Updated as of April 20, 2024
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 2024
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. The Honourable Schoolboy by John Le Carré (1977) *** 1/2
2. Smiley's People by John Le Carré (1979) ****
3. M.C. Higgins, The Great by Virginia Hamilton (1974) *** 1/2
4. Cover Her Face by P.D. James (first Inspector Dalgliesh) (1962) ***
5. The Evolution Of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald ***
6. A London Child of the 1870s by M.V. Hughes (Molly Hughes) (1934) ***
7. Ferris by Kate DiCamillo *** 1/2
8. Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo; illustrations by Carmen Mok ** 1/2
9. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo ***
10. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Yoko Tanaka *** 1/2
10. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Yoko Tanaka *** 1/2
11. The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Sophie Blackall *** 1/2
12. The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz ****
13. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
14. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
15. One Of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon
16.
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. Coleman Hawkins -- The Hawk Flies High (1957) ****
2. Madness -- The Rise & Fall (1982, on vinyl at Andrew's apt as he packed for St. Pete) ***
2. Madness -- The Rise & Fall (1982, on vinyl at Andrew's apt as he packed for St. Pete) ***
3. Television -- Adventure (1978) ***
4. Grateful Dead -- Live/Dead (1969) ***\
5. Anthony Braxton -- For Alto (1971) *** 1/2
6. Paul Bley -- Time Will Tell (1995) ***
7. George Jones -- The Grand Tour (1974) ***
7. George Jones -- The Grand Tour (1974) ***
8. Aerosmith -- Pump (2001) ***
9. Little Walter -- His Best (1997) *** 1/2
10. The Residents -- Duck Stab/Buster & Glen (1978) ***
11. Elomar -- Cantoria 2 (1988) ****
12. Elomar -- Cantoria 3 *** 1/2
13. Elomar -- Cantoria 1 (1984) *** 1/2
14. Otis Spann -- The Blues Never Die! (1965) ***
15. The Velvet Underground -- White Light/White Heat (1968) ** 1/2
16. Green Day -- Dookie (1994) *** 1/2
17. Elvis Costello -- Trust (1981) ***
18. Various Artists -- Shalimar Original Soundtrack (1978) ***
19. Deep Purple -- Machine Head (1972) ** 1/2
19. Deep Purple -- Machine Head (1972) ** 1/2
20. Howard Tate -- Howard Tate (1972) *** 1/2
21. Z.Z. Top -- Tres Hombres (1973) **
22. Marlena Shaw -- The Spice Of Life (1969) ** 1/2
23. Bob Marley -- Catch A Fire (1973) ****
24. Howard Tate -- Get It While You Can (1966) *** 1/2
24. Howard Tate -- Get It While You Can (1966) *** 1/2
25. Howard Tate -- Rediscovered (2003) *** 1/2
26. Howard Tate -- Reaction (1970) ***
27. Doc Cheatham and Shorty Baker --- Shorty & Doc (1961) *** 1/2
27. Doc Cheatham and Shorty Baker --- Shorty & Doc (1961) *** 1/2
28. Elvis Costello -- Brutal Youth (1995) ***
29. Elvis Costello -- Punch The Clock (1983) *** 1/2
30. Elvis Costello -- Kojak Variety (1994) ** 1/2
31. Elvis Costello -- All This Useless Beauty (1996) ** 1/2
32. Sly and the Family Stone -- Stand! (1969) *** 1/2
33. Sly and the Family Stone -- There's A Riot Goin' On (1971) ****
34. Sly and the Family Stone -- Greatest Hits (1970) ****
35. Peter Tosh -- Legalize It (1976) *** 1/2
36. Blur -- Parklife (1994) *** 1/2
34. Sly and the Family Stone -- Greatest Hits (1970) ****
