Remembering
Jazz still lives.
My Back Pages
Crimson flames tied through my ears. Rollin' high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads. Using ideas as my maps
We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
Proud 'neath heated brow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
"Rip down all hate," I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Girls' faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
A self-ordained professor's tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
"Equality," I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Bob Dylan
All Along The Watchtower
"All Along The Watchtower"
There must be some way out of here said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth
No reason to get excited, the thief he kindly spoke
There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.
-Bob Dylan
The Song Remembers When
Written by Hugh Prestwood.
Steve Allen: This Could Be The Start Of Something Big
A Facebook friend posted the "See the USA" Dinah Shore Chevrolet commercial today, and made me think of this amazing video from 1958.
If you're not familiar with him, Steve Allen invented late-night television, and was a major influence on generations of comedians. He also wrote this song, adapted here as a promotion for his network. You should Google him sometime.
Happy Birthday, Ann-Margret!
She's seventy-five years old today.
Little Red Corvette
This print ad was created by Chevrolet's advertising agency Commonwealth/McCanns.
Thank You For The Music
I offer this song in honor of all those incredible musical artists who've left us recently.
Thank you for the music.
Wolf Blitzer's Favorite Prince Tune
As revealed by Wolf on CNN last night.
Prince Street Station
On the BMT Broadway line in Manhattan.
Chet Baker: Let's Get Lost
Before you go to see the new Ethan Hawke film about Chet Baker, find a way to watch this 1988 Bruce Weber documentary about Chet. It will break your heart, but you will understand jazz and the creative process on a visceral level. It is extraordinary.
Merle Haggard, Dead at 79
A Townes Van Zant tune that always called up images of Merle and Willie Nelson in my mind.
"Give Me One Reason", Live. Happy Birthday, Tracy Chapman!
Fifty-two years old today.
Rolling Stones: Habana
If you happen to be in the neighborhood...
