Where Pianos Roam

Early On a Sunday Morning

As one might do on Father's Day, I got to thinking about what it means to be a Father, to nurture in ways that only a man might be able to.  I've often wondered why there are more single Moms in the world than single Dads. 

Maybe it's because Fatherhood might be less valued than it's highly revered female counterpart?

Maybe it's because men are the ones who built towering skyscrapers, fought in wars, and constructed bridges while women upheld the home and cared for the children?

I don't know the answer to this quarry, but I think it might help solve many of the worlds problems.

I hope our ideas of Fatherhood as a society become better .  .  .

.  .  .  that the idea of being a deadbeat Dad and abandoning one's children become unthinkable.

.  .  .  that the value of being a Father increases exponentially.

.  .  .  that love truly knows no gender or societal norm.

Someday .  .  .  .

In any case, I know I've posted this video before, but I finally found a version of it without the embedding being disabled.  This is one of my favorite music videos.  It offers a day in the life of a Father and his son courtesy of fellow pianist Ben Folds.

Happy Father's Day .  .  .  .

:-)

Sigh.

World War Robot by Ashley Wood

A few weeks ago, I was in Atlanta, GA at a Barnes and Nobles in Little Five Points when I came across a book of paintings called World War Robot by Ashley Wood and TP Louise.

Mind you, I've never really been into war-themed art, but the inclusion of robots really grabbed my attention.  I love the robot designs in Transformers, but the work in World War Robot is stark, haunting, gritty, and to me, grippingly beautiful.

These paintings by Ashley Wood follow a narrative of a war in which opposing sides use robot warfare to their fullest advantage.  At the epicenter of this gargantuan battle is a company that is supplying all of the best robot technology to both sides.

These images are realism and surrealism blended together to create an imaginative and visionary body of work. 

I absolutely LOVE these paintings. 

Here are a few samples:  

Needless to say, I bought this book, and I'm glad I did.  I've read that this is in development to become a major motion picture.  I'm so there on opening day!!

As it turns out, there is a series of toys that have come out of this book.  Here are some pictures:

OMG!!  These are so FREAKIN' COOL!!!  I want one.  (Sigh)

So, I thought I'd do a little bit of show and tell.  Ashley Wood is a new name to me in terms of artists whose work I love.  A quick search on amazon shows that he already has a VAST collection of works in print.  Looks I'm gonna be doing some happy hunting.  :-)

Have you seen some great art lately?  Support those artists whose work connects with you!!!  Buy one of their works and enjoy it forever!

Go ahead.  Look around.  You might find something you'll love.

Early On a Sunday Morning

The Formative Ones: Albums That Influenced the Music of Gordon Roque

Most musicians I know can recall a handful of albums that summoned forth they're own musical passion.  The Beatles, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Michael Jackson, and many other iconic artist are often among the ones cited.  I  happen to have handful of albums that helped shape who I am now as an artist.  

Starting this week, I'll be starting a new series of blog posts looking at the albums from various artists that were extremely influential to me and to the development of my own musical vocabulary.  I'll be taking an introspective look at the musical, lyrical, emotional, and visceral ways that they helped define my understanding of conveying meaning through song.  

Here is a listing of albums I will be discussing:

Sinead O'Connor:  I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

Counting Crows:  August and Everything After

The Cure: Disintegration

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes

Madonna:  Like A Prayer

Norah Jones:  Come Away With Me

Fiona Apple:  Tidal

Sting:  Nothing Like the Sun

Depeche Mode:  Violator

Tracy Chapman:  Tracy Chapman

Terence Trent D'arby:  The Hardline According to Terence Trent D'arby

Radiohead:  The Bends
 
Sarah McLachlan:  Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

All of these albums resonated within me.  Each of them clued me into shaping my own sound and identity.  I'll be doing this series not just to share my influences with all of you but to also look back and try to understand what it is about these albums that lit a fire in me.

After this series I'll be looking at the individual songs that rocked my world.

So this is just a little heads up on what's to come here on WPR.  

Hope all of you are having an awsome weekend.

Team Kelly

When Beyonce stormed out of Destiny's Child to go full-throttle in her now successful solo career, she left two women standing and probably thinking "what the heck are we gonna do now". 

