Roger Silverberg music
This page is where to find the most current happenings in my musical world. www.rogersilverberg.com, www.youtube.com/rhsilverberg
19/12/2023
What's going on? Quite a lot, although it's hard to see that from anyone but my own point of view. There aren't that many shows on the horizon but there are recordings. I've got three songs very close to completion. Those will be released as digital singles in 2024. I wish that the tangible album (CD or vinyl LP) was a viable option but I'd be delusional to think I'd ever get enough return on investment. (Damn, I just sounded like a full-bore capitalist).
I take satisfaction in doing the best I can with what I've got. With that thought in mind, I'll leave you with one of my earlier singles: "Lock You Up". I still think this one rocks!
Lock You Up Provided to YouTube by CDBabyLock You Up · Roger SilverbergLock You Up℗ 2018 Roger SilverbergReleased on: 2018-06-21Auto-generated by YouTube.
Here I am, performing my latest, "Disconnected" at North Shore Original Open Mic (all originals, natch!) a couple of nights ago in Huntington, NY.
Just felt like setting up and getting a quick take on this classic 1969 tune from the Hollies. No, they were not the first artists to record it.
In these troubled times, let's never forget our humanity. It's what will be our legacy.
Audio captured via Blue Yeti; video on an iPhone 12 with ambient audio. Optimized in Apple Logic and compiled in Final Cut Pro.
I muffed the bridge section but kept it in for the sake of authenticity.
I lowered the key of Chris Stapleton's studio recording by a half step to key of A in order to get some power into my vocals. I used to play this in Bb when Rob Fraser handled the vocals. But I've always dug this song and wanted to get it into my repertoire.
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time. All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Video captured on an iPhone and a Logitech C920S we**am, then produced in Final Cut Pro. Audio captured via a Blue Yeti USB mic.
23/09/2023
One from the vaults: I didn't know I ever posted this to YouTube until a few minutes ago. An imperfect (but honest) performance, to be sure. "Mental Block" might get recorded 'for real' fairly soon.
Mental Block Roger Silverberg's first public performance of "Mental Block" at Fergie's Pub, Philadelphia, PA. April 8, 2013
The first British Invasion group I saw live was... not The Beatles (whom I've never seen). It was Herman's Hermits. Fact: in 1965 I thought these guys were better than the Fabs. However, The Beatles evolved, Herman's Hermits never really did. No matter; I still really enjoy playing those Herman's Hermits tunes.
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time. All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Video captured on an iPhone and a Logitech C920S we**am, then produced in Final Cut Pro. Audio captured via a Blue Yeti USB mic.
Tomorrow morning, the sounds you'll hear at Northport Farmers Market will be coming from me.
I'll be live from 9 - 10:45.
RIP John "The Baptist" Gosling from the 1970s era Kinks.
This one hurts.
“Been Lonely Too Long” is another Rascals song I've long thought about doing for one of these sessions. In fact, I wanted to shoot it earlier in July. But the scheduled piano tuning never happened. Indeed, I'm stlll waiting for that re-schdule date, which will undoubtedly happen in August. So, I worked out an acoustic guitar arrangement about a week ago and it felt pretty good. A little more practice under my belt and I decided to go for it last week.
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time. All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Audio captured with a Blue YETI. Video captured on a MacBook Pro and an iPhone and compiled in Final Cut Pro.
I'll be playing a 30 minute spotlight set tomorrow night at Shandon Court's Monday Musicians' Night. I'm in the 3-spot at 8:00. And they run a tight ship at Shandon Court.
7:00 pm- 7:30 pm- Greg McLasky
7:30 pm- 8:00 pm- Euge Fukuda
8:00 pm- 8:30 pm- Roger Silverberg
8:30 pm- 9:00 pm- Dan Corozza
9:00 pm- 9:30 pm- Bill Parks
9:30 pm- 10:00 pm- Phil Hayde
Shandon Court is located at 115 East Main Street, East Islip, NY. Their phone number is 631-581-5678.
21/07/2023
This might swing me from doing guitar songs to piano songs at Shandon Court on Monday, 7/24: Felix doing one of my all-time favorite songs solo on piano.
Felix Cavaliere - I've Been Lonely Too Long (Live) Music video by Felix Cavaliere performing I've Been Lonely Too Long (Live). (C) 2006 CenterStaging Musical Productions, Inc., All Rights Reserved
17/07/2023
Thinking about tunes to play on 7/24 at Shandon Court and on 9/1 at the Lindenhurst Summer Concert Series. "Love In The Kitchen" from my 2010 album, Major Seventh Heaven, is a contender.
Love in the Kitchen Provided to YouTube by CDBabyLove in the Kitchen · Roger SilverbergMajor Seventh Heaven℗ 2010 Roger SilverbergReleased on: 2010-11-17Auto-generated by YouTube.
11/06/2023
My friend and former member of The Roger Silverberg Trio has just released his first album. I cannot wait to hear what this very talented individual has cooked up!
“Physics” is one of my newer songs and has the distinction of being the first original song I wrote on a 12-string guitar. So, why am I not playing it here on a 12-string? Arthritis has gotten worse in my left hand since I wrote the tune a little over a year ago and I wasn't confident of being able to hold down some of those chord shapes well enough to get a clean performance. There ya go, a jolt of truth.
