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
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 Book That Changed America by Randall Fuller ***
2. The Evenings by Gerard Reve (1956) (trans by Sam Garrett) ***/
3. Demon Vol. 2 by Jason Shiga ***
4. Decelerate Blue by Adam Rapp and Mike Cavallaro ** 1/2
5. Feed by M.T. Anderson (2002) ***/
6. Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar ***
7. Robert B. Parker's Revelation by Robert Knott ** 1/2
8. The Stone Heart: The Nameless City Volume 2 by Faith Erin Hicks ***/
9. Round by Joyce Sidman and Taeeun Yoo **
10. Curious George Goes To The Hospital by Margaret and H.A. Rey; read by John Krazinski (1967) ** 1/2
11. Lincoln In The Bardo by George Saunders ****
12. Their Finest by Lissa Evans *** 1/2
13. Glass House: The 1% Economy and the Shattering Of The All-American Town by Brian Alexander ** 1/2
14. Direct Action by LA Kaufman ** 1/2
15. The Horseman by Tim Pears *** 1/2
16. Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie **
17. The Wages of Sin by Kaite Welsh **
18. Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo ***
19. The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo ** 1/2
20. New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson ***
21. Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier ** 1/2
22. We'll Always Have Casablanca by Noah Isenberg **
23. The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald ***
24. The Road To Jonestown by Jeff Guinn ***
25. The End Of Eddy by Edouard Louis ** 1/2
26. Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman
27. When The World Stopped To Listen by Stuart Isakoff ** 1/2
28. Otis Redding by Jonathan Gould ***/
29. Aliens: The World's Leading Scientists on the Search For Extra-Terrestrial Life edited by Jim Al-khalili ***
30. Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi *** 1/2
31. The Absolutely True Adventures of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie *** 1/2
32. The Doorman's Repose by Chris Raschka *** 1/2
33. Grief Cottage by Gail Goodwin **
34. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie *** 1/2
35. The Changeling by Victor LaValle ***
36. Quiet Until The Thaw by Alexandra Fuller ***/
37. New Thoughts by Wallace Shawn ***
38. The Adventures Of John Blake: Mystery Of the Ghost Ship by Philip Pullman and illos by Fre4d Fordham **
39. Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory *** 1/2
40. The Last Cowboys Of San Geronimo by Ian Stansel ***
41. The Epiphany Machine by David Burr Gerrard ***/
42. The Unwomanly Face Of War by Svetlana Alexievich (1985) ****
43. Refugee by Alan Gratz ***
44. The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker ***/
45. Letters To his Neighbor by Marcel Proust, trans Lydia Davis **
46. Quakeland by Kathryn Miles ***
47. Mask Of Shadows by Linsey Miller **
48. Emily Of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery (1923) read before ** 1/2
49. An Alchemy of Masks and Mirrors by Curtis Craddock ** 1/2
50. The World Of Tomorrow by Brendan Matthews ***
51. Landscape With Invisible Hand by M.T. Anderson ***
52. Release by Patrick Ness ** 1/2
53. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen *** 1/2
54. Paris In The Present Tense by Mark Helprin **
55. Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman *** 1/2
56. Righteous by Joe Ide ***
57. Reckless Daughter (Joni Mitchell bio) by David Yaffe ** 1/2
58. I Can't Breathe by Matt Taibbi *** 1/2
59. Hank and Jim (Bio of Henry Fonda/Jimmy Stewart) by Scott Eyman ** 1/2
60. Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie (1934) ** 1/2
