Greg Mitchell has authored more than a dozen books (see most of them here) and directed four recent PBS films. Subscribing to this newsletter is still FREE—so if you want to help fund, maybe purchase one of my books, thanks!
Thanksgiving preview from Mike Luckovich:
Trump might be “the dog that did not bark” but he may be ready to wag the dog in attacking Venezuela, as political strategist Simon Rosenberg observes: “If Trump wags the dog in Venezuela it is going to do enormous damage to his already degraded brand here in the US. Zero support for this in the public. Will be seen for what it is—[a] transparent attempt to rescue his flailing Presidency.”
In movie news, the NY Times this morning:
25 Movies, Many Stars, 0 Hits: Hollywood Falls to New Lows
It has been a brutal three months for dramas and comedies.
And in music news, the current #1 and #3 songs on the hallowed Billboard singles country chart are by artists who are…completely AI. Maybe they can break out the holograms so they can tour. “In just the past few months, at least six AI or AI-assisted artists have debuted on various Billboard rankings,” Billboard reports. “That figure could be higher, as it’s become increasingly difficult to tell who or what is powered by AI — and to what extent.”
Here’s your chart topper, by new fake artist Breaking Rust. Who no doubt never sleeps.
And at #3, by Cain Walker (somehow they did not call him Raising Cain instead).
Back in the real world, the folks at Stereogum did another one of their tributes when a top rocker turns 80, in this case Neil Young (on Wednesday) after providing it in previous years for Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan. That is, they ask 80 other musicians to pick their favorite songs by the birthday boy and explain why. From the picks, one imagines that some strained to pick a deep cut to be cool instead of a more obvious critical favorite. For example, not one of the 80 chose “Rocking in the Free World” or “Powderfinger.” Come on! Some are pretty weak but others will inspire you to go to YouTube or Spotify or whereever to give them a spin. “After the Goldrush” seems to have gotten more nods than others.
Among those asked for their faves: Robyn Hitchock, Brittany Howard, Rodney Crowell, Dave Matthews, Allison Russell, Tom Morello, Jeff Tweedy, Jim James, and Molly Tuttle.
Just for example, Maggie Rogers chose a live a acoustic version of “Cowgirl in the Sand” from 1970—which I happened to witness way up in the upper balcony at Carnegie Hall. Here it is:
Michael Stipe picked “Pocahontas,” usually done acoustic but here electric in Neil’s main grunge period:
Nice to see often overlooked “Unknown Legend” pick up some support:
From Tunes to Toons for Today
Michael deAdder
Ann Telnaes:
Clay Bennett:
Steve Brodner puts his imagination to work:
Nick Anderson:
Matt Wuerker:
Photo Finish
From my camera, at the Taos Pueblo, the oldest continuous settlement in the U.S.
Thanks for the Neil Young!
Funny how the lyrics come back, every damn word. “It’s the woman in you…🎶” thanks Greg:)