Courtesy of Freepik.com
One of the silliest features in WordPress is the Daily Writing Prompt. I suppose it is intended to inspire creativity for authors suffering from writer’s block, but the prompts aren’t particularly inspiring. Here are a few I answered in five seconds or less.
- Describe a decision you made that helped you learn and grow: I moved to France.
- Jot down the first thing that comes to mind: I’m horny.
- How do you use social media? I don’t.
- How do you unwind after a demanding day? Music, booze, cigarettes and sex.
- What makes you nervous? Brainless macho dudes.
- Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently? I should have moved to Europe earlier.
- Describe a risk you took that you do not regret: Every risk I’ve taken.
Much to my surprise, today’s prompt inspired a longer answer: What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why?
The United States. It is a mean, cruel, hateful, violent country run by wealthy narcissists and their sycophants who take pride in their cruelty. It is a country where truth has been replaced by fiction and paranoia, a nation determined to destroy the environment, hasten global warming and make life unlivable for everyone on earth, all for the sake of making the rich even richer. The people of the United States voluntarily chose this path, partially out of hatred of people who are educated, liberal, not white, not heterosexual and not American; partially because of trivial shit like the price of eggs; and partially because many are too lazy or too stupid to vote. The United States is now a de facto dictatorship in the business of creating chaos all over the world and no longer the beacon of hope for anyone except other greedy, insecure male assholes. To those who hope that the United States will “return to normal,” I’m sorry, but the United States you knew is never coming back. The fix is in; the laws are irrelevant; taking back one or both houses in Congress won’t change a damn thing because Trump will issue executive orders and if the courts don’t back him up (unlikely), he’ll just ignore them. Impeachment with removal is impossible because the two-thirds requirement for conviction by the Senate will never happen thanks to all those gerrymandered red states. Even if you could pull it off or find some other non-violent way to get rid of Trump and his merry band of racist, sexist, faux-Christian bullies, few countries on earth will ever trust an American government again. I wish I could pray for a miracle but I don’t pray and I don’t believe in miracles.
I have to keep reminding my colleagues at the EU that not all Americans are morons who were stupid enough to fall for Trump’s con, and there is some karmic justice in that the MAGA crowd will get royally screwed by Trump’s mismanagement of everything . . . along with everyone else. In a conversation with my director, I suggested that the EU might want to consider granting sensible Americans refugee status. “The 1951 Refugee Convention defines a refugee as a person who, owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of [their] nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail [themself] of the protection of that country.” As Trump is persecuting LGBTQ people, minorities, college students, academics, universities, law firms, scientists, Democrats, journalists, artists, U.S. citizens and everyone who disagrees with him, we could add a whole lot of talent to our population. She laughed and said, “You make some good points,” but I don’t think my idea is likely to get much traction.
My family has agreed that we will no longer purchase goods or services from the USA unless it’s completely unavoidable (like if my Mac blew up). Dad sold his last two houses in San Francisco (I thought he had sold them long ago); his only remaining connection is his monthly Social Security check, and he expects that to disappear sooner or later. We had to give up several streaming services, but baseball isn’t what it used to be (goodbye MLB.TV) and American providers rely too much on violence and dystopian fantasies (bye-bye Netflix and Apple TV). Giving up my daily Diet Coke was easy enough because nobody wants to be seen drinking a Diet Coke in France. WordPress is the only connection left for me, but I’ve already paid for another year and have plenty of time to find a non-American option before renewal. I thought of doing another American Boycott and reviewing only albums created by non-Americans, but hey, y’all know I’m not going to review jerks like Ted Nugent and Kid Rock. Most American artists in any field you care to name are not MAGA-enablers, and as we learned from my Songs of World War II review, music can help people hold it together during tough times. I may not be able to offer Americans a solution to their problems, but I will do my best to lift your spirits.
A final bit of advice: get the hell out if you can, but if emigration is not possible, do your best to spread kindness and joy to counteract the ugliness.
p.s. I hope to avoid commenting further on American politics because reading the news from my former homeland is unacceptably stressful and there ain’t a damn thing I can do about it.
