In the category of problematic faves, murder ballads shine an ambiguous light on intimate partner violence. The best songs honestly mirror this reality more than they glorify it, but the artist can never control how the listener receives the message. Is Johnny Cash repentant or bragging in “Delia’s Gone”? What is the nature of my
Murder Ballad Monday: Hurray for the Riff Raff Read More »
This morning, in the bluest of blue states, I woke up to the news that a racist, sexist demagogue would be the next president of the United States. My world quaked and settled off-kilter. It reminded me of the day after 9/11, when realities I’d taken for granted literally crumbled, and I no longer felt
What Country Is This? Read More »
I sing a song of the cats of God, Korat and Russian Blue; Who purred and pounced, and chased their tails, For the God who made them mew; And one was a tabby, and one Siamese, And one was an alley cat full of fleas– They were all of them saints of God, if you
A Song for All Saints’ Day Read More »
It’s beginning to look a lot like…whatever winter holiday you celebrate! Here are some videos to get you in the mood. This Hanukah song and dance medley is joyful and stylishly performed. I was almost certain I recognized the location as midtown Manhattan, but the YouTube credits say Daley Plaza in Chicago. No wonder I
Holiday Videos: “Joel the Lump of Coal” and More Read More »
We all remember those moments when a work of art opened our eyes and ears. Those “I didn’t know you could do that!” moments fill us with an uncontainable, restless excitement to respond in some way with a creative outpouring of our own, only we don’t yet have the words to express what we’ve encountered.
Murder Ballad Monday: Beatlemania Edition Read More »