Those Photos That Tell A Story - About A Part Of You
70There are photos that are an actual shot of you, a picture of you . . . and those photos can speak to those who know you, they see a look or a particular time in your life that they recognize. There are photos that are still images from life, things that happen . . . and those photos show important or memorable events in your life. All these tell a story, a story about you . . . there are also photos that can display a single aspect, a particular interest or passion that is so much a part of who you are that they too are among those photos that tell a story – a story about a part of you.
Between myself and my one daughter and one son who are still at home, this collection represents a shared passion in our home. When I was in my early teens, like, 1968 or so, I gradually and without plan or purpose began to unravel that what I was hearing in the music of my era, Rock & Roll like Little Richard and Dion, Motown and Atlantic Records Soul music, and then the British Invasion sound, etc, that touched me so deeply was American Blues music. Every style of popular Western music we listen to today, from Benny Goodman & Bing Crosby to Heavy Metal & Hip Hop, all comes from the Blues. So all my kids grew-up listening to Blind Willie McTell, The Who, Louis Prima, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, Sam Cooke, etc, etc, etc.
And when you understand the music that moves you, when you know where it comes from and what influences are carried from one form through another, when you ‘get’ the heart of the music, it’s hard not to participate a bit . . . my kids never listened to whatever was currently playing on the radio, they listened and played along with Buddy Guy, Savoy Brown, Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc. And because of that, this photo tells a story, the very specific story of a passion shared by all in our home.
Now, I want to focus on one of these beauties in particular and share it with you. If you look in the first photo, the guitar right up front in the middle is mine, that’s the one in the photo just above, the one that’s been in this house longer than any there (which reminds me, one of the prettiest guitar of the bunch is not in the first photo – it’s currently in the shop). Mine, the one right up front and in the middle of the first photo, displays probably the only kind of ‘craft’ I’ve ever done. From here, from this shot, it’s looks like wood – but as we go in a bit closer . . .
. . . we begin to see that’s it’s not wood, but undefined, overlapping images . . .
. . . still closer and you can see what I’ve done. I’ve decoupaged (is there such a verb form?) images of some of my favorite players, then layered a dark yellow stain over the black & white photos, layer after layer until dark enough to appear to be wood from a distance.
It’s only as you get up close that you can begin to see the images of some of the great guitar players ever.
I’ve pointed out only some of the overlapping players here, so you can see the design here – you may be able to recognize others I’ve left unlabeled.
Some images are small, in between larger one, and some cover a whole section of the guitar with smaller images around them.
One of the great treats of my life has been this; B.B. King once held this guitar, looking carefully over all the images before announcing “Beautiful”.
Personally, I don’t care for guitars with flames or symbols or that are bright pink or purple, the guitar is such an evocative and beautiful instrument in the simplicity of it’s womanly design, I hate to see them cluttered-up with decals of demons or whatever – but this is a dull, wood-like finish and you only discover it’s hidden secrets as you draw-in close . . . and when you do see it’s design and recognize all the great players it presents, it tells a story, a story about a part of me.
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All photos used in this hub are personal photos taken by me.
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Miscellaneous
"The Most Married Man In America"
"The Best Halloween Movie"
"Do I believe in love at first sight? Yes - sort of . . ."
"Leonard - The Best Dog Ever"
"The Reunion"
"A Terribly Blunt Fable"
The Saturday Matinée
"A Preview"
1. "Mysterious Island"
2. "Horror Of Dracula"
3. "This Island Earth"
most recent ~
"You're Up!"
"Flipping Through The Channels"
Photo Galleries
"Those Photos That Tell A Story - Your Story"
"Those Photos That Tell A Story - The Story You Are In"
"Those Photos That Tell A Story - A Story Within Themselves"
Poetry
1. "The Burden Of Love"
2. "Perhaps I'm Just Getting Old"
3. "Collected Scratchings"
General Fussing About ~
1. "Vampires"
2. (coming soon)
LOGISMOS
1. "The Seasons"
2. "Why Do We Write?"
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"Regular, Normal Christianity ~ The Premise And Definitions"
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"And when you understand the music that moves you, when you know where it comes from and what influences are carried from one form through another, when you ‘get’ the heart of the music, it’s hard not to participate a bit..."
Amen to that.
Fantastic work on that guitar. It looks amazing.
Rated up and awesome, Mickey. Let me just say that your work has intrigued me. Wonderful job. Really enjoyed this one-well, what's new? LOL
Love your guitar... Stevie Ray, Muddy Waters and the inimitable Pete Townsend, Clapton Unplugged - the best of the best. Where's your hub about the Dobros? I first heard a metal body Dobro when I was a kid and have been fascinated with them ever since.
We had a baby sitter who played a flat-top electric, and that got me started. I really wanted a harp, but settled on the more portable guitar, and have been a big fan since I got my first baby - a 3/4 size no-name model (small hands). It had great tone, though.
...and now I'm remembering John Denver's "This Old Guitar" - sentimental, but pretty much sums it up for me :D Thanks for the wonderful ramble down Memory Lane!
Up, Awesome, and shared!
bravewarrior, emichael, & Denise,
Thank you so much for the warm comments - with something you're passionate about, it's always glorious to get responses that provide you confidence the authors 'get' your passion. Thanks.
