Updated as of May 16, 2023
KEY: star rating is on the four star scale
meaning of "/" or "\"
*** is three stars out of four
***/ is three stars leaning towards 3 1/2
***\ is three stars leaning towards 2 1/2
The Movies, Books, Theater, Concerts, CDs I've Seen/Read/Heard So Far In 2023
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS
(Increasingly, I am sampling books, reading 10%, 20% even 40 or 50% before deciding to move on. The books below are only the ones I've read completely. That also explains what looks like generous grading -- more and more, if I sense a book is not going to be among my favorites, I stop reading. Too many books; too little time!)
1. My Ántonia by Willa Cather ****
2. Just William by Richmal Compton ** 1/2 (pleasant enough but repetitive)
3. A Child's Garden Of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson *** 1/2
4. Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov *** 1/2 (finished at The Mavericks concert Feb 17, 2023)
5. Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond ** 1/2
6. The Destroyer Of Worlds: Return To Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff ***
7. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
8.
CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS (A strong emphasis on the ones I like, so don't think I love everything I listen to -- I just don't bother really listening to the ones I don't )
1. Marty Robbins -- Hawaii's Calling Me (1969) * 1/2
2. Cheap Trick -- All Shook Up (1980) ** 1/2
3. Daryl Hall & John Oates -- H2O ***
4. The Beach Boys -- Carl And The Passions -- "So Tough" ** 1/2
5. Sammi Smith -- Lonesome (1971) ** 1/2
6. Willie Colon -- El Malo (w Hector Lavoe) (1967) ***
7. Ismael Rivera -- Esto Si Es Lo Mio (1978) *** 1/2
8. Ismael Rivera -- Feliz Navidad (1975) ***
9. Sting -- If On A Winter's Night (2009) **
10. Marty Robbins -- Marty After Midnight (1969) ** 1/2
11. Duke Ellington -- Money Jungle w Max Roach and Charles Mingus (1962) ** 1/2
12. Michael Nesmith -- Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash (1973) ***
13. Michael Nesmith -- And The Hits Just Keep On Comin' (1972) *** 1/2
14. Daryl Hall & John Oates -- Voices (1980) ** 1/2
15. Bette Midler -- The Divine Miss M (1972) ** 1/2
16. Bette Midler -- Bette Midler (1973) **
17. Howdy Glenn -- I Can Almost See Houston **
18. Bob Dylan -- Time Out Of Mind (1997) *** 1/2 /
19. Daryl Hall & John Oates -- Big Bam Boom (1984) **
20. Bob Dylan -- Fragments: Time Out Of Mind Sessions 1996-1997 ***
21. Hank Williams -- Ramblin' Man (1954) ****
22. Mavis Staples -- Mavis Staples (1969) ** 1/2
23. Cheap Trick -- Heaven Tonight ((1978) *** /
24. John Cale -- Paris 1919 ***
25. Hank Williams -- Sings (1951) *** 1/2
26. Dionne Warwick-- The Dionne Warwick Collection: Her All-Time Greatest Hits ****
27. Hank Williams -- Honky Tonkin' (1954) *** 1/2
28. The Movers -- Mr. Moonlight Meets Miss Starlight (1974) * 1/2
29. Cymande -- Cymande (1972) *** 1/2
30. Hank Williams -- I Saw The Light (1954) ** 1/2
31. Marty Robbins -- Songs Of The Islands (1957) * 1/2
32. Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys -- The Essential Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (2013) *** /
33. Steve Forbert -- Early Morning Rain (2020) ** 1/2
34. Patty Loveless -- When Fallen Angels Fly (1994) ** 1/2
35. The Selecter -- Too Much Pressure (1980) *** 1/2
36. Wanda Jackson -- There's A Party Goin' On (1961) ***
37. Buck Owens And His Buckaroos -- Bakersfield Gold: Top 10 Hits 1959-1974 (2022) *** 1/2
38. Johnny Western -- Presenting Johnny Western (1958) **
39. Joe Henderson -- Page One (1963) *** 1/2
40. Joe Bataan -- Riot! (1970) ** 1/2
41. Burt Bacharach and Steven Sater -- Some Lovers (2021) ***
42. Donald Byrd -- Chant (1961) *** 1/2
43. Billy Preston -- Music Is My Life (1972) ** 1/2
44. Booker Little -- Out Front (1961) ***
45. Jerry Jeff Walker -- Viva Terlingua (1973) ***
46. Os Mutantes -- Os Mutantes (1968) *** 1/2 \
47. David Axelrod -- Song Of Innocence (1968) *** 1/2
48. Marty Robbins -- The Drifter (1966) *** 1/2
49. Ernest Tubb -- The Ernest Tubb Story (1959) ** 1/2 (just don't like his voice)
50. Be Bop Deluxe -- Futurama (1975) ***
51. Pee Wee Russell and Coleman Hawkins -- Jazz Reunion (1961) ****
52. Lefty Frizzell -- Look What Thoughts Will Do (1997) ***\
53. Julie Driscoll -- 1969 (1971) ** 1/2
54. Art Farmer & Benny Golson -- Meet The Jazztet (1960) *** 1/2
55. Cheap Trick -- Next Position, Please (The Authorized Version) (1983) *** 1/2
56. Mal Waldron -- On Steinway (1972) ***
57. Ray Charles -- The Genius Of Ray Charles (1959) *** 1/2
58. Ray Charles -- The Genius After Hours (1961) *** 1/2
59. Ray Charles -- The Genius Sings The Blues (1961) *** 1/2
60. Merle Haggard -- The Legend Of Bonnie & Clyde (1968) *** 1/2
61. Merle Haggard -- A Portrait Of Merle Haggard (1969) ***
62. Led Zeppelin -- Houses Of The Holy (1973) ****
63. Merle Haggard -- Same Train, A Different Time: Merle Haggard Sings The Great Songs Of Jimmie Rodgers (1969) ****
64. Hank Williams -- Sing Me A Blue Song (1957) *** 1/2
65. Merle Haggard -- A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World or My Salute To Bob Wills (1969) *** 1/2
