Paul Simon and Accordion Jive • David Byrne is funny • Highway Litter • Real Estate Developer as Influencer • Dirty South + Brass Bands • NY Knicks Logotype
A small insight about a famous Paul Simon song. The bass line in Paul Simon’s You Can Call Me Al was improvised by bassist Bakhiti Kumalo. In the control room, the engineer reversed the notes, from descending to ascending. And that is the sound heard on the record.
Graceland was famously inspired by a bootleg tape called Gum Boots No. 2: Accordion Jive Hits. It’s basically impossible to find (why??), but here’s a representative track from Joseph Mazibuko.
Meal planning and practice. Every Sunday, I spend time making a small illustration and planning out the meals for the week. It’s practical — thinking through meals economizes preparation. But it’s also practice — doing an illustration is like doing reps and helps flex the visual brain. Maybe this is excessive, but I enjoy it. And the kids like to join me. Occasionally.
Skyscraper Developer as Cultural Influencer. Known as Skyscraper Guy, midwest-based Tom Liravongsa is doing something different with the concept of a real estate developer. His revisionist take combines community experiment, media influencer, and architectural preservationist. Communities and developers are often at odds. Skyscraper guy is inviting Chicago to participate and building out a great narrative in the process. “We’re not just restoring a building, we’re redefining humanity’s relationship to the skyscraper.” That’s different.
Something interesting about the NY Knicks Logo. Having grown up with this logo, I never really thought about its genesis. Seems like a logo that just naturally appeared. But of course, there’s a designer behind it. Michael Doret is an American letterist, who has worked on an extensive range of projects. In addition to NBA logos, he designed covers for Kiss, the logotype for Zootopia and a poster for Simon & Garfunkel’s famous central park concert.
Urban design topic that few people find interesting — roadside litter. “Last year, IDOT spent approximately $33.2 million statewide picking up litter, sweeping shoulders and removing large debris.” Yes, there are fines, but I find it hard to believe anyone is ever caught and prosecuted. What’s the cultural influence that could actually work? I don’t think it’s youtube video with less than 20 views.
David Byrne lyric of the week
“Read the T-shirt, but I still don’t understand.” From Tiny Apocalypse, 2004
Let’s wrap it up with this New Orleans Brass Band / Dirty South mashup. Lines flow like a river’s turbulence. Which makes it hard to sit still while listening. Drop the needle at 1:37 and hold on to your floatation device. I love this track. New Orleans Girl, by Rebirth Brass Band, Cheeky Blakk, PJ Morton.
→ Michael Neault • Milan • edited while waiting in line at passport control