Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson, Yolanda Adams,Joan Baez and other musicial luminaries performed at the White House yesterday in a program focusing on the music of the American civil rights movement.
The show was the fifth in series of programs the White House has staged to celebrate American music. The performance featured Dylan, Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, John Mellencamp, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Smokey Robinson, the Blind Boys of Alabama and others.
One of the standout performances of the night was by Smokey Robinson, who sang “Abraham, Martin & John.”
“Has anybody here seen my old friend Martin?” Robinson sang. “Can you tell me where he’s gone?/ He freed a lot of people but it seems the good die young.”
Bob Dylan's performance of "Times They Are A-Changin'" can be heard here.
More details here
The performances will be televised on “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement,” a special that will air on PBS this evening, February 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Aftermath of the Snowpocalypse
Although I tried to keep on the snow shoveling all day yesterday, by last night, when we tried to dig out My Better Half's car, it was clear that today was going to be "The Aftermath of the Snowpocalypse." We dug for 2 hours but it was still tough going, and that was just to get out of the driveway.
My Better Half works as a teacher in Bushwick-East New York, so, since the City saw fit to reopen the schools, what is normally a complicated drive through Brooklyn to the edge of the borough, was, this morning, an earlier than usual shlepp through snow-covered streets so she could take two buses for an hour and a half ride to get to her school. After she was at the bus stop, I got on the subway for a comparably uneventful ride to downtown Brooklyn. Many of the subway cars were partly empty, both because a lot of folks were either arriving late/not bothering to come in at all, or because each car seemed to have its Homeless-Person-in-Residence.
Today, the NY Times also reported on the continuing controversy over global warming. Some scientists say that far from contradicting global warming, the increasing frequency of weather extremes like the storms we had yesterday and that Washington had last week are a by-product of this creeping climate shift. Keep those shovels handy.
My Better Half works as a teacher in Bushwick-East New York, so, since the City saw fit to reopen the schools, what is normally a complicated drive through Brooklyn to the edge of the borough, was, this morning, an earlier than usual shlepp through snow-covered streets so she could take two buses for an hour and a half ride to get to her school. After she was at the bus stop, I got on the subway for a comparably uneventful ride to downtown Brooklyn. Many of the subway cars were partly empty, both because a lot of folks were either arriving late/not bothering to come in at all, or because each car seemed to have its Homeless-Person-in-Residence.
Today, the NY Times also reported on the continuing controversy over global warming. Some scientists say that far from contradicting global warming, the increasing frequency of weather extremes like the storms we had yesterday and that Washington had last week are a by-product of this creeping climate shift. Keep those shovels handy.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Blizzard of 'aught-Ten
Scenes along East 17th Street near Avenue H, Fiske Terrace.
Looking southwest on Avenue H, toward the Subway Station.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Governor Standing Firm: No Sign of "The Times"
With the rumored bombshell NY Times story about the Governor's personal life Missing In Action the Governor is standing tall, calling the rumors "Absolutely false" and stating he has no intention to resign.Link
According to the Associated Press, a spokeswoman for New York Gov. David Paterson is calling rumors about his personal behavior "absolutely false" and says he will not resign. Paterson spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein made the statement Monday.
Rumors around the Capitol and anonymous reports in some media outlets about Paterson's personal conduct come as he considers seeking election later this year.
Many in the Democrat's own party prefer Andrew Cuomo, the more popular and better-financed attorney general.
Paterson became governor in 2008 after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal. When he became governor, Paterson admitted that he and his wife had been unfaithful to each other.
Albany Times Union - No sign" of the Times Article
But still the questions swirl around Albany. The Albany Times Union "Capitol Confidential" column reports that 10 State Troopers asdsigned to the Govenror's security detail have been reassigned, although denials have already been issued that they have anything to do with leaks surrounding the Governor.
Republican Rick Lazio has criticized the
Fred Dicker in the NY Post reports that by sitting on their supposed blockbuster of a story for nearly two weeks, the Times' scribes have created a paralytic frenzy in state government the likes of which have never been seen before.
Perhaps they're bucking for the first Pulitzer Prize ever awarded for buzz.
It was left to Paterson's newest chief political ally to offer a, uh, reasoned defense of the embattled Democratic governor, one free of conspiracy theories and bogus enemies.
"If The New York Times is working on or has a story, then you should confirm or print it," Rick Lazio, the all-but-certain Republican candidate for governor, demanded of Times Executive Editor Bill Keller.
"If you do not, then you have a moral obligation to stop the drama and the psychological warfare on Gov. Paterson."
