I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Laramie, Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES— an exhibition entitled Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams— with many of his outfits and photographs (including one star who told Alfred Hitchcock when he wanted her to appear in his film “Stage Fright” ... “No Dior, no Dietrich”) — is at the Brooklyn, NY Museum through February 20th.
PROGRAMMING NOTE — I will be travelling next weekend; hence there will not be a Fridaypost in C&J (nor a Sunday Odds & Ends diary). I will have a Top Comments diary next Thursday: looking at a film from more than half-a-century ago (and some of its most popular songs).
YOUR WEEKEND READ #1 is from The Guardian nonpareil columnist Jonathan Freedland, on how food and gasoline shortages in Britain are being caused by the “B-word” … which few (and regrettably, not including the opposition Labour Party) are willing to state explicitly.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Alfie the Cat— a kitteh from the UK island of Jersey — who went missing twelve years ago, before being spotted on social media.
YOUR WEEKEND READ #2 is this essay in The Atlantic by Adam Serwer on the five ways Trump and his entourage attempted to overthrow the 2020 election and install himself in power.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Carol the Cat— an Australian kitteh that seemed to sense an oncoming 6.0 magnitude earthquake ... before it hit.
BRAIN TEASER— try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC ...… and the usually easier, less UK-centered New York Times quiz (no common questions).
OLDER-YOUNGER SISTERS?— model Cindy Crawford and film star Eva Méndez.
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… someone who appeared on many recordings as a sideman — and also appeared as a touring musician with several different star musicians — was the double bassist Rob Wasserman, who never achieved fame with the general public but did so within the music world. One reason he was so in-demand: he was equally at home playing rock, bluegrass, folk, jazz and pop, ensuring steady work without having to commit to a band.
Born in 1952 in the Bay Area: he began playing the violin at age twelve before switching to the double bass at age twenty, which he studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Some of his early sessions were with Van Morrison, Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks and the new wave band Oingo Boingo.
In 1983, he recorded what would become a trilogy of solo albums. Solo— with all short originals (besides the Gershwins’ Oh, Lady be Good) showcases his ability for melody as well as improvising. He then went on to perform with Lou Reed and Elvis Costello, plus a longer stint in the bluegrass group of David Grisman.
In 1983, he released his second solo album Duets— which featured both the violin of Stéphane Grappelli as well as vocals by various singers: Rickie Lee Jones, Lou Reed, Bobby McFerrin, Jennifer Warnes and Aaron Neville, receiving a Grammy award nomination for it.
In the 1990’s, he became most famous as a touring musician as part of Bob Weir’s Ratdog— appearing at the 25th anniversary Woodstock concert.
1993 saw the release of his third solo album …. wait for it …. Trios. This saw Jerry Garcia, Branford Marsalis, Edie Brickell and Les Claypool join him in the studio.
In 2000 he broke stride and recorded Space Island— mixing more electronica and hip-hop to his wide blend of styles. His final solo album came in 2005 with Cosmic Farm— more of a throwback to the jazz fusion of the late 70’s that I grew-up with.
In 2004, Rounder Records re-released his three earlier solo discs in a package called Trilogy. In more recent years: Rob Wasserman spent time touring with Government Mule, Rickie Lee Jones as well as Ratdog (Bob Weir was his greatest champion) before his death from cancer in June, 2016 at the age of sixty-four.
Three selections tonight: first, a short one from Solo:
And two from Trios: first, this (extended) collaboration with my blues hero: the Chess Records bassist/songwriter/A&R man/studio manager …. Willie Dixon accompanying on bass and with his rather husky vocals.
Finally, this work with Brian Wilson on piano (and his daughter Carnie on vocals).