Adam Schlesinger, best known to most music fans as a member of the power pop band, Fountains of Wayne lost his life on April 1st of this year at the age of 52. One of the first musicians taken from us by the Corona Virus pandemic, Adam’s death is an immeasurable loss. In addition to founding Fountains of Wayne with Chris Collingwood, Schlesinger was a gifted and prolific songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who also recorded with electro-pop trio Ivy and ‘supergroup’ Tinted Windows (with Bun E. Carlos, James Iha and Taylor Hanson). Offstage, he had an impressive career writing music for film and television. I first met Adam in 1995, when I interviewed Fountains of Wayne during the press cycle for its debut album, and over the years I would see him occasionally at parties and industry events. He was a nice guy and an unbelievable talent. Everybody loved Adam.
Three Self Portraits By Graham Nash (All Photos By Gail)
You’d have to be dead from the neck up to not know who musician and songwriter Graham Nash is. Between his work in The Hollies and his decades-long collaboration in Crosby, Stills and Nash, he’s written some of the best-loved songs in the American rock catalog. Nash been an avid photographer since he was 10 years old, but you might be surprised to find out that his impressive art portfolio also includes an extensive collection of pastel drawings, abstract photography, and politically themed, large format photo assemblages. You can see a broad sampling of Graham Nash’s art now through October 27, 2012 at ACA Galleries in the Chelsea gallery district.
David Crosby and Phil Collins
Bob Dylan with Leon Russell, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello
I was fortunate to attend the opening night reception for this exhibit, and to also briefly meet Graham Nash, who is extremely friendly and down-to-earth. While Nash’s realist portraiture is among the most vivid and iconic photography in the rock realm, I was also wildly impressed with his more abstract works and his provocative digital collages.
Citizens United
Nash is widely known as an activist in support of causes related to social justice, peace, environmental issues and progressive politics. He addresses these issues in several pieces included in this exhibit.
Hearts Desire
This Could Be You
Tape Abstract
What’s most remarkable about Nash’s work is how consistently high quality his pieces are. He seems to be equally talented at just about everything he sets his hand to. His abstract photography is particularly sharp and clever. I recommend this exhibit especially to fans of Graham Nash’s music, because I think it will really blow your mind to see what else this guy can do. The exhibit is only up for a brief time so you just have one more week to check it out. Don’t miss it!
Graham Nash Poses with Friends at the Exhibit’s Opening Reception
The Art of Graham Nash will be on Exhibit only through October 27th, 2012 at ACA Galleries, Located at 529 West 20th Street, 5th Floor, NYC.
The late, great singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson was born on this day, June 15th, in 1941. I recently watched the unbelievably well-made documentary, Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)? which is now available on DVD via Netflix.
I’m a huge fan of Nilsson’s music, as he reached the height of his popularity in the sixties and seventies, when I was growing up, so I thought I knew a lot about the guy. But Who is Harry Nilsson? gave me quite a schooling on the details of Nilsson’s life and career that I couldn’t have imagined. Continue reading Remembering Harry Nilsson on his Birthday→
On This Date, May 30th, in 1997: Songwriter and musician West Arkeen, a close friend and collaborator to Guns N’ Roses who co-wrote “It’s So Easy” and numerous songs with the band, died of an accidental opiate overdose. West had returned to his home from a hospital intensive care unit where he was being treated for burns over much of his body after his indoor barbecue exploded 11 days before his death. He was 36 years old.
Greatest Living American Songwriter: Born May 24th, 1941
It is probably impossible for me to name just one favorite Bob Dylan song because, as the greatest living American songwriter, he has written practically every amazing song on the planet (with the exception of those written by any member of the Beatles, or Led Zeppelin). Think about it: “All Along the Watchtower,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “My Back Pages,” “Tangled up in Blue,” these are all fantastic songs. Nobody can turn a phrase like Dylan. Bob celebrates his Birthday today (having been born on May 24th in 1941) and I’m sure he still has a million great songs inside him waiting to be written.
The Singer Becomes The Song
If you’re at all a fan of Bob and/or ex-Roxy Music front man Bryan Ferry, you will want to checkout Bryan’s new CD Dylanesque, which is a collection of Bob Dylan covers. Dylanesque is just absurdly awesome and my favorite album of 2007 so far.
