Welcome to the blog of Dennis J. Woodyard - Journeyman Artist, and Dragonfly Entertainment. Former TV animation producer/director, storyboard artist, character designer, writer, concept artist, Flip book designer, and other professional credits.
Another great fall day for this Sunday Music Muse. First up is Rich Thompson Less is More. Listening to this CD is my consolation prize for missing Rich's gig this past Friday at the Little Theatre Cafe. Fridays are alway tough for me get energized to go out after getting home from work. This session is a nice mixed of solid jazz tunes written by well known artists and a original from Rich and bassist Jeff Campbell. I hope to catch Rich live soon.
My next selection is Charlie Byrd Byrd by the Sea, a CD of a classic set by the legendary guitar best known for his contributions to jazz Samba and Bossa Nova. This CD contain the tunes from the original classic vinyl record, plus 7 bonus tracks from the original live concert. I believe there was a series of great artists that recorded at Howard Rumsey's Concert by the Sea, a famous jazz venue in Redondo Beach, CA. I know when I've found a "keeper" when Lisa ask "who's that, and what kind of guitar is that?" She liked the sound immediately. I'm happy to add it my our shared listening pleasure.
Hard to believe October is several days away. Time to gather more good tunes like squirrels gathering nuts for the winter. Enjoy.
Dime-A-Dozen Projects is so named from a conversation with creative friends of mine as we lamented that when we were working full-time for someone else, we get these (in our minds) original million dollar ideas, that would, somehow, turn into "dime-a-dozen" ideas when we were out of work and on our own. I have tons of unfinished projects in the form of character sketches, incomplete written outlines, half drawn comic pages, and full illustrations. You get the idea, a dime-a-dozen idea. I'm feeling the need to catalog for my own sanity and for a simple record to leave my kids, and as I said above, along the way rekindle my creative juice and start drawing again.
TailgunnerJones was planned as 6 book, 32 pages, indie B&W comic book saga. The tales was inspired by Buck Roger and a touch of Joe Halderman's Forever War. Nathan "Tailgunner" Jones was Starship captain who disappeared after a unexpected space battle. His battlecruiser, the Yankee Dog, on route to be decommissioned. happens upon a opposing space armanda staging area. Ordering his small crew to board and launch shuttles to warn to his own fleet, Jones engages the enemy fleet alone, in a delaying action, knowing he's has no chance of winning. His attack disrupts the enemy plans, and is a savage battle his destroys the Tempest the enemy's flagship, causing the death of the Emperor of Drillian Empire. Jones' Yankee Dog is heavily damages but mention to escape in a near asteroid field. He releases extra fuel tanks and explodes them, tricking the enemy in think the Yankee Dog is destroy. The Drillian fleet retreats as their element of surprise has been compromised. Injured Tailgunner Jones enter a auto-doc chamber and accidentally activates a crygenic sleep cycle.
50 years after the Yankee Dog is discovered by an unlikely trio. Aurora B, a space mercenary/bodyguard, her client Angelica Reed,a space anthropologist, and Man-Droid, a battle android. Jones find him self in underground resistance group fight the Driliain Empire. I also discover the High Priestess, wife of the Emperor is still alive and when she is informed he's live calls for his death.
Art Gallery.
Nathan "Tailgunner"" Jones
Here's the first seven comic pages of the first issue.
Characters: Angelica Reed, Aurora B. and Nathan Jones
Having a pleasant, warm day as Fall officially arrives. What better way to celebrate than with some good music. First up is Pat Metheny One Quiet Night. This is a solo effort with Pat playing and exploring a single guitar, a baritone guitar. He states in the liner notes,"...this (recording session) started and ended with just a single guitar and a mic. This record is about essentially one sound, basically one mood, and taking the to go deep inside a single world." That sums it up nicely. This is intimate record, like ease dropping on a private conversation Metheny is having with himself. I was glad he let us share the moment.
A nice compliment to the first selection is Quartet Live at the Deer Head Inn, featuring vibraphonist Joe Locke, a local musician I know from recordings with Bob Sneider. This enjoyable live set that the group stretches out on each of the five tunes, from 10-15 minutes each. This is the second CD of Record for Deer Head Inn noted as "The oldest continuously running jazz club in the country", and it's still going strong. If I'm ever in Delaware Water Gap, PA, I'll have to drop in there for a set.
Autumn Equinox has arrived and with it shorter day and longer nights. Still, there will be good opportunities to listen good music. Enjoy.
On this cloudy, and rainy, Sunday Music Muse Day, I'm feeling like I have a hangover, but it's just my being dragged out from a 7 hour drive after watching my son's away football game. So, I'm spending the day with some softer tunes. First up is the Windham Hill Record Guitar Sampler of acoustic guitarists. I can't say I know any of the players. I have past Windham Hill produced music by guitarists Michael Hedges, William Ackerman, and Tuck Address (of the Tuck and Patti duo). All considered part the New Age Music, sort of a bridge of instrumental music between acoustic Rock and Folk. This sampler is a pleasant collection, but none of the players really stand out to me. Still fitting for a laid back day.
My second selection is a more straight ahead jazz guitar music offering by Ron Affif Trio 52nd Street. This is the second CD I've found of this guitarist and he presents a solid mix of well known jazz compositions and one original, excellently played. This was recored in 1995, but if he came to town I'd take a chance on listening live.
Still feeling mellow, so it maybe a early bedtime tonight. Echoes of good tune will be a prefect lullaby.
With cool feel of fall in the air, this Sunday Music Muse Day has me sampling more eclectic offings. First up, Vijay Iyer Tragicomic. This young innovative jazz pianist is consider a genus on many levels by noted jazz critics. His music can be challenging to listen to with his exploration of odd meters and complex harmonic concepts. My wife enjoys most of my musical selections, and tolerates others, but a few get a "I'm not feeling this" as this CD did. I'm leaning in agreement with her, but I'll keep giving it more listenings.
Next in my eclectic exploration is Astor Piazzolla Tango Zero Hour. I love the sound of the bandoneon, but I readily admit I have only a passing understanding tango music, and that's mainly from artists like Chick Corea and Al DiMeola who incorporate it in their music throughout their careers. Before that, mostly old movies, often for comic effect. Tango creates images of Old World charm that's as romantic as it's reputation. This CD is well worth visiting. (The silver foil cover was impossible to scan)
Fall is in the air, not to rush it, but can winter be far behind. Leaves are start to fall, so I suggest gathering musical chestnuts for the coming seasons. Enjoy.
