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Obama on Farrakhan
I don’t like the “Farrakhan litmus test” any more than The Root’s Marjorie Valbrun does, but Tim Russert had a valid reason for pressing Obama on the issue last night. And Obama’s answers ought to put the matter to rest. There are no grounds to doubt him on the issue of antisemitism. (Funny that Obama’s on the hot seat for
More on Rushdie
My take on Salman Rushdie’s Philly lecture, online at Philadelphia Weekly.
NY Phil in Pyongyang PS
In this post I faulted Lorin Maazel’s relativistic statement on North Korea but credited him for clarifying and revising it. What I should have done was give the full quotation, which is far more offensive in its entirety: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw bricks, should they? Is our standing as a country — the United States —
On the Mingus Big Band
My review of the Mingus Big Band at the Kimmel Center, in today’s Inquirer.
Stand by democratic Serbia
Great to see Clifford Levy’s report on unrestrained thug rule in Putin’s Russia. Also interesting to note that some among the Serbian fascist crybabies who burned our embassy in Belgrade have taken to hailing Putin’s name in the streets. Tells you all you need to know about them, but in case, here’s Marko Attila Hoare to tell you more. Money
The week on disc (13)
In case you missed the last one…John Beasley, Letter to Herbie (Resonance, forthcoming)Cuong Vu, Vu-Tet (ArtistShare) Speak in Tones, Subaro (AlphaPocket) Eric McPherson, Continuum (Smalls)Kyle Brenders, Flows and Intensities (ind.) Ed Saindon with Dave Liebman, Depth of Emotion (World Improvised Music)
NY Phil in Pyongyang
I was going to post a comment about the NY Philharmonic’s impending appearance in Pyongyang but then just read that fellow blogger Steve Smith is going there… Wow, that’s intense. I’m conflicted on the propriety of the concert. I can certainly understand the argument for cultural engagement, as Lorin Maazel made it here. I also think there’s the danger of
Benefits for Andrew
I’ve had a lot going on and thus never posted on the recent brain-surgery ordeal of alto saxophonist/bass clarinetist Andrew D’Angelo. Well, now I read the devastating news that Andrew’s tumor is cancerous. Darcy has more, a lot more, about donations, benefits and other links. Human Feel, the brilliant quartet with Andrew, Rosenwinkel, Jim Black and Chris Speed, just reunited