Commentary

Book Review: Writer Thomas Mann — Still August After All These Years?

March 27, 2023
Posted in , , ,

How does Thomas Mann’s grandiosity hold up today? A new selection of his short stories, freshly translated by veteran translator and fiction writer Damion Searls suggests an answer, though only partially.

Read More

Arts Commentary/Interview: Some Thoughts on The Climate Crisis and Theater

March 20, 2023
Posted in , , ,

How can we create theater that practices critique and empathy in relation to climate change that simultaneously challenges and lifts us, provokes and provides a muscular hope?

Read More

Book Review: One More Round with Norman Mailer

March 18, 2023
Posted in , , ,

In his centennial year, it’s difficult not to see that Norman Mailer’s literary standing is at an inflection point.

Read More

Film Commentary: The Books That Shaped My Film Aesthetic

March 8, 2023
Posted in , , , ,

Here’s a personal list of the 25 most important, influential books about American cinema. Only one book per author.

Read More

Rock Remembrance: David Lindley, A Splendidly Cavalier Spirit

March 4, 2023
Posted in , , ,

Electric guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, saz, oud, Hawaiian guitar, lap steel, fiddle, cittern; if it could be plucked, strummed or bowed, odds are Mr. Dave played it and played it well.

Read More

Jazz Remembrance: Tribute to Wayne Shorter

March 4, 2023
Posted in , , ,

One of the true masters of jazz, Wayne Shorter, passed away during the early hours of March 2. Our writers quickly gathered to express their appreciations of Shorter’s innovations and his long life of constant creativity.

Read More

Book Review: “What’s Prison For?” — A Case for Building Trust and Mutual Respect

February 25, 2023
Posted in , , ,

In this valuable and necessary book Bill Keller argues that American prisons need to accept that men and women don’t stop being human beings because they’re in the custody of the state.

Read More

Music Interview: YouTube Algorithm Causes Major Disruption to Jazz Video Guy, Bret Primack

February 18, 2023
Posted in , , , ,

Bret Primack explains how YouTube has basically nuked the Jazz Video Guy channel. And the same thing is happening to other content creators.

Read More

Music Remembrance: Burt Bacharach — Stealth Pop Composer

February 10, 2023
Posted in , , , ,

Without us even knowing it, Burt Bacharach opened up our ears.

Read More

Theater Remembrance: Trinity Repertory Company Director Adrian Hall

February 7, 2023
Posted in , ,

During his career as the founder and artistic director of the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence (from 1964 to 1989), Adrian Hall achieved a lasting place in the American theater as a visionary director.

Read More

Recent Posts