Halloween was a family effort. I came up with the concept, Kathy and did the pumpkin.
First Print
Well l got something paper, so thats gotta be worth something!
Test Print
Here’s the first test print, yes I know It’s backwards but overall I consider it a big success. I continue to learn or rather relearn lessons on how to get a good print. Onwards and upwards!
Useful Disaster
This is the result of the first test burn of a screen. There are some lessons to be learned from this mess. I will clean off the screen and try again.
It should look like more like this. So there is a way to go.
Petri
Petri 24”x 30” First fruit of post stroke art. Output on large Epson digital printer. Much thanks to good friends David Millington and Mike Golka who went out their way to help get the printer in the house. Kathy and I could never have moved it on our own. I plan to use this printer for making film positives for screen prints and colour proofs. It feels good to be getting creative again.
Sleeping Saint Digital Print for Sale
Tragedy and Renewal
Picked these up today at Mindbomb Records after tragedy struck my 1981 copy of Fragile. (too close to base board heater) Always wanted Close to the Edge. So I picked it up too. Candidates for the next record day.
Brains
Demo of Brains. Rob Aidan, Dan? recorded between 2016 -2019. Still hope to do a proper recording someday. Riffs goes back to 90’s, maybe back to Sinister Morale. I clearly had brain fart transitioning between parts. Seeing as there’s a bass it’s got to be Dan. It’s good bit of riffage so I guess should finish it. What do you think?
Prized possessions
Lemmy and autograph.
Unfinished business
This is some unfinished business. A detail of Judith Beheading Holofernes, by Caravaggio. I hope to complete it someday. I have already shared it with some friends and family. I had been a taking painting class with Paul Richard James Atelier before the stroke. Learned a lot in the class. H to put it on hold for the time being. I hope to complete it someday.
Poppies
This painting was done for friends, Mike and Laura for as a wedding present many years ago. They lived in a different city from me and we drifted apart over the years. We reconnect over Facebook around 2014.
When I started selling mugs with my art. Then Mike contacted me about borrowing the painting to use for mug art. I’m happy to share this image. It has been great visiting this old painting today. It is kinda kool to see how I used to work. There are defiantly some bits of this I really enjoy. Hope you do too.
August - September Records
A bunch of records that have been purchased over the last couple of months.
Dire Straits Dire Straits (MoFi Records)
This pressing of Dire Straits is the best sounding vinyl I've ever heard bar none. The songs are top notch the lyrics, playing and recording are exceptional. This pressing of Dire Straits record is double edge sword. The sound quality is captivating, but because it spans over 2 lps the side lengths are short. So you just get immersed in the music and you have flip it over. This will be get a spin on the next record listening day.
Motörhead Inferno
The last great Motörhead album and has Steve Vai knock out a couple scorching solos out the park. Vai should have been a member of the band.
Rick Wakeman A Gallery Of The Imagination
Bit of a miss, sad because the previous (Mars the red planet) album was so damn good. But Rick Wakeman albums are like the weather, if you don't like one just wait a few minutes and another one will be along.
Soundgarden Badmotorfinger
Sadly has not aged well. Sounds a bit spartan now
The Allman Brothers The Bear's Sonic Journal is a very good recording done with minimal mics placed carefully to give a realistic balanced stereo image. The Allman Brothers performance is excellent. Owsley Stanley (the bear) was an interesting guy. Chemist/drug dealer, sound engineer for the Grateful Dead, strict carnivore, ballerina. This record is more about Owsley recording technique
Rush Fly by Night
Great recording great playing. some pretty good songs. Bytorn and the Snow dog is the highlight of the album. Enjoyable but they got a lot better.
Vince Guaraldi Original Soundtrack Recording It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
More of a document, then sound track. There a number of out takes and alternate versions. So while the songs are pleasant there are not of a lot of meat on the bones.
Bill Evans and Jim Hall Undercurrents (MoFi Records)
This one is like looking at modern art, it enjoyable but sure what I'm listening to. Nonetheless The recording sounds okay but there is a low end rumble.
Richard Wright Wet Dream
Remix and remaster of 1978 album. The remix and remaster brings this album to life. The songs are very tidy bits pop, Snowy White (guitars) and Mel Colins (sax) really shine. If only Pink Floyd had woven more of this kind of material in to their late 70's music, instead of Roger Waters rantings. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The Orb and David Gilmour Metallic Spheres In Colour
The music is enjoyable but it sounds to be a lttle shy on the David Gilmour part. Maybe he is way low in the mix.
Dio The Studio Albums 1996-2004 (4CDs)
Angry Machines
Magica Killing
The Dragon Master Of The Moon
I'm a big fan of Dio from back as far as Rainbow. He always sang and never resorted screaming or making grunts. The art work on the album covers is cheesy but that is part of the campy appeal. I'm just getting familiar with the material but as the records progress they get more proggy. His voice remained strong. Angry Machines sounds to be the most rock'n
Voivod The Outer Limits
Can only to be considered as "accessible" by Voivod standards. Nutty rhythms, crazy dissonant chords lots of delay and echo, syfi lyrics. Love it.
Records for Oct 2023
Dire Straits Love Over Gold
Great songs, great musicianship, crisp and clean production. This album was made for CD. The drums are very clean and precise much different than Pick Withers more groove organic feel. The keboards use is expanded over the previous albums and help a craft a cenimagraphic feel to go along with songs themes, This is the the bridge between the old sound and Mega hit huge 80’s production.
Prong State of Emergency
A blend of Prong’s between Prongs crossover roots and the more recent melodic metal. Some good songs. Very clean precise guitar work. The final track on the record is a cover of Rush’s Working Man.
Day of the Dinosaurs
A little more than noodling but not a full composition… yet.
Down the drain
First bit of fixing around the house I’ve done in a long time. I had to do more than pour drano down the sink. Felt like I accomplished something today.
STAR FIELD
I found this last night, it was recorded in January. Pretty rough but listenable. Recorded on the Model 24.
THE RAVEN'S SKULL
Still mucking about, playing guitar and drums.
The MARSHALL AND THE BOSS
Jammed this out this afternoon. Kinda bumpy but a step in the right direction.
Neurographics Art 3
Starting to get the idea of this Neurographic stuff. No pressure, very relaxing.
Black Sabbath Live Evil Box Set
Black Sabbath Live Evil Super Delux is a box set version of the bands 1982 album, nicely packaged with 2 versions of the live album. The first is remaster, I'm sure when Tony Iomme heard it he must have realized it wasn't gonna fly in 2023 It is a bit of a muddled mess.The second version of the album is a remix, it is awesome. Good separation, guitars volumes are more controlled The drums are sound very good. Dio's voice is in top form. There is a bit of chatting in between songs which doesn’t seem to be on the original.
The box set comes with a concert poster, a reproduction concert guide and very nicley designed book discussing the recording of this album.The highlights are the Dio era songs.
The Sabbath is a birthday present from Kathy and Ava, well received!
Song listing
E5150
Neon Knights
N.I.B.
Children of the Sea
Voodoo
Black Sabbath
War Pigs
Iron Man
The Mob Rules
Heaven & Hell
The Sign of the Southern Cross/Heaven & Hell (Continued)
Paranoid
Children of the Grave
Fluff