Slip Out the Back, Jack

My original painting entitled "Slip Out the Back, Jack" takes its name from Paul Simon's song "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover". Rosemary Clooney's rendition is awesome. What a jazz legend! I thought you'd enjoy seeing vintage photos of her in a video. The song was included on her 1977 album "Nice to Be Around".




Here's what Wikipedia says:



"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" was a 1975 hit song by Paul Simon, from his album Still Crazy After All These Years. "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" broke in the U.S. in late December 1975 becoming number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on February 7, 1976, and remaining there for three weeks. It was certified gold on March 11, 1976, and remained a best seller for nearly five months. The song also topped the adult contemporary chart for two weeks.





Written after Simon's divorce from first wife Peggy Harper, the song is a mistress's humorous advice to a husband on ways to end a relationship: Just slip out the back, Jack / Make a new plan, Stan. Studio drummer Steve Gadd created the unique drum beat that became the hook and color for the song consisting of an almost military beat. The song was recorded in a small New York City studio on Broadway.

Entrepreneurs at Work

This print is called "Entrepreneurs at Work".   Surrounded by buildings where all the lights are out and no one is working, there is an upstairs office in the center building where someone is still at it.  That's how it is for those of us who call ourselves entrepreneurs.  In spite of the economy, we push on because for us there isn't another way.

Here is a clip from one of my all time favorite films -- "The Fabulous Baker Boys" starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeff and Beau Bridges -- three "entrepreneurs" who can't give up.



After this video, other options will show up to hear Pfeiffer sing.  Click on Part 2 to hear more.  So good!

Are You Being Naughty?

In 1929 jazz pianist Fats Waller wrote "Ain't Misbehaviin'.  By this time it is considered a jazz standard.  Since this drawing has an air of naughtiness to it, I thought it would be fun to title her after Waller's song "Ain't Misbehavin'.   Hope you enjoy this rendition.  He wrote the music with  Harry Brooks and the lyrics are by Andy Razaf.

No one to talk with, all by myself

No one to walk with, but I'm happy on the shelf

Ain't misbehavin', I'm savin' my love for you.

I know for certain the one you love

I'm through with flirtin', it's just you I'm thinkin' of

Ain't Misbehavin', I'm savin' my love for you.

Like Jack Horner in the corner

don't go nowhere, what do I care

Your kisses are worth waitin' for . . . Believe me.

I don't stay out late, don't care to go

I'm home about 8, just me and my radio

Ain't Misbehavin', I'm savin' my love for you.

Are You In Love Today?

I can't tell you how many times I have listened to the Philippe Saisse Trio playing this song entitled "If I Ever Lose This Heaven". There are times when I find that I have gotten out of my chair and am dancing. Jazz is wonderful way to unleash the creative powers within.


This print expresses that feeling of being so in love with someone that the only way to describe it is "heaven". Here is the tune. It is for my pleasure and yours and it's okay with me if you dance!



 




This next video is up close and personal.  Saisse talks about making the music for the "Body and Soul" cd. Amazing that such smashing music can come from a basement studio, which is shown here in 2006. 

Slow Boat to China

After spending a couple of years in the Orient, I returned with a love for all things Asian -- Asian films, books, woodcuts, pottery and art. Here is a drawing portraying one of those elegant Chinese women.  She's dressed beautifully and has an air of sizzling sophistication about her.

This YouTube video of Gary Cooper features the song from which the title of this print is taken.  He was dashingly handsome and I can see him falling desperately in love with this woman.

My Morning Coffee

I  have sketchbooks filled with mostly pen and ink drawings -- some are enhanced by ink washes.  This is a sketch of a coffee mug we have had for years.  Can't begin to count all the delicious brews that have been poured into this stout little clay vessel and sipped out.

I came across the sketch the other day and decided to give it a pop look.  Now it is trendy and modern and even has graphics. 

For your pleasure and mine, I have added an old tune performed by Frank Sinatra -- I remember hearing this as a little girl.  At that time, coffee was percolated.  You put water in the pot, filled up a small metal basket with ground coffee that had tiny holes in it, put on the lid and set it on the hot stove.  The lid had a glass dome so you could see the coffee percolating up through the basket with the coffee in it.  You could tell when it was done by the color of the coffee.

 

Secrets About Writing the Perfect Love Letter

Still waiting for that love letter?  Here's how to get just the one you want!

There is an old song written in 1935 called “I’m Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter”. It starts with these words—I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter And make believe it came from you….
 
I created this pen and ink drawing on an old book page with text that  includes the words "letter", "postmark", "sat at home", "his-might-have-beens"... and it reminded me of Sinatra's song and that gave me an idea for the title of this artwork.  Thought you'd like to hear ol' blue eyes pour out his heart.  







Here are the lyrics:

I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And make believe it came from you
I'm gonna write words, oh, so sweet
They're gonna knock me off my feet,
A lotta kisses on the bottom,
I'll be glad I got 'em

I'm gonna smile and say:
"Gee, I hope you're feeling better."
And close "with love" the way you do.
I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And make believe it came,
I'm gonna make believe it came from you.