WEATHER REPORT

With the recent passing of Wayne Shorter (March 2^nd of this year) the iconic Jazz Fusion Band Weather Report has lost the third of it’s core and most influential members. First there was the untimely passing of Jaco Pastorious ( Sept. 1987) followed next within days of exactly  twenty  years later by his fellow Joe Zawinul (Sept. 2007.) These three seminal musicians, each were individually profound as well as collectively. Each musician a ground breaker for their chosen instrument and in their collaborative achievements when they came together as Weather Report. Mr. Shorter for saxophone, Mr. Pastorious, electric bass and thirdly Mr. Zawinul, key boardest. They mastered music and created sounds and thematic themes comparable to the world’s greatest music. They  crossed, mixed and created  forms, genres and styles within their efforts. And in the passage of time their legends have grown and continue to flourish.

The men of Weather Report were visionaries and artistic explorers in a very real sense. They inter-acted and played with the greats of their times; Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Pat Methany, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana and Esperanza Spalding to name a few. They played with and composed hit music for other recording artist that would become modern standards; Mercy/Mercy/Mercy, Birdland and Steely Dan’s Aja’.  Earth, Wind & Fire, Patrice Rushen and The Manhattan Transfer are among luminaries featured on their albums. They loved and were dedicated to literature, philosophy, the arts and sciences. It is all reflected in their music and life pursuits. Their music resides among the most imaginative, innovative, challenging and beautiful the world yet knows.   

               Jaco Pastorious                          Joe Zawinul                         Wayne Shorter

This blog is a celebration of these artist’s lives and what they have given the world. For such accomplished artist of their sort nothing speaks more eloquently or profoundly for them than their recordings. I have included links to some of their most stunning music along with the gorgeous album covers that house it.  Here as tribute to their greatness I hope you will enjoy!

 Mr. Gone  “Young & Fine” 

8:30   "A Remark You Made"

Heavy Weather   "Palladium"

Procession   "Where the Moon Goes"

Night Passage   "Three Views of a Secret"

Weather Report   "When It Was Now"

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!

 Christmas is upon us once again...my wish is that you 

"Have the Merriest and Best you have ever had."

Don Cheadle's MILES AHEAD

Don Cheadle has delivered a beautiful love letter to Miles Davis, Davis fans and all who cherish good story telling in the form of cinema. I had the immense pleasure of viewing this; the directorial debut of Mr. Cheadle with members of the press and supporting Indie-gogo contributors.  Cheadle; a member of   the fraternity of actors that always give remarkable; flawless performances, shines here in the lead. The work was compelling funny, balanced and of a very high caliber. We see Miles with all his attributes and flaws (which are vividly the spice of every life) in this sophisticated, funny and emotional film. “Miles Ahead” is pure, cinematic joy!  

The Columbia music and recording years of Miles Davis are featured heavily here in remarkable style. Cheadle uses flash backs in scenes that blend seamlessly from the films present into the memory and reminiscing of the main character. The film is placed within a five year period that Miles withdrew from performing and recording. The artistic and varied Davis album covers feature as much as the music as bridges between the many narratives revealed in both the truths and mythologies of Miles.       

                   

Ewan McGregor portrays a Rolling stone reporter that within his attempts to interview Miles becomes a cohort in retrieving stolen come back tapes Davis had recently recorded. They develop a kind of “Butch and Sundance” comradery that drives much of the storyline. Actress Emayatzi Corinealdi; stuns, as Francis Taylor the wife and muse of Davis.  Taylor was pivotal to the life of the man and Corinealdi portrays her as the grand passion she must have been.   Another highlight is the performance of an All-Star band featuring actual former Miles Side Men; Herbie Handcock and Wayne Shorter along with contemporary greats Esperanza Spalding, Gary Clark Jr. and Antonio Sanchez.  

Don Cheadle has created a “crowd pleaser” of a film that has every potential of becoming a legitimate hit.  “Miles Ahead” a visionary homage, completely satisfies and makes me look forward to the next Cheadle project. For all its worth; something for which I am already on board; something certain to be another tremendous, roller-coaster of a ride. “Miles Ahead” is not to be soon be forgotten...Oscars?

FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS Gordon Parks

The release of the sound track to the motion picture “Shaft” starring Richard Roundtree was to be a major event. It featured the music of Maestro; Isaac Hayes for which he would win the much coveted Oscar and sold in the multiple millions. The album was released a few weeks earlier than the film and I had become engrossed in the music. The cover too, was itself an achievement of advertising art featuring the action hero/detective in a pulp fiction moment of triumphant motion with grim expression and guns blazing..  The bold, original concept “Shaft” logo most prominent! The liner notes spoke of many things including the film’s remarkable director; Gordon Parks. There was also a photo of Isaac Hayes with Parks and the creator of Shaft; Ernest Tidyman standing on the MGM studios film lot. All distinguished and excited about their collaboration. This was my introduction to Gordon Parks; an illustrious and variously talented man; one most gifted and accomplished. 

