I'm thoroughly enjoying the newsletter, Greg. We have similar musical tastes, but you've also introduced me to some folks that I haven't previously paid enough attention to, so thanks!
I will eat my hat if Springsteen has filmed a commercial. For reference, it's a black-and-gold ombre beanie that I knitted myself.
Minor correction from one of her exasperated constituents: The Joni Ernst amendment was just grandstanding. She tried to prohibit raising the minimum wage to $15/hour during a pandemic, but because the increase goes into effect over five years, by the time it gets to $15 there (please god) won't be a pandemic. As Bernie Sanders pointed out during the debate, after which she tried to revoke the amendment. Iowa needs new congressional representation, stat.
As someone who didn't get out to a lot of movies even in the Before Times, but who subscribes to several streaming services, I appreciate the movie reccs a lot!
Really enjoy your writing. Loved seeing Mavis, Wilco and Nick Lowe together. Looking forward to reading your books, particularly the Nixon/Douglas one. I was born in Whittier and remember my mom talking about it.
Thanks. I was big Nixon lover through 1960 when I was one of few kids in my class to back him over Kennedy....later I got to be the first person to do research at the Nixon Library, even before it opened....and buy in gift shop a Nixon and Elvis shirt and mug....
Sorry, its. Damn dictate function. I went to Catholic elementary and high schools and therefore must compulsively correct, grammar and punctuation errors.
I should have subscribed long ago to your newsletter, Greg, but have followed you on Twitter for years. Am especially interested in your book on the Mauerfall. It's been on my to-read list for a time and will try to get to it while we are still isolated. I was in Germany in June-July 1990, while most of country was unchanged except you could cross the border without getting shot. Looking forward to catching up on a lot of your music backpages.
Here's something for you from my FB page: Paula Behnken
April 3, 2020 ·
Shared with Public
I've been thinking a lot about John Prine today, hoping he survives the pneumonia he acquired through COVID-19. He just might because Survival could be John's middle name. He's survived two different cancers, years of substance abuse, poor professional management, poverty and mental health issues, yet keeps bouncing back from afflictions that would topple the strongest among us.
I met John Prine in 1971 or 1972, shortly after the release of his first album. My then-husband, Len Cohen, was a musician and writer who freelanced as a music critic for the Washington Star. I often went along with him to shows and concerts, in part because I had a richer background in popular music than he did, since he grew up listening to jazz. Len was primarily a sought-after jazz drummer (but never sought-after enough!) who played all the name clubs at the time -- Blue Mirror, Jimmy McPhail's Gold Room, The Place Where Louie Dwells (for cabaret singer Steve Ross and later John Malachi, Sarah Vaughan's long-time pianist), and even Blues Alley.
Anyway, we heard John Prine at the Cellar Door one night in late 71/early 72. He was the warm-up act for someone whose name I can't remember. John blew us both away and Len couldn't wait to talk to him after the show. We ended up bringing John home with us for a decent meal, since he hadn't eaten in hours and his manager hadn't made any arrangements for him. We spent the rest of the night eating, drinking, talking about music, managers, writing, Indiana, the war, all the usual stuff. That night was the beginning of an on-again/off-again visiting arrangement whenever John was in town. Over the next two years, John's career took off. And, so did I (in 1974), so I don't know how long that friendship lasted.
Here's a review Len did of one of John's shows. What is significant in this column is that John was the second act, but Len saw him as the star. The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian already had honed his skills but, according to Len, he lacked the authenticity that John brought to every song.
_____________________________________________
May 11, 1972
Prine’s Images Are Novelistic
By LEN COHEN
Special to The Star
{John Sebastian and John Prine in concert at Constitution Hall, Washington DC.]
John Prine undertakes the most difficult task in verbal art: He attempts to communicate his insights and vision through stories. Further, he attempts to compress these stories into song.
His vocal style and sound owe much to early Dylan. However, unlike the freighted, abstract images characteristic of much of Dylan’s music, Prine’s images are novelistic rather than poetic.
In songs such as “Donald and Lydia,” “Sam Stone,” and “Hello In There,” Prine demonstrates pain, frustration and loneliness. Many songs by other writers shout about these emotions, assaulting listeners with sincerity and wisdom.
Prine avoids this, choosing instead to create
characters we can believe, characters who come alive, delineated by precise images, which lend weight and reality.
