Liberace playing Nola

[@keyboardmagic]

He was and still is the most entertaining pianist of all time. His speed and dexterity is unbelievable! Sure miss you Liberace.

[@ColtDee]

I agree

[@TheJcfclark]

Such showmanship. Liberace truly knew how to entertain an audience. I discovered him when I was about five years old -- back in the early 50s when he had this own show on TV -- and I was rapt back then!

[@johnferguson4089]

I used to race home from school in those days to watch the Liberace show on TV. He taught me so much in his style and his positive energy and happy approach to his music.

[@paulcopeland]

A wonderful performance of this well known novelty. Full of originality and musicianship. What a showman. Thank you for posting. Paul.

[@musket-hc1fc]

Wonderful pianist! My mother used to watch his show in the early 50's, and I liked his playing then and still do today.

[@steinwaygrande3971]

Back in 1984 or `85, my wife and I happened to be living in Melbourne when Liberace was on his Australian Tour. We very nearly didnt go to his performance as the price of a ticket that one and only night was in excess of $100 ! A lot of money back then. We but the bullet so to speak, and are we glad that we went. We were treated to a warm and genuine caring man , who gave 110% of his time that night. We were indeed very luck to be invited to meet with Liberace in his suite with other guests, and then he let his hair down and entertained all of us in his suite complete with Grand Piano ( how they got it into his suite is a mystery, but by the time we left, it was well into the early hours of the morning.). The memory of this event will live with us until we both are dead. He was very amusing and took the time to answer questions and did demos on the piano showing us "tricks" of his profession. Never have I ever met such an endearing human being who gave so much of HIS time to bring pleasure to the masses. The world is that much poorer for his untimely death.

[@sandrafehr3576]

That is a wonderful tribute!!! Wish I could have been there!! He indeed, was a wonderful human being!! Wish there were more like him today!!

[@joijaxx]

I agree what a lovely tribute! I can feel how special the evening was through your writing, thanks for sharing!

[@daviduu2]

It was probably in the '84 or '85 Australian tour when I saw Liberace in Sydney at the Hilton Hotel ballroom. I went by myself and was seated at a table for 10 or so at the front of the room on the keyboard side. There came a time when he asked the audience for a request. Many people shouted out many different requests but I shouted out "Nola" ! He looked at me and said " yea, yea, I play all that shit (in an inoffensive and humorous tone) and he went on to play his boogie woogie in double or triple time. Absolutely fantastic evening which I'll remember till I'm dead! ;-) So glad I got to see him live - such an entertainer!

[@wjh7514]

🎉 how I wish I was there!!!🎉

[@kamlapiano]

This is when I love the Internet - to see a true icon and hear a poignant story. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@roxanneadams6868]

Priceless what an amazing performer I had no idea just how brilliant he was

[@mymusicdaze]

Love the song, Love Liberace. This is so happy. Thanks for that.

[@cathrinrehder6652]

The "Bounciness of Liberace" is unparalelled, elegant, to the beat, joyfull ... you name it. Not only a pleasure to the ear, but also the eye.

[@strike4n]

Liberace was a musical genius!

[@roxanneadams6868]

This is priceless I had no idea my mother often spoke about him and this is the first time I truly listened and saw him in concert beyond awesome

[@perla51]

Great pianist!!!!!Excellent performance!!!!! Perla.

[@Turkeydoodlers]

One of my favorites Nola thanks showmanlee

[@bruceinpb]

Viva la Liberace

[@MaryAnn-mn3fm]

How could anyone watch this and not smile.

[@BroadwayG]

very special talent. Unique in every way. hands and agility, and precision, with handsome looks in his youth before the surgeons got a hold of face.

[@paxguns]

Thank you for posting. He was something else and my late partner Corrine ran his fan club. I would sell my soul to the Devil if I could play like him.

