THE SIGNAL from David Katznelson
"In this possibly terminal phase of human existence, democracy and freedom are more than just ideals to be valued - they may be essential to survival."-Noam Chomsky
Day four of a two-week cleanse. Day four of no coffee, of taking crazy herbal pills, of hyper-specific food intake. Detoxing from the caffeine took a few days…the headaches and fatigue…and supposedly the pure energy I am going to feel is around the corner. I know it is good that I am doing this.
But my cleanse—during this crazy, nail-biting week in particular, keeps bringing me back to the Movie Airplane, specifically to the character Steven McCroskey as played by Lloyd Bridges. The plane is heading for a crash. Chaos is everywhere…and McCroskey looks into the camera and says: “Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue…”
I have been on a Billie Holiday tear lately, just loving her work with Lester Young, her Decca years…her voice is just so iconic and beautiful, even in her later, drug-addled days. It will be interesting to dive in another aspect of her life in this film.
You’ve Probably Never Read Mark Twain’s Satire on American Elections, But It’s Famous in China
This leads you to a great Mark Twain short story. If you are sick of election reading, definitely skip it.
Howlin’ Rain Preps New Live Set, ‘Under the Wheels’
Ethan Miller is one of the great modern musicians. The guitar-fueled madness he records is always powerful and electrifying. Life affirming. Classic and yet all his own. You should definitely check out these live attacks he is putting out on vinyl.
His is the music that might just get us through these times.
Winners of the 2020 Epson Pano Awards Feature Stunning Wide Vistas