Springsteen and Obama in Barcelona!
It happened last night. And Spielberg, too. Plus: new music from my man, Jason Isbell, and Natalie Merchant. And a shining cameo from Stanley.
Greg Mitchell is the author of a dozen books and now writer/director of award-winning films, including this one coming to PBS stations in May. He was also a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy.
Okay, bit of a grab bag today, so bear with me, in no particular order. Enjoy, then subscribe, it’s still free.
First, cool photo I’ve just seen of mystery man on drums with ragtime jazz band in 1950 (he was probably still a staff photog for Look under the great Arthur Rothstein). No, it’s not Gene Krupa or Mr. Bean, but Stan “the Man” Kubrick.
Next, it seems my old friend The Boss got to have dinner last night in Barcelona after or before a gig in town, with a former president and a famous film director. That would be Mr. Obama and Mr. Spielberg to you.
Now, a track off upcoming Jason Isbell album, Weathervanes, in the vein of his many fine earlier songs about people in tragic or deathly circumstances. Don’t let the title “Cast Iron Skillet” fool you.
And another from a few weeks back, “Middle of the Morning.”
A couple weeks ago I previewed new Natalie Merchant “comeback” album, before I heard it. Now I can say it is quite excellent and ambitious, each song quite good on its own and deserving attention, the album suffering only from a bit of “samey” pace and tempo for the songs. Here’s a cut, “Eye of the Storm” with Irish instrumentation you may find surprising and fine.
And lovely “Take My Breath Away.”
Cartoon of the Day
