VLSphoto: the art & culture of inspiration

Quote, Unquote

2012-02-02T09:35:00.001-05:00

"Power is the ability to define someone's reality and have that person accept that definition as if it were their own." - from the movie "Hidden Colors"

Quote, Unquote

2012-01-27T12:54:00.003-05:00

I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossoms, goes on as fruit. - Dawna Markova

At Random - 3 Movies Me & My Son Watched 1 Wkend

2012-01-20T15:21:00.006-05:00

Last weekend for the Martin Luther King Jr. three day holiday I decided to sit down with my 10 year old son Saturday, Sunday and Monday to watch three important movies.

The 1st one was called "I Am" by Tom Shadyac. It was about the nature of mankind and what we could do to shape the future in a balanced, positive way.

This was Saturday mornings viewing. So while my son ate his breakfast we sat and watched this.

Sunday morning, before football we watched "Hidden Colors" by Tariq Nasheed, about the positive influences and history of African peoples in Europe, Asia and the Americas, and how this knowledge has been largely untold and kicked under the carpet in Western education and culture.

Monday's viewing happened in the afternoon. My beloved Steelers had lost the weekend before, and my Saints had lost Saturday, but I was happy that my hometown team - the Giants - whooped up on the Green Bay Packers; but this had taken a toll on me, so when I started watching this slow moving movie with my son, Ghabe. I was feeling sleepy, so I napped while he stayed up and did his homework and watched this.

I woke up an hour and a half later to find him rewinding a few parts of the film. When he realized I was awake, he called out to me - "Daddy come here, watch this part." Many of them were the most dramatic scenes of the movie. He asked questions after seeing all three, but this one he related to in a way that he hadn't with the other two.

All in all, I'm glad I let him watch them and in a few years I'll get these movies again to see if he enjoys and learns even more from them.

At Random - 30 Americans

2012-01-17T08:54:00.002-05:00

Check out the "30 Americans" art show at the Corcoran in Washington, D.C. before it closes mid-February.

http://www.corcoran.org/30americans/

Book Review - How To Write A Book Proposal

2012-01-06T15:26:00.004-05:00

How to Write a Book Proposal, by Michael Larsen; 280 pgs. published by Writer's Digest Books 2003

Went to an Exposure Group, black photographer's group, meeting here in D.C. a few years ago and heard Jason Miccolo Johnson speak about how he prepared his book Soul Sanctuary for publication. And he said one of his first resources was this book on how to get a book published. I picked up both "Soul Sanctuary" and this book, read both and shelved them.

Recently I got serious about getting a book of photography published, so I went into my library and pulled this joint off the shelf. Luckily I'd already highlighted and dog-eared the most important parts. Upon reading the book again, I found new wisdom I hadn't noticed before. What struck me most about this book, was how damn thorough it was. Basically the author takes you by the hand and leads you with gentle authority through the process.

His prose is open, optimistic, but also realistic. He says in no uncertain terms - if you want to successfully publish and promote your book you will need to do a real work. Quite possibly more work than it took to write or compile the book in the first place. Prepare yourself for rejection and to jump through hoops.

I found this challenge refreshing. It's an easy read. Very well laid out in small chapter chunks so not to overwhelm you.

If you're looking to have a book published by a publishing house, you will find no better than this one.

Quote, Unquote

2012-01-05T10:24:00.003-05:00

"My feeling about technique in art is that it has about the same value as technique in lovemaking. Heartfelt ineptitude has its appeal and so does heartless skill, but what you want is passionate virtuosity." - author John Barth

Quote, Unquote

2012-01-04T10:40:00.002-05:00

"I always listen for notes I can leave out." - Miles Davis

Re[view] Master - Year in Review

2011-12-30T10:33:00.016-05:00

The Deep Thinkers - Make It Quake

Going through old magazines trying to declutter the house, I ran across a review of this Kansas City based hi-hop duo. It was for their mid-2000s cd "Necks Move", but when I went online to purchase it i saw they had this new joint out, so I bought it instead.

From the very beginning "Intro" my head was bobbing. I played it all the way through while I did work on my computer. When it ended I restarted. And again and again and again.
My favorites are "Intro", "It's So Fresh" about the ills of poor eating, "99 Bottles" which is a cautionary tale of overindulgence, and "Spicey Vindaloo" which makes good use out of reconfigured Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys beat.

All in all it is a very good cd that falls neatly in with the positive vibes of Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. Check it out.

Gary Clark Jr. - Bright Lights

Some say that the light that shines twice as bright, burns for half as long. Gary Clark Jr. is one of the brightest lights we've seen in the blues-rock community in a long while.

Hope he sticks around a long, long, long time.

Gerald Clayton - Two-Shade

Picked this up off amazon.com when I was searching for new young jazz artists. And when it arrived home I put it in and was delighted by this jazz trio of piano, bass and drums.

Gerald Clayton leads on piano and unlike many pianists - old and young - he doesn't ever seem to overplay. He's not the diva wide-receiver showboating his way to the end zone. He's not workman like either, just playing the song then packing up and going home. He's that musician I like who plays the songs' meaning. So many folks lose the meaning. Gerald and his trio give almost every tune here a full blooded story: with beginning, middle and end. As it should be.

John Lee Hooker - If You Miss 'Im... I Got 'Im

When I was a teenager, my first paycheck came from a grocery store up in Jersey called Shop-Rite. I'd walk over after school in the break down lane on a long flat two lane road about a mile and a half. The cars passing close by. Once in awhile someone would yell out something not so nice. But I was young and would barely notice it. My balls were high and tight back then.

Next door to where I worked was a store called Caldors, much like Target is today. They had a music section filled with cassette tapes (yeah, this was way back). One evening I'm browsing and see a "Best of the Blues" with B.B. King and bunch of other dudes on it I hadn't heard of. I buy it, bring it home, and fell in love with the gritty sound of the JLH song "Lonesome Mood". It was moody and funky blues with this great stinging guitar breakdown that was only a few seconds long, but it affected me.

Many many years later after searching for the song I find it on this album. I pick it up and the whole cd was great. JLH with his cousin Earl Hooker sitting in on guitar doing the jam session thing. Hearing reminds me of my childhood and how I fell in love with the blues as an awkward outsider. I remember the young guys who worked with me making fun of me, but I listened to this stuff anyway, and today I am damn happy I did.

Kem - Intimacy

A lady I'd been seeing off and on for one-nighters texted me during one of our off periods extolling the virtues of this cd. "Okay" I said "I'll check it out." Five months later I finally did. I bought it and sure enough this was smooth jazz/R&B at its finest.The whole cd is filled with Kem's wonderful phrasing and the late night candle lit vibe is on every song. Perfect for snuggling.

Highly Recommended for lovers.

Our Souls Have Grown Deep Like The Rivers - Various Artists

Black poets from the 40s to the 90s read their own poems. 'Nuf said. Buy it.

Robert Glasper - In My Element

This was another cat I'd never heard of before taking that fateful trip to Borders that was closing up shop and taking some chances on folks.

Effortlessly flitting between the late night hip-hop sounds of "JDillalude" and "F.T.B." to the gospel track "Y'Outta Praise Him" to straight ahead jazz of "One For 'Grew" - pianist Robert Glasper and his trio just load this cd with everything and it all works.

If you like jazz, and you yearn for something a bit unexpected, but not too heavy, not too light, then this my friend is for you. Enjoy!

The Sea & Cake - The Moonligt Butterfly

Was delighted to see that one of my favorite indie-rock bands had a new cd out. This one is a bit shorter than the others, but nevertheless I bought it and was pleased with the purchase.

The songs are bit longer than usual, which was a nice change of pace. They could really stretch out and go for it. However if you are already familiar with the band there isn't much else new here for you to latch onto, but no matter - their breezy lyrics, contemplative (almost to the point of melancholy) vibe is what you came for anyway. Relaxing bliss without putting you to sleep. Most excellent.

Luckily I was able to see them live in November at the Black Cat here in D.C. !

Steve Turre - Sanctified Shells

The opening track to this Latin jazz cd "Explorations" is hear every weekend on the Latin Flavor on WPFW here in D.C. and I listen to it often while driving my son around on the weekends. I really dug the sounds of this band playing these large sea shells that after months of hearing the theme just went out and bought the cd.

Although this album came out in '93 you'd never know it. Sounds like it could have been produced this year.

With the band playing seas shells like horns and with trombones also in the mix and a great percussion section backing all this up, you just can't miss with this one. Check out the long form mystical "Beautiful India" and Carmen Turre tearing it up on castanets on "Toreador". A solid album from beginning to end.

Classic!

At Random - New Years Eve

2011-12-30T09:34:00.003-05:00

New Years Eve: A Toast

At this moment
Let us remember those
Who will not see tomorrow

For their cheerful day
Has ended
And ours begun in sorrow.

At Random - At The Gate of the Year

2011-12-29T16:11:00.002-05:00

God Knows

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.
So heart be still:
What need our little life
Our human life to know,
If God hath comprehension?
In all the dizzy strife
Of things both high and low,
God hideth His intention.
God knows. His will
Is best. The stretch of years
Which wind ahead, so dim
To our imperfect vision,Are clear to God. Our fears
Are premature; In Him,
All time hath full provision.
Then rest: until
God moves to lift the veil
From our impatient eyes,
When, as the sweeter features
Of Life’s stern face we hail,
Fair beyond all surmise
God’s thought around His creatures
Our mind shall fill.

- Minnie Louise Haskins

At Random - Pittsburgh Steelers

2011-12-23T12:45:00.003-05:00

Growing up in East Orange, New Jersey in the 70's in a blue collar middle class neighborhood most everyone was a Giants or Jets fan. But both teams didn't have much going for them until the 80s and 90s. The first Super Bowl I remember was the '79 game where the "Steel Curtain" Steelers went up against "America's Team" the Cowboys. I was only 7 yrs old. It must be one of my first vivid childhood memories. The Steelers won (of course) and I've been smitten ever since.

Yeah, I rooted hard for the Giants in the 80s, and no I'm not one of those folks who wish their team went to the big game every single year - I'm a variety guy - but I do root for my Steelers. I want them to win. To be competitive and give a good performance every game. I especially love this new group of Steelers - Big Ben, Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, James Harrison, Troy & their coach Mike Tomlin. I hated when the fumble happened in the Super Bowl last year. I mean my heart shrank 10 Grinches plus 2. And I know the Ravens are TOUGH this year and Big Ben is hobbled, but I still want them to crush the Rams, Cleveland in these next two games and win over the Ravens in the Playoffs. THAT would be a feat in and of itself. Whether we get back to the Super Bowl or not this year remains to be seen, but I'll be rooting for them to do it.

And if they do, me and my son will be right there watching. And I hope he'll find himself being a Steelers fan as well, despite his Mom being a Redskin fan and his Grandma (my Mom) being an Eagles fan and his Uncle being a Giants fan. He'll stand tall and hold the terrible towel, wave it like he just don't care; wear the jersey with pride and be the man I learned him to be - he'll be a Steelers fan.

Quote, Unquote - Proper Perspective

2011-12-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. - Albert Einstein

At Random - River Raid by Activision 1982

2011-12-14T11:09:00.015-05:00

Growing up in the 1980s I saw the 1st boom of home video arcade gaming. My parents bought me and my older brother an Atari. My bro was into girls by that time, so it was mainly me playing the Atari. But we were both smitten on "River Raid", this seemingly endless game where skill, patience and gambling mixed, but no matter what you did you always got killed.

The game was simple. Fly your plane through enemy territory, shoot down as many of their planes, helicopters and boats as you could, while dodging flying objects and the cruising boats; trying not to crash into the ground, or running out of fuel. Simple. Riiiiight.

It was designed to piss you off. It was designed to kill you. It was designed by a woman: Carol Shaw, and released in 1982. I was 10 years old. A few years back Atari released the Atari Flashback with like 25 - 50 games preloaded so it was plug and play. River Raid was one of them. I bought it for my son, not sure he would embrace the old technology. But he really liked it. The graphics were poor by his standards, but the games were still challenging.

Here's to my favorite video game as a kid. Here's to my favorite game as an adult. Here's to "River Raid" and all the hours I spent trying not to die.

Quote, Unquote

2011-12-07T11:21:00.002-05:00

"Having a camera in your hands...makes everything new and everything is a revelation." - Sonia Handelman Meyer

At Random: Urban Exploration - Steve Duncan Photography

2011-12-05T17:07:00.006-05:00

Stumbled across the Urban Explorers after my own early 2000 excursions through the old alleyways of Washington, D.C. taking photographs. It was a logical extension of my street photography. Since I didn't like people very much and tend to stay away from them, I decided on alleys.

Online I found this whole group of folks who have taken exploration inward to our cities instead of outward into the countryside. In that group I found Steve Duncan's amazing photos of the under world of cities. The sewers and subways. As well as the high ground of bridges and spires. This was extreme for me. I had no real interest in pursuing this sort of photographic exploration. But I thought it was cool that someone else was doing it, and doing it so damn well.

I grew up in East Orange, N.J. and remember the 1980s "Mole People" news stories of folks living underground. Many years later, I found a book, "Beneath The Neon" by Matthew O'Brien, on folks living in the underground water systems of Las Vegas.

Seems more and more folks are taking to the low (and high) ground of the city and finding another world there. A world ready for exploring. a world where few people care about, a world we take for granted everyday.

