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 and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES— an ongoing exhibition entitled The Tuskeegee Airmen: Their Untold Stories— located inside a B-29 hangar and featuring photos, clothing, posters and videos — is at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
YOUR WEEKEND READ #1 is this lengthy (yet revealing) essay in Texas Monthly— arguing that despite all the public chest-beating from GOP politicians: migrant labor is essential to the Texas business community (not to mention its donors) and thus the wingers will publicly go so far … and no further in private.
WHILE she usually parrots whatever 45 says: because Maria Bartiromo has a business-news program, she must placate the laissez-faire plutocrats in the conservative movement who dislike tariffs .. hence, this rare, mild pushback.
THURSDAY's CHILD is a tortie rescued from a pile of rubble from Hurricane Milton in Tampa ... and a local family who owns a business (which was decimated by the storm) is currently caring for her.
FILM NOTES— the documentary Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision— detailing how (shortly before his death in 1970) he built a state-of-the-art recording studio in Greenwich Village (with sessions from Stevie Wonder and Led Zeppelin to Beyoncé and Taylor Swift) — goes on streaming platforms this week.
YOUR WEEKEND READ #2 is this press release by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on his majority subcommittee’s report outlining how Medicare Advantage plans deny critical care at astronomically rising rates by insurers seeking higher profits (with this link to the full 54-page majority report).
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Stache the Cat— who when adopted, bonded almost right away with a family’s dog Barney … and when five years later Barney had to be euthanized, Stache rubbed his head against the box with Barney’s ashes.
BRAIN TEASER— try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC ...… and the usually easier, less UK-centered New York Times quiz.
THE OTHER NIGHT yours truly hosted the Top Comments diary with a look at the double-bassist Charles Burrell— with a long career in jazz and as the first African-American hired by a symphony orchestra: has been dubbed “The Jackie Robinson of Classical Music” — who recently turned age one hundred and four.
OLDER-YOUNGER BROTHERS?— Prince Harry ... and Stephen Richer, former Arizona election official ousted by MAGA.
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… once again, time has been my enemy, unable to provide a profile … and forced to rely on a news item for inspiration. But wotta inspiration …. as it concerns one of the best blues-rock guitarists of the 20th Century (and I don’t see where I ever did a profile of him).
One reason that Rory Gallagher (1948-1995) was not a household name in the US is that he was Irish and spent much of his touring career in Europe. But he did several US tours (I saw two of his shows) and was a prolific recording artist. The defunct UK music paper Melody Maker once described him as “Checked shirts and Stratocasters a-blazing” — very apropos, as that is what most concert photos of him show.
His first major group (Taste) was an opening act at the farewell Cream concert in London in November, 1968. Eventually he formed his own group and became an influence for Brian May (Queen), Johnny Marr (the Smiths), Dave (The Edge) Evans (U2) and Saul (Slash) Hudson (Guns & Roses). When Mick Taylor left the Stones in late 1974, they asked Rory to audition for them (as he shared their love of John Lee Hooker, Leadbelly, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters), although eventually choosing Ron Wood.
Rory died of complications from a liver transplant at only age forty-seven.
Although he was born in County Donegal, his family moved to Ireland’s second-largest city ….. and I recall seeing this sign there.
The news item I just saw: his 1961 Fender Stratocaster guitar was just sold at auction in London for over $1.1 million (US) — with plans to donate it to the National Museum of Ireland. The BBC also notes that in 2016, a statue of him was unveiled outside of a concert hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. One reason: Rory Gallagher played regularly there throughout The Troubles in Northern Ireland … at a time when many other musicians and bands … stayed away.
This is my favorite ballad of his (while still showing his chops).