voices I miss
Hound Dog Taylor (AKA Theodore Roosevelt Taylor, 1915-1975) and the Houserockers (Brewer Phillips, guitar; Ted Harvey, drums), “Taylor’s Rock” (H.D. Taylor), live, Ann Arbor Blues Festival, 1973
*****
reading table
voices in the wind
the withered field’s
crows—Kobayashi Issa, 1763-1827 (translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue)
sounds of Chicago
Jackie (AKA Jacqui) Verdell (1937-1991), “Too Close to Heaven” (following remarks by Jesse Jackson), live, Chicago, 1972
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Chicago (Columbus Park)
*****
reading table
frosty night—
seven poor men
in a huddle—Kobayashi Issa, 1763-1827 (translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue)
more
Tim Hecker, “That World,” 2019
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago (Columbus Park)
like nobody else
Antony (AKA Anohni) with Lou Reed, et al., “Candy Says” (L. Reed), live, New York, 2006
*****
Here’s the original track (The Velvet Underground, 1969).
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lagniappe
random sights
this morning, Chicago (Columbus Park)
timeless
Fats Waller (1904-1943, piano, vocals), “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” (F. E. Ahlert, J. Young), 1935
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lagniappe
random sights
this morning, Chicago (Monadnock Building, 1891-93)
two takes
Sonny Boy Williamson (AKA Aleck [or Alex] “Rice” Miller, 1912[?]-1965), “Lonesome Cabin” (S. B. Williamson)
Recording, 1960
***
Live, Copenhagen, 1964
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lagniappe
reading table
on honorable Buddha’s
honorable nose
an icicle—Kobayashi Issa, 1763-1827 (translated from Japanese by David G. Lanoue)
basement jukebox
Sonny Boy Williamson (AKA Aleck [or Alex] “Rice” Miller, 1912[?]-1965), “Nine Below Zero” (S. B. Williamson), 1951
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
*****
reading table
How it haunts the heart, the unfathomable mystery of other people’s lives, other people’s misfortunes.
—John Banville, Time Pieces: A Dublin Memoir
basement jukebox
Buddy Guy, “First Time I Met the Blues” (E. Montgomery), 1960
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
*****
reading table
I had been hungry, all the Years –
My Noon had Come – to dine –
I trembling drew the Table near –
And touched the Curious Wine –
‘Twas this on Tables I had seen –
When turning, hungry, Home
I looked in Windows, for the Wealth
I could not hope – for Mine –
I did not know the ample Bread –
‘Twas so unlike the Crumb
The Birds and I, had often shared
In Nature’s – Dining Room –
The Plenty hurt me – ’twas so new –
Myself felt ill – and odd –
As Berry – of a Mountain Bush –
Transplanted – to a Road –
Nor was I hungry – so I found
That Hunger – was a way
Of Persons outside Windows –
The Entering – takes away –—Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), 439 (Franklin)
tonight in Chicago
He’s playing at Buddy Guy’s club (Legends), opening for Buddy himself.
Toronzo Cannon, “All Along the Watchtower” (B. Dylan), live, Detroit area (Auburn Hills), 2017
voices I miss
Von Freeman (1923-2012), tenor saxophonist, MCOTD Hall of Fame
“Oleo” (S. Rollins) with Clifford Jordan (tenor saxophone), Willie Pickens (piano), Dan Shapera (bass), Robert Shy (drums), Chicago (Chicago Jazz Festival), 1988
***
With John Young (1922-2008, piano), et al., live (radio broadcast), late 1970s
***
“A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” (E. Maschwitz & M. Sherwin) with Jodie Christian (piano), Rufus Reid (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums), live, Harrisburg, Penn., 1994
***
“I Can’t Get Started” (V. Duke, I. Gershwin), live, Belgium, 1992
***
“Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” (R. Rodgers, L. Hart) with Mike Allemena (guitar), Matt Ferguson (bass), Michael Raynor (drums), live, Chicago (Mandel Hall, University of Chicago), 2011
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lagniappe
my back pages
On this night forty-two years ago, at a church thirty miles north of Chicago, my wife, Suzanne, and I were married. Outside the church it was cold and snowy. Inside Von Freeman was playing, along with pianist John Young. All of what they played that night, before, during, and after the ceremony, can be heard here (0:15-) (“Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “It Never Entered My Mind,” “More” [before]; “In a Sentimental Mood” [when Suzanne walked down the aisle]; “My Favorite Things,” “Song for My Father” [after]) .
music clip of the day 