regal, adj. Characteristic of or resembling a monarch; splendid, magnificent, stately; distinguished. E.g., Mahalia Jackson.
Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972), “These Are They,” live (TV show), 1956 (Rejoice and Shout [2010], commentary by Smokey Robinson and Anthony Heilbut)
Bringing some church to the White House.
—President Obama
Shirley Caesar, Aretha Franklin, Rance Allen, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, T Bone Burnett, et al., live, Washington, D.C., 2015
old school
Blind Mamie Forehand (1895[?]-c. 1936), “Wouldn’t Mind Dying, If Dying Was All,” 1927
lagniappe
musical thoughts
If one part doesn’t work, that gives us more confidence the next part will.
—Wadada Leo Smith, last night, University of Chicago
***
random sights
other day, Chicago
old school
Brother Willie Eason, “There’ll Be No Grumblers There,” 1947
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lagniappe
reading table
One need not be a Chamber – to be Haunted –
—Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), #407 (Franklin)
old school
The Angel Voices, “Tell the Angels,” “Walking and Talking with Jesus,” 1953
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lagniappe
road to the World Series
‘I like numbers like anyone else,’ [Don] Zimmer once told me. ‘I like the gut and the unexpected even better.’
never enough
Blind Willie Johnson (1897-1945), “Motherless Children Have a Hard Time” (record mislabeled “Mother’s Children Have a Hard Time”), 1927
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Bellwood, Ill. (MOMS Garden [Mothers of Murdered Sons])
sounds of New Orleans
“I’m Gonna Journey Right On,” Funeral for Kenneth Dykes (Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Founding Member), New Orleans, 9/19/15
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lagniappe
art beat
Lee Friedlander (1934-), New Orleans, 1973
*****
taking a break
I’m taking some time off—back in a while.
never enough
Blind Willie Johnson (1897-1945), “Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed,” 1927
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
How many of this year’s recordings will be played in 2103?
*****
random sights
this morning, outside Chicago (Salt Creek Trail)
back to church
“Until I Die,” Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C., 2001
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lagniappe
reading table
In a sense sickness is a place, more instructive than a long trip to Europe, and it’s a place where there’s no company, where nobody can follow.
—Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964), letter, 1956
What an inspired way to begin an album.
Donald Edwards (drums, with sampled voices), “American Drum Call to Mama,” Evolution of an Influenced Mind, 2014
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lagniappe
found words
Vegetable Lover’s Guide to Berlin
—cover of Saveur (October issue)
music clip of the day 