alone
Steve Lacy (1934-2004; soprano saxophone, compositions), live (“Staples,” “Zeal,” “The Oil,” “The Owl,” “Torments”), Kyoto, Japan, 1975
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Chicago (Columbus Park)
*****
reading table
Even in Kyoto—
hearing the cuckoo’s cry—
I long for Kyoto.—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated from the Japanese by Robert Hass
sounds of New York
Nate Wooley (trumpet, compositions), et al., Mutual Aid Music, live, New York, 12/11/20 ((performance begins at 6:40)
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
*****
reading table
Skylark
sings all day,
and day not long enough.—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated from the Japanese by Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto
what’s new
Adrianne Lenker (voice, guitar, compositions), live (“anything,” “zombie girl,” “half return,” “forwards beckon rebound”), published 3/2/21
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lagniappe
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
*****
reading table
With a warbler for
a soul, it sleeps peacefully,
this mountain willow—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated from the Japanese by Sam Hamill
timeless
Blind Willie Johnson (1897-1945), “God Don’t Never Change” (W. Johnson), 1929
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
*****
reading table
Midnight frost—
I’d borrow
the scarecrow’s shirt.—Matsuo Basho, 1644-1694 (translated from Japanese by Robert Hass)
never enough
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Cello Suite No. 1 in G major; Lucia Swarts (cello), live, Netherlands (Amsterdam), 2014
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lagniappe
random sights
a while ago, Ireland (Dingle Peninsula)
*****
reading table
This road—
no one goes down it,
autumn evening.—Matsuo Basho, 1644-1694 (translated from Japanese by Robert Hass)
back to church
Vernard Johnson (alto saxophone), live, Texas (Roanoke), 2008
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lagniappe
random sights
this morning, Chicago (Columbus Park)
*****
reading table
At the ancient pond
a frog jumps into
the sound of water—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated from Japanese by Sam Hamill
basement jukebox
Dobby Dobson (July 5, 1942-July 21, 2020), “I’m a Loving Pauper,” 1967
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
*****
reading table
A lifetime adrift in a boat, or in old age leading a tired horse into the years, every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), from Narrow Road to the Interior (translated from Japanese by Sam Hamill)
basement jukebox
Ann Peebles (1947-), “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down” (E. Randle), 1973
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago
*****
reading table
In pale moonlight
the wisteria’s scent
comes from far away—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated from Japanese by Sam Hamill
One-word review: Wow!
Sofia Gubaidulina (1931-), String Quartet No. 1 (1971); Armida Quartet (Martin Funda, violin; Johanna Staemmler, violin; Teresa Schwamm, viola; Peter-Philipp Staemmler, cello) with Manaho Shimokawa (dance), live, Berlin, 2018
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago (Columbus Park)
*****
reading table
With dewdrops dripping,
I wish somehow I could wash
this perishing world—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated from Japanese by Sam Hamill
Why not begin the week with something quiet?
Morton Feldman (1926-1987, MCOTD Hall of Fame), Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello (1987); Aleck Karis (piano), Curtis Macomber (violin), Danielle Farina (viola), Christopher Finckel (cello), 2015
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago (Columbus Park)
*****
reading table
How reluctantly
the bee emerges from deep
within the peony—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated from Japanese by Sam Hamill
music clip of the day 