Greg Mitchell has authored more than a dozen books (see most of them here) and directed four recent PBS films, including the current “The Atomic Bowl.” Subscribing to this newsletter is still FREE—so if you want to help fund, maybe purchase one of those books, thanks. Or recommend this Substack to a friend!
The countdown begins, here the view of Steve Cousineau:
The Guardian offers a lengthy list of “Donald Trump in his own words – the year in racism and misogyny.” Just a few lowlights:
I love the smell of deportations in the morning.
Why is it we only take people from shithole countries, right? Why can’t we have some people from Norway, Sweden, just a few?
The writer of the story, Katie Rogers, who is assigned to write only bad things about me, is a third-rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out.
I love this Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is, with the little turban. I love her. She comes in, does nothing but bitch – she’s always complaining….She should get the hell out. Throw her the hell out.”
Then there’s this:
Chappell Roan disappointed to learn second fact about Brigitte Bardot
The “Red Wine Supernova” singer after hailing Bardot was not happy to learn about “all that insane shit Ms. Bardot stood for.”
Many enjoyed the recent tribute here to musicians/songwriters who passed away this year, so here is TCM’s classy one for the movie industry, a preview of what we see at the Oscars every year:
And this week’s New York Times Sunday Magazine offers its annual essays on some of the most significant passings of the year titled “The Lives They Lived.” It was good to see they featured my longtime friend and mentor (and co-author) Robert Jay Lifton in a full-page appreciation by Jonathan Mahler. Hey, Brian Wilson only got half a page! A photo below from our final meeting this past June on his beloved Cape Cod. He had just turned 99.
As the new “Marty Supreme” flick goes wide and draws raves, here’s a brief clip of the real Marty as young champ:
The longtime singer/songwriter fave Robin Hitchcock is playing Dylan’s “John Wesley Harding” album in its entirety in Woodstock this week so he paid a little visit to iconic “Big Pink” (I’ve made the pilgrimmage twice myself).
He did “All Along the Watchtower” in NYC recently.
On this date in 1952, Hank Williams started his last ride, in the back seat of a Caddy, on the way to a gig in Ohio which he did not get to. Tim Hardin’s tribute, live:
From Tunes to Toons
Clay Bennett:
Matt Davies:
Walt Handelsman bid adieu to readers yesterday after 45 years cartooning at New Orleans newspapers and he chose a few of his favorites over the years, this was one still relevant:
Matt Wuerker of Politico, one of our regular “Toon” contributors here, has picked some of his best of the year, here are two:
Photo Finish
“Central Park After the Storm”
You just don’t quit! Happy New Year! Keep up the good work!
Poor baby new year as big as he is the problems are bigger. The photo is so peaceful. It could be next to a packed playground and still look peaceful. Something about snow to a person who has never lived in it conveys quiet.