*****
In less than a month, I will relocate to the Emerald Isle and take some time off to get our house in order. I’ve found that writing about music helps preserve my sanity, so I’ve been stockpiling candidates for future reviews. The ability to work remotely will hopefully lead to weekly reviews beginning in mid-June. Next week I will post my review of Genesis’ Foxtrot, followed by a complete overhaul of my shitty review of Are You Experienced? Here are the other albums I hope to review shortly:
- Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years and Anthology
- Songs of Leonard Cohen
- Thelonious Monk: Brilliant Corners
- Enya: Watermark
- Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 9
- Peter Gabriel: 3 (Melt)
- Big Bill Broonzy: Trouble in Mind
- Dave Brubeck: Time Out
- The Turtles: Save the Turtles (Greatest Hits)
I’d also like to do more Nilsson and Todd Rundgren once I make up my mind about which ones. I’d also like to review more Irish artists as long as their name doesn’t begin with a U and end with a 2. I am open to requests, but make sure you thoroughly peruse my no-fly list before getting your hopes up. Please note that I do not review any album until three years its release.
Be safe, everyone, especially the good people stuck in the USA.
A Canadian Perspective
With the recent rhetoric coming from Trump about Canada becoming the 5st state I feel that I have the right to comment. (Of course, what Trump doesn’t understand is that the majority of the 51st state would vote blue.) If you want some more perspective on most Canadians view of all this check out Charlie Angus on YouTube. Charlie is a former Member of Parliament and long-time advocate for human rights and speaks much more eloquently than I can. He also has some choice words for the new American ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra.
I have no quarrel with the American people. (Most people just want to be left in peace to provide for their families.) They’re all victims too. Even the ones who voted for him. Victims of an education system that keeps them uninformed, a Democratic party that has lost its way and a colossal con game by Trump and the MAGAs. Everything they do is a giant smoke screen to keep the American public from knowing what they’re really up to which is lining their pockets at the citizens’ expense. Trump doesn’t believe in anything except money and his own colossal ego. Every time he says something stupid (which is all the time) the stock markets dip and if you don’t think his family and his cronies are buying low and selling high when the markets come up you’re deluding yourself.
What gives me some hope is the stony reception that Trump and Hegseth got during their rant at the US generals. If you don’t want fat soldiers why do you have that fat fuck in the White House and if you don’t think women are up to the task in the military I can guarantee you that any one of them could kick Hegseth’s ass. I also have faith in the American people. It’s a great country full of great people. It’s just too bad that it’s presently led by a bunch of self-serving bastards. They talked a great line about draining the swamp but, once in power, they just filled it with their own snakes.
The opposite of hope is despair and, while I have my moments, I refuse to give in to it. Trust me. We’ve got our own mini MAGA morons in Canada but, so far at least, they haven’t attained power.
And as we say in Canada, “Elbows up”.
Hi! Wasn’t too sure where to put this particular message but here seems appropriate ( I think!). I’ve just come across your fantastic writing, and given the topic of my podcast on Suede ‘Litter On The Breeze’, was especially taken with so much of that! As such, I was wondering if at any point you would like to come on the show to talk about our non(?)Britpop heroes! If so, we can talk about any specific topics on the band we’d like to discuss. If so, it’d be great to hear from you. Of course, absolutely no obligation or rush to reply! Thankyou again for sharing your wonderful work with us all.
Thank you! I’m flattered by the offer but I’ll have to decline. I’m in the middle of moving to in a different country and settling in, have a rather demanding job with the EU and a pretty heavy review schedule that will eat up most of my free time. I’d like to listen to your podcast but when I tried to subscribe I didn’t see any options for Mac users and I’m 100% Apple. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the reply! No problem whatsoever 🙂
As for apple – I think it’s available here? (I use Buzzsprout so I’m at the mercy of them as a provider as to where the podcast can be listened to!) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/litter-on-the-breeze-a-suede-podcast/id1788681081
Lookiing forward to reading what you have to say on those records in your todo list.
I’d love it if you did a review of Lesley Gore…the obvious would be picking a single album of hers (most likely from the Mercury run) or a singles compilation, but making (or having someone else such as me make one for you to review) a playlist to showcase her versatility or highlighting diff aspects of her voice, delivery etc. and for example, I feel like when she reconnected with Quincy for an album in ’76, he overdid the production and those songs are better live.
Thank you for being open to suggestions! Love your work, been reading for about 4-5 years.
Good idea! I’ll go through the options and figure something out, but for now you can find a teaser at the very end of Dad’s 45s Part Two:
Thank you for your reply and for keeping an open mind about the suggestion…along with my live renditions suggestion, I should’ve mentioned TV specials and such etc. less producer tampering, but better recording quality; and right, I’ve read the Dad’s 45s series (super enjoyable) and that’s one big reason why I decided to reach out and make this suggestion; i appreciated what you had to say and left me wanting to hear more 🙂
Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your day!