61. The Secret Of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange *** 1/2
62. Autumn Term by Antonia Forest (1948) ****
63. Genius and Discovery: Five Historical Miniatures by Stefan Zweig ***
64. The Book Of Dust Volume One: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman ***
65. Triumph and Disaster: Five Historical Miniatures by Stefan Zweig *** 1/2
66. Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls (1982) *** 1/2
67. Quick Curtain by Alan Melville (1934) ** 1/2
68. The Girl in The Tower by Katherine Arden *** 1/2
69. The Stowaway by Laurie Gwen Shapiro ** 1/2
70. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee *** 1/2
71. Smoketown by Mark Whitaker ***
72. Global Discontents by Noam Chomsky; interviews w David Barsamian ***
73. The Winter Station by Jody Shields ** 1/2
74. The Great Jazz and Pop Vocal Albums by Will Friedwald *** 1/2
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. Neil Diamond -- Stones (1971) ***
2. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976) ***
3. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- You're Gonna Get It! (1978) ** 1/2
4. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- Damn The Torpedoes! (1979) *** 1/2
5. John Mayer -- The Search For Everything ep Wave One ***/
6. Rose Elinor Dougall -- Stellular ** 1/2
7. Bones -- Disgrace ***
8. Bernhoft -- The Morning Comes ep ** 1/2
9. The Go-Betweens -- Quiet Heart/Best Of (2012) *** 1/2
10. Kasey Chambers -- Dragonfly *** 1/2
11. Neil Diamond -- I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight (1977) **
12. Anderson.paak -- Malibu (2016) ***/
13. Ryan Adams -- Prisoner ***
14. The Go-Betweens -- Send Me A Lullaby ((1996) **
15. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- Hard Promises (1981) *** 1/2
16. Various Artists -- Songs Of Lennon and McCartney (UK) ** 1/2
17. Everly Brothers -- mixtape EB CD Burnwood *** 1/2
18. Jason Falkner -- mixtape Burnwood *** 1/2
19. The Sadies -- Northern Passage ** 1/2
20. Son Volt -- Bolts Of Blue ***
21. Tift Merritt -- Stitch Of The World ** 1/2
22. Chris Thile and Brad Mehldau -- Chris Thile and Brad Mehldau ** 1/2
23. Mac Wiseman -- I Sang The Song ***/
24. Chuck Prophet -- Bobby Fuller Died For Your Sins ***
25. Dinah Washington -- A Bouquet Of Hits **
26. Cream -- Fresh Cream (1966) **
27. The Delfonics -- La La Means I Love You (1968) **
28. R.E.M. -- Green (1988) ***/
29. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- Long After Dark (1982) *** 1/2
30. The John Sally Ride -- A New Set Of Downs *** 1/2
31. Various Artists - Southern Soul Crate *** 1/2
32. The Feelies -- In Between ***/
33. Chip Taylor -- A Song I Can Live With ** 1/2
34. The Haley Sisters -- Always By My Side * 1/2
35. John Mayer -- The Search For Everything Wave Two ep ***/
36. Oleta Adams -- Third Set * 1/2
37. Jim Lauderdale -- London Southern ** 1/2
38. Laura Nyro -- New York Tendaberry (1969) **
39. Alison Krauss -- Windy City ***
40. Lowland Hum -- Thin **
41. Charlie Finn -- P.S. I'm Gay-ish * 1/2
42. Eliza Carthy -- Big Machine ***
43. Jens Lekman -- Life Will See You Now **
44. Dan Baird -- So Low ** 1/2
45. Albert King -- The Big Blues (1962) *** 1/2
46. Brent Cash -- The New High **
47. Various Artists -- Roll Columbia: Woody Guthrie's 26 Northwest Songs **
48. Bob Dylan -- Triplicate *** 1/2
49. Doris Day -- Day By Day (1956) ****
50. Chris Stapleton -- From A Room Vol. 1 *** 1/2
51. Nina Simone -- Nina Simone And Piano (1969) ****
52. Doris Day -- Day By Night (1957) ****
53. Blossom Dearie -- My Gentleman Friend (1961) *** 1/2