66. Ray Charles -- Soul Brothers (w Milt Jackson) (1958) ***
67. Merle Haggard -- Sing Me Back Home (1968) *** 1/2
68. Ray Charles -- At Newport (1958) ***
69. Ray Charles -- In Person (1960) ** 12
70. Led Zeppelin -- Physical Graffiti ((1975) ****
71. Merle Haggard -- Hag (1971) **
72. Ray Charles -- Soul Meeting (w Milt Jackson) (1961) ** 1/2
73. Ron Sexsmith -- The Vivian Line ***
74. Jefferson Airplane -- Surrealistic Pillow (1967) *** 1/2
75. Booker T and the M.G.s -- Green Onions (1962) *** 1/2
76. Dinah Washington -- September In The Rain (1960) ** 1/2
77. Irma Thomas -- Simply Grand (2008) ** 1/2
78. Brian Eno -- Small Craft ***
79. Weather Report -- Heavy Weather (1977) ***
80. Peggy Lee -- Norma Deloris Egstrom From Jamestown North Dakota (1972) ***
81. Marty Robbins -- The Return Of The Gunfighter (1963) *** 1/2
82. Jimmy Cliff -- The Best Of Jimmy Cliff (1975) ****
83. Marty Robbins -- Island Woman (1964) * 1/2
84. Brad Mehldau -- Your Mother Should Know: Brad Mehldau Plays The Beatles *** 1/2 /
85. Various Artists -- What A Groovy Day: The British Sunshine Pop Sound (1967-1972) ***
86. Various Artists -- Stoned Cold Country: A 60th Anniversary Tribute To The Rolling Stones ** 1/2
87. Delaney & Bonnie and Friends -- Accept No Substitute (1969) ***
88. Delaney & Bonnie and Friends -- Motel Shot (1971) ** 1/2
89. Dusty Springfield -- Dusty (1964) ***/
90. S.E. Rogie -- The New Sounds Of S.E. Rogie (1991) ** 1/2
91. Cheap Trick -- The Latest (2009) *** 1/2
92. Led Zeppelin -- Presence (1976) ***
93. Eva Cassidy -- I Can Only Be Me ***
94. Gorillaz -- Cracker Island ***
95. Cheap Trick -- In Color (1977) ***
96. Van Morrison -- Moving On Skiffle **
97. Johnny Adams -- From The Heart (1984) *** 1/2
98. Molina, Talbot, Lofgren & Young -- All Roads Lead Home ** (but Young's "Song Of The Seasons"!)
99. Emilie-Claire Barlow -- Spark Bird ***
100. Joni Mitchell -- Wild Things Run Fast (1982) ***
101. Louis Prima -- The Wildest! (1956) ****
102. Mighty Poplar -- Mighty Poplar (bluegrass) ** 1/2
103. Rotary Connection -- Peace (1968) * 1/2 (Xmas music, memorably eccentric)
104. Joni Mitchell -- Dog Eat Dog (1985) **
105. S.E. Rogie -- Dead Men Don't Smoke Marijuana (1994) *** 1/2
106. Gaz Coombes -- Turn The Car Around *** (first seven tracks great but last two v weak)
107. Joni Mitchell -- Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm (1988) ** 1/2
108. Charlie Cunningham -- Frame **
109. The Panhandlers -- Tough Country **
110. Joni Mitchell -- Night Ride Home (1991) ***
111. Various Artists -- The Birth Of Bop: The Savoy 10-inch LP Collection *** 1/2
112. Clifton Chenier -- King Of The Bayous: I'm Coming Home (1992) *** 1/2
113. Hayden -- Are We Good **
114. Nickel Creek -- Celebrants **
115. Ismael Rivera with Kako Y Su Orquestra -- La Ültimo En La Avenida (1971) *** 1/2
