delving between the arts

i was just doing some reading on françois truffaut today and how his work has influenced filmakers etc. my thoughts then meandered to other films he has had an influence on, which in turn brought my mind to artists who've delved into film but specialize in other disciplines. when i think of artist turned film maker i think of one guy, my favourite guy julian schnabel

for the record i am going to say that julian schnabel is a better film maker than any mutherfucker out there. he gets to the sensibility of the character and is able to create a beautiful aesthetic for the film to relish in. basquiat, before night falls, and the diving bell and the butterfly are all great. and if you look at how much he progresses as a director with each film it's astounding. i love this guy so much. i love his smart mouth, i love his intelligence, and i love his art. he learned french just so he could make the diving bell and the butterfly in french. that's some pretty cool shit. and if you've ever seen his pink mansion you'll just think he's crazy mad

and dont forget he made the cover for the red hot chili peppers second best album 'by the way'

ernest ranglin..........a real guitar hero

back in 2001 whilst listening to 'tourist' by saint germain i was confronted with some of the greatest guitar playing i have ever heard. this was an electronic lounge album and i never expected to hear guitar riffs that would stay with me forever. there were two guitar greats playing on two different tracks here but the one that struck me the most was the second track on this album titled 'Montego Bay Spleen'. up until that moment i dont think i had ever heard such creativity on a guitar, and to be honest i dont think i've heard anything like it since

the guitar player in question is ernest ranglin. ernest grew up in jamaica and pretty much made a name for himself as a jazz guitarist during the 50's and 60's. apart from being a jazz guitarist he's played on a tonne of regae albums and rumour has it he taught bob marley how to play guitar. not a bad reputation to have. he's worked with lee scratch perry and jimmy cliff and on his solo albums has fused jazz with regae and made it sound totally cool

i love the way ernest plays the instrument. he plays with a smile on his face and does things with his fingers you wouldn't think are possible. it's almost as though he's finding a new way to make the guitar make a noise but it always sounds musical. he plays creative scales that dont sound wanky and has the technical proficiency of a master. he's a true doyen in the musical world

i suggest if you love jazz, regae, or even just groovy international music you check this guy out. later

the album ruined by heartbreak

there are albums that have a special place in my heart, alongside some movies and great books. these albums are so special that i only listen to them on special occasions or limit how often they are played. recently i went through a dark period after a break up and i played a certain album over and over again for the catharsis it provided. but you know what? i've now spoiled any enjoyment i will get from future listens because it will always remind of that time. i wish i never tainted this perfect arrangement of music, fuck that girl for spoiling the life long pleasure i should be receiving from this album. fuck her right in the face!