54. Anita O'Day -- Sings The Winners (1958) ****
55. Dan Auerbauch -- Waiting On A Song **
56. John Mayer -- The Search For Everything (album) ** 1/2
57. Kay Starr -- I Cry By Night (1962) *** 1/2
58. The Mavericks -- Brand New Day ***/
59. Dear Evan Hansen original cast album ** 1/2
60. Harry Styles -- Harry Styles ** 1/2
61. Nat King Cole -- Songs From "St. Louis Blues" (1958) ****
62. Nat King Cole -- After Midnight (1957)
63. Jack Teagarden -- Think Well Of Me (1962) *** 1/2
64. Tiny Tim -- God Bless Tiny Tim (1968) *** 1/2
65. Tiny Tim -- Tiny Tim's 2nd Album (1968) ***
66. Louis Armstrong -- Meets Oscar Peterson (1957) ****
67. Doris Day and Robert Goulet -- Annie Get Your Gun (1963) ****
68. Margaret Whiting -- Sings The Jerome Kern Songbook (1960) *** 1/2
69. Eydie Gormé and Steve Lawrence -- Sing The Golden Hits (1960) **
70. Royal Blood -- Royal Blood **
71. Steve Earle -- So You Wanna Be An Outlaw ***
72. Glen Campbell -- Adios ***
73. Jason Isbell -- The Nashville Sound ***/
74. Billy Eckstine -- Billy's Best (1958) *** 1/2
75. Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong -- Bing and Satchmo (1960) ***
76. Bobby Short -- Bobby Short (1956) ****
77. Bobby Troup -- Sings Johnny Mercer (1955) *** 1/2
78. Lambert, Hendricks and Ross -- Sing A Song Of Basie (1957) *** 1/2
79. Fleet Foxes -- Crack-Up ***
80. Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly and James McAllister -- Planetarium ** 1/2
81. Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie -- Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie ** 1/2
82. Jimmy Scott -- The Source (1969) *** 1/2
83. Todd Rundgren -- White Knight ** 1/2
84. Chuck Berry -- Chuck * 1/2
85. Gorillaz -- Humanz ***
86. H.E.R. -- Volume 2 ** 1/2
87. Kendrick Lamar -- Damn ** 1/2
88. Lorde -- Melodrama ***/
89. Ray Davies -- Americana ** 1/2
90. Robyn Hitchcock -- Robyn Hitchcock ** 1/2
91. Roger Waters -- Is This The Life We Really Want? ** 1/2
92. Songhoy Blues -- Resistance ** 1/2
93. Steely Dan -- Two Against Nature (2000) ** 1/2
94. Big Boi -- Boomiverse ** 1/2
95. Brockhampton -- Saturation **
96. Sarah Vaughan -- Sarah Vaughan aka Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown (1954) *** 1/2
97. Tinariwen -- Elron ** 1/2
98. Les Amazones d'Afriques -- Republique Amazone **
99. Joan Shelley -- Joan Shelley ***
100. Willie Nelson -- God's Problem Child ***
101. Diana Krall -- Turn Up The Quiet ***
102. Various Artists -- Baby Driver soundtrack *** 1/2
103. Preservation Hall Jazz Band -- So It Is ***/
104. Van Halen - MCMLXXXIV **
105. Marvin Gaye -- Midnight Love (1982) **
106. Run D.M.C. -- Run D.M.C. (1984) *** 1/2
107. Daryl Hall -- Sacred Songs (1980) ***/
108. Dick Haymes -- Rain Or Shine (1955) ****
109. Dick Haymes -- Moondreams (1957) *** 1/2
110. Judy Garland -- Judy In Love (1958) *** 1/2
111. John Moreland -- Big Bad Luv *** 1/2
112. Luther Vandross -- The Night I Fell In Love (1985) ***
113. Elton John -- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) *** 1/2
114. Haim -- Something To Tell You ** 1/2
115. Brad Paisley -- Love and War ***
116. Sade -- Diamond Life (1984) *** 1/2
117. Rev Sekou -- In Times Like These **
118. Johnny Hartman -- Songs From The Heart (1955) *** 1/2
119. Chronixx -- Chronology ***
120. Bobby Troup -- Bobby Swings Tenderly (1957) **
121. John Moreland -- In The Throes (2013) *** 1/2
122. The Specials -- The Specials (1979) ***/
123. Sade -- Promise (1985) *** 1/2
124. Sampha -- Process ***
125. Angaleena Presley -- Wrangled **
126. LL Cool J -- Radio (1985) ** 1/2
127. Low Cut Connie -- Dirty Pictures **
