I Just Can't Decide, Which One Should I Choose

Greetings,

Just yesterday, I was in the Norwest Communications Studio in Barrington, Illinois with mandolin guru Drew Carson and a true master of the banjo, Mark Dvorak, working on the new 1812 recording to be released soon. Drew and Mark were adding their musical talents to a few of the cuts when we sat down together, mikes in place and recorded an old fiddle tune that goes by the name "The Eighth of January".  It was very impromptu and fun, not planned out and rehearsed as most recording really requires. I had found out that this tune had another name, "Jackson's Victory", and it could be traced back to the weeks after The Battle of New Orleans where Andrew Jackson's forces defeated the British on January 8, 1815. It was a wonderful break in the recording routine.

Aside from the recording process of this new CD titled, Here We'll Stand, much still has to be completed with the CD cover art, liner notes and lyric sheet. Most of this work is fairly easy for me, typing out (hunt and peck style) the lyrics and relating some interesting info about the songs themselves, where they came from, who sang them, historical significance, etc.  The cover art is much more difficult to choose. How to pick from so many great visual artists, and what should the cover convey? Is this image too light or not light enough? Both Joann and I have had to make these decisions over the years for our albums without much outside input.

Ah, with modern technology, we might be able to get some feedback from you, Readers, on some images for this new CD. First, I need to tell you about the artist we are working with on this project. Peter Rindlisbacher is a marine artist who has long been researching the War of 1812 and painting scenes from it. I have enjoyed his work in museum settings and magazine articles about Great Lakes ships and shipping during much of my own career.  I first met him in Detroit, Michigan at the annual conference of Association of Great Lakes Marine Historians in September of 2001. Originally hailing from Amherstburg Ontario, Canada, he now resides in Katy, Texas, USA. Regardless of where he lives, the Great Lakes still have a profound impact on his art. As a matter of fact, I have used Peter's art images on three previous recordings, Between Two Worlds, Christmas goes to Sea, and The View From the Harbor.

Both Joann and I are torn between four of Rindlisbacher's paintings from this period in North American  history, 1812. Therefore, which image do you think we should use?

"Prelude to Battle"

"Amherstburg Navy Yard"

"Farewell to the Fallen"

"Friends Good Will at Mackinac"

After viewing these four images, you may want to see more of Peter's work. A small book was published by Linda Stanley of Canadian Art Cards of St. Chatherines, Ontario and titled Freshwater Fighting Sail.www.canadianartcards.com Also, a new book with be released very soon by Quarry Press of Kingston, Ontario with over 100 images of Peter's paintings. That book, War of 1812, Sea Battles on the Great Lakes is available for pre-release purchase from Amazon.com for $19.77. Just search under Peter Rindlisbacher. amazon.com I know I will place an order soon!

Also, if you wish to contact Peter, either for a painting commission or his own wonderful presentation on the War of 1812, performed in period Provincial Marine uniform, he can be reached through The Canadian Society of Marine Artists and talk to Paul Adamsle.www.ultrmarine.ca/artists/index.html

I look forward to hearing from you folks on this intriguing new cover art conundrum. Please post your choice and comments below on the blog and share this post with a friend.

Until then, Fair Winds!

Lee

Copyright 2012 by Lee Murdock