Mccoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard: Style Men

Profound, richly exciting piano jazz can be mesmerizing. A fella who really has this idea down to a science is McCoy Tyner. I listened today to an elegant composition written by the grand trumpet ace, Freddie Hubbard. The tune was 'Birdlike' and dedicated to the saxophone great one, Charlie Parker. On this set there was McCoy Tyner on piano, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Ron Carter on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. What an exciting musical unit of jazz superstars! I can be a cheerleader for this kind of fine, brash jazz music all day. It is amusing that when a person hears this kind of total musicality it so overwhelms most all other music modes one normally hears. There is a shiny, sparkling milieu to jazz that is so sleekly full of fascination for it is a set of sounds that provokes one and shows a maddening delicious life experiences panorama that really has a good edge. Jazz helps our psychic well-being and helps us to forget all the meaningless sloth types that might have come our way over the decades of our existence. It is a gigantic blessing letting the brain gorge itself on the trumpet of Freddie Hubbard, the bass of Ron Carter, the piano of McCoy Tyner and the drums of Elvin Jones.

Japanese Manga Has Lots of Sly Depth

I refreshed myself today by sampling some Japanese Manga. Specifically, the activities of Naruto, a provocative personality in rhe arena of modern Manga. The adventures of Naruto amount to a lot of almost-swashbuckling strong guy stuff. However, there is a lot more than meets the eye in the machinations of contemporary Manga souls. Naruto is a beacon, be cool all you boring nihilists. It is a good thing to have a positive beacon sometimes. It is imperative that our contemporary art forms such as slick Manga from Nippon and of course the multi-dimensional videos of our early 21st Century sphere indeed light up our varied art landscapes that we are now having. Manga is a fun brand of art and Naruto is one of the clever mainstays of this given art form.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow I will get up for another Thanksgiving. I feel thankful for all my relatives and friends. This culture of ours helps us to appreciate the sacredness of life. I am so proud of my oldest son, my daughter-in-law and my two granddaughters. Life is good. Music and art have always helped me so much. In my retirement years, especially. I miss my youngest son who passed away in 2005 because of esophageal cancer. May each of you have a very good day. Enjoy!

Claude Monet: His Paintings Enchant Us

Claude Monet is such a marvelous exponent of the precise soft-toned shimmering art that is characteristic of French impressionism. Indeed, Claude Monet went out and literally communed with nature in a most emotional and delightful way and his art shows incredible sensitive feelings that truly overwhelm us. It is his kind of art that can magically please us tremendously. Monet liked the work of the American painter, Whistler and he reportedly liked the at the time unusual concepts of another fine painter and one of his contemporaries, Edouard Manet. In numerous ways the engaging art of Edouard Manet is also very thought provoking. The vibrant forms of true nature come liltingly to life in the intense paintings of Claude Monet. It is a given as they say in geometry that Claude Monet had a sleek and refined sense of the strong metaphysical in his art and it certainly pulls us all in and provides maximum enjoyment for all the art fans of the world.

'Twilight: New Moon' is a powerhouse film

Fascinating concepts are really sparkling like wild fireflies in our American culture. It is unique that a powerhouse juggernaut film has taken off as a vital segment of our cultural film genres right now. I am referring to 'Twilight: New Moon.' The new film is really bringing in the money. People are so excited about the work of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and friends. It is interesting that so many people who sort of downplay the idea of filmdom's power suddenly are hit with the realization that with 'New Moon" then film as a strong, so potent form of our culture is indeed an overall creative force to be reckoned with. It is strong, overwhelming film that can bring in the huge crowds and indeed it happened with C. Bale and 'Dark Knight' and now Oh Lord, it sure is happening big time with the wild phenom film, "Twilight: New Moon.' Bless you Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, K. Lautner and friends.

Elvis Costello a "Rock Out' Guy

Elvis Costello ia a true excitement kind of music guy. The other night I heard him in a Palladia concert on TV. The fella is remarkable on guitar. His riffs are so wildly strong. Listen to his pumping up the joy kind of sounds makes me feel great. His tunes from many moons ago have such a pumping, rockin' big spectrum of super chords. Like another fave of mine Jon Bon Jovi, Mr. C. can sure get the job done. Bon Jovi and Costello, good folks. Oh Lord, yes this guy named Elvis Costello is a profound great musician. Yeah, Elvis Costello can "rock out."