You can check out more of Steve Duncan's work here: http://www.undercity.org/

Photographs Copyrighted by Steve Duncan

Quote, Unquote

2011-11-29T09:50:00.003-05:00

If it's the porn audience that's one thing, because generally they don't appreciate something that's art. Usually they want a sexual turn-on. Then there's the art audience, who like to be provoked mentally or stimulated artistically. In porn I make other people's fantasies into realities, and in art I fuck around with my own truths and interests and ideas.
- Annie Sprinkle, from the book "Pees on Earth"

Quote, Unquote - Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T15:41:00.003-05:00

You must bear in mind these strangers are not as you - they are devoid of natural affection, loving gold or gain better than one another or their own souls. - Tecumseh

24 Hours East of the River - Photography Project

2011-11-21T15:43:00.019-05:00

The "24 Hours East of the River" photography project was born out of a need to see more images of Wards 7 & 8 in NE and SE Washington, D.C. and to expose myself and as many other photographers as I could to the vital and vibrant energy of these neighborhoods.

Concieved as a day-in-the-life project, I picked October 19, 2011 as the day. Unfortunately it rained, but about 5 other solo photographers went out into the city at various times. These photos on my blog are all my own, but I hope to share their work with you soon. Until then....

Marvin Gaye mosaic portrait - Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave & Minnesota Ave NE

Wet Weave at Midnight - 200 Block 44th St NE, right outisde my front door. A good start to the project.

Fort Mahan Park after Dark - Taken around 12:30am NE DC

Denny's - My fuel for the morning. Denny's is a vital part of the NE, SE DC area around East Capitol Street. A meeting place, and one of only five sit down restaurants in the entire East of the River community.

Pick 4 - Lottery tickets dot the sidewalks as the unlucky realize Lady Luck is fickle.

Sixth District Police Headquaters NE DC

The Shrimp Boat - East Capitol Street NE DC

Jesus - Churches play a big part of the community. Some would say they do not provide a big enough role in bringing about positive changes. SE DC.

Community Bulletin Board - Often wood power poles become bulletin boards for upcoming party posters and other notices. NE DC.

W4 Bus - crowed in the back with some rowdy teenagers and restless kids, and some tired parents. SE DC

Barbershop - SE DC

Remy Martin - SE DC

Bus Stop at Night - SE DC

All Photos Copyright Vincent Lee Smith October 19th, 2011

Book Review - Eat That Frog

2011-11-17T16:09:00.011-05:00

Eat That Frog: 21 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done In Less Time, by Brian Tracy; Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 2nd edition (January 1, 2007)

"When a problem is manageable it is always neglected." - Winston Churchill

I tend to procrastinate. I tend to let things go from small to big problems. I tend to let deadlines go to the wire before taking them full on. If this sounds like you, then you should read and incorporate the messages from this book into your daily life.

"Eat That Frog" takes a very simple approach to procrastinating. Instead of reproaching the procrastinator for their negative behavior, he simply shows you how to do the most important pressing thing on your plate. He couches it in the neat idea of if eating that frog is the worst thing you'll do all day, then after you eat it, it gets better from there. And indeed it does.

What it does is give you a sense of positive affirmation of accomplishment each day. You've done the thing you've been dreading first. You've done it well. You've knocked it out. It's gone and by golly you feel food about it. Now you move on with confidence. Good job! Way to be!

There are many skills set in this slim volume, but that one idea of "eating the frog" was the one that is predominant. It's the hardest, yet most gratifying skill you will learn from the book. It's prioritizing by using what you dread the most, and then destroying it. So not only do you procrastinate less, you prioritize more, become more effective and build confidence to boot.

Winning!

Outtakes

2011-11-14T15:07:00.011-05:00

The vast majority of photos I take never get seen by anyone outside of myself and the model. That's as it should be. Most of them aren't very good. But a few are good, but just don't fit the project in which I may be working. So this is a good place to show a few that I think are cool and should be viewed on their own merit. Hope you like them as well.

"Shantae", "Danielle","Bre" and "Mariatu" Copyright by VLS 2011

Quote, Unquote - The Game of Life

2011-11-04T08:51:00.001-04:00

"I treat everyone fairly, but not everyone the same." - Herman Edwards, NFL Football Coach

Photos - "I Am A Rock: African Women in America"

2011-11-01T10:09:00.004-04:00

It was a chilly day before Halloween to be out on the rooftop deck of a local parking lot, but the sun was shining and the wind was slight, so these wonderful young women from Sierra Leone and Guinea came out and showed off their beautiful dresses. Here is one photo I especially liked.

"Got Your Back" by VLS 2011

PPL of Color

2011-10-31T15:38:00.009-04:00

"What does it mean to be 'White' in America?"

That's what this project hopes photographers will be willing and able to explore. Why this question and why now? Well, many photo-essays and documentaries have been done on what it means to be Black or Latino in America. However, very few folks were talking concretely about White America. It is a question, that as American demographics continue to change, becomes more important.

This is a call for work that is open to all photographers, all levels, all processes and all styles. The photos will be seen on http://www.pplofcolor.com/ and instead of just one voice there will be many, this way photographers can share their vision and also be able to see others as well.

If you would like to see more about the project go to http://www.pplofcolor.com/ and read the ABOUT and SUBMITTAL sections, and the read the captions in the "Women of Color" gallery.

Heed the call.

Quote, Unquote - 2 Old Favorites

2011-10-31T15:28:00.007-04:00

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should"
and
"Don't cut what you can untie and don't untie a good thing."

- adapted and adopted by VLS

24 Hours East of the River

2011-10-31T15:24:00.003-04:00

"Remy Martin" from the 24 Hours East of the River series a day-in-the-life of Wards 7 & 8 in NE and SE Washington, D.C. that took place October 19th, 2011

Re[view] Master

2011-09-30T00:34:00.017-04:00

Putuyama's Acoustic Brazil - Assorted Artists

Compilation CD comprised of some of the best Brazilian artists of the last 40 years. Its a kind of "usual suspects", but with the added twist that each is done acoustically.

The sounds are diverse and rich and wonderful. This is Brazilian music at its best.

Carolyn Wonderland - Miss Understood

Carolyn Wonderland is a direct descendant of women blues-rockers like Janis Joplin and Marcia Ball. She sings with grit and plays a mean guitar.

But the thing that matters most is that she's authentic. This isn't a bunch of rehashed bullshit she's singing. She's writing songs that are universal and unlike the title can be understood by nearly any listener. She delivers each song with a punch, like Bruce Lee said - "emotional content!" - that's what she sends out into the world. And man, we are better for it.

Gary Clark Jr. - Bright Lights

They say that the light that shines twice as bright, burns for half as long. Gary Clark Jr. is one of the brightest lights we've seen in the blues-rock community in a long while. Hope he sticks around a long, long, long time.

Highly Recommended.

Gerald Clayton - Two-Shade

Picked this up off amazon.com when I was searching for new young jazz artists. And when it arrived home I put it in and was delighted by this jazz trio of piano, bass and drums. Gerald Clayton leads on piano and unlike many pianists - old and young - he doesn't ever seem to overplay. He's not the diva wide-receiver showboating his way to the end zone. He's not workman like either, just playing the song then packing up and going home. He's that musician I like who plays the songs' meaning. So many folks lose the meaning. Gerald and his trio give almost every tune here a full blooded story: with beginning, middle and end. As it should be.

Koop - Coup de Grace

I came across these two dudes from Sweden when I was looking up the singer from Little Dragon. So I bought this "best of" CD on a whim. Very cool jazz pop made from all loops and samples, but is soooo cinematic and airy. Wonderfully done. Great singing from various female artists. Much like Thievery Corporation does on their CDs, but more seamless and much less hip-hoppity. These dudes don't seem to want to be "hip", they just make cool shit that sounds good to them. Sounds good to me too.

Our Souls Have Grown Deep Like The Rivers - Various Artists

Black poets from the 40s to the 90s read their own poems. 'Nuf said. Buy it.

Tito & Tarantula - Andalucia

Nice blend of 90s style Latin rock with good song writing and good beats. Not sure how long the shelf life on this CD will last, but so far so good.

Wayne Shorter - Night Dreamer

I lament often that too many young tenor saxophonists' albums sound like Wayne Shorter's. That's when I pick up this CD and go right to the source.

I try not to put no-brainer classics on my lists, so ever so often I just have to. This is a jazz classic from the 60s and every tenor after this came out got a little of this rubbed off on them. And they were better for it. Long live Wayne Shorter!

Wes Montgomery - Tequila

My Dad had a jazz album by guitar great Wes Montgomery that went missing one year. He was mad. So I bought him this on CD. This wasn't the album that went missing he said, but thanks. That ruled me out. But years later, I'd hear him slide this into the CD player and groove to it. It's a groovy CD. Get it and you'll see.

Wingless Angels - Vol 1 & 2

Keith Richards in the 80s with some of the finest reggae players in Jamaica jamming. Sounds much like The Wailers "Rasta Man Chant". Spiritual, fun, and a lil surprising.

Quote, Unquote

2011-09-28T10:33:00.005-04:00

Beauty is about perception, not about make-up. I think the beginning of all beauty is knowing and liking oneself. You can't put on make-up or dress yourself or do your hair with any sort of fun or joy if you're doing it from a position of correction. - Kevyn Aucoin

"Akebret" Copyright VLS 2008

At Random - Harry Callahan "Eleanor"

2011-09-26T12:43:00.003-04:00

One of my inspirations. This portrait by Harry Callahan of his wife in New York is just so lovely. It has everything: simple composition, grounded & gritty; still yet has movement (her hair caught in the wind) and great b&w tones. Who could ask for anything more. Bravo!

Photograph by Harry Callahan "Eleanor New York 1945" Copyright Estate of Harry Callahan

Quote, Unquote

2011-09-22T17:47:00.003-04:00

"I still regard myself as an amateur today and I hope that's what I'll Stay until the end of my life. Because I'm forever a beginner who discovers the world again and again." - Andre Kertesz

"Distortion" by Andre Kertesz

At Random - "Your Pictures Suck!"

2011-09-19T09:40:00.003-04:00

Balancing expectation with reality can be tough. I've never been particularly adroit at it, but so often now I tell folks what's up right away. In essence I lower their expectations. When I meet a woman who is going to model for me, "Look at my website first." Then after they do I say, "Those were one of maybe 300 that I took that day. That's pretty much the best out of the bunch." Some women nod their head and they get it. Some others get their photos back and are mildly disappointed in what they see. For shame! - I didn't make them look "beautiful." I'm always a bit puzzled by that reaction, but after this particular woman called me and said, "your pictures suck!" I knew I had to be even more honest.

So now when people model for me I tell them straight up: "Listen, I don't intend to make you look beautiful, I want to make you look natural. 99% of the photos we take will suck Seth Rogen's hairy balls, but all I want is to get one or three great shots."

That may or may not be the right way to approach things or the art I make, but that's my approach now. That's the wonderful thing about art unlike real life: I get to choose what I show the viewer: I get to show my best. So even if my photos suck only two people will ever know: me and the model.

"Adele Hill in stairwell" by VLS 2008

At Random - "Morgue For Whores"

2011-09-09T10:27:00.003-04:00

Photo collaboration for an e-book "Morgue for Whores" by Roy Edroso. Conceptualized by the author, realized by myself and my good friend John Williams the graphic designer, with the special help of the model Victoria http://www.modelvictoria1.com/

At Random - The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management by Hyrum Smith

2011-09-08T11:35:00.004-04:00

1. You control your life by controlling your time.

2. Your governing values are the foundation of personal fulfillment.

3. When your daily activities reflect your governing values, you experience inner peace.

4. To reach any significant goal, you must leave your comfort zone.

5. Daily planning leverages time through increased focus.

6. Your behavior is a reflection of what you truly believe.

7. You satisfy needs when your beliefs are in line with reality.

8. Negative behaviors are overcome by changing incorrect beliefs.

9. Your self-esteem must ultimately come from within.

10. Give more and you'll have more.

Quote, Unquote

2011-09-07T11:03:00.002-04:00

He who knows the “why” for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any how.

- Viktor Frankl, from his book "Man's Search For Meaning"

At Random: "Facing Diversity and Leveling the Playing Field"

2011-09-02T09:03:00.008-04:00

"...Ask a photography student for the names of five photographers of diverse backgrounds and they will probably fumble." - from "Facing Diversity: Leveling the Playing Field in the Photographic Arts." by Hannah Frieser and Miriam Romais

All too often I come across photographers with very little to say. Just as often I see galleries and magazines promoting photographers' work that seems to have misplaced meaning. They are well crafted nonsense. This goes across the board: commercial and fine art; landscape, street, fashion, glamour and figure art.

However, there are alot of photographers working today, many on their own special projects, that raise questions that the dominant culture of photography - middle aged white males - have either missed or dismissed. These photographers continue to bring to the fore questions and answers about who we are as artists and as human beings - culturally and socially. It is up to galleries, universities, publishers and media outlets to recognize and promote the multicultural changes in photography and be open to new ways of seeing.

This will come about when we hire, promote and seek out a diverse art workforce. "Leveling the playing field" sounds like we are bringing standards down, instead we need to see diversity as creating a new higher standard - for all of us. The vision is out there, we just need to adjust our focus.

Quote, Unquote - C.J. Chivers

2011-08-26T14:40:00.005-04:00

"I don't have a lot of trouble coming back. There are different worlds in this world, and I tend to pass through them pretty easily. It's like-imagine you put a cat in a sack and then you take the cat to another spot on earth and very quickly lift the sack off. What do you have? A cat. That's kind of how I am. When I come home, I'm me. I fall right in on the dishes and diapers, tending the garden, working the compost, and chasing the fish."