Amazing list! The Schubert paragraph in your review of Monk’s Dream gave me enough curiosity to rediscover Schubert’s music, and the result was marvelous. Also, Sawallisch’s interpretation greatly helped me deepen my appreciation for the particular piece. After all these years, Monk still comfortably sits side by side with Franz in this brilliant corner of the Internet.
I remember there was a nice gentleman who recommended the Turtles’ music in the comments somewhere a long time ago (correct me if I’m wrong!) , and the new post will surely make him smile. In my humble opinion, the Turtle’s final album Turtle Soup (produced by Ray Davies) is an overlooked beautiful little gem.
I have found your blog about a month ago and I’ve been enjoying your reviews ever since. I really like your personality and reading about you has helped me tremendously in overcoming my prejudice problems (For example, when I was younger if a person smoked or is an alcoholic or of different sexual orientation I would think horribly of that person which is obviously wrong even though I thought I was in the right back then).
As for the music reviews as a big Queen and Pink Floyd fan i can suggest:
“Queen II”, “Sheer Heart Attack”and “A Day at the Races” by Queen which imo are their best albums next to “A Night at the Opera” and “News of the World” which you already reviewed.
For Pink Floyd i would suggest “Atom Heart Mother”.
Led Zeppelin IV for , well, Led Zeppelin.
Just wanna say that I got into Radiohead recently and I have read your Kid A album review before hearing it and thought “Hmm an album that’s better than OK Computer?”. Then one day while I was on my way home from school on the bus I decided to give it a listen and fell in LOVE with it.
Thank you so much for making such wonderful reviews and I wish you and your loved ones all the best Arielle :).
Thank you for the kind words. I’m afraid Led Zeppelin IV is out of the question because I’m one of the few people on Earth who can’t stand “Stairway to Heaven.” Pink Floyd and Queen are always on my mind.
Glad you’re doing OK, despite the ugly chaos of the modern world emanating largely from the country I still live in (as a senior in high school right now, I kind of wish I had applied to some international colleges, but instead, I’ll give myself a great education – at a private college that won’t be too affected by funding cuts – and do my best to create a good life for myself and support the people I care about). I am very much looking forward to all of the reviews on your list, though I have a bunch of recommendations as well. I’ll keep them brief right now and follow up if you’re interested in some of my ideas.
A few artists you’ve already reviewed that I’d love to see more of: Miles and Trane and Duke and really all of the jazz artists you’ve reviewed (I love that you’re doing more Monk; I’ve been playing a lot of jazz piano recently and he’s my favorite); King Crimson (Red would be the one I’d recommend most, followed by Larks’ Tongues if you like more in that vein, or Discipline if you’re willing to follow them into the 80s and some artsy progressive new wave); Grateful Dead (Wake of the Flood or Blues for Allah are studio albums I’d recommend, or the acoustic Reckoning or great late-era document Without a Net if you want more live); Steely Dan (Countdown to Ecstasy, The Royal Scam or Gaucho, maybe); Joni (Don Juan!); Stevie (Talking Book, perhaps, or whichever of his unbelievably great 70s streak most interests you, but that one would be my guess); and Pearl Jam (your choice of the rest of their 90s output).
Alright, now on to some you haven’t covered yet (steering clear of your no-fly list, which has a few artists I love but can live without a review from you, such as R.E.M. and Talking Heads, and a bunch that I share your aversion to). First of all, I love your international/non-English page and see a bunch of room for expansion there. I’m in the Latin/world band at my school this year, and I’ll just say that unless you somehow don’t like Buena Vista Social Club, I think they should go on your priority list. Los Jaivas, from Chile, is a band I’ve recommended before and will recommend again. I just got their masterpiece Alturas de Machu Picchu (which sets to music the Pablo Neruda poem of the same name) on vinyl (it was just given a limited reissue in the US for Record Store Day and I managed to snag the last, or maybe only, copy my local store had a couple weeks ago), and I think that would be a great one for you to review. They filmed a TV broadcast of the full album (more of an edited music video than an actual live performance, but it’s still really cool) from Machu Picchu itself, and you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVc_BqmYvtM. And switching languages and hemispheres, I’ve fallen madly in love with a lot of West African guitar music recently, partly due to your glowing review of In the Heart of the Moon but also thanks to just how fertile that scene is these days. As you may know, Toumani Diabaté sadly passed away last summer, and Amadou Bagayoko of Amadou and Mariam passed away a few weeks ago, but many younger musicians are doing amazing things these days despite the political instability of the region. I got to see Vieux Farka Touré, Ali’s son, a few weeks ago, and met him afterward, and it was just the most amazing experience. You should definitely check out his music – all of it is great. Tinariwen, Mdou Moctar (my favorite 21st century electric guitarist, period, whose album Afrique Victime would be my first choice for a review from you), and the female-led (rare in Niger) Les Filles de Illighadad are all incredible.
