BARRY FEINSTEIN ROCK PHOTOGRAPHER
Barry passed away today at age 80. He shot over 500 album covers, including Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, George Harrison, and The Rolling Stones. Continue reading “”
ON BEING AN ARTIST TODAY – Randy’s Photo Tips
Sometimes I forget how hard it must be for young photographers and artists who face the challenges of today’s modern world.
I was recently compelled to post a comment on a blog buddy’s website. I saw a comment that gave advice on this stuff that seemed to come from a different culture. Maybe I’m just lucky to still be able to work at what I love, or maybe I’m just an old white guy…
Here’s what I wrote. Maybe it will help somebody somewhere.
“Simplify, simplify, simplify. And learn how to say no.” Continue reading “”
STEVE JOBS 1955-2011
I’ve only known two true visionaries who lived during the 20th Century. One was my mentor, photographer Ernst Haas (1921-1986). The other was Steve Jobs of Apple. Both were creative geniuses, both died too young.
It’s one thing to say, “A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” It’s another to actually prove it worldwide several times over.
RIP
MICHAEL FREMER’S MUSICANGLE
I’m at once humbled and honored to announce that I am writing for Michael Fremer’s well-known music website, MusicAngle.com.
A senior contributing editor to Stereophile with his column “Analog Corner,” and before that a writer for The Absolute Sound, Listener and his former magazine The Tracking Angle, Michael is one of the most respected experts in all things high-end audio and analog. He was also one of the few champion defenders of vinyl when it was close to becoming a dead format in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Thanks to Michael and others, listening to LPs has made a comeback and is now a thriving audio experience. Continue reading “”
PORSCHE SUPERCAR FOR 2015?
Pictured is the Porsche 918 RSR concept car, a potential long awaited replacement for 911 based race cars. What’s now being rumored is an additional model that would sit between the 911 GT2 RS and the 918 Spyder. This car, designated “project 960,” is being reported as a possible modular mid-engine design in the same territory as the Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C and Lamborghini Gallardo. Power could come from a 3.8 liter twin-turbo flat 6-cylinder making 600-hp with a maximum torque of 550 lb-ft. Continue reading “”
EXCELLENCE DEUX
John Straub and John Manning. Two great Porsche enthusiasts with two great cars. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to photograph and write about their 911s for the best Porsche magazine in America.
The October issue of Excellence features Straub’s “barn find patina queen” and Manning’s “all-out assault beast.” Both Porsche 911s, but each as different from one another as is physically possible. It was interesting to approach these two remarkable cars, knowing the treatment for each would need to reflect their opposite characters. Hopefully I have done justice to them both. Continue reading “”
SEPTEMBER – THE BEST MONTH TO TRAVEL?
Now that the kids are back in school and the heat wave has receded, it’s time to consider some U.S. locales that will still give you blue skies, reasonable hotel rates and just a few tourists: Continue reading “”
IMAGINE
As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches it seems appropriate to revisit the second album by John Lennon, recorded in New York City and released in the USA 40 years ago today.
NEW QUALITY RECORD PRESSINGS
CAT STEVENS : TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN
OK, I finally found a few hours to compare the various masterings of Cat Steven’s Tea For the Tillerman that I have in my collection.
First, let me say that I am both a fan of this album and Chad Kassem’s efforts as the producer of this new Quality Record Pressings LP reissue. Whether that disqualifies me from being objective, I will leave up to the reader.
In my mind, being a fan of an album ensures that you have listened to it repeatedly, and you are likely to be intimately familiar with the music on it. If you are also an “audiophileâ€, you probably have already gone through the trouble of acquiring more than one copy, and may have even compared these copies to see which one sounds best to you, maybe on numerous occasions. Guilty on all counts. Continue reading “”
A VERY SPECIAL 911S
Is Steve McQueen still the “King of Cool?”
Judging by the price his previously owned 911 brought at auction last night, the answer to this question is unquestionably “yes.”
A 1970 Porsche 911S that McQueen drove in the opening sequences of the film Le Mans sold for a record breaking $1.35 million dollars during the RM Auctions in Monterey, CA yesterday. It was a world record for a 911 sold at auction and was RM Auctions 200th “million dollar vehicle.” This slate grey early 911S Porsche was delivered to McQueen on the film set in Europe in 1970. It became his personal car throughout filming and was subsequently driven by him for a few years in the US. Continue reading “”
DON KITCH – PROFORMANCE RACING SCHOOL
I’m pleased to announce I will be the official photographer at Pacific Raceways in Washington for Don Kitch’s ProFormance High-Performance Driving days this summer. My goal is to offer participants the highest quality images at an affordable price. Please see “About Randy Wells” for more info. Continue reading “”
BETH ORTON
Every once in a while I discover a musical talent who has somehow managed (for the most part) to fly under the pop mainstream radar. When I first heard the uplifting “Central Reservation” from Beth Orton’s album of the same name, I knew I had to hear more. I’m glad I did.
This lady has such a catchy, soulful and uniquely modern sound, she absolutely blows me away. Unfortunately she could have been blowing me away for the past ten years, because this album was released in 1999. The album before it, Trailer Park is just as amazing – as is the US top 40 one that followed in 2002, Daybreaker. Continue reading “”
AUGUST TRAVEL
OK. It’s hot. It’s humid. The stock market looks like a roller coaster at a Disney theme park. You want to go someplace that’s relaxing. Somewhere that feels like paradise.
Paradise. Hmm… let me think about that.
Well, depending on your budget (and pretty much everyone has a budget these days), I have just the place for you.. Tahiti. Continue reading “”
WHO’S NEXT
Today marks the 40th anniversary of The Who’s best album. I would say arguably, but the only other contenders are The Who Sells Out, Tommy and Quadrophenia, and while these are all classics as well, none has this record’s cache.
“Won’t Get Fooled Again” becomes increasingly relevant with each passing year. And in light of today’s news that the U.S. credit rating has been downgraded for the first time ever, I’m playing this song at full volume. Hope the neighbors don’t complain… Continue reading “”
MORE EXCELLENCE
The latest issue of Excellence (September 2011) includes a feature written by Peter Linsky and illustrated with my images. The subject – Paul Risinger’s incredible concours winning Sand Beige 1967 Porsche 911S. I had the distinct privilege of driving this perfect car and commenting on my experience in a side bar to the article. Here’s an excerpt: Continue reading “”
THE GOLDEN YEARS – ARE THEY OVER?
For those who created intellectual property during the golden years of the 90’s, that time is a distant memory. Yet the music, book publishing and photography industries are still reeling from the changes digital and instant internet access have made to their pricing models. Witness Border’s bankruptcy if you want to see the carnage. Continue reading “”