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time. All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Video captured on a MacBook Pro and an iPhone and compiled in Final Cut Pro.
“Silhouettes On The Shade” is the 79th Live In The Living Room I‘ve done since I started doing these in late 2016. This might be the oldest song I've performed, since it comes from 1957. Old R 'n B tunes like these are part of my DNA. I even liked the Herman's Hermits version from 1965.
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time. All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Video captured on a MacBook Pro and an iPhone and compiled in Final Cut Pro.
I'm taking a bit of gamble with this song selection by performing a tune that many of you won't know. The Bee Gees – consistently one of my favorite groups since 1967 – took a stylistic swerve towards blue-eyed soul for the album for which this is the title track.
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time. All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Video captured on an iPhone and, for this one, the MacBook Pro's built-in camera. Video is produced in Final Cut Pro. Audio captured via a Blue Yeti USB mic.
Thinking of doing "Mister Natural" for an upcoming Live In The Living Room session. It's a Bee Gees song that should have been Top 20 if not better, but it wasn't. But it's a personal favorite of mine that I've been playing for nearly 50 f'in years. Thoughts?
Simply put, I love this song; I love bands with horns; and I love the vocals of Johnny Maestro. I had to lower the key a few steps to get it into range but it's safe to say that I wouldn't have even attempted this song five years ago.
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time. All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Video captured on an iPhone and a Logitech C920S we**am, then produced in Final Cut Pro. Audio captured via a Blue Yeti USB mic.
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time although this time out, I knew I'd be going for another Bacharach-David classic. Yes, I know that I missed the second pre-chorus ("It really doesn't matter what they say..."). That's part of the game here, it's live and in the moment. This was take #2. I made the same mistake in take one.
All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Video captured on an iPhone and a Logitech C920S we**am, then produced in Final Cut Pro. Audio captured via a Blue Yeti USB mic.
It's official.
I will be back at the Michael Braceland Art Gallery on
Saturday, November 18.
It was April of 1963 when my dad surprised me with a guitar. Never mind that the instrument was purchased in a Philadelphia pawn shop for something like $18. It smelled great, and with a sunburst finish top, it looked pretty cool too. With some chord charts and older kids in the neighborhood to help me along, I could play well enough in a couple of months to perform Roger Miller’s “King of the Road”. While I never stopped playing, and have been writing my own songs for a long time, this is my debut record of (exclusively) self-penned material.
The environment for getting new music heard has changed dramatically since the ’60s. With its eclectic range of styles, this record is sure to fly in the face of prevailing corporate wisdom. No matter. I’m proud of this collection whether or not it catches mass attention. The point is to stay true and leave a legacy of sketches and footprints. Whether they’ll endure or get washed away is now in your hands.
Excerpted from the liner notes for Sketches & Footprints.
Written May 2005
30/03/2023
It's an early show in an intimate house concert-like setting. Get behind the music, into the music, over/under/sidewise and down with the music. Seating limited to 14 max. Pleas reach out via PM, all you planning procrastinators. I'll make sure you'll be admitted and seated.
28/03/2023
This is THE show. First, and only definite one, of the year. For those who appreciate artistry and songwriting rather than cover bands and background music in bars and restaurants. I'll be in a funky art gallery setting. Capacity caps at 14. Get up close and hear some stories and songs. I live for nights like these. It's this Saturday at 7. Please RSVP by messaging me or emailing to info (at) rogersilverberg.com.
My mind is on getting the word out about next Saturday's concert, but the hands had a different idea last night before turning in.
Michael Braceland Art Gallery, East Patchogue, NY. April 1, 7 pm. 14 seats. It's me and you, without any dogs named Boo. Singer-songwriter heaven.
I put this one up on my YouTube channel first. Never sure what the buzz will be about me doing a song so inextricably linked to a performer considered "bubblegum". While I never really liked that term, there were some songs that surely lived up to that label: "Chewy Chewy", "Simple Simon Says", "Yummy Yummy Yummy"... you know. But Tommy Roe is more of a latter day Buddy Holly. Wrote his own stuff, catchy as hell, and lots of heart and humor in his writing. "Dizzy" is a great song and it's one of those tunes that brings you back to a moment in time, if you were old enough to appreciate it. (I was about 17 when this one hit.)
I played it at a hospital gig this afternoon and, guess what? People were singing along!!! Cannot ask for much better than that!
Live In The Living Room is a series of solo, unplugged performances of songs I've written, or I'll just pick a tune I have the urge to play that day. I rarely know exactly what I'll be playing until a few minutes before "go" time. All musical performances are raw and unedited continuous takes - although I do optimize the audio in Apple Logic. Video captured on an iPhone and a Logitech C920S we**am, then produced in Final Cut Pro. Audio captured via a Blue Yeti USB mic.
14/03/2023
This one's important. I'll be going deep, bringing out new things, and generally looking to connect with folks who appreciate original music from the heart.
14/03/2023
It's like the Bluebird Cafe (Nashville, TN) up and moved 900 miles to Long Island.
14/03/2023
Coming up fast, April 1. 14 seats. Reach out to reserve yours!
Only 14 seats so please reach out to me directly via PM or at info (at) rogersilverberg.com to claim your spot. This is a very special, intimate listening room experience for both performers and audience members.
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