So go the lyrics to the one hit wonder Arthur Brown's wacked out experiment into the music industry. A somewhat awkwardly unforgettable and grating song from the post-Summer of Love fallout. Anything but awkward, yet definitely unforgettable where the annual fire performers at this
year's Mountain Jam festival. Awe inspiring in talent, beautiful in content and sensual in delivery (high on the sensual for the girls, high on the awe inspiring for the guys:-D). Although I didn't capture them during their full medieval sass garb display Friday night because I had packed my camera away for the day, I did catch this performance, in their "airport runway crew" look. Most likely because the temperatures dipped to the freezing mark that night, a few more clothes where in line, but the heat was still very apparent...have a look:-)
During the last week of May, it was time again for me and my Canon appendage to hit the road again on another "Road Trip". For the second time in less than 2 months I found myself back in the Catskills, this time for my usual Woodstock pilgrimage and a bi-annual visit to one of the best festivals in the North East U.S., the 5th anniversary of Warren Haynes' Mountain Jam. Situated halfway up one of the highest mountains in the region, at the Hunter Mountain Ski Resort, surrounded by spruce pine, and tanned by the sun and sweet spring breezes, Mountain Jam is a festival with grounding, conscience (ummm...maybe not taken literally, as with most festivals freedom of expression is openly practiced and consumption and morality could be taken in question, but in the blanket sense of the word:-)) , organization, location, and most of all good and highly accessible music, music, music! After a rainy beginning in Woodstock, the weather began to clear as we headed up the slim mountain road, past the eye so carefully carved on a cliff face, tears of moisture bleeding from the stone at its cusp, into the clouds and for a moment felt as if the road below disappeared into the fog surrounding us on all sides. Rounding a sharp hairpin turn and cresting the mountain we descended into the valley as the skies opened over the gathering tents on this morning approach to "The Jam". The only "walk-in" camping festival I attend during the summer swing, Mountain Jam offers (at the inconvenience of an uphill load-in and a burnt-out Sunday/Monday load-out) the freedom of open space, first come/first serve random peg down-tarp out ski sloped slumber. If slumber is what you choose, with 2-3 late night stages giving the jumped up energetic fans plenty to glow to until the blues begin to colour the black skies for a new day. Cool sun was on order for this years festival after a brief and ritual shower Friday and the fans soaked it up as much as the fine offerings of musicianship. This is a musician's festival, with a jam thrust. Headlined by The Government Mule, not only kicking off Friday night's camper's only festivities, but busting out another punching bag to close out the main stage on Saturday. A brilliant trio orchestrated by the scene's workhorse, Mr. Warren Haynes, the Mule, as they are affectionately known are not only masters of there originals, but a highlight of every show is there blown away covers of the best of the best. Selections from Hendrix "If 6 turned out to be 9", Stevie Wonder's "Superstition", Canada's own, Mr. Ronnie Hawkins with "Who Do You Love", Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower", Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", and "When the Levee Breaks" an absolutely stellar tip of the had to Neil Young with "Cortez the Killer", but most memorable was the absolutely mind blowing rendition of "When The Music's Over" by Mr. Mojo aka the Lizard King, aka James Douglas Morrison. As seductive fire performers twisted, swirled and became at one with the music, the mountain became the garden, a 60's era time warp of epic proportions and one of those transcendent exuberant moments that brings me back and solidifies to me the power of live music.
From Tea Leaf Green's hippie ethos on "The Garden Part III"....
"Darlin' let's let our hair grow long We can work on a farm, maybe live on a mountain. I got an old hound dog, likes to run, He needs a lot of room and he hates to be chained up."
Just like me, just like we are supposed to be."