35. Peter Tosh -- Legalize It (1976) *** 1/2
36. Blur -- Parklife (1994) *** 1/2
37. Blind Willie Johnson -- Praise God I'm Satisfied (1989) *** 1/2
38. Prince --- Originals (2019) ***
39. Big Star -- #1 Record (1972) ****
39. Big Star -- #1 Record (1972) ****
40. Big Star -- Radio City (1974) *** 1/2
41. Sly and the Family Stone -- Fresh (1973) *** 1/2
42. Dire Straits -- Love Over Gold (1972) ** 1/2
43. Marlena Shaw -- Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? (1972) ** 1/2
44. Elvis Costello -- Goodbye Cruel World (1984) *** 1/2
45. Raspberries -- Raspberries' Best (1976) ****
46. The Beach Boys -- Smile (1967, from The Smiles Sessions box, 2011) *** 1/2 /
46. The Beach Boys -- Smile (1967, from The Smiles Sessions box, 2011) *** 1/2 /
47. Brian Wilson -- Presents Smile (2004) ****
48. Lead Belly -- Midnight Special: The Library Of Congress Recordings (1991) *** 1/2
49. Brian Harnetty -- The Workbench (2023) *** 1/2
50. Spacemen 3 -- Playing With Fire (1989) ***
51. The 13th Floor Elevators -- The Psychedelic Sounds of The 13th Floor Elevators (1966) *** 1/2
52. Sly and the Family Stone -- Dance To The Music (1968) ** 1/2
53. Elbow -- The Seldom Seen Kid (2008) ** 1/2
54. D'Angelo -- Brown Sugar (1995) ****
55. D'Angelo -- Voodoo (2000) ** 1/2
55. D'Angelo -- Voodoo (2000) ** 1/2
56. Brian Harnetty -- Words and Silences (2022) *** (Thomas Merton)
57. Brian Eno -- Discreet Music (1975) ****
58. New Order -- Substance 87 (1987) *** 1/2
58. New Order -- Substance 87 (1987) *** 1/2
59. Brian Eno -- Ambient 1: Music For Airports (1978) ****
60. Electric Light Orchestra aka ELO -- Zoom (2001) ****
60. Electric Light Orchestra aka ELO -- Zoom (2001) ****
61. Brian Eno -- Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror (1980) (w Harold Budd) ****
62. Brian Eno -- Ambient 3: Day Of Radiance (w Laraaji) (1980) *** 1/2
62. Brian Eno -- Ambient 3: Day Of Radiance (w Laraaji) (1980) *** 1/2
63. Brian Eno -- Ambient 4: On Land (1982) ***
64. Brian Eno -- Evening Star w Robert Fripp (1975) *** 1/2
65. Brian Eno -- Apollo aka score For doc For All Mankind (1983) ***/
66. Brian Eno -- (No Pussyfooting) (w Robert Fripp) (1973) *** 1/2
67. Brian Eno -- The Equatorial Stars (w Robert Fripp) (2004) *** 1/2
68. Peter Tosh -- Equal Rights (1977) *** 1/2
69. Paul McCartney -- Band On The Run (Underdubbed Mix) (1973) *** 1/2
70. Japan --- Quiet Life (1979) ***\
71. David Bowie -- Aladdin Sane (1973) *** 1/2
72. Brian Eno -- The Shutov Assembly (1992) *** 1/2
73. Oxomatli -- Street Signs (2004) ** 1/2
74. Big Star -- Third (1978) ***
75. The Conet Project -- Recordings of Shortwave Numbers Stations/1111 (1995) ***
76. Volcano -- Jungle (2023) ** 1/2
77. Aphex Twin -- Selected Ambient Works Vol. II (1994) *** 1/2 \
78. The Louvin Brothers -- Tragic Songs Of Life (1956) *** 1/2
79. Brian Eno -- Music For Films (1978) **
80. Robert Fripp -- Exposure (1979) **
81. Pharaoh Sanders -- Harvest Time Live 1977 (1977/2023) *** 1/2
82. Cortijo Y Su Combo w Ismael Rivera -- La Quiniela Del Dia (1976) *** 1/2
83. Dinosaur Jr. -- You're Livin' All Over Me (1987) *** 1/2
84. Eddie Condon -- 1927-1943 (1997) *** 1/2
85. Marvin Gaye -- Here, My Dear (1978) *** 1/2
86. Marvin Gaye -- That's The Way Love Is (1970) *** 1/2
87. Jimmy Smith -- Back At The Chicken Shack (1963) *** 1/2
88. Taj Mahal -- Savoy (2023) *** 1/2
89. Junior Wells -- Hoodoo Man Blues (1965) ****
