Where Streams of Opinion Come Together With the Sea of Data
Song of the day: “On Top of the World” by bluegrass fiddle virtuoso Mark O’Connor, from his 2021 release Markology II. Here is the original version from his first guitar album, Markology, released in 1978. Poem of the day: “Six O’Clock Flight to the Interment” by Philip White. Fact of the day: The action-packed story … Read more
Song of the day: “Woodstock” was written by Joni Mitchell who famously skipped that event for a previously scheduled appearance on the Dick Cavett Show. But she made up for it by writing the definitive song about the gentle, peace-loving, utopian, laid-back, free-flowing hippie spirit of that moment in time. The earliest live version of … Read more
Song of the day: “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” by Solid Air. Great cover. This song brings back freshman year memories of that Basement Tapes bootleg I bought that had this song. My roomie (harp maestro Bill Newton) would sing this tune all day long … Tie yourself to a tree with roots. Poem of the … Read more
Song of the day: “Long Wide Open Road” by Darrell Scott. Poem of the day: “Stove” by Philip Booth. Fact of the day: In economics, a culture of “debate through tweets” has replaced “debate through books.” I think this is true in everything, and it’s not a good thing. Learned on thing today: We want … Read more
Song of the day: “Build Me Up Buttercup” by The Foundations. Poem of the day: “The Storm-torn Edge of Heaven” by Mark Cox. Fact of the day: A history of the past 100 years through the lens of New York Times headlines. Learned one thing today: Interesting speculation that, perhaps, God is a liberal. Visual … Read more
Song of the day: “Amost Cut My Hair” by David Crosby in a 1969 demo. Poem of the day: “Suburban Pastoral” by Dave Lucas. Along with his explanation. Fact of the day: The bottle of wine with the highest markup is not the second-cheapest. Learned one thing today: In a survey of people in 53 … Read more
Song of the day: “All Along the Watchtower” by Dave Mason. (Which version of this Dylan classic is your favorite? Mine is Hendrix. Did you know that Dave Mason plays on the Hendrix version? Here’s a great analysis of Hendrix’s version by Eddie Kramer who was the engineer.) Poem of the day: “Lives of the … Read more
Song of the day: “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. (See Learned link below.) Poem of the day: “Atlas” by Fady Joudah. Along with his explanation of this evocative yet disquieting poem. Fact of the day: The WHO confirms it. The global coronavirus pandemic was entirely preventable. Plans were in place. Political leaders chose to … Read more
Song of the day: “The Monkey Time” by Major Lance. (Written by Curtix Mayfield.) Poem of the day: “Black Snake” by Mary Oliver. Fact of the day: An extended essay on free will. (Well worth making the choice to read it.) Learned one thing today: George Will on turning 80. Visual of the day: A … Read more
Song of the day: “Dancin’ Shaggin’ on the Boulevard” by Alabama. Poem of the day: “Drinking Cold Water” by Peter Everwine. Fact of the day: A history of the office, with some reminders about all of the awful things that so many of us are suddenly, and surprisingly, so interested in returning to. Learned one … Read more