Cool Song

I always liked the White Stripes, and generally Jack White's side projects have much the same verve found in the Stripes' best work, including this cut with the Raconteurs (with Brendon Benson and the rhythm section from the Greenhornes). Check it out:

Friday Family Blogging Quiz

Okay, I've had success with this theme (see below), so here's another one: whose eyes are these? Put your guesses in the comments section.

Last week, I asked the same question of a different picture, and got no correct responses! Considering how many people took a guess, that was quite surprising to me. The correct answer was Marenka (I'd post the full version of the shot, but I don't have it with me while I'm traveling). Where was Lizzie on this one? Anyway, better luck this time.

Toonerville Thursday (on Friday)

I know my Mom would miss it, so here's a couple of samples of Fontaine Fox's classic Toonerville Folks, albeit a day late. The theme today would appear to be "modesty" (or the lack thereof).

More Friday Family Blogging

Emma's got that deadpan model's face down pat here-- at two and a half, she's a master of studied nonchalance.

Friday Family Blogging

It's good to be back home, since Helen and Emma will still pose for me to take their picture. The above is a case in point.

Friday Philosophy

Here's one of the biggies: the Greek Plato (428 BC-348BC) had this to say way back when, it's as true today as it was then:

"Excess generally causes reaction, and produces
a change in the opposite direction, whether it be
in the seasons, or in individuals,
or in governments."

Ricky Does Dylan

Ricky Nelson was one of the great, ultimately underrated, performers of the rock era. Bob Dylan was the great songwriter of that generation. Here's a video of the former performing a classic composition by the latter. Good stuff:

On the Road Again

Posting here will be light to nonexistent for a day or two, as I head off for some holiday visits. I'm still waiting for a correct answer on last week's family quiz, so maybe spend a moment to go and post a guess.

Wednesday's Quotation

Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794) was one of the key figures involved in the French Revolution, heavily influenced by the philosophes of the Enlightenment. I think he was right on with this statement:

"The secret of freedom lies in educating
people, whereas the secret of tyranny is
in keeping them ignorant."

A True Classic

Rufus Thomas was a giant among the purveyors of southern soul, Memphis division. Here's his most famous hit from way back in 1965:

This Week's Top Five

I don't play enough jazz on my radio show, so I have to make up for that in odd ways like this:

Battle of the Bands Adjustment

Never let it be said that I cannot take constructive criticism. Due to a general outcry among commentators here and elsewhere, I've decided to make a change in the Round Two Battle of the Bands song selection (as previously seen here). Instead of "Bungle in the Jungle," Jethro Tull will be represented in their contest with the Bee Gees by "Thick as a Brick." Let the games begin! (in a couple weeks that is)

Quote of the Day

Think of these words from Sam Houston (1793-1863) the next time someone tells you the best way to balance a government budget is to cut educational programs (and that includes libraries):

"The benefits of education and of useful
knowledge, generally diffused through
a community, are essential to the
preservation of a free government."

Great Song

I really like this song by Paul Burch. I hope you do too:

Three Pictures: Italy

Three pictures I've done a little work on from my trips to Italy. First are the famous columns on the edge of the Grand Canal in Venice, just a few short strides away from St. Mark's.

Second is also from Venice, just to the left of the columns in the first shot, looking out from under the overhang on the outside of the Doge's palace.

Last, but not least, some of the Centurions waiting to have their picture taken outside the Coliseum in Rome. I snapped this surreptitiously, lest they ask me for a few lire.

Monday's Quote

Do young people still read On the Road by Jack Kerouac (1922-1969)? Are they still stirred to adventure by it's go-go-go ethos? I sure hope so...

"What is that feeling when you're driving
away from people and they recede on the
plain till you see their specks dispersing? -
it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's
good-bye. But we lean forward to the next
crazy venture beneath the skies."

I Love the Marx Brothers...

... and in case you wonder why, just get a look a this scene from their classic Duck Soup (and imagine how much better it gets when Chico and Harpo show up!):

Sunday Funnies

My mom tells a story of how she would call me "Smilin' Jack" when I was a baby, but my dad didn't like it, so the nickname didn't stick. I wonder how my life would've been different if I went by Jack? Anyway, here are three examples of the classic comic strip by Zack Mosley from which my aborted nickname sprang. These are all from 1937-- long before I made my first appearance.

Quote of the Day

Here's a literary snippet, courtesy of the renowned short story writer Hector Hugo Munro, better known as Saki (1870-1916). Think about this for awhile, and you'll recognize profundity along with wit:

"Every reformation must have its victims.
You can't expect the fatted calf to share
the enthusiasm of the angels over the
prodigal's return."

Cool Elliot Murphy Song

Elliot Murphy is another one of those often overlooked artists who deserves to be much better known. Here's a video of one of his songs that is way better than most of the stuff one hears on the radio these days: