Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

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THE LEGACY OF FLOYD CRAMER: JASON COLEMAN

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 08:02 PM PST


Floyd Cramer

Just got some great news tonight! My parents just got back from a concert in Alpena, Michigan and loved it! It was called "The Legacy of Floyd Cramer" Featuring Floyd's Grandson Jason Coleman on piano. Jason plays in the famed "Cramer" style. My mother really enjoyed it as she has been a fan of Floyd's since the 50's.

I grew up hearing Floyd Cramer's music, loudly I might add on Saturday afternoons when Mom was cleaning house. My mother has a very eclectic taste in music. She'd play Buddy Morrow's Night Train, Sarah Vaughan and of course tons of other classics. Floyd Cramer's "On the Rebound" was the song I remember her playing most.

As an adult I began revisiting the songs I heard as a little kid and now they are staples on in my vast I Tunes collection. Here is "On The Rebound (live 1965)" with Chet Atkins Tell me you don't do a little chair dance to this tune!



This video of "On The Rebound" is a classic as Floyd is playing alongside the legendary Chet Atkins founder of The Nashville Sound. Bear with the poor screen quality.. the audio is good! Sadly there is not a lot of live performances on Floyd online.


Floyd Cramer 1933-1997

Floyd Cramer passed away December 31, 1997 six months after being diagnosed with cancer. My first thought was how sad.. no one could play piano like Floyd. Who could take his place?

Until... his grandson Jason Coleman began touring with The Legacy of Floyd Cramer. Gratefully Floyd's young grandson studied with his grand dad. So Floyd's music lives on for new generations.

From HillbillyMusic.Com

Floyd Cramer

It's a rare musician who perfects a signature style on his instrument, a sound so uniquely his that it becomes instantly identifiable and widely imitated. With a professional career spanning almost 50 years, Floyd Cramer was such a rare and gifted musician, his patented note-slurring piano style is just such a sound.



Exemplified by his moody 1960 instrumental smash hit, "Last Date," Cramer's signature sound harkens back to old time country fiddle players who added excitement to their music by sliding into the proper note of a melody from a half-step off. "It's an intentional mistake, but with a quick recovery," explained Cramer.




In the mid-1950s, pioneers of the pedal steel guitar enlarged on the technique.
Cramer was already one of the most popular studio and touring musicians in Nashville's country music industry by 1959, the year he translated the fiddle/steel guitar technique to piano.

It instantly became "the Floyd Cramer style," a timeless technique that lends emotional coloration to any melody and remained his musical calling card ever since.


The soft spoken instrumentalist was born on October 27, 1933, in Shreveport, Louisiana, but raised in Huttig, Arkansas, a tiny sawmill town.

His interest in music emerged early, and his parents bought Cramer his first piano when he was only five y ears old. Never much for formal training or extensive practice drills, Cramer soon realized he had an innate gift for playing by ear.




Jason Floyd Coleman
was born in Nashville, Tennessee on April 2, 1985. Blessed with talent inherited from his maternal grandfather, legendary keyboardist Floyd Cramer, he has played the piano since he was barely able to reach the keys.

Over time, Jason's playing style has progressed and matured into an uncanny reflection of the signature stylings of his Grand dad, and he currently enjoys entertaining audiences by giving new life to Floyd's beloved music.

At age five, he began taking piano lessons and continued for the next eight years. Though this formal training was important to his musical development and complemented his innate ability to play by ear.


Floyd Cramer and Jason Coleman

Throughout his school-age years, he was constantly involved in church musicals and school choirs as both a vocalist and accompanist. After high school, Jason continued his studies at the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville. In May 2006, he graduated Magna Cum Laude, at the age of 21.



Jason began to follow in his grandfather's footsteps at an early age, singing when he was only two years old on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry at one of Floyd's concerts. He performed twice with Floyd on national TV: at age four, he sang while Floyd played on "Nashville Now," hosted by Ralph Emery; and as a nine-year-old, he played a memorable Christmas piano duet with his Grandad on "Music City Tonight," hosted by Lorriane Crook and Crystal Gayle.



As a solo artist, Jason has been featured in a number of local and regional concerts, festivals, and radio shows in recent years, and he has also performed for countless benefit concerts, receptions, and other events in and around Nashville.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of Jason's burgeoning musical career occurred in May 2004, when he was given the honor of playing for the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony recognizing Floyd's induction. It was an unforgettable performance with Jimmy Capps and the Opry Band, Hank Locklin, and Maura O'Connell, all in heartfelt tribute to his Grand dad's life and legacy.