 From the starting point of film director I would discover that Mr. Parks had earlier directed the celebrated account of his own autobiographical novel “The Learning Tree.” He had even scored that film himself as well as having written the screen play. Parks had another major star point in his universe of expression. He was a photo-journalist of the highest order. He had been a staff member of the most lauded photography magazine in history.  The legendary magazine; “LIFE” was his home for a number of brilliant years. His contributions to the magazine included essays and photos on fashion, sports, Broadway and racial segregation. Parks remains a standard bearer for the ages; he is one among the greatest generation of photographers.

The films, writings, music and teachings of Gordon Parks have served as testaments to his journey to understanding, self-expression and the enrichment of the human experience. The catalogue of Gordon Parks’ efforts is eclectic, extensive and extraordinary. I have selected five pieces to illustrate his photography. They are his voice and speak to our pleasure.  

The Art, Fashion & Style of Kanye West

For all his blusterous bad-behavior and ballistic bile, Kanye West possess a certain sense of style, refinement and knowledgeable taste in regards to fashion and the arts.  Kanye is a man/child blessed with talent; the ability to compose intricate Raps as he dresses well and completes drawings that are much better than good. West is also able to solicit the great artists of his time and collaborates frequently with those peers. Talents to note and include are Takashi Murakami, George Condo and Rapper/Mogul Jay-Z.   

West is a champion of the art of media manipulation as is evident in the attention given his recent wedding; while orchestrating and including the Vogue Magazine cover featuring himself and his then bride to be Kim Kardashian. Another important recent artistic feat for West was the February Interview Magazine cover story and immensely innovative and provocative photo spread (many of the photos included here) highlighting the radical artist. He continues to release new music and videos while developing a fashion line conforming to his unique sensibilities and ideals. This month’s issue for the fashion conscience male; GQ displays West at his best and highlights his monochromatic flair for originality and compositional matches and pairings. An arresting interview explaining his inner dinosaur and blowfish are found inside it pages too.  

One of Kanye’s best and most interesting art pieces is his “Heartless” video. West produced and essentially directed this tribute to the inspired animation of Ralph Bakshi. The classic Bakshi film release “American Pop” is the background and driving force of the West video. Scenes are recreated directly from  Bakshi’s superb animated Historical Fiction. It tells the story through several generations of an immigrant family’s journey and escape from Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution to the United States.   They eventually achieve both political and musical freedom as they find their place in life and the world. I’m certain West sees a comparison to his personal life and struggles in the narrative. Within the video West includes a nod to Warhol and the American classic Hanna-Barbara studios. 

"Heartless"

In the course of his career West is often infuriating and polarizing but he is never short of surprise, invention and “the shock of the new.” Kanye West remains among the seminal artists and fashion mavericks of this; his times.

John Lennon Drawings (at auction)

As the song and legend goes…It was twenty years ago today that Sargent Pepper taught the band (The Beatles) to play. It was just prior to that he (or someone) taught the band’s leader John Lennon to draw and to write. He did it all with an impeccable style and humor. The ability to see the drama and pains of life while recognizing the element of humor was always a part of Lennon’s life and work. He expressed it beginning in his child-hood and it sustained him as it did his career and prodigious creativity.    

 Lennon is universally known for his achievements in music both as a collaborator and soloist. His drawing and writings are to be noted as well. Sotheby’s just days ago sold eighty nine lots exclusively of Lennon’s manuscripts and drawings.  The manuscripts: “In His Own Write” and “A Spaniard in the Works” were the center pieces. The books were published at the height of The Beatle’s popularity and the song “Paper Back Writer” was another humorous reflection of Lennon’s writings and life at that time. Like the best artists Lennon’s works were inspired by his own experiences.

The drawings were illustrations, random cartoons and whimsical musings largely done for himself, family and friends. Lennon’s drawings are on a par with other of the most popular cartoonists and illustrators of his time. Jules Feiffer, Ralph Steadman and Shel Silverstein all come to mind when looking at Lennon the cartoonist/illustrator. Lennon’s work stands up with the greats of the field.

Another of Lennon’s seminal works was the song “Nowhere Man.” He reflected on the writing of it:

“I was just sitting, trying to think of a song and I thought of myself sitting there, doing nothing and getting nowhere. Once I thought of that it was easy. It all came out. No, I remember now. I’d actually stopped trying to think of something. Nothing would come. I was cheesed off and went for a lie down, having given up. Then I thought of myself as Nowhere Man-sitting in his nowhere land”

                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                   John Lennon

In the animated film “Yellow Submarine” the Nowhere Man is a curiously drawn, genius of sorts. He is a master of philosophy, the sciences and the arts. The self-absorbed creature paints on canvas as he calculates complex mathematical problems. He even reviews his own novel as he writes the foot-notes with his own foot; no less. The Nowhere Man inhabits a blank world surrounded by nothingness and no other beings. The life of the creative individual can metaphorically be much like that. Lennon’s song is telling. His wit and honesty; a constant, his true genius, undenied in everything he attempted and in all he achieved. 

