jayward33.blog-city.com
THE NIGHTS OF MAGIC
posted Saturday, 9 August 2008
DUKE ROBILLARD
at the Yale
September 1992
JWL
copyright 01/09/1992
all rights reserved
THE NIGHTS OF MAGIC
There were those nights when the magical energy of the artists was projected and then reflected by the audience making a closed loop of emotion and joy. Usually when I was photographing I was rarely aware of the music because I so focussed on getting the best possible shot, but on the magic nights even I could not ignore the music.
The night that Duke Robbillard played the Yale was one of those nights. The Fabulous Thunderbirds had broken up when Jimmy Vaughan went to play in Stevie Ray's band. Duke was doing his solo act with a drummer and bass. I made the photographs and went upstairs and developed the film and while waiting for it to dry decided to go get something to eat. When I came down stairs Duke was starting his third set and the music drew me in and I listened and watched two sets of the most inspired guitar work it had ever been my privilege to hear.
I photographed a lot of artists but the magic happened very seldom. People like Roy Rogers, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Miles, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Lowell Fulson, John Hammond jnr., and our own Jim Byrnes always delivered and got me to stay for the show after I had finished photographing. But, truthfully, the magic didn't happen otherwise for me until I saw the images coming up in the developing tray. The music was the hook but photography was the line and sinker and the catching net.
La Dolce Vita.
Ciao. JWL
There were those nights when the magical energy of the artists was projected and then reflected by the audience making a closed loop of emotion and joy. Usually when I was photographing I was rarely aware of the music because I so focussed on getting the best possible shot, but on the magic nights even I could not ignore the music.
The night that Duke Robbillard played the Yale was one of those nights. The Fabulous Thunderbirds had broken up when Jimmy Vaughan went to play in Stevie Ray's band. Duke was doing his solo act with a drummer and bass. I made the photographs and went upstairs and developed the film and while waiting for it to dry decided to go get something to eat. When I came down stairs Duke was starting his third set and the music drew me in and I listened and watched two sets of the most inspired guitar work it had ever been my privilege to hear.
I photographed a lot of artists but the magic happened very seldom. People like Roy Rogers, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Miles, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Lowell Fulson, John Hammond jnr., and our own Jim Byrnes always delivered and got me to stay for the show after I had finished photographing. But, truthfully, the magic didn't happen otherwise for me until I saw the images coming up in the developing tray. The music was the hook but photography was the line and sinker and the catching net.
La Dolce Vita.
Ciao. JWL
1. BILLY WILLBOND left...
Sunday, 10 August 2008 12:06 am :: http://iwvpa.net/willbondwha
Talent like yours thank God it endures - you captured the scene and your
words in between explain what you mean - I see the pictures and read the
words and the music seeps through and is mentally heard - genius genius my
friend absolute genius - be well billy
2. Suzanne left...
Sunday, 10 August 2008 10:00 am
It is the magic of the exceptionally talented that feeds us on all levels.
For me, after I do a shoot, I listen and watch. I replay the gig over and
over in my mind after it is long gone. Otherwise, there are so many
variables going on when I'm looking for that particular expression, from
the soul, while the artist is delivering the tune. John, we shoot from
different perspectives but our goal is similar. You are treasure! Have a
great day, my dear friend.......Sue