#OTD 1994: Pink Floyd's masterpiece 'The Division Bell' is released

‘The Division Bell’ celebrates its 30th anniversary. An album I purchased on its release day, and one that continues to captivate me and bring me solace just as it did when I was 16 years old. A timeless masterpiece.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

Born #OTD 1921: Nancy Kelly

20th Century Fox

American actress and model Nancy Kelly in a promotional shot for 1939’s ‘Stanley and Livingstone’, a film in which she appeared opposite Spencer Tracy and Walter Brennan.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

Born #OTD 1921: Simone Signoret

Renowned French actress Simone Signoret as the title character in 1948’s ‘Dédée d'Anvers’.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

#OTD 1908: Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford by Ruth Harriet Louise, circa 1926.

Wishing one and all a very happy Joan Crawford’s Birthday. Born on 23 March, 1908.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

Jean Peters in 'Pickup on South Street', 1953

20th Century Fox

Jean Peters portrays Candy in the 1953 Cold War spy thriller 'Pickup on South Street'.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

Elizabeth Taylor in 'Night Watch', 1973.

Avco Embassy Pictures

Dame Elizabeth Taylor in ‘Night Watch’, an excellent psychological thriller from 1973.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

#OTD 1760: The Great Boston Fire ravaged the city

Boston Public Library

It consumed 360 buildings in the vicinity of what is now Washington Street and Fort Hill, leaving over a thousand people homeless in its wake.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

#OTD 1963: Kathy Ireland

Photo: Sports Illustrated

#OTD 1963: The gorgeous Irish-American swimsuit queen Kathy Ireland was born in Glendale, CA. 

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

A a life-size replica of a Patagotitan dinosaur

Marcio Pimenta

Located in Trelew, Argentina, is a life-size replica of a Patagotitan dinosaur. Explore this and many more stunning pictures of the Patagonia region by clicking here.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED at https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

#OTD 1821: Sir Richard Francis Bacon

National Portrait Gallery

19 March, 1821. English explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton born in Torquay, Devon. Renowned for much, including his linguistic prowess and worldwide voyages, notably as the first European to discover Lake Tanganyika. Verily, a remarkable gentleman.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

#OTD 1923: Pamela Britton

United Artists

Pamela Britton, born Armilda Jane Owens in Milwaukee, WI, on 16 March, 1923, was known for her Broadway work. Her notable film roles include Paula Gibson in 'D.O.A.' (1950) and Miss Unconscious in 'Key to the City' (1950).

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

#OTD 1936: Ursula Andress

Ursula Andress photographed by Bunny Yeager.

Wishing a joyous 88th birthday to the illustrious Swedish actress and model Ursula Andress, famed for portraying Honey Ryder in ‘Doctor No’, 1962. As captured here by Bunny Yeager. 

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST. https://tinyurl.com/ArthurNewhook.

#OTD 1770: The Boston Massacre

Illustration: ‘The Bloody Massacre,’ engraved by Paul Revere, via Wikimedia Commons

Today in 1870, an impassioned mob incited British soldiers to fire their weapons, driven by the sensationalistic and exaggerated rhetoric of the populist propagandist Samuel Adams. Said mob were outraged that colonists were being required to contribute to repaying war debts from the recent global conflict, the French & Indian War, from which British victory had spared these very folks from falling under French rule. Five of the insurrectionists were left dead, escalating tensions to a boiling point over the next few years. This culminated in an all-out revolution by 1775 and the eventual end of British colonial rule in the thirteen American colonies. The conflict resulted in millions of lives lost and displaced, with pressure tactics, otten pure terrorism, employed by patriots against fellow citizens loyal to the crown. The upheaval profoundly altered the global order, ultimately leading to the emergence of the United States of America as a global superpower, for both better and worse. Whether one loves or hates America - and I, and, verily, most of thee reading these words do reside in America - one should never be deluded into viewing the patriot forces as unequivocally righteous. The most zealous and ideological among them sought to impose their will on the general population. Today, there are striking parallels, as the country faces division, with movements like #Cult45 and Christian nationalism coalescing around a corrupt, charismatic leader driven by grievance and bloodlust. 

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. Visit The Echo of a Distant Time, @FloydEtcetera on FACEBOOK and X; @arthurnewhook on POST. @arthurnewhook.bsky.social; and @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world.

