Comfort Food

 

Comfort Seafood Pasta - a great way to keep warm and recoup from a crazy week.  Hope your having a great weekend.

(Parsley from Juzno's garden.)

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - Wall Street Rag (restored original 1966 recording jazz vinyl LP)

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - Wall Street Rag (restored original 1966 recording jazz vinyl LP)

"If God is not sovereign, then God is not God." - R. C. Sproul Released 1966, SRO was the seventh album by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, and it performed about as well as most of its predecessors, reaching #2 on the U.S. album charts, helped by three singles: “The Work Song,” “Flamingo,” and “Mame.” By late 1966, it seemed as if every TV commercial and every pop arranger had latched onto the Herb Alpert “Ameriachi” sound — at which point the resourceful originator of that sound began to pare it down and loosen it up a bit. S.R.O. (Standing Room Only), referring to the Tijuana Brass’ string of sold-out concerts, is an accurate title, for this LP is about a seven-piece band loaded with experienced jazzers who groove and swing together to a greater degree than on their previous albums. Sure, the arrangements are very tightly knit and don’t allow much room for spontaneity, but they still sound fresh and uninhibited, and Alpert often allows the flavor of jazz to come through more clearly. (All Music Review) Arranged By – Herb Alpert Bass Guitar – Pat Senatore Design – Peter Whorf Graphics Drums – Nick Ceroli Engineer – Larry Levine Guitar – John Pisano Leader [Band] – Herb Alpert Liner Notes – Chuck Champlin Photography By [Cover] – George Jerman Piano – Lou Pagani Producer – Herb Alpert, Jerry Moss Trombone – Bob Edmondson Trumpet – Tonni Kalash I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos.  (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album. Hope you enjoy.  INXDS. #latinjazz #jazz #vinylrecord #quoteoftheday : :

Les McCann & Eddie Harris - Cold Duck Time (restored original 1969 recording vinyl LP)

 

Les McCann & Eddie Harris - Cold Duck Time (restored original 1969 recording vinyl LP)

"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." - Thomas Aquinas Swiss Movement is a soul jazz live album recorded on June 21, 1969 at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland by the Les McCann trio, with saxophonist Eddie Harris and trumpeter Benny Bailey. The album was a hit record, as was the accompanying single "Compared to What", with both selling millions of units. (Sorry, the video post for "Compared to What" was blocked by YouTube. This song will have to do.) • Eddie Harris - tenor saxophone • Les McCann - piano • Benny Bailey - trumpet • Leroy Vinnegar - bass • Donald Dean - drums I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos.  (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album. Hope you enjoy.  INXDS. #bebop #jazz #vinylrecord #quoteoftheday : :

Defending the Defenders

 

Margie McGhee (lovely southern gal in the middle) managed to insert herself in history by traveling back to Georgetown, Texas in 1862 to defend the Courthouse during the American Civil War -  a civil war in the United States from 1861 to 1865, fought between northern states loyal to the Union and southern states that had seceded to form the Confederate States of America.  Years later, the same building became the place to successfully prosecute members of the the Ku Klux Klan.  District attorney, later governor, Dan Moody prosecuted four Klansmen for their roles in the kidnapping and beating of Robert Burleson, a white traveling salesman who had defied a Klan warning to leave town.  This same building is now the target of some leftists who want to take down the building monument - not knowing the history around this building.  

Please do not believe anything that you just read.  Hope your day is going well.

Ramsey Lewis - One, Two, Three (restored original 1966 jazz recording vinyl LP)

 

Ramsey Lewis - One, Two, Three (restored original 1966 jazz recording vinyl LP)

"Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." - Saint Augustine From the vinyl album Goin' Latin. Ramsey Lewis, piano Cleveland Eaton, bass Maurice White, drums, Brian Christian, recording engineer Doug Brand, supervising engineer Richard Evans, arranger, conductor Don S. Bronstein, photos Tom Gorman, cover design Esmond Edwards, album production and supervision Recorded: December 21, 22, 23, 1966 RCA Studios, Chicago : : I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album. Hope you enjoy. #bebop #jazz #vinylrecord #quoteoftheday : :INXDS.

