PATTAYA, Thailand – Barry Upton and Paul Rosenberg brought a morning of music, comedy and conversation to the Pattaya City Expats Club on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in a “Words and Music” presentation that moved from old-style pop and comic songs to a timely discussion of artificial intelligence and creativity.
The show opened with playful banter, introductions and a tongue-in-cheek performance of a “Lebanese National Anthem” before Barry launched into an original warning about modern distraction, “Stop Staring at Your Phone.” From there, the pair kept the audience engaged with a mix of musical nostalgia, original compositions and spontaneous humor.
Paul, introduced as Barry’s versatile musical partner, joined in the comic spirit as the performers revisited early-1960s pop with a Pattaya-flavored version of “Diana,” followed by a run of original songs that drew laughter and applause. Among the most memorable was “Constipation Blues,” a blues-style comedy number written especially for the occasion, which Barry introduced by asking how many in the room had ever suffered from the condition.
Barry also previewed material from an upcoming album, including “Shades,” a pop track inspired by sunglasses and image-conscious cool, and “She Wears Versace,” which he described as a likely single. Other original songs included “We’re Still Monkeys,” a satirical reflection on evolution, technology and human instincts; “My Favourite Waitress,” a romantic comic song inspired by Sunday lunch outings; and “Thank You, Jupiter,” a lighthearted tribute to the planet’s role in deflecting asteroids and comets.
The central theme of the presentation was how AI is changing music creation. Barry told the audience that he uses AI not as a substitute for songwriting, but as a collaborator. He said he begins with his own ideas, chords, melodies and concepts, then uses AI to generate alternative arrangements, lyric possibilities and production ideas. The final choices, he stressed, still depend on human taste and personality.
Questions from the audience explored whether AI-generated music can feel too perfect, how musicians can maintain originality, and how artists make money in today’s music business. Barry said no songwriter works in a vacuum, noting that musicians have always absorbed influences and reshaped them into something new. He added that income today often comes less from record sales and more from live performance, film and television placements, advertising and licensing fees.
Paul also weighed in on the role of technology in performance, explaining that electronic saxophones and synthesized saxophone sounds exist, but many musicians still value the expressive quality of a live instrument. Barry compared instruments and sounds to colors on a producer’s palette, saying the original sound often remains difficult to replace.
The presentation ended with a plug for a regular Thursday evening music event at Birdland Villa, and a high-energy encore. Audience members were invited on stage as the performers led soul numbers including “I Feel Good,” “Knock on Wood” and “Barefootin’.”
Following the presentations, MC Ren Lexander brought everyone up to date on upcoming Club events followed by the Open Forum portion of the meeting where questions are asked and comments made about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya. To learn more about the PCEC, visit their website at https:/pcec.club. To view a video of the presentation visit the PCEC’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBnEuaeAqSE.
