Ken Russell in Encyclopaedia Britannica-Old School Style

So I'm talking about OLD school Britannica, not the online edition which includes Britney Spears and ASDA. I'm going to reference a 1977 edition which was so narrow in their definition of notable subjects,  that not even The Who warrant a mention. Ages it seems before the internet, these reference guides could define or erase entire careers and recreate events. Despite an obvious imperialistic feel the EB is still great reading. Even just copying the three entries below proved oddly addictive, like my own personal "Red Headed League"!

A classic set of EBs always features two sets of books; one for ready reference and another for knowledge in-depth. Oddly enough Ken is mentioned as an author first and filmmaker second. (Ironically, his indepth mention shares the same page as Paddy Chayefsky whom went to war with  in that same era (provoked) over Altered States.)  Ken has mentions in both sets while Sir Edward Elgar only gets a mention in ready reference. Granted, it is a longer than average reference but it seems odd that his life was not given an longer appraisal and biography or that he was not at least mentioned briefly elsewhere. It is almost like he had to know his place even thus. Interestingly enough they mentioned Sea Pictures which is the only song cycle I ever seriously studied as a contralto.

Here is how Ken Russell was considered and how he was entered in the reference guide to end all guides. For contrast I've included the two Russells that he randomly falls in-between. Like Elgar, it seems that EB wants Ken in a hidden niche yet were he is situated is nonetheless quite illuminating. The holographic nature of the universe at play as Ken's wife Lisi would say.

(All print is exactly how it is published in Encyclopaedia Britannica. The asterisk takes you to Ken mention in Knowledge in-Depth)

Russell, John (b. March 29, 1745, Guildford Surrey-d April, 1806, Hull Yorkshire), pastel artist. amateur astronomer, and literary scholar whose brilliantly coloured chalk portraits were highly appreciated in 18th century England. For a decade his works were priced equal to those of  Sir Joshua Reynolds. An evangelistic Methodist, he preached at his sitters while he drew them. Although his militant religious views aroused antagonism in some quarters he was retained as a painter to George III. He also wrote several atheistic and technical treatises on literature and painting. For 50 years he kept a diary on his religious exercise and he laboured for 20 years with telescope and engraving tools on a lunar map.

Russell, Kenneth (1927-    ), British author and film director
 Biographical studies for television 18:126f

18, Page 126: Television and Radio, Arts of  In Britain, Ken Russell's idiosyncratic biographical studies of composers (Debussy, Elgar, Delius, Strauss) caused controversy with their experimental, impressionist approach, a technique Russell later developed in his feature film The Music Lovers.

 Russell, Lillian (b HELEN LOUISE LEONARD, Dec. 4, 1861, Clinton, Iowa-d. June 6, 1922, Pittsburgh Pa.), singer and actress in light comedies who represented the feminine ideal of her generation. Probably the most photographed women of her time, she was a striking beauty with a Gibson Girl figure. Though she sang in burlesque and light opera for almost four decades, she was as famous for her flamboyant personality as for her beauty and her voice. She made her début as member of the chorus in Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. She received her stage name in 1880 from manger Tony Parsons, and she apprised frequently in his Broadway variety theatre. She achieved stardom the following year in Edmund Audran's Grand Mogul at the New York Bijou Opera House. She also won acclaim in 1890 for her role in Jacques' Offenbach's Grande-Duchesse de Gerolstein. From 1889 until their partnership dissolved in 1904, she appeared in England and the United States with the burlesque company of Joe Weber and Lew Fields. After her fourth marriage, in 1912, she wrote a syndicated newspaper column on health, beauty, and love; she also lectured on these topics before vaudeville audiences.

WON'T YOU JOIN THE DANCE!!??

In light of recent current pop culture events and trends I've decided to shift the focus of this blog from my usual eclecticism to a radical single focus. I've watched as many bloggers have braved goal oriented projects and I've also noticed how many bloggers have a somewhat strict format.

I'm ready for both.

I'm aware that in the six years I've had this blog, I've missed one key potential that blogging has which is knowledge and the dissemination thereof in a positive manner. For someone who performs, parents, travels, rants and writes I've only just skimmed the surface-not any more.

So to that cheesy physical education teacher back in High School who argued for all us toffee nose teens to "Set a goal, make a plan, see that goal through..." I'm going the distance now coach.

And why? Because following the drunk driving death of Jackass star Ryan Dunn I was appalled to read the words of some of the hundreds of thousands, dare I say millions of people who will not only defend but who identify with such hateful, deadly destructive garbage "culture." I use quotes because a franchise, a show, a film, a human being that feeds on destruction and stupidity is just that- stupidity incarnate and not culture in an artistic sense. More people were mourning Dunn and not so much disregarding but actually taking pride in the fact he was drunk, drove and killed himself and another (eg: "...we all do it, like you never have?") than were rejoicing in the life of Clarence Clemons-a true artist with an amazing history.


I'm now taking action in my corner of the internet.

A true artist with an unparalleled history I will now be celebrating, challenging, chronicling, reaching out to, exploring, relearning, critiquing, learning from and shouting about. I'm also going to physically experience many of the same things he has-physical, mental and visual extremes are fast becoming the realm of the mindless these days and we can't have that. Best to reclaim when we still can. I've been out of school for some time have to learn from the best and he is unequivocally one of the worlds greatest living creative geniuses and a national treasure to England and the cosmos. Himself a lavish visual biographer of other artists he's NEVER backed down on what he'll create, give to the universe and what effect it will have.

In fact recently Death backed down from him.

Just as the great political artist Paul Robeson was known and revered all over the world while unapologetically provoking anger and controversy in his own country so does this artist. Fans love him the world over but harsh detractors here in England have tried to erase him, ignore him and marginalize and they have failed miserably in the process. He gave so much to England so it is simply shameful along with an honorary Academy Award which is two decades overdue. Largely through this man's unwavering devotion the world rediscovered Elgar and I found Sea Pictures, Elgar's beautiful song cycle for contraltos. Because of him there is occasionally some full frontal ding dong swinging action for the ladies when we go to the movies. This man has helped make the world less tight ass not more jack ass. And, I have no shame in admitting, in 2000 I unsuccessfully 'auditioned' with hundreds of other applicants online to be this man's wife. (He's sexy as hell and I was very young and crazy so how could I resist?) Fate brought him a wonderful and beautiful fan who'd he'd met years before as a film student (and eventually I found my Kevin :) His lovely wife's kindness and openness makes the germination of my project largely possible. Thanks in advance to both of them.

So wish me luck and watch this blog.

-Super Amanda 22-6-20111

Patron Muse of my project is the master dancer, Ballerina, Yogi and Gyrotonics trainer Leslie Schickel, (click on the link and wait) who co-owns Adaptogen Healing Arts Salon in San Francisco. Lesile is the most amazing, inspiring and focused artist that I've ever known personally and had the pleasure of learning from. If she'd been born in the 50's she'd have been cast in many of this man's films. I Love you Leslie.