- war reporter C.J. Chivers "What I've Learned", Esquire magazine September 2011

At Random - Rugie

2011-08-25T17:49:00.004-04:00

Met Rugie from a craigslist posting I did asking for African models for my African Women in America project back in 2006 or so. We met up at Woodley Park Metro in D.C. this warm day. And we did a photoshoot in an alleyway near there. At my request we did a few photos for my nudes project. They were simple implied nudes, nothing actually showing. But I really liked this shot, and when it came time to put up a website this was the one I chose.

She was the first Muslim woman I worked with, and it has since become more important for me to show Muslim women in my nudes project. So far I have worked with about five Muslim women and hope to work with more before the project is finished. So I will always be thanful for Rugie bearing with me that warm day in a stinky alleyway.

"Rugie" by VLS 2007

At Random - 2 B or Not 2 B: a Black Photographer

2011-08-22T09:42:00.005-04:00

Every now and then someone will ask me "do you see yourself as a black photographer or as a photographer?" And just as often I'll say, "Oh that's easy I'm a black photographer." And that's that. The conversation usually ends with no further elaboration.

I think folks are content with that answer because it fits their notions anyway. I'm an American. I'm Black. I'm a photographer. And like any good communicator should you tailor your presentation to your audience. So in an international audience I'll be the American photographer. In a gallery talk where the audience is mainly African-American I'll be a photographer. In other places I may refer to myself as a Black photographer. But in every case the work I present is wholly and fully my own. I know who I am, but I feel I must present myself differently to different audiences. Just as I may speak one way with friends and another way when applying for a bank loan.

However, despite all this my work comes from a sensitivity to being a Black male in America. The photographs represent my journey and experiences thus far. They are my way of seeing. That way most likely will evolve as life experiences adjust what I value and how I look at things. I'm not sure what life has in store for me further down the road, but its important for me to look back at the photos I've done thus far and see a progression. And so far I am glad that I've stayed, for the most part, true to myself.

Quote, Unquote

2011-08-19T17:00:00.001-04:00

"The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings." - J.M. Barrie

Quote, Unquote

2011-08-18T14:42:00.001-04:00

"Knowledge speaks, wisdom listens."

At Random - Women of Color

2011-08-11T16:00:00.004-04:00

Been working hard on finding women to be apart of the "Women of Color" series that will be apart of the pplofcolor.com website. Hope to unveil it before the end of August.

Te series focuses on answering the question: What does it mean to be 'White' in America? With some of the women giving their own answers in 400 words or less.

"Nadeshiko" Copyright VLS 2011

At Random - Stephen King

2011-07-31T02:38:00.019-04:00

"I recognize fear as the finest emotion and will try to terrorize the reader. But if I find I cannot terrify, I will try to horrify, and if I find that I cannot horrify, I'll go for the gross-out."
- Stephen King from his non-fiction book "Danse Macabre" (originally posted on my blog August 1o, 2010)This quote informs pretty much what I try to do when I photograph nudes for my "Perfect" project. I think its essential to first try to create an image no one has ever seen before. Then if that doesn't seem to be working, I go for different angles, poses, and try to use texture and pattern in interesting ways. If I'm not creating any art, then I go for glamour or erotica. And lastly if nothing else is working I just go for the porn shot. Luckily I seem to fail a lot less these days and haven't had to go for the low blow, but as Stephen King reminds me - all is fair in love and war, and art - so I've been challenging myself of late to take a no prisoner, no holds barred approach to my nudes, and so far I'm winning that battle.

"Ascending: Light, Form, Flesh" Copyright Vincent Lee Smith 2011

At Random - Treble Lifter

2011-07-25T11:52:00.013-04:00

My friend Blade invited me to catch his new band Treble Lifter at Jammin' Java. But I had already been invited to go to the Cheesecake Factory in Friendship Heights after work w an Ashley Judd look-a-like. Could I fit in both? Was I going against the old adage "Bros before..."? I figured I was slick enough to get em both in.

So I met her at the Factory - was witty, charming and self-effacing. Crammed my pie hole, she paid, I left and then scooted down to the rendevous point to meet my best friend - The Dane - to catch a ride to the show. We get there and I see some of my old co-workers. We slid up front, nestled our ears against the speakers and were wowed: great show: my ears are still ringing!

My friend, Blade, pounding on the drums like the Mighty Thor. Awesome show. Can't wait for the next one. You don't have to wait though, you can purchase the Treble Lifter EP on amazon.com - Enjoy!
"Treble Lifter series" Copyright Vincent Lee Smith 2011

Reflections - Amy

2011-07-21T10:52:00.012-04:00

Met Amy at work some years ago and I remarked that she reminded me of Ashley Judd (from the movie "Eye of the Beholder"). She thought I was bullshitting her, but she smiled anyway and we have gone on to become friendly.

So one especially warm humid D.C. summer evening we met up at The Cheesecake Factory in Friendship Heights. I happened to have my little Olympus Stylus Epic film camera because I was going to a friend's rock show right after dinner. The hostess sat us down near the window and the suffused light was perfect on Amy. So I asked her to hold still and just look out the window. Reluctantly she did and that's how this photo came about.

Now that I see this, Amy reminds me of two of my favorite actresses - Ashley Judd and Katy Jurado - put together. What more could a man ask for? Well the food was awesome too.

Amy Kathleen Cole Copyright Vincent Lee Smith 2011

Re[view] Master - Summer Sprung

2011-06-30T16:59:00.020-04:00

Anouar Brahem - Le Pas du Chat Noir

One day this Spring, on a whim, I typed in the word "noir" into amazon's music section and this is one of the albums that popped up.

Glad I did. Its a amazing chamber jazz trio with oud, accordion and piano. Strange bedfellows, but oh what sweet music they make.

Fairly melancholy throughout, but the accordion is especially delightful and makes this whole affair sound as if it the soundtrack to the movie "Amelie" merged with a middle eastern film.

It may be difficult for some listeners to get past the strange sounds of the oud and accordion mix, but I think once you do, this is a very rewarding cd. It has very quickly become one of my favorites and will most certainly make my blog year's best buy list this December. Highly recommended.

Blue Sky Black Death - Noir

This was the other cd I found on amazon.com when I typed in the word "noir". Also very happy I found this cd.

If instrumental crescendo rock band Explosions in the Sky did an electronica/hip-hop album produced by Danger Mouse I think it would sound alot like this.

Charlie Sheen would say this is "epic", because it boasts a sweeping sound that mixes electronica, hip-hop beats, with r&b vocal snippets, that all together makes a work of art that is fun, dark, and lightweight all at the same time. More importantly its not didactic, nothing overbearing here and its not fluffy either. Great music to drive to as it will give your speakers a good work out.

Charlene Kaye - Things I Will Need In The Past

My friend Ashley turned me onto Charlene. I enjoyed her cd, but when I saw her live at a house party in D.C. recently I became a true fan.

This is definitely a Starbucks type singer; as her calm assured voice tends to float over the band. Unlike Norah Jones, who is more jazz pop, Charlene has a folksy flavor to her pop songs.

Check out "Human", "Magnolia Wine" and my favorite "Different Colored Eyes". An up and coming singer with a bright future. If she were a stock she'd be a "Strong Buy".

Explosions in The Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

Not much more you can say about these instrumental rockers from Texas. They make what I call crescendo rock - cinematic, sweeping and epic - long songs that mean something. Often their tunes are heavy, but the weight feels good on you, never chafes.

They treat their instrumental rock like classical pieces. There are ebbs and flows and they can go from near silence to all out violence in mere seconds and it sounds - great! If you've heard their work before, they have added a few exotic (for them) touches, especially adding in a few vocals here and there, but mostly this is more of the same, just better. Doubtful they'll ever totally match the brilliance of their 3rd album ("Earth...") but listen to the track "Let Me Back In" and it certainly meets if not exceeds anything they've done thus far.

Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie Xx - We're New Here

Heard about this album this Spring, but didn't get it until I heard Gil had passed over.

From the 1st track to the last its an experiment that pays dividends to the listener each time he puts it on. Jamie XX a hot young producer takes a recent Gil record and fully turns it on, taking it from a jazz thing to an electronica/hip-hop joint and does it reverently. Not an easy task.

Start with "I'm New Here" and "My Cloud" then go from there. I think you'll like this experiment in sonic R&D.

Robert Nighthawk - Bricks in my Pillow

Fiending for raw, unadulterated good time feeling blues? I was, so I reached for my wallet and paid to have some Robert Nighthawk sent to my doorstep. And he did nicely to satisfy my craving.

I'd heard Robert Nighthawk songs on compilations before and always dug his good clear sounding voice and great guitar playing and his band is right there with him note for note. The songs are typical blues fare, but you don't go to fish fry for chicken now do you, so you get what you pay for and what you pay for is good enough.

Check out "The Moon is Rising", "You Missed A Good Man" and "Maggie Campbell".

Sarah Wilson - Trapeze Project

I think I heard this on NPR and wrote it down while driving my son back home one Sunday evening.

Jazz trumpeter and vocalist Sarah Wilson was a surprise. She has the kind of clear bright tone that I haven't heard in awhile. Some trumpeters kinda slur their notes, not here; she's right there with you every step.

Her compositions tend to be formal, but her musicians (especially her clarinetist) are kindred spirits and they play loose enough with the material that its more business casual. My favorite track is "She Stands In A Room". I wish I were a better music writer to really describe this tune for you, but I'm not, so I'll just tell you how it made me feel - elated. Its cinematic without being too dramatic, very well balanced piece that has nice interplay between the trumpet and clarinet backing her up.

Basically if you don't normally like jazz or are looking for something new, this just might be for you - check it!

The Sea & Cake - The Moonlight Butterfly

Was delighted to see that one of my favorite indie-rock bands had a new cd out. This one is a bit shorter than the others, but nevertheless I bought it and was pleased with the purchase.

The songs are bit longer than usual, which was a nice change of pace. They could really stretch out and go for it. However if you are already familiar with the band there isn't much else new here for you to latch onto, but no matter - their breezy lyrics, contemplative (almost to the point of melancholy) vibe is what you came for anyway. Relaxing bliss without putting you to sleep. Most excellent.

Steve Turre - Sanctified Shells

The opening track to this Latin jazz cd "Explorations" is the theme song for the Latin Flavor on WPFW here in D.C. and I listen to it often while driving my son around on the weekends. I really dug the sounds of this band playing these large sea shells that after months of hearing the theme just went out and bought the cd.

And although this album came out in '93 you'd never know it. Sounds like it could have been produced today.

With the band playing seas shells like horns and with trombones also in the mix and a great percussion section backing all this up, you just can't miss with this one. Check out the long form mystical "Beautiful India" and Carmen Turre tearing it up on castanets on "Toreador". A solid album from beginning to end. Classic!

Talib Kweli - Eardrum

I try not to review no brainers, like Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" or Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall", I mean because everybody knows they are the bomb. But the whole idea of this blog is to give love to what I find inspirational or stuff i just dig. This cd is in both categories. I just had to put this hip-hop cd in, because all too often I'll be driving fools and they'll say "Who's this?"

Talib upped the ante and got with hot producers and had guest artists on nearly every track, but he's still the master of his domain never letting the other folks take over or he just do a "walk through" like DeNiro does some of his movies. Each track he's packing thoughtful rhymes.

My good friend and ex, Kendra, put me on to this cd and I was like "whaaat, little miss gospel is listening to hip-hop" and sure 'nough this joint was like that. So take it from me, a dude who's not the biggest hip-hop head, but knows a good thing when he hears it - go all in and buy this cd. Check out "Country Cousins" if you need confirmation before purchase.

Recommended!

Quote, Unquote

2011-06-30T16:56:00.004-04:00

We Americans are living in a state of the unreal because we are denying the reality of our lives, in all things we say and do. We talk one way and act another. We talk about talk. We talk about things that don't need talk and we are silent about things that we should talk about. We do what we don't believe, we feel but we don't act. We see and we remain silent.

- Roy DeCarava from "If It Hasn't Been One Of Color" by Ivor Miller in Callaloo 13, 1990

At Random - The Original Boys From the Hood

2011-06-14T14:12:00.003-04:00

Bert & Ernie Go Gansta
http://youtu.be/21OH0wlkfbc
Made Me Laugh!

ppl of color: Photography Series

2011-06-13T10:49:00.015-04:00

Nearly finished with the 2nd installment of my ppl of color photography series that explores what it means to be 'White' in America.

The website http://www.pplofcolor.com/ is forthcoming and will ask photographers of all levels to send in their work and together further the discussion on one of the most invisible aspects of race in America.

"Forever 21", "With Flower", "First Lady Dresses - Kennedy Center" and "Window Girl" Copyright Vincent Lee Smith 2011

Quote, Unquote

2011-06-09T11:12:00.002-04:00

*While you are experimenting, do not remain content with the surface of things. Don't become a mere recorder of facts, but try to penetrate the mystery of their origin.* - Isabel Allende

Quote, Unquote

2011-06-08T13:27:00.007-04:00

"Be who you are and

say what you feel

because

those who mind

don't matter and

those who matter

don't mind."

- Dr. Seuss

Re[view] Master

2011-05-10T10:40:00.031-04:00

Big Remo - Entrapment

Borders Books & Music on 18th & L St NW here in D.C. was closing shop. It had always been one of my stomping grounds to just hang, and inadvertently find cool shit along the way.