Horace Silver: Magical Jazz Pianist

Some jazz artists always refreshed themselves. Getting new insights and trying for vivid new things. That was their forte. Horace Silver is a profound piano man, a guy who can embellish things in a magical musical manner. Today I decided to listen to a fine Horace Silver effort from '58. The jazz played there is still so dynamic and also tremendous in its appeal. On this set, Horace Silver was joined by the super Junior Cook on tenor saxophone. Indeed the highly lucid approach of Junior Cook on tenor is really much like reading John Steinbeck, in other words the big music just soars and soars. Also on this set were Louis Smith on trumpet, Gene Taylor on bass and the fine pulsating drummer Louis Hayes. My favorites tunes played here were 'Tippin' and 'The Outlaw.' For sure the fella, Louis Smith can come up with some elegant soaring oh so pivotally linear lines of improvisation. Jazz is a marvelous element of our highly varied modern American culture. Certainly, genius piano man, Horace Silver, grand trumpet guy Louis Smith and swingin' oh-such-a-good bop fella on tenor Junior Cook...well this group can serve up jazz dishes that are just as fine as good rib-eye steaks. Listen to the superb sound of Horace Silver and you will enjoy your life in a big way.

Booker T. and the MG's: 'Onion' Time

Once upon a time I just loved to dance. It was great to go to events and hear good music. I remember a fave of mine was the wild music of the smokin' hot group, Booker T. and the MG's. Wow! These guys could serve up a big prime rib sound that was so hot, so strong. A favorite tune of this classic unit was the super 'Green Onions.' It had a constant pulsing beat that was sensational. Another good one was the tune with the ascending sounds, 'Time is Tight.' Anyhow, I listened to the mighty Booker T. and the MG's late this afternoon. Lord, that fine bluesy Booker T. and the MG's big 'ole sound was so fantastic. The stuff really set you to swaying with the earthy, right-on raw and just right chords.

Lady Gaga: Soul of High Energy Music

A few minutes ago I went looking for some pick-me-up music. Wow, I found it. Listened to the shiny, wild sounds of the one and only Lady Gaga. The song was 'Bad Romance.' Lady Gaga is truly somethin' else. There are few performers who have that truly brash energy style. Indeed Lady Gaga has that style zeroed in. It is now a much better evening. Thanks Lady Gaga. Good wild music makes this soul a really happy camper.

January Jones, SNL: Grand Performances

SNL was so good last night. The wonderful January Jones of the super 'Mad Men' show was on as a guest and what a marvelous job she did. One segment featured January Jones in a take on the superior Hitch film 'Rear Window.' There was a lot of passing gas. It was hilarious. When a show has people like Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and the elegant and exciting January Jones, well...this is real "fun" time. Indeed Fred Armisen and Bill Hader and January Jones are all great entertainment biz people and really a lot of fun to watch.

DAWGS get goin' and win

Part of the overall culture in Georgia is the genre we call college football. For me one of the vital things is the concept of the University of Georgia. In other words, DAWGS, people. College football drives a lot of business. Lord, yes. The University of Georgia is a great place. My DAWGS won one yesterday, beating the bunch from Auburn, 31-24. It was a pleasure seeing more power and strength in the DAWGS team. I guess it makes a guy happy to see his bunch 'get 'er done' as Larry the Cable Guy says. The people in Athens must have had a real big time with the nice win yesterday. Lots of good music in Athens town last evening.

Joe Pass: The Wizard of Guitar

I got into giving a listen to some real elegance in jazz today. I dug the beautiful guitar sounds of Joe Pass. I have been taking guitar for some time and I have been working to get technique and tone going well. The amazing thing about Joe Pass is the fact he makes it all sound so easy. His smoothness and his long flowing guitar lines can really make a soul smile. Today, I just got delighted with Joe Pass and his version of the lovely, 'Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me.' Tremendous guitar playing is a marvelous joy for us jazz buffs to really love. It is particularly interesting that Joe Pass can also do a very fine job with good kickin' blues work.

Taylor Swift's Success Is Soaring

Taylor Swift is getting more and more famous. She is the big award woman of the moment. It is a grand music biz story. Normally I don't care but for only a few folks in country music. But the fascinating woman named Taylor Swift is so very special. Indeed, it is so cool that like other great women of song like Brenda Lee and Loretta Lynn, Taylor Swift is coming into her own. Loretta Lynn could do fine things with songs. So could Brenda Lee. Now, Taylor Swift is up high with the country music greats. For Taylor, it's grand success time. Way to go Taylor Swift!

To all people: 'Happy Veterans Day!'

Today is an important day in our culture. It is Veterans Day. I was in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era and I believe veterans and their contributions are a tremendous part of our overall culture. Young people now are just as important as older veterans who were a part of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Be kind to all those who are veterans, today. They are great people. The Lord bless our veterans.

Utamaro: A Japanese Art Individualist!

