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. Or recommend this Substack to a friend!
Jimmy last night:
…and Stephen:
The gross and dangerously mysterious condition of the back of Trump’s hand getting new if belated attention this week (most experts claim he is getting a regular IV drip of….some drug). But here was exchange yesterday at daily White House presser:
Q: Can you explain what’s going on with the bandages on Trump’s hand?
LEAVITT: We’ve given you an explanation. The president is literally constantly shaking hands.
Then there’s this dispiriting report re: good guy Liam Neeson:
Liam Neeson adds anti-vaccination documentary to Oscar-winning filmography
The Academy Award winner used his particular set of skills to narrate an anti-vaxx documentary that glorifies Robert F. Kennedy.
But this will hopefully draw a few laughs. Writer at McSweeney’s imagines a liquid brunch with various women (from his songs) comparing notes on their brief relationships with Springsteen. Just a bit of it here:
MARY: I slammed the screen door, and the first thing he said was he hated being alone, and we weren’t that young anymore. I said, “Get off my porch.” Then he said, “You ain’t a beauty, but hey, you’re all right.” I said, “Get out of my driveway.”
WOMAN: We had a house in Baltimore. Bruce went out for a ride and never came back.
ROSALITA: He was CONSTANTLY telling me to jump a little lighter. I said, “I’m one hundred thirty-five pounds, this is as light as I jump.”
WOMAN: I met him in a Kingstown bar. We fell in love, and he said that’s how he knew it had to end. (Shakes head.) I said, “Walk me through your logic step by step. Explain it to me like I’m five.”
WOMAN: Speaking of, he showed up at my house, calling me “little girl” and telling me he had a “bad desire.” So cringe. I said, “You know I’m twenty-eight and have a mortgage.” Then he asked if my “daddy” was home. I yelled at him, “Bruce, you’re not an old blues musician—please just call him my husband.” And, yes, unfortunately, my husband was home.
WENDY: Talk about awkward. First, Bruce said he wanted to be my friend. Then that changed to he wanted to guard my dreams and visions. It’s like, okaaaaaay. Then he had the nerve to call me a tramp. Totally negging me. Next, he yelled at me to strap my hands across his engines.
First cut from new Lucinda Williams album, here with Mavis Staples:
Now, two surprising classic songs for the holiday season….written by Woody Guthrie….and for Hanukkah… First, by a wonderful band at Levon Helm’s old studio:
…and then by Woody himself…..
From Tunes to Toons
Ann Telnaes:
Luckovich:
Wuerker:
Nick Andeerson:
Goris:
Noth:
Photo Finish
From my camera to you, “Chrysler Building, Manhattan.”
Loved the Hanukkah song (both recordings), and good selection of cartoons. Nice photo.
Woody💝