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 ...