90. Pere Ubu -- Dub Housing (1976) ***
90. Pere Ubu -- Dub Housing (1976) ***
91. Nat King Cole -- The Best Of The King Cole Trio (1992) *** 1/2
92. John Martyn -- One World (1977) ** 1/2
93. June Christy -- Something Cool (1955 -- Mono) *** 1/2
94. The Temptations -- All Directions (1972) ***
95. Oscar "Papa" Celestin and Sam Morgan -- Recorded In New Orleans 1925-1928 (2019) *** 1/2
95. Oscar "Papa" Celestin and Sam Morgan -- Recorded In New Orleans 1925-1928 (2019) *** 1/2
96. Sean Ono Lennon -- Asterisms ** 1/2
97. Fripp & Eno -- Beyond Even 1992-2006 (2006) ** 1/2
98. Tito Puente -- Dance Mania ('58)/Dance Mania 2 ('61)/Dance Mania Legacy Edition (2009) ****
99. Einstürzende Neubauten -- Kollaps (1981) ** 1/2
100. The Drifters -- The Drifters' Golden Hits (1968) *** 1/2
101. Arcade Fire -- Funeral (2004) ** 1/2
102. Jimmy Smith -- Groovin' At Smalls' Paradise Vol. 1 (1957) **** Vol. 2 (1957) *** 1/2
103. The New Christy Minstrels -- Merry Christmas! (1963) * 1/2 ("Sing Along W Santa")
104. Stealers Wheel -- In The Bleak Mid Winter (2019) *
105. Sonic Youth -- Evol (1986) ** 1/2
106. Bettye Swann -- Make Me Yours (1967) ***
107. Steeleye Span -- Parcel Of Rogues (1973) ***
108. The Shirelles -- Greatest Hits (1963) ****
109. The Shirelles -- Greatest Hits Vol. II (1967) *** 1/2
107. Steeleye Span -- Parcel Of Rogues (1973) ***
108. The Shirelles -- Greatest Hits (1963) ****
109. The Shirelles -- Greatest Hits Vol. II (1967) *** 1/2
110. The Shirelles -- Mama Said: 52 Original Sceptre Records Recordings (2023) *** 1/2
111. Circle Jerks -- Group Sex (1980) *** 1/2
112. Eddie Condon -- The Eddie Condon Collection 1927-1961 (2014) ****
113. Depeche Mode -- Violator (1990) *** 1/2 \
114. MGMT -- Loss Of Life ***/
115. Yes -- Yes (1969) ***
116. Bobby "Blue" Bland -- Two Steps From The Blues (1961) ****
117. Bill Fay -- Time Of The Last Persecution (1971) ** 1/2
117. Bill Fay -- Time Of The Last Persecution (1971) ** 1/2
118. Elmore James -- The Sky Is Crying: The History of Elmore James (9 songs, good sound) ****
119. Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis -- Very Saxy (1959) *** 1/2 (half a star off for the title)
120. Brian Eno -- Cluster & Eno (2017) ***
121. Chris Connor -- Chris Connor (1956) *** 1/2
120. Brian Eno -- Cluster & Eno (2017) ***
121. Chris Connor -- Chris Connor (1956) *** 1/2
122. Ken Colyer -- Club Session With Colyer (1956) ****
123. William Basinski -- The Disintegration Loops (2002) ****
123. William Basinski -- The Disintegration Loops (2002) ****
124. Etta Jones -- Don't Go To Strangers (1960) *** 1/2
125. Mylo -- Destroy Rock & Roll (2004) *
126. Kaiser Chiefs -- The Kaiser Chiefs' Easy Eighth Album ***
127. Oval -- 94diskont (1995) ***
128. Cornershop -- When I Was Born For The 7th Time (1997) **
129. Serge Chaloff -- Blue Serge (1956) ****
130. Serge Chaloff -- Boston Blow-Up (1955) *** 1/2
130. Serge Chaloff -- Boston Blow-Up (1955) *** 1/2
131. Nat King Cole -- The Complete Capitol Recordings of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991 Bear 18 cd boxed set) ** 1/2 (first 200 tracks *** 1/2; last 149 pretty dire **)
132. World Party -- Private Revolution (1987) ***
133. Raspberries -- Fresh (1972) *** 1/2
134. World Party -- Goodbye Jumbo (1990) ****
135. World Party -- Bang! (1993) ** 1/2
136. Raspberries -- Starting Over (1974) *** 1/2