Alright, back to some music in the English language. I’ll start with the 70s progressive rock band Gentle Giant, who, unlike some of their peers, kept most of their songs short and packed with fascinating ideas, and also relied on counterpoint and atonality as compositional techniques more heavily than their peers as well. Their music can be disorienting upon first listen, but as you get acclimated to them, their songs can be really catchy and fascinating to study. Also, they have a really nice, humble, intellectual, and occasionally humorous lyricism as well (for instance, they have multiple songs inspired by Rabelais’s Gargantua and Pantagruel, which I have not yet gotten around to reading but would really like to). Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends, Octopus, and Free Hand are all great albums you should check out. Heading over to the (ugh) USA, I am very curious to see if Phish is a band you would be at all interested in. They can be very divisive, but I feel like you’re open minded enough to at least give them a try if pointed in the right direction (like the Grateful Dead, their career can be overwhelming to navigate without some guidance, which I’m happy to provide if you’re interested). I won’t name any of their albums or live recordings right now; please reply to let me know if you would like some recommendations, and I’ll put some thought into providing good entry points for you. Finally if 21st-century music (other than that emanating from the continent of Africa, as discussed above) has you down a little bit (and I sympathize; the popular music of my generation is, for the most part, not very good, though I’ve been making an effort recently to give it more of a chance, and I’ve had some pleasant surprises), allow me to recommend two awesome female singer-songwriters you might me intrigued by. Molly Tuttle is an incredible bluegrass guitarist and singer-songwriter who has blown me away live multiple times, and I know you’re not a huge bluegrass fan, so I’ll steer you first towards her 2020 album …but i’d rather be with you (yes, it’s all lowercase), which is less bluegrass and more folk-pop due to lockdown recording constraints. Anyway, it’s comprised entirely of a really eclectic bunch of covers (the title is from the Grateful Dead song Standing On the Moon, but she also covers Rancid, The National, and modern pop artist Harry Styles, among others), and it’s a really nice listen. Finally, Mitski is one of the most artistically daring artists to exist in (or at least close to) the pop mainstream these days. From her early college chamber-pop days to her reinvention as an awesome guitar rocker to her hybridized current style which has also brought in some synth-pop elements as well, she has proven to be one of the most fantastic and talented songwriters of her generation, and I think you would find many of her albums really interesting. All of them are right around half an hour, with pretty short songs, so no harm in checking out all of them and seeing which ones click, but Bury Me At Makeout Creek, Puberty 2, and Be the Cowboy are an unbeatable trilogy from the middle of the last decate.
But I’ll leave you to your own schedule now, and if any of what I’ve discussed piques your interest, I’m happy to follow up with more specific recommendations and biographical info. All the best to you and your family!
Thank you for a pretty comprehensive list of requests! I have no objections to any of your suggestions except I’m not sure I would feel comfortable doing a Phish review in the near future for the reasons you mention—I’d have to have more time to study their trajectory and it will take a while to settle in Cork County. I’ve been going back and forth about King Crimson for years and eventually I’ll decide which album to do next. I would love to do more African music if only to showcase the rich musical traditions to people who think Africa is full of “shithole countries.” South American music is definitely in my sights, and I’ll get there when I feel I can do the music justice. Gaucho has been on my to-do list for some time.
Good luck with your choice of colleges . . . and who knows, if you’d decided to study abroad, they may not let you back in!
It was both incredibly exhausting and weirdly comforting to have read this. You’ve pretty much summed up my thoughts on what’s been going on right now. It’s weird, as much as it’s obvious what’s happening I still feel like I’m walking on eggshells around people when discussing this facist regime that takes hold of where I live. I work in the service industry and I still find myself lying to many who vehemently defend and believe that what trump and his spivs are up to is good. The fact that I can’t call these people out because I need their money is beyond upsetting. When my friends and acquaintances (apart from a couple of good ones) act like it’s no big deal and that nothing bad ever happens anyways I can’t help but feel like I’m going crazy. That’s why it’s weirdly comforting to hear my thoughts out loud, written here on your page. I could go on forever about it all but I’d probably just go crazy. Fuck the facists. I’d leave but I can’t bear the idea of leaving my friends and family, so I’ll do what I can and hope for the best.
