Nobby Clark passed away the other day. Nobby was a well known Auckland artist who chronicled much of the life in New Zealand's largest city in the 60's, 70's and 80's. His son, Simon Clark, accomplished artist in his own right, heads up Illustration in the School of Art and Design at Auckland University of Technology where I have been teaching since 2005.

Nobby strolled the nocturnal streets of Auckland and wrote, drew and painted the denizens and citizens that he found there. He captured the life on these avenues, especially frequenting the bars and bistros found along Karangahape, or 'K' Road as well as those in Ponsonby. In the days of the legendary "six o'clock swill", he recorded these characters like a Damon Runyon with a brush and a pen. Much of his time was spent in The Wine Bar, a drinking establishment that was able to circumvent the rigid law that denied alchohol in the city's public houses after 6:00 in the evening, by simply serving wine. Beloved by the regulars there, he told their improbable stories in image and word.

A true individualist, free spirit, and fine art illustrationist -- the world needs more like Nobby. He will be sorely missed.

-- dg

2 December 2008
Auckland, New Zealand

Left: The Pearl on Karangahape Road, Auckland, New Zealand.

Guy Forsyth has been a primal force in Austin music for nearly two decades. He is a powerful writer, composer, vocalist, guitarist and harpist -- not to mention an accomplished virtuoso of the musical saw. To fully appreciate the scope and depth of his musical talents however, one must see him in person. Recordings do little justice to his live performances. However, this two-CD set, is probably the best of his few forays into recorded live sessions.

It was my very great honor to do the cover(s) for these recordings. The image is a reproduction of the poster that I did in 1996 for his weekly performances at Antone's -- Sunday night gigs that carried the spiritual force of his music in the quietest corner of the weekend. He has been for many years, and remains, my favorite contemporary Austin musician.

Click on the > button below to listen to a MP3 Public Service Announcement recorded by Danny's long-time compadre, Eddie Wilson of Threadgill's, at KGSR's studio, courtesy of morning DJ, Bryan Beck.

For all the morning, drive-time, KGSR listeners, hip to all things funky & weird about Austin, you'd better listen up close at the magical hour of 7:09 am, when Bryan Beck offers daily tips into the mystery of 7/09.