Cartoons Tuesday!
Plus inspiration from Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy.
Greg Mitchell is the author of more than a dozen books including “The Tunnels” and “The Campaign of the Century” and now writer/director of three award-winning films aired via PBS, including “Atomic Cover-up” and “Memorial Day Massacre” (up for an Emmy). You can still subscribe to this newsletter for free.
Before we get to this week’s political potshots, here’s a stirring Mavis Staples-Jeff Tweedy collaboration from a few days back during one of Stephen Colbert’s live shows in Chicago for the DNC. There’s a bit of a story behind it, as one of Jeff’s folks tell us:
They had been scheduled to perform “For What It’s Worth,” Buffalo Springfield’s 1966 liberation anthem, in light of the Democratic National Convention. But on the morning of the broadcast, Jeff and Mavis got to talking… What about “Freedom Highway,” the Staple Singers’ own 1965 propellant for marching and organizing, instead? The convention had a joyous feel, not an ominous feel. “Freedom Highway” would reflect that.
They reached out to the lovely Late Show crew to ask if Stephen would be OK with the last-minute change. It was an easy case to make. “Freedom Highway” was recorded at a church in Chicago, not far from the current Democratic National Convention. Stephen’s team replied with a hearty yep.
Of course the two have a history. Here on “You’re Not Alone.”
And while we’re at it, Mavis with Ry Cooder on the classic “99 1/2.”
Cartooning
