St. Patrick’s Day is over, but it’s never too late to listen to Irish music. Sean-Nos Nua features controversial singer Sinead O’Connor in fine voice as she sings traditional songs. I’ve been a fan of Sinead O’Connor since her Number One hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U” (written by Prince!). However, Sinead committed a nearly career-ending move on October 3, 1992, when she appeared on Saturday Night Live as a musical guest. Sinead sang an a cappella version of Bob Marley’s “War,” which she intended as a protest over the sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church. Sinead changed the lyric “racism” to “child abuse.” Then Sinead presented a photo of Pope John Paul II to the camera while singing the word “evil,” tore the photo into pieces, said “Fight the real enemy,” and threw the pieces at the camera. This ignited a firestorm of controversy that dogged Sinead on her tours, personal appearances, and concert performances. Regards of Sinead’s political and religious views, I consider her a talented singer. I love this CD!
TRACK LISTING
01. PEGGY GORDON 4:45
02. HER MANTLE SO GREEN 3:45
03. LORD FRANKLIN 1:40
04. THE SINGING BIRD 3:22
05. ÓRÓ SÉ DO BHEATHA ‘BHAILE 4:33
06. MOLLY MALONE 5:27
07. PADDY’S LAMENT 5:28
08. THE MOORLOUGH SHORE 5:38
09. THE PARTING GLASS 3:33
10. BÁIDÍN FHEILIMÍ 3:21
11. MY LAGAN LOVE 5:00
12. LORD BAKER (with Christy Moore) 4:30
13. I’LL TELL ME MA 2:24

Diane and I finally took the plunge into HDTV by purchasing a Sony Bravia and a Sony Blu-ray player. But, of course, nothing comes easy. When Diane and I tried hooking up the equipment ourselves, we couldn’t access HD channels. Two phone calls to TIME-WARNER Tech Support were useless, so out to our house came a TIME-WARNER service technician. “Wow, your cable is 20 years old!” he said. Then, for the next three hours, Dave (the Cable Guy) recabled our entire house by ripping out the old cable and installing new super-duper cable. Now we have crisp, clear high-definition TV and you should too! If you haven’t taken the plunge, now is the time to do it. By upgrading to high-def with TIME-WARNER, Diane and I were given a FREE year of SHOWTIME! Nice.

Although John Dickson Carr was a prolific writer–he wrote under the pseudonym of “Carter Dickson,” too–most of his books are out-of-print. Carr specialized in locked-room mysteries and impossible crimes. The Three Coffins (aka, The Hollow Man) was published in 1935 and proved to be one of Carr’s most popular books. In 1981, a panel of 17 authors and reviewers voted The Three Coffins the best locked-room mystery ever written. Two murders are committed in rapid succession, one of them in a locked room. Dr. Gideon Fell investigates and eventually solves the crime. But, before Fell reveals how the baffling murders were committed and who the murderer is, he expounds on his specialty: locked room murders. This famous “Locked Room Lecture” became the standard template for the many locked room mysteries that followed. If you haven’t read The Three Coffins you’re missing one of the most historically important mysteries ever written. It’s also a very clever novel.