[@carltriangolo1384]

I remember the Liberace show in the early fifty’s when was very young.I actually would run home from school to watch it.He was often criticized by critics and called corny.But who are they ?Usually former newspaper reporters who received a promotion.He was quite a performer and a very good pianist.Well he’s gone now like so many of that era,and I’m certain we’re all the worse for their passing.It’s really a different world now,SAD!

[@lorrainemaurice532]

thank you so very very much Yahoo for giving us so much of liberace music, especially for those of us in the Third World who never had the chance of seeing or hearing him personally in the privileged country of America. Please do upload any more bits and pieces of his legacy you may happen to find!!

[@peterpiper7441]

The is KZbin, by the way. Nothing to do with YAHOO.

[@charleskesner1302]

What a showman.

[@22nanarose]

Absolutely wonderful. I learned to play "Nola" when I was about 13 years old (much simpler than this version, but it was still a very difficult piece to play. Liberace was just brilliant.

[@Owly1005]

Yes, I noticed that. He must love the boogie. He puts a little one in almost every piece.

[@georgemcclinchy796]

I love At Tatum Oscar Peterson many more and Liberace with his own flawless impeccable renditions of the great standards!!!!

[@joybreeden366]

Keep always wows me...Magnificant

[@pgh45rpms]

At 1:40, that's his brother, violinist/band leader George Liberace, on the left.

[@ColtDee]

Liberace what can anyone say other than amazing performance.

[@edwarddejong8025]

A many who is clearly very happy showing off his speed and light touch. I love the Liberace videos from the 50's. They so are so earnest and without the silly costumes and affectations of later years. I also think people look a lot better in black and white.

[@radimbartosek5356]

that style man !!! O__o

[@packingten]

AMAZING!!!!

[@GreenBoy9000]

I love how there's an entire orchestra accompanying him behind the curtains.

[@GreenBoy9000]

Could just be a string orchestra, I don't know.

[@2005dave]

The orchestra was under the direction of George Liberace, Lee's brother.

[@GreenBoy9000]

@@2005dave Sweet!

[@mizread]

My grandma adored him and I remember as a child having to sit through his TV shows without enjoyment. Today, out of the blue, your channel popped up in my feed, so I watched some videos, and I'm shocked that I hadn't appreciated what a great talent he had, so many thanks for this 😊👍

[@pchabanowich]

We all miss you!💐

[@lisinewtown1614]

Listened to this as a kid😊👏

[@jlvegas9664]

What a talent , what personality and manners. Compare him to the foul mouthed ,bratish behaviour of our so - called stars today and it really is just no competition. Wherever you are Liberace I hope GOD's good grace is watching over you my friend.

[@ZaSu2u]

And never once, did Lee's fingers leave his hands, although many are convinced they emitted stardust . . . .

[@paulmichelet3802]

Incredible tempo and flawless technique in this performance of Felix Arndt's 1915 classic

[@liberace35]

to mikern2001, you are wrong. Liszt was very much a showman who dazzled people with his pianistic abilities for effect mostly. so did paganni and liszt contemporary Sigismund thalberg all of these and even mozart and beethoven were extrodinary musicians but also quite the showmen!

[@raypowell2076]

I have listened to several versions of Nola and this is by far the best, I am not a music critic by any ,but then again who cares

[@panathatube]

What Fred Astaire was to dancing Liberace was to piano playing.

[@mgmeira1973]

Fantástico 👏👏👏👏

[@ninajey7547]

Brilliant!!!

[@ldFlorida]

Forget Elvis! Liberace was the world's greatest entertainer. Want proof? There are thousands of Elvis impersonators who sound just like him. You can't find ONE person who can imitate Liverace's playing. Not ONE!!

[@biegel88]

This is fantastic--reminds me of what Franz Liszt would have done to have fun with a modern piece.

[@sf-jim8885]

Amazing performer, . . . and he made it look so damn easy!