128. Zephanaiah Ohora -- This Highway **
129. Cafe Tacuba -- Jei Beibi ** 1/2
130. Captain Beefheart -- Doc At the Radar Station (1980) *** 1/2
131. Garland Jeffrey -- 14 Steps To Harlem **
132. Rhiannon Giddens -- Freedom Highway **
133. Japanese Breakfast -- Soft Sounds From Another Planet **
134. Sheer Mag -- Need To Feel Your Love * 1/2
135. Scott Nolan -- Silverhill **
136. Hall and Oates -- Abandoned Luncheonette (1973) *** 1/2
137. Declan McKenna -- What Do You Think About The Car? **
138. Johnny Hartman -- And I Thought About You (1959) ***
139. Arcade Fire -- Everything Now **
140. Stanton Moore -- With You In Mind *** 1/2
141. Natalie Hemby -- Puxico ** 1/2
142. Shabazz Palaces -- Vs The Jealous Machines ***
143. Rolling Stones -- Steel Wheels (1989) ** 1/2
144. Louis Armstrong -- Complete Decca Singles 1935-1946 ** 1/2
145. Randy Newman -- Dark Matter ***\
146. North Mississippi All-Stars -- Prayer For Peace **
147. X -- Los Angeles (1980) **
148. Richard Thompson -- Acoustic Classics II ***
149. Rodney Crowell -- Close Ties *** 1/2
150. Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer -- Not Dark Yet ** 1/2
151. Broken Social Scene -- Hug of Thunder **
152. The Monkees -- Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd (1967) ***
153. Wesley Stace's John Wesley Harding ***/
154. The Monkees -- Headquarters (1967) ***
155. Carly Simon -- No Secrets (1972) ***
156. Will Hoge -- Anchors ***
157. Romeo Santos -- Golden **
158. Bobby Troup -- The Distinctive Style Of Bobby Troup (1955) ***
159. Bobby Troup -- And His Stars of Jazz (1958) **
160. Elton John -- Tumbleweed Connection (1970) **
161. Carly Simon -- Anticipation (1971) **
162. Della Reese -- Della Della Cha-Cha-Cha (1961) ***
163. Dean Martin -- This Time I'm Swingin' (1960) ** 1/2
164. Avicii -- Avicii **
165. Iron and Wine -- Beast Epic **
166. Doris Day -- Day In Hollywood (1955) **
167. Colin Hayes -- Fierce Mercy ** 1/2
168. The War On Drugs -- A Deeper Understanding **
169. Abbey Lincoln -- Abbey Is Blue (1959) ***/
170. John Mellencamp -- Sad Clowns and Hillbillies ***/
171. Van Morrison -- St. Dominic's Preview (1972) ***
172. Khalid -- American Teen ***
173. The Monkees -- Instant Replay (1969) ***/
174. Doris Day -- The Doris Day Christmas Album (1964) ** 1/2 (good songs and arrangements but somehow monotone in style, not mellow but languid)
175. The National -- Sleep Well Beast ***/ (v Nick Cave)
176. Lana Del Rey -- Lust For Life **
177. Dean Martin -- Swingin' Down Yonder (1955) **
178. Judas Priest -- British Steel (1980) ***
179. Joni Mitchell -- Song To A Seagull aka Joni Mitchell (1968) *** 1/2
180. Dora Freeman -- Letter Never Sent ***/
181. Niall Horan -- Flicker **
182. Various Artists -- Soul Of A Nation: Afro-Centric Visions In the Age of Black Power ***/
183. Willie Watson -- Folk Singer Vol. 2 ** 1/2
184. Joni Mitchell -- Clouds (1969) *** 1/2
185. Joni Mitchell -- Ladies Of The Canyon (1970) *** 1/2
186. Joni Mitchell -- Blue (1971) ****
187. Joni Mitchell -- For The Roses (1972) *** 1/2/
188. Joni Mitchell -- Court and Spark (1974) ****
189. Joni Mitchell -- The Hissing Of Summer Lawns (1975) *** 1/2
190. Joni Mitchell -- Hejira (1976) *** 1/2
191. Joni Mitchell -- Don Juan's Reckless Daughter (1977) ***/
192. Joni Mitchell -- Mingus (1979) ***/
193. Sam Smith -- The Thrill Of It All ***
194. Amadou and Mariam -- La Confusion ** 1/2
195. Kelly Clarkson -- Meaning Of Life ** 1/2 (but voice sounds great)
196. Elliott Brood -- Ghost Gardens ***
197. Rush -- A Farewell To Kings (1977) **
198. Sharon Jones -- Soul Of A Woman ***/