According to the Associated Press, a spokeswoman for New York Gov. David Paterson is calling rumors about his personal behavior "absolutely false" and says he will not resign. Paterson spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein made the statement Monday.
Rumors around the Capitol and anonymous reports in some media outlets about Paterson's personal conduct come as he considers seeking election later this year.
Many in the Democrat's own party prefer Andrew Cuomo, the more popular and better-financed attorney general.
Paterson became governor in 2008 after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal. When he became governor, Paterson admitted that he and his wife had been unfaithful to each other.
Albany Times Union - No sign" of the Times Article
But still the questions swirl around Albany. The Albany Times Union "Capitol Confidential" column reports that 10 State Troopers asdsigned to the Govenror's security detail have been reassigned, although denials have already been issued that they have anything to do with leaks surrounding the Governor.
Republican Rick Lazio has criticized the
Fred Dicker in the NY Post reports that by sitting on their supposed blockbuster of a story for nearly two weeks, the Times' scribes have created a paralytic frenzy in state government the likes of which have never been seen before.
Perhaps they're bucking for the first Pulitzer Prize ever awarded for buzz.
It was left to Paterson's newest chief political ally to offer a, uh, reasoned defense of the embattled Democratic governor, one free of conspiracy theories and bogus enemies.
"If The New York Times is working on or has a story, then you should confirm or print it," Rick Lazio, the all-but-certain Republican candidate for governor, demanded of Times Executive Editor Bill Keller.
"If you do not, then you have a moral obligation to stop the drama and the psychological warfare on Gov. Paterson."
Monday, February 8, 2010
Governor Redux? - Patterson Poised for Resignation?
Move over Eliot Spitzer ? Hello Governor Ravitch? The rumor mill is working overtime as far as the pending revelations (or bombshell-in-the-works) about the Governor and his political future. Whether these are political moves, as reflected in the Obama Administration's lack of support for the Governor, or are predicated on personal revelations that exceed extra-marital issues to which the governor previously 'fessed up, remains to be seen. But for now, the kettle is boiling wildly, and what comes next in "Planet Albany" is anybody's guess.
Albany Times Union: Where's the Beef ? The NY Times supposedly has a pending bombshell news item on the Governor's personal life that will compel him to resign. The NY Times report has yet to see print.
Gawker: Patterson's spokesperson denies resignation-worthy bombshell in the wings
Huffington Post: "The Daily News' Elizabeth Benjamin says it's "far worse than his acknowledged extramarital affair with a former state employee."
Albany Times Union: Where's the Beef ? The NY Times supposedly has a pending bombshell news item on the Governor's personal life that will compel him to resign. The NY Times report has yet to see print.
Gawker: Patterson's spokesperson denies resignation-worthy bombshell in the wings
Huffington Post: "The Daily News' Elizabeth Benjamin says it's "far worse than his acknowledged extramarital affair with a former state employee."
Coached by Oprah, Jay and Dave's Super Bowl 44 Ad Helps Let By-Gones Be By-Gones
With Conan's $40 million walk part of TV history, it's time for Jay Leno to do a little image burnishing. The Super Bowl ad, with Oprah mediating for the Last Late Night Boys Standing was a surprise and cause for a hoot and a holler. One of the only really memorable spots on Super Bowl 44; but where's Coco?:
Oprah, Dave and Jay ad on Superbowl 44
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Tumbling Dice
Tumbling Dice with the Rolling Stones, 1972
M. Jagger, K. Richards
Women think I'm tasty, but they're always tryin' to waste me
And make me burn the candle right down,
But baby, baby, I don't need no jewels in my crown.
'Cause all you women is low down gamblers,
Cheatin' like I don't know how,
But baby, I go crazy, there's fever in the funk house now.
This low down bitchin' got my poor feet a itchin',
You know you know the duece is still wild.
Baby, I can't stay, you got to roll me
And call me the tumblin' dice.
Always in a hurry, I never stop to worry, Don't you see the time flashin' by.
Honey, got no money, I'm all sixes and sevens and nines.
Say now, baby, I'm the rank outsider, You can be my partner in crime.
But baby, I can't stay, You got to roll me and call me the tumblin',
Roll me and call me the tumblin' dice.
Oh, my, my, my, I'm the lone craps shooter, Playin' the field ev'ry night.
