Polly Chandler!

We LOVE Polly Chandler.
See some of her newer work here.
See it here.

New B&W from David Deal

We've always loved David Deal's work. He's known for shooting powerful magazine and other portraits w/ a 4x5" view camera. Here's some of his recent B&W work:
See it here.

Ray Manzarek, R.I.P.

Sad news today; Ray Manzarek, Doors co-founder, keyboardist (and bassist) has died at 74.

I had the good fortune to work with Ray on all of his projects over the course of 5-6 years.

Ray was a great guy:

Funny, talented, smart, cultured, educated, charming, friendly, good natured & generous.

He was, of course, wealthy and enjoyed taking people out for nice meals; sometimes large groups of people. 

He and his wonderful wife Dorothy loved coming to NYC (I booked him on the NBC Letterman show during one visit --  he was nearly bumped). They loved the museums and culture of NY.

I spent a fair amount of time with Ray and Dorothy, given that they lived in LA and I was in NYC. We got together every time they came to NYC (which was often). 

They didn't have to do that, but they did. 

I thought it was very, very cool then that we always got together socially and had a fun time, and I think that even more so now.

Ray had not one ounce of star attitude. He was proud of what he had accomplished, and liked to be recognized for those accomplishments, but he was one of the nicest, most remarkbly unaffected and down-to-earth people I've ever known.

Ray and Dorothy were always extremely nice to me, treating me like a good friend and an equal. They always seemed genuinely glad to see me. I was certainly always glad to see them -- it was a highlight of my life at the time.

We went to the Oyster Bar at Grand Central one weekend, looking forward to a wonderful seafood meal in a classic NYC setting; none of us -- just the three of us this time -- knew that the Oyster Bar was not open on wknds. then.

I particularly remember a meeting w/ the Manzarek's at their home near the Hollywood sign. A big white piano sat at the center of their living room, surrounded by big windows.

Ray was a very cool guy, and an important figure in rock history. A great musician, arranger, songwriter. 

We're quite shocked and sad that he is gone.

(If I recall correctly, I first met Ray when he was rehearsing with Iggy Pop at the Wonderland Avenue Los Angeles home he used as a rehearsal space, and where Danny Sugerman was also living. A memorable encounter w/ Iggy, for several reasons, but that's another story.) 

Garry Winogrand

See it here.

AMAZING "PARADE OF TRAINS" THIS WKND IN NYC

WANT TO FEEL LIKE CARY GRANT OR EVA MARIE SAINT IN NXNW THIS WKND? 

THE 20TH CENTURY LIMITED IS BACK, THIS SAT. AND SUNDAY AT GCT IN NYC.

THE FAMED "20TH CENTURY LIMITED" RED CARPET WAS ROLLED OUT TODAY IN GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL AS THE "PARADE OF TRAINS" CENTENNIAL EVENT PREPPED FOR OPENING TOMORROW, SAT. MAY 11, 2013. THE EVENT RUNS SAT. AND SUNDAY, 10AM-4PM. 

WE WENT TO A PREVIEW TODAY. IT WAS AMAZING - WE THINK THE PHOTOS, BELOW, SAY IT ALL (SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN FOR COMPLETE EVENT INFO):

HISTORIC TRAINS FROM ACROSS THE NATION

COME TO GRAND CENTRAL THIS MAY

Public Can View the World’s Most Famous Trains, the Newest Rail Cars and Other Special Railroad Equipment during “Grand Centennial Parade of Trains” Weekend.

Kid-friendly activities and the Terminal’s first model train and railroad collectibles event anchor the weekend.

NEW YORK CITY, April 9, 2013 – An extraordinary assembly of historic train cars spanning the heyday of luxury rail travel, as well as the latest in railroad technology, will be on display together for the first time in the free and family-friendly “Grand Centennial Parade of Trains” weekend May 11-12, 2013. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, as part of Grand Central Terminal’s ongoing Centennial celebration.