199. Sia -- Everyday Is Christmas *** 1/2
200. The Doors -- Strange Days (1967) **
201. Stacey Kent -- Breakfast on The Morning Tram ***/
202. Various Artists -- A Tribute To Dan Fogelberg **
203. Sparks -- Hippopotamus ** 1/2
204. Bob Seger -- I Knew You When **
205. The Magnetic Fields -- 50 Song Memoir *** 1/2
206. Stacey Kent -- Raconte Moi ***
207. Tom Chaplin -- Twelve Tales Of Christmas * 1/2
208. Tears For Fears -- Rule The World: The Greatest Hits ***
209. Eurythmics -- Savage (1987) ** 1/2
210. Jules Shear -- Jules Shear ***
211. Lee Ann Womack -- The Lonely The Lonesome and the Gone ***
212. Liam Gallagher -- As You Were ***/
213. Jake Bugg -- Hearts That Strain * 1/2
214. Neil Young -- Hitchhiker (2017 release recorded in 1976) ***
215. Dhani Harrison -- In//Parallel **
216. Erin McKeown -- According To Us ** 1/2
217. Doris Day -- Show Time (1960) **
218. Why Don't We -- A Why Don't We Christmas *
219. Hanson -- Finally It's Christmas **
220. Cecile McLorin Salvant -- For One To Love (2015) ***
221. The Darkness -- Pinewood Smile ***
222. Morrissey -- Low In High School ***
223. Gaetane Prouvost and Laurent Cabasso -- Gabriel Pierne: Chamber Music For Piano and Violin (2008) ***
224. Humbird -- Where Else **
225. Kamasi Washington -- Harmony of Difference *** 1/2
226. Katherine McPhee -- I Fall In Love Too Easily **
227. Margo Price -- All American Made ** 1/2
228. Mavis Staples -- If All I Was Was Black **
229. Midland -- On The Rocks ***
230. Jake Xerses Fussell -- What In The Natural World *** 1/2
231. The National -- Sleep Well Beast *** 1/2
232. Neil Finn -- Out Of Silence ***
233. Valerie June -- The Order Of Time ** 1/2
234. U2 -- Songs Of Experience ***\
235. Van Morrison -- Roll With The Punches ** 1/2
236. Chris Hillman -- Bidin' My Time ***
237. G Love -- Coming Home For Christmas **
238. Van Morrison -- Versatile **
239. Ella Fitzgerald -- Live at Zardi's 1956 ***
240. Chris Stapleton -- From A Room Vol. 2 ***
241. Belle and Sebastian -- How To Solve Our Human Problems Part 1 EP ***
242. Beck -- Colors **
243. Richard Thompson -- Acoustic Rarities ** 1/2
244. Hadestown Original Cast Album *** 1/2
245. Dion -- Kickin Child: The Lost 1965 Album *** 1/2
246. Various Artists -- Sunday in The Park With George (Bway 2017) *** 1/2
247. Bomba Estereo -- Ayo ***
248. Aldous Harding -- Party **
249. Taylor Swift -- Reputation **
250. Alice Coltrane -- World Spirituality Classics 1 **
251. Big Thief -- Capacity ** 1/2
252. Curtis Harding -- Face Your Fears *** 1/2
253. Brantley Gilbert -- The Devil Don't Sleep ** 1/2 (but "Three Feet Of Water" great)
254. Oumou Sangaré -- Mogoya ***
255. Chris Price -- Stop Talking ***
256. Daniel Caesar -- Freudian *** 1/2
257. Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile -- Lotta Sea Lice *** 1/2
258. Cat Stevens -- The Laughing Apple **
259. Neil Young -- The Visitor **
260. Harris J -- Salam **
261. Algiers -- The Underside Of Power ** 1/2
262. Moses Sumney -- Aromanticism *** 1/2
263. SZA - Ctrl *** 1/2
264. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Wynton Marsalis and Jon Batiste -- The Music Of John Lewis ***
265. Charly Bliss -- Guppy *** 1/2
266. Julien Baker -- Turn Out The Lights ***
267. Saz'sio -- At Least Wave Your Handkerchief At Me *** 1/2
268. Orchestra Baobab -- Tribute To Ndiouga Dieng *** 1/2
269. Aimee Mann -- Mental Illness *** 1/2
270. Michael McDonald -- Wide Open **
271. Michael Chapman -- 50 ***
272. Tyler, The Creator -- Flower Boy ** 1/2
273. Childish Gambino -- "Awaken, My Love!" ** 1/2
274. The Secret Sisters - You Don't Own Me Anymore ***
