Introducing “Kinds of Blue”
Sean MurphyI am delighted to share that my third poetry collection, Kinds of Blue, is now available! Why Did I Write This Book?My work is as political as ever, but I seldom write…
Aretha: The Queen of Us All
ARETHA FRANKLIN, 1967, Atlantic Records publicity portrait. Debate will—and should—rage forever regarding royalty and who can claim it: who is The King? Elvis Presley is who white people crowned, Chuck…
My Kind of Christmas Music (Revisited)
Tchaikovsky Corelli Bach A couple from John Fahey The Who Chuck Berry a three-fer from Jethro Tull! Sonny Boy The Godfather Donny Satchmo Ella! (An embarrassment of riches here, here,…
A Century of Sound (in under 4 minutes)
Sun Ra 1968 "Pleasant Twilight" from the wonderfully titled My Brother The Wind, Vol. 2. Duke Ellington on acid? Yes, and a lot more. It slams out of the gate…
We’ve Seen This Movie Before: Trying to Make Sense of Philip Seymour Hoffman (Revisited)
This isn't quite in the day John Lennon died territory, but I'll never forget where I was and what I was doing. Sitting at home, Super Bowl shopping complete, biding…
My Kind of Christmas Music (Revisited)
Tchaikovsky Corelli Bach A couple from John Fahey The Who Chuck Berry a three-fer from Jethro Tull! Sonny Boy The Godfather Donny Satchmo Ella! (An embarrassment of riches here, here,…
A Week of Americana. Part Four: James Brown
On this most American of holidays, it seems appropriate --if not obligatory-- to celebrate the most American of geniuses. It does not get any more American than James Brown, does…
We’ve Seen This Movie Before: Trying to Make Sense of Philip Seymour Hoffman
This isn't quite in the day John Lennon died territory, but I'll never forget where I was and what I was doing. Sitting at home, Super Bowl shopping complete, biding…
My Kind of Christmas Music (Revisited)
Tchaikovsky Corelli Bach A few from John Fahey The Who Chuck Berry a three-fer from Jethro Tull! Sonny Boy The Godfather Donny Satchmo Ella! (An embarrassment of riches here, here,…
A Week of Americana. Part Four: James Brown
On this most American of holidays, it seems appropriate --if not obligatory-- to celebrate the most American of geniuses. It does not get any more American than James Brown, does…