EyeSpeech Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Here's a couple shots I snapped of Kenny Burrell signing some of my CD booklets backstage at Yoshi's. Great set when I saw him perform there a few months ago. His musicianship is matched by his personality. Really sweet guy. He signed my booklets for Introducing, Midnight Blue and Blue Lights and seemed shocked that I was bringing him these things to sign. Note the nice Gibson axe on the table behind him. It's difficult to get backstage at Yoshi's Oakland. In fact this was the only time I was successful. I did get lucky and met Stanley Turrentine smoking a cigarette out behind Yoshi's...that was miraculous. I got to tell him how much his music meant to me. He signed several of my CD booklets. That was less than two weeks before he died. Quote
CJ Shearn Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Nice! I was afraid this was going to be an ill health thread. Quote
EyeSpeech Posted February 25, 2011 Author Report Posted February 25, 2011 He seemed to be in good health. Knock wood. Quote
Jim R Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 I don't understand the appeal of autographs (especially multiple CD booklets), but I do understand the appeal of photographs. Thanks for sharing these. Quote
brownie Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Good to see Kenny Burrell in fine shape! He will turn 80 next June! Quote
EyeSpeech Posted February 25, 2011 Author Report Posted February 25, 2011 I don't understand the appeal of autographs (especially multiple CD booklets), but I do understand the appeal of photographs. Thanks for sharing these. When I pull a disc off the shelf that has an autograph, it gives me a memory jolt of watching the artist perform and meeting him. This puts me in a slightly elevated state to hear his music. For example, until I saw Bobby Hutcherson live, I had no clue how much humor and energy he put into his playing. Of course each musician has physical idiosyncrasies, affectations or traits that relate to their music. I don't "get it" without seeing them perform. I believe it's important to listen in that context, and the autograph can help me get there. Also, I believe there is value in meeting an artist after listening to his recordings for most of my life, and telling him face to face that his music means a lot to me. Even though they hear the applause, I think it's nice for some artists to see that they've had an impact on a fan. Quote
marcello Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 I know what you mean, Jim. Here's couple of my photos from '76 or '77: Quote
David Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Marcello, Thanks for sharing -- those are strikingly beautiful! I wish I had the skill to capture such wonderful moments on camera. Quote
Jim R Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 I don't understand the appeal of autographs (especially multiple CD booklets), but I do understand the appeal of photographs. Thanks for sharing these. When I pull a disc off the shelf that has an autograph, it gives me a memory jolt of watching the artist perform and meeting him. This puts me in a slightly elevated state to hear his music. For example, until I saw Bobby Hutcherson live, I had no clue how much humor and energy he put into his playing. Of course each musician has physical idiosyncrasies, affectations or traits that relate to their music. I don't "get it" without seeing them perform. I believe it's important to listen in that context, and the autograph can help me get there. To each their own, I guess. But for the convenience of the artist, couldn't you just ask for one autograph, and pull that one out whenever you're going to listen to a CD by that artist? I could see some artists being put off by being asked for multiple autographs- even if they politely oblige. Also, I believe there is value in meeting an artist after listening to his recordings for most of my life, and telling him face to face that his music means a lot to me. Even though they hear the applause, I think it's nice for some artists to see that they've had an impact on a fan. This I completely understand, and I've had a few of these experiences. I know what you mean, Jim. Here's couple of my photos from '76 or '77: Nicely done, Marcello. Thank you for sharing these. Quote
JSngry Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 I know what you mean, Jim. Here's couple of my photos from '76 or '77: Nice pants! Quote
Shawn Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Nice pants! Approved by Monk and Johnny Griffin. Quote
marcello Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Hey, it was the '70's! Here's a couple more: Quote
JSngry Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Likin' the shoes too, For real. Quote
EyeSpeech Posted February 26, 2011 Author Report Posted February 26, 2011 To each their own, I guess. But for the convenience of the artist, couldn't you just ask for one autograph, and pull that one out whenever you're going to listen to a CD by that artist? I could see some artists being put off by being asked for multiple autographs- even if they politely oblige. It takes just a moment for each signature and the artist is usually happy to do it, to see which of his albums I brought in and have a chat with me too. I'm not pushy about it--if it happens, great. If not, I completely understand. But like I said, I do derive some value from seeing these autographs and the memories they give me as I load a disc in my player. Quote
Jim R Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 To each their own, I guess. But for the convenience of the artist, couldn't you just ask for one autograph, and pull that one out whenever you're going to listen to a CD by that artist? I could see some artists being put off by being asked for multiple autographs- even if they politely oblige. It takes just a moment for each signature and the artist is usually happy to do it, to see which of his albums I brought in and have a chat with me too. I'm not pushy about it--if it happens, great. If not, I completely understand. But like I said, I do derive some value from seeing these autographs and the memories they give me as I load a disc in my player. A gracious person will oblige you, even if they're thinking to themselves: "Why is this guy asking me for three autographs?". That's all I'm saying. Wouldn't one autograph- stored wherever you find it convenient- suffice? Just curious. I'll get off your back now. Quote
EyeSpeech Posted February 27, 2011 Author Report Posted February 27, 2011 No worries...I didn't explain my reasons fully. Years can go by. Then I will decide to pull Blue Lights off the shelf. If the autograph is on Midnight Blue, I wouldn't see it and wouldn't be reminded of the show or of meeting KB. So that's my reason I want all those titles signed. As for the artist, you're right he may think to himself "why can't I just sign one and be done with it?" But more likely he's thinking, "cool, this guy is a fan who took the time and spent the bucks to listen to my music, drove out here tonight to see my show. I'm happy to sign a few things." At least that's the vibe I get when I'm able to meet the artist. Quote
CJ Shearn Posted March 4, 2011 Report Posted March 4, 2011 Whenever I go see Pat Metheny live he's always happy to meet with his fans. Even as tired as he might be he's very happy to chat with fans that have followed his thing for years and his memory is incredible. When I look at the stuff he's signed it brings me right back to that tour or show I saw. His management was trying to get him to leave when he was talking to everyone backstage after Orchestrion in Binghamton. Quote
AllenLowe Posted March 4, 2011 Report Posted March 4, 2011 " I got to tell him how much his music meant to me. He signed several of my CD booklets. That was less than two weeks before he died" AHA! so it was Murder! Quote
EyeSpeech Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Posted March 12, 2011 " I got to tell him how much his music meant to me. He signed several of my CD booklets. That was less than two weeks before he died" AHA! so it was Murder! I would turn myself in. Think he made his way back east and died of a stroke if I remember correctly. Quote
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