Albany, NY, Jan 21, 2017. Photos ©Jeremy Clowe.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
Diamonds Are Forever
Happy New Year.
So far so good. Last night I checked out the Savoy Soul Club--the premier soul night (a la Northern Soul) in the Capital Region. The other day we caught the movie La La Land-- one of the best films I have seen in some time... bring back the musical!
Speaking of music, WEXT will be re-airing my David Bowie tribute this Monday, January 9, at 11 p.m. ET. It's slotted one day after his birthdate and one day before the anniversary of his passing. I remember my dismay at hearing the news a year ago, and I have been thinking a lot about his musical influence ever since.
With this My Exit special, I tried to pick songs by the artist that had an immediate and lasting impact on me. I only had an hour, so I had to give it a good deal of thought (hard to narrow down).
As I mention on the show, the first I remember being truly aware of him was during the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing with Mick Jagger in that silly "Dancing In The Street" video. That song was catchy enough, but the tune that really caught my ear was a year later-- his theme song for the British film Absolute Beginners, which he also starred in.
At the time I actually wondered if he was a retro artist, since that lead me into the 1950s-styled Let's Dance album.
Digger deeper, I found myself captivated by such moody tracks as "China Girl," "Cat People," and "Ashes To Ashes"-- I was beginning to discover the weird, artsy Bowie, and there was no turning back.
My wife's museum, The Albany Institute of History and Art is currently showing a really nice exhibition of rock and roll photography (Bowie included!) by local artist Patrick Harbron. In conjunction with the show, they held an open mic night tonight. We weren't sure what the turn out would be, so I brought my electric guitar just in case. I have been taking guitar lessons for a couple years now, still struggling to find time and motivation to practice, but I decided to give it a shot. Now I have no problem getting up and singing/performing in front of an audience, but playing the guitar and singing adds another level of complexity. Oof... I probably should have sat it out, but I gave Bowie's "Starman" a try. Coincidentally, the line "that weren't no DJ that was hazy cosmic jive" has some relevance with the current news about the discovery of mysterious radio waves from outer space. David, is that you? "Ground control to major Tom..."
More successful for me at Albany Institute was my taking part in a recent album cover design contest (also tied in with the rock photography exhibit). Again I chose Bowie as the subject, and reinterpreted his 1974 album Diamond Dogs.
I had the perfect model: our dog Trixie. My illustration took things quite literally-- I sprinkled diamond shapes across the vinyl sized design, and Trix was decked out in full Bowie "Ziggy Stardust"-era glam (even the shoulder pads from the "Ashes To Ashes" video). The assemblage was mixed media, with elements of collage, colored pencil, paint, and glitter, as well as type created on the museum's old printing press. You can view some photos of my creative process in this Facebook album.
In addition to David Bowie, the through line for these projects is that they were about me focusing on artistic projects. I wish I could master the fearless creativity that Bowie had--I guess that's a big reason I admired him so. The other attractive part of his legacy is that his work transcended--as if he was the conduit for its creation. Although he is gone, his songs remain... and I think he understood, whatever his obvious fears and demons, that he should get out of the way of being creative.
My Diamond Dogs reissue ended up winning the cover design contest! I know... it may seem a little fishy with my wife working at the museum, but this was entirely voted on by the public. I even saw a couple of people admiring the work when it was on display (even taking photos). So "bully for you, chilly for me..." I'll try and keep David Bowie in mind, and keep out of my own artist's way in the new year.
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| Stardust Memories, 2016 |
Speaking of music, WEXT will be re-airing my David Bowie tribute this Monday, January 9, at 11 p.m. ET. It's slotted one day after his birthdate and one day before the anniversary of his passing. I remember my dismay at hearing the news a year ago, and I have been thinking a lot about his musical influence ever since.
With this My Exit special, I tried to pick songs by the artist that had an immediate and lasting impact on me. I only had an hour, so I had to give it a good deal of thought (hard to narrow down).
As I mention on the show, the first I remember being truly aware of him was during the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing with Mick Jagger in that silly "Dancing In The Street" video. That song was catchy enough, but the tune that really caught my ear was a year later-- his theme song for the British film Absolute Beginners, which he also starred in.
Digger deeper, I found myself captivated by such moody tracks as "China Girl," "Cat People," and "Ashes To Ashes"-- I was beginning to discover the weird, artsy Bowie, and there was no turning back.