Hilary Hahn is the big attraction on this CD. Bach wrote some of his best music in his cantatas and you’ll hear some that great music here. Hilary Hahn’s violin sings on these cuts. Hahn is joined by Christine Schäfer, the sultry Frankfurt soprano, and Matthias Goerne, the Weimer baritone. And, although some of this music is very serious, Hahn and Schafer and Goerne sound like they’re having a grand time! Don’t miss this one! GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
1. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two – No.51 Aria (Bass): ”Gebt Mir Meinen Jesum Wieder” Matthias Goerne 2:59
2. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme Cantata, BWV 140 – Arie (Duett): ”Wann Kommst Du, Mein Heil?” Christine Schäfer 5:44
3. Cantata, BWV 204 ”Ich Bin Vergnügt” – Aria ”Die Schätzbarkeit Der Weiten Erde” Christine Schäfer 4:13
4. Liebster Jesu, Mein Verlangen Cantata, BWV 32 – 3. Aria: Hier, In Meines Vaters Stätte Matthias Goerne 7:09
5. Zerreißet, Zersprenget, Zertrümmert Die Gruft Dramma Per Musica, BWV 205-9. Aria Soprano: ”Angenehmer Zephyrus” Christine Schäfer 3:29
6. Mass In B Minor, BWV 232/Gloria – Laudamus Te Christine Schäfer 3:50
7. Ich Lasse Dich Nicht, Du Segnest Mich Denn (Cantata BWV 157) – Ja, Ja Ich Halte Meinen Jesum Fest Matthias Goerne 6:18
8. Cantata ”Wer Mich Liebet, Der Wird Mein Wort Halten” BWV 59 – 4. Aria: ”Die Welt Mit Allen Königreichen” Matthias Goerne 3:06
9. Cantata, BWV 58 ”Ach Gott, Wie Manches Herzeleid” – Aria ”Ich Bin Vergnügt In Meinem Leiden” (Soprano) Christine Schäfer 3:44
10. Cantata, BWV117 – 6. Wenn Trost Und Hülf’ Ermangeln Muß Matthias Goerne 4:03
11. Der Friede Sei Mit Dir: Cantata, BWV 158 – 2. Aria & Choral: Welt, Ade, Ich Bin Dein Müde Christine Schäfer 5:49
12. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two – No.39 Aria (Alto): ”Erbarme Dich” 6:29

Night Shade Books is offering 50% off all their books (and forthcoming books!) from now to March 21. Go to the Night Shade Book web site here to start shopping and saving! You might want to consider the new Fritz Leiber anthology. Or the fifth and final volume of Clark Ashton Smith’s collected short stories, The Last Hieroglyph. I’m going to order Best Horror of the Year 2 and a few more books. You have 150 wonderful Night Shade Books’ titles to choose from. What are you waiting for!

COLUMBIA PICTURES FILM NOIR CLASSICS I bundles five noir classics: The Sniper, The Big Heat, 5 Against the House, The Lineup, and Murder By Contract. This collection presents restored and remastered versions of these great films. You’ll see memorable performances by Lee Marvin, Kim Novak, Eli Wallach, Glenn Ford, and Gloria Grahame. The movies are introduced by Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann, and Christopher Nolan. This is a must-buy box set! I can’t wait for the next volume in this wonderful series! GRADE: A

As a diabetic, I’m always on the lookout for good tasting beverages that are also low-carb. I found a 12-pack of Welch’s Diet Peach Twist at Sam’s Club for less than a buck a bottle. It tastes great! There are only 10 calories per 14-oz. bottle. Only 20mg of sodium, zero carbohydrates! Welch’s also has Berry Pomegranate and Black Cherry flavors, but I haven’t tried them yet. According to the Welch’s web site, all three beverages are flavored with Splenda. I’ll be going back to Sam’s Club to buy more! Try it, you’ll like it!

GREEN ZONE is the thriller The Hurt Locker tries to be. Directed by Paul Greengrass, whose work on the last two Jason Bourne movies made them so compelling, GREEN ZONE presents a scathing critique of the invasion of Iraq. The manufactured intelligence, the faulty claims of “weapons of mass destruction,” and cover-ups all enter into the breakneck pacing of this movie. Matt Damon shows off his action-hero chops. If you’re looking for a thrill ride with some serious political implications, go see GREEN ZONE. It will leave you breathless…and pondering. GRADE: A

When I was a horny teenager back in the Sixties, Carter Brown books held a mesmerizing fascination for me. Initially, it was the siren song of the fabulous Robert McGinnis covers that compelled me to buy them. But, believe it or not, I just didn’t drool over those sexy covers, I actually read those Carter Brown books, too. Carter Brown had a number of series characters: curvaceous (though ditzy) private detective Mavis Seidlitz; Al Wheeler, a homicide lieutenant from the fictional Pine Country, California, and Hollywood detective Rick Holman. The White Bikini (1963) features Rick Holman, a private detective who somehow always has a case that features slinky blonds and willing women. That was pretty hot stuff back then when I was 14. Alan G. Yates published about 150 Carter Brown novels that sold millions of copies. Today, they’re getting tougher to find. But, if you haven’t read any Carter Brown books, your life is incomplete.