Words . . .

"Singing words, words, between the lines of age."
- Words by Neil Young

So, what happened to Conscientious, Jörg Colberg's weblog about fine-art photography (linked, over on the right side of this Blog)? For a brief period last week, we asked the same question.

Turns out to be a (not-so-short, I'm sure!) "three-day meltdown" of his hosting service. Temporarily, there is Conscientious In Limbo, where we found this post today (Saturday, May 9) in which the author discusses artist statements, words, "crits," and who defines one's work. We fully agree with this statement from the blog: "Listen, if you can't tell what your work is all about, someone else will define it for you."

Good to see you're still Conscientious, Jörg!

(" . . . I'm sitting here hoping this water will boil.")

Rancho Nocturne

Entrance to Rush Ranch by Tim Baskerville

Next week (Thursday, May 7) The Nocturnes offer a special one-night NPy Workshop at the 2,070 acre Rush Ranch Open Space, out by Grizzly Island on the Suisun Marsh in Solano County. This is a benefit for the Rush Ranch Educational Council - read more about Rush Ranch and the Solano Land Trust here, and The Nocturnes Full Moon NPy Workshop here.

There are still a few spots open for the 'shop!

(From the desk of The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man)

Harlem Nocturne




Sam "The Man" Taylor's rendition of "Harlem Nocturne," composed by Earle Hagan in 1939 for the Ray Noble Orchestra and recorded by Mr. Taylor in 1955 for MGM.

(Just honkin' out your daily Nocturne . . .)

Just "Nocturnes"


Catchy Title #2! - see Blog from last year here. Now, discover this new text - "Nocturnes" - by German-born, Paris-based Jürgen Nefzger - available thru The Nocturnes link to Amazon

While you're waiting for your copy of the book to arrive, pay a visit to Jürgen's Web site to see this sequencing of images from the Nocturnes series, as one makes the journey from the top of nearby mountains, down to the pavement and architecture of the night in the city of Clermont-Ferrand in France.

(". . on the lookout for the first glow of dawn that will not break.")

Random Notes - again, no more than two



Music ("Strange Overtones" by Brian Eno & David Byrne) and video by Jon Yeo for tomorrow, April 18, which is national Record Store Day. If you can find an independently owned record store, support it! Find out more about this event and for a list of participating stores in your area see recordstoreday.com

Me? I plan to visit my local Rasputin's.

(These beats are 20 years old . . .)

Blonde Nocturne - but no more than two

The lyrics quoted in the footnote of the post below: "Hey there, you with the stars in your eyes . . . " are from the classic pop tune "Hey There" recorded best by Rosemary Clooney (you know, George's aunt!) and a #1 on the Billboard chart in 1954.



In keeping with the smokey Blonde Nocturne theme, see Duffy - you may know her as the Anti-Amy ["Whine"-house] here - I'm not so sure about the video production of "Warwick Avenue" - one extended, closeup, static shot - but she is surely chanelling someone from 60s Motown there - the tune is reminiscent of tracks by Smokey Robinson or the Temptations.

(Or are you not seein' things too clear?)

Star Parties

The San Francisco Amateur Astronomers are sponsoring three upcoming star parties, out at Lands End, San Francisco, part of the "100 Hours of Astronomy" event this week. See The Urban Astronomer Blog (which, BTW will now have a link on our Blog - see to right) for all the details.

As Paul Salazar (TUA) points out, people outside SF can check the "100 Hours" website for events in their area.

(Hey there, you with the stars in your eyes . . .)

Kind of Blue Nocturne

"Everybody knows what Kind of Blue is." (Ron Carter)

A poignant little note here, we think. Year 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the recording of Miles Davis' landmark work "Kind of Blue."



We referred to this recording in the original prospectus for the "Blue Nocturne" and the newly acquired CD has been in constant rotation of late.

To commemorate this event Columbia Records last year released the 50th Anniversary Edition (multi-disk) and just this year a "Legacy Edition" (two less disks the Anniversary version). We been stewards for two album (elpee) versions of the recording, at least one CD release, and now the Legacy edition. Just a C-note (and that's not a musical reference in this instance!) away from acquiring the full 4-disc Anniversary edition! Now, if you REALLY want to support The Nocturnes you could check out our Wish List (Navbar to the right) - it's listed there.

("I can see for miles . . .")

Blue Nocturne

Bonneville Speedway, Study VI by Adam Kuehl

Our latest online exhibit of Night Photography is now available for viewing here. Why not have a look or two and let us know what you think, by leaving a comment below.

(From the desk of The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man)

What I LIKE about the Internet, Part Two . . . or Three

On a rainy Sun[NOT]day in Northern California - nothing quite like the warm tones of Jack Casady's bass (dubbed "Mission Control" by the members of Jefferson Airplane) and some Hot Tuna. "Hesitation Blues," circa 1970. This gem, courtesy of the Internet and YouTube.

I guess when they did the on-screen credits, they knew Jack needed no introduction . . .




(Tell me how long, do I have to wait . . .)