Reviews

Yes I will Whitney, but . . .

Source: Ben Rayman for the Art-to-Art Palette

There are a few quotes I found hurriedly handwritten amongst my many piles that I cannot attribute the authorship to: “You know that you are in love when the hardest thing to do is say good-bye” and “A true lover always feels in debt to the one he loves.” These are two of my “partners” in this decision process, an assessment route I take, in this type of forum, that also coincides with a Yiddish statement I have held onto for years, “Dear God: You do such wonderful things for complete strangers; why not for me?”

I am sure my assessment of rightful vocal ownership will have many in agreement with me; in fact, visually the word awesome, even though of its freely use today for description, would not even come close to conveying the impact I feel each time I watch her and her “bodyguard” in final action. However, I cannot take a total bias or disenfranchise the original song’s author because if it was not for Dolly Parton; I could not be taking this stance for my chosen.

Knowing why the song was written and mainly whom it is directed to, no doubt in my mind on why Dolly Parton’s, “I Will Always Love You” has factually left its mark on the country charts with massive public appeal acceptance, to the point of topping the charts not once, but a total of three each time it made another Parton debut.

On the other hand, my two-cents worth has nothing to do with the numbers or whether or not a preference for country or pop, including all the other classifications, as well as instrumental, such as Kenny G. It also has nothing to do with voice because I found I could not, just couldn’t, choose by this factor alone. Both were viewed in film and solo performance, and even the different places as well as the other leading men, Kevin or Burt, chosen to play Porter, could not add more strength in my final decision.

For me this is a case of originality and what I would voice as a Turner Classic Movie, being “It is a Wonderful Life” or even the wheel. They cannot be reinvented, however “modernized” to appeal to another generation, another class location, or even in this case another person’s choice of musical preference of delivery. Notably Whitney Houston’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You” did reinvent Dolly Parton’s “wheel” and I strongly believe it did create its own original. I find it so compelling with a strength that gives me the feeling I could move mountains, but a classic never loses its first place spot in historical research. Why? Well, another of my “co-partners” said it all when it deals with the matters of the heart. “Love that we cannot have is the one that lasts the longest, hurts the deepest and feels the strongest.” I remain confident Mr. Wagoner would support me in my decision today if he could, and I am completely with the assurance that Dolly’s “stranger” is in agreement.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo Buscaglia

Simon’s ‘Dream’ is history in the making

Source: Ben Rayman for the Art-to-Art Palette

It has been said many of times and in many ways, but I remain completely confident we never forget our first loves; those which become so deep-rooted in the fabric of our self--we just can let them go, regardless where we are in our so-far life travels. For me and to this day, Barbra Streisand’s voice and her movies have been the mortar by which I access professional performing greatness. With her joins another artist, one huge talent that makes the ivories sing with acoustical greatness, for Peter Nero’s music is a constant “Summer of 42” reminder on why-well one of the whys, I said I Do. Now I can add another to my list. I find her voice is timeless and when she belts “Amazing Grace” – my ears records an oratorical masterpiece that overwhelms and places me in a state of peace, an under siege calmness, an unconditional surrender to perfection. The voice of Susan Boyle on her album, “I Dreamed A Dream” audiologically illustrates her human endowment, and thusly as well as later in her life, being recognized for being born to greatness. The only question I have for Sony Music is: When does the movie come out?

A film that will bring you more insight on not only art, but also relationships that are thriving to expand and those hovering to give up, however like a breath of fresh air - your mind will recognize the differences between the inexperienced and the experienced with both enabling one another to soar to career heights.

The color of experience

Source: Ben Rayman for the Art-to-Art Palette

George Gallo’s film, “Local Color” has taken the word riveting and has successfully raised its meaning to a new charted height, for this film has opened my eyes more, and has given me the return opportunity to recall the powerful direction I received from my first mentor.

The film truly drives home its message of never giving up on one’s dreams, but more than the latter, to make that road not taken beyond a destiny; moreover, a journey that quenches the soul from acquiring newfound knowledge “...fighting to get out…”

I can guarantee you whether you are “...two inches or 10 feet back” from your viewing screen, Gallo’s “Local Color” will create a link to that one special person in your life. Be prepared for an ocean of onslaught of emotions because the film’s entire acting and production cast merges color and composition in a way that viewer just can’t let go.

On the language side, I found its restricted rating right on; in fact, somewhat sickening because too much of it expressed in a short time, however “Local Color” is still a must see in my assessment; in fact, I recommend it to anyone who wants to see the distance between the inexperienced and experienced, for this is where the age difference prevails with a dramatic contrasting greatness.

There is only one question that remains in my mind, being, I wonder if today’s youth could withstand the verbal mental swings that tend to rise above flood stage when a mentor runs out of steam and has no time to count to ten, however one must stand back and see how well the people give and take, follow and return to their travels on life’s yellow brick road.

A step away into the past and present

Source: Carla Niblick for the Art-to-Art Palette

Lovers of art, the written word, and of all things one desires to read about Ohio, undoubtedly can be definitely found in the Ohioana Library in Columbus; in fact, I recommend you include the Ohioana in your next visit to the State Capitol. Recently I had that opportunity and enjoyed it so much; I will a return in the future.

The library's mission statement is straightforward and perfectly describes its function: "…dedicated to collecting, preserving, and promoting the written work of Ohio's authors, artists and musicians." I certainly can attest to what a remarkable and wonderful job it does.

Although is not a circulating library, however the extensive collections of works can be accessed and enjoyed in the Martha Kinney Cooper Reading Room. In 1929, First Lady Martha Kinney Cooper, began to gather works by Ohio authors and about Ohioans and Ohio in a collection at the Governor's Mansion. The collection has certainly grown over the years and today it has around 45,000 books, 10,000 pieces of sheet music and more than 22,000 biographical files on Ohio artists, musicians, and writers.

While there Linda Hengst, who is the Executive Director of the Ohioana and David Weaver, Development Director, talked with me about the library and various events and projects that are promoted throughout the year. A literary digest, the Ohioana Quarterly is published in January, April, July, and October and reviews recent works by Ohio authors. It is distributed to over 2,500 friends and members of the Library.

Each fall, the Ohioana Day Luncheon is a celebration of awards and citations to honor the works by Ohio authors, poets, and those who give services in the arts in Ohio. One of the many awards is the Robert Fox Award for Young Writers. It is open for submissions from Ohio 9-12 grades with its central purpose to recognize young literary talent.

Spring finds the library holding the Ohioana Book Festival, celebrating Ohio's authors with appearances, readings, and panel discussions. This year's upcoming festival will be held in May and includes plans to hold a writer's workshop as part of the event.