A RANT ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TELEVISION BROADCASTS IN THE PRESENT AGE

MLB

New rules for baseball announcers and the various television crews covering these broadcasts: Firstly, actually call the bloody games and ixnay the chit-chatting on the headsets with outfielders, managers, et al. Unnecessary distractions. Everybody does this nowadays, yet I’ve not seen any evidence to suggest any viewers derive enjoyment from it. It annoys the life out of me. Indeed, I have vented over this on these forums numerous times through the years, and not once hath a single person tried to defend the merits of this practice to me. 

Secondly, refrain from trying to inject frivolity and cheap humour into these broadcasts, which typically consists of commenting on every player’s beard or hair ad nauseam. As I type this, the guys on ESPN covering this afternoon’s Yankees preseason game are so f**king out to lunch. The annoying triviality of it all. Albeit, this is not game seven of the World Series, but such boorishness is never becoming at all. Anywhere and everywhere, at all times, this is always absolute cringe behaviour, namely trying to have fun with others’ appearance. Stop that, whoever needs to hear it! In my 46 years, I have struggled mightily to kill those things in me that are unacceptable. Obnoxiousness is not an endearing trait, but I digress.

No wonder the younger folks are gravitating towards other sports, for all of these attempts at modernizing and altering the traditional essence of this most old-fashioned and pastoral of games are transparently misguided and patronizing. The growing overall disinterest is a clear indication that these superficial changes are failing to resonate. Just present the game authentically, respectfully, and with sincerity. Perchance, by focusing on the core values of the sport, rather than futile attempts to appear 'cool,' there is a greater likelihood of attracting new fans and re-engaging those who have drifted away. Major League Baseball does not need to chase trends, and it does need to be ‘hip.’ It needs to be genuine and respect the intelligence of its audience.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST.

Album review: The Orb and David Gilmour - Metallic Spheres in Colour

I finally listened to David Gilmour's collaboration with The Orb, 'Metallic Spheres in Colour,' the recently released remixed and amended version of their 2010 album, ‘Metallic Spheres.’ Not being too deeply into electronic music or especially knowledgeable about it, I never did bother ever checking out the original 2010 release. No matter, I do enjoy this. The blend of Gilmour's timeless guitar work - indeed, he is in absolute fine form - and the electronic beats is seamless. While not catering to typical Pink Floyd fans who only care about the old radio hits - no ‘rawk n roll’ on this record, folks - it echoes 1970s German 'Krautrock,' which is another positive in its favour. Suitable for meditation or background listening, I will likely buy a physical copy sooner or later, and it is worth exploring on the streaming platforms for the more musically adventurous among thee.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST.

Ten notable albums each from the first quarters of 1974, 1984, and 1994

MCA Records

Looking back fifty years, to 1974. In no particular order, ten good-to-great albums that were released between January and March of that year: JONI MITCHELL - ‘Court and Spark’; STEELY DAN - ‘Pretzel Logic’; CARLY SIMON - ‘Hotcakes’; CAMEL - ‘Mirage’; FRANK ZAPPA - ‘Apostrophe’; KING CRIMSON - ‘Starless and Bible Black’; WEATHER REPORT - ‘Mysterious Traveller’; HARMONIA - ‘Musik von Harmonia’; ROY HARPER - ‘Valentine’; and TANGERINE DREAM - ‘Phaedra.’ Remember, this list covers only the first three months of 1974, and I believe only ‘Court and Spark’ and ‘Pretzel Logic’ would be likely to make my top ten albums of the entire year. A task I may or may not tackle some other time.

Berlin singer Terri Nunn. Photo: Geffen Records

Looking back forty years, to 1984. In no particular order, ten good-to-great albums that were released between January and March of that year: PRETENDERS - ‘Learning to Crawl’; THE SMITHS - s/t; QUEEN - ‘The Works’; ALAN PARSONS PROJECT - ‘Ammonia Avenue’; SPINAL TAP - ‘This is Spinal Tap’ soundtrack; DAVID GILMOUR - ‘About Face’; BERLIN - ‘Love Life’; KING CRIMSON - ‘Three of a Perfect Pair’; JOE JACKSON - ‘Body and Soul’; and MARILLION - ‘Fugazi.’ Despite being a child all throughout the 1980s, I am not keen on the music and culture of the decade; yet, I had to fill a spot and it was not going to be with all the hair metal bands that were becoming prevalent (Tap aside, naturally). Remember, this list covers only the first three months of 1984, and whether any of these records would be likely to make my top ten albums of the entire year is an open question.

