Friday Flowers: Old Port

Rose: Old Port

Summer is now upon us, long days and warm weather. It's time for travel and strolling the gardens, enjoying the great outdoors.

It's time for fun!!! ;-)

"Summer Dreams" by Mirami feat. LayZee

Enjoy!!!

February: Decades of Music

Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" was one of the hits of February, 1998.

It's that time again, when we take a stroll back through the years and listen to various hits from over the decades. This month, our selection is eclectic, ranging from instrumental to hip hop, but it's predominantly mainstream. I didn't go looking for off-the-beaten-path songs. Diverse though they may be, these were all chart toppers.

For all the criticism that can be lobbed at popular musical tastes, it's kind of nice seeing how different styles and sounds gain prominence over the decades. Any list that includes such varied music as from the likes of the Bee Gees and Queens of the Stone Age, Toto and Alicia Keys, is a list that can be appreciated. These songs capture the quirkiness and trends of their day.

Alicia Keys' "Like You'll Never See Me Again" made its mark in 2008

Well, let's listen to some music.

An Original in an Area of Imitators

Mannequin of Elvis Presley at the South Bay Galleria

I haven't much to share today, not much time either. However, while strolling around the South Bay Galleria, I came across this mannequin of Elvis at the Art Plus Gallery, along with some other interesting pictures.

Later, I started thinking that I haven't really done any Elvis posts at this blog. Yeah, for the most part, I avoid Pop Music blogging on most topics earlier than 1967, but the King ought to get special treatment. ;-)

So, let's take a quick flight of fancy back to 1957 and dance the night away. If you can't find a partner, use a wooden chair!!!

Friday Flowers: Walking on Sunshine

Rosa Floribunda: Walking on Sunshine

Hey!!! It's Friday and we've got some flowers, some beautiful roses!!!

A while back, I decided to limit my flower posts to only one per Weekly Wrap cycle. That was a mistake. I've been snapping photos at my regular pace, which has led to a huge build up of lovelies that I would have liked to share with you all. So, I'll be returning to my old tradition.

If it's Friday, then there will be flowers. ;-)

And, hopefully, some poetry as well.

Rosa Floribunda: Walking on Sunshine


But, for now, let's just celebrate these All-American pretties. And don't it feel good?

Dance Party: May

Detail of the cover image from Sheryl Crow's "Soak Up the Sun"

It's time for another set of music flashbacks. Yeah, we've been doing a bunch of music posts over the past few weeks, but the next couple of weekends are likely to be busy for me. Therefore, since I don't want to miss out on celebrating May's music over the decades, I'm putting this post up tonight.

But it'll be just as good going early as keeping it late. And either way is better than nothing at all. ;-)

So, from '67 to '07, let's have some fun!!!

"Point of No Return" was Exposé's second hit in 1987.

What the world needs now is. . .

With Your Beating Heart

Detail of Patrick Nagel's cover art for Duran Duran's album, Rio (1982)

Thirty years ago, on May 10, 1982, Duran Duran released Rio.

I've previously mentioned that I wasn't an enthusiast of their music back in the day, but it is impossible for me to remember the early to mid '80s with hearing Duran Duran's music playing somewhere in the background. Now, with a mix of nostalgia and a fresh appreciation for New Wave-style music, I really enjoy this music.

Although I certainly would complain about the constant airplay that they received on the local radio stations and the various video channels, it was good music with captivating videos. Being very enthusiastic of sexy "Euro-babes" and the exotic beauties of the era, I didn't mind watching the videos over and over and over. ;-)

Patrick Nagel's alternative artwork for the Rio cover

And I've always loved the cover art. Nobody did stylish and sexy like Patrick Nagel.

The Divine One

Sarah Vaughan was born on March 27, 1924


We can't let this day pass without paying tribute to Sassy, the Divine One, the wondrous Sarah Vaughan!!!

Born on March 27, 1924, Sarah Vaughan become one of the leading Jazz vocalists of her generation. Considering the competition, that's an impressive feat. Her voice, smooth but sassy, is seductive and playful, soulful and light, expressing a mercurial mood.

I'm always reluctant to name my favorites, but, for tonight at least, Sarah is my favorite Jazz songbird. ;-)

Sarah Vaughan, "Sassy"

Let's listen to some music.

Dance Party: February

Cover image for Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" (1992)


It's that time again.

This month's selection is filled with memorable songs, love 'em or hate 'em, tunes that set the sound for their era. From the Trammps' "Disco Inferno" to the Spice Girls' "Wannabe", these songs became pop culture icons.

To be honest, I wasn't fond of many of these songs back in the day, but time has given them the warm glow of nostalgia. ;-)

Image for the J. Geils Band's "Centerfold" single (1982)

Let's listen to some music!!!

Never Gonna Say Goodbye

Detail of cover photo from Natalie Cole's album, Unforgettable. . . With Love (1991)

After a couple dark, haunting art posts, I figured some uplifting songs were in order to brighten up the blog, chasing away the shadows with some catchy grooves. So, taking a look at today's birth date list, I brought away an odd blend of music.

