Rowley Gallery Blog
There are no excuses really, except I love this song, and today’s my birthday (and Jessie’s), and I’m very glad Mr Infinite Green made this delightful cinematic compilation. It also marks the 100th post on this blog. Join hands and get on board.
Dear Chris, Here are some drawings for the blog of Sam Amidon and Bill Frisell last Wednesday, March 21st, at Le Poisson Rouge on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. They played a selection of old American folk songs and two by Charles Ives, songs about love, death, murder and working with the steel driving crew, and a short life of troubles. Le Poisson Rouge is a small club ‘Serving Art & Alcohol’, good food and sublime music. I hope all’s well at the Rowley Gallery. It’s sunny but chilly here today. Warmest wishes, Chris. Continue reading “At Le Poisson Rouge”
We just started selling a greetings card with this image, Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries, by Terry Frost. I was touched when I saw it, it was his catch phrase, he was always saying it. Sometimes he even sang it. He was a great enthusiast. Click here for a joyous photo of Terry, and for some sweet paintings, and for a few nice words.
The postman just brought me this little catalogue of British folk heroes compiled by Jonny Hannah. Jolie Holland shares the same initials so she can sing along – Mad Tom Of Bedlam. Continue reading “A Wee Book Of British Folklore”
I’m not sure I know what this song’s about. Mostly it brings back embarrassing memories of the 1970s. But this movie redeems it. It looks like a lot of fun. So this is for my mum, my wife and my daughter, all of them mammas. And happy birthday to my granddaughter Mia for next Sunday, xxxx.
Now that’s what I call a pair of lungs! Rahsaan Roland Kirk at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1972. I saw him later at Ronnie Scott’s and he blew me away. He was magnificent, spirited and generous. He could take a sweet ballad and stretch it fearlessly, rolling it out until he’s blowing constantly, exhaling and inhaling both at the same time. Circular breathing and circular singing. He was a musical whirlwind. Continue reading “Blow Rahsaan!”
Because of his fondness for transforming cheesy show tunes I felt sure that Sonny Rollins must have played The Lonely Goatherd at some time, especially with that goatee. It would have been right at home on his What’s New album. I can almost hear it. His lyrical saxophone singing the melody, then deconstructing it with one of his abstract solos over a rhythm of congas and bongos. But I can’t find a recording anywhere. We’ll have to imagine it, and make do with this version by Eddie Cano. Continue reading “The Lonely Goatherd”
A four piece string band featuring Yo-Yo Ma on cello, Edgar Myer on bass, Stuart Duncan on fiddle and Chris Thile on mandolin.
A ‘goat rodeo’ is a chaotic situation where a group of people with differing viewpoints have to work together to avert disaster. These guys seem to manage pretty well. See more here.
This is a follow up to the post last month on January 14. I’d forgotten then about this earlier performance of The Weight by The Band from Martin Scorsese’s film The Last Waltz, which also features a guest appearance by Mavis Staples, along with her father and sisters from The Staple Singers. A righteous sound indeed.
On Friday 17 February at 9 pm BBC Four are broadcasting Beyond The Notes, a film by Dick Fontaine which is centred on the 80th Birthday Concert for Sonny Rollins at New York’s Beacon Theatre in September 2010. There are guest appearances from Jim Hall, Roy Haynes and Ornette Coleman. Continue reading “Don’t Stop The Carnival”