Abdullah Ibrahim
Sean MurphyA supremely important & influential cultural icon has departed from the planet. I have so much to say about Abdullah Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand) but I'll simply take this opportunity…
All About Bukowski
i. I welcome any chance, at any time, to talk about The Buk. For a few reasons: his work seems to become more relevant and prescient the further we descend…
On the Critic in a Changing Literary Landscape
It was, I can assure you, both an honor and delight to moderate this discussion on (obligatory quotation marks) “the role of the critic” but, of course, this also involved…
Jazz Won’t Save Your Life
Some Thoughts on International Jazz Day i. A drowning man can be pulled from the water, and who wouldn’t celebrate that act of compassion, that gesture, that gift of life?…
On Poetry & Myth
(Author’s note: Huge appreciation to Holly Smith and the team at WIRB, where I last appeared to discuss This Kind of Man, for providing this forum to explore American myth via red, white, and blues.) In…
‘red, white, and blues’: A Primer
Two questions every author is asked, which theoretically should be easy to answer. What’s your book about? Why / When / How did you write it? Well… Here’s a distillation…
LAUNCH PARTY: Talking ‘red, white, and blues’ with Justen Ahren
I’m not a fool, but I’ll play one on TV. Or Facebook, anyway. Fortunately, I’ll be joined by my dear friend, partner in crime, and incredibly talented (take your pick)…
Introducing ‘red, white, and blues’
red, white, and blues is the fourth installment of a large, ongoing project acclaimed artist Matthew Shipp describes as “a kaleidoscopic, deep, and opulent journey.” Once more, I’m exploring America and its mythology through a…
David Bowie: 10 Years On
(From 2016.) ONLY THE BEATLES. That’s the sole comparison that comes to mind when compelled to name a musical act with similar impact and importance. The Beatles, as we all…
In the Light
We can (and should) talk about late-stage capitalism and the sickening disparities it has accelerated; we can (and should) talk about the poisonous effects of bigotry and anti-immigrant rhetoric (always…