"I'll Take You There": Muscle Shoals Sound

I didn't know what "Muscle Shoals" meant until watching this documentary, only to discover it is indeed a town along the Tennessee River in Alabama, and most notably, the breeding ground for some serious soul (anyone that has ever boogie-ed along to "Brown Sugar", "Mustang Sally", and "I'll Take You There", this is where you can relate). More specifically, the film centers around Rick Hall, the self-made founder of FAME Studios, responsible for bringing black and white people together among extreme poverty and tragedies, to create a new genre of music that has lasted for countless generations. Perhaps my favorite component of the film were the musings from Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and the like, on the power of this "Singing River" music genre. For anyone that appreciates a little or a whole lotta SOUL like moi, this one is a must-see. View the trailer, here.

Bet Your Bottom Dollar - At Bonhams

One of my favorite components of my new job is the research I conduct on auction sales. Whether it may be confirming what a particular piece of our client's sold for, or a comparative analysis on a prospective bid, I find the auction world a liberal arts education all over again. Above, are some Lot items I find intriguing from recent auction sales with Bonhams. (Click on the image in enlarge).

Born In The U.S.A.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend full of festivities with friends & loved ones! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad envious of my friends back east...my favorite Independence Day memory remains to be a rainy raft-up in Mackerel Cove about 6 years ago, complete with a saucy dance party in our bikinis and foul weather gear, belting out the lyrics to "Born in the U.S.A". We then sailed back to the harbor, anchoring outside of Ida Lewis Yacht Club where The Ravers were playing at the club for an "adult party". I don't know if our parents were proud or horrified to see us rocking along to the reggae 50 yards away from them on the water, but it was one for the books. Life is grand. Celebrate well!

Lady Luck

I'm loving the July issue of the Hamptons Cottages & Gardens publication. The cover features the work of artist Billy Sullivan, titled "jane max & emerson" (oil on linen). The painting turned cover is a perfect nod to summer and had me thumbing through the magazine thoroughly.  See more of the artist's work here. While you're at it, be sure to check out the San Francisco edition of the publication.