You Create The Meaning Of Vinyl Art

About a year ago now, I ran a contest on this blog. The best story about how music affected you would win a piece of Vinyl Art of the musician of your choice. Patrick submitted a link to an amazing story about his 1st Grateful Dead show. It was really the only entry, but he definitely deserved it. When he got the piece, he posted a pic on his blog. Now the piece hangs above his record collection.

Patrick is the perfect person to have a piece of Vinyl Art. He has and continues to be a huge music fan, it having played a major role throughout his life. His long-term focus on the Dead made Jerry the obvious choice, but his love of music made the art meaningful.

Yesterday I posted about considering my art a mashup of the music and the painting, but the owner has a part too. A big part. Whether a contest prize, a gift, a commission, or gallery purchase, you become a part of the art and what it means when you own it. You own it just as you own your connection to your music. It means what it does because of you and your love of your music.

Yes, you give meaning to what I do. So, thank you!

Peace.

EMIN3M X Vinyl Art

"X" means more than just putting things together. Multiplying creates more than adding. Em knows how to create something more than just the sum of its parts. "Sing For The Moment" off of The Eminem Show contains elements of Aerosmith's "Dream On" creating a brilliant mashup that makes my toes tingle.

Maybe we can call my Vinyl Art a visual remix or an artistic crossover. Whatever. Just don't use a "+".

Peace.

EMIN3M 02/26/09

Original Copy (Or Don't Spoil The Broth)

Can you tell which is which?

I received the artist's proofs for this project along with the originals. Upon opening the box, as I wasn't sure what they'd sent, when I grabbed the clear plastic sleeve with the proofs in it and it flopped around I was confused. I thought the proofs were the originals! Holy crap! The scan even captured a bit of the shadow cast by the record onto the sleeve and the grooves are visible at the right angle.

I don't know how I feel! Man, I'm blown away at the quality, so I'm really hopeful the Hard Rock likes the result. At the same time, though... I'm just glad this is a very limited edition in scope. Not because I'm unhappy I did it, but because I feel like I let a little control go over my art.

I know I didn't really because of the stringent contract, but I'm used to doing everything, making every decision and controlling every step. I'm the kinda guy who doesn't ask for help. So this is probably good for me, learning to trust others to do what they do. I mean, I don't try to take control of how a meal at a restaurant is prepared beyond making sure my order is taken accurately.

Fortunately, for this first meal at The Repro Diner, the restaurant manager, the waitress, the cook, and the ingredients were all top notch. And the menu description was appealing and accurate.

Peace.

What's The One Album?

Paul up in Canada bought this early last year. His feedback is also on my testimonial page. He recently bought a Billie Holiday as well. Billie's music and the man who introduced him to her helped Paul see his way out of his "hopelessly mixed up" teen years. I'll share more of that story when he sends me a photo of the Holiday displayed in his home.

It was, though, the New York Dolls and this album in particular that opened him up to the vast array of "new" music, including jazz. In fact, this album on which I painted was his actual album, played so much that it wouldn't play anymore. What a cool way to remember his music, with a piece of art created with that music! And here it is, on his mantle.

For me, that one album was "Revolver" by The Beatles which really opened my eyes to the possibilities in music.

What's your one album?

Peace.

What's Your Favorite Instrument?

Mine's the Hammond organ. Both organic and electronic sounding, the growl of this electric organ just sends me. From CSN&Y to the Allman Bros., from Yes to ELP, from Jimmy Smith to Larry Goldings, from Ray Manzarek to John Medeski, from Reese Wynans to Rick Wright, and from Isaac Hayes to Booker T. & the MGs, I love the sounds different players coax and force out of this instrument.

Booker T. of course recorded his group's song, "Green Onions", which is one of my favorite instrumentals, along with the Allman Bros. "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed". The recordings on Blue Note during the early '60s, including Lou Donaldson and Grant Green's, have some of the funkiest Hammond ever. All seriously funkin' good music.

I loved it so much that I took a break from playing piano, which I'd played as a hobby since my mom put me in Yamaha classes, to learn the Hammond and specifically the solo from "Green Onions". Never got very good at it, but it felt good playing it, the way the organ vibrates.

What's your favorite instrument to hear? To play?

Peace.

Booker T. Jones 02/24/09