Archive for Pencil Sketch
Touching Others Lives – Part 7 – Elvin Bishop
Posted by: | Comments
A slide guitar great that has been playing blues for 45 years!
I didn’t hit this one on the head, and had to step back and look – I took his jaw on this drawing to much to an extreme.. don’t know what happened, but not all works can be perfect – draw & learn. Here’s the pic I went off..
Stepping up when a friend is in need when Mike Bloomfield ducked out of another performance due to his insomnia, it was at the Fillmore – Al Kooper was put into a predicament once again to find some players that would rock the house.
Calling up Carlos Santana, Stevie Miller, Jerry Garcia and Elvin Bishop. Playing past closing time, the musicians with the passion, showed up, played their hearts out and bailed out a friend in a jam. Why, because they were and still are passionate about playing guitar and making music.
Elvin Bishop had a guest spot on The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper, not as much of a success as Super Sessions, but still some great instrumentals – The Band’s – The Weight, a Classic Booker T’s – Green Onions, and much more!
It is amazing reading Elvin Bishop’s Bio – the lives he touched and the people that he has influenced.
From his site –
And then, late one night when Elvin was 14 or 15, the atmospheric conditions a little rough, Jimmy Reed’s harmonica came cutting through the static from WLAC in Nashville, and Elvin Bishop’s life was changed
Hooked on the sounds emerging from the radio, Elvin had to find out where they were coming from and who was responsible. When he was awarded a National Merit Scholarship in 1959, he could have gone to pretty much any college he wanted, but chose The University Of Chicago, because that’s where the blues were. And so he landed in the middle of one of the richest and most vital scenes in blues history.
I wonder do we give our children these opportunities now to follow their passions, or do we actually push them to hard? My son is going to be 17 in a few weeks, and we raised him openly, honestly and did not push him in any one direction. We have treated him as an adult, we did not force soccer, football, arts, after school clubs, or anything of the like down his throat. We signed him up for soccer, he played for a short while, he did not have the “passion” to go after that ball. Being 6 foot 3 inches tall, and over 250 – I so could see him playing football, and so could the coaches, but he does not have the passion to do it.
I have watched several of the kids he went to school with, one’s that were forced to do as many extra curricular activities as they could fit into a day, now, coming into their own as teens – and they seem to be taking some of that freedom of choice back, and it’s becoming evident, it’s not always the best choice how they are using that freedom.
To be who we are, do what we love – we can only grow more and share the emotions that the passion from doing so creates!
Touching Others Lives – Part 6 with Stephen Stills
Posted by: | Comments
Stephen Stills, musician & songwriter best know for his part in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – a great line up unto itself. Also known for his work in Buffalo Springfield.
Stephen Stills was one of the first, if not the last to be nominated into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, twice in one night for his work in both the above bands.
His influence ranged from Blues, Folk & Latin Music – Diversity. A quality that we often forget about, being diverse, we focus on what’s easy, what we are familiar with. There is an entire world out there that we know nothing about. Start exploring and start trying something new!
Al Kooper was in a bit of a predicament when Mike Bloomfield left him a note during Super Sessions… “Dear Alan, Couldn’t Sleep…went home…sorry. Under the gun with half an album recorded, studio time booked and musicians ready to play..heading for the phone and leaving messages for players he knew would pre-vail.. in walked Stephen Stills, Buffalo Springfield had just broken up and Al Kooper knew his guitar playing was sizzling. Signed with another label, and of course, red tape, but great minds have a way of figuring those things out.. Corporate America at it’s finest.. it’s all about the money.
Luck & Diversity…Stephen Stills availability went up to the top twenty, went gold & went into our musical history books! Stephen Stills touches others lifes through the diversity of his music, touching many genre’s and creating memories as we listen to what he has released in his career.
Step out of your known comfort zone… diversify yourself today, pick up an album, cd or something you wouldn’t normally listen to, or normally do.. it may bring a smile to your face, it may open opportunites.
Still Fallen – Pencil Sketch from Photo
Posted by: | Comments
My music tastes can pretty much go from one end of the spectrum to the other on any given day. Just depending on the mood I am in.
I would like to introduce you to a local Chicago Band that is up & coming in the Punk/Rock Genre. Still Fallen is comprised of – left to right – Matt, Kristy, Luke & Nick. Recently appearing at Chicago’s Double Door.
