Texas: The New Island of Misfit Toys?
Sean MurphyYou know the drill. There is no chin under Chuck Norris’ beard; there is only another fist. There is also no brain under Chuck Norris’ head; there is only the…
Boulder, Oskar Blues and Leroy Brown (the ale, and the boy)
Boulder, baby. Where else could you ever see a shirt like this (even in a "vintage clothing" shop?) I regret to report that I was not man enough to make…
The Top 10 Reasons I Love Bear Grylls
1. His name is Bear. (Not literally, but still...) How did you get the nickname Bear? I was christened Eddie, that became Teddy, and that became Bear! Not very butch…
High Altitude + Heavy Lifting = This Guy
Some blame it on the rain. Some blame it on the woman. I blame it on the altitude. As well as the Keystone Lites, the Hazed n' Confused and the…
Another Great Bluesman Has Left The Building
John Cephas, R.I.P. Sad news coming across the wire this morning. A nice appreciation in today's Washington Post here. Of course, it gets tiresome adding another name to list of…
YouTube + Marc Ribot = Epic Win.
To continue with the theme from yesterday: Thank god for jazz. Thank god for YouTube. (Fellow DC denizens may want to take note: I posted the Art Ensemble of Chicago…
Art. Ensemble. Of. Chicago.
It’s cold here in DC. There is dirty slush in the streets. We are facing uncertain economic times. Quick! Give me some jazz. This song may not salvage your 401-k…
Straight, No Chaser
This Sunday's New York Times magazine features a lengthy, but worthwhile appraisal of John Cheever by Charles McGrath. The piece reassesses Cheever's current status (McGrath correctly concedes that Cheever, who died in 1982, has…
Mardi gras in my mind
Mardi gras makes me think of New Orleans and all the good things I associate with The Crescent City. Among many other things, New Orleans makes me think of snapping…
Meet the New Dross
Smug? Check. A face you have an irrepressible compulsion to punch? Check. Ambitious as he is talentless? Yup. Able to convey vapidity with almost artistic effortlessness? You betcha. Give this man a talk…