Autumn Souvenir

My mother recently mentioned that my Aunt Bonnie, who I haven't seen in maybe 25 years, casually mentioned in a phone call that she wished she had some of Bob Dylan's music. "Is that right?" I asked my mother, already considering the 15-track mix in my head. In a world of immediate access to everything from music to movies and news to sweet chicken parm recipes, I love being thrown back to a time when it wasn't so easy. So, after a morning at the gym where I maxed out at 35 lbs. on the bench, I returned home to put together this mix. Not an easy task, given that Dylan has about 1400 great songs, but hopefully this will bring her back. Visions of Johanna The Times They Are a Changin' Girl From the North Country Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (Live '66) It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry Mississippi Don't Think Twice, It's All Right It's All Over Now, Baby Blue Meet Me In the Morning Song to Woody I Want You Not Dark Yet The Loneso

Mostly known for his well-revered folk/songwriter recordings, Bill Morrissey also published one book in 1996, Edson , about a virtually unknown singer-songwriting living in New Hampshire. This is the only book I've read three times and is, without question, my favorite book about music, and among the most personally impactful novels I've read to date. An amazing talent, Morrissey never penned another novel, but Edson is a masterpiece. Thanks for your words, Bill.

Growing up, I can't recall one instance when politics were discussed in our house. My stepfather, a police officer, kept his political beliefs tight to the chest. My mother just didn't want confrontation. And I had yet to develop my own understanding of not just our country, but how I viewed myself in relation to others, and vice versa. When I got to college (a Jesuit University), my beliefs and values began to take shape. I will never forget day one of a class called Black Rights: Eyes on the Prize. Just a few minutes after an introduction, our young professor pressed play on a video. It was Birmingham in the 60s, or maybe it was Montgomery. And the horrors hit me. And this happened 40 years ago, I thought? Just 40 years?? I sat frozen. I felt anger and restlessness, but mostly I just felt sadness. A deep sadness. I watched white and black men and women marching the streets simply to gain equality. Dogs attacked, men were beaten, some killed. This was an America that I simply

There are two kinds of music: good and bad.

K noxville, TN's The V-Roys were one of my favorite acts during the likely-never-to-be-repeated greatest run of bands in my lifetime. Along with Blue Mountain, Wilco, Son Volt, The Bottle Rockets, The Jayhawks, Old 97's, Steve Earle, Scud Mountain Boys, Marah and about 500 others, I've often cited 1995-1999 as the height of what blew the doors off my love for music. Call it Americana, alt.country or whatever you like, I will likely go to the grave firm in my belief that this was one of the greatest times for music, ever. And the V-Roys were right in the middle of it all. Now 12 years since they wrapped it all up, word comes of a "compilation" due September 27th on F.A.Y. Recordings. The collection, titled Sooner or Later , will include the following 18 tracks: “Guess I Know I’m Right” “ No Regrets” “Pounding Heart” “Sooner or Later” “Goodnight Loser” “Cry” “Lie I Believe” “Kick Me Around” “Mary” “Amy 88″ “Over the Mountain” “Fade Away” “Burned” (Neil Young cover)

Still catching up on a lot of '11 listening, but here are some early favorites: Gillian Welch : The Harrow & the Harvest Tim Easton and the Freelan Barrons : Beat the Band Various Artists : Rave On Buddy Holly Centro-matic : Candidate Waltz Looking Forward To: The Gourds, Slobberbone, Wilco, Richard Buckner, Blind Pilot, The Jayhawks, Bap Kennedy, Nick Lowe.....

Haven't been covering these much as this blog has turned mostly to music, but figured I'd recap a few of the movies and books I've taken in over the past few months. Movies (TV) The Tree of Lif e : A beautiful yet disturbing movie. Captures the intricacies of life like only Malick can do. Like many of his best movies, it almost demands repeat viewings. Choking Man : Nice story about a young Ecuadorian dishwasher in Jamaica, Queens. Acting left a bit to be desired, but a worthwhile movie on a lazy afternoon. Southbounder s : Though it has nothing in common with the previous film, it left me with the same aftertaste. A nice take on a well-off teen in search of something via the Appalachian Trail. Felt like a ripoff of Into the Wil d. Breaking Bad, Season 1-3 : My favorite TV show since The Wire . Here and There : Favorite Netflix streamer of 2011. Jack Goes Boating : Watched this a few months ago via Netflix. Literally can't remember a thing about it - gather it wasn&

When President Obama was elected I made a personal promise to severely curtail my time spent focused on politics. During the Bush years, I spent hours-on-end reading the Huffington Post, NY Times, even the Drudge Report. When not behind a newspaper or my computer screen, I was locked into MSNBC, C-Span, CNN, PBS and the list went on. I was a full-on political junkie. But it was taking a toll. Around the turn of the year '09'-10 I vowed to cut it back. And my personal oath has been fulfilled and then some. I just couldn't take it anymore. Of little surprise, it was the politics of the right that just left me sick. The greed, hate, intolerance and the taking advantage of the vulnerable, weak and uneducated. I find the present-day Republican Party to be absolutely disgraceful. And it's beyond politics. It's about morality and ethics. They have none. I walked away. Today, while sitting in the park on a breezy afternoon, I clicked on the Huffington Post app. I'm not

HSB posted the following sound clip, announcing ten of the confirmed artists via a stream of clips. Yes, I am pumped for Chris Isaak. And if that's Sting at 2:22, I am torching GG Park. HSB 2011 Sneak-Peak Medley Round 1 by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Words Of Love (Patti Smith) by concordmusicgroup

Since I simply can not stop listening to Gillian's new record, I figured I'd take a break from the new material and check out some clips. I caught this live on the BBC a few years ago....breathtaking on so many levels.