A Bit Of Groovy

A Bit Of Groovy is in archive-only mode

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:43:00 +0000

A Bit Of Groovy is in archive-only mode. Previous posts will remain up, but I'm no longer actively blogging. Thanks for visiting!

An online archive of my art for Beyond Beyond is Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Sat, 24 May 2014 18:01:00 +0000

As a fan, I did weekly promo art for Beyond Beyond is Beyond - a fantastic, cage-free rock, radio show that aired on East Village Radio in NYC, hosted by the groovy Mike Newman - @bbib on Twitter. After creating dozens of these promo art pieces, I've decided to archive them all on deviantART. You can visit the gallery here: http://ravenval.deviantart.com/gallery/46044375

Note: You might notice different air dates and times on some pieces because the show's schedule had changed occasionally.

Back-story:
There's reason for the food theme and parodies of real products. This art started one day on a whim; I had drawn the show name and time on a piece of toast with peanut butter. It amused me, so I took a picture of it, put it up on Twitter, people reacted positively, and it grew from there.

An example:

45 bbib autumn Oct 06 2013 by ~ravenval on deviantART

Sadly, East Village Radio ceased operations on May 23rd, 2014.

You can still keep up with all things Beyond by visiting Beyond Beyond is Beyond Records: http://beyondbeyondisbeyond.com/

Beyond Beyond is Beyond ...is A Bit Of Groovy!

Streets of Calcutta by Kikagaku Moyo

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Thu, 08 May 2014 13:34:00 +0000

Streets of Calcutta by Kikagaku Moyo
From their stellar album: Forest of Lost Children

Forest of Lost Children by Kikagaku Moyo
Get this and other great music at:
Beyond Beyond is Beyond Records

Everything by The Quiet Jungle/The Secrets

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:47:00 +0000

My current jam is: Everything by The Quiet Jungle/The Secrets
Ravenval - 'This Is My Jam'

About The Quiet Jungle/The Secrets: http://www.garagehangover.com/quietjungle/

Happy 70th Birthday to Jimmy Page!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:33:00 +0000

Jimmy Page by Ravenval 2014 by ravenval on deviantART

Happy 70th Birthday to Keith Richards!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 10:07:00 +0000

Keith Richards by Ravenval Dec 18 2013 on deviantART

In memory of John Lennon (October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980)

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 01:41:00 +0000

One day, a handful of years ago, I stood, crying, staring at the glasses and clothes that John Lennon was wearing when he was killed. His blood still upon them. 'Imagine' was playing. Others were there. They were all crying too. Instantly, all of the strangers that entered this room became friends, brothers, sisters... without a word spoken. We were horrified. We were sad. We understood, maybe better than we ever would have otherwise, that John Lennon gave the world a gift - a powerful message. One that someone would try to destroy by destroying him.

I miss John, but I believe that his message will never die.

-Ravenval

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

-John Lennon

John Lennon by Ravenval - 2012 by ~ravenval on deviantART

Dream 93

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 16:30:00 +0000

A new space-art wallpaper by Ravenval:

Dream 93

Click Here to download full-sized 1600x900

Dog Gone Presents

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 03:55:00 +0000

Dog Gone Blog is a long-standing staple in my blog roll of groovy goodness, so it is with great pleasure that I have conjured art to accompany:

Dog Gone Presents August 2013 Mix!

Head on over to Dog Gone Blog and dig into these jams:
1. The Memphis Jug Band – K.C. Moan
2. Bruce Springstten – Tate Strooper (Mau Remix)
3. Can – …And More
4. The Seeds – Now A Man
5. Temples – Shelter Song
6. Night Beats – Outta Mind
7. 13th Floor Elevators – I Had To Tell You
8. The Deviants – Child Of The Sky
9. Steve Gunn – Trailways Ramble
10. Country Joe & The Fish – Sad And Lonely Times
11. Bert Jansch – Heartbreak Hotel
12. Beacon Street Union – Mystic Mourning
13. The Sea-Ders – Thanks A Lot
14. Anonymous – Pike River
15. Jacques Dutronc – L’espace D’une Fille
16. Khánh Ly & Trịnh Công Sơn – Goi Ten Bon Mua
17. Kraftwerk – Heimatklange (The Bells Of Home)

It's A Bit Of Groovy!

John Bonham (May 31, 1948 - September 25, 1980)

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Fri, 31 May 2013 14:09:00 +0000

Bonzo by Ravenval - May 31, 2013 by ~ravenval on deviantART

Slowhand turns 68

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:29:00 +0000

Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, (born March 30, 1945) is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist (2000), and separately as a member of The Yardbirds (1992) and Cream (1993). Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time and fourth in Gibson's Top 50 Guitarists of All Time.