Thank you Mom and Jason! Oh yes and thank you Mr. Cramer RIP

BIBA BOUTIQUE: BARBARA HULANICKI LONDON 1964

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 06:31 AM PST



Last night I was teaching 2 clients on the basics of web design and photoshop. They casually mentioned Biba and Barbara Hulanicki. Honestly I did not even know the name Biba! How did I miss this one? Unbelievable...


Barbara Hulanicki

This morning early I began researching this fantastic entrepreneurial powerhouse fashion designer Barbara Hulanicki. What a story! Barbara came from a humble roots and built an empire with her passion for fashion. What I really love about Barbara is she seemed almost psychic with her choices and didn't keep up with trends, she invented them! Barbara should be a household name like Mary Quant.


The First Biba Location

Barbara Hulanicki opened the legendary Biba boutique in London in 1964. Biba stocked the "total look" in which shoes, tights, and other accessories coordinated with the clothes. Biba clothing was extremely inexpensive, which made her a big hit with young women.

Barbara Hulanicki was exasperated by the disastrous street fashion in England, her husband Fitz encouraged her to design her own clothing. Biba was born and eventually expanded into a five story art deco building, filled with rock stars and the celebrities of the 60's.


Biba Empire

Biba was a lifestyle, a total look, which housed everything from clothes and make up and much more. Her third location was a large Department Store on Kensington High St. Big Biba, became the ultimate hang out for artists, musicians and the mod scene, the Rolling Stones,David and Angela Bowie, Marianne Faithfull, Julie Christie and Twiggy were just a few celebrity devotees.

Suzi Quatro filmed a video featuring Biba. Check it out!



In the nineties Barbara arrived in Miami Beach where she designed interiors for Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones and Chris Blackwell's Boutique Hotel Group. She is credited with the resurrection of Miami Beach's crumbling Art Deco district.


Barbara Hulanicki

Today she has delved back into the fashion world, designing for Coccinelle, Habitat, Graham and Brown and a clothing range for a top British Retailer.



Barbara designed for Barbie (of course)! In the fab styles of the 1960's and she along with many famed designers such as Emilio Pucci, Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior,and Yves St Laurent created the fantastic look for the original Barbies. Ruth Handler and Mattel had the marvelous idea to get hip fashion designers to dress my favorite doll. Read More on the Topic

Her earlier designs reflected the youthful styles of the Mod movement, but by the late Sixties, her designs changed to the nostalgic 1930s look, with midi and maxi hemlines.


From A to Biba

Barbara Hulanicki tells the story of the rise and fall of Biba the tiny, fashion boutique that grew into a vast iconic brand that epitomized Swinging London in the 60's and beyond.

The Biba store was to became the home of hip 60s and 70s London. But in the early 1970s Hulanicki and her husband Stephen Fitz-Simon lost control after a series of bitter boardroom struggles and for Barbara, Biba was lost. This lively autobiography evokes the adventurous spirit of the 1960s and describes Barbara's amazing life and career.

Resources

Barbara Hulanicki Design
Official Barbara Hulanicki Bio
Barbie Fashion

Related Posts on RK
London Fashion Photography
In a Barbie World
The Fool Design Collective
Mary Quant and The Mini Skirt

Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Adidas Kegler Super trainers return in two colour options

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 01:55 PM PST

Kegler1

One of more distinctive Adidas reissues, the Adidas Kegler Super trainers have been reissued with a twist in a numbered edition by Hanon, but we much prefer these cleaner reissues of the early 80s classic.

Lovers of chunky kicks need only apply, as well as lovers of the distinctive 'peg' system on the sole. Two issues are available, both in white leather with a suede toe bumper covering the midsole and outside, but there's a choice of detailing between orange and yellow - one pictured above, the other over the page. Kegler branding is of course printed onto the side.

Want a pair? £59.99 gets you a pair.

Find out more at the Size? website

Kegler2

eBay watch: 1972 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 11:45 AM PST

Karmann

It's a classic shape - and if you like the colours yellow and black, this Volkswagen Karmann Ghia might be for you.

Dating back to 1972, it's a right hand drive model, MOT'd until June 2011, with leather upholstery, original carpet and door panels having been 'renewed'. That colour, by the way is original, albeit resprayed back to its original colour. The 1600cc engine is said to work fine too.

