Greg Mitchell is the author of more than a dozen books and now writer/director of three award-winning films aired via PBS, including “Atomic Cover-up” and “Memorial Day Massacre.” Now watch trailer for acclaimed 2025 film “The Atomic Bowl.” Before all that, he was a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy. At Blue Sky and Twitter: as @gregmitch. You can still subscribe to this newsletter for FREE. Sustain this newsletter by ordering one of his books.
First off, since many (including yours truly) missed it: John Mulaney launched his run of 12 weeks of live specials on Netflix on Wednesday night, with special guests including a chatty Joan Baez and regular Richard Kind. Here is how it opened:
Next, our musical selections. We were rather thrilled this week to see that among our new subscribers was Jon Cleary, who has been carrying on the rich tradition of New Orleans piano greats going back to Domino, Longhair, Booker, Toussaint, Butler and more. Have seen him live at Tipitina’s and in the streets with (dig the name) his Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Here Jon does Dr. John’s “Such a Night.”
Always looking for an excuse to cover Ry Cooder and today happens to be his 78th birthday. Love his two brief guitar solos here with Rosanne Cash (also a subscriber here) on her “Seven Year Ache,” joined by Elvis Costello and Neko Case. Rosanne had introduced him as “one of the greatest artists of my lifetime.”
And speaking of Ry, do you know there is a musical coming to Broadway next week recalling the formation of the Buena Vista Social Club band (in which Ry played such a key part)? Here’s a clip with fantastic song “Chan Chan” from the award-winning film many years back, with Ry on guitar.
From Tunes to Toons
Trump in his DOJ speech yesterday: "I believe that CNN and MSNBC, who literally write 97.6% bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat Party. And in my opinion, they are really corrupt and they are illegal. What they do is illegal.”
At bus stops this week all over London:
Happy Birthday to Ry Cooder! What a treat to hear his music today.🙏🙏
You are incredible!