Here’s and video by a French artist made using music by Craig Padilla and me. Quantum Swirl is from our CD Analog Destination, and is one of my favorites.
You can even watch it in HD 720p. Enjoy!
This is a mash-up. Media created by mixing elements. French artist Zrnho did this without asking our permission, but in fact we were flattered. What’s the harm? Some other musicians we know were not so kind, and made him take down some of his pieces. Just bad ju-ju, I say. Online mash-ups recycle art into new forms. All part of our digital age. Thanks, Zrnho. We embrace the chaos…
Slam Buckra now a crossover artist.
One of my all time favorite Redding artists passed away recently at age 53. Damn. 53.
Like much of Redding music, Slam was hard to categorize. I won’t try. Jim Dyar does a good job of it at this post over at A News Cafe. Blogger Marc Beauchamp pointed me to Slam’s MySpace page, where you can listen to some recordings, and which will hopefully remain available. I can say the times I met him, he impressed me as a truly genuine character, and that’s a compliment of the highest order. He was a creature of the stage, and could be found playing live all over the Northstate whenever possible, often with his band, the Groove Palookas, laying down some funky beats to rocking audiences. A skilled musician, with his own very original style, in an artform where originality is a most prized attribute. He had a great many enthusiastic followers. RIP doesn’t seem appropriate to this energetic player. I’d prefer to believe he’s just appearing on a stage somewhere else. Given the relatively small local music scene, I’d always hoped to jam with Slam at some point. But it looks like that’ll have to wait until we meet again on the other side of the stage curtain. Our heart goes out to his family, friends, fans, and Groove Palookas everywhere.
Art Hop images include fashion show
We attended the Art Hop function Saturday night at the spa on Oregon Street. BTW> You can buy this historic building on Oregon Street if you’d like.
Designer Will Curtis (left) was showing off his latest work, seen here with few of the models.
Here’s a few “Art Hoppy” shots I took of Erin, modeling some of Will’s creations. There’s a bunch more on Facebook.
A couple more images of the spa. Did I mention it’s for sale? Listed by Kimberly Pederson of Coldwell Banker. 
Art. Fashion. Spa. It’s ReallyRedding.
Live recording -Craig Padilla’s “Sundial Bridge”
Here’s a live recording of Sundial Bridge by Craig Padilla. It was recorded on the patio of the cafe of the south end of the bridge. It’s about 20 minutes of symphonic electronic music. It starts off quietly, until it begins to soar. I accompanied Craig, and ran audio. There is no mic on the audience, but you do hear our voices briefly at the very end.
Sundial bridge2 by SkipMurphy 
The Sundial Bridge has arguably become the symbol of Redding CA. The architect for the bridge is a world famous artist named Santiago Calatrava, although I don’t see this particular work listed on his website. I haven’t looked through the whole site.
The folks at the host Turtle Bay Museum seemed happy to have us play there. The venue was really hot (thermal hot, not swinging hot) and it’s not acoustically great for either listeners or players. And for an art museum, the staff seemed really unimpressed that world famous musician Craig Padilla had composed a complete symphonic music composition named after the bridge, just for the occasion. Like, “Yeah, that’s nice.”
Anyway, I came across the recording in the studio, and thought I’d share it with the world again. At least, that part of the world that wasn’t at the event. Like any live recording, it has some issues, but I think the spirit of the muse comes across intact. See what you think.
Odd, yet compelling yard art
New music piece inspired by a photo
Swaddled by SkipMurphy Somebody plopped this little human in front of me while I was at work in the office. I don’t know who it is. Not thinking much about it, I took a picture with my iPhone. Later, seeing the image inspired me to try and capture the musical feelings I got from looking at the image. Like some art, I’m not sure I got what I wanted. So this remains a musical sketch. But art can be surprising. Perhaps like this baby:
It will grow on me over time.
It may not be finished. Whatever finished means.
A few Images of Art on the Wild Side
>Wine, cheese and fruit were served to the patrons of the Art on the Wild Side sale and auction held at Win River last Saturday to benefit the Shasta Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation center.
We saw some really inspirational art and crafts, sampled some excellent vintages, and enjoyed the always terrific hospitality of Win River. Some lovely art pieces went for bargain prices too, although we hope the center raised an appropriate amount for their good cause. Ray John did the auctioning.
There were several critters on hand to add to the scene. Their was also live music provided by Craig Padilla, to the accompaniment of slides of the various animals and projects that have been helped.
(Bottom image) This service was another of the auctioned items. Somebody got a good deal on these and many more. There was also a silent auction. A terrific time was had by all. Hopefully it will help this fine cause. See you all again next year!
Art on the Wild Side features musician Craig Padilla
Come to a Wild Art Event – view and buy art work by many artists and a wide variety (pottery, oil paintings, photography, wood working etc.) and there will be wine tasting. Admission is $10 and includes an etched wine glass. Silent auction and live auction.” Saturday November 6, Noon to 6 pm at the WinRiver Event Center.
My friend and longtime musical collaborator Craig Padilla will be appearing there in a rare solo performance. He has some new material you haven’t heard (but I have) and it promises to be a terrific afternoon of music not often heard around here lately. I’ll be there. Then it’s on to ShopHop for a full evening of local shopping. It’s Really Redding.
Red Bull on Lake Blvd gets a makeover
We noticed that the kitsch art sign we like at Finish Line Auto Body got a makeover since we first featured this iconic Redding advertising last year. Displaying a new flaming paint job and it’s very own special pedestal parking spot. Nice upgrade. It’s Really Redding.
Human Electric Hybrid Car from Oregon
Check out this video of a Human Electric Car that may possibly be produced in Eugene Oregon. Using a plug-in electric propulsion system, one person can drive this car up to 60 mph on flat terrain. With 4 people, it can be powered by humans alone. It’s an intriguing prototype. I like seeing the similar terrain of Eugene in the background of the video, and imagining these things around town here. There’s a bit more at this link about the car and it’s creator, Charles Greenwood, who seems very much in the spirit of the independent American inventor and hot rod enthusiast. You can pre-order one now. I wish him well, and hope to see these vehicles cruising our Redding boulevards of the future.