Taylor Swift/Donald Fagen

Thanks for the welcomes.  Three yr old in photo has taken to strumming the Strat while I play the chords to Keep on rockin in the Freeworld after he saw my Keith Urban/John Fogerty NY tribute.  Some would suggest this is some form of child abuse. I suggest this is better than the Wiggles. Havn't had to explain the lyrics yet. 

NY and Crazy Horse playing here next March the week after Bonnie Raitt.

Long time reader (RC 30 years+ and EW 12 months), but first time participant. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy the posts and the incredible access to the host that we have.  I am based in Melbourne which has a pretty strong music scene (Crowded House lived down the street, Paul Kelly nearby), so I am pleased to see the reviews of a few Australian artists from time to time.  In saying that, over the years,  without our host, I would never have come across the Old 97's, Amy Rigby, Magnetic Fields, Iris Dement, Miranda Lambert, Richard (and Linda) Thompson, DJ Shadow, the Klezmatics, Arto Lindsay, and a bunch of other stuff that I treasure.

We had terrible bushfires on the outskirts of Melbourne in 2009 and lost 173 people, so may heart has gone out to those affected by Sandy. I have been involved in the recovery process from the bushfires and 3 1/2 years later, some people still have a long way to go. But they are getting there.

My wife and I got back a couple of days ago from an extended weekend in New York. Beyond timing it just right in terms of weather, and the wonderful food we ate (Parm was good, Gwynett St. incredible, Red Rooster overrated), two events stood out for us and I wanted to make a recommendation about one and ask a question about the other.

We saw the Broadway production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and it lived up to the reviews it has received. The production strips away the unneeded camp aspects that has become a part of most performances (which is not the same as getting rid of all the camp aspects), but leaves all the humor intact. The lead actors allowed me to view George and Martha in a new, sympathetic light while keeping them as brutal as they always have been. They earn the final few lines that rightfully brings both despair and hope. It is the type of art that words like lacerating, astonishing and masterpiece should be saved for. If you are in New York and have the money ($70 at TKTS for in the middle of the 11th row) don’t miss it.

The second event was going to the Warhol exhibit currently at the Met. I have good knowledge and feel for theater, so I feel comfortable with my reaction to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, but beyond gut instinct I bring very little to my response to, for lack of a better term, visual art. I enjoyed the exhibition and it confirmed my reaction to a few artists. However, I didn’t know if it had much use for people who had more understanding of the art world than I do. Are the connections and thematic sections too obvious for all but the relative novices? Has anyone else gone? 

 Newly released film on HBO tonight "Crossfire Hurricane"-the Stones-

Great reviews everywhere I read.

Reading "The John Lennon Letters"-also new.

He was like John Lennon even in junior high school -or whatever they call it in England.

Also reading the new Thomas H. Cook-one of my favorite authors.

Anyone read his "Red Leaves"?