I’ve consistently provided (often without your asking) many bands and artists that I’d recommend. This in some ways may retread old ground then, in that case I apologize. I won’t espouse as to why I like these albums, and I suspect you may have made up your mind on some of them already, but here’s to you maybe giving a fuck about these albums anyways. I also apologize to my strong Irish heritage. Much to my mother’s chagrin I haven’t found a single Irish artist that I’ve fallen in love with. At best I’ve enjoyed the Irish inspired music of the uk folk scene and some of the Scottish. My mother would not approve.
13 – blur
The boy bands have won – chumbawamba
Prolonging the magic – CAKE
The past is still alive – Hurray for the riff raff
Nonagon infinity – king gizzard and the lizard wizard
Steve McQueen – Prefab Sprout
Phantom Power – the super furry animals
High land, high rain – Aztec Camera
Stealers wheel – Stealers Wheel
The mollusk – ween
Dots and Loops – stereolab
Purple Mountains – Purple Mountains
Truth is always comforting if only to assure you that you’re not going crazy. The thing that I find most annoying about having a job is it always involves some kind of compromise—and service is the most challenging field in that regard. Leaving friends and family would be unthinkable; I’m just lucky that my parents had already decided to head for Europe before I got my transfer there. Blur 13 is “very likely” and I promise to give all the rest a fair shot. Stay safe!
I think some part of the middle East because of their level of terrorism
Review of “Del 63” by Fito Páez.
There’s nothing you said in your anti-USA rant that I disagree with. I just wish people wouldn’t abandon ship around here. When people of integrity and intelligence and foresight and common sense and etc give up, resign, or leave, it just makes things sink quicker and deeper. I think everyone in positions of power who resigns out of principle should be doing the opposite now — staying on out of principle.
If I didn’t live in the US, I’d say US. But to answer your question, I would probably never visit India. If I knew more about the area, I might be interested though.
Understandable. I spent ten days in India last year and the combination of high humidity and serious air pollution made for a rather unpleasant stay. On the plus side, the people were generally welcoming and I became a fan of T-20 cricket, but I doubt if I would go back.
I have switched off unproductive and stressful media. Ireland is a good place to be. Have you looked at The Pogues? One of my favourite but neglected Irish bands was JJ72. I also recommend ‘honorary’ Irish songs like “From Clare To Here” and Steve Earle’s “The Galway Girl”.
Good for you! When I scroll through the headlines on news sites, it seems that every other article is about Trump, Trump, Trump.
The Pogues are a definite possibility. I’ll check out the others when I get a chance. Thanks!
Yup, I have moved to very civilized and well led Mexico City and don’ t regret it at all. Every word you wrote is true and accurate.
Lucky you! I love Mexico City!
Trump and loathsome minions will fail. Why? Demographics. USA is now and increasingly so, diverse racially, culturally, sexual preferences, etc.
Soon, USA will be a population approaching 400 million. You cannot hold sway over such a populace indefinitely with retrograde policies.
Trump is a repellent, vile, corrupt, criminal. Aided by servile GOP, inept Democrats, somnolent mass media, apathetic citizenry, sheer stupidity. But, his malignant narcissism will lead to his collapse.
What is needed now is courage and resolve and not give in to intimidation.
History is replete with tales of false gods swallowed by the rise of righteous people.
I enjoy your musings. Refreshing insights, witty.
I would welcome your views on Slapp Happy, Anton Bruckner, Cecil Taylor, Duke Ellington, Erik Satie, Bill Evans, Peter Hammill, Blossom Dearie.
“si fractus illabatur orbis, impavidum ferient ruinae”
Thank you. I hope you’re right. I’m glad you pointed out the ineptitude of the Democrats. I was disgusted that none of the leading Democrats had the courage to challenge Kamala’s coronation and all of them continued to support Biden after that dreadful debate performance. Requests noted (I have done some Ellington and Bill Evans).
Requests. Yes please, here’s a few maybe one or two make the interesting column.
from the Americans:
X – Wild Gift
Throwing Muses – The Real Ramona
Mary Timony- Untame The Tiger
from the UK:
Primal Scream – Live at Levitation
Andy Bell – pinball wanderer
Peter Perrett – The Cleaning
ps – keep on writing, those of us cut off at the knee’s, enduring the shitification of everything over here would love to keep reading you.
