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)

The Magical Sparkle Of Fhairy Strands

Yes you read that correct! It's fffffffff-hhhhhairy strands! A play on words for fairy strands. This weekend my daughter and I went for the shimmer and the glimmer of Fairy hair, while attending the Mythic Faire in Maryland. We were familiar with this sparkling look from the Faerie Con gatherings. Some of our favorite Fae peeps such as artist Linda Ravenscroft and musician Samantha Stevenson recommended we get them because they are fun, unique and long lasting. In fact everyone we talked with this weekend loved their strands and said they last for up to four months! So let's go for the fairy light!!!!

Since we were fortunate enough to have the 'Faerie Goddess Mother' herself put them in our hair, we went for the gold! My daughter who has darker hair, chose the copper fairy strands. The strands are actually silk garment threads and come in many colors. Tied to a single strand of hair they add a spark of light that moves through your hair. You can get 10 - 20 fairy strands put in your hair and not look overdone. The effect is beautiful, mysterious and elusive. People turn their heads as they pass you and then a big smile comes across their face as they realize something different is going on with your hair. Yes your hair really does magically sparkle!

It is hard to photograph the elusive strands in your hair, because 
they do not sit on top of your hair in stripes. They are woven into the hair, so to create a quick glimpse of shimmer. They move with your hair and add a hint of glimmer! It depends on the light around you how much you shine! Look closely and see if you can find them! My holographic strands are called prismatic gold. Click photos for view.

A few close-up photos of my hair in the mirror to try and show you how these non-chemical highlights work within your hair. A very subtle yet stunning effect. Our men love our shimmering hair! 

If you are not fortunate enough to live in the land of the Fae gatherings, you can purchase your own kit online from Faecraft and then have a friend who is good with knots put the Fhairy Strands in your hair. The 'Faerie Goddess Mother' has also invented a special 'Pixie Pick' to help tie that tiny knot. You can view the film below to see how to do the strands yourself. Faecraft also sells beautiful Faerie gloves at Faerie festivals and gatherings. I actually have the pair she has on in this video, as well as a few new yummy ones!