Today please join me in celebrating two special anniversaries. One involves music and 50 years. Another not yet a decade but many people think much longer. This eve, as some who follow Gotham’s music listserve know, the first of two anniversary concerts recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the iconic Byrds LP, “Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” takes …
A few nights ago, one might say Marisa returned the favor. She took her dad to see a show. A long time a-coming, as the lyrics go. I believe her first time was during the winter a quarter century ago. Marisa was not yet in school. Today’s birthday boy was but several months in First Grade. Only one of three shows I attended that year, all with a …
Songs find a way to stick in my head. Different reasons. Stuff going on with politics makes me recall two great Manassas songs from their 2nd studio LP, Down the Road, “Isn’t It About Time” and “Lies.” I used one in a tweet earlier this month and kept thinking about the other whenever I used hashtag #Lies on any number of tweets this month. …
Happy Father’s Day! I already enjoyed a stellar card from Marisa – she always finds a card with the right sentiments and message --earlier this past week and mom’s on Friday. Sometimes we barbecue; mostlyhere, albeit as detailed in this space last year I caught a break and our nephew hosted. No BBQ this year. Unfortunately an institution …
The wretchedly rainy weather suggests otherwise. Usually the warm weather we usually find – albeit not this year – signals wondrous opportunities to experience live music, often outside. So in addition to looking forward to attending some baseball games, discussions before, between and after my weekly weekend and eve basketball games involves upc …
Just over was three years ago, Gotham lost one of its good guys – Jack Friedman who had passed away earlier today just days short of his 56th birthday. Fittingly because Jack enjoyed live music – we attended several shows together, I drafted a post to Fredslist and the Gotham website wall about his passing and the funeral and Shiva arrangements …
My enjoyment of good music remains steadfast. Those who know me best know my preferences (tastes?). Indeed leaving a lunch last month at my alma mater (same place for poli. sci. and law school) the question, what is Poco?, got posed by the distinguished ethics professor and the speaker my friend Sean and I delivered to the Mineola LIRR on our way b …
When I seek a respite from work mostly in and around politics (which I enjoy), I turn to sports and music. I enjoy playing ball, with regular weekend and weeknight full court basketball “games” at my former elementary school gym. Live music, especially from performers I’ve followed from back in the day who still got it, provides a real shot o …
Let me start with best wishes for the new year. I hope I helped a bit to get you ready with last week’s blog highlighting my song list to ring in the new year which also exists in a YouTube playlist. (If you tire of music since two weeks ago I covered my Holiday song playlist and last week I shared concerts I streamed driving to a Chanukah gather …
Last week’s blog “released” a list of holiday-themes tunes for the season we currently enjoy. Not sure everyone seeks to hear those themes but certainly they predominate on radio dials. My ears and sometimes my eyes focused elsewhere when I chose music. I stumbled on a concert film, “Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Real Live Roadrunning - F …
Tempted Out with friends for dinner with more than a few couples before a charity function sponsored by my Knights of Pythias (FDR) Lodge, the ladies evidently were discussing plans ahead and my wife shared our plans for next weekend. Our friend Abby asked how many times Shelly and I attended a Squeeze show. I responded at least four. That a …
With Thanksgiving and for many of us a long weekend approaching, I find it nice to anticipate gatherings of families and friends. Every Thanksgiving involves memories and traditions. Some revolve around the food and how we prepare it. Others peculiar to some celebrants. Music remains important to me and one tradition started when I listene …
Some people can boast of attending Woodstock or Monterrey Pop some renowned concert like George Harrison’s Bengla Desh shows at Madison Square Garden or the Allmans at the Fillmore East or The Band at the Academy of Music (Rock of Ages) or their Last Waltz, or No Nukes also at the Garden. Indeed movies chronicles many of the shows and most of the …
After basketball, I checked my mail quickly in my car. One email – from Rolling Stone (magazine) – shared links to a number of articles about the Rock and Roll Hall Fame Induction ceremony that took place at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn Friday eve. Many years, the ceremony lacks interest for me. Folks who know me rather well including many …
People comment about the music. All the time. They like the links. To songs. To bands. To lyrics. And more. They enjoy! Me too! No secret here music infuses my being and I find ways to insert it in my work and play and many things in between; that includes my writing. This commentary shares how an “innocent” post in a daily newspaper polit …