[@sprintbass]

Lee was a bad ass on piano

[@jd7x7jd]

@auaiao9 "terrible old ham" is not said with any vicious or mean intent. it is a UK English expression used about flamboyant performers, always with humour and frequently with affection. and i also said his talent was awesome. c'mon now :)

[@lankthedank6931]

My mom is named Nola. Named after this song.

[@nolatransdayaprima6792]

0:50 ok.. idk why i blushed, i felt like he is flirting me.... funny i felt that because my name is Nola... XD

[@michaelfugate2404]

A true Master!

[@darcipaes8579]

Linda música!tatui sp

[@nukeistheone]

i felt instantly happy! and its 4 am in the morning XD

[@cmcdaniel171]

Love him!!!!!

[@noladavis7736]

❤❤❤

[@MikeBlitzMag]

Les Paul recorded a guitar version of Nola for Capitol. What a treat it would have been to hear these two absolute masters perform it as a duet. Ah, hindsight......

[@Theaddora]

Why would anybody vote down this performance?

[@peterpiper7441]

Possibly because they aren't a fan of Libarace's tendency to show off? Or maybe they'd rather hear it without all the orchestration? Or maybe they found his performance a bit corny? Lots of possible reasons.

[@wjh7514]

Or maybe they’re jealous of his beautiful playing of nola

[@FlexMactavish]

Insane!

[@jeffneis553]

No one plays like Lee, miss him.

[@davidv.kutaliya]

❤️

[@ngee00]

I came here cause i was named after my grandma and she was named because of this song

[@jeffneis553]

Can you imagine Phyllis Diller saying after Lee dies, well he wasnt a GREAT pianist. We beg to really differ, the greatest.

[@TheInvincibleViolet]

wow !

[@michaelwisse9284]

A kind off early rock and roll

[@wjh7514]

Tho frm 0:00 to 0:13 I have the feeling he’s reading something 😅

[@treeboz]

I can't tell if there is audio/visual lag or he just redefined how to play the piano

[@lewiswereb8994]

Felix would have WISHED he could play it like that!

[@davidnestander4410]

This rendition of Nola while very well played is more a Liberace version and not what the composer wrote, David Nestander Galesburg Illinois August 8, 2021

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Completely agree. This version is entertaining, but the composer’s own recording moves me more.

[@ImCarolB]

Magic fingers!

[@Saxy64]

Bassist resembles Parnell Grina from Lawrence Welk's early years.

[@dianakitch4590]

EVERYONE'S mother watched his show.

[@jd7x7jd]

Well actually I think he was a terrible old ham, but wow what a talent! Awesome!

[@jd7x7jd]

@auaiao9 understood. that is why i explained. often things are misinterpreted because of cultural differences. no worries :)

[@Chuck88keys]

It's easier to ( hide ) a couple boo- boos when playing that fast. I noticed a few missing notes in the first 16 bars. Anyone else?

[@thenetsurferboy]

You do not think he is playing the noted do you He is improvising with ''runs'' etc and playing by ''ear''

[@andrenotter]

HAHAH Show MAN!

[@nolaj114]

Incredible! I was named for this tune but to be honest. as clever as this is, I prefer the slower version with lyrics. (Billie Williams)

[@michaelwisse9284]

He shure could play

[@cubanm81]

Bravisimoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Rests in Peace.

[@sukangeong]

Alas, the museum is now closed.

[@sukangeong]

Perhaps no computer, but this piece was definitely recorded several times and edited (see the miraculous appearing and disappearing musicians). Liberace certainly seems to be enjoying himself, and he did deliver on talent. He was, I believe, the highest paid entertainer for a few years here in the US. Finally, happy song though this is, Felix Arndt and Nola both died in the great influenza epidemic of the nineteen-teens.

[@RichStillman]

Correct about Felix, but Nola died in 1977 at age 88.

[@jamesorr6537]

@@RichStillman Thank you for letting me know that.

[@jd7x7jd]

@auaiao9 you mean the "terrible old ham" bit or the "awesome talent" bit?

