Vinyl / Tunes Blog – Page 5 – RANDY WELLS – TOP CAR PHOTOGRAPHER – SEATTLE – PHOTOJOURNALIST – DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY – STUDIO – LOCATION – WHERE AUTOMOTIVE PHOTOS, VIDEO, AND WRITING MEET CLASSIC AUTOMOBILES, VEHICLES, TRANSPORTATION, CAR CULTURE LIFESTYLE AND MUSIC

WELCOME TO THE BOOMTOWN

Seattle is and has always been different. That doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s an assemledge of people from across the nation looking for learning, recreation and progressiveness, yet it remains reasonable (except for the more recent cost of living increases, homelessness, rioting and traffic problems). Continue reading “”

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Joel Bernstein was a young man interested in photography during the late 1960s.

He was lucky enough to hook up with some folk rock musicians before they became famous. “Almost famous” describes his life, and it might be used to describe mine. We were both very fortunate to be given an opportunity at just the right time. Continue reading “”

CHARLIE WATTS R.I.P.

The only drummer in The Rolling Stones since its inception passed away today at age 80. He was the core of the band. Married to the same woman since 1964, with as steady a beat as was possible, and always a purveyor of fashion, Charlie was as cool as they came. Everyone loved him (bottom right in photo). Only two, Mick and Keith, remain from the original line-up. Kind of like The Who and The Beatles…

This is a real loss, never replicated. Charlie will forever be deeply missed. Continue reading “”

WHO’S NEXT – 50 YEARS LATER

Today marks the 50th anniversary of The Who’s best album. I would say arguably, but the only other contenders are Tommy and Quadrophenia, and while these are classics as well, none has this record’s cache.

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” from the album Who’s Next becomes increasingly relevant with each passing year. Continue reading “”

JULY 4TH

Here’s a firecracker for you.

John Martyn was one of the most talented and intense musicians ever. Never heard of him? That’s not unusual. Continue reading “”

COME MONDAY

Thank you to the one who introduced me to the album Living and Dying in 3/4 Time.

It saw me through 15 years of living the life of a tropical travel stock photographer – a kind of unknown Jimmy Buffett in transit. I did very well, being paid obscene amounts of money as a citizen of the world from the mid ’80’s until 2001. I only had to have one carcinoma removed.

The usages of my photos were mostly commercial, so I was never credited. That worked out just fine for me, because I never wanted to become famous. I ended up traveling to every continent and over 40 countries with over 20,000 publications worldwide. Unfortunately, that photography job doesn’t exist anymore.

BE CAREFUL KNOWING YOUR HEROES TOO WELL –
A.K.A. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS

Mentors are important. Heroes can be as well.

When you first meet your hero, you will be less than objective. Every thing you hear from that person will be colored by your preconceptions. Until it’s not. Continue reading “”

NEW ARTICLE ON MUSIC AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Casual Photophile Feature

(Photo: Josh Solomon)

ART PEPPER

Along with Bill Evans and Miles Davis, he’s my favorite jazz player. Imagine these three playing together: sax, piano and trumpet. Maybe Paul Chambers on bass and Billy Cobb on drums…

The Notes from a Jazz Survivor documentary film about Art Pepper is not for the those who don’t want to know about the trials and tribulations all three men went through. The Blues for the Fisherman album is an Art Pepper live masterwork that few know about. If you like West Coast Jazz, check them out.

(Photographer: Unknown)

Continue reading “”

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHO I AM

The life of a true artist is unique and unlikely to be knowable in its entirety to many, if any at all. Continue reading “”

MOMENTS : “PAINTED BELLS”

Valentine’s Day – 50 years ago

Moments is a great sleeper record by Boz Scaggs.

GOT GASOLINE?

Fuel injected cars can get by on today’s fuel, but classic cars using carburetors get gummed up by all the additives. Carbs need to be rebuilt periodically if not treated carefully. Just ask Rolly!

Porsche is now making sure we have gas for our carbureted cars. The famous German car manufacturer has begun procurement of a synthetic fuel specifically designed for 356s and SWB 911s!

Now, that’s encouraging. Continue reading “”