137. World Party -- Egyptology (1997) *** 1/2
138. Raspberries -- Raspberries (1972) ***
139. The Waterboys -- This Is The Sea (1985) *** 1/2
140. World Party -- Dumbing Up (2000) *** 1/2
141. Eric Carmen -- Eric Carmen (1975) ***\
142. Eric Carmen -- Boats Against The Current (1977) **
143. Firehose -- Fromohio (1989) ** 1/2
144. Beck -- Guero (2005) ***
145. The Black Crowes -- Happiness Bastards ***
146. Lester Flatt -- Heaven's Bluegrass Band (1976) ** 1/2
145. The Black Crowes -- Happiness Bastards ***
146. Lester Flatt -- Heaven's Bluegrass Band (1976) ** 1/2
147. Eddy Arnold -- My World (1965) ** 1/2
148. Various Artists -- Uptown Top Ranking: Trojan Ska & Reggae Chartbusters (2024) *** 1/2
149. Mance Lipscomb -- You Got To Reap What You Sow: Texas Songster Vol. 2 (1993) *** 1/2
150. The Stooges -- Raw Power (1973) ***
151. Death in Vegas -- The Contino Sessions (1999) **
152. Traffic -- Traffic (1968) ** 1/2
151. Death in Vegas -- The Contino Sessions (1999) **
152. Traffic -- Traffic (1968) ** 1/2
153. Brian Eno -- Nerve Net (1992) **
154. LCD Soundsystem -- Sound Of Silver (2007) **
155. Fishbone -- Truth and Soul (1988) ** 1/2
155. Fishbone -- Truth and Soul (1988) ** 1/2
156. Black Sabbath -- Black Sabbath (1970) **
157. Ms. Dynamite -- A Little Deeper (2002) **
157. Ms. Dynamite -- A Little Deeper (2002) **
158. Jimmy Smith -- The Sermon! (1959) ****
159. Portishead -- Third (2008) ***/
159. Portishead -- Third (2008) ***/
160. Roger Eno -- The Skies, They Shift Like Chords... (2023) ***
161. Ringo Starr -- Beaucoups Of Blues (1970) ** 1/2
161. Ringo Starr -- Beaucoups Of Blues (1970) ** 1/2
162. Pauline Oliveros -- Deep Listening (1989) *** 1/2
163. Paul Young -- No Parlez (1983) **
164. Tears For Fears -- The Hurting (1983) ***/
165. Sleater-Kinney -- Dig Me Out (1997) ***
166. The Doves -- The Last Broadcast (2002) ** 1/2
167. Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens -- The Indestructible Beat Tour 1988-1989 (1989) ***
168. Raspberries -- Side 3 (1973) *** 1/2
169. Mance Lipscomb -- Captain, Captain!: the Texas Country Blues Guitar Of Mance Lipscomb Vol. 3 (1998) *** 1/2
170. Tears For Fears -- The Hurting (1983) ***/
171. Elliot Smith -- Figure 8 (2000) ** 1/2
172. Mel Tormé & Buddy Rich -- Together Again For The First Time (1978) ** 1/2 (an extra half for the scatting on Ella tribute "First Lady Of Song")
173. Rush -- Moving Pictures (1981) *** 1/2
174. Genesis -- Selling England By The Pound (1973) **
175. Norah Jones -- Visions ** 1/2
175. Norah Jones -- Visions ** 1/2
176. África Negra -- Antologia Vol. 1 (2022) ****
177. Christine and the Queens -- Chris (2018) ** 1/2
178. Barry Adamson -- Oedipus Schmoedipus (1996) ***
179. The Cure -- Seventeen Seconds (1980) ***
180. Various Artists -- Piconema: East African Hits on the Colombian Coast (2023) ****
181. Ornette Coleman -- At The Golden Circle Vol. 1 (1966) *** 1/2
182. Shelby Lynne -- The Servant (2021) ****
183. Pedro Lima -- Recordar É Viver: Antologia Vol. 1 (2022) ***
184. Billie Holiday & Lester Young -- A Musical Romance (2002) *** 1/2
183. Pedro Lima -- Recordar É Viver: Antologia Vol. 1 (2022) ***
184. Billie Holiday & Lester Young -- A Musical Romance (2002) *** 1/2
185. Lester Young -- The Complete Aladdin Recordings Of Lester Young (w Helen Humes and Nat King Cole) (1995) ****
186. Iron Butterfly -- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968) ** 1/2
