Still Photo
It’s the week of independence, but it is a week of mourning too. Anybody who has ever turned on a radio knows about Michael Jackson. And there’s Farrah Fawcett too, who parlayed a single season on Charlie’s Angels into sex symbol stardom. But what got lost in the mix this past week is the passing of Kodachrome. With due respect to the human passings, this is the loss that has probably touched more Americans than those two performers combined.
Polaroid had its day, but we all have a snapshot in time from our childhood, or maybe even that of our parents or grandparents, that was preserved through the magic of Kodachrome. It was a staple at family celebrations and holiday events. For us, it once preserved a family gathering of five living generations on film.
Even after the advent and ascendancy of the digital camera, it was still Kodachrome that filled those little yellow cardboard boxes that people grabbed at the drugstore their way to the wedding, the party, or the beach for Fourth of July when they forgot their camera. It was only with the incorporation of quality camera technology into cell phones, that Kodachrome slipped to below 1% of Kodak’s still film sales and finally was put to rest.
There may be no greater hallmark of being ingrained in the American consciousness than a reference in a Paul Simon song. After all, that’s where Joe DiMaggio, Graceland and the 59th Street Bridge all got their big break. Of course, none of them were immortalized by our favorite New Yorker quite the same way as Mr. Eastman’s color film. Mama, please don’t take my Kodachrome away.
Hometown Heroes
There may be only one reason to celebrate this weekend, but there are plenty of places to do it. We’re going to feature two of our favorites, but you can check out Eddie’s Attic on the 4th (Rebecca Loebe) and The Earl all weekend (Snowden Fri/Selmanaires Sat) for other great shows.
While you’re lighting fireworks you picked up on the way back from that last trip to Nashville, we will be dancing. We’re headed to Smith’s Olde Bar this weekend for a two-night doubleheader. Both Friday and Saturday night Judi Chicago and Noot D’Noot will be on the stage upstairs on Piedmont Ave.
Judi Chicago’s latest output is a pair of tracks they’ve dubbed Juke Box Dj Sets. They were posted on their website in April and are still available for download (link above). Noot D’ Noot will be playing tracks from it’s newest 12 inch, Cash for Gold, which just dropped June 16 on Shakedown Records.
This should be two nights of great grooves and big beats. Celebrate freedom with a little moonwalk tribute…c’mon.
That’s Atlanta’s A-List and it’s a wonder I can think at all.
by Gunter Grass. All are welcome.
