ABC's of Style

This was a assignment for the Long Island Voice. Location, ABC Carpet Westbury was arranged by Style reporter Tanya Indiana. Hat by Otis Holly.

A Murder Of Crows

I saw you standing on top of a soapbox
in Washington Square
Someone said you sounded like Diana Ross
when she was Supreme
I'll have to think about that

I saw you crossin' the street
wearin' a shoebox on your head
instead of a hat

I heard you say actions speak louder than birds
and the shortest distance between two points is North

You said in a dream that love scared you
and made you come awake

You were on your soapbox when the rain started
and your eye began to twitch
The crowd sneezed

I'd take you to the ballgame
but its been rained out
even crows can't fly in weather like this

A Spaniard In The Works 66

Two prized possessions bought while in London 1966 are The Beatles Revolver album and John Lennon's A Spaniard In The Works. While staying with my grandparents in Bristol I reworked some of Lennon's artwork into the above collage.

Speakers Corner Hyde Park, London 1966

I took this on a visit to England with my mother. As I remember the speaker was against American involvement in Vietnam.

Grey Gardens

Legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles and his daughters, Rebekah and Sara answered questions in front of a full house at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington last night. The q+a and a book signing followed the screening of the immensely popular Grey Gardens a film made by Albert and his brother David in 1975. I left my camera home but managed to get a few photos with my iPhone.

Right to left Sara, Rebekah and Albert Maysles sign their new book Grey Gardens, Free News Press. A highlight of the night was Sara Maysles reading of Little Edie's letter sent to the New York Times in response to Walter Goodman's critique of Grey Gardens. The original New York Times column and Edie's rebuttal (worth reading!) can be found in a recent Times column by Alix Browne; The Moment, "Grey Gardens / The Perfect Book For The Day". Check out Maysles Institute in links column at right.

Deb and Wally

One of my favorite movies is My Dinner With Andre. Starring and written by Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory. Directed by Louis Malle, for the most part a conversation between two friends over diner. A Criterion two dvd package was released in June. This photo of Wally Shawn and his long time girlfriend Deborah Eisenberg was taken at one of Hofstra Universities "Great Writers, Great Readings" sessions earlier this year. Mrs. Eisenberg read and Mr. Shawn sat in the audience. Deborah Eisenberg's latest book is Twlight of the Superheroes.

Dear Rose

The youtube video is to the right in the links column. I've had some requests for the mp3 file. Here it is. Dear Rose by the Coconuts ©Vincent Casey Kiltumper Songs.

James Brown

Here's a James Brown photo from a show at Bonds in NYC and his take on a Sinatra classic. If you like this you might want to pick up ‘Thinking About Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things’ Released in 1968 on the King record label.

Metal Tiger Eat A Flower

You're a tough huge cat
prowling through the jungle
Feel the strength surge through your limbs
Let out a roar

Your big green eyes see everything
The colors of the jungle, vibrant
like light through a prism

Eat a flower
Smell the rain
Grab the earth and shake it!

© 2009 PhilM400

Woodstock

I didn't make it to Woodstock for the three days of Peace and Love. I was working a weekend shift at an electronics factory in Farmingdale.

This was at Madison Square Garden / The Who.