These days it’s hard to follow the news. Not only is it emotionally difficult to watch what I’ve called the unraveling, but it’s also technically difficult because there are so many stories that seem important to follow that, as one … Continue reading →
I’m not really big on tribute bands. I much prefer the original versions of songs, and the internet gives us rapid access to most of those. So why bother with a group that tries to re-create that? Who cares? The … Continue reading →
My post on the song “City of New Orleans” got a lot of comments, and what’s more that sort of thing is a wonderful respite from political angst. So, since I have even more to say on the subject, why … Continue reading →
Most of you probably are familiar with the rousing and elegiac Americana classic “City of New Orleans.” It was a big hit for Arlo Guthrie in 1972, and has been covered by a great many people. It’s one of those … Continue reading →
Actually, I’m not sure I ever was fully with the program, even when I was young. But in the last couple of years, as I watch the world from my perch here at a computer in New England, I’ve become … Continue reading →
I haven’t watched the Harry and Meghan interview, but I’ve read about it. Apparently, Meghan and Harry see racism even in a question about the possible skin color of her baby. Perhaps the person asking was merely curious? Maybe even … Continue reading →
I’ve been an Amazon Associate for many years, which means I’ve gotten a small commission on every Amazon order that comes through a link on this blog. Years ago I used to make around $6K a year from those links, … Continue reading →
If you’re unfamiliar with the genre of the reaction video, it involves a song – usually one popular between the 1950s through the 1980s, but it can be any song – which a person listens to for the first time … Continue reading →
Those who grew up before cars had seat belts, please raise your hands. I certainly did, and what I remember was this: when I was a toddler, I stood on the seat to the right of my mother while she … Continue reading →
[NOTE: Part I can be found here and Part IIA here.] As I’ve written before, until recently all I knew about the Bee Gees were a few of their disco-era songs and a vague recollection of longish hair, and I … Continue reading →
In my recent explorations in the field of popular music, I was reading an article in which a certain person’s singing voice was described as having vibrato, and I immediately thought, “No, it was tremolo.” Then I suddenly realized that, … Continue reading →
I’m not that old, but pedagogical practices in my youth seem absolutely archaic compared to whatever passes for education these days. For starters, we had Washington’s Birthday and Lincoln’s Birthday, and they were on their actual real birthdays: Lincoln on … Continue reading →