Robbie Robertson's "Testimony"

     Robertson grew up in Ontario, Canada, in cities and on the Six Nations Reserve. As a teenager he dropped out of school to pursue a musical career. Initially he was in Ronnie Hawks' backup band, the Hawks. Later on he was in The Band, backing up Dylan and then success as a stand-alone band.

     Hawks was from Arkansas; the band divided its time between the US South and Canada. Robertson was fascinated by the South and began to read Faulkner, O'Connor, and Welty. That is impressive for a high school dropout, but it speaks well for the musician.

     More insights as I read along.

RIP, John Hurt

     When I was in junior high school, my mother insisted that I go with her to see A Man for all Seasons. Back then I wanted only war, adventure, or Western movies, but off we went to the Andorra in the Roxborough part of Philadelphia. For my mother, entering a city as large as that was a big deal, and I should have realized that.

     The character Richard Rich form that movie looked like Ringo Starr when the Beatle grew a mustache. Maybe the movie was not that bad after all. John Hurt played that role; Rich was an ingratiating careerist who hitched his wagon to anyone who had a future.

     A few years later I watched I, Claudius and was captivated by Hurt's performance as Caligula. The insane Roman emperor came across as amusing at times, and not so amusing at other times. Science fiction does not fascinate me, so i never saw him in Alien. 

    After that I admired his work in a variety of films: The Elephant Man, Scandal, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy 1984. There were others, and he was impressive while playing a wide range of roles.
The Orwell novel has become a recent best-seller of sorts in the USA recently, and I hope to see the movie on TV again. When I see it, or anything with Hurt, I shall miss him. Not a pretty-boy actor, but an actor worth watching.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000457/

     

Blue Deco Publishing announces "Accents" for later in 2017

    Here is the exciting announcement: 

   Great News! We are happy to announce the signing of Arthur Turfa's next book - Accents! His poetry has reached many people, and we're excited to bring this collection to you! Coming 2017.

  This is my second book of poetry, and thematically it has a focus that I am eager to share with you. Some outstanding poets are preparing to read it prior to release. Watch this blog, my Facebook page, Google+ and Twitter to learn more. 

Congratulations! You have been selected as an author for the Richland Library Local Author Showcase which will take place on Sunday, February 26th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201 – one of several downtown venues being used for the readings, book signings, panel presentations, exhibitors, writers’ workshops, activities, and events of the Deckle Edge Literary Festival.

I am honored and proud to have been invited back to this event, which is part of the Deckle Edge Festival! 

finished "Born to Run"- Read it!

   Last night I finished one of my Christmas presents, Bruce Springsteen's autobiography, Born to Run. Most rock and roll books of this genre detail drinking escapades, sexual encounters, a list of drugs taken, and then a repeat or two.

    Not so here. Bruce reveals his reluctance to drink any alcohol as a young man, his aversion to drugs, and some surprising revelations about his decades-long treatment for depression. He does n

ot blame anyone, even though it is a condition he inherited from his father Let me tell you, I had no idea what demons he fought.

   In spite of those demons, he made music that will endure. He also gives insight into his philosophy as a band leader. In an age of touchy-feely crap, he actually led. Not that he ignored anyone's advice; he listened and was able to separate his feelings from his vision. People could disagree with him but still remain beloved friends. That is simply remarkable.

   From the time I heard him first in 1975 until now, I am even more impressed with him. There are few people, artists or people I actually know, about whom I can say that.

   

Richard Shindell on poets and poetic songs

    Driving to a local parish to fill in for the pastor today, I caught most of an interview Mary Sue Twohy did with Richard Shindell on her Village Folk Show on Sirius XM's "The Bridge". He mentioned a few poets whom he admires, and spoke about poetry as songs.

     He spoke about Wallace Stevens, the Reading, PA born insurance executive who wrote excellent poetry. His "Sunday Morning" and "The Idea of Order at Key West". Stevens rejected conventional forms of religion, like Shindell (although the singer did spend three years at Union Theological Seminary in New York City).For myself, that is certainly not where I stand, but I admire the poetry for its technical and linguistic excellence.

     W. B. Yeats also received praise from Shindell for the song-like structure of the poetry and use of language. Shindell noted that most poetry cannot easily be turned into a song, but at times it is possible. Also mentioned was former US Poet Laureate Robert Haas.

     The interview might be available somewhere eon the Internet, but I am not sure, I will post some links to the Stevens poems, and to Shindell's website.  I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Shindell's articulate and learned discussion about poetry and language.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/43431

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/resources/learning/core-poems/detail/13261

http://richardshindell.com/index.php?page=home


     

Good Times at the Coffee Shelf

Nice Poetry Slam and then book signing at Chapin, SC!. Saw old friends and made new ones. "Places and Times" available in several formats.