Neil Sedaka
Yes, Neil Sedaka. Why not? As for the why, I was listening to the song “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” the other day. I hadn’t heard it in a gazillion years, and I got curious about him. So I … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Music
Leonard Cohen: he was ready
After giving us the gift of his music for nearly fifty years, Leonard Cohen has finally gone home: His son issued this statement on his father’s death: “My father passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles with the … Continue reading →
He will speak no more: RIP, Leonard Cohen
I just heard the news that Leonard Cohen is dead at 82. I am tremendously saddened. Cohen’s music, his lugubrious voice, and his poetry are the gifts he gave to the world, and they will live on.
Continue reading →Hello in there
Here’s a very sweet and touching story for you, amidst all the gloom. I’ve noticed, though, that between the time I first read it late last night and now, they’re eliminated one sentence in the story, which is that the … Continue reading →
Yamato and Hansel and Gretel (and opera)
[NOTE: I wrote this post quite a while ago and never published it until now, so it’s not as timely as it once was. In fact, it’s not timely at all. But I think we continue to need the relief … Continue reading →
The obligatory “Bob Dylan wins the Nobel Prize in Literature” post
Yes, it was a surprise when Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature. My reaction? I think it’s an absurdity. But I think quite a few of the Nobel Prize in Literature awards choices have been absurd, so this … Continue reading →
The origins of Knopfler’s sound
Hey, let’s talk about something other than politics. It’s the weekend! Whether you love Mark Knopfler (as I do), or have never heard of him before even though you may have heard some of his more famous songs like “Sultans … Continue reading →
Christ in the stranger’s guise
Recently something reminded me of a book I had first read back in the 1980s, one I would recommend to everyone. It’s called Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust, and it’s quite different from most Holocaust literature: An important work of … Continue reading →
Ringo Starr, ordinary lad
I’ve never been one of those folks who seek out and soak up obsessive details about rock musicians—the minutiae of their lives and loves and drug habits and the like, although I realize it’s somewhat of a cottage industry. But … Continue reading →
The Gershwins and dual talents
[NOTE: Once in a while I recycle an old post just for fun. At this point, I’ve published so many posts—10,542, according to trusty old WordPress—that even I have forgotten some of them. This one was very enjoyable to research—so … Continue reading →
Chopin
I do believe that Chopin just might be my favorite composer. I fixed on him when I was still a very young child, because he was the most-played composer to accompany my ballet classes. I didn’t even know his name … Continue reading →
I ♥ Richard Thompson
I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again—I love this guy. Been to about ten concerts, which is ten more than I’ve gone to for almost every other singer, even ones I like. You can get a taste … Continue reading →