The Blues Brothers - From the Bottom (restored original vinyl LP)

 

The Blues Brothers - From the Bottom (restored original vinyl LP)

"A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance." - Hunter S. Thompson From the bottom From the bottom From the bottom Oh boys, I'm Hollywood bound From the bottom From the bottom From the bottom Oh boys, I'm Hollywood bound She not from the East She not from the West I'm so crazy 'bout my baby I love the way she wears her dress From the bottom From the bottom From the bottom Oh boys, I'm Hollywood bound Hmm, she's not my color (Not my color) She's jus' my style (She's just my style) Hmm boys, I'm… (cover version - original song is by Sonny Boy Williamson) Made in America is the third album by The Blues Brothers. The second live album by the band, it was released in December 1980 as a followup to their hit film released that year, The Blues Brothers. To support the film, the band embarked on a 22 dates tour in North America, culminating with seven dates at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. Released in December 1980, Made in America was the Blues Brothers' third consecutive album to enter the Billboard top 50. Made in America was the band's last album in its original incarnation. I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. (Video Artwork was appropriated from the original vinyl LP. This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album. Hope you enjoy. INXDS. #bluesbrothers #madeinamerica #vinylLP #qouteoftheday : :

KC and Tiger

 

Going analog again.  Rediscovering those photos taken from film cameras.  This one was from Rose's Nikon FE.  The glass was the Nikkor 50mm f1.8.  I enjoyed using this camera.  This was Kamilah and Tiger - taken many moons ago from our favorite hangout place: the Breakfast Nook in Chino Hills, California.  Tiger went away one day and never returned.  Perhaps, eaten by coyotes.  He truly thought he was a tiger but underestimated his enemies.  Kamilah went to New York and got married.  All I have now is a memory of them together.

Hope your day is going well.

Satisfaction Re-edited

 

Somewhere on Castle Hills, a pensive Juzno reflects over the Danube River as he sips Palinka while the wife readies her retro style Holga camera.  Juzno smiles back but returns to his introspection because it looks manlier and cooler that way in photos.  He remember reading F. Scott Fitzgerald not to smile.  At that moment, she clicks on the shutter.  Perfect.  Juzno's wrinkled skin and fly away gray hair are forever immortalized.  The photo will be lost.  But in about 50 years, a young historian uncovers the photo.  She somehow recognized the man in the photo.  She contacts the Smithsonian for some funding to research on the life of Juzno, an artist nobody remembers.  She publishes a book "Juzno: The Reluctant Photographer".  Immediately, Juzno's art works began fetching in Sotheby's for an indecent sum of money.  The Au Schneider Foundation donates half of Juzno's work to the d'Orsay.  The rest is mostly random history. 

Repost from July 8, 2014.  Do you see the difference?

Rewind - Lester Young / Clifford Brown / Red Rodney / Lucky Thompson

 Rewind - Lester Young / Clifford Brown / Red Rodney / Lucky Thompson

"It costs a hell of a lot more money to put somebody in jail than send them to the University of Virginia." - Bernie Sanders Jazz music you might have missed last week: Lester Young - Carnegie Blues (original recording jazz vinyl LP) Clifford Brown Sextet - I Can Dream, Can't I? (original 1953 recording vinyl LP) Red Rodney - Stella by Starlight (original 1957 recording vinyl LP) Lucky Thompson - Tom-Kattin' (original 1956 recording jazz vinyl ) I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album . Hope you enjoy. INXDS #bebop #jazz #vinylrecord #qouteoftheday

Count Basie and his Orchestra - Corner Pocket (restored original 1955 jazz recording vinyl LP)

 

Count Basie and his Orchestra - Corner Pocket (restored original 1955 jazz recording vinyl LP)

