Recent Listening: O Canada

AJBlogs Posted: January 3, 2019 11:55 am

Let’s mention just a few recent recordings by Canadians whose work has caught the ears of the Rifftides staff. — Doug Ramsay

What Patricia Highsmith wrought

In today’s Wall Street Journal, I write about Patricia Highsmith. Here’s an excerpt. * * * The next time you watch a movie or TV series about a heartless serial killer, say a silent word... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-25
Almanac: Samuel Butler on sickness

“I reckon being ill as one of the great pleasures of life, provided one is not too ill and is not obliged to work till one is better.” Samuel Butler, The Way of... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-25
The Relativity Switch

This story may sound like a metaphor. But it’s actually a case-in-point: When preparing to launch the Navigation Technology Satellite 2 (NTS-2) in 1977, the NAVSTAR GPS engineering team was in a... Read more

Source: The Artful Manager Published on: 2021-02-24
Lawrence Ferlinghetti Dies at 101 His Pictures of a Gone World Remain

A literary era passes. It was already past, yet it still has influence. Maybe the biggest. Because ArtsJournal was down yesterday—I know not why—I couldn’t post this. The world didn't miss it.... Read more

Source: Straight|Up Published on: 2021-02-24
Jazz beats the virus online

Chicago presenters of jazz and new music, and journalists from Madrid to the Bay Area (plus Baltimore-based pianist Lafayette Gilchrist and his associates), discussed how they’ve transcended coronavirus-restrictions on live performances with... Read more

Source: Jazz Beyond Jazz Published on: 2021-02-24
Snapshot: Lieber and Stoller appear on What’s My Line?

Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller appear as the mystery guests on What’s My Line? John Daly is the host and the panelists include Arlene Francis, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Vincent Price. This episode was originally... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-24
Almanac: Robert Benchley on sneezing

“I am pretty sure that, if you will be quite honest, you will admit that a good rousing sneeze, one that tears open your collar and throws your hair into your eyes,... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-24
Gary Lee-Nova: ‘Oblique Trajectories’

A survey exhibition of the artist's work over more than four decades. The exhibition at the Burnaby Art Gallery in Burnaby, B.C., Canada, will run until April 18, 2021.... Read more

Source: Straight|Up Published on: 2021-02-23
“Black Art’s” Blackout: Who’s Absent from HBO’s Survey of “Today’s Top African American Artists”?

We haven’t reached the promised land. We’ve got a long way to go. The above marching orders, alluding to the words of Martin Luther King Jr.‘s last speech, are the last words... Read more

Source: CultureGrrl Published on: 2021-02-23
Lookback: on not getting too big for your britches

From 2010: The twin successes of Pops and The Letter have left me with an exhilarating sense of possibility, a feeling that I can do anything to which I set my mind. When you’re feeling that... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-23
Almanac: Graham Greene on the danger of changing standards

“It is a great danger for everyone when what is shocking changes.” Graham Greene, Our Man in Havana Continue reading Almanac: Graham Greene on the danger of changing standards at About Last... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-23
Just because: Graham Greene talks about The Third Man

Graham Greene is interviewed by Jack Mangan in an outtake from a 1950 episode of Ship’s Reporter in which he talks about The Third Man: (This is the latest in a series of arts- and... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-22
Almanac: Graham Greene on facing reality

“People don’t like reality. They don’t like common sense. Until age forces it on them.” Graham Greene, Loser Takes All Continue reading Almanac: Graham Greene on facing reality at About Last Night.... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-22
The Library Is Closed

...and thoughts come in verse: 'The stone lion at the gate / wears a mask like mine. / This is where I used to wait / for books that bind / that... Read more

Source: Straight|Up Published on: 2021-02-21
The Sleep of Dreams

A contemporary artist visualizes an idea by the 17th-century 'father of modern philosophy.'... Read more

Source: Straight|Up Published on: 2021-02-21
Clarion

Someone’s calling, maybe me. C. C sharp? D? My scalp tightens, which makes me wonder where I am, and who, too. I’ve had this reaction before when I’ve been offered rare sounds... Read more

Source: Out There Published on: 2021-02-20
Jeff Alexander Shares the Importance of Live Orchestral Music

Jeff Alexander, President of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, speaks about the importance of live orchestral music and the day-to-day leadership of a major symphony orchestra.... Read more

Source: Aaron Dworkin Published on: 2021-02-20
A pair of saints

In today’s Wall Street Journal, I review webcasts of Katie Roche and The Book of Magdalene. Here’s an excerpt. * * * One of the few happy surprises of 2020 was the Mint Theater Company’s... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-19
Replay: Fats Waller sings “Ain’t Misbehavin’”

Fats Waller sings and plays “Ain’t Misbehavin’” in Stormy Weather, directed by Andrew L. Stone in 1943. The members of the band include Benny Carter on trumpet, Zutty Singleton on drums, and Slam... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-02-19
City of Science Truth and Lies: Covering COVID-18

How do journalists cover a crucial and complex topic like COVID-19 in this era of polarization and soundbites? Besides the challenge of translating life-and-death medical and technical information quickly to a broad... Read more

Source: Straight|Up Published on: 2021-02-18