Five From Sonny Boy Williamson
Sean MurphySonny Boy. Another harp player, arguably the greatest of them all (some would vote for Little Walter, but not many people would argue that anyone else belongs in the same…
Five From Junior Wells
Junior. They didn't break the mold when they made him; he broke it himself. This was an era when being street-smart actually involved streets and a type of smarts that…
I Talk To The Wind
Sunday came, and without slowing down to let anyone notice, it went. Sundays have a way of doing that. On the dissolving horizon the sky looks good enough to eat:…
Laugh While You Weep with ‘Bill Hicks: The Essential Collection’
It’s a crying shame that Bill Hicks is no longer with us; we sure could use him right about now. It’s a laughing shame (the sort where you laugh until…
Born in the U.S.A. or, Every Day is Veterans Day (Revisited)
I. Personal Remember when Born in the U.S.A. was ubiquitous? The album and the song. Bruce was already big, but he wasn’t over the top. Born in the U.S.A. put…
They’ll Never Put Me in Their Bag: The Continuing Story of Syd Barrett
When he died in 2006, after decades of cult-figure status and willful anonymity, Syd Barrett was arguably better known as the person who inspired one of Pink Floyd’s best albums,…
Beethoven, Barenboim, Bliss
Beethoven again. It seems impossible to believe that Daniel Barenboim is only 68 years old. It feels like he has been around forever. Possibly it’s because the music he plays–the…
The Money Dread, Redux
Like everyone else I know, I grew up—really grew up, if I’ve ever actually grown up—in the Reagan 80’s. Take my childhood, please. Actually, it wasn’t all that bad. During…
Sony Walkman R.I.P. or, My Mix-Tape Confession
Anyone who was born before Y2K cannot be unmoved by the announcement that Sony has ceased production of the beloved Walkman (Begging the question: they were still making them? I admit rocking…
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain?
Yer daaaaamn right! On a Friday afternoon it doesn't get too much better than this (huge h/t to Mickey G. and Karen M.): And, in case you needed a double…