We Are Not Afraid to Admit That We Have Pianist Envy

February 18, 2010


Chilly Gonzales née Gonzales has long been one of those characters who is a hero in these halls but whose genius seems underappreciated in the wider world. He is partially or wholly responsible for many moments of extreme joy over the last few years—Feist's album, "Working Together," battling Andrew WK, to name a few—and is showing no signs of stopping. Case in point, this new mixtape of rap/r&b/dance hits from 50's "Many Men" to B's "Single Ladies" turned into piano classics (special note to the Coltrane melody on Busta's "Dangerous"). Don't sleep on the guidance given in some of the transitions, either. Hero status. It is a time capsule, it is a celebration, it is sophisticated, and it is going to get major run after we go downstairs to get some lavender incense. If you're around NYC in the next week, make sure to stop by Joe's Pub for the last of Gonzales' Piano Talk Shows—tonight with A-Trak and special guests, next week with Princess Superstar.

Download: Chilly Gonzales, Pianist Envy Mixtape

We Are Not Afraid to Admit That We Have Pianist Envy