Neal Adams / The Sketch Book

Recently I purchased   "Neal Adams/The Sketchbook" on line.  I received my copy just a few days ago by mail. I was very much impressed as a whole and greatly enjoyed it! The book's editor and designer Arlan Shumer asked me to write a review of his book to post at his " Neal Adams Almanac" page on Facebook after finding out I had written one for Amazon.  Here’s that brief review:

"Neal Adams/The Sketchbook"

Previously unpublished originals by the great Neal Adams are seen here publicly, many for the first time. Adam’s powerful, emotional and heroic works are vivid reminders of his phenomenal talents. The untouched works by the artist's hand, heart and mind are enhanced by the distinctive editing of historian Arlen Schumer. Schumer uses Neal’s words from private interviews they shared while leaving out his questions. This makes for a most unique, insightful and flowing literary experience. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, while always informative. The text often has the feel of an informal, relaxed seminar of sorts on Neal’s favorite subjects; comic books and creativity.

Neal Adams for most considered himself a story teller rather than an artist. That being the case; story telling is a grand tradition and he is among the most “artful” of the form. While at the same time; this volume exists and can also be enjoyed as a look at the portfolio of the master draftsman he was, one of the best of the creative geniuses of our times.

You might be interested in viewing and possibly joining "Neal Adams Almanac." 

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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"

Ridley Scott: "Gladiator" Story Boards, Sketches and Inspirations

                             

         

Artists have long been influenced/inspired by the works of other artists (creative types) and their respective works. Composer/Arranger Isaac Hayes developed his popular version of the Bacharach/David song “Walk on by” while viewing Sergio Leone’s landmark film “Once Upon A Time in the West.”  His interpretation is in perfect coordination with the film’s prologue scenes imagery when paired with them. The Peace Movement’s anthem like; “Imagine,” was for many years credited to John Lennon alone. It was actually taken literally and tonally from the writings and thoughts of his wife, Yoko Ono. Van Gogh’s inspired copies of Millett, Delacroix and Doré became famous in their own rights. Picasso reproduced Velasquez and Delacroix to stunning and respected results in his time.  Director Ridley Scott is no exception to this artistic norm. His masterpiece of a film; the contemporary classic, “Gladiator” is directly inspired from his imaginings of the Orientalist masterpiece “Pollice Verso” (A Turned Thumb) by the great Jean-Léon Gérôme. The muses be damned.

“Pollice Verso” by Jean-Léon Gérôme

"That image spoke to me of the Roman Empire in all its glory and wickedness. I knew right then and there I was hooked."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Ridley Scott

Scott’s career in film originally saw him as art director on various projects. His ever present artistic eye has served him well on his own films as diverse in content and tone as Alien, Gladiator, Thelma & Louise and most recently Raised by Wolves.  His sets, camera compositions, lighting and angles, costumes and props have a realistic believability as well as an imaginative aesthetic. His films visions and narratives benefit and are enhanced by these efforts. He also often lends his own hand to his films concept art and story-boarding. Among his most interesting are those for “Gladiator.”  What follows is a portfolio of some of the intricate and precise drawings done for that triumphant film.

Another major aspect of “Gladiator” is the illustrious score by Hans Zimmer. I have enjoyed elements of it for many years. It remains one of Zimmer’s most memorable works. I have included portions below.

                                                           Music From the Film

“A good score should have a point of view all of its own. It should transcend all that has gone before, stand on its own two feet and still serve the movie. A great soundtrack is all about communicating with the audience, but we all try to bring something extra to the movie that is not entirely evident on screen.”

                                                                                                                Hans  Zimmer

“Gladiator” has stood the test of time up to and into this point after it’s theatrical release. I believe it to be among our collective contemporary classics. It is a true cultural landmark that works well on many levels (evidenced by eleven Oscars wins) in ways that few films do. It is of special note; particularly in this digital age where films and film makers seem to have lost their way and ironically creative originality.