Category: music & dance

A family favorite for years, from the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir:

One of the best things I’ve watched for a long, long time (since maybe Stop Making Sense, which niece Gabrielle and I saw in L.A. in 1984) was American Utopia, recently premiered on HBO. Written and performed by David Byrne (with 11 other high-energy dancers and musicians), filmed and directed by Spike Lee, choreographed by Annie B. Parson.  Something I was ready to see again as soon as it had ended.  Here’s the trailer:

And a few words from Spike (now in his early 60s) and David (now in his late 60s):

After watching, I had to learn more and tracked down some reviews: NPR – NYT – Vanity Fair – RogerEbert

CAUTION: Not everybody likes this thing. For example, I think Bob Lefsetz, the critic whose daily newsletter I read regularly (probably more for his take on politics and culture, rather than music), almost hates it, contending that it is “barely watchable”.

For some documentia I made during my viewing, see HHR.

On the heels of our earlier Jimi Hendrix remembrance, brother Dennis sends along this Fourth of July tribute by Japan’s Ambassador-General Counsel in New York, Kanji Yamanouchi:

more info

Try imagining a place where it’s always safe and warm
“Come in,” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm”

[all lyrics at bobdylan.com]

And this one has just become the subject of a group artist virtual sing-a-long as described by Rolling Stone:

A friend passes this along:

A little more about this South African girls school and choir here.

A pick from Kim. Accompanying Mozart’s “Magic Flute”: