My friend in New Orleans, Mr. Freeland- Archer, has reminded me that artists still do look like artists. This is The New Orleans Bingo Show. Let's note that founder Clint Maedgen is holding a Polaroid 600 S camera (or maybe an SE) which shoots Polaroid pack film. Or Fuji. An appropriately eccentric camera for an eccentric and highly entertaining group.Mr. Freeland- Archer has also reminded me about Eden Ahbez, seen here meeting Nat "King" Cole:
Ahbez, or "ahbe" to his family and friends, wrote Cole's popular hit "Nature Boy," and also became a pre- hippie- icon to alternative lifestylers, especially in California. Cole's manager reportedly located Ahbez under the first L of the Hollywood sign, where he was living with his wife in a sleeping bag.He was born in 1908, lived until 1995, released several recordings, worked with Brian Wilson , influenced Donovan (no surprise there) and probably inspired countless renderings of Jesus in Sunday schools everywhere. At least he was Jewish.
So... a tip of the Littlehales' hat (as Jimmy Hatlo would say) to Mr. Freeland- Archer (not his real name), ever- vigilant observer, chronicler and archivist of American culture.
4 comments:
I kind of thought that Ahbez looked like Jesus, or at least what we were taught to think Jesus probably looked like, if Jesus did indeed ever exist.
That picture of Nat "King" Cole with Eden Ahbez is really strange. Neither one of them seems to be looking at the other, and it sort of seems like there's an intricate spider web hanging off of Ahbez's head, although that may be a trick of the light. Or maybe it's a ghost! I would be interested in hearing what Jason and Grant have to say about that...
Nat looks relaxed, his feet are crossed and he's leaning on the wall. Eden looks completely uptight. You'd think it would be reversed.
I thought maybe that spider web thingy attached to Ahbez's head was one of those plastic rain bonnets that people used to wear back in those days (1950s-1960s). And you're right, where's Jay and Grant when you need them!
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