SOPHIA LOREN: ICONS AND LEGENDS Series Volume 001

Ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper and though I have many lifelong favorite legendary performers, none of them compare to Sophia Loren. La Loren is Glamour, Talent, Italy, Beauty... the essence of an Icon, Legend and a Force to be Reckoned with.  Most impressively, though like Aida she is a Diva Personified, but has never given an Air of being too stuck on herself. 

I usually feature my works on my blog, but every now and then I like to share with you the people, artists, projects that inspire not only me, but many others.  After seeing many of her films or looking back on her long and steadfast career, I am left energized, wanting to strive to be a better artist myself; if not person.  Always appreciative of her artistry and genuine greatness, vitality and drive.

Credit to the various photographers, though I did some edits to streamline this post.

I hope you enjoy viewing her works on print,

 as much as I did researching and having a lifetime love for this incredible woman.

This post is part of my series of ICONS & LEGENDS of those artists who inspire and drive me to become better in my own artistry by studying their works and being inspired.

Sophia Loren is the first of this series.

AND STILL I WAIT - poem by Antonio Cassone

AND STILL I WAIT

And still I wait
Eager for your reply
Your willingness to debate
And, of course, yet another lie

Worrying and fretting all about
I grow tired of our ins and outs
Brutalized by your lack of faith
Even though I patiently wait

Will you ever come around
From the bend, from the other end?
I refuse to be the enemy here
Yet, you treat me with such disregard

How long will I be forced to endure
This abuse which I inflict upon myself?
As you go on and treat me obscure
While I go about and doubt myself...

Bitter I will not become
I have other things in my life
To keep me occupied
And to not wonder whenever I will become your wife 

© Antonio Cassone - All Rights Reserved

Check out WRITING LINES - Available in both Paperback and Kindle Edition Formats at Amazon

 

Scruffy the Dog from MEMORIES MY GREAT UNCLE LEFT BEHIND

The book is available in both Paperback and Kindle Edition formats <<>> to Visit the Book's Pah=ge on Amazon. Thank You!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - More Images from MEMORIES MY GREAT UNCLE LEFT BEHIND

 

The book is Available in both Paperback and Kindle Edition Formats <<>> to visit its Amazon Page for more information. Thank You!

Drake's SCORPION is Breaking All Sorts of Records ...and Barriers

I thought I lost count when I watched this week's Hot 100 countdown. Not at all hating, but I just don't get it. 27 songs in the Hot 100 - that is almost a third! 7 in the top 10. That is 70%. He has been #1 with 1 of 3 songs non consecutively most of this year, save 3 or 4 weeks. I know he is good, but really? There used to be payola back in the day with radio stations. I just wonder with technology and streaming all being a big part of what charts. It makes me wonder sometimes. This would have never happened back in the day. Not even with The Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson or Mariah Carey in her hey day. 

That being said, one does have to take notice of this great accomplishment.  All five of his studio albums have topped the charts and this one, every one of the double album's 25 tracks charted in its first week of release.  I can't find fault in the smart push by his team and record execs for making sure music stream users 'encountered' his album and were able to give it a listen upon its initial release.  Nobody comes close to the ground he is breaking with each passing release.

It will be interesting to see how Grammy voters respond.  He deserves to finally get some recognition in the top General field categories ie Album and Record, maybe even Song of the year.  It took Grammy awhile to even nominate him, let alone give him a win.  He has 3 Grammy wins out of 27 nominations to date.  While I am not his biggest fan, I do appreciate his artistry and respect his ability to attract such mass appeal from a very broad fan base.  

Maybe the industry will not look upon his efforts with jealousy and embrace, even reward his efforts when awards season rolls around.  Sure, he will get a ton of fan base awards like American Music Awards and industry one like Billboard Music Awards, but I am now more interested to see what the Grammy voters do.  Streaming is obviously the future of the industry and rewarding him would be a huge nod to that notion as well.

Just some random thoughts on the current music industry fodder.

--Antonio Cassone