He was a thinker. I could quibble with some of his thoughts (like getting caught in the focus on the individual trap and not realizing he was surrounded by women artists), but that is not the point. Much of this conversation is sadly relevant, partly because they touch on some perennial questions and partly because there is some prescience in Jim’s thoughts. And remember he was 26. I could post actual philosophers and write 5,000 words on this, but no one would click on it…
Category: poetry
Gil Scott Heron – Black Wax complete [Robert Mugge film]
Lou Reed New York [Full Album]
This masterpiece sums up some of my thoughts & feelings at the moment
Q:”Do you think of yourself primarily as singer or as a poet?” Bob:”Oh I think of myself more as a song and dance man, you know”
The Boots Riley interview on DN! you probably didn’t see
Click here to watch Boots Riley’s extended interview on Democracy Now! I’m glad he was interviewed and given time on DN!, but it’s a shame most people will miss seeing this second part, because it wasn’t aired. It’s only available on the DN! website as an extended interview.
The first part was important because it got the story out about his cousin and introduced Boots to people who had had never heard of him. Unfortunately, it was rushed and it didn’t give people a chance to fully see what he has to offer politically or musically. He didn’t choose one of his best rhymes (which, even more unfortunately, he flubbed) and the interview just didn’t communicate enough about Riley’s knowledge and experience.
In this extended piece, he has time to relax and tell his story – and surprisingly, he ends-up giving a great analysis of the left that many on the left don’t want to hear. It’s not a total analysis, but it gets to crux of the problem. He also gives a much better performance of a much better song. And there’s even more good stuff in there. So, as they say, watch and learn…
A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
– Langston Hughes
A Dream Deferred
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
– Langston Hughes
The World Is Too Much With Us [Poem, William Wordsworth]
Police & Thieves [Video]
One Fast Move or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur – TRAILER
Read the book, then watch this doc if you can get your hands on it.
William S. Burroughs Commisioner of Sewers 1991 (full documentary)
I often hear a call for justice…
I often hear a call for justice,
but action seems entangled in shibboleths,
permutations in a circumscribed
world of words.
Gil Scott-Heron doc by Don Letts for the BBC – required viewing for all humans
Gil was one of the all time greats of course – and it’s a great documentary too, put together with intelligence, creativity, technique, and love.
To all the truth-tellers, revolutionaries, artists, and soul rebels!
Poem for Lauryn and Erykah
The river
always flowing with a lyric beauty
Calm surface
Deep dark depths
exquisite
shimmering
obscuring what is below
down in the profound swirling
tumultuous deep
energies abound
Men have tried to dam you
and force you
to change your course
You flow around them
and meet yourself
become whole again
Rebels: A Journey Underground – documentary
a big helping of big data?
a big helping of big data? sure.
a side of electronic wallets? why not?
just hold the capitalism please.
absolute positive swingin’ in 1951
Charlie Parker, Diz and co.
Diz was cool personified. A master of music and friendship, a leader of bands of men. A smile that said, I am in on the big joke baby, I am in on the sadness – but I will play the gladness – I will make the groove and play in it…
Charlie Parker could improvise endlessly – that is creative genius – ideas and ideas on ideas – ideas for his whole life – and all of it was tasty, in the pocket, never off – and you had to jump! – but no, not just a volcanic eruption of creativity – it was focused, a hot laser on your soul, burning you up…
and so…
Here is Jack (and Steve) with a kind of ode, paean, a valediction really, to for and about Charlie Parker:
I believe it is from his masterwork, Mexico City Blues…
Swimming to Cambodia – Spalding Gray
Spalding Gray’s talking cure…directed by Jonathan Demme…music by Laurie Anderson…
Miss America – David Byrne. Also: Talking Heads
Great satirical song from David Byrne about – you guessed it…
And here is the full (wow), brilliant album (totally underrated):
And here is his official site:
Oh, for those of you who may not know, he was in a little band called, Talking Heads:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_Heads
and…
Stop Making Sense
“Hi, I’ve got a tape I want to play…”
Great concert and great concert film. Directed by Jonathan Demme by the way…
21st Century Theater 