116. Joni Mitchell -- Turbulent Indigo (1994) ***
117. Fall Out Boy -- So Much (For) Stardust *** 1/2
118. Ann Hampton Calloway -- Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration! **
119. Joel Scott Hill, John Barbata & Chris Ethridge -- L.A. Getaway (1971) ***
120. Merle Haggard -- I'm A Lonesome Fugitive (1967) ** 1/2
121. Merle Haggard -- Branded Man (1967) *** 1/2
122. Stanley Turrentine -- Never Let Me Go (1963) *** 1/2
123. Linda Thompson -- Won't Be Long Now (2013) *** 1/2
124. Belle and Sebastian -- Late Developers **
125. Barry Adamson -- Moss Side Story (1989) **
126. Alick Nkhata -- Shalapo And Other Love Songs: Original Zambian Hits From The 1950s (1991) ***
127. Boygenius -- The Record *** 1/2
128. Joni Mitchell -- Taming The Tiger (1998) ** 1/2
129. Van Halen -- Van Halen (1978) ***/
130. Pet Shop Boys -- Lost ep ***
131. Jorge Ben /Jor -- África Brasil (1976) ****
132. Johnny Adams -- Man Of My Word (1998) ***
133. Susanna Hoffs -- The Deep End ***/
134. Roxy Music -- Roxy Music (1972) ***
135. Everything But The Girl -- Fuse *** 1/2
136. Blood, Sweat & Tears -- Child Is Father To The Man (1968) **
137. Roxy Music -- For Your Pleasure (1973) ***
138. Sachal Vasandani & Romain Collin -- Midnight Shelter (2021) **
139. Johnny Adams -- One Foot In The Blues (1996) *** 1/2
140. Roxy Music -- Stranded (1973) ***\
141. Cécile McLorin Salvant -- Mésuline *** 1/2
142. Iris DeMent -- Workin' On A World ** (sentiments impeccable, songs not so much)
143. Depeche Mode -- Music For The Masses (1987) *** 1/2
144. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss -- Raising Sand ****
145. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss -- Raise The Roof *** 1/2
146. John Holt -- The Reggae Hits Christmas Album (1986) * 1/2
147. Johnny Adams -- Good Morning Heartache (1993) *** 1/2
148. Seafret -- Wonderland **
149. Metallica -- ...And Justice For All (1988) **
150. Minutemen -- Double Nickels On The Dime (1984) *** 1/2
151. The Chemical Brothers -- Dig Your Own Hole (1997) ***
152. Saint Etienne -- Foxbase Alpha (1991) ** 1/2
153. Rickie Lee Jones -- Pieces Of Treasure **
154. Roxy Music -- Country Life (1974) *** 1/2
155. Josh Ritter -- Spectral Lines ***
156. Roxy Music -- Siren (1975) *** 1/2
157. Johnny Adams -- After Dark (1986) ** 1/2
158. The Yellow Balloon -- The Yellow Balloon (1967) **
159. Taj Mahal -- Savoy *** 1/2
160. Red Snapper -- Our Aim Is To Satisfy (2000) **
161. The Modern Lovers -- The Modern Lovers (1976) ****
162. Roxy Music -- Manifesto (1979) ***/
163. Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (1976) ***
164. Joni Mitchell -- Both Sides Now (2000) ****
165. The Whiffs -- Scratch 'N' Sniff *** 1/2
166. Johnny Adams -- South Side Of Soul Street (The SSS Sessions) (2022) ****
