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Pure Taylor--Crothers, that is! I could never sing the praises of C. Taylor Crothers
louder than the band themselves by the simple fact that the guys continue to ask Mr.
Crothers to photograph them. You sense that although, C. Taylor appreciates Hanson's
talent, he isn't about "show more of that brother thing . . . more happy . . . the
tank top was a fabulous idea--let's get more pecs!" He's about art that lasts.
If only, one of his pictures were poster-sized, then maybe I would have reason to frame
more than just the poster from the first issue of MOE on my walls.the feel
This issue literally made me feel like I spent a day on the set of the "If Only"
video shoot. I felt slightly sunburned with a desire to pound the trail dust from my
jeans. Although, there were moments when the focus was not on the Californian desert
location, that feeling always seemed to hang as a backdrop.
The new trend to feature individual pictures of the band in MOE also seemed to set a
mood for the whole issue. In this issue, for example, the guys are in their Lenny Kravitz,
"let's rock!" mode. They're ready for the tour, in fact, are gearing up for all
those crazy performances on the road. Whereas, in the last issue, the guys' extreme face
shots revealed that they are comfortable, maybe even prefer being anti-poster-slick. Their
new album was just released and on shelves next to the latest neatly packaged
"2-weeks in the studio production" CDs. Someone I know who spoke with Hanson
backstage recently, said that Zac referred to the pictures in the last issue of MOE as
their "zit pictures" which I found amusing and so very Zac!!
And "OH my GOSH!" how astronomically blessed is Sophia Gonzalez!! She happens
to have just purchased a drum set? She happens to be in the Lone Pine, California area
where Hanson is "calling around" to get a hold of just this item for their
"If Only" video shoot? She gets "to hang out on the set with her mom and a
couple friends and visit with Hanson between takes?!!!" "Somewhere in her
youth or childhood [actually she looks like she's living both right now], she must have
done something REALLY good!!" ::grin:: Sophia, how cool is that?!! (c;
Congratulations!
another day with Hanson
I re-read the first "day with Hanson" article from MOE #2 to see if
anything struck me about "another day" here in MOE #8. What I noticed was
that in this recent article, Ashley (my deductive guess at the author) includes comments
about the guys' diet (Ashley's preoccupation with food, begs the question of Dr. Food's
true identity) and his high regard for the way Hanson handles the pressures of fame.
However, the MOE 8 article is much more of an itinerary than a page from the band's
scrapbook as MOE 2 was. By this I mean, that we are most intimate when doing the
ordinary things of life.
The last article was written from a New York hotel room some time near the first
anniversary of "Hanson Day" (May 1998). It told of each guys' approach to
their history, math and literature lessons. Ashley also included his feelings about
being with the whole crew, "Another thing I have learned from being with Hanson is
that home is where their family is . . .[T]he fam gather up all their stuff and we all
walk out to the awaiting van. We hop in and head back to the hotel. Conversation is light
as most everyone is exhausted." (MOE 2). However, in his current description of
the Brisbane experience, the day ends like this, "Before we know it the cruise is
over and it is back to the hotel." (MOE 8)
At the same time, the first article had a feeling of awe to it still. Brushes
with fame and fan reaction were still fresh and noteworthy. "Another day"
is aptly titled, as Ashley truly captured the "just another day" feel that must
be the fabric of the band's life by now.
Finally, I must say, I felt an immediate connection to the author in his sage advice,
"Don't ask Zac a stupid question." I'm sure I'm not alone in agreeing with him,
but I think I should see if my sister truly threw out her husband's British t-shirt (that
I mentioned in the Glassy Surface article) with the words,
"Caution: Low Flash Point for Stupid People"--If I find it, I will send it
directly to our young friend, Zac.
contest winner(s)
If only, I had included the words "In the City" in either of my entries for the
MOE page contest or the webpage contest . . . ::smirk::
Seriously though, congratulations Leah and Sheri!! Leah, I really like collages (or
mosaics?)!! Is that a California redwood? Do you know how many years those
things can live to? (c;
And the other art included is really incredible! Each time I look at them, I see
something I hadn't noticed before. Very cool.
regular columns:
centerfold
The guys' rock climbing expertise includes climbing park benches?! A rare skill. The
clever angle of the camera started me thinking . . . I would not doubt that Hanson
has wacky photos, taken at just the right angle, that suggest that they are "holding
up" the Leaning Tower of Pisa or "bench pressing" the top of the Coliseum
in Greece or "drinking from" Niagara Falls. If you've never tried this kind of
fun photography, it's easy and translates into hours of entertainment
hanson needs your help!!!
Just thought I'd share yet another story from my recent return home. Hanson, don't worry,
all summer I have been calling to request "This Time Around" and "If
Only" at my local radio station. For awhile, there was a whole situation where
the DJs didn't have "If Only" in the studio because there wasn't enough demand
for it--In fact, some of the in-studio people hadn't heard it yet. Before I went
away, the studio people had just found "If Only" in the boss's office and began
to play it.
::I leave for two weeks.::
One of my first phone calls I made when I returned (I didn't call when I was away
because I know it's important to call ONLY from a local number.) was to my radio station
to request "If Only." Mike answered and said that they had returned the
single to the boss's office because recently (translated: for the past 2 weeks), they had
not received any calls on it. Again, I do what I can! ::grin:: I just did the math.
To get the station to play "If Only" 30+ times in a week (to win the
autographed t-shirt as promised) will mean that I need to call the DJs almost 5 times a
day! Which I don't mind doing, but I wonder if I'm risking having my phone number
blocked over there! (c;
dr. food
Although I'm a meat and potatoes type of person, I do love the black bean soup!
Cuban food is so yummy . . . this recipe reminded me of my friend from Cuba who used to
laugh at the fact that our family only seasoned our Midwestern meat with salt and
pepper. She introduced me to many of the items listed by Dr. Food and I can say with
confidence that her country knows how to cook, especially their meats! Oops, the question
was for vegetarians and vegans. My sympathies to our animals friends!