Start of Thundercats Tuesdays

Doing spring cleaning and come across old Thundercats Models sheets. I did the last season of tther original show's secondary characters and props, shows #96 to #130. But really the PAC, the Japanese animation studio, was such a well-oiled machine, I only had to give them rouch designs and they did their magic. I thought I might start sharing my designs on what I'll call "ThunderCats Tuesday". Here's the first batch for Show #96 - The Totem Of Dera " written by J. Larry Carroll. The first image is the title page of the script, which was marked up to tell me which needed to be designed. Enjoy.

Rainy Sunday Music Muse Day - Ink Spots, John Martyn, Bossa Nova and Luiz Bonfa (almost)

Here's my Sunday Music Muse Day post for a very rainy day here in Rochester. We've been having heavy rain off and on for the past 24 hours. Not as bad as Texas, and my apologies to my west coast friends who still suffering due to lack of rain, I keep my complaining to a minimum. So, to ease into the gloomy morning, I started off with the Ink Spots - Greatest Hits. A collection of singles from 1939 - 1946, The Original Decca Recording. When the first note of "If I Didn't Care" played, Lisa said, "perfect choice" for the weather. All the tunes of the Ink Spots are just wonderful. Also, they all start with the same intro, and have the spoken word break in the middle of the song. The formula is sort of comforting.

 Next I pulled something from my hippie roots, John Martyn - Sweet Little Mysteries, the Island (Records) Anthology. I bought this years ago mainly because it included his One World album, which I still have. It features Steve Winwood of Traffic in keyboards. John Martyn has a gravelly vocal style like a Joe Cocker or Van Morrison, maybe. The main thing I like about One World is the ethereal mood of the cuts like "One World" and "Small Hours". I'll put youtube link in comments for you.

My last selection in a surprise or mistake, depending how you look at it. I picked this Luiz Bonfa -Non Stop Brazil CD at a Good Well shop years ago, and discover when I got home the CD in the case was a different one.

 
Luckily it was still a Bossa Nova collection, called Bossa Nova Brasil (their spelling not mine). Still a lot of good tunes on it.  Here the link for Bossa Nova Brasil CD track info.  But I still want to the Luiz Bonfa CD. Enjoy.

Belated Sunday Music Muse Day - Paradigm Shift, Vijay Iyer Trio, and Brad Mehldau Trio

Due to the Memorial Day weekend, I'm a day off on my Sunday Music Muse Day post. This time up, three new purchases from my local music shop Hi-Fi Lounge, two of which have local connection. First, there is Paradigm Shirt - Shifting Times CD. They're a local organ trio I've heard on Jazz 90.1 radio, and I've seen their concerts listed in the local papers, but I hadn't had a chance to hear them live. I'll be sure to correct that.

Second, is the Vijay Iyer Trio - Break Stuff. Iyer hail from Freeport, NY, which is near Rochester, and he is one of the hottest young pianist performing today. I like this CD more than the last one of brought of his. This one is more accessible to me.

 Finally, there is the Brad Mehldau Trio - Anything Goes CD. This set showcases covers of various well known tunes in a very different renditions.

 Considering myself a guitar-centric music lover, I try to step outside that comfort zone with these piano and organ based groups. They're worth checking out. Enjoy

Memorial Day - 2015

Remember to honor the true meaning of the day. My favorite Memorial Day special is the PBS program Hallowed Grounds that showcases the 23 World War I and World War II American military cemeteries around the world. Just hearing stories of those cemeteries and seeing the vast rows of white gravestones and crosses leaves me feeling sad and humble, but fulled with deep respect for the fallen. Look for Hallowed Grounds if airs on your PBS station. http://www.pbs.org/program/hallowed-grounds/

Hallowed Grounds

I visited the Vietnam War Memorial, when I visited Washington DC, back in the late 90's, and found the name of a high school classmate, Avey Presley, there. Seeing his name on the wall struck me like a lightning bolt. Here's his listing on the virtual wall. Reading his full profile, he was killed by "friendly fire", 2 months after arriving in Viet Nam. it's still a shock.http://www.virtualwall.org/dp/PresleyAx01a.htm

PFC Avey Presley, Elizabeth, NJ on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans...

virtualwall.org

 

Our continuing thanks and gratitude to the fallen, should only be matched by the desire for peace in the world and the prevention the additions of more markers to these hollowed grounds.