...as the clouds parted Friday afternoon, to Jackie Greene's power swagger on Velvet Underground's "Waiting For My Man" as I danced down the warm afternoon mountain after a gondola lift, to the Sunday brunch of BK3 (Bill Kreutzman's new project) hitting their stride with a all out crowd shifting version of "Bertha", to the hula hoop forest encoring Michael Franti's performance, that left me with a face breaking smile. From that high five to that knowing smile, from the open weekend friendship of a stranger to a familiar face and a realization of someone met at an event from year's past, life at festival is a patchwork of these moments. Leaving the mountain after The Allman Brother's soared with the always stellar "Soulshine" and I entered the parking lot, I looked up at the last rays of sun over Hunter Mountain and looked down to see a epitaph to the weekend made with gravel carefully placed on the pavement with a peace symbol, a heart, a smiley face, a sun, and a starry night. Simple, untouched and a perfect summation of a perfect weekend:-)
To visualize the never ending allure of the "Hippie Generation" of the late 1960's, one must visit 2 of its steadfast representatives, The Grateful Dead and Woodstock, New York. Minus the iconic lead singer and guitarist Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995, the remaining members just re-united, (now under the mantle of The Dead), for the first time in 5 years and hit the road on a mini-tour which brought me to Albany this past weekend. Although the fan base crosses all cultural and economic barriers, the one element that is a driving force behind the band known for its extensive tour calendar and ever-changing set list is the legion of "Deadheads", also known as "The Family" that paint the landscape of the event. Marked by generations and numbers of shows attended, the Deadhead in the purest form is a rare breed that consider a Dead tour as a lifeline and a reason to "go on tour" for months at a time, when the band where playing full seasons, as they did for 30 years, up until Jerry's death. Although the shows are fewer in number now, the following is no less compassionate. A traveling sideshow of dreads and flowered skirts, those "on tour" form a snapshot of the communal and experimental 60's a la Ken Kesey. A tailgate party, when at its best, is ripped from the pages of some hedonistic novel, with a natural, earthy beauty and euphoric youthful optimism wrapping you like a big group hug. It is this time capsule tapestry that makes the live show what is is. A swirling mass of bodies becoming part of each extended jam that is signature Dead. Legendary guitarist with Government Mule and The Allman Brothers and the only man big enough to attempt to fill Jerry's shoes, Mr. Warren Haynes, puts it best in his lyrical tribute to the man he emulates in Patchwork Quilt:
But there's a banjo moon in a tie-dyed sky Hippies dance and babies cry Church bells ring as a silver-haired angel look down And the blood of his music runs through the veins of our guitars Bright lights, Dark Star
It's a patchwork quilt of a life Can't stop the river Just let it roll
To truly understand the Cowboy Junkies, one would have had to listen to their legendary 1988 release The Trinity Session, an album that received such critical praise for not only its sound, but its method of recording. Taken in one day (well, almost...save for Mining for Gold) in late 1987, using only one mike and the awesome acoustics of The Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, the finished product was a unique and timeless recording that cut through the heavily produced late 1980s. It was this album that affected me so strongly as a late teen that I compulsively played it for almost a year, introducing everyone I knew to the haunting vocals of Margo Timmins and methadone induced playing of brothers Michael and Peter and Alan Anton. Following each release through The Caution Horses, Black Eyed Man and Pale Sun, Crescent Moon, the Cowboy Junkies remained a strong musical escape for me through the mid-nineties, fluidly painting stories of places both distant and attached. For some reason, it wasn't until this past Tuesday, 20 years since I cut the wrap on my vinyl copy of The Trinity Session, that I got to see them live and in grand fashion, well worth the wait. Thanks to War Child , a most worthy international organization, helping the most innocent casualties of war, an evening with not only the Junkies, but a well versed assembly of fellow Canadian musicians was brought to Toronto hippest gathering place, The Dakota Tavern in Toronto. From the minute my wife and friends and I arrived, I knew this would be an evening to remember. My expectations where truly exceeded, from the first note of the Cowboy Junkies, through the harmonies of the Skydiggers, the beautiful and angelic vocals provided with youthful exuberance by Ivey Mairi, the rollicking good time always offered straight up by Tom Wilson and band and the multi-instrumental genius of Guelph native Jeff Bird. The best part of it all was that the closeness of the surroundings that not only made you feel that you where a spectator, but in a way, a part of the production. Everyone rubbing shoulders with everyone else, making new acquaintances and sharing the creation and appreciation of good music on level playing ground in an organic intertwined simbiance. I walked away with a fully signed copy of the bands first album "Whites Off Earth Now" and my good friend Shawn Creamer (also part owner of The Dakota) was able to get the OK from the band to get my camera in to produce these shots that I feel help capture the special quality of the evening and the one-of-a-kind warmth the Dakota exudes. Truly icing on the already stacked cake:-) Thanks War Child, thanks Dakota (special hat tip to Shawn) and a big round of applause to all the performers for making my Tuesday night one I will not soon forget!