So I went down to the music section on a mission. Saw this cd and the "9th Wonder presents..." got me to pick it up and that was it. Bought it, got it home and it was just as i thought it would be - good solid hip-hop from a slew of hip-hop producers.

The rhymes are strong and consistent. Every track is good, some like "Girls Wanted" and "Woop Woop" are alotta fun to listen to. Check it.

Broken Bells

Wanted new music. Had heard about this duo of Danger Mouse and James Mercer and thought it'd be good, so I dived in totally unaware of what I was getting into.

Turns out this I was right. The fun thing about this collaboration is that every single song is unexpected. You just don't know what to expect. However, every song is also true to the sonic vision of the pair and remains consistent without being boring.

Yes, it can get a bit tired by the end, but listen to "Vaporize", "Sailing to Nowhere" and "Mongrel Heart" and you'll know that there are enough surprises to keep you thoroughly engaged.

Carlos Santana/Mahavishnu John McLauglin - Love Devotion Surrender

This one is a bit of mystery. Not sure where or when or at what point I picked it up. Was it when I was a kid in high school, in college, or after college? But it seems to have been with me for many many years.

Like a good book, I always go back to it, find the same joy I did when I first picked it up. The great lines and parts always get me again. As the title refers this is a spiritual journey. Not for everyone. But the playing is mesmerizing. The intent is there: to play as if the instruments are one with you and one with the listener.

Two of the tracks are Coltrane originals and both hum with the jazz/rock fusion. This is above all else - engaging. Enjoy!

Eric Roberson - The Vault vol. 1.5

Out of nowhere in early April I get a text from my college buddy, Graham, who tells me to pick up this cd. So I do. It comes in the mail, I drop it in and its excellent.

How'd he know I'd been thinking about getting a chilled out neo-soul R&B joint for these Spring late night pollination sessions.

Eric's lovely voice at first sounds relaxed, but inside the lyrics is an urgency. That's a nice trick to turn, to sound mellow but also expectant. My favorites are "Couldn't Hear Me Over The Music", "Past Paradise" and "Rock With You", but this reworking of songs on Vault 1 never disappoint and each one stands on its own. Classic!

Foreign Born - In The Remote Woods

Had bought their newest cd "Person to Person" and loved it, so I went back and got this one, which is much more urgent and hard rock than the summer feel of "Person". But the anthems are still there and their sound sounds like U2 met Filter (without all the screaming).

Only 5 songs, but they make up for it with density: 4 out of the 5 really hit hard. Only the last title track missed its mark for me. Otherwise each song is fully formed. Lots of great drumming, passionate singing, and nimble jangly guitars, they create a dense wall of sound, but the lyrics never seem to get lost and it all makes sense. Great driving music: filled with angst and makes you wanna go fucking fast.

James Brown - Messing With The Blues

If you like James Brown's early 60s music and if you like the Blues, well then you'll enjoy this two cd collection of his blues side. This is however a compilation of music that ranges from Louis Jordan covers of "Caldonia" and "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" to funkier numbers like "Further On Up The Road" and "Honky Tonk."

This is mostly music that Little Richard would have had no trouble singing, so if you can deal with that late 50s early 60s feel, then cool otherwise leave this alone.

Good stuff if you don't mind missing the funk.

Kem - Intimacy

A lady I'd been seeing off and on for one-nighters texted me during one of our off periods extolling the virtues of this cd. "Okay" I said "I'll check it out." Five months later I finally did. I bought it and sure enough this was smooth jazz/R&B at its finest.

The whole cd is filled with Kem's wonderful phrasing and the late night candle lit vibe is on every song. Perfect for snuggling.

Highly Recommended for lovers.

Maria Muldaur

Had never heard of her. But I loved the cover. I know, I know - never judge it by the cover - but I did. Borders Books & Music on 18th & L St was closing and I went down to the basement where they had the cds and went through the leftovers - detritus mostly - and found this folk/rock gem hidden behind some other crap.

Very peaceful music ("Midnight at the Oasis"), nothing too heavy, and even the heaviest song ("Long Hard Climb") sounds delightful with her amazing voice just lifting you up like a mama lifting a child who's skinned its knee.

70s Folk/Rock at its best.

N'Dambi - Weird Kinda Wonderful

N'Dambi takes a more hard edged rock feel here to mix with her soul drawl.

She struts her stuff, tells her lover to "Get On Up" and get out; tells another that they "Can't Change me" and the finally the best song pleads with another lover (or the same) to "Stay" - a 7 minute slow burn. Excellent.

This may be the mixed up middle child between her debut "...Lost Girl Blues" and her newest cd "Pink Elephant" which is her most solid to date, but this fits in nicely with her vision of where to take soul. Enjoy the ride.

Robert Glasper - In My Element

This was another cat I'd never heard of before taking that fateful trip to Borders that was closing up shop and taking some chances on folks.

Effortlessly flitting between the late night hip-hop sounds of "JDillalude" and "F.T.B." to the gospel track "Y'Outta Praise Him" to straight ahead jazz of "One For 'Grew" - pianist Robert Glasper and his trio just load this cd with everything and it all works.

If you like jazz, and you yearn for something a bit unexpected, but not too heavy, not too light, then this my friend is for you. Enjoy!

At Random - Nikon 80-200mm Lens

2011-05-04T15:27:00.005-04:00

Trying out my new Nikon 80-200mm lens at Cosi cafe on 20th & MSt NW DC.

Photos VLSphoto 2011

Next on NetFlix - The Fog (1980)

2011-04-21T10:28:00.006-04:00

The Fog, directed by John Carpenter, 1980, Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, and Janet Leigh.

One of my favorite films, just wanted to honor it by putting up the ghost story that begins the film...

"...One hundred years ago on the 21st of April, out in the waters around Spivey Point, a small clipper ship drew toward land. Suddenly, out of the night, the fog rolled in. For a moment, they could see nothing, not a foot in front of them. Then, they saw a light. By God, it was a fire burning on the shore, strong enough to penetrate the swirling mist. They steered a course toward the light. But it was a campfire, like this one. The ship crashed against the rocks, the hull sheared in two, mars snapped like a twig. The wreckage sank, with all the men aboard. At the bottom of the sea, lay the Elizabeth Dane, with her crew, their lungs filled with salt water, their eyes open, staring to the darkness. And above, as suddenly as it come, the fog lifted, receded back across the ocean and never came again. But it is told by the fishermen, and their fathers and grandfathers, that when the fog returns to Antonio Bay, the men at the bottom of the sea, out in the water by Spivey Point will rise up and search for the campfire that led them to their dark, icy death." - Old Mr. Machen

Images from the movie

Quote, Unquote

2011-04-17T19:26:00.001-04:00

If you are already wet, there's no reason to be afraid of the rain. - Iraqi saying

At Random - The Power of Nudity

2011-04-13T10:22:00.000-04:00

http://wonderwall.msn.com/music/born-this-way-literally-gaga-mariah-and-more-celebs-on-the-power-of-nudity-1613794.story?gt1=28135

At Random - "1 Million Dollars!"

2011-04-08T11:07:00.008-04:00

When I was a kid, my Father would be driving along in his car or his landscaping truck at 50 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone and suddenly he'd pull over to the side of the road, hop out, go off running, bend over, pick something up, then come back, hop back in the car and hand me a $20 bill. It happened so often that it wouldn't faze me in the slightest. My Dad had the original "gun sight eyes".

Its a trait that even with my piss poor eyesight have picked up. And that was the case when walking home yesterday and about a half block away I notice blowing in the grass this mint green piece of paper. It was money! Right then I see two dudes walking my way in the opposite direction - they were also a half block away. Would they see the bill, would they get to it before me? I didn't pick up my step, I also didn't look at the bill anymore lest they follow my eyes like a safety reading a quarterback.

The two dudes passed by it near their feet completely unaware, but I saw them turn when I stopped to reach down and pick up the bill. I laughed and immediately reached for my camera to document my million dollar folly.

"Million Dollar Bill" - (C) VLSphoto

At Random - Palmer & Nicklaus

2011-04-05T15:56:00.003-04:00

Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus comparing drivers before teeing aff against each other. I just really like this photo.

Credit: Bettmann/Corbis

Quote, Unquote

2011-03-31T11:10:00.000-04:00

The strength of any culture resides in its ability to preserve, cherish, reinvent and grow. - Anonymous

Re[view] Master - "It's Spring Again!"

2011-03-30T09:27:00.026-04:00

The Deep Thinkers - Make It Quake

Going through old magazines trying to declutter the house, I ran across a review of this Kansas City based hi-hop duo. It was for their mid-2000s cd "Necks Move", but when I went online to purchase it i saw they had this new joint out, so I bought it instead.

From the very beginning "Intro" my head was bobbing. I played it all the way through while I did work on my computer. When it ended I restarted. And again and again and again.

My favorites are "Intro", "It's So Fresh" about the ills of poor eating, "99 Bottles" which is a cautionary tale of overindulgence, and "Spicey Vindaloo" which makes good use out of reconfigured Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys beat. All in all it is a very good cd that falls neatly in with the positive vibes of Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. Check it out.

Earth, Roots And Water - Innocent Youths

Late 70s reggae hailing from Toronto Canada. That was enough to get my attention. And was rewarded with a solid dub album.

The whole cd is very nice, but I especially liked #5 "Lou Sent Me" which is a half talking, half singing R&B track over a nice reggae beat. This song is uplifting as are all the other messages on the cd.

This album is firmly in the dub reggae tradition. Nothing startling here, but if you are looking for a reggae cd that doesn't feature the usual suspects and more obscure, then this cd is for you.

The Har-You Percussion Group

Sounds like a weird Ripley's Believe It or Not social experiment: get a bunch of musically inclined Black and Latino at risk youth in Harlem together, give them instruments and record a slammin' album of funky salsa soul. Except that's exactly what happened.

My best friend Ed was raving about this crazy LP he picked up, when I asked the name of it so I could see if it was out on cd, he seemed to hesitate, like he wanted to keep it all to himself, but he told me and sure enough it was on cd, so I bought it and sure enough it was pretty damn cool. Although percussion abounds on this album, there is plenty of brass to go around, and it is a solid band of brothas. Highly recommended!

Houston Person - Moment to Moment

Houston Person's newest cd is a joy. But then again this is nothing new. He's been doing this seemingly effortlessly for many many years now. And his style of unhurried jazz saxophone is in full effect.

While he seems to be best on ballads, in the tradition of other sax greats like Gene Ammons and Illinois Jacquet, he's just as at ease with mid-tempo standards.

He also seems to be enthused by the youthful enthusiasm of trumpeter Terell Stafford on this album as well. Check out my favorites: "Back in New Orleans", "Love Won't Make Me Wait", "I Cover the Waterfront" and "E Nada Mais".

Isabel Bayradarian - Gomidas Songs

Borders Books & Music on 18th & L St. in D.C. was my favorite spot right behind Tower Records to pick up music, magazines and books. Plus there were always good looking ladies in there. So when I passed by and saw they were closing down the store and only keeping one in the metro area open my heart sank, but my wallet got a lot lighter, because I went in on a mission to find the last gems I could.

I lucked up on this classical cd of Armenian folk songs. I took a chance, bought it, brought it home and it was wonderful. These may be folks songs, but you'd never know it the way Isabel sang them. Her clarion voice filled my bedroom. I'm not a real music critic, DUH!, so I'm not sure how to truly describe what I heard. But I can tell you what I felt: at ease, slightly uplifted and charmed. Her gift was truly my reward. I hope you get a chance to feel the same way I did. Enjoy!

John Lee Hooker - If You Miss 'Im... I Got 'Im

Julie London - About the Blues

My friend and ex-lover Shari was telling me about how much she loved Julie London so on her word I went out and bought this cd. Of course Shari was right.

If you like late night jazzy smoky sounding female vocals that you can make out to or just lounge around in dim light, then this is for you.

This cd is made for after the sun goes down. I can't imagine playing this on an early Sunday morning, but I guess you could, but it wouldn't feel right to me. This is an at home solo or with someone you love cuddled up close kinda cd. Just that simple.

Kermit Ruffins - Happy Talk

My brother Chris had called me the day after this arrived in my mail box saying he was heading to New Orleans. It was Mardi Gras time and I was jealous that he'd be in New Orleans and I wouldn't.

But I had Kermit Ruffins latest cd and he didn't, I could have a little New Orleans flavor whenever I wanted. Or at least that's what I told myself...

...Kermit Ruffins: jazz trumpeter extraordinaire: beautiful bright tone when he wants it and a slightly throaty one when he's gettin' down in the basement.

Check out his cheeky takes on kids songs "High Hopes" and "If I Only Had A Brain", as well as my favorites "Hey Look Me Over", "Happy Talk", "La Vie En Rose" and "More Than Yesterday".

I might have missed Mardi Gras, but at least I can whip this baby out when I miss New Orleans.

Nathaniel Rateliff - In Memory of Loss

Dedicated to his Dad, this is an intimate tribute by a folk singer really beginning to bloom. His sound and style are all his own. This is one cd you really have to listen to before you buy. Then if you do buy it, you really have to listen to it when you get it. It's not easy on you. It's lovely and warm and it can break your heart too with its emotion filled songs. Check it out for yourself and see what I mean. Maybe its something you want to bring home with you and maybe not.

Tierra Adentro

Not sure what magazine I was scrounging through, maybe it was Ode, but not sure, but it had said it was great music for kids to dance to. So I bought it.