167. Sister Sledge -- We Are Family (1979) ***
168. Brian Eno and Fred Again... -- Secret Life ** 1/2
169. Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers -- Rock 'N' Roll With Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (1977) ** 1/2
170. Brit Taylor -- Kentucky Blue ** 1/2
171. La Lupe -- La Lupe Es La Reina (1969) *** 1/2
172. Rodney Crowell -- The Chicago Sessions *** 1/2
173. Roxy Music -- Flesh + Blood (1980) **
174. Jimmy Hughes -- The Best Of Jimmy Hughes ** 1/2
175. Jim Ford -- Harlan County (1969) ** 1/2
176. Roxy Music -- Avalon (1982) ****
177. Pee Wee Crayton -- Blues After Hours (1999 comp) *** 1/2
178. Aerosmith -- Permanent Vacation (1987) ** 1/2
179. Wilco -- Summerteeth (1999) ****
180. The Isley Brothers -- Soul On The Rocks (1967) ***
181. Joy Division -- Closer (1980) *** \
182. La Lupe and Tito Puente -- El Rey Y Yo (1967) ***
183. Lisa Marini -- Buried Town ** 1/2
184. MGMT -- Oracular Spectacular (2007) *** 1/2
185. Bryan Ferry -- In Your Mind (1977) *** 1/2
186. La Lupe -- La Pareja (w Tito Puente) (1978) ***
187. The Go-Betweens --16 Lovers Lane (1988) *** 1/2
188. Talking Heads -- Talking Heads: 77 (1977) ****
189.
MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES
(Not TV movies, of course, but movies and TV shows -- and TV movies if it comes to that. Mostly I only list TV shows when I've tackled an entire season at once or reappraising an entire series after it's over This doesn't really capture my ongoing watching of current TV.)
1. All The King's Men (1949) ** 1/2
2. The Big Lebowski (1998) *** 1/2
3. Coming To America (1988) ** 1/2
4. Raising Arizona (1987) *** 1/2
5. Spaceballs (1987) **
6. My Best Friend's Wedding ***/
7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (in theater) ****
8. Joni Mitchell: The Library Of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song ****
9. Pilgrims (Lithuanian drama) *** 1/2
10. John Wick: Chapter 4 *** 1/2
11. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret ***
12.
THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS
(The names after the shows are the people who joined me at the performance.)
1. The Mavericks at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta on Friday Feb 17 *** 1/2 (finished Pale Fire)
2. The Harder They Come (at the Public w Noam and Zoe March 12, 2023) ** 1/2
3. Love (play by Alexander Zeldin at the Park Armoury w Noam March 13 2023) ****
4. Lohengrin at the Met (w Stephen March 14, 2023) * 1/2
5. Arden Of Faversham (Red Bull Theatre at Lucille Lortel w Noam) March 15, 2023 **
6. Museum of Broadway (w Noam March 15, 2023) ** 1/2
7. Dear World (at Encores starring Donna Murphy) (w Luis March 17, 2023) *** (but the show itself is **)
8. Wilco at Avondale Brewing Co. outdoors in Birmingham AL; opening act The A's *** 1/2
9.
Updated as of May 16, 2023