This Family’s Story: The Beginning of the End*
Sean MurphyI didn't need a doctor to tell me that it was over. On the way to no longer being, a person suffering from a terminal disease, like cancer, ceases to…
Ali Farka Touré’s Finished Business (Revisited)
Great news from Nonesuch Records (Via FB): Nonesuch Records Congratulations to Toumani Diabate and the late Ali Farka Toure, winners of the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album…
On Hockey, Hooligans, Soccer and The Death of a Clown
After my post yesterday, "Back To The Future With Old Time Hockey?", wherein I acknowledged --and celebrated-- the recent trend of accountability and team-toughness in our most misunderstood sport, it…
Back To The Future With Old Time Hockey?
I'm not sure what is going on here, but I like it. The biggest beating that has occurred in hockey the last two decades has involved its popularity. Always the neglected…
In Praise of Porn…Music: A Primer on Obscure Italian (and German) Soundtrack Bliss
This story begins, as so many of them do, with porn. Sort of. Back in 2004, my boy Serf came back from a trip to Thailand with a treasure trove…
The Power of Magical Thinking: Reflections on Reagan
Part One: Fact The fortieth president turns 100 and a religious cult (also known as the Republican Party) can't name buildings after him quickly enough. Is there room for Reagan…
When I have fears that I may cease to be…*
I. Til Love and Fame to nothingness do sink When I have fears that I may cease to be Before my pen has glean’d my teeming brain, Before high piled…
Meet The New Boss Hog (Revisited)
While I can't say I'm surprised to see this in today's paper, I still can take a moment to sigh/laugh at what a clown Daniel Snyder is. I could (and…
This is the country we live in
As I watch, with much anticipation mixed with wary optimism (amongst other feelings) how things unfold in Egypt, it's impossible to overlook a story like this from today's Boston Globe.…
Staring Over The Shoulders Of Giants: Overture
First off, super-sized kudos to Anthony Tommasini, the classical music critic for The New York Times. To even have the interest, much less the ability, to grapple with an ultimate ranking…