Many bands are formed in young minds and are set up in garages across the globe, with their dedication to playing & their thirst to move forward, this is group that we may want to keep our eye on.
This is a sketch that I did of Still Fallen, which I just threw together in about an hour and a half, to give to Nick! He’s the one that sold my son the Black SG Junior for 10.00
Check out more Live Chicago Music you just never know what you will find when you step out of your current music genre !
I will also continue my Touching Others Lives Series – it’s a continued work in progress…so check back often
Standing the Test of Time
Posted by: | CommentsStanding the test of time, is certainly what this Southern Rock band has done over the years, still with it’s same 3 piece line up.
ZZ Top rocked into my bedroom as a teenager, they have expression & durability when it comes to creating those foot stomping, roll the windows down, put it in drive and turn the dial as far up as it goes and drive.
Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill & Frank Beard have formed a unique and fantastic career. Truly a team of individuals that have created an image. Being offered 1 million to shave their beards, Gibbons & Hill declined. They are who they are and their act continues to be successful.
ZZ Top did a video for Sesame Street with a muppet version of themselves singing – ZZ Blues.
Billy Gibbons appears briefly on the Television series Bones – as Angela’s Father. An astounding musician, Billy Gibbons formed ZZ Top in 1969 and their career together, standing the test of time is approaching 40 years. My son believes Gibbons is one of the best guitarist ever, I asked him why? “He is precise and meticulous when he is playing and never makes a mistake. ”
I think we all make mistakes, but do we stand the test of time with such dedication to correct them?
With statistics that show, the average 1st marriage divorce rate is 50%, 2nd marriage 67% and finally the 3rd marriages 74%. I would say, we do not stand the test of time. We can take a lesson from the loyalty of the 3 members of ZZ Top, going into any project, relationship or job. It’s all about the dedication, putting your best effort into any project that you are working on takes focus and it takes acts of selflessness.
Dedication to “things” is not always easy or comfortable, but to excel at anything, it’s the foundation of the end results. We get what we put into it! Whether it’s a relationship, a band, a project or even a marriage. If we continue to dedicate ourselves to the final outcome, success will be achieved.
This is a piece art on what I call a recycled project.. as I paid for my Corona Light, the store was getting ready to toss out a bunch of old cigar boxes, well, wasn’t Buck happy when I paraded in the house with a stack of old boxes for him to sand and prep for some artwork to be applied. It’s done with a 97-HB Woodless Graphite Pencil and a light coat of lacquer. A great keepsake box for your Southern Rock – ZZ Top fan. Contact me for details.. info at soul-to-soul.com
Touching Others Lives – Bob Dylan – Part 4
Posted by: | Comments
Even through bad times, we have to realize that we touch others lives when we don’t even realize it. We may have an issue with a friend, co-worker or family member, remember, it’s just that an issue. It’s not necessarily the person as a whole.. it’s the action that spurred us to become upset, angry or sad. It’s tough sometimes to find a place to put that emotion. If we realize though that we are responsible for our reactions and actions, that emotional bump in the road can be crossed.
Bob Dylan’s songs became anthems for Civil Rights Movements, he is a songwriter, singer, author, poet & painter, talk about artistic juices flowing and coursing through one’s veins.
Al Kooper was invited to sit in on a Dylan Session back in 1965, with the experience of session work he had done in the past, he felt quite comfortable playing and I can only imagine in his mind the night before that he was reeling with excitement at the chance. He arrived early to this gig, so he could set himself up comfortably and not feel to out of place when Dylan arrived like a spinning tornado through the door with an “bizarre-looking” guy – that would have been Mike Bloomfield. After hearing a few licks from Bloomfield, Kooper unplugged and scurried off to the control room. Thinking a dream had been shattered!
With an empty seat at Organ, Kooper decided to jump at the chance, albeit in his mind the night before, he was playing guitar, and not being as comfortable playing the organ, he saw an opportunity, dream achieved in a round about way. Lesson to be learned, don’t be afraid to take chances. Pages 35-36 in Backstage Passes & Backstabbing Bastards
Years later, there was an issue with Dylan and Kooper, regarding credits on a project, Kooper walked away, and apparently decided it was not worth the destruction of a friendship. Not having spoke to Dylan for many years, Kooper was called to sit in on yet another project… somehow Kooper touched Dylan’s life, his music and his ability must have been engrained somewhere on Dylan’s soul.