Santana Abraxas

There was a time (really not so distant) that music was pre-packaged and sold in physical stores. Some of these stores were large chains while others were smaller specialty shops. The music was actually cut into large black vinyl discs. To transfer and replay the original music a sharp metal stylus was placed directly onto the disc as a device rotated it at a prescribed speed. The information relayed from the intricate indentations cut into the surface grooves became electronic signals.  The sounds (vibrations) were projected through speakers as remarkable; exacting and sometimes beautifully enhanced versions of the music. Generations were delighted to listen to music in this manner and were not in the least bothered or unhappy to pay reasonable prices for the privilege.

The packages for these collections (albums) were decorative, intricate and witty compositions. They ranged from professionally designed original works to reproductions of popular art and many times photographs. Often the recording artist themselves displayed their own art or those of their friends and colleagues. The images would often wrap around the flat square shaped objects into mural like extravagances. The inner folds of the packaging contained along with the vinyl discs; information, lyrics, notes, poetry, photographs and posters. 

The second album for the now immortal rock band “Santana” was memorable both for the remarkable, visionary music and it’s daring, innovative packaging. The cover was the creation of artist Mati Klarwein. It was a wrap-around reproduction of a biblical event “The Annunciation.” Klarwein chose to depict the virgin as a nude Black woman and the angel Gabriel as a red and blue winged, tattooed herald. The painting of Klarwein was so dense with images and detail that it could be studied many times over as it engaged and challenged the viewer.   What was the symbolism? What were the subliminal messages? The questions remain and are subject to continuing interpretations and discussions. There was also a poster included in the first pressings of the release that was to adorn many a dormitory and bed room wall. The title of “Abraxas” was adopted from the Hermann Hesse novel “Demian.” A line from Demien was inscripted on the cover:

“We stood before it and began to freeze inside from the exertion. We questioned the painting, berated it, made love to it, and prayed to it: We called it mother, called it whore and slut, called it our beloved, called it Abraxas…”

                                                                                                              
                                                                                                         Hermann Hesse

                        

             “Santana Abraxas” was an event; an enduring treasure, a cherished thing.

HENDRIX

What an amazing career this man; Jimi Hendrix had. He is easily described as extravagant, loud, exuberant, original, blazingly hot and brilliant to genius levels. The recordings and stage performances are legend. “Electric Ladyland” to Woodstock; “Band of Gypsies” to Monterey are recordings and concerts of note. Hendrix was always innovative, unusual and continually pushing farther and farther to the extremes of his craft and art. It was the electric guitar that he transformed into a thing miraculous as he kept the other great players of his time in awe. Hendrix led and ruled in the age of the “Guitar Gods!” He is by consensus number one among them. When the words “The greatest guitarist of all time…” are spoken or written they are usually followed by his name: Jimi Hendrix.

In honesty I was not immediately a fan of Hendrix or his music. He was rarely heard on the radio or seen on television. Photographic images were almost non-existent and he was in many ways an elusive rumor.  The main stream media in both print and broadcast video had chosen to ignore the man. How could they fit this extraordinary, reckless Black American fronting a group featuring only himself and two White Englishmen into a format? Dick Cavett was the first and one of the few, to give Hendrix a national forum. Hendrix appeared on Cavett’s popular late-night talk show and was surprisingly reserved and modest. I missed seeing the original broad cast.    

There was talk about Hendrix around my High School and there were those that were fans. The Hendrix fans were all devoted and spoke about Hendrix with a sort of religious fervor.  There was also a lot of talk about a new movie “Easy Rider.” There was an equal excitement about the film and it was essential viewing for just about everyone I knew; including teachers.  Some of the Hendrix devotees were sitting in the row just in front me at my first viewing of “Easy  Rider.”  From the opening minutes of the film the score was impressive as every element was spell binding and very dangerous. About a quarter into the film a song began that was like nothing I had ever heard before. I was capture from the first beat and it was somehow the perfect fit for the mood and tone of this radical thing we were engrossed in.  The lyrics began and the rapture was total and complete:       

If the sun refused to shine

I don’t mind

I don’t mind

If the mountains

fell in the sea

let it be

it ain’t me

Got my own world to live through

and I ain’t gonna copy you.

The lyrics went on; totally lost “in this spell” my life was being changed for the moment and forever. The lyrics continued and then concluded with:

Fall mountains

just don’t fall on me

point on Mr. Business man

you can’t dress like me.

I’m the one that’s gotta die

when it’s time for me to die

so let me live my life

the way I want to 

As the song ended; somewhat abruptly, the audience with that eerie but beautiful silence that lets you know everyone has had something of the same shared experience. One of the guys in front me turned around and simply said; “that’s Hendrix.”

It was the sound track of Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider” that brought me on board with “The Jimi Hendrix Experience.” I have never looked back as that addictive alchemy of the music he created continues to this day. Hendrix was to die young; his song “If 6 Was 9,” something prophetic, lives on, influencing new generations as it continues to capture unsuspecting hearts.

Hendrix Portfolio

The late great, prenominal gifted artist Jimi Hendrix was as visually stunning as his music was transformative. While preparing to blog about his life I discovered too many images to ignore or to fit on a single blog. What follows are some that I feel are among his most arresting and pictorial.

Watch the full video!