Pictures

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Monday, June 22, 2009


This is the cover of my new album. Written by me (RB) and Produced by (HB) Hans Bally. Hans Bally is not an aka. Though I love aliases and wish that I've used them more often in life, Hans is a real person. I say this because many friends have mentioned they think this is something I've made up. Hans lives in Sweden. We met online. And collaborated on this album. I wrote and sang the songs, he did everything else. And when I say everything, I mean it. Guitars, background vocals, drums, keyboards, bass and many beautiful strange sounds. I'm often called Mr. Ray. Suicide has a great song on their second album called Mr. Ray. I've thought of changing my name to Raymond Ray. Mr. Ray. Or least introducing myself as such. I'm proud of this record. Hans and I made a deep connection and I think you feel it when you hear the record.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Old Dark House

Doesn't everyone want an entrance as incredible as Karloff's in the Old Dark House? Can you imagine having that kind of impact "in life."  I was going to take pictures off the screen with my Nikon EM to get this shot.  Except I'm pretty sure scanning the photographs is out of my technological range.  I always wanted a Nikon.  I had Chinon in high school.  Which was great, took tons of pictures, but Nikon meant something.  I bought two on craigs list. The EM isn't considered a professional camera.  But I fell in love with it.  It is compact and simple. Between the two,  I have one great 30 year old camera that works.  I like shooting film in the backyard. Then walk over to the CVS, drop it off.  Stop at the Gulf Station to talk with Jimmy aka Jamal, of the Masoud family of Toronto; 1,200 strong around the world.  1 hour later,  go back to CVS to pick up the photographs.  Karloff made his first film in 1916 and his last in 1970.