Finished at last...my tribute to one of the greatest bands this country has ever produced,The Kinks, with the battling Davies brothers front and centre. With an older Ray looking down on his younger brother (and an older Dave doing likewise) as they "discuss" the bands next move...amid a tattered, but unbowed, Union Jack.
The piece speaks to the wisdom of age looking back at youth's excess and finding it amusing. Perspective gained on the battles of the past and, hopefully, in the process, a healing discovered.
I'm a fan, not a historian, so I cannot claim to speak with authority on the minutiae of the stormy relationship enjoyed/endured by the brothers...but my take on it is this:
The creation of such iconic music is, without a shred of doubt, a turbulent process...with many punches (both real and metaphorical) thrown in the process. Once that music takes flight, however, and reaches the hearts of it's fans...all the rancour disappears. Whatever the suffering that led to it's inception is replaced by pure, unadulterated love in it's affirmation. The clamour for Ray, Dave and Mick to take to the stage again will never go away precisely because of the depth, breadth and strength of that love. The West End smash, Sunny Afternoon, is the only way that fans have of expressing their love for The Kinks as a band...and they are flocking to it in their thousands to do so.
It should come as a surprise to no one, least of all the band themselves, that people who have The Kinks music nestled in their hearts should be desperate for a chance to lift their voices in celebration of it's genius.
Were I to be able to speak directly to the band I would simply say this: All we're are looking for is a chance to say "Thank you for the days..." please give us that opportunity. Not for the cash, or even the glory, but for the sheer love of it.
Thank you for the days...Excelsior out.
Ladies and Gentlemen here is my take on the excellent West End show..."Sunny Afternoon". I've tried to capture the power, emotion and energy of this wonderful show...I'll leave it to others to decide whether or not I've succeeded.
Excelsior out!
Here's the finished linework for my Davies brothers caricature. Colour version to follow soon.
Excelsior out!
Ladies and gents, boys and girls...I give you...the "Sunny Afternoon" linework. All that awaits now is my colouring and...bingo, we're done!
Excelsior Out!
My new offering is made in light of the massive effect "Sunny Afternoon" has had on me. My reinvigorated love of The Kinks has led me to create a caricature portrait of the Davies brothers,this is the pencil rough. The two (in younger incarnations) are fighting amid a tattered Union Jack whilst their older selves look on in wry amusement. That the older Ray stands behind the younger Dave, and vice versa, is a comment on the perspective of age...or not, as the case may be.
My daughter Grace has tickets for she and I to see Ray live, in August, and I cannot wait. His legendary prowess with both word and melody will transport me...I'm sure. Hopefully a reunion of the remaining band members won't be too far away.
Guys, thank YOU for the days.
Excelsior out!
Recently, the West End triumph that is "Sunny Afternoon", captivated my family and I. I've always been a Kinks fan but, experiencing this fantastic show, provided me with a reminder of WHY. The mind-blowing level of talent, passion and energy on display moves the audience to laughter and tears...until finally bringing them, cheering, to their feet.
That being said, I decided to celebrate it with a composite caricature. Above is the first rough pencil layout for the composition.
We're going again in June, cannot wait!!
As long as I gaze at Waterloo Sunset I am in Paradise!!
Excelsior Out!
As regular readers of this site will doubtless know, I am a Newcastle United fan...and have been since 1972. In all that time there have been highs and lows at the club,as there is at many others, but through it all the relationship between the club and the fans has remained rock solid, until today that is.
8 years ago Mike Ashley took over the club with promises of a 5 year plan and restored greatness...3 years beyond that deadline and where are we? Well financially "we've" never been better: debt free (barring the £134m owed to Ashley) and posting profits year on year...hooray. I think the really question is whom is this financial stability benefitting? Us? No, whatever profits are made are not seeing their way into cheaper tickets, better players or the development of the stadium. Unless, of course, you count the painting the Sports Direct logo everywhere and the purchase of a "huge" TV that's not fit for purpose.
Ashley's ownership of Newcastle has increased his business profile and lined his pockets, while allowing him to do the minimum necessary to keep us in the division. The team are a rag tag assortment of de-motivated under-achievers, who look like they's rather be anywhere else but Newcastle; managed by a well-meaning but largely clueless manager. I can't remember a time when there's been less optimism, more divisiveness and less hope at the football club...it's heartbreaking. So here's my shot across the bows, the intent is to mock the man who's mocking us!
To other fans who think it's just same old Geordies always moaning, consider this. Our club has not had any meaningful success for almost 50 Years...think on that! How would you feel had your club the same dismal history. The sound you're hearing on the SJP terraces is the sound of thousands of broken hearts crying out for freedom. And I know because I'm one of them.
Excelsior Toon Army Out!!
