Settling For A Less Risky Mid-Life Fantasy (From Front Range news, 2006) Oh says Red Molly to James “That’s a fine motorbike. A girl could feel special on any such like” Says James to Red Molly “My hat’s off to you It’s a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952. And I’ve seen you at the corners and … [read more]
The Ship Graveyards of Chittagong
The Ship Graveyards of Chittagong We flew from Shanghai to Bangkok then on to Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital city. The airport was alarmingly small and shabby for a city of nearly seven million. I wondered if we were in the right place. Armed military were ever-present and customs barely moved, in step with the sweltering heat … [read more]
Steve Earle Is My Hero
Steve Earle Is My Hero From The Front Range News, 2004 Sandy and I saw Steve Earle last night at the wonderful Boulder Theater. The show moved me beyond my ability to describe, and stands now as one of the best shows I’ve ever seen by anyone, anywhere. Steve played alone with a couple six-strings, … [read more]
Pete Seeger and the Commons
Citizen Pete and The Commons (From The Front Range News, 2005) Folk music was my first musical love. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez took me by the hand and introduced me to Woody Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Arlo, Odetta, Leadbelly, Jimmy Rodgers, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Bukka White, Richie Havens, Phil Ochs, Robert Johnson, … [read more]
Rock & Roll
Rock and Roll (Note: I wrote this in 2006. Levon just died the other day. RIP, friend, and thank you for the music.) The transcript that follows is my all-time favorite description of and commentary on American music, which you know I made a big fuss about last issue. As Levon Helm (above) points … [read more]
The Most Romantic Speech Ever
The Most Romantic Speech Ever Luis Puenzo’s film Old Gringo, the cinematic production of the Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes’ fine novel Gringo Viejo is one of my top twenty favorite pictures. If you live in most of America, you say “movies”. If you took lit classes or worse, film classes in college, you say “films”. … [read more]
