Sweet Divines Photo Shoot

NY soul band, the Sweet Divines, stopped by the studio to work with me on group portraits that matched their love of 60's style, groove and soul. With the group's matching Chiffon dresses and avocado Wurlizer, we were already halfway there. The photo you see above is a composite of 3 photos, we shot the gals in 2 groups and then JB at the Wurly to give us multiple elements that could be mixed and matched to use in several potential layouts.

This gallery of outtakes gives you an idea of the process.

The approach to the shoot is update of the great cut n' paste album art that was common in pop, rock n' roll and soul music in the 50's and 60's.

Thanks to everyone in the group for being so open and matching my excitement for the project.

Astroland Closes : Photo

Last day of Astroland at Coney Island, it was hard to get a shot without another photographer in it but surprisingly I haven't found that many good photos online of the last day. Went out there with my girlfriend, Leslie and photo pal Ted. Weaved through the crowds, had a hotdog, rode the Wonderwheel, had coffee in Brighton Beach, played skeeball, got pistachio softserve, shot up the Bonanza shooting gallery, ate greasy sausages at Ruby's. We only really apreciate these things when they are gone.

Roots of American Music Festival Lincoln Center

Closing the season for Lincoln Center's Out of Doors Festival was the second day of the 25th Annual Roots of American Music Festival. It was a varied lineup that started with a smattering of regional blues musicians from the Music Makers stable followed by some punked out dark and dreary country from the Knitters with hot stuff guitar man Dave Alvin and X founders John Doe and Exene Cervenka. In the second half of the evening Charlie Haden debuted his new country music project featuring about half of Nashville and his three daughters, son and wife. Patti Smith closed the night with a set that included a cover of Jimi's 'Are You Experienced' that sublimated its psychedelic swirl into a clarinet solo.

Nate Chinen of the NYT had a much more thoughtful review but I might have got better pictures...

Full Gallery with Large Images Here



Adolphus Bell breaks out the moves.



In the grass with the Knitters



Haden and musical progeny



Patti and Lenny

Joel Dorn Tribute Lincoln Center

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Inside the Brooklyn Masonic Hall

A month or so back, I went to the Brooklyn Masonic Hall to catch a show by Brooklyn neo-disco band Escort. The whole stage was lit by not much more than a single bulb, and even with my fancy camera, there wasn't much to shoot with the super-low light. The building itself proved to be a much more fascinating subject matter.

SEE THE GALLERY HERE



Down in the basement there were women frying fish and also a lounge where local Masons sat at a small bar having drinks. The building has a very strange energy and moving up the stairs and into the hallways, I found myself into a labyrinth of large, near-empty rooms connected by narrow hallways.

Brian Wilson @ Seaside Park, Brighton Beach

Brian Wilson sits calmly behind a keyboard, never really playing it - more protected by it. He is presiding over his creations and sometimes waves his arms like a conductor. The band is large - three guitarists, two drummers, a reedsman, a second keyboardist, another on mallots, a theremin even emerges for ‘Good Vibrations’ - and almost everyone contributes to the intricate and gorgeous vocal harmonies, falsettos reaching high and swooping. The band is dutiful, clean and strong; this is Brian’s orchestra.

Its an odd mix of Coney Island Riff Raff, oldies nuts (headed by Brooklyn pres Marty Markowitz), and the odd hipster out to pay homage. He’s playing some of his most timeless hits - Surfer Girl, California Girl, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, When I Grow Up - and although they are easy crowd pleasers I get the feeling Brian is choosing the ones he’s proud of. It hits me when “I Get Around” starts moving that this is not just a hook but a fugue. All the parts lock in, themes repeat and interlock and the reaction is no different than listening to Bach with all the voices moving separately, building a euphoric experience.

The Pet Sounds and Smile material was some of the strongest of the night. ‘Heroes and Villains’
‘Good Vibrations’
‘God Only Knows’ , was absolutely gorgeous and was introduced by guitarist Jeff Foskett as his favorite.

A new song from Wilson’s upcoming album, “That Lucky Old Sun” titled ‘Going Home’ started with a churning blues but broke into surprising and complimentary vocal interludes.

Overall, the band was wonderful, fleshing out all the intricacies of Brian’s visionary music in great detail. He paid respect to some of his influences covering Chuck Berry, the Crystals (Spector), Frankie Lymon (Too Young) and covered a wide range of his material - pleasing the crowd but also revealing a musical autobiography that was fascinating to see in person.

I didn’t shoot the show, I was enjoying from the grass with my lovely girlfriend Leslie. We rode the Cyclone and had Nathan’s hot dogs before we headed home.



Good job, Brian and thanks!

Ralph Jackson in Time Out New York

Here's a fresh clip from this week's Time Out New York, it's little, but it counts.

The photo helped my friends Rabbit Factory with a bit of exposure for this Sunday's JellyNYC Pool Party featuring Ralph 'Soul' Jackson, Roscoe Robinson, Hermon Hitson, Herbert Wiley and the Checkmates and Ronnie Spector.

The show is Sunday at 2PM at the McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg