Random “Q”sings: George Bedard, Wendy Smith, Shania Twain

Well, the day is finally here! July 10 is the official release date of George Bedard’s new CD “Pickin’ Apart the Past! The opportunity for you to get your hands on the brand new disc occurs when George and The Kingpins, as well as other special guests, conclude the Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s Top of the Park Series. These guests include Steve Nardella, as well as Mark O’Boyle, Carl Hildebrandt and Brian Delaney – all artists who play on the new CD. I will be attending and I’m looking forward to it!

QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

George Bedard: Pickin' Apart the Past

Cover for George Bedard new CD courtesy of George Bedard

Let me step back for a second and discuss something that is currently burning a hole in my brain, and interestingly enough this time, it’s NOT music. It’s the cover photo for “Pickin’ Apart the Past” shot by Wendy Smith. When I first got my hands on the CD, I, of course, was immediately drawn to the music because that’s where my interest lies. I wanted to hear the tunes and I couldn’t hear them quickly enough. Then, I was all over the liner notes – which are GREAT, written by George himself! But even as I was doing those things, I kept being pulled back to the cover artwork. It’s kind of an “eerie” picture. George is sitting in a graveyard-yes, a graveyard, on a headstone, playing his guitar. It is primarily a stark black and white photo. Bedard is in the foreground and most of the background is out of focus. It is as if George went to the cemetery to conjure up the spirits from the past that had inspired him for his new album. Even he is in black and white, perhaps symbolizing that one day in the distant future, he himself will also become one of the “past masters” that he so admires.

There is a “burst” of color in the photo. The only thing that is “alive” in the picture is George’s guitar. George isn’t in color because he is just a conduit between the “past masters” and his guitar that he uses to bring this outstanding music to you, the listener! Also, as a conduit, he has to bring the music to you because he can’t help himself.

In an age when music appears to not have any intrinsic value whatsoever and doesn’t have a very long shelf life, and therefore the artwork that accompanies the music usually has even less value, this is a CD cover that is on a par with the music on the disc. It is the best cover I have seen in years! It is a brilliant piece of art. Thank you, Wendy, for such a beautiful picture. (Apparently, you were a conduit, too!)

QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

I am delighted to see that Shania Twain is back making music. Her new song “Today Is Your Day” is starting to get some attention. The song is only a slow shuffling collection of platitudes and clichés, but I am so happy to have her back from her self imposed exile that I’ll give her a pass this time. Welcome back, Shania! You’ve been missed!

Until next time, take care of yourself, and take care of each other!

Peace!

Q

This entry was posted in Music "Q"sings, Random Thoughts and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Random “Q”sings: George Bedard, Wendy Smith, Shania Twain

Leave a Reply