My wife's museum, The Albany Institute of History and Art is currently showing a really nice exhibition of rock and roll photography (Bowie included!) by local artist Patrick Harbron. In conjunction with the show, they held an open mic night tonight. We weren't sure what the turn out would be, so I brought my electric guitar just in case. I have been taking guitar lessons for a couple years now, still struggling to find time and motivation to practice, but I decided to give it a shot. Now I have no problem getting up and singing/performing in front of an audience, but playing the guitar and singing adds another level of complexity. Oof... I probably should have sat it out, but I gave Bowie's "Starman" a try. Coincidentally, the line "that weren't no DJ that was hazy cosmic jive" has some relevance with the current news about the discovery of mysterious radio waves from outer space. David, is that you? "Ground control to major Tom..."
 |
| Best In Show: "Diamond Dogs" 2016 Memorial Edition. ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved. |
I had the perfect model: our dog Trixie. My illustration took things quite literally-- I sprinkled diamond shapes across the vinyl sized design, and Trix was decked out in full Bowie "Ziggy Stardust"-era glam (even the shoulder pads from the "Ashes To Ashes" video). The assemblage was mixed media, with elements of collage, colored pencil, paint, and glitter, as well as type created on the museum's old printing press. You can view some photos of my creative process in this Facebook album.
In addition to David Bowie, the through line for these projects is that they were about me focusing on artistic projects. I wish I could master the fearless creativity that Bowie had--I guess that's a big reason I admired him so. The other attractive part of his legacy is that his work transcended--as if he was the conduit for its creation. Although he is gone, his songs remain... and I think he understood, whatever his obvious fears and demons, that he should get out of the way of being creative.
My Diamond Dogs reissue ended up winning the cover design contest! I know... it may seem a little fishy with my wife working at the museum, but this was entirely voted on by the public. I even saw a couple of people admiring the work when it was on display (even taking photos). So "bully for you, chilly for me..." I'll try and keep David Bowie in mind, and keep out of my own artist's way in the new year.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
The Kids Are Alright
2016? With the exception of my family, friends, and Bernie(!), it was a frequently trying year. What else do you say about a year where Gen X-ers like myself lost such cultural icons as Bowie, Prince, Mohammad Ali, George Michael, and Carrie Fisher, and can look forward to being Trump-ed in the new year? Makes you want to turn the lights out and pull the covers up for a looong nap.
There were, however, a couple projects that I was involved with this year that raised my spirits. They involved the next generation - Millennials and Generation Z, if you will.
With support from the Museum, the effort became a useful lesson in civics for the students, involving them directly in the political process. In February 2016, New York's City Council voted to officially rename the corner, and a special signing ceremony, officiated by Mayor Bill de Blasio, was held at New York's City Hall on February 25-- I was on hand to film the occasion, as well as the official unveiling of "Norman Rockwell Place," which took place on June 9, with City dignitaries, Museum officials, Rockwell family members, and fans in attendance. It was a meaningful day, and I was again impressed by the perspective and determination of these young people.
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| Photo: Jeremy Clowe |
Last February I spent some time working from home in New York's Capital Region, and decided to document a group of local high school students who were busy preparing work for an exhibition reinterpreting President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Four Freedoms (which celebrated its 75th anniversary this year). The show was to be presented at Norman Rockwell Museum, where we own and display Norman Rockwell's original 1943 paintings that famously interpret Roosevelt's speech. It sounded like an interesting project, and I was curious to see what freedom meant to young people in the 21st Century.
"Freedom of Speech," one of FDR's original ideals, was perhaps the most popular, and was interpreted in some interesting ways--as a form of protest; in being able to express yourself through dress, music, or the visual arts; and speaking up for your rights as a young person. The other freedoms (want, religion, and fear) were less frequently illustrated, with these studio art students deciding to expand on the original concept.
Not surprisingly, one of the biggest concerns was privacy--in this day of social media and smart phones, young people had mixed feelings about the freedom to share information, but also the need for it to stay protected. Others addressed the idea of equality for people of all genders, races, and sexual identities. I enjoyed working with and finding the common threads between the three schools that I visited, and telling the students' story; several were looking at issues that seemed far beyond the typical high school concerns. The students pleasantly surprised me with their generally polite and thoughtful nature.
From there, I helped the Museum cover a number of other interesting education initiatives during 2016. One of the most unique was a group of students we had been working with from Edward A. Reynolds High School in New York City, who learned that Norman Rockwell was born just a few blocks from their school (206 West 103rd Street). After learning more about the artist and how he illustrated humanitarian themes right through and including the civil rights era, they decided to form a committee to see about renaming the corner near Rockwell's birthplace (West 103rd and Broadway) in the artist's name. On Election Day, November 4, 2014, the students canvassed voters at their school, a polling location, and picked up 300 signatures in favor of the idea.
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| Civics - the Norman Rockwell way. |
This past June we held our annual gala, which celebrated our education efforts. Former First Lady Laura Bush, who was an educator, was on hand, as well as children's book illustrator Jerry Pinkney, who was honored as our new Artist Laureate (I had previously interviewed and created a video for our 2009 exhibition of Pinkney's work). The night of the gala we also premiered a video I created to highlight several of our education initiatives, including the Four Freedoms and New York City student efforts. Again, I found it be an involved project, sorting through tons of footage to find the through line to tell an effective story. However, all the work paid off and the video was quite well-received, helping us raise considerable new funds to continue our education efforts.