In the mid-1960s, Clapton departed from the Yardbirds to play blues with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. In his one-year stay with Mayall, Clapton gained the nickname "Slowhand".

Immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton joined Cream, a power trio with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce.

For most of the 1970s, Clapton's output bore the influence of the mellow style of J.J. Cale (his cover of Cale's "After Midnight" yielded a No. 18 hit on the U.S. charts) and the reggae of Bob Marley. His version of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" helped reggae reach a mass market. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla", recorded by Derek and the Dominos, another band he formed, and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads", recorded by Cream. Following the death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton's grief was expressed in the song "Tears in Heaven", which featured in his Unplugged album.

A recipient of seventeen Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, in 2004 Clapton was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music.

In January 2013, Surfdog Records announced a signed deal with Eric for the release of his album Old Sock on 12 March. Clapton is currently touring the United States and Europe from March 14 to June 19, 2013 to celebrate his 50 years as a professional musician.

Happy Birthday to Eric Clapton - A Bit Of Groovy!

This is only a quick overview of Clapton's career. For more info:
Official Website: http://www.ericclapton.com/
-source: Wikipedia

Happy 65th Birthday to Alice Cooper!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:56:00 +0000

To celebrate Alice Cooper's 65th birthday, I conjured this 1600 x 900 Art/Wallpaper:

Alice Cooper 2013 by ~ravenval on deviantART

You can eyeball my post for his birthday last year, here:

She asked me why the singer's name was Alice...

Happy Birthday to Alice Cooper - A Bit Of Groovy!

The Official Website of Alice Cooper: http://www.alicecooper.com/

Happy 69th Birthday to Jimmy Page!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:25:00 +0000

To celebrate Jimmy Page's 69th birthday, I have created this 1600 x 900 Art/Wallpaper:

Jimmy Page - ZOSO by ~ravenval on deviantART
Happy Birthday to Jimmy Page - A Bit Of Groovy!

The Official Website of Jimmy Page: http://www.jimmypage.com/

Happy 67th Birthday to John Paul Jones!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:29:00 +0000

To celebrate John Paul Jones' 67th birthday, I have created this 1600 x 900 Art/Wallpaper:

John Paul Jones by ~ravenval on deviantART

Happy Birthday to John Paul Jones - A Bit Of Groovy!

The Official Website of John Paul Jones: http://www.johnpauljones.com/

In Tribute to Frank Zappa

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:07:00 +0000

Because today would've been Frank Zappa's 72nd birthday:

Frank Zappa by Ravenval - 2012 on deviantART

Frank Zappa - A Bit Of Groovy!

The Official Website of Frank Zappa: http://www.frankzappa.com/

Happy 63rd Birthday to Paul Rodgers!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 20:18:00 +0000

To celebrate Paul Rodgers' 63rd Birthday, I have created this 1600 x 900 Art/Wallpaper:

Paul Rodgers - 2012 by ~ravenval on deviantART

Happy Birthday to Paul Rodgers - A Bit Of Groovy!

The Official Website of Paul Rodgers: http://www.paulrodgers.com/

In Memory of John Lennon

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:23:00 +0000

Today is the anniversary of John Lennon's death. The world lost a visionary soul on December 08, 1980, one that brought a powerful message of peace to the masses. His words still resonate and impact our lives to this day. To mark the day, I've created this digital art wallpaper:

John Lennon by Ravenval - 2012 by ~ravenval on deviantART
John Lennon (October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980) - A Bit Of Groovy. We miss you.

Cass McCombs - Empty Promises

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:26:00 +0000

I'm filing this under Dreamy Psych - it's A Bit Of Groovy! -Ravenval

From Domino Records:

Cass McCombs will be supporting John Cale on the west coast. See the dates below and listen to 'Empty Promises' below, previously only available on the Bradley Manning 7".

12-04 - Portland, OR - Mission Theatre *
12-06 - Seattle, WA - Showbox *
12-09 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Ballroom *
12-11 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey *

* w/ John Cale

LINKS

Official Site: http://cassmccombs.com/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3FBD4A717D02F646

Label: http://dominorecordco.us/artists/cass-mccombs

New and Groovy Jams: Prince Rupert's Drops - Run Slow

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:07:00 +0000

When an album makes me want to get up and spin around as it blows my mind and drops me down smack-dab in the center of that psychedelic sound that I'm perpetually seeking, but rarely find, I rave about it. Run Slow, the full-length debut released November 13, 2012 by Prince Rupert's Drops, and also the first release for Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records, is just such an album.