Thank you. I’m not familiar with any of those artists, and it will be fun to discover new music.
Pleasure. Perhaps a Utopia album instead of solo Todd Rundgren? The 1982 release simply titled Utopia (nicknamed the Network record) is a pop masterpiece. You might find yourself tapping your toes to the opening track, “Libertine” 😄
I have a vague memory of that album from long ago, so I will revisit and see if it floats my boat. Thanks!
May I suggest a different way and perhaps slightly backwards way to revisit the Utopia album I mentioned? Seek out the full length concert on youtube “An Evening With Utopia”. Once you’ve watched go back and listen to the album. Hope you enjoy!
Indeed, this has become one of those “shit hole” countries that the Orange asshole referred to a few years ago. And, all under his watch. For what it is worth, I am happy for you and yours to have the opportunity to escape. I cannot, and need to navigate everything this despot throws around like plates of spaghetti against the walls.
The karmic justice you mentioned is of little reprise to those of us that did not vote for him. Those of us will suffer due to the absolute idiocy of those who did. I speak to my wife about the necessity of voter IQ cards, not voter ID. I’m certain that voter data is available, and anyone who voted for this motherfucker even once, should be banned for voting ever.
Unfortunately, this is where I live and will die. In the interim, I appreciate your writing and look forward to anything you share.
Be well, and be happy you don’t live here.
I think voter IQ cards is a brilliant idea! The education system in the States does a lousy job of teaching civic responsibility and awareness of how things work.
Uh…you would be shocked at how little interest there is when those things are taught in the classroom. I know because at the end of this school year I will have been doing it for 25 years at the middle school level…and that’s why I am retiring at the end of this school year and relocating with my wife and father to SICILIA! Instruments, fur people and some clothes go along, too. Can’t wait.
Irish rock…That Petrol Emotion? “Chemicrazy” would be the one I’d choose, but I think the band don’t agree.
Thank you! I’ll check them out!
America crossed the line in 2004, when it (re-)elected George W Bush in the full knowledge that he lied about Iraq and endorsed the use of torture and “extraordinary rendition.” I spoke to Republican who told me that torture had always been a core American value. Bush had the support of the majority of Americans as well as Congress and the Supreme Court; he destroyed the American dream. The modest backsliding into normalcy that accompanied the election of Obama in 2008 after Bush ruined our economy with his unjustified wars rapidly gave way to the unforgettable and unforgivable Trump administration. And after another brush with ethics during the Biden administration, here we are again.
While fewer of half of American voters gave Trump his landslide, the complicity of Congress and SCOTUS with the reversal of the New Deal and the postwar heroic American era have assured that no sane government will ever trust ours again. Nor should it.
Excellent points. The US response to 9/11 was despicable . . . and Bush called himself a Christian. It says a lot about America today when Dick Cheney is considered a good guy in comparison to Trump.
I’m looking forward to your Ray Charles and Leonard Cohen reviews.
Requests?
(cough cough) “reminded me that I’m way, way behind in my plan to review more June Tabor albums and eventually honor her by giving her a coveted spot on the menu bar”!!!
XTC Apple Venus Vol 1
Norma Waterson’s self titled 1996 solo debut (Richard Thompson on guitar)
Spiritualized – Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space and/or Pure Phase
I haven’t forgotten about June, but I won’t be doing either Apple Venus albums. Thanks for the other two—I’m not familiar with either so I get to explore new music!
It will be tough, but the world can and will go on even if the United States collapse someday. It wouldn’t be the first empire that tore itself apart, and it won’t be the last.
For requests, what about Samara Joy and Laufey?
That’s funny . . . I’ve been thinking along the same lines recently. Of course, the notion that the U.S. could fail is impossible for the average American to grasp (because they have no sense of history) but all the signs are there . . . parts of states wanting to attach themselves to like-minded states . . . the crumbling of the legal system . . . the inability to compromise . . . and the dumbest foreign policy ever!
thank you for the message and words you share, i am 20 living in northeast ohio and it can be easy to be consumed by all the evil and greed happening. i try to uplift myself by educating myself and enjoying reading and listening to music and hanging out with good people. someday we’ll all be free like donny hathaway said.
You’re doing all the right things for your mental health and I wish with all my heart that Donny Hathaway’s dream will come true. It’s long overdue and there has been too much backsliding. Take care!