Sky Blue Sky

Wilco's new album was released today--Wilco (the album). Mm-mmmagnetized to this mixture of sounds evoking sweet music gold ago--a touch of Submarine (Beatles), Holland (Beach Boys), Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton, plus some great juxtapositioning of instrumentation overall. Hear favorites on a previous album, Sky Blue Sky, until the current samples are up, in the meantime. Mm-mm--just sooo cooool.

http://wilcoworld.net/records/disco.php

The Sparrow

Thank you, thank you, Evelyn Lewandowski wherever you are, for your signature zwish, zwish steps to the platform, your shoulders back, wide smile, belting it out:

"His Eye Is On the Sparrow"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Pk5YMkEcg&feature=related

And Adam's lighting, the gladiola corsages, the glumpkies. Thank you forever.

No More Silencing Roger Lucey

"This summer, there's to be a grand concert in New York, celebrating the 91st birthday of Nelson Mandela. His release from prison almost 20 years ago was seen as the real beginning of the end to South Africa's apartheid policies.Twenty years ago, Roger Lucey was a young musician who used his music to confront apartheid. But just as Roger's career was taking off, a young South African security officer was assigned to ruin him."

This story is more amazing not just because of Roger's vindication after surviving years of devious censorship, but because these two men formed an unlikely friendship. The true forgiveness and acceptance of Roger and his nemesis, Paul Erasmus, gives so much hope for the reconciliation of individuals as well as society. It is stirring to hear Roger's kind words--he has this sweetness about him, plus, his music is good. In the NPR interview, Paul said that he'd actually become a "secret fan" of Roger's early on. Rock on, Roger!