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Dissent and the right
A right-wing commenter objects to my remark (here) on Melanie Phillips’s piece describing President Obama as a “fifth columnist.” I’ll make this quick. Gee, I thought dissent was patriotic? I guess that doesn’t extend to commentators you disagree with. Melanie Phillips has an absolute and unlimited right to print whatever she wants in her columns. I and others have an
SFJazz Collective
My preview of the SFJazz Collective (Allen Room, March 6 & 7), in the current Time Out New York.
Psychotic Quartet
My preview of the Psychotic Quartet (Dan Blacksberg/Katt Hernandez/Evan Lipson/Michael Evans) at Gojjo this Sunday, March 8, in the current Philadelphia Weekly. PW has spruced up its website — have a look around. Katt is taking part in John Hollenbeck’s Painted Bride residency, “Big Ears” — I’ll be in Philly this Friday for the wrap-up concert, working on a story
Authoritarian menaces, far/near
No, America did not devolve into a fascist state, but with the release of yet more Bush administration memos we get a glimpse of what might have been. John Yoo: “First Amendment speech and press rights may also be subordinated to the overriding need to wage war successfully.” A theory that is analogous, by the way, with a UN resolution (via) opposing
Six Picks: March 2009
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, March 2009: Nels Cline, Coward (Cryptogramophone) Charles Evans, The King of All Instruments (Hot Cup) Tom Harrell, Prana Dance (HighNote) Jeremy Manasia, After Dark (Posi-Tone) Jason Rigby, The Sage (Fresh Sound New Talent) David S. Ware, Shakti (Aum Fidelity)
Obama and hip-hop
Jonah Weiner has an interesting assessment. One apparent outcome: the complete and well-deserved marginalization of dead prez. I’ve had occasion to comment before on this Castro- and Chavez-loving rap duo, a propaganda outlet for the African Peoples Socialist Party and its cult-leader chairman, Omali Yeshitela. At last, it isn’t taken for granted that the president needs to live up to
On Gaida
My preview of Syrian vocalist Gaida (tonight, Barbès), in the current Time Out New York.
On John Hollenbeck/Glenn Kotche
My previews of the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble and Bang on a Can/Glenn Kotche, in the current Philadelphia Weekly.