Charles Hughes writes:
Barack Obama’s towering victory in the pivotal Democratic primary in South Carolina should not conceal one very important fact: the vote cleaved, once again, along lines of race. The Illinois Senator swept the black vote, but trailed in the white vote to both of his main opponents, Senators Clinton and Edwards. Beyond this, AP poll […]

David Cantwell writes:
The latest edition of No Depression has been out awhile. The cover story on Shelby Lynne is by our friend Bill Friskics-Warren, and the issue also features Edd Hurt on Otis Taylor (the bluesman, not the Hall of Fame worthy but so far overlooked Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver), Jesse Fox Mayshark on the […]

David Cantwell writes:
I grew up in south Kansas City, Missouri listening to Top 40 AM radio. Here in KC, in the early 1970s, that meant 710 AM WHB, “the World’s Happiest Broadcasters!” About the time I was entering high school, though, I switched from AM Top 40 to FM Album Oriented Rock. That’s a pretty common […]

From the great state of Michigan, our long-time friend and Bean Blossom bluegrass cohort Gary Wilson sends this essay about one of the more frustrating movies of 2007.
Bob Dylan’s autobiographical Chronicles masquerades as a book of revelations, the man’s attempt to undermine the myth, to shed the weight of many skins before lifting off […]

Bill Would Ban Swearing in Bars
From the Associated Press, 1/8/07
What the …? A St. Louis-area town is considering a bill that would ban swearing in bars, along with table-dancing, drinking contests and profane music.
City officials contend the bill is needed to keep rowdy crowds under control because the historic downtown area gets a little too […]

    
As selected by Charles Hughes:
Top 15 Albums

1. Magic Bruce Springsteen
A majestic pop-rock tapestry, with Springsteen singing as well, writing as poignantly, and playing as energetically as he has in two decades.
2. Raising Sand Robert Plant/Alison Krauss
Matched with a top-flight song selection and sympathetic backing from some session all-stars, the two graceful singers smolder, sigh […]

 
Charles Hughes writes:
1. “Umbrella” by Rihanna (feat. Jay-Z)
You’d think we would’ve had enough of silly love songs.  On the other hand, when they sound like this skittering blend of island soul and New York flow, why would we want to live without them?  A Marvin-and-Tammi cut for the new generation.
2. “Harder Than You Think” by […]