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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Technicolor Motor Home Inspires Babylon Sisters


There is a new band in town, a 'Steely Dan' Tribute band named 'Technicolor Motor Home' and they are truly amazing!  It was due to this new band that I was inspired to create this funky digital collage art piece called 'Oh Those Babylon Sisters!' Constantly for weeks, I had an earworm in my head singing "Babylon sisters...shake it!" Anyone who knows the song may recognize some of the symbolism from the lyrics in the image. I had a fun time creating this artwork, even though right now the earworm is starting up again singing, "You got to shake it baby. You got to shake it baby. Shake it!" Yes, I certainly foresee more song inspired artwork to come! Ideas are already formin' in me head! (Click images to view larger, then hit back button.) (Credits for collage elements I used at bottom of post.)

If you live in the Maryland area 'Technicolor Motor Home' is a must see event!  Wowie Zowie!  The excitement for this powerful 10 piece band was felt by everyone at their incredible debut performance at the Recher Theater in Towson Maryland Feb 25.


When you listen and watch the video's posted down below of the bands premier performance you will not believe that they only had a few rehearsals, due to snow and ice storms occurring every time a rehearsal was scheduled. 'Technicolor Motor Home' persevered by drawing on the mechanized hum of another world. And now I can have more crazy fun playing with motor home images like the one below! I see a trend happening....


The success of their debut performance is a sign of the supreme musicianship and talent recruited for this band by the perennially barefooted Glenn Workman, who put this project together. Glenn plays keyboards, and sings most of the songs in their repertoire.

Steely Dan music is difficult and challenging to learn, because of the deep jazz influences and constant changes occurring during each song. You really need to know your stuff to do this material correctly. The musicians in 'Technicolor Motor Home' are well known as some of the best in Maryland, and you will see many smiles in the crowd for 'Technicolor Motor Home', as they really do justice to these great songs. As amazing as this band is now, it is going to get even better!


The horn section of the band is powerful and adds a fullness to the sound, recreating the Steely Dan songs as they were meant to be played. During the concert the hard core Steely Dan fans appreciated the sound created by Jim McFalls on Trombone, Dave Makowiecki on Trumpet, and Barry Caudill on Saxophone.



The backup singers Meg Murray and Kelly Butcher provide the authentic details that this music requires.



Mark St. Pierre on drums, and Anthony Setola on bass, play the perfect Steely Dan riffs and rhythms.



Ben Sherman and Bryan Ewald, both incredible guitarists, add the spark to the infamous Steely Dan guitar solos. Along with playing lead guitar Ben Sherman also sings lead vocals on some SD songs.



This is the band to see in Baltimore! Keep an eye on the 'Technicolor Motor Home' schedule for the word is out on this powerhouse band!


'Oh Those Babylon Sisters!' are ready to rock and highly recommend you enjoy the following two videos of 'Technicolor Motor Home' Live!  







Visit the colorful TMH You Tube page for more great music videos! You are invited to be a friend at their TMH facebook page here.  

Note: This is only the second time I tried using a hand held video device which is Kodak's version of a Flip. I think the visual quality is pretty good for web. The sound is from the live mixing board at 'The Recher Theater' by Keith Nachodsky. Next time I hope to try out the zoom button! (For anyone who may not know, the awesome guitarist Ben Sherman is the Painting Queen's King! Love to hear him play!!!)

Credits: 
Photos and videos by Crystal Sherman,
Babylon Sisters Artwork Copyright 2011 by Crystal Sherman/Crystal Visions Art
Elements used in digital collage: Tumble Fish Studios - (Jubilant, Ethereal, Splendor), Rasberry Road Designs - (Domestic Goddess, Grungy Alpha), Deviant Scrap - (Beth Rimmer (Romance), Finecrafted Designs (Zetti Revamp) Holliewood Studios (Random Alpha) SherrieJD (License Letters), Texture: Shadowhouse Creations - (Odds and Ends)

4 comments:

  1. First--your digital is so awesomely funky!!! i love it--and the Babylon sisters are hysterical!!

    Love Steely Dan (I listen to smooth jazz and they are in frequent rotation!)

    That's really cool for Ben!! Definitely gonna keep an eye on their schedule--hopefully they'll do a gig more up this way (Baltimore is like 2 hours away for me)

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  2. Thanks Tamera, it was a fun piece to work on.
    I might have to do a re-vamp of the image using all public domain elements since I am getting such great feedback.

    Maybe TMH might get a gig out in Frederick one day and that would be closer for you.

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  3. Well, first, I want some Fhairy strands! How cool is that? I'd love a little twinkle about me. And next, I am totally and completely in love with your Babylon Sisters! I need to be sharing that with the world so think I'll be linking folks to your page. Deliciously funky and fabulous! Love it more than I can tell you!

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