The art of Japan is amazing because of its rich variety of styles. I find it very interesting to delve into some of the more intricate Japanese esthetic artistic traditions. One man who is truly unique is the famed painter and printmaker, Utamaro Kitagawa. In my opinion the man is a powerful figure in art because of his exquisite sense of profound traditionalism and yet his rather abrasive modernism that he intellectually embraces at the same time. He started some of his truly powerful art projects when he went to the city of Edo (now Tokyo). Edo was the great urban center of its time. Finally, Utamaro stopped his working on prints for books and began making single portraits of female subjects. His art is fascinating because it captures in a poignant way the intense beauty of Japanese women. It is marvelous to contemplate the wonderful works of the man called Utamaro because in a brilliant way Utamaro brings us into the eyes of the soul and one can enjoy the great beauty that is indicative of most all things Japanese.

Good fish, Coleman Hawkins and 'Bird'

Eating good fish like grouper, bream or trout is so much fun. Tasty and so perfect. Kind of like diggin' good tenor saxophone playing. A favorite sax man of mine is the immortal tenor guy, Coleman Hawkins. It is hard to get a beautiful tone from a tenor, sometimes. But Coleman Hawkins could beautifully nail it each and every time. Listened today to an elegant number called 'Ballade' with Coleman Hawkins and the grand Charlie 'Bird' Parker on alto saxophone. Most people know Charlie 'Bird' Parker for his high-flying alto solos, but Mr. Charlie Parker could get mighty interesting with a slow composition, also. Good fish and super saxophone from Coleman Hawkins and his friend, Charlie Parker...well that's a "somethin' else" scene.

Clifford Brown: Trumpeter with Style

Great Sunday, today. Had fine shrimp and oysters for lunch. A short time ago, I relaxed and listened to some fantastic jazz trumpet. The horn man was the inspiring Clifford Brown. He was not around for long but he had a gigantic impact on bebop. His conception of jazz was so polished and his improvisatory approach had poignant freshness that was so superior in its burnished gold interpretations. I especially have always been impressed with the appealing approach Mr. Clifford Brown had with ballads. His work with another super horn person, Art Farmer, is quite super, also. The Lord bless Clifford Brown the truly great trumpet man from quite a while, ago. Clifford Brown and Art Farmer...two jazz greats, indeed!

Cameron Diaz, Jimmy Fallon: 'Cool' Duo

Cameron Diaz was so super "cool" on the Jimmy Fallon show last night. There is nothing quite like the great Cameron Diaz. She is one of my faves. Beauty, energy, style. She is a grand movie star. Jimmy Fallon did a wonderful interview job talking with Cameron about her new film, 'The Box' and also he chatted about the film Cameron has been making with Tom Cruise in Boston. A great portion of the show was in a charades segment. Cameron did a high-energy dance imitation of the great woman singing star, Shakira. What a fabulous night, the grand Wednesday. Two super "cool" people, the beautiful Cameron Diaz and the marvelous man of comedy, Jimmy Fallon.

Willem de Kooning: Dynamic Art in Action

I love the kind of art that is startling. For that reason I am particularly interested in the works of the abstract expressionists. One of my favorite people in this category is the Dutch-born American painter, Willem de Kooning. It is unique in the genius of Willem de Kooning that he broke through the rigorous confines of cubism and ventured out into a vivid sphere of the profane and the terrific aura of irony that tends to grab us and turn us into members of his esthetic fan club. The slick delicious aspect of the art of Willem de Kooning is his approach to comprehensive interpretations of the brisk mind-set that is indicative of contemporary anxiety with all of its odd manifestations. His series of paintings of women produced a lot of conversation because of the rather bizarre, violent imagery that he brought to his works. Much like the somewhat sardonic tone of the literary works of Henry Miller, the unusual excitement that is profoundly explosive in Willem de Kooning's works is truly fascinating for its "action painting" clever esthetic interpretation. Henry Miller was so sophisticated in his cleverness. And William de Kooning, also, is a man who has a strong intellectual dynamic that has a tremendous amount of strong appeal in our turbulent American world of the 21st Century.

Shakira generates wonderful, great times

This Sunday afternoon I got real musical excitement from one of the energy singers, the one and only Shakira. This performer serves up a grand, super-excitement meal of fantastic whoop-it-up sounds. Her slow numbers and certainly her high-speed tunes just put a gigantic smile on one's face. One super song occurs when she joins forces with the marvelous Carlos Santana. Having this kind of merry music on a Sunday is truly a fun thing to experience. Of course the creative musical technique of Carlos Santana is grand, also. The Lord bless Shakira, the wonderful woman from Colombia!