Very simply put this is various artists performing Puerto Rican folk or "mountain" music, but to my ears it sounded cool as hell. Mixing brass with the rural sounds of the squeezebox, with nimble guitarists and percussion with Spanish vocals I didn't need to understand to feel the joy inherent in them. Another rare gem you might have overlooked. Highly recommended.

Next on Netflix - Peter Beard

2011-03-29T16:09:00.003-04:00

Peter Beard: Scrapbooks From Africa and Beyond; 1997

Picked up this documentary on photographer Peter Beard as research for how I wanted to do photos for a new project of mine that will try to answer the question: what does it mean to be 'White' in America? Basically I wanted to see how Peter "stalked" his prey. What was his process of dealing with a new culture, a new society and how to he become, at least in Western eyes, as one of the preeminent photographers of Africa in general and Kenya specifically.

The way was surprisingly simple: he was sincerely intrigued with Africa, then fueled by passion (that just lept off the screen) and manipulated by his immense charm, was able to by force of will and creative openness create images that were full of energy.

That inspired me. I went in completely with an image of a colonizing type figure in the fashion industry. Here was a white dude photographing in the same National Geographic way. Using Africa as a back drop for his bullshit fashion images. Be all that as it may. It wasn't his work that inspired me, it was the way he worked. He was wide open, but clear eyed, and he showed me that sometimes passion more than technical process can lead the way.

Next on Netflix - Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens

2011-03-07T12:22:00.002-05:00

Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens; 2008, 83 Minutes, Director Barbara Leibovitz

Recently I have begun upping my game, getting out of my comfort zone and have been pushing myself to extend my photography's reach and scope.

One of the first things I did was jump on Netflix and dropped every damn photography documentary I could into my queue. I wanted to see how other artists breath their life into their work. The first of these was "Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens".

Directed by her sister this is often more congratulatory than it should be and also more intimate than I think anyone else could have hoped for. But in the end I didn't come to the DVD wanting to know about her relationship with Susan Sontag, her kids, or her use of rehab from drugs. These things are touched on - another documentary would have delved deeper - but I came to see her process and the history of how she went from "a fly on the wall to being a superstar photography conductor".

That's a leap, but its also a process, and that is covered well enough here to give you a sense of Annie's mission - "get the shot!" And that leans deeply into what her story is, it is one of working for someone else and blending what they need/want with what she can deliver and then turning the trick of giving the client back better than they could have wished for. In essence her job is to each time come back with iconic photographs. And what amazed me watching this, is that most of the time she did. One person remarks in the film that she never once came back without "the shot". That just blew my mind. But it also made me realize - that's the job: to have the preparation, the foresight, the right tools, and the tenacity to get the shot.

In the film it shows the way she worked with folks in the beginning and works with them now. It was eye opening that she doesn't necessarily try to make folks comfy with her. Intimacy is built through mutual respect.

Watching the film truly inspired me to up my game. That's what I wanted from this and that's what I got. Thanks Annie!

At Random - Shaul Schwarz

2011-03-04T14:18:00.004-05:00

Check out the work of Shaul Schwarz on the Narco Culture in Mexico (and think about how we might stem the violence by either decriminalizing or legalizing drugs worldwide) and also the Haitian earthquake photos (and how we all might help them rebuild for the better):

http//www.shaulschwarz.com/#/photography/narco-culture/Drugwar_Color004_copy

Product Placement / Book Review - India Cookbook

2011-02-28T14:10:00.002-05:00

India Cookbook, by Pushpesh Pant; Hardcover, English language, 960 pages, 160 color photographs, 75 illustrations, Published by Phaidon

Below is the text "About the Book" from Phaidon's website:

India is the first comprehensive guide to Indian cooking, with over 1,000 recipes covering every aspect of India's rich and colorful culinary heritage. Unlike many other Indian cookbooks, it is written by an Indian culinary academic and cookbook author who lives and works in Delhi, and the recipes are a true reflection of how traditional dishes are really cooked all over India. They have been carefully edited to ensure that they are simple to follow and achievable in western kitchens, with detailed information about authentic cooking utensils and ingredients.

Indian food has been hugely popular in the UK for many years, and the appetite for Indian food shows no sign of diminishing.... The comprehensive chapters on breads, pickles, spice pastes and chutneys contain a wide variety of recipes rarely seen in Indian cookbooks... India is the only book on Indian food you'll ever need.

Quote, Unquote - Today

2011-02-25T09:13:00.000-05:00

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present." - Babatunde Olatunji

Poem

2011-02-25T09:06:00.006-05:00

The best six doctors anywhere And no one can deny it Are sunshine, water, rest, and air Excercise and diet. These six will gladly you attend If only you are willing Your mind they'll ease Your will they'll mend And charge you not a shilling. - Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, "What The River Knows", 1990

Quote, Unquote

2011-02-15T09:14:00.001-05:00

"America is a place of great extremes. And if you choose to look at the extremes it can be very tragic." - Arthur Miller from the documentary "Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Impassioned Eye"

Re[view] Master

2011-01-31T10:00:00.019-05:00

22-20s - Shake/Shiver/Moan

This is a very simple no brainer: if you like your rock shaken not stirred with a dose of psychedelic 60s verve added in, well then this is for you.

Check out the title track to see what I mean.

'Nuf said.

The Black Keys - Brothers

Okay true believers, they are back and better than ever. In their most radio friendly session yet, we find the dynamic duo at their rockin' best. Again, this is simply classic straight ahead rock, with no sense of indie irony in sight. No wistful lyrics tepidly sung, this is full tilt all the way baby.
Check out "Howlin' For You", "Everlasting Light" and "She's Long Gone" to get a taste of their nasty.

Blossom Dearie - May I Come In?

Going from The Black Keys downright dirty good old boy sound to Blossom Dearie's sweet jazzy pop sound is certainly extreme, but that's how I roll.

Her little girl voice, best known from her stints on School House Rock, is put to good effect here with songs like "When Sunny Gets Blue". But don't let the voice fool you, she's a singer with great phrasing and an accomplished pianist who is totally at home here with this poppy material, like "Something Happens To Me" and "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars". But check her reading of "I'm Old Fashioned" - perfect.

Known more for her jazz chops, this might actually be a better entry level to her style of singing, as its without her piano accompaniment and while backed by orchestra it is solely her voice she has to fall back on. Lovely and unique as it is.

The Clientele - Strange Geometry

This cd is boring, but in a good way. The songs drift from one to another with little change in tone or feel. But that's okay really, because this is such wonderful background music to an autumn day. I've heard folks try to make songs sound like a season, and these folks succeed in making a whole album sound like Fall.

Melodic rock that just straddles the edge between rock and folk. Lush and fully realized, but still light as a feather. You get pulled in so totally that the cd ends before you even realize an hour has passed.

And so like those lazy days between Summer and Fall - you just don't know where they went. Check out "Step Into The Light" for a dose.

Hot Chip - The Warning

Warning, I really only love one song here, but love it so much I just had to add the whole damn cd, because at some point, I'm sure I'll fall into at least like with a few more.

Electronic bubbly gum pop rocks. That's what this is. And the song "And I Was A Boy From School" exemplifies this to no end. It's a totally bouncy dance track with mellowed out vocals. Perfectly surprising.

Ike & Tina Turner - Sing The Blues

Not saying that if you live the blues, you sing the blues better. And I'm not saying that Ike or Tina or all that and a bag of chips. But what I am saying is that Ike & Tina singing and playing made each other better. They pushed each other and we are - the listeners - in awe when they do their thing. That's all I'm saying. And this is a strong testament to their roots, before all the "...Mountain High" Stuff rolled in. For good or ill Ike Turner was the fucking man! You better recognize fool!

Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose

Country singing legend Loretta Lynn singing all her own songs over a young guitar master Jack White band. Nice idea. Cool stuff.

The songs are the only lacking part. Not all of them stand on their own to this kinda rockabilly treatment. But the ones that do, like "Van Lear Rose" and "Have Mercy" really stand out, on their own and shout for you to stand up and listen and sometimes to move!

The RH Factor - Hard Groove

The first full album of jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove's groove sessions with folks outside the jazzsphere. Folks like Erkah Badu, Common, Q-Tip, D'Angelo and M'shel Ndegeocello.

Unlike some jazz/r&b/hip-hop fusions this is not fused really, meaning this is totally unforced, with no heat, no friction, no nothing else necessary. It is not seamless either. Not all the tracks work, but again its not because it was forced or melded together, the track just doesn't work, but the misses here are few.

Check out the blissfulness of "How I Know" and the soulfulness of "I'll Stay" to the funk spray of "Juicy".

Secret Machines - Now Here Is Nowhere

If you like Led Zeppelin's driving drums and pulsating guitars you'll like Secret Machines' songs "First Wave Intact" and "Sad And Lonely".

The rest of the album is good too, just not the same as these. The title track is wonderful as well, but much like the movie "Saving Private Ryan" where everyone walking out warns those coming in that the first fifteen minutes will make your nuts shrivel - that's this albums' claim to fame as well. Thrilling beginning, nice middle and good ending. What more can you ask for?!

The Zincs - Dimmer

Another very simple review - this is mellow elevator rock. Its good.

Check out the song "Sunday Night" for confirmation.

Book Review - Jack London: Photographer

2011-01-27T11:58:00.005-05:00

Jack London: Photographer; with critical essays by Jeane Campbell Reesman, Sara S. Hodson & Philip Adam; 288 pages, published by University of Georgia Press, September 15, 2010

The man who brought us written classics such as "The Call of the Wild", "White Fang" and "The Sea-Wolf" also was an accomplished photographer. This book congratulates that fact with a full treatment of some of his photos out of the many thousand he left behind.

These are not your run of the mill travel photos, nor are they totally journalistic, but more rightly described as humanistic. And that makes sense with Jack London's all hands on deck socialist views of mankind.

You'll find these early 20th Century photos exquisite. Especially his portraits of villagers and city folk in Asia.

Highly recommended.

Quote, Unquote

2011-01-18T13:09:00.000-05:00

"The future is uncertain and the end is always near". - Jim Morrison

Quote, Unquote

2011-01-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

At Random - The Natural

2011-01-04T15:33:00.004-05:00

Up a little late last night and I was hovering over a stack of magazines I was supposed to be shelving. Of course I decide to go to bed with a few instead. The last mag I open is an Esquire from March of last year, the one with a great image of Leo DiCaprio on the cover. It's heavily dogeared and even highlighted in parts. On pg. 98, Leo's interview, I read this:

"...a great acting coach, Larry Moss. One of the things he talks about is specificity - how the worst thing an actor can do when they come on set is go in and try to say the lines as naturally as possible.

At first, that sounds counter intuitive to what you're supposed to do. ...You need to do a tremendous amount of work to have the balls to say something naturally."

In the margins I had written: that's something to aspire to. It's hard making a woman standing outside naked in a city look natural.

Upon reading that again last night I thought of several women who were disappointed with my raw style of photographing and wanted something different - slicker, more "beautiful" I remember one woman saying. And last night I thought, "I'm not here to make you look good; I'm here to make you look natural." And that's what I hope all my photos portray, especially my nudes.

Quote, Unquote

2011-01-01T09:48:00.003-05:00

For the perfect flanuer, for the passionate spectator, it is an immense joy to set up house in the heart of the multitude, amid the ebb and flow of movement, in the midst of the fugitive and infinite. To be away from home and yet to feel oneself everywhere at home; to see the world, to be at the center of the world, and yet to remain hidden from the world... the lover of universal life enters into the crowd as though it were an immense reservoir of electrical energy.

- Baudelaire

At Random - Whistling

2010-12-30T11:52:00.003-05:00

My Dad used to be known for his loud shrill whistle. Sometimes we'd inside the house and my Dad would be outside doing yard work or something and out of nowhere we'd hear his whistle. And depending on its length or it's sound we could decipher if he wanted us to come outside to assist or if he was alerting someone walking by that they dropped something or their dress was hanging out of their closed car door. Or sometimes he'd just be whistling a work song he must have learned up in Connecticut as a young man picking tobacco.

So it is no surprise that I whistle. But I cannot whistle loudly like my Dad. Instead I use my whistle for mostly pleasure. Often I'll just be walking along the corridors of power here at my job and will whistle softly enough to be heard in a 10 foot earshot. Mostly I whistle church songs and spirituals, like "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" or "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" often just repeating the first stanza or two. However, I love whistling Duke Ellington's version of "St. Louis Blues". Another few favs are classical, such as the Theme to "The Godfather", the theme to Fritz Lang's "M" (the name of which escapes me right now and am too lazy to Google it), and the theme to "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".

The whistle comes in handy when walking around blind corners so folks know I'm coming. Even more handy is when walking behind someone on the street - day or night - letting them know I'm fast approaching, they hear my soft sweet whistle and move aside without being startled.

So I use my whistle often for both pleasure and utilitarian purposes. So if you feel joy in your heart, feel free to do as I do, and whistle while you work!

Next on Netflix - My Guilty Pleasure - "Eye of the Beholder"

2010-12-27T09:59:00.005-05:00

Eye of the Beholder, Starring - Ewan McGregor, Ashley Judd; Genevieve Bujold, K.D. Lang, Jason Priestley and Patrick Bergin. Sony Pictures 1999.

