Updike & Easter, 2014
Continuing our annual tradition, we present seven new voices commenting on the meaning and import of John Updike's oft-contemplated, much-debated poem, 'Seven Stanzas at Easter.'
David McGee
The Nevadan (1950)
A 1950 double-dip: United States Marshal Andrew Barclay (Randolph Scott) arranges the escape of outlaw Tom Tanner (Forrest Tucker) in order to locate the $250,000 in gold stolen by Tanner in stagecoach robbery. Plus BUGS BUNNY (and HUMPHREY BOGART) in '8 BALL BUNNY.'
Oh The Good Life
With her debut album IN THIS LIFE, ELISE TESTONE serves notice of being an artist pursuing a serious vision that has everything to do with substance and staying power. Later for 'American Idol' and the evanescent fame it offers.
‘It’s Where Your Life Makes Sense’
On his new solo album, Soo, HABIB KOITE goes home to Mali and draws together all the strands of his life--music, friends, countrymen. 'It's where your life makes sense,' says Habib.
Here Comes the Sun-lit Bouquet
In HERE COMES THE SUN-LIT BOUQUET, TOUKTA WONGSE-ONT gains inspiration from fresh flowers, author SARAH ORNE JEWETT, poet ROBERT FROST and a BEATLES song in arriving at a new perspective on her father's passing.
World Without End, Amen
GREAT BIG WORLD contains simply too many inspired performances to be anything but a blessing, apart from it being one of TONY TRISCHKA's showcase moments as a banjo titan and band leader without peer.
Feelings Funny, Familiar and So Well Remembered
KACEY JONES is a funny gal, but she's also a singer who can bring it all back home vocally. She reminds us of this repeatedly on her first new music album since 2006, AMEN FOR OLD FRIENDS, concerning those funny, family and so well remembered…
Video Moment of the Week
NU-BLU releases the third video from its tenth anniversary album, titled Ten. 'Without a Kiss,' a sensitive ballad addressed to a departed spouse, elicits one of Carolyn Routh's most affecting vocals.
Reality Check
An ad from Malaysian Airlines that needs to be retired, if it isn't already...
A Portrait of His Hungarian Soul
Gypsy music is pure passion, and that's what Hungarian-born violinist FERENC ILLENYI mines on his album GYPSY DREAM, in which he immerses himself in exploring all the varied facets of gypsy music.