RedElf,
I appreciate the comment. I love the sound of a dobro/resonator . . . it sounds like Blues just about no matter what you do with it. Below is a brief clip of my son's Christmas present to me from last year . . . enough friends asked how it sounded so I put this up - I'm not really playing anything, just making guitar sounds ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjBWIG17dqo
. . . now, below is how it's supposed to sound ~
bookmarked and voted up
you rock my friend!
. . . You know I'm made to move you honey,
Come up two hours late.
Wasn't that a man?
huh man?
Kimberly,
I'm serious about this; I hesitate to put this link here - I want everyone to hear it, but it feels to me that it deserves something beyond a causally posted link on some internet site somewhere . . . honestly, this is how I feel about these things. Don't click on it unless and until you are prepared to sit undisturbed, giving your full attention to the performance. Don't have it on in the background as you continue to roam around online - sit quietly, eyes closed, and let this really get into you and take you were it goes.
I genuinely count this to be the single greatest recorded musical performance ever - so elemental but a refining of all that came before it, so ploddingly marching forward with an unnerving passion, so strikingly primal . . . this is grown-up music, this is a man's music. Listen to the growling climax, it's the only finish he's left himself, such is the musical and passionate path he's taken that it has to end as it does. Please let me know what you think, how you feel, there is nothing quite like ~
Micky:
Although your request to listen was for Kimberly, I clicked on the link. You are absolutely right. You (Muddy Waters, actually) had me up off my butt and dancin'! I ALWAYS dance with my eyes closed! (which makes me an awful dance partner, but I dance all the time!).
When you close your eyes, the music penetrates your soul, causing an unavoidable portrayance by your body. You (I) become one with the music and it's the music that moves you. Not your partner. Not the latest dance moves. But, the bass, the percussion. Then you hear the words more clealy than ever and that commingling moves you even more!
Thank you so much, Mickey. Please post more like this!
bravewarrior,
I'm so very happy you 'get' the power & beauty of this recording . . . I'm delighted to share more.
. . . and Kimberly, I neglected to tell you - turn this up, you need to feel not just hear it.
up it goes........
music being my first love
Anyone can dance if you just close your eyes and let the music come inside. Music is not only the universal language, but a beautiful, worthy, effective panacea!
Those of you who say you can't dance - try it!
If you're heart hurts or you're stressed or have been diagnosed with depression, close your eyes and leave this earth, where you are bound by your troubles, and lift yourself into the music. There's no judgement there. No expectations. No bills. No people who try to make you unworthy. It's a completely comforting, invigorating, reflective realm.
But, you must close your eyes!
Try it. Mickey knows of what he speaks. It is the truth. I know!
. . . the deep appreciation of music comes out kind of oppositely in us. I sit motionless . . . I've sat in small clubs listening to local Blues bands and all the audience around me will ask "don't you like this?" or urge me "c'mon, let go and enjoy it" - but when the set's over the band will come to me telling me they could tell, amongst a busily hopping around room, that I was really into the music.
Somehow, whereas music compels most people to move, it immobilizes me - I'm soaring inside, but my actual body remains very still.
Music moves each of us in different ways. The key is that music moves us and that's the beauty.
Music is such an integral component of my core being; I don't relate well to those who'd rather sit in front of the TV! For instance, today I'm taking a break from writing and cleaning my neglected house. I've got the windows open and have been playing CDs all day: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan - all good cleaning music!
Then there's Yanni, one of my favorites of today's music. He's phenominal! I've seen him in concert 3 times. And - he plays with his eyes closed! Have you had the opportunity to check out his music? He's amazing. His Ethnicity tour included a huge orchestra which included, in addition to strings, winds and percussion, ancient tribal instruments and artists from around the world. Absolutely mesmerizing! If you haven't checked him out, please do. I'd love to hear your take on Yanni's music.
BTW, this post of yours is so engaging, it inspired me to write one of my own regarding the importance of music in my life. In it, I've credited my inspiration to you. It's called "Lift Yourself To The Music". I'd love to hear your critique/opinion.
Thanx for the inspiration, Mickey. And thank you for sharing your love of music! Kudos to you. You're awesome!
I enjoyed this hub very much! I love its premise- look deeper. And when you reveal what is to be seen when looking deeper, well that is motivating and a lesson. Thanks!
Ahhh, music is food for the soul and you know some of the best. I know what you mean about having to play at some point. I played the piano for years and bought a guitar, which my then "little brother" stole and was never recovered. I still have the desire to play, piano or guitar, and it's on my "list."
What an awesome thing to share with family - the love of music. My mother and father did that for me, but I began with classical, big band, Italian singers, show tunes, Elvis and a few more, until the arrival of...*drum roll* The Beatles! Along the way I made other choices of music that stirred my soul, and the blues is definitely a favorite, with many of the musicians you mentioned - and some you didn't - favorites of mine. Music is and always has been a big part of my life.
I love the pictures of your instruments and I, too, thought your guitar was made of wood. Your description of your guitar is eloquent, "...the guitar is such an evocative and beautiful instrument in the simplicity of it’s womanly design...," "...but this is a dull, wood-like finish and you only discover it’s hidden secrets as you draw-in close . . . and when you do see it’s design and recognize all the great players it presents, it tells a story, a story about a part of me." How awesome, Mickey! I love how you bring things to life... something you do so well in all areas of your life.
bravewarrior Level 5 Commenter 6 months ago
Awesome, Mickey! What a tribute! Music, much like prayer, is food for the soul. Touche, my friend!