Watching the Sondheim documentary on the plane. That was a mistake. During this scene from Pennebaker’s movie I had legitimate concern that I would make a spectacle of myself by loud, gulping sobs. It is not possible to react with silent, tasteful tear rolling down the cheek. It is not that kind of art. I …
Category Archives: cultural criticism
The Eagles
We were driving south on the Harbor Freeway when I saw the marquee announcing that the Eagles were coming in January to the Forum. It was early December. I said to my wife, “If you wanted to get me a nice present for Christmas, I would like to go see the Eagles.” Why the Eagles? …
Amy Ray
Amy Ray at the Troubadour, Los Angeles, January 28, 2009 Nora loaned me the LP of the very first Indigo Girls album in 1990. It was shocking to me how they talked about the Bible and Jesus. They were lesbians, right? My brother the rock critic mocked them, for this lyric in particular: “I am …
The Ditty Bops are a revelation
Sibyl, Steph, and I went to see the Ditty Bops on Saturday at Largo at the Coronet. I met Amanda years ago and had heard them once on CD, but having seen them live (with Lynn Jeffries’ wonderful shadow puppet play) I am officially in love. These are some righteous, courageous, charming, and sexy lesbian …