The impact of his material is generated from the authenticity of his people and the simplicity with which their tragedies are related. There is no more that one can ask of a writer.
If you missed last night’s concert, you can hear him at the Cellar Door in early June.
Headliner John Sebastian is a masterful showman. He delighted the audience with his good-humored delivery of a broad range of material from “Rooty Toot,” an old style rock ‘n’ roll stomper he wrote at the age of 14 – through a selection of Lovin’ Spoonful tunes and on to “Nashville Cats,” “Red Eye Express,” and a recent tune, “Give Us A Break.”
After a driving harp solo and a crowd-pleasing return to “In the Still of the Night,” Sebastian played encores and left the audience on its feet shouting for more.
Loved the Little Feat piece. One of my all-time faves. Frequently think about LA in the late 60s where three guitar legends were simultaneously emerging - Frank Zappa, Lowell George and Ry Cooder. Re: Bonnie Raitt, here's an unpopular opinion: Streetlights is her best album. Have never understood why it isn't more celebrated though I feel like its stock might be rising, in part due to her covering John Prine.
thanks, loved the Feat...Lowell was like the non-Robbie members of The Band, drugs and booze cutting output and turning over more and more of the group over to others....agree on Bonnie probably...
I'm not sure why but LF never played Toronto (where I live) in their heyday which was odd given their popularity in Buffalo. But I ventured to Shea's in Buffalo twice in the mid 70s to see them, once with Toots & The Maytals opening. Special...
One of great double bills ever at Max's in NYC--Feat and Bonnie Raitt for several nights around 1974....though not as good as Bruce and Marley there in same period...
I'm thoroughly enjoying the newsletter, Greg. We have similar musical tastes, but you've also introduced me to some folks that I haven't previously paid enough attention to, so thanks!
I will eat my hat if Springsteen has filmed a commercial. For reference, it's a black-and-gold ombre beanie that I knitted myself.
Minor correction from one of her exasperated constituents: The Joni Ernst amendment was just grandstanding. She tried to prohibit raising the minimum wage to $15/hour during a pandemic, but because the increase goes into effect over five years, by the time it gets to $15 there (please god) won't be a pandemic. As Bernie Sanders pointed out during the debate, after which she tried to revoke the amendment. Iowa needs new congressional representation, stat.
As someone who didn't get out to a lot of movies even in the Before Times, but who subscribes to several streaming services, I appreciate the movie reccs a lot!
Really enjoy your writing. Loved seeing Mavis, Wilco and Nick Lowe together. Looking forward to reading your books, particularly the Nixon/Douglas one. I was born in Whittier and remember my mom talking about it.
Thanks. I was big Nixon lover through 1960 when I was one of few kids in my class to back him over Kennedy....later I got to be the first person to do research at the Nixon Library, even before it opened....and buy in gift shop a Nixon and Elvis shirt and mug....
Was wondering if you saw Mank. Thought Bill Nye as Sinclair was a nice touch...
Probably doing big piece tomorrow--wrote article on it for NY Times in December ..
"Tricky Dick and the Pink Lady" deserves its spot" on any Best Campaign Book list. It's a powerful and entertaining read. You can't put it down.
Thank you Ginger for confirming what I had suspected. Hope to read all of Mr. Mitchell’s books. Really digging his newsletter!
Sorry, its. Damn dictate function. I went to Catholic elementary and high schools and therefore must compulsively correct, grammar and punctuation errors.
Never mind. I was looking at the wrong "it's/its". Time for this week to be over!
I should have subscribed long ago to your newsletter, Greg, but have followed you on Twitter for years. Am especially interested in your book on the Mauerfall. It's been on my to-read list for a time and will try to get to it while we are still isolated. I was in Germany in June-July 1990, while most of country was unchanged except you could cross the border without getting shot. Looking forward to catching up on a lot of your music backpages.
Here's something for you from my FB page: Paula Behnken
April 3, 2020 ·
Shared with Public
I've been thinking a lot about John Prine today, hoping he survives the pneumonia he acquired through COVID-19. He just might because Survival could be John's middle name. He's survived two different cancers, years of substance abuse, poor professional management, poverty and mental health issues, yet keeps bouncing back from afflictions that would topple the strongest among us.
