I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES — an exhibition entitled Winslow Homer: American Storyteller — whose wood engravings for popular illustrated weekly publications such as Harper’s Weekly included depictions of political figures and Civil War subjects drawn while serving as a front-line war correspondent — is at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky to December 1st.
“The Noon Recess” — 1873
YOUR WEEKEND READ #1 is this essay in Gizmodo …. how subscribers to Truth Social are being fleeced, as its ”older user base of Boomers who have access to a lifetime of savings and retirement accounts ... appears to be an attractive target for scammers”, based upon claims they reported to the FTC.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named is named Annie the Hero Cat - a Florida kitteh who alerted her family to a garage fire in the early AM, with only minor burns suffered by the husband.
Annie the Hero Cat
ALTHOUGH there is a belief in MAGA land that 45 will only hurt “the other people” — the pandemic and now hurricane relief show they learn how naive they were.
YOUR WEEKEND READ #2 is this essay in The Atlantic (free link) by Tom Nichols — that despite Vivek’s claims otherwise, George Washington is the antithesis of 45.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Henry the Cat — an English kitteh who was lethargic due to a tumor … then surgeons used a titanium skull, with a metal mesh used to repair his head … and now is "playing like a kitten" again.
Henry the Cat
BRAIN TEASER — try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC ...… and the usually easier, less UK-centered New York Times quiz.
HAIL and FAREWELL to the monthly magazine Guitar Player …..
which is releasing its final print copy (after a 58-year run) though it will continue as a digital-only monthly.
DAUGHTER-MOTHER? - Jennifer Grey (b. 1960), Leslie Abramson (b. 1943)
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… before I can even get to the group I am focusing on: some definitions are in order.
Ghost bands are those dedicated to a deceased band leader. The classic example is the Glenn Miller Orchestra, which has performed since 1956: despite its founder’s plane having disappeared in 1944 during WW-II. In this case, the Miller estate has supported these ghost bands, which largely play the classic material of its founder. An exception is the Charles Mingus Big Band, which played new material (as the late Sue Mingus felt her late husband was never content to stand pat). Two band leaders who expressly forbade any such bands were Stan Kenton and his former bandmate Maynard Ferguson.
A tribute band is a group that seeks to emulate a performer/band they admire: not only trying to capture the sound (frequently note-for-note) but also trying to look/dress like them. Classic examples are Beatlemania and the plethora of Elvis impersonators. Two examples of a tribute band member asked to join the band in question (due to a member leaving) was vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, who joined Judas Priest from 1996-2003 (when its lead singer was on hiatus) and Arnel Pineda, a Filipino singer recruited by the band Journey when Steve Perry left.
Finally, a legacy band has multiple definitions. One is a band whose members have mostly died, yet carry on regularly: The Temptations would meet that definition, as the sole surviving original member (Otis Williams) leads the current incarnation, which still tours regularly. Another definition might include such groups as the Rolling Stones and Eagles: who are not an everyday band like they were decades ago, yet still announce a new album and tour to back-it-up periodically (we’ll see if the Las Vegas run by the Eagles is truly a ‘farewell’ or not).
And then there is a legacy band that has a connection to a previous group (like a tribute band) yet does not attempt to recreate the looks and note-for-note experience … simply trying to provide a modern interpretation. And this describes the Sons of Cream band: a trio performing the music of both Cream and Blind Faith … with arrangements close-enough to the original to be recognizable, yet different enough to chart a new course.
It consists of two sons of the members of Cream on the same instruments: bassist Malcolm Bruce (the son of Jack Bruce) and drummer Kofi Baker (the son of Ginger Baker, who was also in Blind Faith). An earlier version of the band had guitarist Will Johns (Eric Clapton’s nephew) yet there was a falling-out in their management ranks. Today it is Rob Johnson on guitar (Ginger Baker’s grand-nephew).
Malcolm Bruce, Rob Johnson and Kofi Baker
I had a chance to see them two months ago, and while they could probably use a lead singer: their chops were first-rate (Kofi’s drum solo would have made Ginger proud). Best, they came out afterwards to meet-and-greet everyone, patiently answering questions and posing for photos. Nearly twenty years after seeing their forebears, this was a nice legacy to live up to. They have announced a tour of the USA beginning next February and alluded to a desire for a recording … of new material that they see as carrying on the spirit of their legacy.
Here is their rendition of the Eric Clapton-written Tales of Brave Ulysses.
