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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
Felicitous phenomenon!
That’s from Marianne Moore’s poem “O To Be a Dragon,” one of four works set to music by pianist Dave Burrell and performed tonight in duo with bassist Michael Formanek. The poet Nzadi Keita recited Moore’s words before each piece. With its unique performance environments, Philly can be such a delight, and this program at the Rosenbach Museum & Library,
Senegal, odds and ends
Senegal is one of those places that, according to the preconceptions of many, shouldn’t exist — a 95%-majority Muslim population that maintains excellent relations with the U.S. In Senegal one finds proof that Islam and democracy can be compatible, and disproof that there is a unified “Muslim world” with a common chorus of grievances against the West. In part, this
On Rushdie
Salman Rushdie will speak in Philly this coming Monday. I have a little blurb in the current Philadelphia Weekly (scroll down).
“A soldier of ideas”
It’s nice to start the morning with a hearty good riddance to Fidel Castro, who declares in his resignation that “I only wish to fight as a soldier of ideas.” It was observed in passing on NPR this morning that in Castro’s Cuba, people are forbidden to have Internet connections in their homes. Soldier of ideas? No, Castro is a