Right now it's at £2,500. Not perfect for the current weather, but come the spring, you might just be glad you invested in it.

Find out more at the eBay website

Eclectic Chair Bespoke Upholstery

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 07:50 AM PST

Suzanichair120908(1) 
The delightfully named Eclectic Chair is upholstery expert, Heather Linnitt, who offers a revamping service that will give a new lease of life to tired old chairs, sofas and footstools.

Heather loves 50s and 60s furniture, vintage fabric, Orla Kiely and Paul Smith designs, so loves to incorporate these inspirations into her upholstery projects. She is based in Leeds, so offers her services anywhere in Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, although will consider work from elsewhere. Prices start from £40 for a simple recover of a drop in seat dining chair, up to £1000 for a large sofa, but in the first instance, she asks people to drop her line with a photograph of the piece of furniture and from there she will help you find the ideal covering for it.

For more information including photographs of other pieces she has done, visit the Eclectic Chair website.

CLC Living Designs at reduced prices at ACHICA

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 06:54 AM PST

UJChestDrawers_NS_2037_1 
There seems to be a growing number of websites offering big discounts to registered customers. As well as Dotmaison's Group Buy scheme and Made, ACHICA offers luxury brands at low prices exclusively for its members, which this week includes iconic designs from CLC Living, such as this Union Jack Chest of Drawers.

The chest is design in the classic French style, and finished with a Union Jack pattern with an antique finish. I've seen similar products, but what is special here is the price – reduced from £645 to £299 if you register (its free) and order soon.

For details of how to sign up and buy this and other CLC designs at bargain prices, visit the ACHICA website.

Darling Clementine Christmas Collections Card set

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 05:31 AM PST

Darling Clementine cards
We've featured many of the fun 1970s style Darling Clementine designs before. For their Christmas Collections Card set, they seem to have looked a bit further back in time for inspiration.

The set of six designs are influenced by vintage cards. Each card has a classic Christmas motif - the sweets, the baubles, the sleigh - all topped off with a greeting executed in a 50s font and added gold spray for that festive shimmer. 

A set of the cards costs $21. 

Buy them online

 

Paris Fashion coat racks from Dotcomgiftshop

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 05:22 AM PST

Coat rack
Add some French chic to your coat racks with these Paris Fashion coat racks available from the Dotcomgiftshop.

They're made from a very simple wooden plaque with metal coat hooks. The 'Paris fashion' description relates to the panel in the centre of each plaque. These feature 1950s-style fashion illustrations, showing mannequins, frocks and accessories. Available in red, yellow or blue, each colour of coat rack features a different design. The wood has also been given a distressed look to match the vintage style of the illustrations.

Each coat rack costs £12.95. 

Buy them online

 

1940s-inspired Wilderness mountain parka by Heritage Research

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 01:17 AM PST

Heritage

Heritage Research has a knack of finding vintage styles and re-inventing them for a modern audience, but it has certainly excelled itself with this Wilderness mountain parka.

It's based on a 1940s mountain parka, made from 'the finest' Fox Brothers green and black Herringbone wool, with added detailing including a fitted peaked hood with rope cord and leather adjusters, button and concealed zip fastening, a leather bound edge, English horn buttons and a Swiss military grade Riri zip. There are also four front pockets plus adjustable buttoned cuffs, a drawstring hem and Navajo pattern fleece lining.

All of that will set you back £315.

Find out more at the Coggles website

Via His Knibs

Royal Mail to introduce FAB: The Genius of Gerry Anderson stamps in early 2011

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 12:53 AM PST

Thunderbirds

Not just any old retro stamp issue, FAB: The Genius of Gerry Anderson stamps also feature action sequences that work with a flick of the wrist.

Buty let's start with the stamps. The basic set features six landscape stamps featuring all of Gerry Anderson's Supermarionation TV shows from the 1960s - Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and Joe 90. Plenty of presentation packs as you would imagine, all with their own added extras. But we like the one with a special pull-out four-page comic, which tells the story of the creation of the Thunderbirds through the illustrations of original TV21 comic artist, Gerry Embleton. Nice.

But it's not the star of the show. As part of the issue, there's also a miniature sheet is made up of four new stamps featuring Thunderbirds 1 to 4. The sheet is printed using 'microlenticular technology' so that when tilted the stamps show each vehicle's launch sequence. Now that's got to be impressive for your post.

All will be available and from larger Post Office branches from 11th January 2011 from...well...the price of a stamp.

Royal Mail website

Via Creative Review

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