On this date in 1945, reggae legend Bob Marley was born. In 1950, R&B singer Natalie Cole was born. In 1962, Axl Rose, lead singer for Guns N' Roses, was born. And, in 1966, dance-pop icon and viral internet sensation, Rick Astley was born.

That will make for an interesting playlist. ;-)

Image from Rick Astley's video for Never Gonna Give You Up (1987)

Let's listen to some music!

Hasta La Vista, Baby

Detail from Jody Watley's 1987 self-titled album

When it comes to the R&B dance divas of the '80s or '90s, one of my favorites is Jody Watley. In terms of technique and variation, I'd say that she was the best.

Sadly, she never gained the popularity of her peers, such as Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston. That's a pity, seeing as how she was more experimental in incorporating diverse dance music traditions, from freestyle to New Jack to downbeat. I guess that mix of style might have been the problem, making her music a tougher commodity to market.

Regardless of the lack of long-lasting chart-topping fame, I still regard her as one of the defining voices of R&B dance.

Jody Watley in 1990

Anyways, let's wish Jody a Happy 53rd Birthday!!!

There's a Quiet Storm

Sade Adu; photo from Diamond Life (1984)


Helen Folasade "Sade" Adu was born on January 16, 1959.

I adore her voice, dark and soulful, smooth but passionate. Her gentle articulation subtly expresses great emotional intensity. Her songs are inviting, beguiling, and seductive, pulling the listener into an aural whirlpool of primal emotions, love and sorrow and hope.

I've occasionally debated the style of music that Sade performs? Is it smooth jazz? Or is it soul? How about the generic "Adult Contemporary"? I still haven't found a genre or niche into which I can fit her music, which I think is a good thing. The music has hints of many styles and influences, but doesn't conform to standards.

I'm the type of person who likes to label things, work them into a fixed scheme of types. Yet, I can respect and admire the artist who creates a unique and distinct type of expression.

Sade Adu; photo for the Best of Sade (1994)

So, the style of music that Sade performs is simply the style of music that Sade performs. ;-)

Dance Party: January

Image from Incubus' video for "Anna Molly"

It's been a while since we last celebrated with a selection of songs from over the last four decades. Well, we're starting the year off strong with lots of fun music. ;-)

I've pushed back the start date of our tour of yesterday's songs to 1967. In terms of popular music, that's where my familiarity starts to kick in. Yeah, that's definitely before my time, but I know this music fairly well because it was where my parent's album collection more or less started.

For me, the music of the '70s have realtime memories associated with them, albeit distant and dim, but the music of the late '60s don't have a strong connection, in my mind, between song and society. Nevertheless, I figured it would be fun to expand the range of our monthly festivity.

Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way" became a Disco classic.

Let's get this party started!!!

November Dance Party!!!

Cover image from Donna Summer's Four Seasons of Love (1976)


Once again, we enter the final stretch of the month with a celebration of popular music from over the past four decades. And there are a bunch of interesting songs that we could feature tonight. Sometimes, these monthly posts are tough to put together, because of the poor quality of the selection, but tonight it was tough because there was so much from which to choose.

And that's a good thing. Family obligations and poor health have kept me from maintaining a steady stream of posts over the past week. Nevertheless, I've been having a good time. :-)

Cover image from My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade (2006)


Let's listen to some music.

Stay Wilder Than the Wind

Detail from the cover of Duran Duran's "Medazzaland" album (1997)


Popular music of the early 1980s forms the kernel of appreciation from which all my subsequent musical interests grow, regardless of genre, style, or era. Though I rarely stop to listen to the tunes of 1983 or '84, they insinuated their way into my youthful psyche and early aesthetic development with so durable an influence that I can "hear" the music "on call" within my imagination.

It was the convergence of sound and vision in the medium of music videos that made these memories so strong. I must have spent countless hours watching MTV or the local video show hosted by Richard Blade, spellbound by the exotic places, beautiful people, and entrancing melodies. Perhaps the most compelling performers in perfecting the union of music and image were the British New Wave group, Duran Duran.

I wasn't a fan of Duran Duran back in the day. Their music was distinctive and well-crafted, but a few of their songs got so overplayed that it turned me off of their sound for a while. Even now, when I hear "Rio" or "The Reflex" I have a mixture of enthusiasm and loathing. Happily, time has allowed me to lift my vague antipathy from their music as a whole, opening up a rich catalog of three decades worth of quality compositions, songs that carry that original "new romantic" spirit with ever increasing sophistication and maturity.

Detail from Patrick Nagel's cover art for "Rio" (1982)

And so let's take the birthday of lead singer, Simon Le Bon, for an excuse to give a listen to some wonderful songs from the greatest British band of the early '80s. "Voices, another sound, can you hear me now?" ;-)

October Dance Party!!!