"A plagiarist steals from one person. A true artist steals from everybody." - Pablo Picasso "Corner Pocket" is a 1955 jazz standard. Versions with lyrics are titled "Until I Met You", or "Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)". It was composed by Freddie Green. The song was first popularized by Count Basie's instrumental recording for his album April in Paris, his first released on the Verve label, recorded in 1955 and 1956. Alto Saxophone – Earle Warren, Jimmy Powell Baritone Saxophone – Rudy Rutherford Double Bass – Rodney Richardson Drums – Shadow Wilson Guitar – Freddie Green Piano – Count Basie Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Tate, Lucky Thompson Trombone – Dickie Wells, Eli Robinson, Louis Taylor, Ted Donnelly Trumpet – Al Killian, Al Stearns, Harry Edison, Joe Newman I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album . Hope you enjoy. INXDS. #jazz #vinylLP #bebop #qouteoftheday

Pete the Elder

The great Magnum photographer Elliot Erwitt once said that it is better to shoot an iconic picture rather than a good but boring one. I certainly would not call this image iconic – although in a few years maybe it will – only time will tell.  One can only aspire.

I am almost sure that Pete would not like this photo.  Even then, I was pleasantly surprised by the result. I thought that the lighting was bad as it was mostly florescent predominantly coming from the top but I think the warm backlighting helped. The classic Nikkor 50mm from my Rose's vintage Nikon FE may have contributed to the wow factor. Despite using a crappy 8 mp Canon Rebel XT, the combination of the lens and the camera as appointed by providence all contributed to this shot.

© 2013, 2014 Rob Castro
Reworked from February 13, 2013 post

Addendum:

I used an old Nikkor 50mm lens (truly a great glass on this one - that's why I used it) which was designed for the film SLR. So everything is operated manually including the focus. Without the benefit of the auto focus and split screen I just eyeballed the shot and went for broke. Since this was a stolen shot and the environment was a bit dark, it made shooting more difficult. So yea I wished I had focused on the eyes but focusing on the wrinkles is the next best thing :-)

I also liked the colors on this one. It's not often that I render my portraits in color as I'm partially color blind but I think this one works for me. I did render the image in B&W but this version is my fave.

Repost from August 19, 2014

Jazz Sampler - Dexter Gordon, Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis, Cozy Cole (original jazz LPs)

 

Jazz Sampler - Dexter Gordon, Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis, Cozy Cole (original jazz LPs)

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." - Victor Hugo Oscar Peterson - Ali and Frazier https://youtu.be/HWaJ5ytqmtc Cozy Cole - Talk to Me https://youtu.be/LRpO6ja4J-g Ramsey Lewis - Hey Mrs Jones https://youtu.be/porSLD-OnvM Dexter Gordon - Hi-Fly https://youtu.be/-os94HrH-J8 : I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album . Hope you enjoy. INXDS #bebop #jazz #vinylrecord

The Blues Brothers - Green Onions / Spoken intro by Elwood Blues (original 1980 recording vinyl LP)

 

The Blues Brothers - Green Onions

"It is rock and roll. That's all I know. And that's all I'm good at. I am terrible plumber" - Keith Richards Elwood Blues : “All right people. the rest of the hard working all star Blues Brothers are gonna be out here in a minute, including my little brother Jake. But right now, I'd like to talk a little bit about this tune you're hearing. This is of course the Green Onions tune. It was a very big hit in the early sixties in this country. And of course it was composed and recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, right here in the United States of America. You know, people, I believe that this tune can be equated with the great classical music around the world. Now you go to Germany, you've got your Bach, your Beethoven, your Brahms... here in America you've got your Fred Mcdowell, your Irving Berlin, your Glenn Miller, and your Booker T & the M’Gs. Another example of the great contributions in music and culture that this country has made around the world. and as you look around the world today, you see this country spurned. “You see backs turned on this country… well people, I'm gonna tell you something, this continent, North America, is the stronghold! this is where we're gonna make our stand in this decade! yeah, people I've got something to say to the state department. I say take that archaic Monroe doctrine, and that Marshall plan that says we're supposed to police force the world, and throw 'em out! let's stay home for the next ten years people! Stay right here in North America and enjoy the music and culture that is ours. Yeah, I got one more thing to say. I'm just talking about the music, people, and what it does to me. And that is, as you look around the world, you go to the Soviet Union or Great Britain or France, you name it, any country... everybody is doing flips and twists just to get into a genuine pair of American blue jeans! and to hear this music and we got it all here in America, the land of the Chrysler 440 cubic inch engine!” Made in America is the third album by The Blues Brothers. The second live album by the band, it was released in December 1980 as a followup to their hit film released that year, The Blues Brothers. To support the film, the band embarked on a 22 dates tour in North America, culminating with seven dates at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. Released in December 1980, Made in America was the Blues Brothers' third consecutive album to enter the Billboard top 50. Made in America was the band's last album in its original incarnation. I suspect jazz purists might complain that the song Green Onions is not jazz. Perhaps, but definitely jazz-influenced. Moreover, it was created in the States, the land where 8-cylinder muscle cars and Blue Jeans were born. I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. (Video Artwork was appropriated from the original vinyl LP. This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album . Hope you enjoy. INXDS. #bluesbrothers #madeinamerica #vinylLP #qouteoftheday

