Every Picture Tells A Story

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Photographs and Stories of The Greats by Jane Shirek

There are ghosts inside Capitol Records. Photographs of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Judy Garland, The Beatles, The Beach Boys...adorn the walls. If you listen closely you can hear their music and magic that was created in this place.

Today I’m here to photograph an artist whose time is now, Melody Gardot.

I was introduced to Melody by the great Creative Director of Verve Records, Hollis King. He thought we would have a connection, and as usual Hollis was right.

During many long phone conversations by phone I learned about her accident, her long hospital recovery and the miracle of the music therapy that brought her to this place today. We covered everything, from philosophy, her vertigo that requires her to use a cane, her sensitivity to light, her musical influences, all forms of art, and the way the light falls on the rocks at Venice Beach. I feel like I’ve known her for a thousand years, yet this is the first time we meet in person.

She transcends time and space. Her manners, her glamour, her style is reminiscent of great era’s of the past, yet she is a ‘Modern Day Dame.’ Light and warmth emanate from her as she introduces me and my assistant around to Larry Klien the legendary music producer, Vince Mendoza the amazing Orchestra Conductor and the other talented humans assembled here to create her album.

Goose bumps run up and down my arms each time Melody sings. With each photograph I have no doubt I’m recording a visual history of great art being made.

Long after we are gone, this music and these photographs will live on.

Every Picture Tells A Story

Melody Gardot

Saturday, May 14, 2011

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zingertales and more: LEMON DROP LIVES!

zingertales and more: LEMON DROP LIVES!