I remember watching Destiny's Child and wondering about the more understated back-up singers who stood beside or behind Beyonce.  In particular, I've always liked Kelly Rowland.  There's this sweet and demure quality about her.  At least at the time, she seemed like she hadn't fully realized her own potential and was content to play second fiddle to someone else.

I can honestly say those days are over.  The other day I got to finally hear her newest single and watch her latest video.  The new Kelly Rowland seems to have taken full control of her career having recently signed with Universal Motown. 

Her new song, Commander, gives all of us an earful of how strong her voice really is.  As it turns out, she's not bad on the eyes either .  .  .

I really love watching an artist come into her own.  This collaboration with DJ and Producer David Guetta showcases all of her strengths. I'm looking forward to hearing her full album.

Second fiddle no more.

On another note, this week marked the newest release of another strong female vocalist.  Christina Aguilera unveiled her electronically-infused "Bionic" to the world. 

I can't say that I've been a fan of many of her artistic choices, but I can't deny the strength of her voice. 

The ballad "You Lost Me" is unbelievably good.  Overall, it's a pretty good album with some strong songs here and there.  Unfortunately, her awesome vocal prowess cannot make up for the lack of a cohesive artistic vision behind this album.  It feels like the scattered work of someone trying to appeal to everyone and perhaps just trying too hard. 

All things considered, I'm still with you Christina.  You haven't lost me at all.

Just thought I'd share some of what I've been admiring lately. 

Thank God for music.

Gordon's Video Blog: Episode 3

Episode 3:  The Piano Photo Shoot

WPR has been given a new banner and a bit of an update for the summer season!  Here's the making-of:

It's summertime!!!  Woohoo!

Early On a Sunday Morning

In every place I've lived, I've always had a special place I go to clear my head and be alone with my thoughts.  It has always been helpful to me to regularly get away from all the voices trying to speak to me all at once.  

When I lived in Samoa as a teenager, I'd ride my bike in the summer and head out to a park (called Lion's Park) that sat on the edge of a lagoon.  They had these cement picnic tables that I'd lean my bike against.  I'd sit there and just take in the breeze and the small rippling waves on the water.  From the tennis courts nearby, I'd hear tennis balls getting pummeled to oblivion.  The rhythm of their abuse felt somewhat soothing.  

When I lived in Charlotte, NC, there was this small park tucked away in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood (Midwood Park).  I'd swing on the swings and have little picnics all by myself.  It's a charming, hidden place.

Here in Nashville, there are a couple of places I like to go.  One of them is a labyrinth in the downtown
area.



Years ago, I was in an Artist's Way group, and we constructed a gorgeous labyrinth in the basement of a church.  I've been enamored of them ever since.  There's something spiritual, mystical, and intriguing about them.  Wallking inside of one feels like walking a long a path that many others have traveled over thousands of years.  

I visit this labyrinth as often as I can.  I walk meditatively along its grassy path.  Sometimes, I'll just sit on a nearby bench.  Being in it's presence is nourishing enough.

I hope everyone has a private place where they can go to get away from the demands and responsibilities that can wear out one's spirit.  It can be as simple as a bench in the middle of nowhere or a window in a corner of distant room.  

You can loose yourself in the mounting clutter of a busy life, and you can find yourself in the solitary presence of your private thoughts.  

Less can become infinitely more, in a sense.

So, I go to these private places.  I loose the clutter to gain a stronger sense of self.  Ultimately, along with love, this is one of those few possessions worth having. 

Nacho could do this!

From multiple sources, the new video for the latest song from The Black Keys was brought to my attention.  It's actually a very entertaining and quirky video.  The song "Tighten Up", by the way, is equally quite awesome.  (I'm actually curious to hear their other songs.)

I liked it so much that I am going to share it with you all .  .  .

Watching this video got me thinking .  .  .  If I lived in LA or wherever they seek out kids for videos such as these, I would have taken my nephew Nacho to the audition.  I think he could have been a viable option to play one of the two boys.  First of all, he's adorable.  Very SERIOUSLY adorable.  Secondly, he's a bit of a badass when provoked and makes the cutest angry face when he's upset.

As evidence of this fact, here's a recent photo of him with his mohawk.



And another one .  .  .



Ah, he is the essence of cool, for sure.

Besides, the girl in the video is totally his type.  He could fight like gangbusters for a girl like her.  

Much like his older brothers, he'll surely break some hearts some day.

Indeed.