The “Parade of Trains” arrangement of historical railroad equipment comprises the largest and most diverse collection of privately owned train cars ever assembled in Grand Central Terminal. The event also includes Grand Central’s first model train show and “Railroadiana” antiques and collectibles event, with a variety of retailers and regional railroading museums lining part of Vanderbilt Hall, offering sales and hosting exhibits of unique railroad and train-related items.

The historic train cars, including an observation car from the iconic 20^th Century Limited – arguably the most famous train in the world – will come from across the country to Grand Central Terminal. Accompanying the private train cars will be a number of cars from Metro-North Railroad’s collection, including the newest in the Metro-North fleet, the M8 commuter car that was introduced in 2011, and cars from predecessor railroads serving the New York region. While many of these trains traveled into and out of Grand Central, several are making their debut appearance at the Terminal.

In addition, an area of Vanderbilt Hall will be transformed into “Kid Junction,” which will be full of free activities for children and families to enjoy, including an activity area and a modular train display from the “Chuggington” animated train series (seen on the “Disney Junior” channel), demonstrations with a Master Builder from the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, and creative activities led by New York Transit Museum staff and The New York Botanical Garden. Metro-North employees will staff departmental demonstrations, where families can learn how many functions support a smooth-running railroad.

In conjunction with the “Grand Centennial Parade of Trains,” many of Grand Central Terminal’s retail tenants will offer special deals and promotions on May 11 and 12. An updated list of specials will be posted on www.grandcentralterminal.com. These offers are good while supplies last and are subject to change.

“Grand Central is one of the most iconic and active Terminals in the world, so it’s only fitting that we bring together here more than a dozen elegant and luxurious train cars for our Centennial year,” said MTA Metro-North Railroad President Howard Permut. Randall Fleischer, Co-Director of the Centennial and Vice President of Grand Central Terminal and Corporate Development for MTA Metro-North Railroad, added “The Centennial Parade of Trains weekend will showcase the famous trains that helped put the ‘Grand’ in Grand Central Terminal, and that now reflect its rich national legacy.”

Among the historic cars to be featured in “Parade of Trains”:

·         The 20^th Century Limited “Hickory Creek” – Built in 1948 by Pullman Standard, this sleeper-observation lounge car was part of the New York Central Railroad’s 20^th Century Limited, which is widely considered the most famous train in the world. The 20^th Century departed daily from Grand Central Terminal and was synonymous with first-class service, speed and comfort. With Hickory Creek as a backdrop, the 20^th Century was christened at Grand Central in 1948 by Dwight Eisenhower and actress Bea Lillie, with a champagne bottle filled with water from the Hudson River, Lake Erie, and Lake Michigan, symbolizing the railroad’s “Water Level Route.”

·         Montana – The Montana was built in the Milwaukee Road shops as a tap lounge for the streamlined 1947 Olympian Hiawatha, which ran between Chicago and Tacoma/Seattle. The car was retired from regular assignments in 1955 and converted to a business car. Later, it was leased to the Wisconsin Central and then operated on steam excursions. It’s now in private ownership.

·         Vista Valley – The sleeper-observation lounge car Vista Valley was commissioned by the Santa Fe Railway to upgrade its flagship Super Chief train in 1947. It primarily served the West Coast and hosted many traveling movie stars and VIPs in its day. Retired in 1971 and subsequently sold into private ownership, Vista Valley’s interior remains intact and appears today as it was created for the Santa Fe.

·         FL-9 Locomotive – Unique to the New York, New Haven and Hartford lines (and eventually operated by Metro-North), these dual-power locomotives were designed specifically for operation into Grand Central. Essentially diesel-electrics, they could pick up power from the electrified third rail when operating through the tunnel into the Terminal, thus eliminating exhaust fumes. The Electro-Motive Division of General Motors built these locomotives from 1956 to 1960.