Well it's only a week away. Lucid Musings annual workshop for beginner photographers. I am looking forward to spending my Monday evenings with a new group of individuals hoping to get a grip on their digital cameras and better express themselves visually. If you have been thinking about taking the popular course, I am happy to let you know that there are still 3 spaces just waiting for you. Get up, get out and get shooting by giving me a call at 519-284-0858. Fun is guaranteed:-)
It is with the greatest congratulatory excitement that my good friends opened their new retail venture this weekend. Named the "Harvest Bakery and Cafe", located on Water St. in downtown St. Marys, and owned and operated by Dave Ford, Claire Pickel and Sam Santandrea, this is bound to be a positive and unique facelift to downtown St. Marys. Selling fresh baked breads and pastries and coffee and grounded in the values of the "100 Mile Diet" , selling only "Fair Trade" coffee and using eco-friendly compostable coffee cups (disposable waxed cups has always been something that has been a thorn in my side with all major coffee chains in Canada), they are a young trio that not only have a dream, but a purpose. All 3 have a background in the restaurant industry, all 3 working their way through the Westover Inn, with Claire holding the position of Patissier, Dave being a prep and appetizer specialist and Sam just completed his Chef's papers only a year ago, so knowledge behind the scenes is anything but lacking. With their families behind them from the design process on up, bundles of youthful energy and ambition to spare, one would hope their success is secured. Most of all, a desire to support the local and global reaches of the economy by breaking down the pattern of globalization that has damaged and exploited the poor. By bringing the vogue of old is new, local is cool and adding a singular bold effort in St. Marys to reverse the process of small town knee-hacking by the megastores is more than duly noted. To me it also adds a taste of hip-YAY!-and a snapshot of the city based neighbourhood bakery/cafe that are their district's meeting place, beating heart, and part of a network of equally connected local producers...just what I needed. I give a big hat's off to Dave, Claire and Sam and wish you the best in bringing some genuine flair downtown...all the best!
Although I had been asked to have showings of my work at other establishments in the past, when Dave, Claire and Sam asked me if they could purchase some of my festival and live music material for their new bakery, I felt a special connection in having the opportunity. Not only did some of my personal material get to make the print, but I felt that in my own way I am a part of this "most awesome" venture. Thanks for having me along for the ride:-)
As in the past any fine art purchase inquiries can be made by emailing me Sean@lucidmusings.com . If your looking for something special, or would like to schedule a viewing, call me 519-284-0858, or toll free 1-866-680-0858.
It is with great excitement that I will be offering again my popular course for the digital photo beginner. In the spirit of getting those images you see in your mind, but have trouble realizing with your camera. A 4 session course, not only a follow-up to my level 1 'Into the Digital Age' which I offered in 2007, but a great starting point for any SLR camera (manual function/interchangeable lens) camera owner wanting to become more familiar with their camera and improve their photos. This course will get you using your camera on-location, help you visualize things in a new matter, give you projects that will get you out shooting independently and inspire open interaction. I created this brief, fun, unimposing and hopefully inspiring course in the belief that the digital camera is best learned if you get out and use it. The instant results a LCD screen gives and the freedom of a digital card to capture and capture again until we get it right has changed our opportunities to learn photography. With this in mind and my belief that learning is not only gained by ingesting information but by actually using this knowledge in an open forum that becomes knowledge itself. Get up, get out and join me this April for 'Into The Heart of The Photo'-you won't regret it:-)
What: Into The Heart of the Photo 4 session interactive course to better photos
Week 1 (April 6)
In Classroom instruction/discussion of:
-Manual Functions -Depth of Field -Metering -Composition (review for those who took level 1)
****April 13 will be an off week due to Easter Monday****
Week 2 (April 20-6pm-field trip)
Location Shoot #1
-Composition 'On Location' ...take what you learned in Week 1 and put it into action
-Homework Assignment
Week 3 (April 27 6:00pm-field trip)
Location Shoot #2
-Candid Portrait Shoot and Low Light Fun
...will help you learn...
-metering -Shutter speed and Aperture
...in a practical setting...
Week 4 (May 4)
Back to the Classroom
-Photo Showing -Review -Open Discussion
Where: Stone Willow Inn (St. Marys) http://www.stonewillow.com/ When: classroom sessions 7-9pm, this time around, the location sessions will be earlier evening 'field trip' style shoots and, if everyone is agreeable, the immediately following Tuesday nights will be used if the weather is a complete wash-out. Last year it was beautiful, so keep our fingers crossed:-)...you already know the dates How: To enroll, or for more details, email me Sean@lucidmusings.com , call me at 519-284-0858, or come in and see me at the studio 147 Queen St. E., St. Marys. Course fee is $150.00.
