Bill Hicks: Twenty Years On
Sean Murphy2/26/94. A world pretty much pre-Internet, seven years before 9/11, six years before the two-terms Bush experiment. A kinder, gentler time? Maybe. It was certainly a less chaotic and busy…
Eric Dolphy’s ‘Out To Lunch’: 50 Years Later
Thanks to the good folks at Blue Note Records for reminding us that today marks the 50th anniversary of Eric Dolphy's Out To Lunch, one of the all-time great jazz…
One More Blue Nightmare: Aram Bajakian’s Back Again (with the album of the year)
What has Aram Bajakian been up to since the release of his remarkable debut, Kef, in 2011? Not much. He’s been on the road with both Lou Reed (RIP) and…
Do You Believe in Miracles? (Revisited)
On Feb. 22, 1980, in a stunning upset, the United States Olympic hockey team defeated the Soviets at Lake Placid, N.Y., 4-to-3. (The U.S. team went on to win the…
The Intersection of Art & Innovation, cont’d: Another Conversation with Aram Bajakian
Today we wrapped round two of what I hope will be an ongoing conversation. Aram and I discussed what he's learned by producing, and promoting, his first truly independent release…
Libertarianism in Less Than Two Minutes
Courtesy of David Simon, a national treasure. Post by Bill Moyers. Same as it always was. Same as it always will be: When Christians envision God they see themselves. When…
Whispered Words*
How long will it take? I did not ask, because I wanted to make every second count. It would be over quickly enough; it was already happening entirely too soon.…
Semi-Autobiographical, Inspired by a Best-Friend (Revisited)
I am not alone. I have a best friend, who happens to be a dog. He is really good for me, reminding me to eat, sleep, go to the bathroom…
Ralph Waite, RIP
This one hurts. You can have Cliff Huxtable. I was already too old to see him as a father figure by the time The Cosby Show rolled around. Plus, he…
Quiet Songs for Loud Times: Introducing Alan Semerdjian
I've talked before about how I have come to count on direct contact from artists being responsible for great new music I may not otherwise hear. Most recently, while talking…