This movie was horrible. However, it was awesomely so. The performances by Ewan McGregor as a rogue Interpol agent following Ashley Judd as a smoking hot wig wearing psychopathic femme fatale are just fantastic. But the director/writer constantly wastes their talent with the plodding dumb plot and dialogue. In the hands of a better, more sensitive director this could have been a wonderful meditation on the descent into madness.

Nevertheless, here's the plot: Ewan plays "The Eye" who is following - for whatever reason - Ashley Judd who plays Joanna Eris a travelling psycho who kills men Black Widow style. She falls for you, you're dead. You back her into a corner, threaten her, you're dead. But instead of trying to catch her "The Eye" keeps tabs on her and when necessary even enables her. becoming in essence her "guardian angel".

The Eye has his own problems. He's visited and talks to apparitions of his little daughter who was taken away mysteriously by his estranged wife years ago. His bosses at his job are wondering where he is and calling for him to come in from the cold. K.D. Lang does a nice job as his friend at the job who helps him.

However, The Eye has no intentions of coming in or letting Joanna go or get caught. He's fallen in love with her in a very twisted way. He moves in finally at the very end, great scenes in Alaska, and both of their madness unravels before you. The ending is abrupt, but you knew it wasn't ever gonna end well. Obsession and madness, even when shared, is never a good thing.

At Random - "Give me Tomorrow"

2010-12-21T15:17:00.002-05:00

"If I were God," he asked the Marine, "what would you want for Christmas?" After a long, long time, the Marine answered, "Give me tomorrow." - Photographer David Duncan Douglas asking a nearly frozen Marine during a lull in December fighting in Korea 1950.

Photo Copyright by David Duncan Douglas

Quote, Unquote - And Yet Shall I Praise Him

2010-12-17T09:11:00.002-05:00

Psalm 42:5 - Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him [for] the help of His countenance. - King James Bible

Re[view] Master - Year End Reviews

2010-12-10T12:28:00.013-05:00

Music plays a big part of my daily life. I listen to it while getting ready for work, at work, in the car; I whistle tunes while walking to and from this or that place, and when I arrive home again I often pop one of these cds into the stereo.

One of the pleasures of writing this modest blog is being able to pass along musical favorites I have found along my way. In all my reviews I don't just focus on the new hotness, but instead showcase albums I may have bought 10 or 20 years ago. This list however highlights cds I purchased only in 2010. Some are relatively new releases, some very old. Eitherway - Enjoy!

Buckwheat Zydeco - Lay Your Burden Down

Not sure where or how I bumped into this this year, but I did and thank God for it. I have a couple of Buckwheat's cds but this one is different. It's a full blown hybrid of blues, zydeco and rock.

From the very first "When the Levee Breaks" you know this is gonna be powerful. Adapting the power chords of Led Zeppelin to an accordion and doing so while being faithful to the original blues song and the zydeco tradition is no small feat.

He follows it up with an amazing cover of Mofro's "The Wrong Side" which is so ebullient you forget that lyrics like - "I was born/on the wrong side of the tracks/so I left/but I'm still looking back/everybody got a tale of sorrow/I forget but can't let it go" - are supposed to be melancholic.

This is an artist at the height of his powers. Highly recommended.

Curtis Mayfield - There's No Place Like America Today

Had never heard of this amazing cd, but ran across it and immediately bought it and from beginning to end it was clear that even though he was describing America in the 70s he could easily be describing America in 2010.

A friend came by to work things out and I slipped this on and it helped lubricate the night. Humming along with the song in my ear. Getting our groove on. Thanks Curtis!

Highly recommended!

Daniel Varsano/Philippe Entremont - Satie: Piano Music

Didn't know French composer Erik Satie from the short hairs under my sack, but when I went to Borders Books & Music a month ago, I was itching for classical music, but didn't want a composer I already knew. So when I read the back of this cd, that the music was at once spare, melancholic, beautiful and humorous I thought I'd take a chance. It was also only $6.

So I went home with it and upon playing it that night I knew right away that I'd heard a few of these elegant pieces before.

This is a great introduction to Erik Satie's masterful minimalistic style. Someone once said that "Praying is talking to God, meditation is listening, and playing piano is when you do both." Here in this cd is both prayer and meditation. Enjoy!

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

Heard their anthem "Home" used in a NFL football ad. Never heard of the song or the group before, but it was kinetic and romantic at the same time. So I looked up the lyrics, found out who sung it and then that same evening after work went looking for the cd.

Went to two well known music stores and, unfortunately many music stores being in the sad state of affairs that they are, didn't have it. So I went to melody Records in Dupont Circle here in DC and while it wasn't filed correctly I kept looking and sure enough in a random section stumbled over it. I held it up to my face, "This is it!" I said to myself. Wow. I Found it.

Got home and loved the entire cd of 60s inspired folk rock. With nice group singing it was built not just for a campfire but for a cross country journey and for a subway ride. At turns mello, at others wistful, but in each song there was a big yet intimate sound. A cd and a band full and bursting with love for life. That's a sound I can dig anywhere, anytime.

Foreign Born - Person to Person

"Breath of fresh air this is," said Yoda. "Youthful. Full of life. The force is strong with this one." So I bought it on his word alone and must admit Yoda was right yet again.

This brand of L.A. indie rock embraces you with a joyous heart. A world beat that mixes African hi-Life guitar and drums ("Early Warnings") with U2 like anthems ("Blood Oranges") to BBQ ready jams ("Vacationing People") to pop/rock songwriting goodness ("Can't Keep Time").

You'll find enough here to keep you intoxicated and feeling ebullient for many months, hopefully years, to come. "May the Force be with you!"

Lake Trout - Not Them, You

Stumbled on Lake Trout's "Another One Lost" cd, really liked it so I bought this newer cd and liked it even more.

It is hard to describe these Baltimore guys as a purely rock band, since you can hear influences from jazz, hip-hop, electronica, and from other branches of the rock tree - like blues. There are instrumental pieces here. Some pop melodies blended with a jam band sensibility. And at any moment the song could change gears - not in a jarring way, but in an awesomely unexpected way.

So if you like rock with a psychedelic, jazz infused edge to it, this just might be for you.

Los Lobos - La Pistola y El Corazon

Another cd I heard about on a documentary about Latino music on PBS. I had known about Los Lobos since they broke out mainstream with "La Bamba" from the movie in the 80s. And my best friend, Ed, swore by them; however, I didn't have any of their tunes.

This came in last month and I've been playing this cd ever since. Rotating it with my Freddy Fender/Flaco Jimenez and Linda Rondstadt cds. Traditional Mexican music played authentically, not jazzed up for a gringo audience. And much like the other two cds I mentioned these songs are sung with such reverential joy. Check out "Las Amarillas", "El Gusto" and "El Canelo". Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

N'Dambi - Pink Elephant

This has been a very good year for female R&B singers, with Sade, Badu, along with ohters have brought out critically acclaimed albums and this album stands right up with them.

From the instant classic first song "L.I.E." to the wonderful stylings of "Can't Harldy Wait" this is R&B in full and righteous bloom.

Although its released on Stax Records it's not Sharon & the Daptones retro, but slightly forward looking and not stuck in any box or particular category. This is simply an artist doing her best to both please herself and her fans while also growing in her art. That bodes well for us, and her, in the near future. Bravo!

Sarah Vaughan - Swingin' Easy

Me and my son Ghabe had been watching the ken Burns "Jazz" documentary and it was in one episode where they briefly touched on Sarah Vaughan's singing style. I was bewitched and went out and got this cd of her singing with a small jazz combo. Awesome!

Listen to her immaculate phrasing on "Pennies From Heaven" - delicious! And each song was heavenly. If you like jazz singing here's one of the best cds you can ever hope to find of the best singers there ever was.

Highly recommended.

Spanish Harlem Orchestra - United We Swing

This is Latin Jazz done BIG and its pure bliss. If you come home and feel run down this is the cd to throw in if you want to dance your blues away.

The sound is crisp, new and not too propulsive. Like a fine drink - its perfectly balanced to keep you joyous but not so strong that it knocks you on your ass.

Eash track is a good one, there's no filler, no BS, its a dance party cd pure and simple. This was made to make you move, groove, and keep you feeling good. All the Latin jazz staples are here: big horns, great percussion, top notch musicianship with just enough vocals that never overwhelm you. "Shall we dance?..."

Quote, Unquote

2010-12-02T13:21:00.002-05:00

Vision is something you have in your mind. - Ray Charles

Re[view] Master

2010-11-30T09:15:00.025-05:00

Foreign Born - Person to Person

"Breath of fresh air this is," said Yoda. "Youthful. Full of life. The force is strong with this one." So I bought it on his word alone and must admit Yoda was right yet again.

This brand of L.A. indie rock embraces you with a joyous heart. A world beat that mixes African Hi-Life guitar and drums ("Early Warnings") with U2 like anthems ("Blood Oranges") to BBQ ready jams ("Vacationing People") to pop/rock songwriting goodness ("Can't Keep Time").

You'll find enough here to keep you intoxicated and feeling ebullient for many months, hopefully years to come. "May the force be with you!"

The Heliocentrics - Out There

In a galaxy far far away, there came The Heliocentrics bringing forth another dimension and another time, mixing the essentials of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Funk, and Electronica into an all instrumental otherworldly stew.

But this isn't sloppy or runny, but chock full of meaty nuggets for you to get your head around. This is great headphones on a plane music. Its meant as a journey to somewhere. Its a musical adventure incarnate, with its penchant for whimsy intact. Catch a ride, lift off, and engage a new world.

Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways

Heard the song "God's Gonna Cut You Down" on the trailer for the Cohen Bros. remake of the movie "True Grit". I have two other cds of Johnny's American series. But I hadn't heard this one and so I bought it. I was immediately surprised by how cohesive the song selections and the music were. Better than any of the others. Like Johnny and his producer Rick Rubin somehow had saved the best for last, even though Johnny had passed before the laying of the tracks had been completed.

Simply put, if you like Johnny Cash, you'll like this album. All the classic themes are hear: trains, God, death and trials/tribulations/triumph. A master storyteller tells one more before slipping away into the blessed darkness to join his beloved. Godspeed.

JR. Walker and the All Stars - Shotgun

One of my fondest memories were of my Dad putting on this record and dancing to it, cutting a rug, in our living room. His own special dance which I have emulated with success all through my adult life. It's all purposeness serving me through basement red light reggae parties in college, to the hip-hop dance clubs in the 90s, to the best over 30 crowd lounge spots that Chocolate City has to offer, to the dirty zydeco taverns of New Orleans.

But for whatever reason I never picked up this mostly instrumental classic mid 60s R&B jump blues party cd until just recently. It's horn based sound is so distinctive of the times, but luckily the sound is still around as the Saturday Night Live band has kept it alive and kicking all these years. Check out "Cleo's Mood", "Shotgun", and "Shake & Fingerpop".

Lab Partners - Moonlight Music

Not sure where I ran across this cd, but for reasons that escape me I ordered it without ever hearing a note of it. Boy was I surprised when I dropped into the stereo - wonderful rock musicianship with finely layered well-written songs.

The music here is "spacey" - in a good way: its vast, noisy and all encompassing. Feed this through your headphones and it hits you with wave after wave of aural goodness. They are swinging for the fences on many of the songs and the drumming is especially propulsive. Get this and prepare for lift off!

Check out my fav "Backs To The Wall" to get a taste.

Putumayo Presents African Reggae

Me and my son were in Richmond, VA visiting my Mom when at visits end she hands me this cd. I put it in my bag, gave her a hug and a kiss and we were on our way. My car, curse it, has no cd player, so I waited the two hours till we got home to drop it in.

My son was in his room playing XBox when the first song came on. I'm bobbing my head to the luscious beat when he comes stepping in bobbin' his head. "Who's this?!" he says still bobbing his head and generally actin' a fool. I tell him this is the cd Grandma gave us. He ambles out still bobbin' his head and goes back to playing XBox.

Check out songs "Vision", "Jabulani", and "Steppin' Into Zion" to get your own head bobbing.

Ricardo Castro - Frederic Chopin: The Complete Nocturnes

A young mother of four had befriended me at work suddenly, and we began sharing our musical tastes. One morning I get a text describing her pre-dawn walk from the subway to work and her listening pleasure. It was something classical. She described the music and the late Fall morning so lovingly.

So that week I went to Borders and raided their limited classical selection and found in the discount rack this 2-CD pack of solo piano Chopin's Nocturnes. I hadn't heard any, didn't know what to expect, but at home that night I put them in and was in awe of how beautiful these were. Perfect night music. Nocturnal indeed.

Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys

With money left over from a Pirates of the Caribbean movie Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinksi funded this musical extravagance.

Bringing in a myriad of artists from around the world, from Sting, to Bono to Rufus Wainright and others they reinterpreted these old gems and in doing so gave them new sea legs. Puns aside, this was a labor of love, that could've been done slapdash and full of poo. However, that's not the case here. Listen to the haunting sounds of "The Cry of Man", "Long Time Ago", and "Farewell Nancy" to funny dirty songs like "Hog-Eyed Man" to sweet songs of love like "Shallow Brown" and "The Grey Funnell Line".

Old is new and new is old; its time worn, but this treasure chest is chock full of shining jewels, just pick this up and see for yourself. Highly recommended.

Round Midnight - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture

This fantastic movie featuring legendary saxophonist Dexter Gordon is well known. As is this cd with music, recorded live, from the movie. However, I didn't have it. But it popped in my head one day and shortly had it in hand.