I met John Prine in 1971 or 1972, shortly after the release of his first album. My then-husband, Len Cohen, was a musician and writer who freelanced as a music critic for the Washington Star. I often went along with him to shows and concerts, in part because I had a richer background in popular music than he did, since he grew up listening to jazz. Len was primarily a sought-after jazz drummer (but never sought-after enough!) who played all the name clubs at the time -- Blue Mirror, Jimmy McPhail's Gold Room, The Place Where Louie Dwells (for cabaret singer Steve Ross and later John Malachi, Sarah Vaughan's long-time pianist), and even Blues Alley.
Anyway, we heard John Prine at the Cellar Door one night in late 71/early 72. He was the warm-up act for someone whose name I can't remember. John blew us both away and Len couldn't wait to talk to him after the show. We ended up bringing John home with us for a decent meal, since he hadn't eaten in hours and his manager hadn't made any arrangements for him. We spent the rest of the night eating, drinking, talking about music, managers, writing, Indiana, the war, all the usual stuff. That night was the beginning of an on-again/off-again visiting arrangement whenever John was in town. Over the next two years, John's career took off. And, so did I (in 1974), so I don't know how long that friendship lasted.
Here's a review Len did of one of John's shows. What is significant in this column is that John was the second act, but Len saw him as the star. The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian already had honed his skills but, according to Len, he lacked the authenticity that John brought to every song.
_____________________________________________
May 11, 1972
Prine’s Images Are Novelistic
By LEN COHEN
Special to The Star
{John Sebastian and John Prine in concert at Constitution Hall, Washington DC.]
John Prine undertakes the most difficult task in verbal art: He attempts to communicate his insights and vision through stories. Further, he attempts to compress these stories into song.
His vocal style and sound owe much to early Dylan. However, unlike the freighted, abstract images characteristic of much of Dylan’s music, Prine’s images are novelistic rather than poetic.
In songs such as “Donald and Lydia,” “Sam Stone,” and “Hello In There,” Prine demonstrates pain, frustration and loneliness. Many songs by other writers shout about these emotions, assaulting listeners with sincerity and wisdom.
Prine avoids this, choosing instead to create
characters we can believe, characters who come alive, delineated by precise images, which lend weight and reality.
The impact of his material is generated from the authenticity of his people and the simplicity with which their tragedies are related. There is no more that one can ask of a writer.
If you missed last night’s concert, you can hear him at the Cellar Door in early June.
Headliner John Sebastian is a masterful showman. He delighted the audience with his good-humored delivery of a broad range of material from “Rooty Toot,” an old style rock ‘n’ roll stomper he wrote at the age of 14 – through a selection of Lovin’ Spoonful tunes and on to “Nashville Cats,” “Red Eye Express,” and a recent tune, “Give Us A Break.”
After a driving harp solo and a crowd-pleasing return to “In the Still of the Night,” Sebastian played encores and left the audience on its feet shouting for more.
*****
Loved the Little Feat piece. One of my all-time faves. Frequently think about LA in the late 60s where three guitar legends were simultaneously emerging - Frank Zappa, Lowell George and Ry Cooder. Re: Bonnie Raitt, here's an unpopular opinion: Streetlights is her best album. Have never understood why it isn't more celebrated though I feel like its stock might be rising, in part due to her covering John Prine.
thanks, loved the Feat...Lowell was like the non-Robbie members of The Band, drugs and booze cutting output and turning over more and more of the group over to others....agree on Bonnie probably...
I'm not sure why but LF never played Toronto (where I live) in their heyday which was odd given their popularity in Buffalo. But I ventured to Shea's in Buffalo twice in the mid 70s to see them, once with Toots & The Maytals opening. Special...
One of great double bills ever at Max's in NYC--Feat and Bonnie Raitt for several nights around 1974....though not as good as Bruce and Marley there in same period...
Hard to imagine. I'm sure all these years later thousands were there :)
Ha ha, maybe 90 could cram in there...
Mavis Staple "The Weight" rehearsal was a delight. Perfect start to the day! Thank you.
thanks, totally unique little scene.....
Thanks for news on Hemingway documentary. Looking forward to that.
Did you see the HBO movie a few years back with Clive Owen as Ernie and, I think, Nicole Kidman as Gellhorn?
No. I'll try to find it.