In the latter half of the 1990s, I lived in the greater Los Angeles area, specifically in Venice Beach near the Pacific Ocean. My work was in Santa Monica, so my daily commute was relatively short compared to other Southern Californians. It was also strikingly and stereotypically beautiful. To avoid the traffic of other peopleContinue reading “Papa M’s “I Am Not Lonely with Cricket””
Author Archives: Recliner Notes
Allen Ginsberg & Bob Dylan Ride the “Vomit Express”
In November 1971, Allen Ginsberg and Bob Dylan entered the Record Plant recording studio in New York City to record adaptations of Ginsberg’s own poetry, arrangements of poems by William Blake, and a few Ginsberg-Dylan original songs. The resulting recordings are rough and ragged. However, the most successful work is “Vomit Express,” which constitutes aContinue reading “Allen Ginsberg & Bob Dylan Ride the “Vomit Express””
Terry Allen at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville – July 20, 2024
As far as anyone remembers, Saturday July 20, 2024 was only the third time that singer, songwriter, piano player, recording artist, and visual artist Terry Allen had performed in Nashville. The other two appearances were a joint performance with musical running buddy Guy Clark at Nashville’s renowned Bluebird Cafe and Clark’s memorial service performance atContinue reading “Terry Allen at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville – July 20, 2024”
Roadhouse
A few months ago, I took to social media to officially pronounce my separation from the word “choogle.” For those unfamiliar with the term, it’s a musical description — some even may refer to it as a genre — that originated with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 1969 song “Keep on Chooglin’.” During the song, John FogertyContinue reading “Roadhouse”
The Guy on the Cover of Bob Dylan’s Under the Red Sky
Let’s pretend that the cover of Bob Dylan’s 1990 album Under the Red Sky doesn’t depict one of the most recognizable musicians of the last 50 years. What is being presented in this black and white photograph? The setting is the Mojave Desert, probably near Palm Springs. But it has the feel of any ofContinue reading “The Guy on the Cover of Bob Dylan’s Under the Red Sky”
Dirty Three’s Love Changes Everything
Nick Cave famously called Dirty Three his favorite live band. He went on to say about the Australian instrumental band composed of Cave’s fellow Bad Seed violinist Warren Ellis, guitar player Mick Turner, and drummer Jim White: “When I watch them, they ignite something, I start having grand plans and hundreds of lyrics leap intoContinue reading “Dirty Three’s Love Changes Everything”
Interview with Brendan Greaves on Truckload of Art: The Life and Work of Terry Allen – An Authorized Biography
Despite releasing multiple records over his career and receiving generous critical acclaim as a visual artist, the work of Terry Allen in both music and the visual arts has felt like a secret that his fans keep in reserve to share with only those deemed worthy. The semi-obscurity of Allen’s work can partially be attributedContinue reading “Interview with Brendan Greaves on Truckload of Art: The Life and Work of Terry Allen – An Authorized Biography”
2024 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN – March 24, 2024
Click here to find all of Recliner Notes’ coverage of 2024 Big Ears Festival. It’s the last day of the 2024 Big Ears Festival! Which means it’s the last day of managing one’s day around the festival schedule, wondering when there will be time to grab lunch in between acts. It’s the last day of putting offContinue reading “2024 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN – March 24, 2024”
2024 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN – March 23, 2024
Click here to find all of Recliner Notes’ coverage of 2024 Big Ears Festival. The rain let up at some point on Friday night, so attendees of 2024 Big Ears Festival were spared a second day of soaked clothes and dampened spirits. Because your humble narrator “overran his coverage” for my first day at thisContinue reading “2024 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN – March 23, 2024”
2024 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN – March 22, 2024
Click here to find all of Recliner Notes’ coverage of 2024 Big Ears Festival. The following is a conversation between a middle-aged father and his 21-year old daughter overheard at on Friday, March 22, 204 at the 2024 Big Ears Festival: Daughter: “I don’t mind free jazz, as long as it’s good.” Father: “But allContinue reading “2024 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN – March 22, 2024”
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