This week's subject for the 2 things challenge was foot/loose and I chose to represent "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" as my entry since there are plenty of loose foots in it. When I was a girl my sister and I learned the tango, samba, and mambo from friends of my mothers. We danced and danced around our living room and really put out hearts into learning it. I can never hear Latin music without thinking of these times. I enjoyed this book a few years ago and thought that it captured the essence of early '50s love of Cuban music. Here's the lyrics to a song that I liked.
Papa Loves Mambo Unh! Papa loves mambo! Mamma loves mambo! Look at ‘em sway with it, Gettin’ so gay with it, Shoutin’ Olé with it, Wow! Unh! Papa loves mambo! ( Papa loves mambo! ) Mamma loves mambo! ( Mamma loves mambo! ) Papa does great with it, Swings like a gate with it, He loses weight with it, Now! He goes to, she goes fro, He goes fast, she goes slow, He goes left, an’ she goes right! Papa’s lookin’ for Mamma, But Mamma is nowhere in sight! Unh! Papa loves mambo! Mamma loves mambo! Havin’ their fling again, Younger than spring again, Feelin’ that zing again, Wow! Unh! Papa loves mambo! ( Papa loves mambo! ) Mamma loves mambo! ( Mamma loves mambo! ) Don’t play the rumba an’ don’t play the samba, ‘Cause Papa loves mambo, tonight! Unh! Papa loves mambo! Mamma loves mambo! Papa loves mambo! Mamma loves mambo! He goes to, she goes fro', He goes fast, she goes slow, He goes left, an’ she goes right! Papa’s lookin’ for Mamma, But Mamma is nowhere in sight! Unh! Papa loves mambo! ( Papa loves mambo! ) Mamma loves mambo! ( Mamma loves mambo! ) Havin’ their fling again, Younger than spring again, Feelin’ that zing again, Wow! Unh!
( Papa loves mambo! ) Mambo Papa! ( Mamma loves mambo! ) Mambo Mamma! Don’t play the rumba an’ don’t play the samba, ‘Cause Papa! Papa mambo, tonight! Unh!
Deconstruction:
Dancers and footprints (from Seattle Broadway street photo) from wikimedia.com using mayflower search
Used [image,apply image] to merge the dancers and footprints together, then pasted the book image into a layer. I liked what I saw and so I stopped.
Do you think more layers would make a better result?
15 comments:
its a great idea. i wish it were a little less dark. have you learned how to play with curves yet?
Wow Bobbie,
Finding out more about you!! Neat!
Great entry - and I agree with Sue that I wish it were lighter. Levels is another easy way to do that.
Image, to adjustments, to Levels ... then move the mid bar so it is lighter. Have preview on so you can see what you are doing.
How are you doing?
Hugs,
~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog
A very clever idea Bobbie! I almost though the feet were part of the original poster!
You were fast too!
Bobbie, I was born in Cuba and have an extensive Cuban music collection - in fact I was there when Castro marched into Havana and also witnessed Bay of Pigs as a child. Left on a Pam Am plane as a tourist and became a refugee with my mom and siblings. My father came out later, not too much later.
Your image is very good - the darnkness is seductive and in keeping witht he "dirty dancing" aspects of the "scene."
I, far from perfect, would have made the color part less vivid - washed it out, maybe make it look older, torn- sun bleached(transparent)
I like the color being boittom left - pulls ya back into composition.
Cha, cha, cha. I need a good cigar.
I read the first verse. I thought it was a very lifeley song. It just made me want to get up and dance.
The dog was asleep in that picture.
I will try to I just get so tired of things so I change them.
- Mckayla
ya looks good in this second version. i thin if i were doing the mambo my feet would be all over the place too. hahaha
~sue o'kieffe
I did not see the first version but I think this one is mucho excellent! I love the superimposition and the overall sensuous feel to it. It just makes me wanna swing my hips and chacha, as mckayla said. I love it when you write about your life, wish I knew you then! Keep on dancing, my dear friend :)
My father taught me how to foxtrot and waltz, I never did learn the Latin dances, but wished I had. It's nice to know these little facts about you. I imagine you dancing to some hot Latin music now.
Love this. I remember my parents had records with the footsteps marked on the back so you could learn to do the dances. I still remember Cha Cha Cha from those! Lovely memories.
The picture is GREAT - I guess i missed the original. But I do like old pics to be dark, like memories you can only dimly see in your mind's eye.
I love that song!! I liked your picture! xoxo Nita
Sue, Thank you very much for your input. I lightened the image and reposted as you suggested. You are such a help. I'd have my feet all over the place doing the Mambo today, but I was actually thinking of getting some music and trying it again. he he.
Diane, Thanks for reiterating Sue's comment. I posted at night and it looked fine, then in the morning light it was terrible. I used your instructions to correct the image. I appreciate any critique or instruction that you offer, it is very valuable to me.
Lisa, Thank you, this image came to me when I read the challenge and so was thought out beforehand, unlike many of my other attempts. lol.
John, I love Cuban music and wish it would gain popularity again. I guess in a way Salsa echoes it. Thank you for your very valued input. I could not get it adjusted as you described, it just went yellow instead of gold. I'm sure it is my lack of expertise, but I will continue fiddling with it and see what I can do. I agree it would make a better image.
McKayla, Thank you for posting on my blog. I'm enjoying your blog too.
Neda, I wish I knew you back then too so I'd have all those years of knowing your sweet self.
Irene, wasn't it fun to do all those dances? My old body just doesn't want to move anymore. Pure laziness I recon.
Frances, I can still remember seeing those records turning on the record player as we danced. I too, like the dark images but one can go too dark :)
Nita, thanks for dropping by. Love your new blog.
Love your entry. I was thinking about a dancing theme for mine, but on the lines of the 80s film 'Footloose', but your's is much better!
Bobbie, I really have to apologize to you and the other ladies at the 2 things challenge: I really want to participate from all my heart but I have been stumped the past few times. I also missed doing an arts update this week,things are a little bit of whack here... Sorry, okay ? :)
I looooved Mambo Kings! I read it in one shot and savoured every word. Hated the movie though. Loved the soundtrack.
Lovely collage, very sensual and evocative.
Bobbie: I love your interpretation! And what a great way to recommend a book, as well. I confess: I've never read The Mambo Kings. I'll have to add them to my reading list.
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