With Herbie Hancock and some of the best crew of musicians imaginable, they performed 50s type bebop with an 80s sensibility. The approach is fresh arrangements. Not challenging but like a good old lover come round again makes you remember the good ol' times while also showing you what they've learned since. All to the good.

Very simply this is a love letter to all jazz fans, hell to all music fans! Enjoy!

Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas

A jazz Christmas album with no f-ing Kenny G on it. If you don't own this yet, shame on you. Go get it and enjoy music from one of the best Christmas tv shows ever. 'Nuf said.

At Random - Poem: At the Gate of the Year

2010-11-29T11:17:00.015-05:00

At the Gate of the Year

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year

'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

And he replied,'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God

Trod gladly into the night

He led me towards the hills

And the breaking of day in the lone east.

So heart be still!

What need our human life to know

If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife of things

Both high and low,

God hideth his intention.

by Minnie Louise Harkins 1875-1957
Included in King George V1 broadcast 1939

Book Review - Phillip Marlowe's Guide To Life

2010-11-29T10:07:00.006-05:00

Phillip Marlowe's Guide To Life, by Raymond Chandler, Edited by Martin Asher; 96 pgs., Published by Knopf, 2005.

Being a bit of an old soul I've always had a thing for old b&w movies, 40s radio shows, detective novels from the 30s and noirs in general. I was scrounging around in my back room for something small and pocketable to read on my way into work and this slim volume of quotes from Raymond Chandler's detective novels fit the bill. And if you're looking for a stocking stuffer that won't break the budget and still be valued by the receiver this might do the trick. Here's a sneak peak inside:

"I appreciate all you're offering me. It's just more than I could possibly take."

He was a guy who talked with commas, like a heavy novel. - The Long Goodbye

For a moment I almost believed him. His face was as smooth as an angel's wing. - Farewell, My Lovely

It was a blonde. A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained glass window. - Farewell, My Lovely

Crime isn't a disease, it's a symptom. - The Long Goodbye

They had the eyes they always have, cloudy and gray like freezing water. The firm set mouth, the hard little wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, the hard hollow meaningless stare, not quite cruel and a thousand miles from kind. - The Little Sister

She looked playful and eager, but not quite sure of herself, like a new kitten in a house where they don't care much about kittens. - The Lady in the Lake

What did it matter where you lay once you were dead? In a dirty sump or in a marble tower on top of a high hill? You were dead, you were sleeping the big sleep, you were not bothered by things like that. Oil and water were the same as wind and air to you. You just slept the big sleep, not caring about the nastiness of you died or where you fell. - The Big Sleep

Reflections - The Cost

2010-11-24T14:52:00.007-05:00

What I do photographically comes at a cost.

Money of course is the most tangible: film, camera equipment, computer, scanner, CDs, website, etc. But just as important it costs me time. Time away from my son, my family, my friends, and when involved, away from my lover. So far my photos have not cost me professionally (mainly because I try not to crap where I eat) meaning my job; however I can imagine at some point it could. So far I have not been accosted, arrested, vilified or falsely accused of anything; however taking photos of nude women in secluded, many times public places has those implicit dangers. But that's not the cost I want to talk about. I want to reveal the toll my photos have cost me emotionally.

My last girlfriend knew about my photography going in. I showed her everything, explained my reasons for doing the African project, the Street project, the Nudes, and my P Project. She entered my life anyway and we had way more good times than bad. However, she like many women after her became increasingly unnerved by my passion for photography. The relationship ended for many reasons, but my photography was at the center of the equation.

Since then I've kept the same open stance. I give women I meet my business card and prompt them to view my site. Mostly I never hear from them again. The few who do enter my life do so without emotion. They seek release only. That used to be fine. I've asked women who've wanted to get serious but have begged off - why? I thought it was because my feet stank. Or that I was broke. Or that I was too nice. Or that I have a kid already. Or that I live in the hood. Most have said it was my photography. That they couldn't deal with a dude who takes nude photos of women. Especially not the kind I take. Which always puzzled me because none of my photos are, what one strange dude who called me to complain one day, "not beat-off-able".

Its not just women though. Even my male photographer friends clap me on the back and say, "damn it must be nice to take nudes of hot women." Even some of the women who model for me don't understand my intentions and have gotten angry with me after the photos are done and me not wanting to "stick around." Umm, I gotta go.

The photos I take are not sexual in any way. Most of the women who model for me were complete strangers. We met on the day of the photoshoot. I had no idea what they looked like. Matter of fact I could care less what they looked like. When I photograph I'm thinking: what angle, what kinda film, what lens, what pose, where, I suck at this, that photo was good, okay let's try this, are there any cops around, the flash didn't go off, does she see me sweating, she knows I suck at this, next pose, the lighting is good over there - basically, as you can see there is quite simply no room for sexuality.

Don't get me wrong I'm not a Boy Scout, but what rankles me is that very few folks seem to understand my intentions - even when its spelled out on my website in no uncertain terms - that, as I told my ex-girlfriend once towards our dark end: "It's like flowers: I look at them, I might even smell one, but that doesn't mean I wanna pluck 'em!"

Book Review - Howard Huang's Urban Girls

2010-11-19T11:49:00.009-05:00

Howard Huang's Urban Girls, 256 pgs. published by Taschen, October 2010

Growing up it was rare to see diversity of beauty. It was mainly slim long haired bosomy blond white women. To take a line from "O Brother Where Art Thou" - that wasn't my culture and heritage - I wanted to see what I saw in my neighborhood. And to quote another film "Silence of the Lambs" - how do you begin to covet? You covet what you see every day - and to me that meant women with brown, dark, darker than dark, blue black, redbone, and teasing tan complexions.

The only places a man (or a boy like me) could see these women were in the middle of Jet while at the barber shop in the "Beauty of the Week", in Essence magazine, and watching Soul Train. Wilona and Thelma on "Good Times", Denise on "The Cosby Show". However, it wasn't until the early 90s when a video vixen war busted out in hip-hop, of which rapper could have the hottest women in their videos, did the larger society (meaning young white males) truly begin to covet what our black Uncles had been looking at all along in those PLAYERS magazines in the 7Eleven back in the day.

In the late 90s and early 2000s with the spawn of Maxim, came the urban black men's magazines for the young urban male- Smooth, SSX, Black Men's Magazine and others - directly aimed at showing off and exploiting what the other side of America valued. Our ideals were not misplaced, simply different.

While these magazines are not any feminists dream, it did put a stake in the heart of the idea that white women and the white aesthetic are the ideal with which all must judged. In fact its the reverse. And all tanning salons, collagen lip implants, butt padding, brisk sales of butt toning equipment and the like point to that fact.

Howard Huang's well produced, beautifully rendered Photoshop-fantasies is a small, but important counterweight that the years of lack of diversity in glamour photography has wrought. Why put a fist in the air when a big butt will do.

God Bless America!

Quote, Unquote

2010-11-15T12:19:00.000-05:00

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~ Anais Nin

At Random - For The Other Colored Girls...

2010-11-12T09:17:00.002-05:00

...(and the men who really love them): *Your past nor your present are your potential.*

At Random - Jewel: At Her Majesty's Service

2010-11-10T11:18:00.009-05:00

Sitting back, my face stuffed with food, I answered my phone - "Hello. Hey Jewel. Yes I'm here. Inside. Right. Okay cya soon." And that's where she found me: nestled at the back table in the McDonald's. I looked up as she walked in out of the street lights and into my fluorescent world. Her smile and skin glittering. "Hi,"she said. I was a bit taken aback by this amazingly tall perfect mix of Serena Williams and Queen Latifa with an extra dose of God's darkness.

The photoshoot went smooth despite the rats running wild in the back alley behind the Mickey D's. Her excitement of doing the photos outweighed any fear of them she may have had. I don't remember how she found me initially, but I am very glad she did. Jewel, indeed.

Copyright VLS 2010

At Random - Jazz Photography

2010-11-05T14:01:00.007-04:00

One Christmas in the early 90s I received a gift from my brother Chris of available light Jazz

picture postcards. I still have it till this day. I never sent any of the postcards. I had seen images like it before, but never had a whole book of them and I was enamored with the idea of not needing a flash. However it did not lead me to roam niteclubs or concerts photographing singers or bands of any kind. Instead I went out into the street to photograph life under the streetlights.

My first forays into available light street photography were murky at best. Discouraged and not wanting to lug around a tripod, I went at it sporadically until I had a few successes. Then as I learned more I bought 800 speed film, then 1600, and finally 3200 speed. Using them even in daytime situations for the grainy gritty feeling that gave my subjects.

But all the while I'd come back to Jazz photographs like these that informed my initial approach to photography and still inspires me greatly today. To not fear the darkness, but embrace it lovingly as a musician might that perfect space between musical notes.

Photos by William Gottlieb, Herman Leonard, William Claxton and Herman Leonard respectively from top to bottom.

Next on Netflix - The Bravados

2010-11-04T14:25:00.005-04:00

The Bravados - Starring Gregory Peck, Joan Collins and Lee Van Cleef; 98 mins, 1958, Not Rated.

There's a lot of westerns out there I've never heard of, many of them for good reason, and others its a shame they aren't better known. Or maybe more accurately maybe I shoulda watched more TV as a kid. Eitherway, I found this on Netflix totally by accident looking for something else.

I was laid up at home with a bum back when I heard the mailman drop the mail in, hobbled to the front door in my bloomers, opened it to the unusually frightful chill of a Washington DC November - brrr - slid this DVD in and over a cup of Earl Grey and under a blanket enjoyed two viewings of this wonderfully gritty western.

The plot is simple: rancher Jim Douglas rides into a town that's about to hang four men who robbed their bank. Turns out these same four raped and killed his wife and he's been hunting them since then for 6 months. The four dudes escape and the townspeople along with Jim go out after them. However, from the very opening shot of Jim riding hard through the early morning pre-dawn with the music blaring you know you're in for a bit of a ride.

The trouble comes with the absolute assurance you feel as the viewer that Jim knows there are the men, and you root for Jim to hunt them down and deal out a level of justice to match their vile crime. This is a story of a good man who has seen evil done, and seeks to right the balance and becomes hardened for it, then loses his way, then at the last possible most inconceivable moment finds the truth and that saves him. Existentialism wrapped up a morality play wrapped up in a western facade.

Gregory Peck is wonderful. Joan Collins looks plausibly ravishing. Lee Van Cleef is good a sniveling criminal. And the other actors are very well cast and the Director plays it all right down the middle. Nothing superfluous here. Everything shot serves the story.

Good stuff. Glad I found it! Hope you do too.

At Random - Joe Louis Barrow

2010-10-28T15:17:00.010-04:00

As I've studied photography, this photo has always been an inspiration, as it is a great example of how eye contact can hold the viewer or said better: "A photographer who is also an artist is able to summon from [their] subject the viewer—not only the viewed." - Toni Morrison

Photo Copyright Corbis

At Random - Trumpet Joe with Wife May

2010-10-25T14:16:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson:

Photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson: New York, 1935. Joe, a jazz trumpet player with his wife May. Copyright Magnum Photos

Re[view] Master

2010-10-20T16:57:00.017-04:00

Charles Fambrough - The Charmer

My brother, Chris, had this cd back in the mid 90s, and I heard it waft out of his room when we were both home one year. Many years later I bought it and enjoyed bassist Fambrough's seamless mix of straight ahead jazz and smooth jazz.

With artists like Groover Washington Jr., Roy Hargrove, Abdullah Ibrahim, Kenny Garrett, Jeff Watts, and Kenny Kirkland, its a damn shame this cd got overlooked.

Check out the sweet and airy "Beautiful Love" to see what you've been missing. The admirable part of this session is how relaxed it is. No forced errors here, just jazz's premier talents serving up another great album for us to enjoy

Daniel Varsano/Philippe Entremont - Satie: Piano Music

Didn't know French composer Erik Satie from the short hairs under my sack, but when I went to Borders Books & Music a month ago, I was itching for classical music, but didn't want a composer I already knew. So when I read the back of this cd, that the music was at once spare, melancholic, beautiful and humorous I thought I'd take a chance.

It was also only $6. So I went home with it and upon playing it that night I knew right away that I'd heard a few of these elegant pieces before.

This is a great introduction to Erik Satie's masterful minimalistic style. Someone once said that "Praying is talking to God, meditation is listening, and playing piano is when you do both." Here in this cd is both prayer and meditation. Enjoy!

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

Heard their anthem "Home" used in a NFL football ad. never heard of the song or the group before, but it was kinetic and romantic at the same time. So I looked up the lyrics found out who sung it and then that same evening after work went looking for the cd. I needed it, 'cause I couldn't get the song outta my head.

Went to two well known music stores and, unfortunately many music stores being in the sad state of affairs that they are, didn't have it. So I went to Melody Records in Dupont Circle here in DC and while it wasn't filed correctly I kept looking and sure enough in a random section stumbled over it. I held it up to my face, "this is it!" I said to myself. Wow. I found it.

Got home and loved the entire cd of 60s inspired folk rock. With nice group singing it was built not just for a campfire but for a cross country journey and for a subway ride. At turns mello, at others wistful, but in each song there was a big yet intimate sound. A cd and a band full and bursting with love for life. That's a sound I can dig anywhere, anytime.

Jonah Jones - Jumpin' With Jonah

Before I picked this up I'd never heard of jazz trumpeter Jonah Jones, but he had one of my favorite songs listed ("Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans") so I took a chance on it.

