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pianorequests.bsky.social
Piano Requests
@pianorequests.bsky.social
Fan and historian of the work of pianist and composer Russ Conway (1925 - 2000).
In 1986, HTV West made a three-part documentary about Russ's life and career. It included filming in his hometown of Bristol, as well as interviews with friends and colleagues from his time in showbusiness. It was finally broadcast in 1989. Here it is:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk5T...
A Long Time Ago - The Russ Conway Story (VHS Upscaled to 720p 60fps)
YouTube video by Pianokeys88
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2025 at 8:19 PM
A moving and beautiful piece from Russ here, in the shape of 'Falling Tears' - first released on a 45rpm single in 1965, it was reissued on his last EP, 'Always You and Me', in 1967 (and later again on a compilation LP in 1991).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpJ6...
Falling Tears (Russ Conway) - 1965
YouTube video by Piano Requests
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2025 at 8:17 PM
An early Russ Conway composition - written under his real name of Trevor H. Stanford alongside Norman Newell, who in 1957 became his recording manager, 'Matador From Trinidad' dates from 1956 but was first recorded by Russ in 1958 for his first LP, 'Piano Requests'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=64H4...
Matador From Trinidad (Russ Conway) - 1958
YouTube video by Piano Requests
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Another one of my favourites from Russ's discography - his cover of 'Secret Love', from the 1953 musical film Calamity Jane. Russ's version was released in 1961 on his LP 'Russ Conway At The Cinema', which followed from 'Russ Conway At The Theatre'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cfs...
Secret Love (Russ Conway) - 1961
YouTube video by Piano Requests
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
'Whispering', first published in 1920, was the first song Russ Conway ever played, back at the age of four (and known as Trevor Stanford - Russ Conway wouldn't come along until 1957). Here is the version of the song from his 1964 album, 'Enjoy Yourself'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUVA...
Whispering (Russ Conway) - 1964 (stereo)
YouTube video by Piano Requests
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Between 1959 and 1966, Russ Conway wrote four 'concerto' compositions - so called because they were designed to be miniature concertos of a few minutes in length. His last one, 'Concerto for Memories', is an emotional, but beautiful, piece.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD-5...
December 18, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Another favourite of mine - 'Angelo'. Recorded October 1961, released in February 1962, it's one of Russ's own compositions - written under his real name, Trevor H. Stanford. It was released as the B-side another of his own tunes, 'Lesson One'.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=60Y1...
November 10, 2024 at 12:44 PM
One of Russ's most beautiful orchestral recordings - 'The Folk Who Live on the Hill', by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II. This recording was made for his 1963 album 'Something for Mum', and features Philip Green and his Orchestra with a Brian Fahey arrangement.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBuS...
November 10, 2024 at 12:36 PM
A personal favourite of mine - Russ takes on the Merseybeat scene with a rock-and-rollin' version of 'Mack the Knife' (1964).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaSD...
November 10, 2024 at 12:31 PM