David Byrne: "The Catherine Wheel"

Real cool album is this: David Byrne's "The Catherine Wheel" (1981) / The Complete Score from the Broadway Production of "The Catherine Wheel" Choreographed by Twyla Tharp (CD 1987, 1990). A mix of ambient music and bizarro songs, perfect for writing or spacing out to. Also as a backdrop for cross-country night driving, such as during a coast-to-coast trip with Linda in 1982.

Music by Byrne, Eno, Adrian Belew and many others, including Twyla Tharp on "water pot."  Tracks that stand out sharply in memory (had the vinyl and cassette, now downloading the expanded version via iTunes):

"His Wife Refused:" including the line, These people are savages -- Byrne's ear for human pronouncements is always right on target. Compare with former Blackwater mercenary tycoon Erik Prince's spewings at Ann Arbor this past January: "[T]hese people, they crawled out of the sewer . . . They're barbarians. . ."  Reminds also of Iggy Pop's wicked satire "Watching the News" from "Zombie Birdhouse," 1982: Where is the US Navy?!

"My Big Hands (Fall Through the Cracks):" Well, it ain't my fault . . . things gone wrong . . .

"Big Business:" Think you've had enough? Big Business, after the shake-up . . . stop talking, help us get ready . . . 

"Eggs in a Briar Patch:"   Lord, I've been such a bad boy . . .

"Big Blue Plymouth (Eyes Wide Open):" Have I been dreaming or have I been sick? 

Looking around again lately, seeing what's going on, I'm thinking that last one is a very good question, indeed.

Today's Rune:  Partnership.

Arizona's SOLEASNA

A quick review of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (with amendments) indicates to me at least, though not at all a legal expert, that Arizona's "show me your papers" law violates -- or has the potential to violate -- basic human rights; certainly it is and will provide -- until overturned by legal or legislative means -- an opening for abuse by those most excited about enforcing it.  Snippets from The Civil Rights Act of 1964 below. For the whole thing plus all sorts of other cornerstones of American civil society (as well as some real stinkers like the Alien and Sedition Acts and the Dred Scott decision), see: http://www.ourdocuments.gov/

CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964

TITLE II--INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION

SEC. 201. (a) All persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, and privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, as defined in this section, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin. [Since expanded to include protection against age, gender, disability and various forms of sexual harrassment].  

SEC. 202. All persons shall be entitled to be free, at any establishment or place, from discrimination or segregation of any kind on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin, if such discrimination or segregation is or purports to be required by any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, rule, or order of a State or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

SEC. 203. No person shall (a) withhold, deny, or attempt to withhold or deny, or deprive or attempt to deprive, any person of any right or privilege secured by section 201 or 202, or (b) intimidate, threaten, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any person with the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by section 201 or 202, or (c) punish or attempt to punish any person for exercising or attempting to exercise any right or privilege secured by section 201 or 202.

Exceptions: private clubs.  Who opposed The Civil Rights Act of 1964?  One hundred years after the American Civil War, all-white male Congressional delegations from the defiant former Confederate States nearly all voted against it: 100% of Southern Republicans and about 95% of Southern Democrats, or Dixiecrats as they were sometimes called, voted against civil rights. So did Arizona's Barry Goldwater. Nice folks.

Arizona's "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act" is set to go into full effect on July 28, 2010.   At first, a majority of people living in Arizona and around the USA supported the Draconian law, but I suspect things will change.  This law cannot stand.  This law will not stand.

(Above image: Public Enemy, "By the Time I Get to Arizona" single from the critically acclaimed platinum selling Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black, 1991).

Today's Rune: The Mystery Rune. 

Cinco de Mayo (Reprise)

Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a nifty celebration of Mexican culture, eh? Seems like ever more so, even in the last twenty years, and I'm all for it. 

Which reminds me of how interesting it would be to consider and absorb North American history as a seamless web, giving more serious weight to developments in Canada and Mexico, which would include much more about Mexican and French as well as Spanish and British influence on politics and culture.*

Back to Cinco de Mayo. Besides being fun, the date commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla, a Mexican victory over French invaders. Probably less known in the USA is the French capture of Mexico City afterwards, and the installment of Maximilian, a young Hapsburg, as Emperor, during the American Civil War. And how about a dose of the French Foreign Legion -- in Mexico?

