Over the years I’d noticed songs about artists passing by, the classic being Don McClean’s Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) of course but also The Modern Lovers’ Pablo Picasso (was never called an asshole)…
Occasionally other blogs came up with similar related music such as Farq’s False Memory Foam with his post about Robert Callender’s Le Musée de l'Impressionnisme, absolutely brilliant/bonkers! Once we start talking/writing/thinking about Art these two adjectives often go together very well indeed!
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark released in 2019 The Punishment Of Luxury which included Art Eats Art, a short song listing loads of artists & composers…
All this seemed a good enough reason to put together an ‘artistic’ themed compilation!
Pablo Picasso had to be the The Modern Lovers’ one but performed by Burning Sensation instead.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is borrowed from Farq’s blog (thanks man!), but we got a prog rock tribute to this painter by Clearlight as well!
Henri Rousseau is rendered as a beautiful ambient piece by Midori Takada.
Paul Gauguin also shows up twice, in a song by Jimmy Webb and as an instrumental by Michael Shrieve.
Winslow Homer is painted musically by Bill Frisell.
René Magritte appears in a composition by Phil Manzanera.
Henri Matisse is thoroughly explored by the Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard, Steve Swallow Trio.
Salvador Dalí gets a fitting surrealist treatment by Pepe Deluxé.
Of course no compilation would be complete without some Dutch artists!
Rembrandt van Rijn is combined with Philip Glass(!) courtesy of Robert Jan Stips.
And M.C. Escher is sketched by Michael Brecker!
With a new banner (Based on Dubonnet. 1933. A. M. Cassandre wine posters!) fully approved by Stinky: "Finally! Some CULTURE!"
ReplyDeleteLink: https://mega.nz/file/6NkHWAhB#-cKj4BhQ4MsIfljOkZ-QARc45PN5kXL822B5cQeGocQ
Question: What is your favourite 'artist' song?
Best banner yet. Really fits you "artistes".
DeleteYour new banner speaks volumes as well, Nathan.
DeleteThanks for this very interesting mix. As for my favorite "artist" song, I'd say it's this OTHER Picasso-themed ditty (performed by Claudia Phillips):
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oxlBEoAc-E
Never heard Claudia Phillips before, thanks, sounds fun!
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b11Jw8ddigI&t=60s I don't know yet. But here is David Bowie's Andy Warhol by Dana Gillespie on TopPop
ReplyDelete1974 TopPop clip, but I can't remember ever having seen it, Alzheimers? Thanks Richard!
DeleteNothing comes to mind that tops the Modern Lovers' Pablo Picasso at the moment. Looks like a fun collection, thanks!
ReplyDeleteJohn Cale's version is pretty good too!
DeleteI like Burning Sensations' version from the Repo Man OST. Simple Minds also have a song called Pablo Picasso. If you haven't come across it, there's a good reason for that...
DeleteWeezer - Da Vinci
ReplyDeleteMarc Cohn's "Olana" which is a portrait of Frederic Edwin Church
ReplyDeleteNow THAT's classin' up the joint! I cheated and browsed the ten (!!) volumes of "My Name Is" at The Unherd Music blog, but all I found was "Norman Rockwell" by The Mowglis and "Frida Kahlo" by Bandit Queen.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXAWBJj7gY just listened to it. Great song, thanks OBG!
DeleteIt is indeed a fantastic song that gave my daughter her name.
DeleteHappy Little Trees - A Tribute To Bob Ross. (how many songs are factually about Bob Ross or his paintings) Boudewijn de Groot - Tuin Der Lusten. Four One and Onlies - Fresco (I paint you a fresco on the ceiling and a Jackson Pollock on the floor at the same time).
ReplyDeleteStatus Quo - Pictures of Matchstick Men (L.S. Lowry) Yes there are more songs referencing art than artists. So that leaves me:
Kleine Negertjes - Mondriaan in Amerika 1 & 2
Thanks Richard, I couldn't find anything about Kleine Negertjes - Mondriaan in Amerika 1 & 2...
DeleteI almost included this rap track 'Bob Ross vs Pablo Picasso', but in the decided against it...
Have a look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGN5xaQkFk0
That was an epic rap battle video -- thanks for a good laugh to start the day!
DeleteThe video is more fun than the song ;-)
DeleteKoen: Some culture, AND a great idea for a comp! A two-for-one.
ReplyDeleteDouble Whammy!
DeleteTv Personalities - David Hockneys Diaries, and also Lichtenstein Paintings
ReplyDeleteThey were on my original list, maybe I should do a second volume?
DeleteYes, a sequel with the excellent suggestions here in the comments!
DeleteOh boy, back to the drawing board again... ;-)
DeleteNo one was like Vermeer by Jonathan Richman
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! Jonathan also mentions Vermeer in his 1985 song "Vincent Van Gogh"!
DeleteHe has done several songs about artists...
DeleteHere's anotherr one The Watchman - Maurice Utrillo's Talking
ReplyDeleteI'll check it out, thanks Richard.
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