Sunday Music Muse Day- ECM Records Radio,, and John Abercrombie - Timeless

I miss posting a  Sunday Music Muse Day last week because of Mother's Day.  But I'm back.  This week's Sunday Music Muse Day post is a celebration of my enjoying the ECM Records Radio itune channel. A follow member of the Jazz on Jazz FB page shared the link.  ECM Records is one of those rare labels that produces such a great, eclectic selection of music, and musicians, that I'm also willing to pick an ECM record of I'm artist I've never heard of, just because they are on ECM.   I've been listening to the ECM Records Radio this past week, when my normal Jazz station, Jazz 90.1 has other programing on. Today it played several tunes by guitarist John Abercrombie, a favorite musician of mine. Timeless, from the album of the same name, is one of my all time favorite tune. It's the perfect piece to listen to with headphones on, or late at night, for its meditative force to wash over you. Try it, you'll like it. With musical support of Jan Hammer, on Organ, Synth. and Piano, and Jack DeJohnette on drum, this album is the must have for any music lover. Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Osamu Kitajima

For today’s Sunday Music Muse Day is inspired by Kuni Tomita, friend who plays a shamisen in her Japanese folk music group. The shamisen is a three stringed instrument, like a banjo (maybe). In any case, Kuni’s music reminded me of the musician Osama Kitajima who used traditional Japanese instruments in the rock or modern context. I first listened to him in the 1970’s and 80s. His later work moved into New Age music and sort of lost the the appeal of his earlier works, in my opinion. Here are several of his albums I own. 

 

Check out the cut from this album, Yesterday and Karma, with vocals by the late, great Minnie Riperton. This one song is worth seeking out this album.

 The Masterless Samurai album has great cover art by artist Louise Scott.  Just a side note, good thing she had the foresight sign her work nice and large since the record company did add her name in the album credits.

 Here's the title tune.

So, thanks for the inspiration, Kuni.

Sunday Music Muse Day - The Record Store Day

Here's my Sunday Muse Day post.  I took part in the National Record Store Day activities by visiting two local stores and making some nice buys.  First stop was the Record Archive, where there was a big celebration with live music inside and food trucks outside.  The place was packed and everyone was having fun. I only picked up two albums for a $1 each, only for the covers, and CD of Jeff Beck's Blow by Blow. 

 The Stewart Copeland The Rhythmatist album cover is actually the second cover for record. The first featured masai warriors. Compare them below.

I have to assume the record company felt a photo of Steward was needed on the cover instead of leaping africans.  Go figure.
The Slave Stone Jam album was picked up for Ben Grimm "The Thing" on the cover.

 No, not really, but I thought of the  art of DE ES Schwertberger, Austrian artist and painter, when I saw the latest Fantastic Four Movie images.  His work has been shown in exhibitions in New York City, where he lived for a short time, and Switzerland.  I first saw his painting in Omni Magazine back in 1970s.   I actually visited his studio in NYC for UFO discussion.

My second stop was the HI-Fi Lounge, were Jazz 90.1 DJ, Derrick Lucas​, was spinning some jazz vinyl.  My thanks to Derrick for bringing HI-Fi Lounge to my attention,  It's just a few minutes from my home.  I made most of my Record Store Day purchases there.

 These include CDs by local talents, Bob Sneider​ and  Mike Melito​.  I've heard these guys live and it's nice to have their music in my collection.

 The other buys were Theo Croker - Afro Physicist, young hot trumpet, who will be featured in upcoming Rochester Jazz festival, and a Charlie Hunter Quintet CD, feature Charlie on his unique sounding 8 string guitar.

 All in all, a great music day. Enjoy.