Cover Image from Erasure's "Love to Hate You"


Regardless of style or genre, music is one of my obsessions, catching my imagination with a driving rhythm or a clever lyrical twist, sounds that sneak into my dreams, setting a soundtrack to each day of my life.

It's been six months now that we've been celebrating our Dance Party, reflecting on songs from decades past. I've enjoyed these posts. For me, music brings back memories, returning me to times long past, reuniting me in my imagination with friends long gone. I suppose that's why I do these posts. There is a catharsis when I work through this four decade progression of music.

Well, that's enough personal stuff. We've got some quirky tunes to appreciate today.

Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven (1820) by Joseph Karl Stieler

Let the music play!!!

Festive Lanterns Up Above

Lanterns hang over the Hammer Museum courtyard.


When pumpkins begin to peer out of windows and festive lanterns hang over your head, then you know the holiday season has arrived.

In previous posts, I have expressed mixed feelings about holidays. Whatever troubles that I have with Easter, Father's Day, or July 4th goes double for the upcoming celebrations. My glee is not something that can be scheduled in for a particular date. My cheer is not something that can be summoned up for company.

Although I wish a happy Halloween for all, dressing up in costume has never been my thing. And parties can be fun, but sometimes I just wish to be left alone. It really depends upon my mood.

View of the Hammer Museum courtyard from above.

However, I love how the holiday season allows for many fine opportunities to photograph interesting sights. The lanterns at the Hammer made for an interesting setting feature. I hope to drop by some evening to see them all aglow. That'll be pretty cool. ;-)

Just a Girl

Gwen Stefani from No Doubt's video for Don't Speak


It's been a busy day, but I can't let it go by without wishing a Happy Birthday to Gwen Stefani, born on this date in 1969. It's nice to celebrate somebody from my generation for a change. ;-)

To be honest, I prefer Gwen Stefani's work with No Doubt more than her solo work. But I like the character and quality of her voice. It's got a weird mix of cutesy, sultry, and campy. She can sound both playful and pouty, sophisticated and awkward.

Gwen Stefani from the cover of Love. Angel. Music. Baby.


I wish I could write more, but time is pressing. And I lacerated up my right hand something fierce last night, making for the some error-filled typing. ;-)

Torch Songs

Julie London from the cover of Lonely Girl

Whenever I think of "torch songs" or the cool jazz/blues vocal standards of the '50s or early '60s, the performer that immediately comes to mind is Julie London. Her smooth and sultry voice defined the way "sexy" sounded in that era. Yeah, there were singers with greater vocal talents in terms of range or technique. But Julie had a special quality of sensuality and suggestion in her performance style.

Sometimes she would be warmly inviting. Sometimes she would be playful and mischievous. Sometimes she would passionately express her yearnings. Whatever the premise of the song, it was delivered with a melting seductiveness. Classy but coquettish, Julie was the Torch Singer.

Julie London was born on September 26, 1926.

And so we celebrate Julie London's music today on what would have been her 85th Birthday. We still carry a torch for her. ;-)

September Dance Party

KC and the Sunshine Band scored a #1 hit with (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty


It's time to celebrate a month's worth of music. Honestly, September can be really hit or miss over the years. So, this month's selections will be all over the place. We even have a country classic from Tammy Wynette for our dance party. Yee haw!!!

So hold on to your hats and glasses. . . And get down on it!!!

Crystal Waters' Makin' Happy was a chart topper in September 1991


And now for some music.

Friday Flowers: Osa Pulchra

Osa Pulchra at the Huntimgton Botanical Gardens

 Air and Angels
(By John Donne)

Twice or thrice had I loved thee,
Before I knew thy face or name;
So in a voice, so in a shapeless flame,
Angels affect us oft, and worshipped be;
     Still when, to where thou wert, I came,
Some lovely glorious nothing I did see,
     But since my soul, whose child love is,
Takes limbs of flesh, and else could nothing do,
     More subtle than the parent is
Love must not be, but take a body too,
     And therefore what thou wert, and who
          I bid love ask, and now
That it assume thy body, I allow,
And fix itself in thy lip, eye, and brow.

Whilst thus to ballast love, I thought,
And so more steadily to have gone,
With wares which would sink admiration,
I saw, I had love's pinnace overfraught,
     Every thy hair for love to work upon
Is much too much, some fitter must be sought;
     For, nor in nothing, nor in things
Extreme, and scatt'ring bright, can love inhere;
     Then as an angel, face and wings
Of air, not pure as it, yet pure doth wear,
     So thy love may be my love's sphere;
          Just such disparity
As is 'twixt air and angels' purity,
'Twixt women's love, and men's will ever be.



I've been waiting for a good opportunity to share these pretties with you all. If I had to guess, I'd have said they were white angel's trumpets, but that's totally off. These Osa Pulchras are from the coffee family (Rubiaceae).

Osa Pulchra at the Huntington Botanical Gardens



Well, they're still quite beautiful. ;-)