Dexter Gordon - A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley (original recording jazz vinyl LP)

 Dexter Gordon - A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley (original recording jazz vinyl LP)

"Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît pas". (The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.) - Blaise Pascal Gotham City is a jazz album by saxophonist Dexter Gordon recorded in 1980 and released by Columbia in 1981. Dexter Gordon – tenor saxophone George Benson – electric guitar Cedar Walton – piano Percy Heath – bass Art Blakey – drums : : I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album . Hope you enjoy. INXDS #bebop #jazz #vinylrecord

In a Quiet Way

 

Good morning...  Good evening...  Wherever you are.  Hope you enjoy.

My First Smoke for the Year 2021

 

And this could be my last ... I don't know.  Listening to progressive rock blues (whatever that is) by First Friday on YouTube.  Hope your day is going well.

Look Over Yonder

 

I wanted to call this The Old man and the Sea but the person in the kayak is not old and the water is not a sea but a lake.  It was a gorgeous day in late December in Georgetown, Texas.  There are three parks surrounding Lake Georgetown: Cedar Breaks Park, Jim Hogg Park and Russell Park, all operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  The lake is surrounded by a 26.5-mile hiking trail - pretty cool for a serious hiker or marathon runner.  One can have a picnic and there is a place to camp. The water is deep.   I don't know how deep but it's dark blue so I know it's very deep.  Wading is not allowed. Indeed, a great place to spend a winter's day.

The Bobby Darin Story - Mack the Knife / Spoken intro by Mr Darin (restored original 1961 vinyl LP)

 

 

Bobby Darin Story - Mack the Knife

"My husband may have his faults, but he has never lied to me." - Hillary Clinton The Bobby Darin Story is a 1961 compilation album by American singer Bobby Darin, featuring narration by Darin himself. The master plates of several versions of this release contained Darin's autograph in the trail off section of the vinyl on side two. Darin's career took off with a songwriting partnership, formed in 1955 with Don Kirshner, whom he met at a candy store in Washington Heights. (Yes, the same Don Kirshner who was best known for managing songwriting talent as well as successful pop groups like Kansas.) I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos.  (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album . Hope you enjoy.  INXDS. #bebop #jazz #vinylrecord #qouteoftheday

The Buddy Rich Big Band - Big Swing Face (original 1967 recording jazz vinyl )

 

The Buddy Rich Big Band - Big Swing Face (original 1967 recording jazz vinyl )

"Vultus est index animi." - (The face is the index of the soul.)

