THE SIGNAL from David Katznelson
"Genius is the recovery of childhood at will."- Arthur Rimbaud
After the kids went to sleep last night I watched The Trial Of The Chicago 7 on Netflix. The film is an incredible reminder of the injustice and craziness of the Vietnam War era, as well as means to conjure up the moment we are currently in as a country. It is not a perfect film by any means, but the performances-Sasha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Frank Langella—are just stupendous and there are scenes that will haunt me for a long time to come as well as keep my fist in the air as I go to vote.
The fact that today in 1947 public hearings were started by the House Un-American Activities Committee to look at communist infiltration in Hollywood provides a through line from then to now of attempts to silence—to destroy—those voices and people who represent the true spirit of Freedom that this country should strive for (obviously this line starts much further back in our history).
For those interested in digging in deeper into the Chicago 7 trial, today the last living lawyer involved—Richard Schultz—who was on the side of the government, will be talking about it at 1pm PST on-line. It will be interesting: he feels that the Netflix film was not completely accurate. You can register here.
The Cozy Corner’s Desiree Robinson
Here is a great close-up about the person behind one of my favorite BBQ joints in the world. As soon as this damn virus is behind us, I am going to get me a BBQed baloney sandwich, a slab of ribs and some sausage links at Cozys before heading down to the Hill Country of Mississippi to hear some of the world’s greatest music. You gotta keep the dream alive.
Circulation Zero offers complete Slash Magazine publications and more!
A day before finding out that Bob Biggs passed I was on the phone with dear friend Jay Babcock who had stumbled upon this incredible website that offers downloads of classic underground music zines from the later 70s and early 80s. Yes, all of Biggs’ Slash output is here for the viewing. It is a reminder that while punk rock became a youth sport similar to Lacrosse in the 90s and beyond, during its formative years, the scene was filled with multidimensional artists and musicians who were not in any way predictable or boring. The magazines that Circulation Zero are circulating showcase an amazing countercultural explosion that we are still feeling today. The only warning: this is a giant rabbit hole that will carry the voyeur into an abyss of excitement.
Jazz Icon Dave Brubeck’s Connecticut House Feels Frozen in 1963
Dave Brubeck’s Take Five is known for ushering in the era where an artist intentionally created a 40ish minute listening experience designed for a twelve inch record revolving at 33 1/3 revolutions per minute (before, the medium was used to showcase a collection of singles from an artist). His artistic visions expanded to his style of abode. This Connecticut pad is just incredible.
Allen Ginsberg Project presents LIONEL ZIPRIN
One of the only true mystics I have met was Lionel Ziprin and the time I got to spend with him was magical (my remembrance of him after his death is here). For the last few days the Allen Ginsberg Project has showcased pictures Ginsberg took of Lionel as well as some great writing about him. The above link is for part one. The other two parts are here and here. Lionel was the connective tissue of so much that was going on in New York in the 50s and 60s.
France divided over calls for Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine to be reburied in Panthéon