I published this tribute to David Bowie on January 19, 2016. Now, on the first anniversary of his death on January 10, I feel it’s appropriate to print it again. Now more than ever, we need his otherworldly vision for our planet and for America in particular. David Bowie was the star at the center… [Read More]
The Most Over-Hyped Time of the Year
Only eight days till Christmas, and I’m immersed in the holiday spirit. But there have been past Christmases when I was mired in depression or feeling very “bah humbug” about the holidays. I’m well aware that this season conjures up a wide range of emotions in shades from joy to despair, and that December can… [Read More]
R.I.P. Dave Brubeck
The first two jazz LPs I ever bought were by Stan Getz and Dave Brubeck. That day was in 1953, nearly sixty years ago, and I was barely twelve years old. Brubeck died this morning, one day shy of his ninety-second birthday, and his death brings back a flood of memories. I heard him in… [Read More]
Together in Joy and Creativity – Reflections on marriage and music
My husband and I celebrated our thirty-seventh wedding anniversary on May 3rd, and I’ve been thinking about what’s kept us together all these years. Paradoxically, one of those togetherness factors is separation – especially when it comes to music. About a decade ago, when the City of Albany was building the pedestrian bridge over Route… [Read More]
Paul Simon – How terribly strange to be seventy
Yesterday was Paul Simon’s seventieth birthday, and he’s still going strong. Nonetheless, I can’t help remembering his lyrics from “Old Men,” released on the Simon & Garfunkel album “Bookends” in 1968: Can you imagine us years from today, sharing a park bench quietly. How terribly strange to be seventy. These days, he’s not sitting sedately on a… [Read More]
Dave Matthews concert – a senior imposter at a summer ritual
“I hope I’m as cool as you when I get to be your age.” Thus spoke the lithe and shirtless underage guy at the Dave Matthews concert on Friday night. Then there was the one who high-fived me and said, “I hope I’m just like you when I’m 80.” He was off by too many… [Read More]