book of Wanting is ready and raring for release at the beginning of October. In the meantime, I am streaming three of the chapters here on the website:

http://www.aaronjacksonmusic.com/bookofwanting.cfm

I probably won't leave them up there for long, so check them out if you get a chance. In the coming weeks, I'll be releasing a few of the chapters in podcast form, with spoken commentary introducing the tracks, and finally we'll begin taking orders for the physical CD and digital download versions.

This week, a piano video for a piece called "Mechroid of Longdoon."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lnPVxhgq3o

I composed the structure for this "partimento" pseudo-fugue after working with an amazing resource called the Langloz Manuscript, that J.S. Bach supposedly used to study fugal improvisation. There's a cool edition by William Renwick called The Langloz Manuscript: Fugal Improvisation through Figured Bass (Oxford Early Music Series).  Info from the publisher:

"What sorts of processes were going through the mind of J.S. Bach as he improvised a fugue in three, four, or even six parts? And what sort of training equipped an organist of the early eighteenth century to practice the art of accompaniment and improvisation successfully? The practical method which linked keyboard technique, improvisation, performance, and composition in a continuum was the thoroughbass, the center of the Baroque musicians art. The Langloz Manuscript, originating in the era and proximity of Bach's region of activity, and containing the largest extant collection of figured bass fugues, provides a window into this very process, and demonstrates more clearly than any words can the method by which the art of thoroughbass provided a foundation for extemporised fugue."

It's a topic that fascinates me, and I'll have to write more about it later.  For now, I hope you'll enjoy "Mechroid of Longdoon," and watch out for masked men when you have a gong lying around.

In other news, mixing for The Book of Wanting is complete, and mastering underway. So we're on target for a mid/late September release. I hope you've been enjoying the promotional videos for this album, and wanted to let you know that both their audio and video recordings will be included as bonuses with The Book of Wanting.

Also, the Book of Waiting (solo piano album from 2009, with a handmade Jakebox designed by the artist Prachie Narain) is back in very limited stock. At the moment, I have 2 copies that I am willing to sell through the website, as I need to reserve the rest to sell at performances. Let me know ASAP if you'd like one of them, and I'll send along some special bonus tracks as well.

Two new videos are up:

1) "Odeo" for solo piano
I had fun recording this piece and making the video. The image is mirrored and creates a creepy spider-like effect with the dancing hands. You can watch it above or go right to YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIeMm4Vgb6Q

2) "Waltzing on the Borderline" from the EASY NOW EP
Yet another Betty Boop cartoon, synced with an old song from 2006's EASY NOW. This is a dark cartoon featuring drinking skeletons, an execution, monsters, and a really creepy singing walrus, or something. Viewer discretion advised.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUIZAbW_dyw

In anticipation of the upcoming release of the new solo piano album "The Book of Wanting," I've been making a series of short videos of recent solo piano pieces and improvisations performed live on camera. The first one is called "The Glory of Moss". Check it out on YouTube here:

The Glory of Moss

Hope you enjoy it. There will be more info about The Book of Wanting over the next couple weeks. (And yes, you read that right - in an effort to maximize confusion, I've titled the previous solo piano album "The Book of Waiting" and the new one "The Book of Wanting." But like I said, more info coming soon.)

Freedom

Continuing with the vintage cartoon theme that began with Clap Along, this video features footage from the classic Betty Boop and Pudgy cartoon, "Happy You and Merry Me" from 1936. I love the story about a stray cat who wanders into Betty's home while she's playing piano and singing. He makes himself sick off of candy and is brought back to health (or, well, happiness) by the catnip retrieved by Betty's dog Pudgy. Make what you will of the parallels to the song's lyrics.

Hope you enjoy it!