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That was then…
Jeff Weintraub recently linked to this overview of Israel/Lebanon border issues in the wake of the 2000 withdrawal. I haven’t delved in fully, but it’s worth a look for obvious reasons. From the opening summary: Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Lebanon’s steps towards the reestablishment of governmental control there open a new era in Israeli-Lebanese relations.… [C]urrent conditions allow
Another PS on Juan Cole
A friend alerts me to this piece by Danny Rubenstein about “the seven lost villages,” which Juan Cole alluded to in a post criticized by Jeff Weintraub (here for background). I thought I’d point it out to those interested.
Noteworthy gigs
Too much music going on in New York to mention it all, but I was struck last week by two trio performances. Bill Frisell’s show at Celebrate Brooklyn on August 3 had him playing with Tony Scherr (bass) and Kenny Wolleson (drums) in front of a giant screen, onto which were projected Buster Keaton films, several of Jim Woodring’s “Frank”
Sounds to cherish 3
Another in an occasional series… The Al Cohn Quintet Featuring Bob Brookmeyer (Verve)Reissue of a 1956 date for Coral Records. Brookmeyer’s high-art arrangements of “The Lady Is a Tramp,” “Ill Wind,” originals, etc. With Mose Allison on piano, Teddy Kotick on bass, Nick Stabulas on drums. Keeping count of Brookmeyer’s priceless collaborations (Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Jimmy Raney, etc.) is
A quick word on Juan Cole
I’m grateful to Jeff Weintraub for linking here a couple of times in recent days. In one post he quoted my critique of Lara Deeb’s primer on Hezbollah, and he termed Juan Cole’s analysis an “academic whitewash” as well. Leaving that Cole post aside for the moment, I’d like to recall my post of July 20, in which I cited
Six Picks: August 2006
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, August 2006: Chris Byars Octet, Night Owls (Smalls Records) Bob Gallo, Wake-Up Call (self-released) Wayne Horvitz Gravitas Quartet, Way Out East (Songlines) Houston Person with Bill Charlap, You Taught My Heart to Sing (HighNote) Reuben Rogers, The Things I Am (Renwick Entertainment) Helen Sung, Helenistique (FSNT)
Kurdistan makes The Daily Show
“Honey, grab the kids and pack up the Passat, we’re going to Iraqi Kurdistan!” That was Jon Stewart’s sarcastic line on The Daily Show last night, after airing a clip from the Kurdistan Development Corporation’s promo film, “The Other Iraq.” Gordon at Harry’s Place linked to the promo a few days ago. Iraqi Kurdistan deserves lots of credit for its
A call for moderation
A letter appears in today’s NY Times, calling for moderation, sanity and an end to the violence currently engulfing the Middle East. It is signed by Daniel Barenboim, Tony Kushner, Nadine Gordimer, Costa-Gavras, Lakhdar Brahimi and many more. I think it’s a necessary statement — in stark contrast to the weasely, irresponsible broadside from Chomsky and friends in yesterday’s Guardian.