Baby, can't stay, You got to roll me and call me the tumblin' dice, (
Call me the tumblin')Got to roll me, Got to roll me, Got to roll me (Oh yeah)Got to roll me. Got to roll me, Got to roll me ( Keep on rolling, Keep on rolling)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Plastic Ono Band Dress Rehearsal at BAM: February 15
We Are Plastic Ono Band
Launched in 1969 with the single "Give Peace A Chance", PLASTIC ONO BAND is known for its avant-garde music, film, art, and activism. Revived in 2009, YOKO ONO PLASTIC ONO BAND includes Yoko Ono, Cornelius, Yuka Honda, Haruomi Hosono and Sean Lennon. On February 16, the group performs a very special SOLD OUT concert at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, featuring songs from their new album Between My Head And The Sky , welcoming many special guests, including some original band members.
Yoko Ono has just announced that tickets are now available for a "dress rehearsal" warm-up show with the Plastic Ono Band at 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave., New York City the night before her special birthday show at the same venue.
The new show was organized after the Feb. 16 birthday show sold out in two hours.
"Yoko was not happy that some of her most dedicated fans were shut out, so she came up with the idea of opening the doors to the public for a very rare concert experience," according to information on her MySpace blog.
Members of her core band -- Sean Lennon, Yuka Honda and Cornelius (Keigo Oyamada, Shimmy Hirotaka Shimizu and Yuko Araki) -- will be featured.
None of the special guests planned for the Feb. 16 show, which sold out in two hours, are advertised for the warm up show, but according to her blog, "who knows?" Those Feb. 16 guests include Bette Midler, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, Jim Keltner, Thurston Moore and the Scissor Sisters.
Tickets for this show range from $19.90-$65 and can be purchased online at www.BAM.org or by calling 718-636-4100.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Thrill is Gone- Obama Girl: "Crush has Faded"
Among some voters, the initial sense of "Think I'm in Love But It Makes Me Kind of Nervous to Say So" about candidate Barack Obama gave way to "The Thrill is Gone" as the administration's saving of the American economic and banking system gives way to continued confusion and malaise about unemployment, Wars, and the faltering health care reform plan. But nowhere is the statement that the "bloom off of the rose" more pronounced than for "Obama Girl" whose internet viral video helped propel the laid back, scholarly candidate's image to something more youthful, sexy and fun.
But now, Emily Miller at Politics Daily, reports that Amber Lee Etinger, aka Obama Girl, not only expressed her disappointment with the President's "broken promises" but did so deep in the heart of the enemy's camp -- on Fox's Sean Hannity show.
From Politics Daily: "Obama Girl" has learned, real life (or in her case, real/imaginary political life) intruded on the fantasy. "If I had this crush on him the same way as I did in the beginning, I'd be the fool. You know, it's like a relationship. When you get into a relationship with somebody they're all great and perfect, they say all the right things," she said on Fox. "And then once you're in the relationship it's like, OK, they're not that perfect."
All you need is love? Maybe so, but, then again, a cooperative G.O.P. and a win in Massachusetts last month wouldn't have hurt either.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The View from Gobbler's Knob...and The Island of Staten Island
"Philluch," as he might be known in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, aka Punxsutawney Phil prognosticates ....From Pennsylvania, the prediction is: Six more weeks of wintry mix..
Mayor Mike shares a nibble-free moment with Staten Island Chuck, who offers an alternative forecast...
On Staten Island, on the other hand, the call is for....early spring…
Monday, February 1, 2010
February
les tres riches heures du duc de berry mars February: A typical winter's day. Some peasants warm themselves by the fire, another peasant chops wood, and still another goes to market.
February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 in the old Roman calendar. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a monthless period. They were added by Numa Pompilius about 700 BCE. February remained the last month of the calendar year until the time of the decemvirs (c. 450 BCE), when it became the second month. At certain intervals February was truncated to 23 or 24 days and a 27-day intercalary month, Intercalaris, was inserted immediately after February to realign the year with the seasons. Under the reforms that instituted the Julian calendar, Intercalaris was abolished, leap years occurred regularly every fourth year (after a few years of confusion), and in leap years February gained a 29th day. Thereafter, it remained the second month of the calendar year, meaning the order that months are displayed (January, February, March, …, December) within a year-at-a-glance calendar. Even during the Middle Ages, when the numbered Anno Domini year began on March 25 or December 25, February continued to be the second month whenever all twelve months were displayed in order. The Gregorian calendar reforms made slight changes to the system for determining which years were leap years and thus contained a 29-day February.
Historical names for February include the Anglo-Saxon terms Solmonath (mud month) and Kale-monath (named for cabbage) as well as Charlemagne's designation Hornung. In Finnish, the month is called helmikuu, meaning "month of the pearl"; when snow melts on tree branches, it forms droplets, and as these freeze again, they are like pearls of ice. In Ukrainian, the month is called лютий meaning the month of ice or hard frost.
More on February
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