Geffen Records

Looking back thirty years, to 1994. In no particular order, ten good-to-great albums that were released between January and March of that year: ALICE IN CHAINS - ‘Jar of Flies’; TORI AMOS - ‘Under the Pink’; NINE INCH NAILS - ‘The Downward Spiral’; SOUNDGARDEN - ‘Superunknown’; PINK FLOYD - ‘The Division Bell’; MEAT PUPPETS - ‘Too High to Die’; MARK LANEGAN - ‘Whiskey for the Holy Ghost’; ALISON MOYET - ‘Essex’; FAILURE - ‘Magnified’; and MARILLION - ‘Brave.’ At the age of sixteen, I found myself amidst a momentous epoch for rock music. Verily, it was the last period where rock-based music was dominant in the marketplace. Remember, this list covers only the first three months of 1994, and of these releases only ‘The Division Bell’ and ‘Superunknown’ - and quite possibly ‘Jar of Flies’ - would be absolutely guaranteed to make my top ten albums of the entire year. 

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST.

The prices for NFL apparel are quite steep, and do I truly need any of it?

Browsing the NFL shop for 49ers gear, the exorbitant prices did discourage me from making any impulse purchases. At nearly 46, football jerseys and similar items might be past their sell-by date for me, even if I still break them out now and again. Wearing team colours (or rock band shirts, etc.) in public often leads to unwelcome interactions with strangers. By nature, I am not socially inclined, and while running errands, I focus on getting things done swiftly; no time for chit-chat. Despite never having been an actual fan and living on the opposite side of the continent from San Francisco, the 49ers' classic logo, timeless colours, and legendary history hold a certain allure. Verily, I do look forward to (hopefully) seeing them trounce the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Copyright 2024, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST and THREADS.

Album review: Peter Gabriel - I/O

The cover of Peter Gabriel's 2023 album, I/O. Photo: Nadav Kander

Peter Gabriel’s I/O - A labour of time, hath it been; in the making, on and off, from 1995. The songs themselves bear great merit, and his golden voice is unblemished, yet I do not enjoy most of the instrumentation. Too sparse in most spots, too many synths, scarcely any guitar, and the drum sound is overall mechanical and monotonous. Perchance, a few more listens may be needed, and it may win more favour, but it will not supplant the vintage works of Genesis or any solo endeavors from the late 1970s and 1980s. I do commend the gentleman for standing so resolutely behind it, whereas most of his 1970s contemporaries doth release new material and then barely bother to promote the work or perform much, if any, of it on stage. We all know the cliche of attending a concert by a classic rock band or artist, and the one or two newfound songs they perform being an opportunity to take a bathroom break or to procure another beer. Peter Gabriel, on the other hand, hath boldly made this latest album the centrepiece of his recent tour, and all the reviews I’ve seen suggest that crowds did love it. So, again, a few more listens may be required if I’m ever to embrace this album, but mine initial grade: B.

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST and THREADS.

REMEMBERING MY GRANDMOTHER ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY

On this day, the sun hath marked the centenary since my paternal grandmother, Florence, did grace this world in Newark, New Jersey. I yearn for a photo to display, but alas, the lady departed in 2005, and the whereabouts of old photos escape me. She, not much given to the camera, bore a generally melancholic spirit. Offspring of a German immigrant father and a Danish immigrant mother, she ranked as the youngest amidst a handful of siblings. Her upbrigning could not have been an easy one, especially as my great-grandmother (Eleanor) passed when she was but 12 years-old. The Great Depression and World War II affected all, and Grandma was not an exception.

The tale of how and why her meeting with my grandfather (Edwin) came to be remains obscure to me (my father probably would not know exactly, such is the distant nature of our kin); my grandfather was born in a neighborhood of Canadian migrants in Boston’s Lower Mills district (pictured here, now since demolished.) They joined in matrimony shortly after his return from naval service in World War II. I am not certain if they met in Boston, or in New York/New Jersey (perhaps Grandpa was stationed there at one point), or where, but I digress.  

