Saturday, December 31, 2011
Alexander Calder's Art Really Connects To Us
THE ARTISTIC INNOVATION of Calder is so strong. So many super things the man has done...mobile art was one of the special good concepts of his. I feel the mobiles that A. Calder developed were so brash and incredibly thoughtful.
HOWEVER, Alexander Calder is not just the man who made fine mobiles. He had super watercolors and sculpture and other great forms and concepts, also. In 2012 try to dig Alexander Calder and you will be a happy soul.
HOWEVER, Alexander Calder is not just the man who made fine mobiles. He had super watercolors and sculpture and other great forms and concepts, also. In 2012 try to dig Alexander Calder and you will be a happy soul.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Bill Perkins....A Very 'Hip' Tenor Saxophonist
BILL PERKINS was a tenor saxophone man whose unique sound and style proved so remarkable that he had a huge coterie of delighted listeners. Bill Perkins was basically a West Coast jazz man but his work moved across several planes of the overall jazz genre. He had great work with the units of Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Art Pepper. Also, he worked with the Doc Severinsen Tonight Show Band for about 25 years. Along with tons of experience the man had so much jazz soul.
THE MAN had a fascinating tenor saxophone tone...full-bodied, yet achingly poignant. Today, I listened once again to Perkins great album called 'On Stage' on the Pacific Jazz label. It has a timeless power and charismatic jazz approach. One of my favorite cuts on the album is the composition called 'Just A Child' which is believe me a really haunting tune. On this album there are some fine players...especially Bud Shank on alto saxophone and Carl Fontana on trombone along with the elegant Russ Freeman on the piano. Bill Perkins makes jazz that lingers in one's soul in a vibrant, meaningful way.
THE MAN had a fascinating tenor saxophone tone...full-bodied, yet achingly poignant. Today, I listened once again to Perkins great album called 'On Stage' on the Pacific Jazz label. It has a timeless power and charismatic jazz approach. One of my favorite cuts on the album is the composition called 'Just A Child' which is believe me a really haunting tune. On this album there are some fine players...especially Bud Shank on alto saxophone and Carl Fontana on trombone along with the elegant Russ Freeman on the piano. Bill Perkins makes jazz that lingers in one's soul in a vibrant, meaningful way.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Unusual Art Concept
These are the famous Shi-sa Okinawan protectors of the family. They bring good fortune in and bad fortune out.
Merry Christmas, 12-25-2011
A BIG MERRY CHRISTMAS To Everyone! This is a beautiful day here in the great state of Georgia. I love all the people and I am so thankful for the Gift of Christmas......The Gift of A New Life. Jesus brings us JOY!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve.....A Joyful Night!
Tonight was special. Went to a marvelous Christmas Eve service over in the Virginia Highlands area of Northeast Atlanta. We had a marvelous time attending that service at son's church. The children looked fabulous in their Christmas finery....later it was some more fun. Had a fine meal of spinach soup, special salmon and rice pilaf with some delicious Christmas cookies. Having Christmas fun makes this soul so very happy!
What a Saturday!
YULE FUN TIME:
Out shopping today....and the last minute rush by all the folks was producing plenty of excitement. The Christmas season is really :somethin' else!
Out shopping today....and the last minute rush by all the folks was producing plenty of excitement. The Christmas season is really :somethin' else!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas Is Many Experiences
THE UNUSUAL SEASON:
Christmas is quite wonderful...but there are shall we say other dimensions to it, also. Our culture has so many levels. While driving through the Eastern part of Metro Atlanta today I saw a homeless woman pulling a gigantic old grocery buggy loaded up with old clothes. As I slowed down for heavy traffic, the old woman suddenly stopped and picked up what appeared to be an old soup can. She tried desperately and so quickly to dig out the contents of the can...you could tell the woman was so HUNGRY. Seeing that image was a strong reminder....Christmas can be a very rugged time for some people.
Christmas is quite wonderful...but there are shall we say other dimensions to it, also. Our culture has so many levels. While driving through the Eastern part of Metro Atlanta today I saw a homeless woman pulling a gigantic old grocery buggy loaded up with old clothes. As I slowed down for heavy traffic, the old woman suddenly stopped and picked up what appeared to be an old soup can. She tried desperately and so quickly to dig out the contents of the can...you could tell the woman was so HUNGRY. Seeing that image was a strong reminder....Christmas can be a very rugged time for some people.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Great Christmas Souls of the United States Air Force
AIR FORCE MEMORIES:
Many years ago I was a member of the United States Air Force. I was sent overseas right from the start. To Japan. When I was in that far distant country....I became tremendously aware of the great feelings in me generated by my religion. My belief in God helped me so much.....Especially at Christmas time. It is good in our culture that we have our religious beliefs. It is also fantastic that we have marvelous people like the men and women in our military services. My experiences in the military helped me to love life and to appreciate all the many great friends that were so meaningful to me. Merry Christmas to All!
