The drama and momentum of “The Fly” still reach me, especially when Bono sings, “It’s no secret that a liar won’t believe anyone else.” I have known many people like that. The hushed intensity of Bono’s singing is persuasive, nearly…
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Cry for Us All Beauty: Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark
Joni Mitchell’s voice and phrasing are original, are full, high, quick, rich, sensual. She sounds tones of speculation and skepticism, of expectation and experience; and she is amazing. By Daniel Garrett Joni Mitchell Court and Spark Elektra/Asylum Records, 1974 “It…
A review of Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
In the world of this extraordinary book a subterranean London coexists with the London that occupies the surface. This underworld consists of abandoned subway lines, unused sewers, and unexpected extension of space into a vast chasm that holds, among other things, the beast of London, an enormous and invulnerable boar with a bad temper.
Maintaining Jazz’s Relevance: World Saxophone Quartet’s Political Blues and The Roy Hargrove Factor’s Distractions
Which way jazz? Wynton Marsalis, a man who argues ideas, rather than pandering or slandering, has advocated music education for youth and greater media attention for public awareness in support of jazz, very intelligent promptings. Does anyone have to be told that the world in which we live, with the works of Marsalis, the World Saxophone Quartet, and Roy Hargrove, will be the foundation upon which the musicians, music lovers, and citizens of tomorrow will build their own world?
Black Mambazo, Afro Celt Sound System, Femi Kuti, and Angelique Kidjo
African Rhythms, World Sensibilities: Ladysmith Politics as a subject is sometimes less about the real world than about the artist’s supposed feelings and good intentions. Artists who say Yes are usually more welcomed than those who say No. South Africans…
This is What Being Human Sounds Like: The Dears’ Gang of Losers
Are the exile and marginality that are contemplated in the band’s songs the results of consciousness and choice, or imposition by others? Are the characters in the songs pariahs because they are artists and intellectuals, because they are poor, ethnic, female, queer, or other?
A review of micromacro by rob walker
micromacro is an easy to read collection which presents a light, gently spaced series of poems that appear simple as they cover the Australian terrain and glide over current affairs. Look closely however and the poetry is sharper, more intense and…
A review of b-mother by Maureen O’Brien
Like most first novels by a gifted writer, the abundance of invention and everything that goes with it is overwhelming. It’s impossible to fault a writer for this. Her next book may be more spare and controlled but it…
A review of Indian Love Poetry by A.L. Dallapiccola
This is a well-proportioned book with illustrations to accompany every excerpt of poetry. The illustrations come from a different time (seventeenth to nineteenth century) than the poems, some of which date from as early as the fifth century of our…
An interview with Donald Westlake (aka Richard Stark)
Donald Westlake (a.k.a. Richard Stark) has been writing fiction for close to half a century now, and his achievements have garnered many accolades. Significantly, his admirers include many writers among their ranks. John Banville has called him “one of the great writers of the twentieth century” while for James Sallis he is simply “a great American writer”. The Mystery Writers of America honoured Donald Westlake with a Grand Master Award in 1993.