Not to mention the withdrawal of French forces, followed by the defeat of Maximillian's own loyalists by Mexican republican forces under Benito Juárez and others. While in charge in 1865, Max had ordered the summary execution of republican prisoners, so it was no accident that when he himself was captured by republican enemies, he was executed, too. The practice of shooting prisoners was an old one. (Painting by Édouard Manet, 1868).

If we go beyond the basis for Cinco de Mayo, we'd also take a closer look at the Mexican-American War, since the French had basically followed the American (and earlier Spanish) route to Mexico City. And then we'd come across how the entire area of California and present-day Southwestern US** was sheared off from Mexico. And then what would we do with that knowledge? That's a complication with history: the more you look, the more there is to consider.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Earlier related posts: http://eriklerouge.blogspot.com/2008/05/another-war-another-celebration.html

http://eriklerouge.blogspot.com/2006/05/el-cinco-de-mayoback-in-late-1861.html

http://eriklerouge.blogspot.com/2006/04/smoke-and-mirrorsamerican-society-has.html

Today's Rune: Wholeness.   *A year after this was originally posted, I'm now teaching American history in exactly this way, within the larger framework.

**Including, yes, Arizona.

The National Guard Stands Around Her Door

Vietnam, Kent State, Jackson State . . . Forty years later, and what have we learned? In 1970, Obie Benson and Al Cleveland were composing "What's Going On?" (the Marvin Gaye hit), the Temptations sang "Ball of Confusion," and Edwin Starr sent up "War." 18-21 year olds couldn't vote but young men could be drafted, and the Vietnam War spread into Cambodia courtesy of Tricky Dick Nixon. It's not like today is much better, only now without a fresh soundtrack, no draft and a time when ingrate youths can -- but usually don't -- vote. Iraq? Afghanistan? Oil spills? Not our problem, apparently. History is all bunk anyway, right? Why even lift a finger?













Lynch Street: The May 1970 Slayings at Jackson State
Kent State and May 4th: A Social Science Perspective
Today's Rune: Defense.

Ruby Tuesday, Georgy Girl

A fond farewell to Lynn Redgrave, whose Georgy Girl played off her Ruby Tuesday-style Swinging London best friend, Meredith (Charlotte Rampling) and their mutual "friend" Jos Jones (Alan Bates, yet another 60s icon). Let's not forget Georgy's biggest fan, Leamington (James Mason) and the great mess they all together create.

Love this movie, though brash at times, how it partakes of the London mid-60s Zeitgeist,  just like a long-lasting song by the Kinks or Stones. Georgy Girl came out in 1966 (same year as Alfie, the Michael Caine version with Shelley Winters as Ruby -- she'd also starred with James Mason in Lolita); "Ruby Tuesday" was recorded in '66 and released in '67. Yes, everything's connected one way or another. Michelangelo Antonioni's Blowup, another influential 1966 film, featured Lynn's sister Vanessa Redgrave.



A couple of snippets of Georgy Girl with wicked, hip Meredith.

Today's Rune: Signals.

Woody Allen: Midnight in Paris

Lately the world has turned out a lot of new or recycled nightmares -- and not just on Elm Street -- so it's with countervailing pleasure I note Woody Allen's summer project,  Midnight in Paris (2011 release). Associated with the new film are, to name a handful, the enchanting Marion Cotillard, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Kathy Bates and Michael Sheen.

Given Woody Allen's advocacy of "old school" jazz, I'm guessing the working title derives from Duke Ellington's 1962 album of the same name.  Also, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) had the working title Barcelona at Midnight.

Today's Rune: Partnership.  (At top: Marion Cotillard on the cover of Madame Figaro).

Lessons of Darkness

Herzog's Lessons of Darkness is another great film with petroleum as backdrop -- in Kuwait right after the Gulf War. No one can accuse Herzog of being afraid of anything, for sure. I dig.

Earlier review of The Wages of Fear: http://eriklerouge.blogspot.com/2008/06/wages-of-fear.html

Today's Rune: Journey.