275. Mount Eerie -- A Crow Looked At Me ***
276. Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams -- Contraband Love *** 1/2
277. Hurray For The Riff Raff -- The Navigator ***
278. Bedouine -- Bedouine ** 1/2
279. Hiss The Golden Messenger -- Hallelujah Anyhow ***
280. Jim James -- Tribute To/2 *** (love "My Sweet Lord" cover)
281. Boubacar Traore -- Dounia Tabolo **
282. Juanes -- Mis Planes Son Amarte *** 1/2
283. Kelsea Ballerini -- Unapologetically ***/
284. Little Bandit -- Breakfast Alone ***
285. David Rawlings -- Poor David's Almanack *** 1/2
286. Darius Rucker -- When Was The Last Time **
287. Bjork -- Utopia ***
288. Anna Tivel -- Small Believer *** 1/2
289. Charlie Warsham -- The Beginning Of Things ***
290. Nicole Atkins -- Goodnight Rhonda Lee ** 1/2
291. Pablo Alborán -- Prometo ** 1/2
292. Ozuna -- Odisea *** 1/2
293. Lizz Wright -- Grace ***
294. John Craigie -- No Rain, No Rose ***
295. India.arie -- Songversation: Medicine *** 1/2
296. IAMDDB -- Hoodrich, Vol 3 ** 1/2
297. Ibeyi -- Ash ** 1/2
298. The Infamous Stringdusters -- Laws Of Gravity ***
299. Jade Bird -- Something American ***
300. Ladysmith Black Mambazo -- Songs Of Peace and Love *** 1/2
301. Noel Gallagher -- Who Built The Moon? ** 1/2
302. Robert Cray and Hi-Rhythm -- Robert Cray and the Hi-Rhythm *** 1/2
303. Residente -- Residente ***
304. Zuli -- On Human Freakout Mountain *** 1/2
305. LCD Soundsystem -- American Dream **
306. Lewis Capaldi -- Bloom *** 1/2
307. Tyler Childers -- Purgatory ***
308. Billie Eilish -- Don't Smile At Me ** 1/2
309. King Krule -- The Ooz ***/
310. Vince Staples -- Big Fish Theory ***
311. Natalia Lafourcade -- Musas (Un Homenaje al Folclore Latinoamericano en Manos de los Macorinos Vol 1 *** 1/2
312. Aida Cuevas -- Arrieros Somos: Sesiones Acusticas *** 1/2
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 -- 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. The Rains Came (1939) ** 1/2
2. John Wick Chapter Two ** 1/2
3. Kong: Skull Island **
4. Detectorists Season One ****
5. Detectorists Season Two *** 1/2
6. Detectorists Christmas Special **
7. The Sound Of Music (at United Palace) ****
8. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial at Lincoln Center w full orchestra ****
9. Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 * 1/2
10. Wonder Woman **
11. Baby Driver ** (but *** 1/2 soundtrack)
12. War For The Planet Of The Apes ***
13. Dunkirk (in IMAX 70mm) *** 1/2
14. Valerian and the City Of A Thousand Planets *
15. Lady Macbeth *** 1/2
16. Star Wars 1977 (at Lincoln Center w NY Philharmonic performing score live) *** 1/2
17. Battle Of The Sexes **
18. The Florida Project *** 1/2
19. Victoria And Abdul *
20. Arthur Miller: Writer *
21. The Rider ** 1/2 (but v well shot and edited and dir)
22. Thelma * 1/2
23. The Other Side Of Hope ***/
24. Last Flag Flying **
25. Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) *** 1/2
26. BPM (Beats Per Minute) *** 1/2
27. Voyeur (Gay Talese docu) **
28. Wonderstruck * 1/2
29. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) w NY Phil playing score live *** 1/2
30. Key Largo (1948) ***
31. Call Me By Your Name **
32. Lady Bird (Greta Gerwig dir) *** (star and sidekick)
33. Private Detective (1939) w Jane Wyman * 1/2
34. Mudbound ***\
35. Wonder Wheel (but Winslet fine, w TJ)**\
36. Wuthering Heights (1939) ** 1/2
37. Thor: Ragnorak **
38. Murder On The Orient Express (2010 TV film w David Suchet) ***
39. Call Me By Your Name (second viewing, w TJ) ** 1/2
40. Darkest Hour (at MOMA W Joe) **
41. Blade Runner 2049 (at Moma w Noam) ***
42. Justice League *
