Monday, September 17, 2007

Percy Mayfield


He spoke to the river, and the river spoke back to him.

14 comments:

Jörn said...

Wow, this is a totally new style. It's great.

limbolo said...

Well, not really new to me jorn,
The way we draw changes all the time.
My sketchbook is riddled with drawings like this.

Jack Snider said...

Great stylized sketches. I really like the posture and hands of the one on the lower right. I'll have to do some research Mr. Mayfield.

limbolo said...

Click the link above - his name - Mr. Snider.

If you care for the blues, Percy should hit your spot. He was the composer of several Ray Charles numbers including 'hit the road, Jack' (one for you there, Mr. Snider) '2 years of torture', etc. etc...
He was buddies with Mark Naftalin in his latter days. If you check his name at YOUTUBE you can see him at home fixing a drink and singing the number that helped pay the rent. You will notice he suffered a facial deformity - the result of a road accident that knocked him off his stroke in the 50's.
He had a style as mellow as a shot of whisky... but not for fans of the Spice Girls, I think.

Jack Snider said...

Thanks for clueing-me-in Mr. Ross. I liked the clips. I'll have to check out more of this. I have "Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years" and love that. Never liked the Spice Girls myself.

limbolo said...

Atlantic Years is American music at its best.

It must have been about that time that Ray Charles appeared in a British feature movie - how the hell did that happen! - can't remember the title.... I wonder where it is now?
I remember seeing it as a B feature and hearing one of my aunts say that it was disgraceful that a man convicted of drug use should be allowed to appear in respectable company... but, didn't he have a super voice and a maaarvellous suit?
I recall the word 'heroin', which I assumed had something to do with 'heroism'.

limbolo said...

It was BALLAD IN BLUE (1964). Directed by PAUL HEINREID.
JOE ADAMS - RAY CHARLES manager - also appeared.

Jack Snider said...

Now I kind of want to see it. It's available to buy online of course.

"I recall the word 'heroin', which I assumed had something to do with 'heroism'."

That causes more confusion...

limbolo said...

Confusion is part of my stock in trade Mr. Snider. I don't think heroin is mentioned anywhere in the movie.
Available? Well, it might be worth another look. I can't remember much about the music. Ray was still very much in his prime in 64 and he still had a cookin' band... Dave Fathead Newman on Tenor, Hank Crawford on alto.

limbolo said...

There are tons of takes from Ray's 'Brazilian Concert' at YOUTUBE.... and it's free.

Elliot Cowan said...

You're very chatty today Neil.

Jack Snider said...

Actually the confusion is mine. I was trying to say heroin causes confusion for many people. Poor wordplay on my part.

"Ray's 'Brazilian Concert"

I'll check YOUTUBE for that. Thanks.

limbolo said...

You're welcome, Mr. Snider.
And how were you today Mr.Cowan?

Elliot Cowan said...

I was very well, thank you for asking.