Vincent Van Gogh’s surroundings in the South of France provided daily inspiration for his painting

A delightful correlation between Vincent Van Gogh’s Yellow House in Arles, France and The Band’s Big Pink in Woodstock, New York (USA) struck me like a late 70’s Phil Lesh bass guitar thump during this morning’s visit to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.


Both modest and unremarkable, these two homes (one yellow and the other pink), identified forever after their bright exterior color, provided a dynamic muse Vincent Van Gogh and members of The Band (particularly guitar and lead song writer, Robbie Robertson) during immensely creative and productive periods for these generational artists.  The home’s serene environments and landscapes, both inside and out, served as a catalyst for some of their greatest works.

Taking things a step further (in typical TBR Ramble fashion), one could also make a strong connection between Van Gogh’s introduction to his friend and fellow painter, Paul Gaugin, and The Band’s invitation to Bob Dylan to live with them (when he wanted) and create art without distractions and trappings of other people and big cities. Eventually, like Gaugin, Dylan moved on to more quiet surroundings as the madness that ensued inside the Yellow House and Big Pink was too intense. After Gaugin threw in the towel on being Van Gogh’s roommate, Vincent checked himself to a mental institution. Dylan ran to Nashville after hiding out in the Catskill hills with The Band with a re-energized creative soul. Members of The Band spiraled into the all too familiar drugs and jealousy rock and roll nightmare.

In touring the Van Gogh Museum (bringing my ramble full circle), I was tickled to hear that Vincent Van Gogh painted a new piece of work almost every day. This concept immediately Jetson-ed me to reading Robbie Robertson’s recent book “Testimony” (click here for that TBR story I penned) and his workman-like approach to being a songwriter and writing every day. Elton John did that, too. Vincent Van Gogh and Robbie Robertson approached their craft in similar fashion… produce art every day, and strive to get better by learning from the greats (both before their time and contemporaries).  These two artists have very different endings though…. Vincent cut off his ear, entered a mental asylum ward and shot himself in the chest dead.  Robbie quit cocaine cold turkey, found religion, and satisfaction of a quiet artist’s life writing movie soundtracks.


Bringing this story on its last circle (number three) to Amsterdam… last night when strolling back to my hotel (Conservatorium in the Museum District), I walked through the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam tunnel and met an artist that for the last two years plays his accordion almost every night for passersby in the same dry (very important he stressed to me) and magically light spot where the tunnel acoustics provids him with an “environment” to display his songs and emotions.  

I didn’t want to ruin the moment and take a picture of the accordion player, but I did snap two pictures of the Amsterdam alley under the Rijks as I exited the hall

I did not ask the Dutch accordionist his name, but won’t forget him as I happily penned another mind licking chapter of my not yet published book called “the joys of talking music”.


You never know when a music rabbit hole will surprise you. Experience has told me to be nimble and jump in for the ride.  


Like a handful of select other cities with artistic bones (San Francisco and New Orleans come to mind fast!), the sites and sounds of Amsterdam are an incredible artistic muse.  Just take a look at some pics below that I shot today…

Keep flapping rancheleros!


Peace
M