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Lionel Ferbos (1911 – 2014)

It was just a couple of days ago that Lionel’s birthday was being commemorated. Here is the announcement. One of my favorite albums is the one below, bridging the generations. JazzLionel Ferbosmusicnew orleansTrombone Shortytrumpet

Robert Plant: new fall release

Track listing   Why is it that we’re still hanging on every word Robert Plant sings? Why are his recordings so eagerly anticipated over 40 years into his career in pop music? Two reasons stand out above all others. First: his voice. Surely the predominant element in reaching listeners, in making a connection with each…

Johnny Winter

Johnny Winter, blues guitarist, dies aged 70 (Below, the first JW album I heard, very different from much that dominated the charts in ’73. In particular his performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test was striking). bluesguitarJohnny Wintermuddy watersmusicRolling Stones

Walker Percy Documentary

Several people have asked me what (for the novice) is the best way in to Percy — well, fortunately a terrific documentary is available made by documentarist Win Riley. The film’s homepage is here — if you missed the PBS broadcasts the film is available on DVD. Having viewed the film several times and discussed…

Last of the Idealists

John Gray looks at Oakeshott’s Notebooks. Unlike many academics he did not crave respectability, intellectual or otherwise; even by today’s standards, his private life might be thought a bit rackety. But the life Oakeshott lived was not an unexamined one; it expressed an idea of individuality he found in the philosophers he most admired. It is…