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Stylish Then and Now

April 4, 2020 – Diva (1981) Criterion Channel

This thriller was stylish in 1981, and it is stylish now: opera, mopeds, Paris, a cool loft, murder, and corruption. Directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix, who also directed Betty Blue, a movie I liked back in the day that may soon make an appearance in this film festival diary. It was a nice world to disappear into for a while.

Fake News

April 1. 2020 – Talking instead of watching

Wendey (reading from the internet): “It says they have canceled all sales of liquor in California.”

Lee (thinking to himself): Panic! I don’t think I can survive this pandemic without alcohol.

Wendey (reading further): “Oh, never mind. It was an April Fool’s joke.”

Lee (thinking to himself): I need a drink.

The Great Cuban Folk Singer Silvio Rodriguez and my Time in El Salvador working for the FMLN Revolutionary Movement. I learned to love the music of Silvio Rodrigues while I was in El Salvador, but I learned a whole lot more than that.
Hard Lessons for My Head and My Heart Reflecting on the movie Just Mercy and my trip last year to Montgomery, Alabama
In Search of The Clark Sisters Reviewing the Clark Sisters biopic and my search to find the Clark Sisters singing in Detroit
Little What? On the movie Little Women — or was it Little House on the Praire?

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
The Big Empty by Robert Crais
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Tell It To Me Singing by Tita Ramirez
Call Me a Cab by Donald Westlake
Babel by R.F Kuang
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
Rachel by Elinor Lipman
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
Klara and the Sun by Kazou Ishiguro
Invisible City by Julia Dahl
Outlawed by Anna North
The Color of Money by Walter Tevis
The Hustler by Walter Tevis
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Fleischman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
The Orchard by David Hopen
Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
Just Like You by Nick Hornby
The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova
Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell
Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett
Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
Love Poems for Married People by John Kenney

Previous books I have read are available here.

Lee’s Favorite Songs 2024
Lee’s Favorite Cover Songs 2024
Soulful Songs from Abbey Lincoln to Al Green, avoiding the most obvious and famous songs.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the great gospel singer and guitarist and rock and roll foremother. She should be more well known than she is.
Nanci Griffith. This is a career retrospective from the great folk-country singer songwriter who passed away recently.
Wanda Jackson. The great rockabilly and country singer guitarist has a new record out produced by Joan Jett. I like it, but not as much as her earlier work in this playlist.
Julie London. I admit to having a crush on Julie London, the cool and quietly soulful jazz and standards singer from the 195os and 1960s.
Big Stir Records and Power Pop Favorites. Recent, sweet rock songs from this Los Angeles indie record label.
Power Pop Classics Sweet-as-sugar melodies and big, crunchy guitar — two great tastes that taste great together.
Silvio Rodriguez Favorites The great Cuban folk singer, beloved throughout Latin America.
Betty Wright Playlist The great soul singer passed away. She is best known for the song Clean Up Woman.
Take Me Back to the Range: Selections from Western Jubilee Recording Company Nothing is more comforting in these times than these gentle songs about wide-open spaces.
Prince: The Complete Collection
Joe Ely – Love in the Midst of Mayhem This underrated Texas Americana singer and songwriter’s new album is timely and moving.
The Clark Sisters My favorite songs on Spotify from one of my favorites: this gospel singing group.
John Prine Playlist A collection of songs from this late, great national treasure.