Reviews & Testimonials
CABARET CORNER BY JASON McCLOSKEY (Improv, West Hollywood, CA )
SNAPSHOT: What beats watching a lineup of comedians telling jokes in front of a brick wall? Watching comedians tell jokes in front of David Basse's [Allstar] jazz blues band. It was all part of a sparkling showcase played to a packed house at the Melrose Improv, and Basse and his keenly talented boys made all the difference.
Singer / drummer Basse, who's in town to record his fifth album with pianist/composer Mike Melvoin (Sinatra, Joe Williams, Tom Waits) is the King of Kansas City, having been named that town's "Jazz Artist of the Year" three years running, and has picked up some great press ("an unbelievable combination of Mel Torme, Jon Hendricks and Al Jarreau," raved Sweden's Kabe Linden). He's also now set for a slew of local dates -- Chadney's, Atlas, Lunaria, and the Jazz Bakery. His accessible feel-good brand of jazz should pack houses all along the way.
The comedians -- among them, Jeff Rothpan, whose timing is flawless; chipper Texan Bo Smithson; Jack Mayberry, whose low-keyed, down-home humor evokes the great Herb Shriner, and who has appeared on the Tonight Show some 16 times -- did their bit to keep the evening at a swift gallop, though a couple of skits fared less well. The icing on the cake was provided by actress/ comedian/ singer Donna Cherry who capped the night with a scorching reading of "God Bless the Child." In a season that's seen comedy clubs down in the dumps, Rick Brown's showcase offered a promising solution.
Talk is underway about remounting a variation of the show at the Improv on a regular basis, a cable special, and maybe even a [2K Version of the weekly televised] variety show. It could just be the ticket to put warm buns on cold seats and bring the comedy bust back to life.
Stay tuned.
REVIEW MAGAZINE: LightBox Gallery
In describing his work, Richard Lotman Brown refers to making a connection with his childhood and adulthood, and then translating the accompanying feelings of sorrow and joy.
"The sadness comes from having youthful, pristine discoveries tarnished. Then, the enrichment comes from finding more evolved views. These impressions celebrate the elements of the initial purity, which have endured as well as the harshness, giving them fresh meaning and new detail."
The purity and the harshness come through in the photographs featured in Brown's new show, Shapes of Desire, Shadows of Hope, on display at LightBox Gallery. The desire is expressed through Brown's close attention to structural form and patterns. ("I've had architects tell me that I've discovered details they didn't know existed in their own buildings," Brown said). Hope emerges from deft combinations of austere light and bold shadows. Consisting of predominantly black and white images, along with a few brief but memorable excursions into color, the images communicate a strong sense of clarity. The essentially geometric subjects -- public, residential and commercial structures -- are captured from what appears to be a markedly pointed perspective. Yet, the directness and sincerity they suggest comes through in ways that are alternately subtle and spirited.
The more refined pieces point to precise details in modern (Light Shadows, Metropolitan Shadows) and post-modern (Triangle Shadow, Fed @ Night) architecture. The attitude then shifts to compositions that are quietly glib, a fire escape and its busy shadow interwoven against a brick building (XYZ); two simple, round red candies casting symmetrical shadows (Soft Red Shadows I); a brightly lit arbor that muddles the distinction between subject and shadow (Kafka Shadows), and the dark silhouette of a rectangular street sign cast onto an otherwise common storefront (Waiting for a Sign).
The collection seems at home in the LightBox space. The gallery's stark, minimalist design provides the personalities of these precise images with a unfettered venue where they can emerge on their own. Brown has succeeded in finding inspiring perspectives and engaging pleasures in subjects and settings that are ostensibly limited. In doing so, he's captured images that hold surprises lurking beneath and peaking out between shadows and light.
Ed Frazier is a freelance writer who teaches English at Rockhurst University
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Notes & Notices
Gorgeous prints… a truly, substantial body of work. Keith Davis, Hallmark Collection _
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to let you know that your two photographs were approved for acquisition by our Board of Trustees. Amy Duke, Registrar, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Astounding work. I noticed the power of the polo photo as soon as I entered…Your architectural work is just as well done. -Paul Dorrell, Author/ President, Leopold Gallery, Kansas City, MO.
We see them every day -- landmarks, buildings, fountains, architectural details. We see them and we don’t see them. We become blind to the things closest to us. Sometimes it takes another’s viewpoint, such as that of photographer Richard Lotman Brown, to show us a whole new way of looking at our world -- or our city. -Kansas City Magazine, Feature
[ I am in receipt of ] your handsome portfolio, with examples of your exquisite work. -James R. Borynack, Chairman, CEO, Wally Findlay Galleries (Letter)
Your eye for design, composition and detail are very fine. There is a pleasing delicacy and strength to the black and whites. I am particularly drawn to the photographs of architectural details that you capture, so well, in the frame. The minimalism, of many of the images, is appealing. -Sandra Berler, Artists’ Representative, Chevy Chase, Maryland,
I just looked through your pictures, on the site, and they are fantastic. - Brud Jones, (Past) President, Society of Contemporary Photography
What a wonderful article in Shutterbug. Thank you for mentioning the [Epson] 7600, as part of your process. - Ahmet Karadayi, Supervisor of Customer Relations, Epson America
How wonderful. You really are a prince and a man of your word. The photo is marvelous, and we are pleased to have such a thoughtful piece. Is it possible for us to work out making postcards for sale using this image? -Betty Crow - Mutual Musicians Foundation
Just a short note, to let you know, your photograph went to a very appreciative person. It is a beautiful image and looks wonderful in my home. Wesley Crosby, Architect
Incredible work, it is truly stunning. -Kelly Tooms
I’ve heard from other photographers that there’s no need for me to look at your work. You are a well-established and highly esteemed photographer and we’d be very happy to have you as a featured artist in an upcoming art show. -John Scott - Scott Fitness, Owner/Curator of Art Space
Your work is so good it should be shared. -Barbara E Miller - Director Photography Society of America _ _ _ _ _ _ _