Very good cd. Listen to him sing on a couple tracks like the ebullient "It's A Good Day", but also check out his easy swing style on "Ballin' The Jack" and "Do You Know What It Means..."

With over 15 tracks this is a great gift for any old school jazz trumpet lover who, like me, may have once overlooked this legend.

Nice Nice - Chrome

Stumbled over this cd and at first I was like, why'd I spend my hard earned money on this experimental, all instrumental, futuristic in someones garage sounding music. But like true outsider art this seems to have been made for the pleasure of creation not mass consumption.

It took me two listens and loved "Joinus". Then played "Thank You" in the car and it hit me from all sides. Excellent. But my favorite was "We Go Towards" which sounded like it was out of the French Surrealist movie "Alphaville" meets 007 with dabs of Miles Davis' 70s trippy/funk album "On the Corner".

Chrome is very cool music to listen to as you slide through a dark city on a rainy night. Those three warrant buying this; you might like a few others. This is a C+.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Greatest Hits vol. 2

Bought this while wandering Borders "World" music section back in the late 90s. I'd just gotten paid and I wanted something new to listen to. Knowing my girl at the time had just left me and that I'd have the place to myself I decided on this cd.

Didn't know what to expect, so when I played it and this dude sang with such forceful devotion it reminded me of Coltrane blowing his sax on "A Love Supreme". However this was Pakistani devotional singing with minimal musical accompaniment. It was the sheer force and swirl of the combined effort of the group with Khan out front the whole time. Each song over 10 minutes it was mesmerizing.

Many years later while cleaning the house one weekend, I put this in and a few moments later my 8 yr old son wanders in and sits down on the bed, looks at the cd cover and then says to me - "who is this?!" I tell him, and he says, "this is awesome." From the mouths of babes...

Prison Worksongs

At the end of the 90s I was working two full time jobs to help put a down payment on a house for me and my girl. I was busting my ass, but I buy the house, we move in, start fixing it up and 6 months later she bolts into the arms of another dude. Before she does she snidely says to me - "You'll never be able to keep this house all by yourself."

That was well over ten years of mortgage payments and house contractor work ago. She's still with the dude, but after moving to 10 different places - still renting. Now I can honestly say - whatever, catch you on the rebound. But back then I was broke about it and this cd of prison worksongs kept me going.

One day I brought it into work at a graphic design firm, Corporate Visions, and me an a few of the guys were slaving over a big project - laminating posters to big poster boards then cutting them off the huge sheets and trimming them down. It was an assembly line of 6 of us - white, black and Hispanic - working like mad men. I put this on and turned it to my favorite - Let Your Hammer Ring - a nearly 8 minute song. We took up the call right in stride and sang it loud and proud as we worked. The big bosses would look around the corner wondering what the hell, but we were working and the song was blasting and no one said a damn thing to us. The job got out on time and everyone got it paid. It was a good day for the blues.

Sarah Vaughan - Swingin' Easy

Me and my son Ghabe had been watching the Ken Burns "Jazz" documentary and it was in one episode where they briefly touch on Sarah Vaughan's singing style. I was bewitched and went out and got this cd of her singing with a jazz small combo. Awesome!

Listen to her immaculate phrasing on "Pennies From Heaven" - delicious. And each song was heavenly. If you like jazz singing here's one of the best cds you can ever hope to find of one of the best singers there ever was.

Highly recommended.

The Shawshank Redemption Soundtrack by Thomas Newman

The sweeping elegiac "Shawshank Prison [Stoic Theme]", the 2nd track, introduces you in a big way to this otherwise insular musical score.

This cd has a little of everything. With spare haunting qualities like "Brooks Was Here" to songs from the era like "Lovesick Blues" and "If I Didn't Care" to the amazing opera excerpt "The Marriage of Figaro" which brings back that initial feeling of majesty to the cd, then drops you back into prison life all over again.

This is one of the first soundtracks I'd ever bought and its one of the best you can buy. Excellent movie, excellent soundtrack.

Willie Nelson - Partners

Being a little black boy from East Orange, NJ it might have seemed strange for me at 16 to go into Caldor's and buy this cd, but if you've been following my music selections you'd be surprised if I didn't have any Willie. This is one of my favorites by him.

Check out his songs "Kathleen", "When I Dream", and "Partners". His vocal styling and phrasing is in top form. Just lovely music and singing. Unforced and totally natural sweet goodness.

If you can find it, buy it.

Quote, Unquote

2010-10-19T09:15:00.002-04:00

"When I was a kid my father used to say 'Our greatest hopes and our worst fears are seldom realized.'"... - Sportscaster Jim McKay reporting live on tv during the '72 Olympic tragedy.

At Random - Isaiah 40:31

2010-10-18T14:15:00.007-04:00

But they that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.

I'd heard the passage before in when I was a kid growing up at Kilburn Presbyterian church in Newark, NJ. However I never really listened to the passage closely until I saw the movie "Chariots of Fire". The passage when read by the lead actor took on real meaning for me. And it wasn't until I was an adult that I understood what the word "wait" meant. It meant serve, as in "...they that serve the Lord shall renew their strength..."

It is in a small and humble way that I hope my photography projects serve the Lord. That when you look at my photography that you witness both the strength of beauty and the work yet to be done to fulfill the world's promise.

Book Review - Dan Winters

2010-10-15T16:30:00.015-04:00

Dan Winters Periodical Photographs, 156 pgs., Published by Aperture, June 30, 2009

Stopped into the magazine shop near George Washington University where the Tower Records used to be and browsed the shelves for something to read. I do this every now and then, often when waiting to drive a VIP from the White House to some other meeting or just on my lunch break. But one fine day I see PICTURE magazine down on the bottom shelf, pick it up and it has a stunning portrait of Tom Hanks looking like Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant. I was transfixed by the image. I hadn't seen anything quite like it. I looked inside to see who the photographer was - Dan Winters. But I only knew the name vaguely.

Oh I'd seen his fabulous photo of Leonardo DiCaprio and remember one of earliest photos being Denzel Washington. But nothing had quite captured my eye like this one of Hanks.

So when I saw that Dan's book had been released, I went out and bought a copy. Each photograph stood fully alone - not all of them iconic, still only a few reached that peak, but they all had their own strong legs, a foundation found in a singular and seemingly very simple vision.

What confounds and delights photographers is the way he lights his subjects. I'm an available light guy so that wasn't what got me to dig Dan. It was that in each photo he seemed to be doing what Raymond Chandler once described of Dashiell Hammett - "he did over and over again what only the best writers can ever do at all. He wrote scenes that seemed never to have been written before." That's what Dan was doing for me photography wise.

While many of my previous work eschewed the face for shape and form elsewhere and left the face a mystery (albeit sometimes because the model did not want to be readily identified) like in Ferenc Berko's work; but after seeing this book I found myself drawn more and more to faces and headshots. The person looking wistfully or seductively out of the frame

The impact on my photography, wasn't overt, but his images had crept into my consciousness. I will never forget seeing that Tom Hanks portrait and is still one of my favorite photos. I could look at it and never get tired of it.

Dan Winters' book holds a number of gems like this, and you will of course have your own favorite(s) and if you're a photography, if you haven't already been influenced by his style, you may feel his gravitational pull as I did, and see elements of his style in your own. That is greatness and I will be ever thankful for its influence.

Wonderful work indeed. I hope you find it and enjoy it as well.

Quote, Unquote

2010-10-13T10:29:00.002-04:00

Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong. - Car Commercial

Quote, Unquote

2010-10-13T10:27:00.001-04:00

Fear is a darkroom for developing negatives.

Quote, Unquote - The Indecisive Moment

2010-10-12T08:46:00.003-04:00

Good decisions come from experience, and experience often comes from making bad decisions. ~Author Unknown

At Random - Eduardo Kingman

2010-10-08T13:19:00.006-04:00

Unlike many photographers who grew up wanting to be painters, but instead became photographers, I never was heavy into painting or drawing.

I drew because my friends did, and painted because my art class teacher told us to do so. Don't get me wrong, I love paintings, just didn't really want to do it. And in my photography I don't tend to be consciously influenced by paintings.

However, when I saw Eduardo Kingman's work for the first time today at a book sale, I immediately picked it up (along with a photography book) and was just enamored with it. These were three that kept me coming back for more:

All Paintings by Eduardo Kingman: Autorretrato Con Mi Madre, La Lavandera, La Noche

At Random - Photos: Summer 2010

2010-09-30T13:09:00.010-04:00

Re[view] Master

2010-09-20T09:20:00.014-04:00

Anita Baker - Giving You The Best That I Got

My ex called out of the blue and told me her and her new boo were going to the Sunday Night Football game. I said cool. She said she had bought a jersey and everything. "Since when are you a Redskins fan?" I said perplexed. "He's a 'Skins fan and so I'm supporting the team." I proceed to scold her for supporting a team with a racially insensitive name. She scoffs - "Whatever." We get off the phone

I immediately reach for Anita Baker, her favorite singer, just so I can remember my ex in better times: when she had some damn sense.

And of course the Redskins lose. Of course. Serves them right.

Curtis Mayfield - There's No Place Like America Today

Had never heard of this amazing cd, but ran across it and immediately bought it and from beginning to end it was clear that even though he was describing America in the 70s he could easily been describing recession America today.

A friend came by to work things out and I slipped this on and it helped lubricate the night. Humming along with the song in my ear. Thanks Curtis!

Highly recommended!

The Flat Duo Jets - Introducing...

Watching the "It Might Get Loud" documentary on the electric rock guitar styles of Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White, Jack gave due to this duo outta North Carolina.

I picked up the cd and it rocked! Pure rockabilly goodness. Just a dude on drums and another on guitar/vocals, they created alotta great noise.

Jill Scott - Collaborations

Sitting back at the stage in the Royal Palace on lunch break one summer day a few years back. A dancer stops at the juke box and puts in her songs, then takes the stage. A bouncy pop/hip-hop/R&B number starts up and she starts singing along as she twirls along the pole, taking off her clothes as she does. "I f*cking LOVE this song!" she calls out. Me and the old dude in the suit are loving that she's loving it. Songs nearly over and I ask as I slide another dollar under the garter around her smooth muscular white thigh - "who is this?" Lupe Fiasco and Jill Scott she says. I make a mental note...

Fast forward a few years and sure enough I get this cd and it's great R&B, hip-hop infused cd of Jill Scott working as a "featuring" artist on other folks cds. Collecting them was a brilliant idea.

Lake Trout - Not Them, You

Stumbled on Lake Trout's "Another One Lost", really liked it so I bought this newer cd and liked it even more.

It is hard describe these Baltimore guys as a purely rock band, since you can hear influences from jazz and from other branches of rock. There are instrumental pieces here. Some pop melodies blended with a jam band sensibility. And at any moment the song could change gears - not in a jarring way, but in an awesome way.

So if you like rock with a psychedelic, jazz infused edge to it, this just might be for you.

New York Stories

Danny Gatton on guitar, Bobby Watson on alto sax, Joshua Redman on tenor sax, Roy Hargrove on trumpet, Charles Fambrough on bass, and Yuron Israel on drums with a good pianist I'd never heard of holding it all together. Lovely!

Early 90s jazz classic, made even more poignant by the loss of Danny Gatton not soon after.

Excellence!

Nicholas Payton - Nick @ Night

Pull this one out often. Even after many years, its still fresh, new and appreciated when I do. This cd is night music, with ballads like "Faith" (for Faith Evans) and interludes like "Turn Up the Funk" and unusual covers of R&B songs like Earth Wind & Fire's "Sun Goddess" that are gems.

Night jazz, by a jazz trumpeter who, like Roy Hargrove, never forgets the people who often listen to jazz, just as often want to groove to it. This is such a cd. Enjoy!

Rhymefest - Blue Collar

Knew him through Kanye's music, but this Chicago MC has a different style. It's honest, but not brash. It's not vain, but down to Earth. It's just as hard working as Kanye's, but it works hard for a reason not just to claim an award at the end of the year.

Using R&B and other samples heavily, but in somewhat fresh ways, makes this sound familiar. In a way its old school.

Check out the great use of Eddie Kendricks "Intimate Friends" on "Sister". Check out the sample of garage rock band The Strokes on "The Devil's Pie". Blending in social messages along the way. But he also has his cake and eats it to with "Stick" by talking dirty to a lover.

Good rhymes over good beats with a good message, its hopeful without being Mr. Rogers or being too thug or too nasty - just Mr. Right.

Sonny Chillingworth - Endlessly

This was made to be a classic of Hawaiian slack key guitar, both celebrating its bold past and its bright future and Sonny Chillingworth achieves this.

With instrumentals and perfect diction on each song, he's able to transport the listener to Hawaii and beguile you with his guitar mastery and deliberate singing.

Beyond chillin', this is slooooow down music. Some might call it elevator music, but that's a pejorative that belongs nowhere near this cd. This is the one you put on when you pull out the white wine and before the candles get lit.

Susana Seivane

Bagpipe music. Bagpipe music from Spain. Bagpipe music from Spain played by a female piper virtuoso. Awesome!

Sean Connery's character in Highlander would have loved this!

Check out my favorites: "Fonsagrada" and "Xota Dos 28 Puntos". Fonsagrada for some reason makes me think of a soccer match played in a lush green valley and Xota reminds me of a late Summer afternoon sitting somewhere just watching the world go by.

Good stuff!

Quote, Unquote - The Lord of the Rings

2010-09-17T09:46:00.004-04:00

Frodo: I can't do this, Sam.

Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?

Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.