Many years ago I was a member of the United States Air Force. I was sent overseas right from the start. To Japan. When I was in that far distant country....I became tremendously aware of the great feelings in me generated by my religion. My belief in God helped me so much.....Especially at Christmas time. It is good in our culture that we have our religious beliefs. It is also fantastic that we have marvelous people like the men and women in our military services. My experiences in the military helped me to love life and to appreciate all the many great friends that were so meaningful to me. Merry Christmas to All!
The Christmas Coming Home People
TROOPS RETURNING SO FANTASTIC!
This is a special Christmas season time this year, the great 2011. Our toops are coming home from Iraq. This makes for an even more wonderful time for all Americans/ And I LOVE IT! The return is magnificent.........The LOVE and PASSION! .......My, My....So BEAUTIFUL.
ENJOY!
This is a special Christmas season time this year, the great 2011. Our toops are coming home from Iraq. This makes for an even more wonderful time for all Americans/ And I LOVE IT! The return is magnificent.........The LOVE and PASSION! .......My, My....So BEAUTIFUL.
ENJOY!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Ole St. Nick.......Happy Times!
THE GUY IN THE RED SUIT:
The Christmas Season is a time of happiness for all of us...adults and children. But especially a lot of fun is our tradition of Ole St. Nick. The guy, Santa Claus, is a tremendous merry soul. When my sons were small they loved the fellow, Ole St Nick, so much. Now the Santa story just moves right along making so many happy.
HAPPY GREAT MOMENTS:
Last Saturday I attended a Christmas party in lovely Fayette County. This was an event of the marvelous Atlanta Okinawa Kenjin-Kai, an Okinawan-American group of which I am a member. When the big fellow Santa came marching out into the big room, all the children hurried and gathered around Ole St Nick in his bright red suit. This happy time made the old guy named me smile with joy just watching the terrifically happy children really getting into the so festive Christmas spirit. All of us Americans have so much greatness this year.....like the soldiers coming back from Iraq. But also we have all our marvelous families and especially all our great kids. God has given us big happiness at this blessed time that is our Christmas. God bless Ole St. Nick, too!
The Christmas Season is a time of happiness for all of us...adults and children. But especially a lot of fun is our tradition of Ole St. Nick. The guy, Santa Claus, is a tremendous merry soul. When my sons were small they loved the fellow, Ole St Nick, so much. Now the Santa story just moves right along making so many happy.
HAPPY GREAT MOMENTS:
Last Saturday I attended a Christmas party in lovely Fayette County. This was an event of the marvelous Atlanta Okinawa Kenjin-Kai, an Okinawan-American group of which I am a member. When the big fellow Santa came marching out into the big room, all the children hurried and gathered around Ole St Nick in his bright red suit. This happy time made the old guy named me smile with joy just watching the terrifically happy children really getting into the so festive Christmas spirit. All of us Americans have so much greatness this year.....like the soldiers coming back from Iraq. But also we have all our marvelous families and especially all our great kids. God has given us big happiness at this blessed time that is our Christmas. God bless Ole St. Nick, too!
Good Monday Morning!
MONDAY CHRISTMAS JOY!
Hi! It's Monday....So I say "Good Monday morning" in this great thing we call Christmas week. Having a huge Southern breakfast now. Lots of eggs, bacon grits and plenty of coffee. Happy Monday, all!
SOUTHERN CULTURE TIME!
I love our DEEP SOUTH cultural traditions. So terrific and great.....Yes, Indeed!
Hi! It's Monday....So I say "Good Monday morning" in this great thing we call Christmas week. Having a huge Southern breakfast now. Lots of eggs, bacon grits and plenty of coffee. Happy Monday, all!
SOUTHERN CULTURE TIME!
I love our DEEP SOUTH cultural traditions. So terrific and great.....Yes, Indeed!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Southern Culture Ideas
Grand Time of The Year:
In our Deep South culture the season of Christmas is exciting and quite memorable. Today I attended my church in the Emory University area of Atlanta and the music was just awesome. The organist played a postlude that had so much energized modern classicism. This has been an utterly fabulous Sunday...A tremendous and so vibrant part of the vigorous Christmas season.
In our Deep South culture the season of Christmas is exciting and quite memorable. Today I attended my church in the Emory University area of Atlanta and the music was just awesome. The organist played a postlude that had so much energized modern classicism. This has been an utterly fabulous Sunday...A tremendous and so vibrant part of the vigorous Christmas season.
Too Much Jazz Coffee
I figure I had too much coffee this afternoon, because my spelling in the last blog piece was hilarious. Oh well....that's the way it goes in the wacky world of Pop Culture, Right?
Jazz Lives Beautifully
Jazz always amazes me. It snares the mind and propgates terrif amounts of tremendous creativity. Listen.....LONG LIVE JAZZ!
Sarah Vaughan....Extraordinary Singer
INTERESTING AND A WEE BIT COY:
Sarah Vaughan comes across to the listening audience as such a fine-honed jazz vocalist. She encapsulates the clever sound that is jazz in such an interesting way. Her vocal interpretations dig deel into one's psyche and create the intricate kinds of memories that beguile us...sometimes these resurrected thoughts overwhem us. But buddy, this mode of emotionalism remains a spirited grand thing.
