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Odds & Ends: News/Humor (with a "Who Lost the Week?" poll)

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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 Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti (and a delegate at the upcoming Democratic convention) and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous 4th of July weekend .... and week ahead.

ART NOTES — more than 70 feline-oriented works (from ancient Egypt to modern times) — in a collection entitled Meow: a Cat-Inspired Exhibition— will be at the Worcester, Massachusetts Art Museum through September 4th.

In Worcester, Massachusetts

HAIL and FAREWELL to the Detroit songwriter Mack Rice— the composer of Mustang Sally as well as Respect Yourself for the Staple Singers — who has died at the age of 82 ……. as well as the author Alvin Toffler— whose 1970 best-seller Future Shock envisioned same-sex marriage decades in advance — who has died at the age of 87.

CHEERS to a wonderful time this past weekend at an extended family reunion— i.e., not with my cousins but rather the families of my paternal grandmother — as we traversed the places they lived in NYC from 1880 to 1925.

THURSDAY's CHILD is named Sid the Cat— a western Massachusetts kitteh who has been moved to Cape Cod due to an altercation with a dog.

             Sid the Cat

CHEERS to the possibility of peace in the South American nation of Colombia— after fifty-two years of strife — with the signing of an imperfect treaty, as its president Juan Manuel Santos notes, “War is more expensive than peace”.

HAPPY TRAILS to the veteran author and radio host Garrison Keillor — who hosts his final Prairie Home Companion at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend — though he will not become a recluse: as he will commence a solo tour this autumn.

FRIDAY's CHILD is named Sparky the Cat— a Florida kitteh who went missing for six years before being reunited with his family … thanks to his microchip.

                Sparky the Cat

BRAIN TEASER - try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC.

GRANDFATHER — GRANDSON? — Three Stooges comedian Jerome ‘Curly’ Howard and Fort Worth, Texas pastor Donnie Romero — among the brimstoners who applauded the Orland massacre (but not the one who lost his lease).

    Jerome ‘Curly’ Howard Texas pastor Donnie Romero

...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… actually, several: my long weekend trip meant I had less time to prepare a normal profile … so I thought I would focus on the passing of three musicians of note this week.

The most famous of these was Elvis Presley’s guitarist Scotty Moore— one of the pioneers of rockabilly guitar, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (in its “Sidemen” category) in 2000, and was ranked as #29 in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list — who has died at the age of 84.

  Scotty Moore (1931-2016)

He and drummer D. J. Fontana — now, the only surviving member of Presley’s original backing trio — appear on this video playing Hound Dog in London … where they are supported on bass by my favorite musician Jack Bruce (who died in October, 2014).

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Next, a salute to the keyboard player Bernie Worrell— a conservatory-trained pianist who found stardom as a member of George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic band in the 70’s (nicknamed "The Wizard of Woo") , is also in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with them — and who later went on to further success with the Talking Heads, plus being a featured player with Jack Bruce for several years — who has died at the age of 72.

 Bernie Worrell (1944-2016)

Here is an elegant work of his where you not only hear his electronics talent, but also his musical training: Moon Over Brixton from his 1993 Pieces of Woo album.

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Finally, to the double bassist Rob Wasserman— best known for his work with the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, though he also recorded with Rickie Lee Jones, Lou Reed, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Brian Wilson, Aaron Neville and Elvis Costello — who has died at the age of 64.

Rob Wasserman (1952-2016)

Here is a duet bass recording (OK, also with a drummer) that he recorded with Willie Dixon — the old Chess Records studio bassist and manager (also, a prolific songwriter)  — called Dustin’ Off the Bass. ...and where you can hear Rob truly wail.

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