A Week of Americana. Part Five: Chinatown
Sean MurphyChinatown does not usually make the short list of best American films. In fairness, it probably shouldn’t. It will have to settle for merely being the only perfect American…
A Week of Americana. Part Four: James Brown
On this most American of holidays, it seems appropriate --if not obligatory-- to celebrate the most American of geniuses. It does not get any more American than James Brown,…
A Week of Americana. Part Three: The Doors
If the discussion is going to turn to American rock bands, it would be impossible to avoid R.E.M. Fortunately, I already dealt with their legacy and am on record declaring…
A Week of Americana. Part Two: Mingus Ah Um
If we're going to talk about America, we've got to talk about Mingus. It's really that simple. As readers of this blog know, while I don't go out of my…
A Week of Americana. Part One: Moby Dick
As our nation prepares to celebrate another birthday this week, it seems like an appropriate time to revisit some posts that celebrate art, American style. The first one, fittingly, is…
Obama’s Next Move
So, back in March 2010, the day after Biden --with his typical ill-advised, but beautiful candor-- announced, within earshot of the mics "This is a big fucking deal", I had…
The Greek God of Walks Gets An Appropriate Walk-Off
Sometimes the gods smile. (Speaking of gods and the whole "Greek God of Walks" thing, that of course was a mistake made in the seminal Moneyball, when Youk, because of…
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown (Revisited)
How do you know you've made an indelible impact on culture? Here's how. Listen: this story has been told so many times it is inextricable from the history of…
Soul Kitchen
The cars crawl past all stuffed with eyes Street lights share their hollow glow Your brain seems bruised with numb surprise Still one place to go... That is all.
When I’m 64 (Plus Six): My Favorite Macca
Paul McCartney who, no matter where you stand on rock music, The Beatles or list-making, is indisputably one of the best --and most important-- popular musicians of the last…