Crash Course for the Ravers Album: Let's Dance, 1983 Prior Level of Acquaintance: High Three-Word Review: Catchy, sweet, puzzling Let's Dance: apparently the biggest reinvention for David Bowie since he first dyed his hair red. The point where he either dumps artsiness in favor of commercial success or commercial success circles around to him, and … Continue reading God & Man: No Religion
In 1961, one Frank Edwards put out a book entitled Strange People. It contains a two-page entry entitled "The Elephant Boy," full of made-up "evidence" about "a tragic creature" who was "the most frightful freak on record." Strange People also refers to "two-headed children" as "it" without admitting there are such things as conjoined twins.* … Continue reading Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Rock Star
Lately I've been reminded of my love for the songs of Donovan. Whatever genre(s) you consider him to fall in, he's an outlier for me with his folkrockjazz/stonedpop/ meditatingmystical vibes. Yet several of his songs live permanently on my iPod. I even love 'I Love My Shirt.' Donovan also ticks a rare box in being a star who I met … Continue reading Barabajagal; or, That Time Donovan Healed My Broken Arm
From the 1901 founding of the Victor Talking Machine Co. to great music being made today, in five easy steps.
...and a couple hundred other people. This was at a signing of the upcoming CD Classic Quadrophenia in Manhattan on May 29, where Townshend and orchestrator Rachel Fuller discussed the project, answered a few questions, and took the time to greet and autograph for everyone there. Pete spoke briefly about the various prior versions of Quadrophenia. While he hardly … Continue reading What Pete Townshend Personally Told Me
...because no government is going to do it for you. Atmospheric carbon stands at 400 ppm, and all I can stand to think about is World War II. Four hundred parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere means we're screwed. California is already drying up. Thousands of refugees are driven from their homes due … Continue reading Ration Yourself
This piece was written as a program note to the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island's production of Gayden Wren's A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol. Crotchety, miserly, self-hating, arrogant, with a tendency to make lousy puns when startled: let me introduce you to my oldest literary friend, Ebenezer Scrooge. Just ask my … Continue reading Reflections of a CHRISTMAS CAROL Addict