Last weekend the Sleeman Center in Guelph was once again greened and gleened in an attempt to bring a little of the Hillside magic indoors. Rachel Thompson, Sam Baijal and team once again collected a group of Canada's best. In its sophomore year, Hillside Inside is slowly becoming another important part of Guelph's ever fruitful cultural scene and sitting comfortably in Canada's musical front seat. Always a difficult feeding ground for the mega-festivals that are so popular South of the 49th, Hillside's summer edition has sold out for a number of years running with thousands dancing, chilling, swimming and dining and learning in a setting as idyllic a chunk of land can get on the fringes of North Guelph. That being said, it is 25 years young and its humble beginnings are well documented. To take a stab at a winter festival in Canada is an even more brave and risky maneuver, than attempting the logistics behind a summer event with the risk of bad weather and bumping up against Canadian's hibernating habits. That being said, if there was a group of people to do it it is those at Hillside. They not only have there feet grounded... no emmersed... in the ever growing Earth movement, they have their fingers on the pulse of Canadian Music in the sense that Superfly Productions has on a massive scale with their powerhouse Bonnaroo festival, held in Tennessee. They are able to grab several bands that are simmering just below the surface (and some deeper gems) and bring them in front of a crowd of truly appreciative music lovers that appreciate new sounds and music for music's sake. Throw in a drawing headliner, or 2 (this year's double header was Sam Roberts and Stars, last year Xavier Rudd/Dallas Green) and the festival experience is solidly there. The winter installment lacks the location, the wealth of workshops, the children's programming (which makes the Guelph Island event a truly age-free experience), the exquisitely balanced food booths (although the Inside edition has a micro-version of the summer spread), the sunshine and the showers, and is a one day event only. That being said, it is these lackings that separate Hillside Inside from his older sister, and makes it a success in its own right. Taking bands as diverse as Belle Orchestre and K'Naan, as smooth as Great Lakes Swimmers and as outright mind-blowing as That One Guy, the heart is indeed strong and the life blood that keeps the entity as a whole moving, swaying and jumping is pure Hillside. It is just a younger, individual, rebellious teen looking to etch out its own space, and it's a good space to be:-)
As part of Lucid Musings move to becoming a unique, driven and exciting portrait specialist, fashion inquiries have begun to become more common place and I recently had another day out with a fashion industry hopeful, wanting to enter the world of lifestyle modeling. Kendall's desire to enter the youth advertising market was something I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to have a hand in. The first challenge in working with someone like Kendall is to simply break the ice and make this a fun experience and introduce a comfort level that helps bring out a liveliness and energy that makes the pictures "jump". The natural "what should I do"//"where should I look" feeling that anybody not accustomed to professional photo sessions has needs to be tossed aside and a personal interaction and closeness developed between the model and photographer. Only now can the photos start to happen, the rest is left to vision (and a little CS4 magic), and the end result is completely reflective upon this. After getting over the initial jitters (and shivers) Kendall played the part perfectly and with good interaction, the photos paint a confident, fun and refreshingly real portrait of a young girl with fashionable aspirations. If you are interested in having a portfolio with Lucid Musings fashion forward "look", have a look at more samples on my main website portrait page, and call me at 519-284-0858/1-866-680-0858 to book a portfolio session. If you are in the Stratford/London area, consider Elegance Modeling http://www.esimodels.ca/esimodels/ for your agency needs.
Another of the members of the legendary powerhouse of 70's Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has died. Although I have no photos, I have many memories of this band, (seeing them in their re-configured "reunion" line-up in 1987 and 1991) their eternal music and the one and only Billy Powell. Beginning as a roady for the band in 1971, Billy officially joined as keyboardist in 1972, adding his rockabilly style to the triple guitar sound Skynyrd became known for. A solid player, Billy was more then just a backing harmony to the all out raw sound produced by front members Billy Powell, Gary Rossington, and Ed King (later replaced by fated guitarist Steve Gaines). He became a prominent and essential part of the Skynyrd sound and his passing not only writes another page in the history of the the age of the monster bands, it also adds another black stain on one of the most tragic musical outfits in the history of rock. Loosing lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backing singer and sister Cassie Gaines in 1977, the classic era of the band ended, taking a 10 year hiatus until their return in 1987. Guitarist Allen Collins ironically was paralyzed in a car accident the year prior and was only able to be part of the grand return as a side show token honour, wheeled out just before Freebird to a somewhat shocked and saddened applause. He died of pneumonia in 1990. Bassist Leon Wilkeson was found dead of emphysema and chronic liver failure in 2001. Of all the members of the "Golden Era" of Lynyrd Skynyrd, now only Gary Rossington remains to hold the Confederate flag high. Billy, may you enjoy playing those opening notes to Freebird again...up there...back with the good ol' boys.
Michelle, Cory and little Owen where guests for one of my studio "Expressions Sessions". A new offering since the cold weather settled in back in November. Although environmental/location portraits are still the specialty of LM, the larger studio environment I now have allows me to expand to offer this service to small families and children. Attempting to bring life into the smaller studio situation and not become static, relying on a repeated set of standard "poses" is the number one goal for me. By keeping the light, fun air LM is known for and using obscure camera angles and cropping, I think the "Essence" of the family can be brought indoors and not become a Sears Studio cut-out. What do you think?