Touching Others Lives & In Walks Al Kooper
Posted by: | Comments
Continuing my Touching Others Lives Series, I give to you the focal point of the drawing. Which is being placed in the center of my recycled, thrown away, let’s put it in the landfill, discarded item, that I am going to transpose into a usable, conversation piece with a stunning array of art!
Let me introduce you to – Al Kooper, a survivor of the rock and roll lifestyle, we picked up his book called Backstage Passes & Backstabbing Bastards
Al Kooper was, what’s called a Session Player, having to know how to play anything, anytime, when the phone rings, a musician for hire. Now with his band Funky Faculty, he has laid down so many tracks on Teen Records, that we are not even aware of whose behind the music.
Touching Others Lives, in a quiet existance of which so many of us are not aware of the impact and the music he added to our lives. Playing on This Diamond Ring performed by Gary Lewis & The Playboys. The story of how Al came to play with Bob Dylan on Like a Rolling Stone is something only his words do justice, pick up the book. Blood Sweat and Tears, started in the head of this session musician, creating a marriage between blue’s, rock and a horn section.
Can you imagine a man of this stature teaching you music? Well, for a short while he did teach but with a disease that took 2/3rds of his eye sight, he had to give that up. He is still sought after for tours & lectures as well as DJ’ing
This is a man who has Touched Others Lives, when you are sitting at your computer, or standing in line at the store, just think about those that you may never see behind the scenes, the one’s that in some off-handed way have touched your lives. If the stock boy didn’t stock, we would not find what we need, if the IT Pro didn’t stay behind at work until 2:00 am, we would not have smooth running computers, there are so many more behind the scene’s people that we have in our lives, that each and every day.. they have touched our lives.
Touching Others Lives
Posted by: | CommentsThis is the start of a series of posts on touching others lives, my husband brought home a really unusual canvas for me last week, he finally got it prepped and it’s ready for me to lay down some lead to give it soul of rock and roll. This one, I will be selling!
I will leave out the details of what this discarded item is, and as my “Touching Others Lives” series goes on, I will continue to share each portion of this drawing, I will unveil the reused, recycled and refurbished item.
The first post here, is to make y’all think about those that have touched your life, even if for just a fleeting moment. Like the Uncle that gave you a dollar when you were a child, and you headed to the local Ben Franklin Dime Store, coming out with a little jar of liquid blowing bubbles.
The Aunt that you would visit, who always had Salerno Butter Cookies and Milk waiting on your arrival. A Sister that would always be your ally when your other siblings tormented you with muddy worms and threatened to make you eat them.
Do we take the time as a human race these days to really understand why the people that are in our lives are there?
We do gravitate towards people with similar interests, but it is also very interesting to step outside that little circle of life we are in, and try something a little different, learn something from someone that we have no idea what they are talking about.Watch an old movie that we have never seen, but often heard the title. Casablanca, It’s a Wonderful Life or Once Upon a Time in the West.
I sat last evening with a couple that grew up in theater, and had the notions of this post swimming through my mind before we even entered their colorful home. The walls in the bathroom are papered with old clippings of past events, old entertainers, sheets of music. Entertainment from years past, things and people that have touched their lives, they touched mine last night. The excitement in John’s voice, when he heard I had never seen Casablanca, he couldn’t wait to share something he felt passionate about and went digging for the movie – he didn’t find it, so I guess I will be heading to Blockbuster soon.
How will that movie, and that moment touch my life, I don’t know yet, but as we continue each day of our lives, we all have something to learn from someone, and we all have something to teach someone. It’s broadening our circles and our minds that will help us grow into better rounded people. I have a thirst for knowledge, and learning, stepping into others circles if only for a short time, can really be an adventure that will open up so many possibilities.
As my recycled, reused “conversation piece” continues, I will touch on a icon in Rock History that opened doors for one heck of a lot of people, a name that is known to many and known little to others, and not known at all to some.
Find your voice
Posted by: | Comments
Bono truly believes that what he is popularizing will change the world, by changing how we communicate with each other…
Being active bloggers, we do that each and every post or at least try. But when it comes to matters of the heart, how hard is it for many of us to communicate? I found this statement on communication -
denotes the allowing of others to partake or enjoy in common with ourselves
Sometimes the matters at heart are tough to take – but bottling up what it is we feel, and not communicating it properly will only weigh down your soul, it will bring to you emotional cob-webs.