Their union yielded three offspring. Alas, the war and the bottle left an indelible mark upon my grandfather (whose 100th anniversary of birth shall approach next year), and, thus, upon Grandma and her children. Grandpa, to speak plainly, did struggle to maintain employ and refrain from taverns. From the late '40s to the early '60s, the family dwelt in New Jersey (Hillside, NJ, where my father graduated high school), residing under the beneficence of Grandma’s affluent Danish-born uncle (a nobleman whose longevity actually allowed yours truly, as a very young lad, to have met and have memory of this remarkable gentleman; Uncle Julius, 1896-1986.) They would return to Boston and the old home in Lower Mills in 1965.

The marriage bore little-to-no joy, yet never did they divorce. When Grandpa perished, 35 years ago, he was but a decade younger than my father is now, yet so feeble and broken that he seemed as if he were 90 or older. The sole occasion I beheld Grandma's tears was at his funeral, whilst Taps played its mournful tune. Following this, Grandma moved to Maine, in proximity to my aunt and about a two-hour drive north of Boston, and we would make several visits annually. She held great affection for Pall Mall filterless cigarettes and had an ardent love for feline companions. During a period when my father was abroad, serving in Vietnam, she seemingly housed upwards of 40 cats at the old home in Lower Mills. Anything adorned with Garfield, she cherished. Standing at perhaps no more than 4 feet and 10 inches, she was a diminutive soul. I do wish I had bestowed more moments upon her, and I desire I had voiced my affection to her ere she obtained her merciful release from this wretched world. I am profoundly sorry, Grandma, and I do love you. May thy soul be at peace.

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, BLUESKY - @arthurnewhook.bsky.social, and @arthurnewhook on POST and THREADS.

Film review: ‘The War Against Mrs. Hadley’ (1942)

Jean Rogers and Van Johnson in 'The War Against Mrs. Hadley'

'The War Against Mrs. Hadley,' a cinematic masterwork from the latter part of 1942. Commencing on December 7, 1941, and starring Fay Bainter as an imperious, snobbish, entitled widow of a former newspaper proprietor who encounters difficulty in embracing the reality of America's entry into World War II; to the extent that she estranges nearly all the individuals in her life. As one character is quoted, 'she hasn’t an ounce of patriotism in her,' and she 'acts as if the war is a personal crusade against her.' Showcasing a cast of renowned actors, with the distinguished Edward Arnold in the lead, and a screenplay by George Oppenheimer that received an Academy Award nomination, this picture is obligatory viewing for anyone with an interest in domestic life in America during World War II. Outstanding work.

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, and @arthurnewhook on POST and THREADS.

The response of America to two distinct media scandals involving modeling work with lesbian themes, and the implications it holds regarding our society

#OTD 1983: Vanessa Williams is crowned the first black Miss America. She would be stripped of the crown following the publication of lesbian-themed softcore photos from her modeling portfolio. In 2016, many of the same people who called for Vanessa Williams’ head took no issue with the wife of a swindler - a white Eastern European lady who likewise had done lesbian-themed modeling work - becoming First Lady of the United States. In all fairness, Vanessa Williams did recover from the scandal and forge a prosperous singing career. Nevertheless, this narrative does not present a particularly flattering portrayal of the values and inclinations of this nation. 

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on X, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, and @arthurnewhook on POST and THREADS.

Lowlife pseudo-country music star stirs controversy with video shoot at an infamous Tennessee courthouse

Beginning seven years ago, with the emergence of Donald Trump as the ultimate populist demagogue, this former right-winger was left with no recourse but to finally stop giving all these people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to most anything. In particular, in matters of race, religion, and morality. The assclown musician Jason Aldean and his people chose a particular courthouse with a sordid history for his video shoot as a dog whistle to his neo-Confederate fans and white nationalist populists everywhere. Let us be real, those types are by far the largest consumers of this kind of trash modern ‘country’ music, and Jason Aldean certainly knows this clearly and capitalizes. Trump has taught his little grifters quite well in the game, but how difficult can it be when there are millions and millions of Americans so gleefully willing to be gaslit and swindled by con-men who say or imply the sort of things they want to hear. Especially any rhetoric stating or implying that blacks must be kept in line. Do read this article from the Washington Post and the harrowing account of what happened at the Maury County Courthouse in November of 1927. {WP 7/19}

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on TWITTER, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, and @arthurnewhook on POST and THREADS.