The Buddy Rich Big Band Big Swing Face (Bill Potts) From the album of the same title, recorded live in 1967 at The Chez, Hollywood California. Rich's technique, including speed, smooth execution and precision, is one of the most coveted in drumming and has become a common standard. Gene Krupa described him as "the greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath". Rich's influence extended from jazz to rock music and jazz fusion. He influenced drummers John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Ian Paice of Deep Purple, Tré Cool from Green Day, and Bill Ward of Black Sabbath. Phil Collins stopped using two bass drums and started playing the hi-hat after reading Rich's opinion on the importance of the hi-hat. Roger Taylor, drummer of Queen, acknowledged Rich as the best drummer he ever saw for sheer technique. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has credited Rich as the greatest drummer of all time. Buddy Rich was among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire. [excerpt from wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Rich] : : I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album . Hope you enjoy. INXDS #bebop #jazz #vinylrecord

What came out from the expired Fujifilm Instant (Polaroid) films

 

Yesterday, I posted about these shots using expired Fujifilm FP-100c instant film.  Here they are - arranged in royal splendor. Tada!  Hope you enjoy.

While we were waiting for Year 2021 to come

 

Happy New Year!  Hope y'all welcome 2021 with a bang.  For us, the countdown to midnight took forever since  there was no show to watch (we have no Television and we’ve watched all the free movies on YouTube) and the countdown online was mainly the clock ticking to twelve o’clock.  It was just Rose and I for New Year’s Eve.  So to pass the time, we took pictures of what’s on the table (candles, flowers, succulents, flute glasses and champagne).

I even took out my old Hasselblad camera and the polaroid instant film adapter to go with it, plus the Fuji instant (polaroid) film (FP-100c) to use that was sitting in the refrigerator for years.  While relearning how to use the camera, I discovered that it was still loaded with 10 unused shots that was there since July 2014.  I took pictures using those expired Fuji instant polaroid films and got some cool shots.  I really liked them such that I tried to see if I can buy some more of those films.  Back then I bought a pack of 10 exposures for less than $12.  Well, searching the internet, we found out that Fuji stopped manufacturing them although Amazon still sells these films — a five pack of 10 exposures for a whopping price of $648.00. Which means each shot taken that night cost at least $12.  Yikes!  

As we toast to the coming year, Rose and I smiled: year 2020 was like the story of the Fuji instant film.  Confined to stay at home and in the process of finding something to do with our time, we discover treasures: tending a garden, reaching out to loved ones (including some long lost friends), reading for sheer pleasure, and learning new things, even the art of contemplation.  We are amazed at the Lord’s provision and how He has worked all things out even in a difficult and messy year.  Our God is good indeed! 

The Day the Earth Stood Still

 

Hope your day is going well.

Glow 2021

 

Found these glowing at the backyard.  Maybe they were sent to Texas to combat Covid 19.  Prospero ano to y'all!  May you have a safer and wonderful 2021.

All that Jazz Orchestra - Ponte Vecchio / Bye Bye Love (original vinyl recording)

 

All that Jazz Orchestra - Ponte Vecchio / Bye Bye Love (original vinyl recording)

"It's showtime, folks!" - Joe Gideon The Plot: Joe Gideon is a theater director and choreographer trying to balance staging his latest Broadway musical, NY/LA, while editing a Hollywood film he has directed, The Stand-Up. He is a workaholic who chain-smokes cigarettes and a womanizer who constantly flirts and has sex with a stream of women. Each morning, to keep himself going, he plays a tape of Vivaldi and takes doses of Visine, Alka-Seltzer, and Dexedrine, always finishing by looking at himself in the mirror and telling himself "It's showtime, folks!". This is the plot of All That Jazz, a 1979 American musical drama film directed by Bob Fosse. The screenplay, by Robert Alan Aurthur and Fosse, is a semi-autobiographical fantasy based on aspects of Fosse's life and career as a dancer, choreographer and director. The music post here is Ponte Vecchio featuring saxophonist George Young. I interpolated the song Bye Bye Love at the end of the post to add drama - reminiscent of how the movie ended with Joe traveling down the hallway to meet Angelique, the Angel of Death. I highly recommend that you see the movie. Truly a classic. I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos.  (Image post and video art were appropriated from the original album.) This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album . I thought this might be a wonderful way to welcome the New Year. Hope you enjoy. And have a safe and prosperous New Year!  INXDS #bebop #jazz #vinylrecord