43. The Killing Of A Sacred Deer *** 1/2
44. Coco ** 1/2
45. The Shape Of Water (at Lincoln Square w TJ) **
46. Three Billboards **
47. Phantom Thread ***
48. Kid Nightingale (1939) *
49. The Cat and the Canary (1939) * 1/2
50. The Glamour Girls (1939) *
51. The Four Feathers (1939) **
52. Faces/Places *** (should have been a TV series)
53. Star Wars: The Last Jedi **
54. Balalaika (1939) ** 1/2
55. Let Freedom Ring (1939) ***\
56. Dark Victory (1939) **
57. Logan Lucky ** 1/2
58. Downsizing ** 1/2
59. I, Tonya ***/
60. Paddington 2 **
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 Fever (The Public’s UTR Festival )(w Noam) **
2. Lula del Ray (The Public’s UTR Festival) (w Noam) **
3. La Mélancolie des Dragons (The Public’s UTR Festival at the Kitchen) (w Alisa) **
4. Top Secret International (State 1) (The Public’s UTR Festival at Brooklyn Museum) (solo) **
7. Jitney (John Douglas Thompson on Bway) (w Noam) *** 1/2
8. The Tempest (Harriet Walter at St. Ann’s) (solo) *** 1/2
9. Significant Other (w TJ) * 1/2
10. The Skin Of Our Teeth (w Noam) ***
11. Natasha, Pierre And The Great Comet Of 1812 (w Groban) (w Cohen) ** (third visit, but *** if you haven’t seen it)
12. Everybody (at Signature) (w Cohen, Zoe, Noam) ** 1/2
13. Idomeneo (at Met w Levine conducting) (w Garrett) *** 1/2
14. Sunday In The Park With George (w Jake Gyllenhaal) (solo) ****
5. The Light Years (w Zoe) * 1/12
16. The Glass Menagerie (w Sally Field, Joe Mantello) (w Luis) *** 1/2
17. 946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips (St. Ann's Kneehigh) (w Noam) **
18. The Price (w Mark Ruffalo) (w Noam) *
19. Come From Away (w Justin Trudeau, Ivanka Trump) (w Noam) *
20. Miss Saigon (w Cohen) **
21. Picnic/Come Back Little Sheba (w Noam) * 1/2
22. Broadway By The Year: The 1940s (w TJ) **
24. Latin History For Morons (solo) * 1/2
25. On The Grounds Of Belonging (workshop production w Bobby Steggert)(w Noam)
26. Wakey Wakey (w Noam)***
27. Present Laughter (w Kevin Kline)( w Noam) ***
28. CasablancaBox (w Noam) ** 1/2
29. Amélie (w Noam) * 1/2
30. The Play That Goes Wrong **
31. Indecent (w Frima) ** 1/2
32. The Hairy Animal (w Bobby Cannavale) (w Noam and Frima) ***
33. The Antipodes (w Zoe, Heather, Noam, Cohen) **
34. Anastasia (w Noam) **
35. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (w Garrett) **
36. Oslo (w Zoe) *** 1/2
37. The Little Foxes (w Laura Linney, Cynthia Nixon) (solo)**
38. Groundhog Day (w Noam) ** 1/2
39. Babes In Toyland (Kelli O’Hara at Carnegie Hall) (w Noam and Frima) ** 1/2
40. Mourning Becomes Electra (w Noam) **
40. Mourning Becomes Electra (w Noam) **
41. A Doll’s House, Part 2 (w Luis) *** 1/2
42. Bandstand (w Luis) ** 1/2
43. Pacific Overtures (at CSC)(w Noam) ***
44. Six Degrees Of Separation (w Allison Janney)(w Zoe) **
42. Bandstand (w Luis) ** 1/2
43. Pacific Overtures (at CSC)(w Noam) ***
44. Six Degrees Of Separation (w Allison Janney)(w Zoe) **
45. Twelfth Night (Public Theater Mobile Unit)(alone) ** 1/2
46. Rooms (w Noam) **
47. Arlington (w Noam) ***
48. All The President’s Men (Public Theater one-night event at Town Hall)(w Noam) ** 1/2
49. In and Of Itself (Derek Delgaudio illusionist) (w Noam) ***
50. War Paint (Christine Ebersole, Patti Lupone) (w Cohen) **
51. Happy Days (w Dianne Wiest)(w Noam) *** 1/2
52. Derren Brown: Secret (w TJ) *** 1/2
53. The Whirligig (w Noam) * 1/2
54. Sojourners and Her Portmanteau (w Noam)**
55. Broadway By The Year 1997-2006 (w TJ)***
56. The Boy Who Danced On Air (w Noam)** 1/2
57. The Government Inspector (w Noam)** 1/2
58. Sweetee (at Signature) (w Noam) *