Rest in Peace, Jane Birkin

Jane Birkin: An English woman who morphed into a French woman. And damn, was this woman ever sexy. Perhaps this is too much information, but I am becoming seriously aroused while going through pictures of her, and even all the ones where she is hanging over that oddball Serge Gainsbourg. I figure Serge must have made some sort of deal with the devil to have nabbed her, and also Brigitte Bardot. No other explanation for that weirdness. Jane Birkin was weird, but in the most alluring of ways. She was not without physical flaws - most notably her considerably flat-chest, one that would almost certainly disqualify almost any other aspiring female superstar - and yet managed to make herself one of the sexiest creatures to ever grace this cold, gray earth through sheer willpower and force of personality. A truly remarkable figure, she will be missed. 

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on TWITTER, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, and @arthurnewhook on POST and THREADS.

Elon Musk: The epitome of our self-destructive and malevolent age

AI generated image

It still boggles my mind that the ‘richest man in the world’ is such an unholy idiot. Either that, or he is a sadist. I am offended that he has ruined what was the single most effective communications platform we had. Post-Trump and post-COVID, it really should no longer surprise myself or anyone else the lengths some will go to in order to hurt and control others. Elon Musk literally spent $44 billion - many times what Twitter was worth at the time of the transaction - in order to declare himself King of the Trolls, to play mind games with people, and quite possibly to deliberately destroy the platform altogether (if it was deliberate, he is succeeding in grand fashion.) Millions in #Cult45 routinely vote against their own economic interests because their hatred of fellow Americans and foreigners is all consuming. None of it makes any logical sense, but logic and common sense no longer live here and ours is not an age of reason. No, we really should not be surprised that the likes of Musk and Trump will hurt themselves, and their acolytes will hurt themselves, in order to hurt the rest of us worse. Never, however, can people of goodwill allow all of this insanity and degradation around us to be normalized. We must continue speaking out against it, for however long as necessary - which is going to be the rest of our lives, I am afraid. (Follow my new account on Threads, @arthurnewhook.)

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on TWITTER, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, and @arthurnewhook on POST and THREADS.

Turner Classic Movies: ‘Our last happy place’ is endangered after the network's parent company lays off three-fourths of its staff

Pictured: Norma Shearer. Photo via MGM

 #SaveTCM ‘Our last happy place.’ Despite whatever assurances Warner is giving at the moment, average American TV viewers and moviegoers have made it clear they prefer endless reruns of terrible ‘reality’ shows and the never-ending parade of dorky superhero movies. There very much is an element of deliberate ‘dumbing down,’ to one degree or another, that has been ongoing for decades in media and entertainment, and this is not meant as a defense of the ‘powers that be,’ but it is hard to ascribe mere malevolence as the motive when these corporations are only giving the American people what they so desperately want. Anything that does not sell with the ignorant masses is seen as a liability in the corrupt, uber-consumerist society. TCM may very well be the single most valuable window we have into 20th century history, but it does not have long for this world, and the day it disappears will be the day much of our history will be forever lost. {NYT 6/22}

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on TWITTER, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, and POST - @arthurnewhook.

From the official Pink Floyd site on YouTube and in conjunction with the Perth Observatory, the Ningaloo eclipse in Exmouth, Western Australia, set to ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ in its entirety

AI generated image

Having just watched this incredible footage as I post, and being a bit groggy at six in the morning as I lay here in my bed, I can tell you that it is a very moving experience. Almost as amazing as the wonders of nature is how the collective piece of music such as ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ - or Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir,’ or any number of great symphonic pieces across a range of rock, jazz, and classical subgenres - can retain its majesty and its power across - quite literally - thousands of listens over the course of decades. Also, how certain artists from the Progressive Rock era of the 70s - David Gilmour, Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, to name a few - continue to find ways to remain innovative in their old age, and are still among the most ‘progressive’ musical artists alive today. 

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on TWITTER, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, and POST - @arthurnewhook.

