Liberace Or Russ Conway ?

[Purple_Popple]

Who do you prefer of these two pianists ? After watching 'Behind the Candelabra' it got me wondering as for me both Russ & Liberace were great in their time.

[Buenchico]

When I was very young I got a record player as either a Christmas or birthday present. The records that came with it included several by Russ Conway (which, on reflection, is somewhat amazing because I was brought up in a 'classical music only' house!). I've liked his music ever since and I was recently delighted when I found a CD of his music in Poundland.

I'd never heard of Liberace until I was was into my teens, by which time I regarded his style of playing as old-fashioned (even though I secretly retained my liking for Russ Conway), so I've never been a fan of his.

[woofgang]

What about Joe "Mr Piano" Henderson?

[sandyRoe]

or Winnifred Atwell?

[marval]

Mrs Mills anyone?

[petal54]

les dawson(,joke)

[aelmpvw]

les dawson was like eric morecombe, played all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order

[EDDIE51]

Les Dawson could play to concert standard if he choose to. He used to play 'for real' but found he could get a laugh by making 'accidental' mistakes. It is actually lot harder to play the 'accidental version' than just to do it for real.

[Prudie]

I don't know a single thing by Liberace and wouldn't recognise his playing. Mind you I only know Russ Conway from Sidesaddle but I believe he had an instantly recognisable style.

[Postdog]

How can you forget Bobby crush

[tonyav]

Quite easily, postdog !. ;-)

[Blackiequine]

Aaw, Bobby, wonder what he's doing now

[bibblebub]

2 words - Mrs Mills

[Sam1960]

Scott Joplin could belt out a tune or two

[tonyav]

Jules Holland ain't to bad on the old Joanna either.

[Psybbo]

Les Dawson and I'm not joking

[FredPuli43]

Who remembers Semprini ?

Russ Conway for me. Liberace was just too much in every way. And when he played classical pieces he ruined them. Russ Conway wrote his own hits too, credited under his real name. And he had the top of one finger missing!

[Prudie]

If we're picking favourites then Jacques Loussier and his jazzy stuff for me.

[Postdog]

It's funny because I didn't immediately realise but I used to play outside Mrs mills house with my mates back in the sixties. I think I saw her once but as a kid, it meant nothing. Just saying.

[andy-hughes]

When I was seven, and started piano lessons, my mum bought me some Russ Conway and Joe Henderson albums. I never clicked that Russ's piano was a semi-tone out of tune, hence the 'jangly' effect.

Liberace I knew dimly from TV in the early sixties - then as now it was far less about his playing than his image, although he was an excellent musician.

I think for nostalgia, Russ gets my vote, but for intrigue - have seen the film and read the book - Liberace gets my vote.