I haven’t dated anyone in a very long time, I have been married to my guitar guru for 20 years, and I recently listened to someone who has is getting back into the dating circuit, and my mind was blown away by the “games” that are played with communication. If we need something from someone, why do we skirt around the issue. Why are we afraid to speak openly and honestly?
The Fear of the Loss of Love by Benny says it best, he does do an entire series on Fear, I can not compete with his words, nor do I want to try. What I do have to say is, if we do not say what is in our hearts to those around us, you will eventually regret it. Life is short!
Bono has a powerful voice, both with his music and his activism, he has the star status to back him up, but I belive he has a powerful inner strength that drives him to be the success he is, both with his music and the causes he belives in.
We all have things we believe in, utilize that belief, turn it into something beautiful, give yourself the voice that will warm your heart, do not stifle your voice with your fear. Disappointments will come sometimes when we communicate what it is we want, that’s a given. If you don’t follow what it is you really believe in, will it get you anywhere?
This is what is being said about the upcoming U2 The Hype and the Feedback
A band of paradoxes, ironies, ambition and sincerity, their influence in the worlds of music, entertainment, popular culture, humanitarian relief and the global politics of peace and social justice should be the stuff of spirited conversation.
All that really matters
Posted by: | CommentsRichie Sambora 
best know for his richly melodious riffs with Bon Jovi, and his volatile relationship with Heather Locklear. I personally like some of his solo releases. Stranger in this Town and Undiscovered Soul.
How often do we forget – All That Really Matters, this track off Sambora’s Undiscovered Soul is something we should start our day’s with.
I know over the last year that I certainly lost touch with that. How often do we tell those around us, what matters. How often do we think about All That Really Matters?
When I look at you
you’re beautiful
there comes a time in someone’s life
when you find things that matter
and every time we touch the love runs deep
we realize it’s our to keep and that’s all that really matters.
It’s ours to keep, but when we become unfocused, we loose what really should run deep. What should make us smile when our feet hit the floor in the morning? Rushing to meet deadlines, meetings, answer email or trying to cut the guy off in front of us? Or is it what surrounds you all the time, your family, your friends, compassion and love? It should be the latter, but we get so lost with in the confines of our mind that we overlook those simple things that really matter.
When we loose focus of what really matters, we loose ourselves and our loved one’s can be swept away in that fall out – and pretty quickly ta’boot. Taking the time to show people what really matters can put that extra spring in your step on a daily basis as well as have a pay it forward action behind the scenes.
It doesn’t take long, it should not consume your day trying to figure it out. Smile at someone and say thank you for being in my life, or tell someone they are beautiful, take 5 minutes to sit and listen to someone’s story that you otherwise wouldn’t have time too. Comment back, but don’t monopolize the conversation with a story of your own, let them know they have been heard.
You’ll always be my sweet addiction
in this life my saving grace
you’re all that really matters
you know it’s true
ain’t no me without you.
And when we turns to dust
and we fly away
there’ll be a light stil burning bright
and that’s all that really matters
Life changes on a dime, and regrets can create a mountain of remorse – don’t regret the time you could have spent, sharing and smiling about All That Really Matters.
Fourth of July with Mark Farner
Posted by: | CommentsGrand Funk took us by storm in the 1970′s and their music is still legendary, I know it is in my house, 
“We’re an American Band” screams from the ipod on a daily basis. This song helped Grand Funk get into the homes of a vast array of listeners giving them quite a following, still to this day.
Grand Funk or not, Mark Farner is still going strong & still playing producing some astonishing riffs. I just stopped by the official Mark Farner Website to find that there is now a “Captains Crew Fan Club”
Mark’s latest CD – For The People has a line from the that very song that says…”The Spirits of Time…” this post is for all those past spirits, that have served our country and served our needs, protected our lives, unbeknownst to us, giving us our independence!
Think back to 911, the day after, the hour after…..I recall the true genuine concern for others that happened that day. People were blind sided as we watched, and people united and came together that day, they reached out to one another, strangers who held doors open, gave up their places in line. We need to get back to this type of genuine concern and politeness.
Keeping with his own style and still sporting the long rock & roll hair, Mark continues to be for the people. I say lift a glass to the spirits of the great musicians, as well as the one’s who continue to lift our spirits when we are down and sometimes just give us good old foot stomping, hair flinging rock & roll to enjoy for years to come.
Happy Fourth of July All!
Remember the people before us, who gave us our independence.