Joshua Payne Orchestra

Joshua Payne has been an iconoclastic guitar player around the SLC area for many years. He has a unique style that he seems to apply to whatever genre of music he's playing. I recorded him with several groups many years ago, then he disappeared to NYC. When he returned, I never seemed to connect with any of his gigs. Finally, the other night at the Urban Lounge, I had a chance to check out his new orchestra... and I was not disappointed.

Josh still maintains his "free jazz", or at least experimental jazz, stance. The orchestra performs outrageous compositions, and included (I can't even believe I heard a jazz band play this at a local club) a Stockhausen composition, "Set Sail For the Sun". Marvelous stuff. Josh has assembled a fine cast of musicians to realize his musical vision. I hope to hear more from this group in the near future. In the meantime, you can check out some tunes, pics, and info at his web site.

Ranch Antics

No better way to celebrate the Fourth than in genuine 'Merican fashion... drinking with friends! So this holiday weekend had us meeting up at the Ranch once again... (Click on the pics for a larger image).


Some of us do the tent thing... some of us do it in the tent... tent raising, or whatever was rising, was evident...


There was some concern about Bill's health... but he had a new hat and was looking good...


The 4th at the Ranch has gotten out of hand, people-wise, in the past. So there are some new posted rules...


Harry was looking good, as was Auntie Caroline...



Girls, girls, girls...



Jane brought this year's theme napkin...


Of course there was music. Esther "discovered" a three women band who added to the musical spice...


Along with Mark and David, we had a good musical day...



Harry's got Frankie working on singing and on the piano. Her Spanish song was a big hit. And the duet with Harry was priceless...



More of the younger generation. Colton, my grandson (long story, actually part of Bill's lineage somewhere down the line) is cute beyond belief...


And Angelo showed up. Getting into the teenage years, now, he will get all the girls... (kinda looking like a young Keith Richards... before the drugs...).


The day before was Bobby D's birthday. Nice apron, birthday boy!


It's a ranch, so you gotta have horses...


After all the drinkin'... gotta get some grub...


And after the grub, more drinkin'... Usually breakfast the next morning doesn't happen much before noon, for some obvious reasons... But this year, Pat showed up early in the morning and got things started...


A satisfied customer...


Thanks to Bill and Julie for another great summer camp out. And thanks to all the musicians for the tunes. And thanks to my own self restraint allowing me to survive!

Lost Clowboy Desert III

More interesting blooming. This garden continues to surprise me.




The weather has turned quite hot, with no rain in sight. I suspect that I've seen the last of the desert in my front yard for the year. Ooops! I forgot the sunflowers! Another blaze of glory will soon appear.