They hate you if you're clever, and they despise a fool

AI image generated by Hotpot API

‘Working Class Hero.’ John Lennon never wrote truer words. Practically the story of my life, and the song has always resonated with me. Never more so than the past seven years - and then put on turbo speed with COVID-19 - when true colors finally started coming through and all is now being laid bare. Confirming the worst and most cynical inclinations I had harbored about people for the 37 years of my life leading up to that pivotal moment in 2016 when the masks started coming off. And it wasn’t merely political, Trump’s arrival was just the catalyst for this willful betrayal of common sense and decency that has now creeped into nearly all areas of our lives. Trump gave them permission to be their true selves, while others of us were forced to do some hard soul searching and reassess so much of what we once believed. John Lennon wrote these words over 50 years ago, but they are more relevant than ever - 

As soon as you're born, they make you feel small

By giving you no time instead of it all

'Til the pain is so big you feel nothing at all

A working class hero is something to be

A working class hero is something to be

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school

They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool

'Til you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules

A working class hero is something to be

A working class hero is something to be

When they've tortured and scared you for 20 odd years

Then they expect you to pick a career

When you can't really function, you're so full of fear

A working class hero is something to be

A working class hero is something to be

Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV

And you think you're so clever and classless and free

But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see

A working class hero is something to be

A working class hero is something to be

There's room at the top they are telling you still

But first you must learn how to smile as you kill

If you want to be like the folks on the hill

A working class hero is something to be

A working class hero is something to be

If you want to be a hero, well, just follow me

If you want to be a hero, well, just follow me

Copyright 2023, Arthur Newhook. @Sunking278 and @FloydEtcetera on TWITTER, and at the same handles on FACEBOOK. MASTODON - @ArthurNewhook@mastodon.world, and POST - @arthurnewhook.

Wayne Shorter, Jazz, and reflections of my life

Robert Ascroft

NPR - Jazz great Wayne Shorter dies at 89

Thank you, Wayne Shorter, for your life, and for helping to open myself to an artform that I now consider to be one of the only things in this cold world that makes life worth living. It wasn’t until my late-thirties that I began listening to Jazz in earnest, and now at 45 I am still catching up and learning. Just cannot believe I wasted so many years before that having basically ignored this greatest of musical forms, while spending way too much with rock music. Sort of akin to being offered a juicy sirloin steak, and turning it down in favor of a fast-food cheeseburger.

Particularly when I was really young - going back to, say, my early-twenties and earlier - I settled for listening to so much mediocre rock music. Notice I said ‘mediocre’ rock; ‘butt rock’ would be another good descriptor, for I am not speaking of the good stuff that I still love and talk about such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and too many others to list here. For instance, when I was 12 years-old and they were a contemporary hit-making band, I thought Mötley Crüe were the greatest band on earth. Decades later, I’d rather listen to an entire night’s worth of cats in heat than even one minute of any of their songs, and I find their members to be repugnant human beings. I’ve grown tired of Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica, and Van Halen - even Guns N’ Roses to a far lesser extent - though I will say none of those bands ‘suck’ by any means (except for Aerosmith for the past thirty years.) At times in my misguided youth, I did listen to some rock music that was legitimately awful. All the hair bands when I was in elementary and middle school, various crap throughout the ‘alternative’ crazed ‘90s, and maybe a little into the 2000s. What a waste of time, and intellect. Especially intellect.

A story for another time, but I worked as the shipping and receiving director at a chain record store outlet for several years in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. Certainly, I had access to most any genre available, but working in that nut house nearly killed my love of music; embracing Jazz later on helped to restore it. How much better would my life have turned out had I exposed myself to Jazz - along with a greater helping of Classical, it should be said - at a younger age? Obviously, nothing can be proven, but I have this innate sense that my world would be a different and much-improved place today had I pursued better things when it mattered most. My cognitive abilities would be greater, and I would have made wiser choices. ‘Better late than never,’ they say, but a sense of shame and even horror comes over me when I reflect on these things. For a long-time, I failed too many of the greats of this world - such as Wayne Shorter - by not paying them heed and giving them an ear. Part of me longs to go back and fix those mistakes, but then I do not believe I could actually endure having to live those incredibly painful years over again, not for any reason. At least in the here-and-now, I have acquired better tastes, and Wayne Shorter is absolutely a huge part of making that happen. A true legend, RIP.