[@packingten]

This man was AMAZING!. And I do not care for gay activities....

[@a320214]

feel like it's accelerated ( a lot... )

[@effyleven]

Ahh! At least *somebody* else noticed it's played much too fast. Did you notice the missing notes, as well? Yeah.. skipping so rapidly over the keys, some of them didn't get plsyed at all.

[@flyurway]

Pretty impressive. Even Felix's version is awfully fast - even though he wrote it - and Liberace certainly ups the ante a bit here. But I do find the piece more enjoyable to listen to when the pace is slowed down considerably.

[@jd7x7jd]

@jlvegas9664 hey there are lots of lovely well-mannered stars today. it's the media that focuses on the brat-ish ones - just as they did in Liberace's day.

[@TheShamwari]

Great but a bit too fast to reaaly get the melody of the piece ??

[@KUROMI23328]

As a girl named Nola , wtf💀

[@titmouse-distribution]

?

[@auaiao9]

@jd7x7jd Well, I'm not from the UK.

[@frankevich]

Albeit his great talent, he murders this tune: MUCH TOO FAST. what happened to the principles of "taste, tone, and timing"?

[@RichStillman]

Impressive if a little hammy, although for over-the-top piano performances I prefer Victor Borge. Also, he left out one of the four parts of the original tune. I understand him showing off on the parts he played but if he's going to adapt a piece of music he should include all of it. Listen to Felix Arndt's original 1916 recording at kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJiUaZmlYqp8oJI which is played on a slightly overspeed Victrola but gives nothing away to Liberace in terms of pure virtuosity. No matter how good the tune is, Liberace always centers the performance on himself, not the music.

[@G6JPG]

I've corrected that Victrola recording (from 84 to 78 RPM); email me if you want a copy. (Sorry dont want to put my email here, but should be findable. Has soft in it [but not demon].)

[@RichStillman]

@@G6JPG Thanks for the offer. I can adjust the speed as well. I'll check it out.

[@lourdesvargas52]

ñ

[@jd7x7jd]

@jlvegas9664 hey there are lots of lovely well-mannered stars today. it's the media that focuses on the brat-ish ones - just as they did in Liberace's day. PS don't you think that smile is just a little bit queasy? :(

[@treeboz]

show off.

[@leot7]

Nicholas Lombardo is that a bad thing?

[@PiotrBarcz]

Damn, he's good but he plays too fast and that orchestra makes this sound bad

[@peterpiper7441]

And he wondered why people thought he was gay...

[@paulgooding803]

He was. (NTTIAWWT)

[@paulmichelet3802]

Though if truth be told, this performance is too fast, and thereby loses a lot of melodic charm

[@pauldrummond225]

He butchered this wonderful piece of music.

[@knottreel]

Liberace was a great showman, but in my opinion, at the expense of a beautiful old song.

[@auaiao9]

@jd7x7jd I would think at your age you would be a little nicer.

[@mikern2001]

His name should be not be connected with Liszt, but with Lawrence Welk. He is schlock, pure and simple. Horowitz admired Tatum. Not Liverace. He gives cheesy a bad name.

[@peterpiper7441]

Wow, that is too bad, because before this performance, 'cheesy' had a good name. Liberace seems to have spoiled it all.

[@effyleven]

Hmm... Being honest, it's not that good when played too fast, is it? The piece is named after a young girl who's lively.. not one who's demented. And Liberace spends a lot of time batting the air above the keyboard, and sometimes that above his shoulders; better he had hit some of those missed notes, instead. Don't get me wrong. Liberace could play very well. But this isn't him doing so.

[@BobK5]

effyleven - To me the audio doesn’t match his fingers, but I’d be interested in which notes you think he missed, could you give a time on the video and a pointer to where he is in the piece and I’ll see if I can hear it because I can’t hear any wrong notes at the moment, thanks 🧛‍♂️👌

[@jrgboy]

Far too fast ...