Filled with in-the-pocket grooves, dazzling contrasts of acoustic and electric sound, dreamy vocals, and a generous (and always welcomed by me) dose of sitar, Run Slow conjures warm thoughts of my favorite psych-rock albums of the 60s. Yet, perhaps because this album is excellently recorded, mixed, and produced, a modern sound is readily apparent - a vibrant freshness that plants it firmly in the present.

Pillar To Post by Prince Rupert's Drops

Deliciously fuzz-drenched jams like Run Slow, Lungs, and Plague Ride are accompanied by shorter, smile-inducing tracks like Almond Man, Pillar To Post, and The Fortress. Truly, there's not a weak song on the entire album. Consisting of eight tracks, each one on Run Slow is perfectly placed, making for a well-balanced running order that brings the album together splendidly.

Prince Rupert's Drops - Run Slow: more than A Bit Of Groovy and an aural trip you'll find yourself wanting to take over and over again. -Ravenval

Order on vinyl, cassette, or digi from Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records

Contacts

Prince Rupert's Drops:
http://www.facebook.com/PrinceRupertsDrops
https://twitter.com/PrinceRuperts

Label:
Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records:
http://beyondbeyondisbeyond.com
https://twitter.com/BBiB

New Music: Acetates by The Smoking Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 04:32:00 +0000

Welcome to the Psychedelic World of The Smoking Trees!

Out on November 27, 2012, 'Acetates' by The Smoking Trees is the brilliant first release on the newly formed Los Angeles label, Colour Tree Records.

Limited Edition Compact Disc or Digital Download

STREAM AND ORDER Here:

http://thesmokingtrees.bandcamp.com/album/acetates

From Bandcamp: "The Smoking Trees are Sir Psych and L.A AL, a psychedelic duo from Los Angeles. Since 2001, Sir Psych & L.A AL have been writing & recording music in the vein of 60's psych and garage. The Smoking Trees add the basic touches of punk rock riffs, yet in a lighter fashion. Layer them with strong dual harmonies, whimsical, baroque melodies, and the pounding break-beat drum style of Sir Psych, and you have The Smoking Trees incomparable style."

The Smoking Trees - A Bit of Psychedelic Groovy!

Contacts
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheOfficialSirPsych
Website: www.sirpsych.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sir_Psych
Blog: www.sirpsych.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday to Neil Young!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:45:00 +0000

1600x900 Digital Fan Art / Wallpaper for the 67th Birthday of Neil Young - November 12, 2012

click here to download full-size

Neil Young by ~ravenval on deviantART

Neil Young - A Bit of Groovy!

Video Debut: Atom And The Volumes - To The Beat

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:03:00 +0000

Atom And The Volumes, Toronto’s Great Northern Psychedelic Band, Debut Their First Music Video For “To The Beat” - a smoldering indie rocker off their self-titled EP, Atom & The Volumes:

It's A Bit Of Groovy!

"They aren't dolls. They're action figures!" -ravenval's brother in 1976

Get their self-titled EP, Atom & The Volumes: http://atomandthevolumes.com

More Info:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/atomsvolume
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/atomandthevolumes
Tumblr: http://atomandthevolumes.tumblr.com/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/atomsvolume/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/atomandthevolumes
SonicBids: http://www.sonicbids.com/atomandthevolumes
Instagram: AtomsVolume

Happy 65th Birthday to Bob Weir!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:40:00 +0000

1600x900 Digital Fan Art / Wallpaper for the 65th Birthday of Bob Weir - October 16, 2012

Bob Weir - A Bit of Groovy!

click here to download full-size

Bob Weir by ~ravenval on deviantART

For Your Love

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:13:00 +0000

If you're a fan of The Yardbirds, you're probably aware of their 1965 hit song, 'For Your Love'. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and became their highest charting single in the U.S., peaking at number six.

Groovy. Yeah? Yeah! However, you might be surprised to learn that The Yardbirds didn't write the song.

