Borne Back Ceaselessly Into the Past: Steinbeck, Nostalgia, Empathy and Amtrak*
Sean Murphyi. WHEN I FIRST read John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley: In Search of America I was not quite old enough to drive. Still, I felt I could appreciate his somewhat…
A Week of Americana. Part Five: Chinatown
Chinatown 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 film…
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, does…
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: Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet (R.I.P.), with his idiosyncracies, individuality and iconoclasm, represents virtually everything that is profoundly beautiful about America both as a concept and actuality. Like his compatriots Syd Barrett…
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…
Four Albums and a Film: The Best Summer Entertainment
The Congos - Heart of the Congos (1977) Great art knows no seasons. Nevertheless, some music is made for—or at least can be fully appreciated during—specific times of the year.…
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown… (Five Years Later)
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 America.…
The Bittersweet Science, Part Four: Four Kings (Revisited)
Let's finish this four part post off by letting Kimball, and the Kings, do the talking. Duran was fifteen and walking his girlfriend home from a dance when they…
The Intersection of Technology & Education: A Conversation with Darryl Joyner (Cont’d)
My series concerning the Intersection of Technology & Culture continues! (previous discussions can be found here.) I’ve had the welcome opportunity to speak with a variety of musicians and writers, so it’s…