187. Sheila E -- Bailar ** 1/2
188. The Replacements -- Boink!! (1986) ****
189. The Replacements -- Hootenanny (1983) *** 1/2
190. The Replacements -- Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash (1981) ***
191. Eddy Arnold -- The Best Of Eddy Arnold (1967) ** 1/2
192. Ismael Rivera -- Con Todos Los Hierros (w Rafael Cortijo) (1966) *** 1/2
193. Alexander "Skip" Spence -- Oar (1969) ** 1/2
194. Baaba Maal -- Djam Leelii: The Adventurers (w Mansour Seck) (1989) **** (expanded *** 1/2)
195. David Byrne and Brian Eno -- Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (2008) *** 1/2
196. Marcus King -- Mood Swings *** 1/2
197. The Feeling -- San Vito ** 1/2
198. Elliot Brood -- Country **** Full City/Country album *** 1/2
199. Kacey Musgraves -- Deeper Well *** 1/2
200. Black Sabbath -- Paranoid (1970) ** 1/2
201. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard -- Skinwalker *** 1/2
202. Lindisfarne -- Fog On The Tyne (1970) *** 1/2
203. The Birthday Party -- Junkyard (1982) ** 1/2
204. Taylor Swift -- The Tortured Poet Department ** 1/2
205. Ann Savoy -- Another Heart ** 1/2
206. Ian Hunter -- Defiance Part 2: Fiction ** 1/2
207. Mel Torme -- California Suite (1957) *
208. Mel Torme -- Meets The British (1957) * 1/2
209. Mel Torme -- Prelude To A Kiss (1958) **
210. Mel Torme -- Torme! (1958) ** 1/2
211. Mel Torme -- Ole Torme!~ Mel Torme Goes South Of The Border With Billy May (1959) * 1/2
211. Mel Torme -- Ole Torme!~ Mel Torme Goes South Of The Border With Billy May (1959) * 1/2
212. Mel Torme -- Back in Town (1959)
213. Mel Torme -- Swings Schubert Alley (1960)
214. Mel Torme -- It's a Blue World 1955) **
215. Mel Torme -- Mel Torme and the Marty Paich Dek-Tette (1956) ** 1/2
216. Mel Torme -- Sings Fred Astaire (1956) ****
216. Mel Torme -- Sings Fred Astaire (1956) ****
217. Labi Siffre -- Labi Siffre (1970) ***
218. Labi Siffre -- The Singer and the Song (1971) ***
218. Labi Siffre -- The Singer and the Song (1971) ***
219. Labi Siffre -- Crying Laughing Loving Lying (1972) *** 1/2
220. Labi Siffre -- For The Children (1973)
221. Labi Siffre -- Remember My Song (1975)
221. Labi Siffre -- Remember My Song (1975)
222. Ted Russell Kamp -- California Son **
223. Benny Carter -- Further Definitions (1961) *** 1/2
224. Britney Spears -- ...Baby One More Time (1999) *
225. McAlmont & Butler -- The Sound Of McAlmont & Butler (1995) ***
225. McAlmont & Butler -- The Sound Of McAlmont & Butler (1995) ***
226. Supertramp -- Crime of the Century (1974) **
227. Alice Cooper -- Billion Dollar Babies (1973) ** 1/2
228. Pet Shop Boys -- Nonetheless ***/
229. Manic Street Preachers -- The Holy Bible (1994) ***
230.
230.
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.)
(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. Bed and Sofa (1927) *** 1/2
2. American Fiction ** 1/2
3. The Zone Of Interest ***
4. Dune (2021) (in IMAX) *** 1/2
5. The Big Parade (1925) ****
6. The Student Prince In Old Heidelberg (1927) ****
7. Nimona ** 1/2
7. Nimona ** 1/2
8. All Of Us Strangers ***
9. Dune: Part Two ** 1/2
10.
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.)
(The names after the shows are the people who joined me at the performance.)
1. A Prairie Home Companion 50th Anniversary at Ryman (w Jesse) ***
2.
Updated as of April 20, 2024
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