'For Your Love' was written by Graham Gouldman, future 10cc member. side note: 10cc had a hit with one of the most covered songs in pop/rock history called, 'I'm Not in Love'. Gouldman wrote 'For Your Love' at the age of 19 while working by day in a gentlemen's outfitters in the U.K. and playing by night with the semi-professional Manchester band the Mockingbirds (in which his future 10cc bandmate Kevin Godley was also a member). Gouldman said, "I was sleeping most of the time because I'd been gigging with the Mockingbirds the night before, and then during the day when I'd got any spare time I'd write in the shop. I used to shut up the shop at lunch time and sit in the back writing." He also wrote two other songs that were hits for The Yardbirds - 'Heartful Of Soul' and 'Evil Hearted You'.

Graham Gouldman - For Your Love (from his 1968 album 'Graham Gouldman Thing')

Interviewed on 'I Write the Songs', BBC Radio Wales, December 25, 2006, Gouldman said, "We went down to Denmark Street and went round all the publishers trying to find a song . . . we didn’t get any songs that we liked or we weren’t given any songs period and the Beatles had started and I thought ‘well, I’m gonna really have a crack at song-writing.’ I had dabbled a bit, but they were really my inspiration and gave me and I think a lot of other people the courage to actually do it. We all wanted to be like the Beatles. I wrote two songs and the record company we were with turned down one of the songs. The song they turned down was 'For Your Love', which eventually found its way to the Yardbirds."

Gouldman's manager, Harvey Lisberg, was so impressed by the song he told Gouldman they should offer it to the Beatles. Gouldman's response was, "I think they're doing alright in the songwriting department, actually." Undeterred, Lisberg gave a demo of the song to Ronnie Beck of Feldman's, who took it to the Hammersmith Odeon, where the Beatles were performing. By coincidence the Yardbirds were also performing on a Christmas show at the venue and Beck played the song to their manager, Giorgio Gomelsky, and the band.

The Yardbirds - For Your Love (promotional film on French TV - Discorama - June 20, 1965)

In 1965 The Mockingbirds began a regular warm-up spot for BBC TV’s Top of the Pops, transmitted from Manchester. Gouldman recalled, "There was one strange moment when The Yardbirds appeared on the show doing 'For Your Love'. Everyone clamoured around them – and there I was just part of an anonymous group. I felt strange that night, hearing them play my song."

Despite the success 'For Your Love' gave The Yardbirds, it signaled the departure of guitarist Eric Clapton, who played on the track with strong reluctance. Dismayed with the group's shift from R&B to pop, Clapton left the Yardbirds to join John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.

Other Covers (Not all of 'em, just some of the ones I like!) are below:

Herman's Hermits - For Your Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zPJjh4GGk8

Gary Lewis And The Playboys - For Your Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0CpdubEQsU

Fleetwood Mac - For Your Love (from their 1973 album 'Mystery To Me')
http://youtu.be/TDRi2Tk0U6Q?t=39m30s

Led Zeppelin live at Whisky a Go-Go Jan 05, 1969 - For Your Love )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o0D0swiktU

Saving the best for last, dig this amazing performance of 'For Your Love' by Humble Pie on Beat-Club (1970)

Graham Gouldman's For Your Love - A Bit Of Groovy!

-Sources for this post by Ravenval:
Wikipedia and YouTube

Official Sites:

Graham Gouldman: http://www.grahamgouldman.info/

The Yardbirds: http://www.theyardbirds.com/

Happy 64th Birthday to Robert Plant!

noreply@blogger.com (Ravenval) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:09:00 +0000

Born on August 20, 1948, Robert Plant is regarded as one of the most significant vocalists in the history of rock music. He has influenced the style of many singers - Freddie Mercury, Geddy Lee, Ann Wilson, Jeff Buckley, Axl Rose, and Jack White, just to name a few. In 2008, Rolling Stone named Plant as number 15 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All-Time. More recently, in 2011, a Rolling Stone readers' pick placed Plant in first place of the magazine's "Best Lead Singers of All Time".

Robert Plant gets a great deal of recognition for being the vocalist and lyricist of Led Zeppelin, but he continues to be a highly successful artist through to the present day. With a career spanning more than 40 years, he has stayed relevant with solo and collaborative work, as well as with the bands he has formed. At the time of this writing, Plant's current band is the Sensational Space Shifters. -Ravenval

To celebrate Robert Plant's 64th Birthday, I have created this 1600 x 900 Art/Wallpaper:

Click the link below to download full size

Shine It All Around Robert Plant - 2012 - by Ravenval on deviantART

Happy Birthday to Robert Plant - A Bit Of Groovy!

The Official Website of Robert Plant: http://www.robertplant.com

For more information on his post-Zep career: Wikipedia - Robert Plant - 1982 and onward

-Source for this post: Wikipedia