quick reviews & recommendations - August 2023
monthly reflections & suggestions for living & learning
reading (books)
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin is a gem! Full of quick, focused insights and practical supports for the broad range of creative endeavors.
The goal of art isn’t to attain perfection. The goal of art is to share who we are. And how we see the world.
The Creative Act, page 177
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. So many of kids and situations I have encountered in my work show up in this novel. A mirror reflecting how we have a long way to go to become a compassionate country.
Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena is more than a crime thriller. It is a deep dive into how often and in how many ways we lie or avoid saying the truth. The consequences are real and the intensity of this story is gripping.
All the Sinners Bleed S. A. Cosby weaves an intense crime drama with a background of (White) Nationalism and religious deconstruction. A wild ride that hits on many levels.
Also recommend: The Talk by Darren Bell — Puritoons A fun and insightful book by Erik Johnson, a very good friend! —And Harold by Steven Wright, a wild trip through the mind of a 3rd grader.
Harold figured that one of the most important parts of the brain had to be the part that helps you decide what to say and what not to say… It could keep you from being beat up or going to jail or being elected to public office.
Harold, page 83
listening (music):
In the midst of recent energy and arguments about country music (also see pod recommendations) I want to restate my allegiance to Americana or Roots music. Americana may have grown out of Country Music, but I find it deeper, and broader. Americana artists pay the price of forgoing simple pop hooks and reactive culture and politics. Here are a some of my favorite music collections representing the deep influences that have gifted us with Americana:
Anthology of American Folk Music My all-time favorite. This collection is the work of Harry Smith. He was born Portland and lived in Bellingham (how can I not be intrigued?) As a high school student, in the days of the Depression, he began recording indigenous music with members of the local Lummi Nation. It is a cornerstone of the Smithsonian Folkways Collection. At the last minute info about a new Harry Smith book dropped!
Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings The delta blues, the “Crossroads” myth, mesmerizing guitar work, the eerie voice, and a too soon death. Here’s a bit of his story from the Rock & Roll Hall of fame.
Hank Williams: The Original Singles Collections Plus Hank Williams is Honky Tonkin’ defined. His life was another tragic mix of amazing music and hard living that led to a too young death (see podcast below). More of Hank’s story can be found here the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band set the musical world on fire in the 70’s with Will the Circle Be Unbroken, following up with Volume 2 in 1989 and Volume 3 in 2002. Somehow between ‘60’s rock and 70’s Disco they dug deep into Americana while involving artists from varied backgrounds and musical streams to offer us these unique gifts.
Black Gospel an NPR interview with Bob Darden and listening to selected recordings. His life work was focused on collecting black gospel music, including a deep dive into the connection between black music and the civil rights movement. Add Jesus Rocked the Jukebox and you have some great listening.
Woody Guthrie: Columbia River Collection In the early ‘40’s Guthrie brought his family to a rental house near the Lents neighborhood in Southeast Portland. In one month he wrote 26 songs for the Bonneville Power Administration and was paid about $10 per songs. Included in that project were, "Jackhammer Blues," "Roll Columbia, Roll," "The Grand Coulee Dam," "Pastures of Plenty," and "Hard Travelin’." Here is An All Things Considered interview with Elmer Buehler, who was Woody’s driver and guide for the month he was in Oregon.
And, now it’s Memphis and Sun Records, The Complete Million Dollar Quartet with the Sun Records story.
The Last Waltz The concert, the album, the documentary, The Band, Robbie Robertson (Who died while I was preparing this). So beautiful, so powerful. The Band is how I bridged the 60’s to the 70’s in music. I wonder if anyone can guess my favorite, not so famous song by The Band? Click here for the answer. And one more piece about Robbie Robertson.
Two final adds - Dust to Digital Their focus is “creating access to hard-to-find music by producing high-quality books, box sets, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records.” And, The Real Easy Ed for daily posts on all things Americana.
and a playlist
Jon Batiste has a new album. I love this performance of Raindance from the Today Show.
viewing:
Ted Lasso I know I’m really late to this one, but it’s really that good. Mark Nelson was beyond right. We powered through three seasons and will be thinking and talking about this one long into the future. Ted Lasso is so good I’ll let it be my viewing recommendation for the month.
listening (pods):
The Most Ridiculously Right-Wing Country Songs of All Time The Rolling Stone pod takes on “Try That in a Small Town.” Then this drops in the middle of the month, The Wild Rise of Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond" Right Wing Country Strikes Back
Disgraceland A great, quirky podcast looks into the tumultuous life and death of Hank Williams.
Esther Perel on Grief On With Kara Swisher interviews Perel following the death of a co-worker. Helpful and supportive insights for life in the midst of loss and grief.
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend with Steve Martin and Martin Short. Absolute genius and joy. Don’t miss this one.
Long Shadow: The Rise of the American Alt-Right. It is real and it is a problem that impacts us all.
random (f)acts:
Closing shot for this month. August 20 morning view with wildfire smoke, from one of my favorite Bellingham spots, Maritime Heritage Park:
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