·         Phoebe Snow Cars –These cars were built in 1949 as tavern-lounge observation cars for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western’s Phoebe Snow train. The train was named for a promotional character who always wore white clothes to promote its clean-burning coal fuel; with these cars, it ran between Hoboken and Buffalo and later, under the auspices of the Erie Lackawanna railroad, to Chicago. These cars currently serve as MTA Metro-North Railroad’s two inspection cars.

·         MTA Metro-North’s M8 – This contemporary car is the newest equipment used by Metro-North Railroad in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The M8s debuted in early 2011 and are the most technologically advanced commuter cars in the country. Customer comfort and experience is enhanced with roomier seats, larger windows, better lighting, and more advanced communication options than previous cars. The vibrant red color echoes the historic colors of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, a predecessor to Metro-North.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Full details on the “Grand Centennial Parade of Trains” and related retail deals, as well as other Centennial-year activities are available at www.grandcentralterminal.com. Information and updates are also available on social media, including Facebook (facebook.com/GrandCentralTerminal) and Twitter (@GrandCentralNYC and #GCT100).  Note: Fleet equipment on display is subject to change.

ABOUT GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL

MTA Metro-North Railroad is the steward of Grand Central Terminal, which stands as one of America’s greatest transportation hubs and one of New York City’s most iconic buildings. It is both a national landmark and an international example of the success that can be achieved giving new life to a historic building that otherwise may have been destroyed. Over the course of a colorful and vibrant 100-year history, Grand Central has gone from being among the 20^th Century’s most significant start and end points for long-distance rail travel, to being the flagship home of MTA Metro-North Railroad and a global destination for commuters, tourists and residents alike.  The Grand Central “brand” reflects the remarkable caliber of services in the Terminal, including boutique restaurants and cocktail lounges, a gourmet market, and many specialty shops.  It draws more than 750,000 national and international visitors each day and wows them with its varied offerings and tour programs.  Storied Vanderbilt Hall, once the waiting room for long-distance travelers, is among the most-desired public event spaces in the city.

Eichler Homes Documentary

Ever fantasize about living in an Eichler California-modern home, like the young Steve Jobs?

They are cool.

Here's a good, good-looking 47-minute documentary about Eichler homes. 

Nice.

See it here.

Evoking Eggleston, Shore: "Rockford Files" in HD

"Shots that evoke Stephen Shore or William Eggleston color photos... Sopranos creator David Chase was a writer/show runner; You can  clearly see his Mafia obsession/Sopranos foreshadowing in some episodes. "

An unexpected visual treat via Netflix streaming: The Rockford Files in (4:3) HD.

We kind of liked the show; in the days before the quality-TV revolution, it was a bit different.

In HD (but in standard, "square" 4:3 TV format) it is an old school visual feast:  Shots evoke Stephen Shore or William Eggleston color photos. 

(If it wasn't in HD, we'd likely not be too interested. This old-school TV show, shot mostly on location and seen in crisp HD, is quite nice eye candy.)

LA in the mid-seventies, a real time capsule; cars the size of yachts (except for Rockford). 

His dirty old trailer, muddied up gloriously by the art department, back in a time when one could imagine a PI living in an old, eyesore trailer hard by the beautiful Malibu beachfront, when it wouldn't have taken all day to drive from Malibu to Hollywood.

And not just that: 

in Pt. 1 of the pilot, Rockford ducks into the Mayfair Theater (now shuttered but still standing in Santa Monica). 

It'd been gloriously restored and was, in real life, a... wait for it... 

...English Music Hall, for about eight years. 

We see the beautiful interior and the acrobatic and animal acts performing, and it's like we walked off of Santa Monica Blvd. and right into Hitchcock's The 39 Steps.

The show is pretty decent; best when absurdly funny.

And Sopranos creator David Chase was a young writer/show runner. You can clearly see his Mafia obsession/Sopranos foreshadowing in some of these episodes. 

(The Rockford Files; 118 episodes, 1974-1980, Netflix streaming)

The photography of master darkroom printer/teacher Sid Kaplan.

The photography of master darkroom printer/teacher Sid Kaplan. Nice:
See it here.