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 orderings one of his books.
UPDATE, Tuesday 12:30 p.m. ET As I hinted a few days ago, Rhiannon Giddens just posted:
I have decided to cancel my show at The Kennedy Center on May 11, 2025 and move it to The Anthem. The Kennedy Center show was booked long before the current administration decided to take over this previously non-political institution, but I cannot in good conscience play at The Kennedy with the recent programming changes forced on the institution by this new board. I kept quiet until now because I wanted to make a thoughtful and thought-out decision, but also because it took time to get the new gig set up and I wanted to make it as easy as possible for folks to follow us the 8-minute drive down the street to The Anthem! All Kennedy Center tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. Anthem tickets are now on sale. I am lucky to have found another venue willing to make this change at such a late date.
I will say here that I don’t judge anyone for choosing to go on with their shows; it’s a highly difficult situation for artists right now and everyone has to do what makes the most sense for them in the moment.
John F. Kennedy himself said: “If sometimes our great artists have been the most critical of our society, it is because their sensitivity and their concern for justice, which must motivate any true artist, makes him aware that our Nation falls short of its highest potential. I see little of more importance to the future of our country and our civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist.”
The usual cartoons down below, but before toons some tunes. First, to mark the passing of Roberta Flack, I will naturally choose her cover of a Leonard Cohen song, “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye”—from her breakthrough debut way back in 1969. Reminder: you can still subscribe here for FREE.
Next, I am still waiting for someone to post a takeoff on the classic old Fleetwood Mac cut, “Tusk,” but with the refrain changed to “Musk!” And the lyrics fit:
Why don't you ask him if he's going to stay?
Why don't you ask him if he's going away?Why don't you tell me what's going on?
Why don't you tell me who's on the phone?Why don't you ask him what's going wrong?
Why don't you ask him the latest on his throne?MUSK! MUSK! (cue the marching band)
Good to see a lot of people predicting “No Other Land” may win the Oscar on Sunday for best doc. I featured it here last week while noting that the film, perhaps the best of any type for 2024, and created by two Israelis and two Palestinians, still does not (surprise, surprise) have a distributor. Thankfully, a few dozen local cinemas have or will screen it. Here is the trailer again:
House Broken
This week’s cover:
Thoughtful, witty, accurate! Thank you for sharing.
Outstanding post, now following.
Just watched From Ground Zero yesterday and will watch No Other Land next.
But, Hokey Smokes! Wouldn’t Boris and Natasha describe the co-occupants of the Oval Office?!