Jun 1, 20241 min read
One of the Greatest Covers of One of the Greatest Songs
I don't have strong opinions about Jacob Collier, but I do have extremely strong opinions about Björk, and I consider "Hyperballad" one...
Dec 22, 20215 min read
Out Here in the Middle
While talking with my friend Ron as he drove through Nebraska, I quoted him a James McMurtry song: “Out here in the middle where the...
Jan 5, 20218 min read
"I Got So High That I Saw Jesus" and the Complexities of Irony in Country Music
Little by little, I have come to a realization that (as someone I read on youtube articulated it) “Holy shit, I think I’m a Miley Cyrus...
Jan 1, 20211 min read
Heavy Balloon (12 Songs for Christmas)
When I said that my “12 Songs” series was unranked, it was with an asterisk because I have zero doubt about my album of the year—with...
Dec 31, 20201 min read
Christmas in Washington (12 Songs for Christmas)
“It’s Christmas time in Washington, and the Democrats rehearse. Getting into gear for one more year of things not getting worse....
Dec 27, 20201 min read
Everything is One Big Christmas Tree (12 Songs for Christmas)
After my post for the third day of Christmas, I need a day to relax and take a little breather. We need to pace ourselves. This classic...
Dec 24, 20202 min read
Bjork's Vökuró, a new English language lyric
Here, in honor of the solstice just passed, are some new lyrics for what may be the most beautiful song I know: Björk’s version of...
Apr 30, 20209 min read
Experiments in Defining the ”Spiritual But Not Religious”
Like all too many aspects of polling about religions and secularisms, the discourse about "spiritual" is largely broken. It registers...
Apr 15, 20201 min read
Rest in Peace, John Prine
This is probably my favorite of all the John Prine songs. It is the best one I can think of to capture how sad I feel about losing...
Dec 31, 20197 min read
I Watched Kanye’s Christmas Pageant So You Don’t Have To...
…Or… if you want to watch, or already did—if you are into that sort of thing—let’s compare notes. The production was fascinating in...
Sep 7, 20172 min read
A Song to Dishonor Joe Arpaio
You who philosophize disgrace, and criticize all fear Bury the rag deep in your face, now's the time for your tears. In the strange world...
Jul 25, 20171 min read
My first post (including my essay on “Remembering Prince”)
I published this at Sacred Matters a few weeks ago, and I want to see how it looks here. Click on the picture to access it. Meanwhile I...