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Fly high, Songbird: Remembering Christine McVie, and the major impact Fleetwood Mac had on the singles charts on both sides of the pond

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Reading many posts about the passing of the all-time great keyboardist and singer-songwriter Christine McVie, and it got me to thinking: ‘Just how many hits did Fleetwood Mac have?’ Well, I went to Wikipedia and looked up the numbers for the three biggest global markets: the United States, the UK, and (West) Germany. While most (not all) of these chart hits are well-remembered today all over the world, this served as a good exercise as to why chart positions do not tell the whole tale. A good number of the most popular songs from their two most popular albums - 1975’s Fleetwood Mac and 1977’s Rumours - were never released as commercial singles, and therefore were not eligible to chart. So for those wondering where are ‘The Chain,’ ‘Gold Dust Woman,’ ‘Songbird,’ the studio version of ‘Landslide,’ ‘Never Going Back Again,’ 'Oh Daddy,' 'World Turning,' or ‘I’m So Afraid,’ they are not here. This was actually very smart business, largely pioneered by The Beatles with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and then taken to another level by Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and most of the major rock bands of the time: Make people buy the album if they want the hits. And we all know the self-titled Fleetwood Mac and Rumours sold more copies than the Bible, and continue to sell in large numbers to this day …

More interesting caveats and factoids: Peter Green’s ‘Black Magic Woman’ was a middling chart hit in the UK in 1967, but became a major hit for Santana in 1970. The haunting ‘Hypnotized’ was a popular album rock radio hit in 1973, and one may still hear it on some classic rock stations today. ‘Sentimental Lady’ was originally done by the band in 1972 and was released as a single, but failed to chart anywhere. Bob Welch - with Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Lindsey Buckingham backing him - re-recorded it in 1978, and it did become a major hit in the United States at that time, peaking at number 8. And the Stevie Nicks classic ‘Silver Springs,’ from 1997’s huge-selling comeback album, The Dance, was not released as a commercial single, but the song was everywhere and undeniably a hit by any other standard. As for solo work, Christine McVie had one fairly big hit in 1984 with ‘Got a Hold of Me’ (number 10 in the U.S.), while Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, and the aforementioned Bob Welch all had multiple hit singles on their own. Much of the reason for this disparity is that Christine simply did not record very much in the way of solo material, and she did retire from the music business for a lengthy spell beginning in 1998 before eventually returning. In fact, just in the last year she was out on the road with Fleetwood Mac …

Interesting to note that Fleetwood Mac’s most commercially successful period as a singles act in the UK was actually during the Peter Green era in the late ‘60s, whereas the period between 1975 and 1977 was easily their biggest period in the U.S. The singles from those two big records performed much more modestly in the UK and Germany, perhaps a testament to how dramatically American and European musical tastes diverged around that time. However, 45 years later, I’m fairly certain those albums and songs are just as well-known and beloved in the UK as they are in America or anywhere else. Their biggest-ever hit in the UK, and only number one, is an instrumental, the immortal ‘Albatross.’ Their only number one in America is, not surprisingly, ‘Dreams’ (but only 24 in the UK, and 33 in Germany.) Notice how barren the period between 1971 and 1974 is; the sad thing about that is the group actually made some really great records during that period. Future Games, the first album with Christine as a full member from 1971, is a particular favorite of mine. Sadly, ‘Dragonfly’ is the only Danny Kirwan song to chart anywhere (No. 52 in 1970 in the UK), but so many of his songs are absolute gems that deserved to be heard. My favorite Fleetwood Mac album will always be Then Play On, from 1969: Christine McVie was not an official member of the band at the time, but she was very much in their orbit as Mrs. John McVie, and does contribute some keyboards on it. (I will take this opportunity to point out that Mr. McVie is one of the most underrated bassists ever, bar none) ...

Commercial hits do not tell the whole tale of any artist or band, nor do they necessarily speak to musical quality. There are at least a few Fleetwood Mac ‘deep tracks’ - particularly from that commercially-barren period in the early ‘70s - that I would rank ahead of some of these songs that charted. ‘Sisters of the Moon’ may have only reached no. 86, but on every level it is far superior to ‘Big Love,’ a worldwide top ten in 1987. But the impressive tallies of Fleetwood Mac certainly speaks to how beloved and influential they will forever be. So, without further ado, here are the lists of all the top 100 Fleetwood Mac singles from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Thank you for your life, Christine McVie, and condolences to (first and foremost) John, Mick, Lindsey, Stevie, and all the others still living that came and went through this amazing band over the years. It is hard to imagine that with Christine gone, Lindsey Buckingham out of the picture, and everyone else being up in years that Fleetwood Mac is going to continue. I am immensely grateful this legendary band existed, and their music will live forever. - 