59. Venus (at Sig, Zainab Jah excellent) (w Noam and Zoe and Cohen) ** 1/2
60. Cyrano at the Met w Roberto Alagna (gorgeous sets and staging, but what a dull score) **
61. Theater Of War on the Intrepid (w Noam) ***
62. A Doll's House Part 2 (with Julie White and Stephen McKinley Henderson) (w Noam) ***
63. Fucking A (at Sig, revival) (w Zoe and Noam) ** 1/2
64. Measure For Measure (ERS at Public w Zoe) **
65. Desperate Measures (alone) ***
66. The Honeymooners (w Noam)**
67. People, Places And Things (alone at St Ann's) **
68. M. Butterfly (w Cohen) * 1/2
69. Red Roses, Green Gold (w Noam) no stars
70. Of Thee I Sing (MasterVoices concert presentation at Carnegie Hall w Noam) ** 1/2
71. Norma (At the Met, left at break! w Garrett) **
71. Lonely Planet (w Arnie Burton and Matt McGrath) w Cohen ** 1/2
72. Time and the Conways (Roundabout w Elizabeth McGovern)w Noam **\
73. Torch Song (w Michael Urie) (w Joanne Guerrerio) ** 1/2
74. Jesus Hopped The "A" Train (w Cohen, Noam, Zoe) ***
75. Junk (w Zoe) ** 1/2
76. The Band's Visit (on Bway) w Noam *** 1/2
77. The B Side (at Performing Garage) w Noam ***
78. Nellie McKay at Joe's Pub (Joan Rivers bio-musical) w Jamie *** 1/2
79. Actually (college date rape) at MTC w Zoe
80. Harry Clarke w Billy Crudup (solo)
81. Nellie McKay at Joe's Pub (w TJ) Joan Rivers bio-musical *** 1/2
82. Bedlam's Peter Pan (w Noam) * 1/2
83. Home For The Holidays (on Bway w Candace Glover and Danny Aiello) *
84. Pride and Prejudice (w Frima) ***
85. Describe The Night (w TJ) ** 1/2
86. Once On This Island (w Noam) ** 1/2
87. The Parisian Woman w Uma Thurman (w Jamie) *
87. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical (w Noam) ** 1/2
88. It’s A Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play (w Noam) ***
89. Twelfth Night (At CSC) (w Noam) * 1/2 out of ****
90. The Children (w Dave Cohen) *** 1/2 out of ****
91. Farinelli and the King (w Luis) ** out of ****
63. Fucking A (at Sig, revival) (w Zoe and Noam) ** 1/2
64. Measure For Measure (ERS at Public w Zoe) **
65. Desperate Measures (alone) ***
66. The Honeymooners (w Noam)**
67. People, Places And Things (alone at St Ann's) **
68. M. Butterfly (w Cohen) * 1/2
69. Red Roses, Green Gold (w Noam) no stars
70. Of Thee I Sing (MasterVoices concert presentation at Carnegie Hall w Noam) ** 1/2
71. Norma (At the Met, left at break! w Garrett) **
71. Lonely Planet (w Arnie Burton and Matt McGrath) w Cohen ** 1/2
72. Time and the Conways (Roundabout w Elizabeth McGovern)w Noam **\
73. Torch Song (w Michael Urie) (w Joanne Guerrerio) ** 1/2
74. Jesus Hopped The "A" Train (w Cohen, Noam, Zoe) ***
75. Junk (w Zoe) ** 1/2
76. The Band's Visit (on Bway) w Noam *** 1/2
77. The B Side (at Performing Garage) w Noam ***
78. Nellie McKay at Joe's Pub (Joan Rivers bio-musical) w Jamie *** 1/2
79. Actually (college date rape) at MTC w Zoe
80. Harry Clarke w Billy Crudup (solo)
81. Nellie McKay at Joe's Pub (w TJ) Joan Rivers bio-musical *** 1/2
82. Bedlam's Peter Pan (w Noam) * 1/2
83. Home For The Holidays (on Bway w Candace Glover and Danny Aiello) *
84. Pride and Prejudice (w Frima) ***
85. Describe The Night (w TJ) ** 1/2
86. Once On This Island (w Noam) ** 1/2
87. The Parisian Woman w Uma Thurman (w Jamie) *
87. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical (w Noam) ** 1/2
88. It’s A Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play (w Noam) ***
89. Twelfth Night (At CSC) (w Noam) * 1/2 out of ****
90. The Children (w Dave Cohen) *** 1/2 out of ****
91. Farinelli and the King (w Luis) ** out of ****
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