As I mentioned, it was a trying year... easy to get discouraged... but thinking back about these projects and talented teens I met along the way, I continue to find hope for the future.
"Manhattan Street is Renamed After Norman Rockwell," New York Times, June 8, 2016
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Spirit of The Holiday
On this day, remembering my father -
a compassionate man, and talented musician/visual art
(the apple did not fall far from the tree).
Thank you for the love and example you set for us
- in essence, the spirit of Christmas.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Do The Right Thing
Dear Electors,*
*Photos taken in Albany, New York, December 3, 2016
by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.
(view more at Upper Hudson Peace Action Facebook page)
Related Links:
Hamilton Electors website
"Editorial: Electors, reject Mr. Trump," Albany Times Union, December 14, 2016
Monday, December 12, 2016
Soul Power
Day off! I spent today doing my own thing... working on some music research, and practicing my own (with help from my new purple velvet guitar strap - R.I.P. Prince).
It’s been a rough year for music losses this year. This past month, soul diva Sharon Jones joined the ranks of the dearly departed, finally succumbing to the pancreatic cancer she had bravely battled over the last couple years.
Classic soul music has long been one of my favorite musical genres, yet it took me a while to truly appreciate Ms. Jones’ talent. Oh sure, I had admired her backing band The Dap-Kings, after hearing their work with the late Amy Winehouse, and knew the Daptone record label was quality, but at first I wasn’t sure Jones (or her songs) had enough grit for my taste… but, as she sang, “I learned the hard way…”
I think it was around the same time they released the brilliant album Give The People What They Want, that we first heard about Jones’ cancer. Talk about heartbreaking. This past weekend I finally watched the 2015 documentary Miss Sharon Jones!, which follows the singer’s musical and personal life from the onset of her illness. It was touching and inspiring to learn how she battled the cancer and found strength to keep performing (with help from her bandmates). The documentary was also revealing in the way it showcased the very real struggle that working musicians face when their livelihood becomes threatened… they loved Sharon and they loved the music, so they found a way.
I was so glad we finally had a chance to see Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings perform this past May. It was one of those shows that just made me happy. Of course I was dancing… of course I was taking loads of photos. The concert took place at the hip Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, and I just learned from the documentary that Jones was receiving much of her treatment in the area. Rest in peace, miss lady soul. I cross my fingers that the Dap-Kings find a way to continue... in these “dark times,” we need them more than ever.
On a brighter note, I just learned that Albany has it’s own monthly soul music night at the swanky Savoy Taproom. I think we’re talking DJs spinning their own boatload of rare vinyl (a la Northern Soul)…. Wow. Very exciting news. I’m also looking at ways to return to radio... use music as a way to get through the next year and new administration. I’ll keep you posted. Sho’nuff.
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| Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings giving the people what they want in Cooperstown, NY, May 28, 2016. Photo: Jeremy Clowe |
Classic soul music has long been one of my favorite musical genres, yet it took me a while to truly appreciate Ms. Jones’ talent. Oh sure, I had admired her backing band The Dap-Kings, after hearing their work with the late Amy Winehouse, and knew the Daptone record label was quality, but at first I wasn’t sure Jones (or her songs) had enough grit for my taste… but, as she sang, “I learned the hard way…”
In 2013 I heard her song “Retreat!” a perfect, urgent slice of retro soul. Suddenly I found myself digging (and digging) a little deeper into their discography. The music was hearfelt... impeccably performed and produced, and preserving a style I have grown to love over the years. Seriously, I love soul music… can't get enough of it. I feel like I was born a little late (well, I was in the single digits when Philly Soul and funk were happening). My admiration for Sharon Jones grew even more when I heard her state in a radio interview that she could be doing any kind of musical genre (and there are plenty more successful at the moment), but her heart was with classic soul.
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| Photo: Jeremy Clowe |
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| Photo: Jeremy Clowe |
On a brighter note, I just learned that Albany has it’s own monthly soul music night at the swanky Savoy Taproom. I think we’re talking DJs spinning their own boatload of rare vinyl (a la Northern Soul)…. Wow. Very exciting news. I’m also looking at ways to return to radio... use music as a way to get through the next year and new administration. I’ll keep you posted. Sho’nuff.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Giving Thanks
This #Thanksgiving, paying respects to the Native American population. Giving thanks to the earth, and sending support to #standingrock pic.twitter.com/mQ3YwzNHPk— Jeremy Clowe (@BlueEyedSoulPro) November 24, 2016
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