UK [28 total]: 1967 - 'Black Magic Woman' (37); 1968 - 'Need Your Love So Bad' (31), 'Albatross' (1); 1969 - 'Man of the World' (2), 'Oh Well' (2); 1970 - 'Green Manalishi' (10), 'Dragonfly' (52); 1976 - 'Rhiannon' (46), 'Say You Love Me' (40), 'Go Your Own Way' (38); 1977 - 'Dreams' (24), 'Don’t Stop' (32), 'You Make Loving Fun' (45); 1979 - 'Tusk' (6), 'Sara' (37); 1982 - 'Hold Me' (94), 'Gypsy' (46), 'Oh Diane' (9); 1983 - 'Can’t Go Back' (83); 1987 - 'Big Love' (9), 'Seven Wonders' (56), 'Little Lies' (5); 1988 - 'Everywhere' (4), 'Family Man' (54), 'Isn’t It Midnight' (60), 'As Long As You Follow' (66); 1990 - 'Save Me' (53), 'In the Back of My Mind' (58).

America [25 total]: 1969 - 'Oh Well' (55); 1975 - 'Over My Head' (20); 1976 - 'Rhiannon' (11), 'Say You Love Me' (11), 'Go Your Own Way' (10); 1977 - 'Dreams' (1), 'Don’t Stop' (3), 'You Make Loving Fun' (9); 1979 - 'Tusk' (8), 'Sara' (7); 1980 - 'Think About Me' (20), 'Sisters of the Moon' (86); 1981 - 'Fireflies' (60); 1982 - 'Hold Me' (4), 'Gypsy' (12), 'Love In Store' (22); 1987 - 'Big Love' (5), 'Seven Wonders' (19), 'Little Lies' (4); 1988 - 'Everywhere' (14), 'Family Man' (90), 'As Long As You Follow' (43); 1990 - 'Save Me' (33); 1998 - 'Landslide,' live version (51); 2003 - 'Peacekeeper' (80).

Germany [18 total]: 1968 - 'Albatross' (19); 1969 - 'Man of the World' (23), 'Oh Well' (5); 1970 - 'Green Manalishi' (16); 1976 - 'Go Your Own Way' (11); 1977 - 'Dreams' (33), 'Don’t Stop' (41); 1979 - 'Tusk' (7), 'Sara' (44); 1982 - 'Hold Me' (64), 'Gypsy' (35), 'Oh Diane' (46); 1987 - 'Big Love' (17), 'Seven Wonders' (47), 'Little Lies' (3); 1988 - 'Family Man' (29); 1990 - 'Save Me' (36); 1997 - 'Temporary One,' live version (99).

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Remembering Elvis Presley on the 45th anniversary of his passing

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#OTD 1977, Elvis Presley dies at age 42 - Am I myself a huge Elvis fan? Not exactly, for there are other singers and musicians from his prime era - roughly 1956 to 1962 - whose work I enjoy more (Chuck Berry, for instance.) But there is no question the early Elvis was a superstar; a charismatic presence that one couldn’t turn away from even as old prudes and morons attempted to censor his hip-shaking. In those years, Elvis worked with some great musicians, songwriters, and producers. He made a series of fun movies in the early 60s, appearing in a couple of them alongside Ann-Margret, which he had to have very much enjoyed (I know I would have.) The later period Elvis that had a residence in Vegas, gained a ton of weight, and wore silly jumpsuits invokes only feelings of pity and sadness for the man. Frankly, his music from the 1970s is hot garbage, absolutely cheesy pablum barely worthy of the likes of Pat Boone or Tony Orlando & Dawn. By every account I’ve ever seen, Elvis was an overall good-hearted individual who, upon reaching fame, took care of the various people who had shaped him in his youth. He fell in love with a 14-year-old named Priscilla, which is kind of skeevy, but he also waited for her to come of age before he made his move. The worst that could be said about him is that he was allegedly a philanderer; and perhaps a bit naive, having fallen under the control of an infamously crooked ‘Colonel’ that robbed him of millions and controlled most aspects of his life. Had he lived and continued to maintain a career into the ‘80s, ‘90s and beyond, the results probably would not have been great, and his legacy would be viewed very differently. Dying at 42 was unequivocally Elvis’ most successful career move. Through it all, he was never anything less than a completely authentic, once-in-a-lifetime performer and individual, and it is impossible to imagine American popular music over the past 75 years without him. Rest in Peace always, Elvis Presley.

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