RickLicks

Computer musician, James Phelps, commissioned the video for RickLicks. This proved to be one of the most challenging videos that I have ever edited. The music frequently transitions from the music of James Phelps, the music of John Lennon, and the sound of the Rickenbacker guitar.

"No single influence has been greater in my musical life than the music of the BEATLES. More specifically, even at the ripe age of 9, when I first laid eyes on John Lennon playing his 325 Rickenbacker, I thought that just must be the perfect sound and the most perfect-looking guitar. Now in later years I know it wasn't just the guitar, the player or the 1960s production sound, but all of that, and perhaps more, rolled up into one musical package which I never "got over." Roughly forty years later I thought it must be time to pay homage, in some small way, to this influence which was largely responsible for my becoming a professional musician and, even, Music Professor."

"After some discussion with a very good friend and award-winning artist, Bart Woodstrup, the project of such an homage began and culminated in RickLicks, for digital video, computer music and live guitar, the latter component being, of course, a reissue of Lennon's 1958 model 325 Rickenbacker electric guitar, humbly played by myself."

"Now long completed and many times performed and recorded, the work resounds in glorification of this sonic energy which propelled me into music as a career and appears to offer, occasionally, an eerie quality. I never wanted to compose a requiem and this work is, in fact, not one. I suppose it's understandable, however, that such a loss as that of Lennon to the music world and to my own world would tint the piece with a distant, lost voice. The piece is, however, a celebration!"

-Jim Phelps

Jim Phelps is playing a Rickenbacker "Hamburg" 1958 reissue of John Lennon's favorite instrument in the late 50s and early 60s.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• john
• lennon
• beatles
• rickenbacker
• ricklicks
• animation
• film
• art
• computer
• music
• electro
• acoustic
• phelps

[vodstrup]

@Zebonka Saying that I've "disappeared up my own asshole" is probably where my "attitude" comes from. This wasn't intended to be a pop culture piece, something you just don't understand - your ignorance precedes you. I have every right to defend myself against pricks like you. I enjoy it.

[Zebonka]

As one decently paid gigging musician to another, I'm not sure where your attitude comes from. I'm just saying, as someone who creates stuff on the odd occasion, I can't help but feel that maybe there's better ways to react when you have a Miss as opposed to a Hit. It happens sometimes, there's no reason to be a bitch about it.

[vodstrup]

@vodstrup Oh, I forgot, I also used a program called Jitter made by Cycling74 - I was just learning the software at the time and I didn't capture the imagery quite right hence some effects aren't as smooth as it looked in real-time.

[vodstrup]

@warchild1976 I edited this in After Effects about 7-8 years ago... 2005(?)

[vodstrup]

@vodstrup Sorry, I think I meant colonoscopic. I love all the comments from the guitar wankers out there looking for Rickenbacker porn. Please keep it coming - no pun intended.

[vodstrup]

@wisesatyr72 I'm sure you'd rock it appropriately. Let me assure the skeptics, that this guitar is well cared for and quite often used to play the classic rock style that made it famous. This video and music was just a fun yet serious experiment.

[vodstrup]

@beatlekid1941 Definitely not for sale.

[vodstrup]

@viceisthename No I don't think so. It's not my guitar, but I do think it is all original.

[vodstrup]

@Zebonka Right on brother! Someday I'm just going to set up the camera in the corner of the room and play some shitty 60's style blues like all the other baby boomer wannabe's, until then let the colonospic journey continue!

[Zebonka]

This vid is clearly the statement of someone who's long since disappeared up his own asshole, but I readily concede that his heart is in the right place. Legendary little guitar.