Off Our Rockers -Geoff O’Keeffe In 1977, Paul Barrere penned “Old Folks Boogie” for his band, Little Feat, included in their classic Times Loves A Hero. Apart from the deeply funky and satisfying groove, the lyrics were clever and funny, and clearly about someone else other than me and my baby boom contemporaries: “Off our … [read more]
Reviews
Road Rides and Onion Rings
Road Rides and Onion Rings Oscar Blues’ New Chuburger -Geoff O’Keeffe I was doing great. Until the holidays. And the China trip. And the weddings. And the food and beverage demon infestation. I had dropped off nearly a quarter of my former self in nine months, was riding a hundred miles a week or more, … [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]