Speaking of Jimmy Page

Jackie DeShannon: Best known for her hit love songs "What the World Needs Now Is Love" (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David) and "Put a Little Love in Your Heart", DeShannon was also the first artist to perform "Needles and Pins" (written by Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzsche) which was later performed by the Searchers and became a hit on the US charts making them the first band since the Beatles to do so. Other collaborations included Randy Newman and one time boyfriend Jimmy Page. "Tangerine" on Zeppelin III is thought to be written about her. She also co-wrote "Betty Davis Eyes" which became a hit for Kim Carnes in 1981.

Jackie DeShannon & George Harrison playing monopoly

Before the Brown Eyed Girl

Them: Fronted by Van Morrison, the Northern Irish band Them (named after the 1954 sci-fi horror movie) burst into the garage rock scene in 1965 with their single "Gloria", a B-side to their cover of Joe Williams' Washboard Blues Singers' "Baby Please Don't Go" (with a then little-known Jimmy Page on rhythm guitar for the studio recording). By the middle of 1966, Van Morrison left Them to pursue his solo career. I personally can't stand Van Morrison's solo career.

Serge Je T´aime

Serge Gainsbourg: Though, in the 70's and 80's Serge is most known for his failed attempt at reggae (enraging Bob Marley when he recruited Rita Marley to sing erotic lyrics for the reggae version of the French National Anthem "La Marseillaise", which is a feat in itself) and his "I want to fuck her" comment in regards to Whitney Houston, who he was appearing with on live French TV; most of us will remember him fondly as the chain smoking, womanizing, incestuous, alcoholic, king of 60's French Pop.

Emerald City gets Sequential

image by ben_templesmith

This weekend the annual Emerald City Comic Con is taking place in Seattle and to celebrate the event, I'm posting a comics edition blog entry.


Unlovable by Esther Pearl Watson has always been one of my favorite mini-comics. I purchased one at San Diego Comic con and the next time I saw Esther at the the Alternative Press Expo, I bought the entire series. It's nice to see that the minis have been collected and republished in this beautiful hardbound book by Fantagraphics. It really is a must have. Unlovable claims to be based on a diary Esther found in a women's restroom at a gas station. The book belonged to one Tammy Pierce, a homely teenager of the 80's, and recounts her crushes, hardships, and daydreams.

Bad Asses by Mark Todd is a series of drawings and writings about bad ass people and rides. The book offers some explanation on why Todd chose the things he did, that is to say, why they are so bad ass. Many of them come as no surprise like Mr. T, Chuck Norris, Skeletor and Lemmy from Motorhead; but a few others are quite a surprise like Jo from the Facts of Life, Malachai from Children of the Corn, and Miss Piggy. Todd also released a Lame Asses mini-comic.


Fantagraphics has for some time been reprinting the collected Charles Shultz's Peanuts comics strips into beautiful hardocver editions. In my opinion, the 1950-1954 editions show Shultz at the top of his game. The strips feature gags that are far more interesting than his later work of Charlie Brown's follies with a kite eating tree or Lucy pulling the football away just as he's about to kick it. The strips also feature cast members that are not present in the well-known peanuts line up and a non "speaking" Snoopy that looks and acts more like a real dog.



Jack Kirby is known throughout comic book fandom as the hands down "KING". Kirby: King of Comics is a retrospective of this amazing, ground breaking comic book artist that helped shape modern comic book art as we know it. For those of you not in the know, Jack Kirby brought a dynamic drawing style to comic books incorporating speed lines, intense lighting effects, and foreshortening, creating action filled panels and storytelling. He is most known for his collaborations with Stan Lee, helping to create the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and the X-men.

Koibito

Yoskay Yamamoto's beautifully colored work reflects his asian background with swirling line work, frail figures, and flatness of depth.

Sketch Fest Tuesday

Sketch Fest Tuesdays are held once a month on a random tuesday at 111 Mina in San Francisco. The basic concept of Sketch Fest Tuesdays is a gathering of artists siting around in a bar, drinking and creating art. You are also free to post your work on a board for sale. Most of the pieces are dirt cheap... I haven't seen a piece posted for sale that wasn't under $60.

I attended my first Sketch Fest Tuesday last night with a few friends. I did three pieces, one I sold for a beer, one I traded, and one I gave away. The atmosphere is very conductive to creating and even if you don't sell anything (or like a few of my friends, don't draw), it's still a mighty good time.

I'm Not a Monster

Alex Solis's work is rendered with loving care adding beautiful textures to the animals and creatures that he illustrates. His understanding of color livens up detailed pieces which would otherwise be a confusing mess of lines.