“Shake Rattle and Roll” was one of the first “rock” songs and an antecedent to the term “rock and roll” (both essentially referring to the same thing). Whatever the reference, even with today’s artists, there’s still a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.
Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes (2014):
Video Playlist:
(All rights reserved by the copyright owners. This nonprofit, fan-made video playlist is solely to promote awareness and interest in the artists and the music.)
I originally made this mix several years ago when iPods were new and Razor scooters were the hot toy (hence the illustration). Heavy on British pop (what else is new) with Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters closing it off because it just isn’t Christmas without “Der Bingle.”
Santa Rocks
A Collection of Some of Santa’s Favorite Rockin’ Holiday Tunes!
Video Playlist:
(All rights reserved by the copyright owners. This nonprofit, fan-made video playlist is solely to promote awareness and interest in the artists and the music.)
The idea behind this mix was not to focus so much on traditional country, or even “alt.” country, artists – but rather rock artists doing country(ish) songs or country artists doing covers of rock or pop songs. In other cases I picked the songs because they seemed to me to be examples of contemporary artists using country instruments in an “unconventional” or unexpected way.
[Unconventional] Country Time Mix (2010):
Video Playlist:
(All rights reserved by the copyright owners. This nonprofit, fan-made video playlist is solely to promote awareness and interest in the artists and the music.)
Here are some signs I saw recently on a trip to San Francisco. Lots of interesting typography…
This is a series of six posters I did for the Hecht Co. department stores one summer. They were line drawings done by hand that were filled with color during the silk screen-printing process (not computer illustrations). Happy first day of summer!
I made this CD about fathers for my dad over 10 years ago. Good dads, bad dads and even ones who worry about the effects their son’s driving will have on their drinking habits. Happy Father’s Day to one and all…
Hold Me My Daddy:
Video Playlist:
(All rights reserved by the copyright owners. This nonprofit, fan-made video playlist is solely to promote awareness and interest in the artists and the music.)
(Jim McNamara/The Washington Post) – Massimo Vignelli shows his subway signs proposed for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in 1968. Mr. Vignelli, the celebrated designer, died May 27 at 83.
I find these songs interesting because they take some lightweight, throwaway hits, and recast them in a way that makes them hold up to repeat listening. Or at least give them a completely different sound than their more popular counterparts.
Bubblegum Pop (2006):
Video Playlist:
Original Versions:
(All rights reserved by the copyright owners. This nonprofit, fan-made video playlist is solely to promote awareness and interest in the artists and the music.)
Nothing very profound about this subject. Just a bunch of songs I like (and admittedly some filler) that are about diamonds. Still a couple of “gems” in here…
Diamonds Are Forever (2005):
Video Playlist:
(All rights reserved by the copyright owners. This nonprofit, fan-made video playlist is solely to promote awareness and interest in the artists and the music.)
This illustration and cover design was done for the spring issue of a self-promotional newsletter for West + Associates. It even came with a custom-designed packet of seeds glued to the cover.