SO VERY SHINY, INDEED
Her shiny album 'Sarah Vaughan at Mister Kelly's' contains tunes so jewel-like in their poignant sheen. Jazz numbers can refresh the tired mind in wondrous ways. In this Mister Kelly's set, I especially like Sarah Vaughan on the grandiloquent song entitled, 'Be Anything But Darling Be Mine.' The phrasing and harmonic conceptualization is full of unique vocal concepts. Also, another lovely tune in this set is the somewhat of a rocker ditty called, 'Just A Gigolo.' It has brashness. Additionally, still another soulful vocal excursion takes place on the song popularized by Frank Sinatra, the rare one...'How High The Moon.' The art of Sarah Vaughan propagates splendid life memories.
Sarah Vaughan comes across to the listening audience as such a fine-honed jazz vocalist. She encapsulates the clever sound that is jazz in such an interesting way. Her vocal interpretations dig deel into one's psyche and create the intricate kinds of memories that beguile us...sometimes these resurrected thoughts overwhem us. But buddy, this mode of emotionalism remains a spirited grand thing.
SO VERY SHINY, INDEED
Her shiny album 'Sarah Vaughan at Mister Kelly's' contains tunes so jewel-like in their poignant sheen. Jazz numbers can refresh the tired mind in wondrous ways. In this Mister Kelly's set, I especially like Sarah Vaughan on the grandiloquent song entitled, 'Be Anything But Darling Be Mine.' The phrasing and harmonic conceptualization is full of unique vocal concepts. Also, another lovely tune in this set is the somewhat of a rocker ditty called, 'Just A Gigolo.' It has brashness. Additionally, still another soulful vocal excursion takes place on the song popularized by Frank Sinatra, the rare one...'How High The Moon.' The art of Sarah Vaughan propagates splendid life memories.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Stan Getz, Chet Baker....Great Music Guys
Gorgeous, lyrical jazz makes me a happy camper. Today, I dug out an album of mine featuring Stan Getz on tenor saxophone and the man himself, Chet Baker on the trumpet and vocals. This kind of poignant and meaningful music proves to be so joyous. The Stan Getz rhythm section puts a superior sheen on the thoughtful jazz happening here. The section is made up of Jim McNeely on piano, George Mraz on the bass and Victor Lewis on drums. The sounds coming from this totally focused, genuine cadre of fellows are pleasingly brash and bursting with life. The group's version of the remarkable Benny Golson tune, 'Stablemates' is so unique. Also...the incomparable George Gershwin composition, 'But Not For Me' springs to life exquisitely thanks to these men. I love another song in this set...the lovely Samuel Lewis and John Klenner number, 'Just Friends.' Listen, for some good, tasteful jazz music that is just right for our December souls right now, dig the beautiful work here of the Stan Getz quartet along with the shiny artistry of the elegant Chet Baker.
Michael Buble: A Dynamic Performer!
Michael Buble produces tasteful and quite imaginative work. Like a young Frank Sinatra, this singer/performer has a sleek sense of style that is so engaging. His recent Christmas album seems such a major achievement...Indeed his clever styling is full of a popping freshness that is the kind of musical fun that engages the listener in such a terrific way. Enjoy M. Buble and place yourself in the driver's seat for fascinating life experiences. We need this kind of enjoyment...Lord, we need yards and yards of loving life soul gifts to happen to us. With the help of Michael Buble delight in the vibrant loving wonderfulness that is a true Georgia Christmas time.
Christmas Season Is Wonderful!
The Christmas season is really happening now. Cultural definitiveness is FUN!Our Deep South culture is loaded with wild, joyful events. Enjoying fine country music, classical, jazz and blues makes this an even more vivid and festive time of the year. Today we are going to a marvelous Christmas party in the south area in the fine area of Fayette County. What a fabulous Saturday this one is.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Christmas Season Movies on Television
I have loved recently the many Christmas season movies on the grand Hallmark Channel and Lifetime and also Lifetime Movie Network. The films have encapsulated well the delicious and so grand and indeed feisty season that happens this time of year. Get out there by your magic box and enjoy, enjoy the grand shows happening so marvelously.
Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' and Others
The brilliant man of films, the marvelous Martin Scorsese has gone and done it. His new movie 'Hugo' is a terrific achievement in cinematic artistry. "Hugo' is a quite interesting and visually exciting story of a young orphan boy in the Paris of the 1930s. It shows us how the magical young guy keeps all the clocks running well and he has such a zesty and profound appreciation of the miracle of life. The films of Martin Scorsese have fascinated me for a long time. I especially like his rough and tough 'Mean Streets,' 'Goodfellas' and 'Casino. It is powerful the way Scorsese depicts the violent souls that are often a part of the contemporary American life that prevails in our American cities. See the new film, 'Hugo' and get yourself some marvelous movie going fun.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Michael Buble Christmas Special
Last night I watched a nice show on NBC. It was a fine Michael Buble program and it had classy Christmas season music much of it with a delightful jazzy style. The man, Michael Buble has good cleverness...one might say plenty of style. Buble also was grand in the fact he had unique guests, Justin Bieber and Kelly Pickler. This tv show was good fun. Plenty of excitement from Buble and the good folks at NBC.
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