Honky Tonk Angels — Computer Art by kenne
– Jeremy Rifkin
Computer Art by kenne
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”
– Jean Baptiste Massieu
These are the days of the endless summer
These are the days, the time is now
There is no past, there’s only future
There’s only here, there’s only now
Oh, your smiling face, your gracious presence
Oh, the fires of spring are kindling bright
Oh the radiant heart and the song of glory
They’re crying freedom in the night
These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one magician
Turned the water into wine
These are days of the endless dancing
And the long walks on the summer night
These are the days of the true romancing
When I’m holding you oh so tight
These are the days by the sparkling river
And His timely grace and the treasured find
This is the love of the one great magician
Turned the water into wine
These are the days now that we must savor
And we must enjoy as we can
These are the days that will last forever
You got to hold them in your heart
These are the days
These are the days
These are the days
These are the days
These are the days
These Are the Days, by Van Morrison
These Are the Days Video
Leonard Cohen — Image source: balkanrock.com
This morning I learned of the passing of one of North America’s greatest poets, novelists, and singer/songwriters of our time. Like many others who listen to public radio, it was just a few days ago I was listening to KCRW’s Chris Douridas interview Cohen after the release of his latest album, “You Want It Darker.” At 82, he had not been in the best of health, but such news always carries an element of surprise. Click here to listen to the Chris Douridas.
kenne
Hallelujah — Leonard Cohen (YouTube Video)
Los Lobos At Reid Park In Tucson, Arizona (October 16, 2016) — Images by kenne
(Click on any of the images for a larger view in a slideshow format.)
Ronstadt Generations Live at Teri’s Bistro, Alamos, Sonora (January 26, 2016)
— Images and Video by kenne
(Short Video Clip by kenne)
Pulled these images and video clip out of my January travel archives in memory of Mike Ronstadt
(August 25, 1953 – August 7, 2016)
— from Beyond the Blues by Tom Russell
Tucson Folk Festival — Image by kenne— kenne
A Labyrinth of Wild Flowers — Image by kenne
— from Box of Visions by Tom Russell
Tom Russell with Iris Dement — Box of Visions (Audio)
Ronstadt Generations Sitting On A Park Bench (Michael, Alex and Petie) — Image by kenne
In a park somewhere is Sonora, as we were returning to Tucson from several days in Alamos, I captured a photo as Michael, Alex and Petie set in the midday sun waiting for the motorcoach to be gassed up. I later layered in a guitar creating this Photoshop image. These guys were an important part of our trip to Alamoa, Sonora.
kenne
One of the courtyards at Hacienda De Los Santos in Alamos, Sonora — Image by kenne
Morning is Bright — B&W Image by kenne
— kenne
Black and White by Man In A Room
Some of the music events during the International Music Festival in Alamos, Sonora took place in and around the Templo de la Purisima Concepcion de Alamos, a beautiful old church on the Plaza de Armas.
Luft Bassooms Quartet
Templo de la Purisima Concepcion de Alamos — Images by kenne
Rafael Figueroa Ju, Alamos, Sonora, Mexico — Image by kenne
One afternoon while in Alamos we all met where Tucson’s Ronstadt Generations was staying to listen to a fabulous seventy-five year old harmonica player, Rafael Figueroa Ju. His appearance was a beautiful example of organized spontaneity.
Video of Rafael Figueroa Ju by kenne (January 27, 2016 in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico)
Little known, except by musicians, Danny Gatton was a musician’s musician. He loved playing the telecaster, rebuilding antique cars, staying around the D.C. area and just being a shy “good-old boy.”
Danny Gatton has been described as possessing an extraordinary proficiency on his instrument, “a living treasury of American musical styles.” In 2009, John Previti, who played bass guitar with Danny for 18 years stated: “You know, when he played country music, it sounded like all he played was country music. When he played jazz, it sounded like that’s all he played, rockabilly, old rock and roll, soul music. You know, he called himself a Whitman sampler of music Legendary guitarist Steve Vai reckons Danny “comes closer than anyone else to being the best guitar player that ever lived.” Accomplished guitar veteran Albert Lee said of Gatton: “Here’s a guy who’s got it all.”
Gatton shot himself in his garage, October 4, 1994 at the young age of 59 — he left no explanation. All great artists seem to possess a spooky fatalism, a sense of the duende down deep in the soul.
The goblets
of the dawn break.
The crying of the guitar
starts.
No use to stop it.
It is impossible
to stop it.
— Federico Garcia Lorca
Roy Buchanan may not be as well known as many great guitarist, but he’s the best, passing away young in the late 1980’s. Thanks to Youtube we are able to experience his love affair with the guitar — some of the best blues music ever created.
He may not have the classic rock voice of Jimi Hendrix, but he sure can out play him — you be the judge.
kenne
Ray Bonneville at Ken and Mary’s Blues Project, November 18, 2009 — Images and video by kenne
I believe that all the little things in life add up to one’s life. So, it’s important to get them right, otherwise nothing else matters. 
I’m here to tell you that Ken and Mary Harris have been getting it right for a long time.
They love people and they love the Blues, and for years now have been doing a lot of little things that have been adding up in the form of the “Blues Project.”
Several times a year, Ken and Mary open their home to friends and their guests to experience the best in blues music this side of Texas. Sadly, many have no idea what they are missing, and sometimes it can get lonely in the promise land by yourself.
One of the many musicians who have appeared at Ken and Mary’s Blues Project is Ray Bonneville. Just as Ray may write about a place he has lived, e.g., New Orleans, he is not from there. He is a traveler in other people’s reality, writing stories that serve as a portal to his existence.
“Firefly comin’ this way
a flickering light is to say
time ain’t but this long
here tonight, tomorrow gone.”
— from “Goin’ By Feel”
As a fellow traveler in the reality of others, I hope our paths will cross again soon.
kenne
Blue Flax Wildflower — Image by kenne
— from “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” by Pete Seeger
— T. S. Eliot
