Once in a while I’m in the mood to listen to live musical performances. I’ve had these three concert CDs for years so I finally got around to listening to them.

Patti Austin Live at The Bottom Line was first recorded in 1978. I have the 1991 Remastered CD on Columbia Jazz. I own several Patti Austin albums and have enjoyed them all.

Patti Austin Live at The Bottom Line is a mixed bag. The songs are not the usual Patti Austin selections. I’m wondering if some of these songs were “suggested” for inclusion for this live concert. For example, “You Fooled Me,” a country western song, seems an awkward fit. My favorite song on Patti Austin Live at The Bottom Line is “Let’s All Live and Give Together.” Prime Patti Austin singing! GRADE: B

Track listing:

1. “Jump for Joy” (Cynthia Biggs, Dexter Wansel) – 5:11
2. “Let It Ride” (Jermaine Jackson, Michael McGloiry, Gregory Williams) – 4:08
3. “One More Night” (Stephen Bishop) – 5:10
4. “Wait a Little While” (Eva Ein, Kenny Loggins) – 4:27
5. “Rider in the Rain” (Randy Newman) – 6:09
6. “You’re the One That I Want” (John Farrar) – 3:27 Bonus track on CD reissue
7. “Love Me by Name” (Lesley Gore, Ellen Weston) – 5:16
8. “You Fooled Me” (Zane Grey, Len Ron Hanks) – 3:10
9. Spoken Introductions – 7:09 Bonus track on CD reissue
10. “Let’s All Live and Give Together” (Billy Osborne, Jeffrey Osborne) – 6:41

• Recorded at the Bottom Line in Greenwich Village, New York City on August 19, 1978

I’ve enjoyed Chicago’s music for decades and Peter Cetera was the lead singer for the group for much of that time. Cetera then went on to a solo career and scored a number of hits. Much of Peter Cetera Live in Salt Lake City from 2004 are Chicago songs. And they sound great with a symphony orchestra backing up Cetera!

Sometimes live concert CDs sound distorted or muddy, but the sound engineers for Peter Cetera Live in Salt Lake City capture the music brilliantly! What’s your favorite song in this 72-minute concert? GRADE: A

TRACK LIST:

Diane and I have seen Luther Vandross twice in concert. Both performances burst with energy, excitement, and fun! Vandross’s singing on Luther Vandross Live at Radio City Music Hall from 2003 sounds just as good as the concerts Diane and I attended. Vandross sings some of his hit songs like “Stop to Love” and “Here and Now.” But there are some surprises like “Love Won’t Let Me Wait”–a cover of the Major Harris 1975 hit.

The crowd’s enthusiasm is evident throughout the concert. My only quibble is that some of these songs go on a little too long, like the 12:49 version of “Superstar.” Do you like live concert CDs? GRADE: A-

Track listing:

In her Introduction to Simply the Best Mysteries (1998), Janet Hitchings gives a short history of the Edgar Awards and talks about the winners in the short story category. And, no surprise, many of those Edgar winners are represented by the stories in this excellent anthology.

I have many favorites here. “The Blessington Method” by Stanley Ellin shows how a solution to one problem creates another problem. One of my favorite writers, Donald E. Westlake, presents the reader with a ghost…and a series of surprises. Clark Howard blends music and murder in “Horn Man.” Jack Ritchie uses diversion in “The Absence of Emily” to the narrator’s benefit.

Many of these Edgar Award winning stories have appeared in other anthologies, but Simply the Best Mysteries brings them all together in one wonderful volume. Do you see any of your favorite writers here? GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction by Janet Hutchings — ix

The house party / Stanley Ellin — 1
Dream no more / Philip MacDonald — 21
The Blessington method / Stanley Ellin — 47
And already lost / Charlotte Armstrong — 61
The affair at Lahore Cantonment / Avram Davidson — 77
The terrapin / Patricia Highsmith — 91
H as in homicide / Lawrence Treat — 105
Goodbye, Pops / Joe Gores — 119
The purple shroud / Joyce Harrington — 127
The fallen curtain / Ruth Rendell — 141
Like a terrible scream / Etta Revesz — 153
Chance after chance / Thomas Walsh — 163
The cloud beneath the eaves / Barbara Owens — 177
This is death / Donald E. Westlake — 191
Horn man / Clark Howard — 205
The absence of Emily / Jack Ritchie — 219
The new girl friend / Ruth Rendell — 231
The Anderson boy / Joseph Hansen — 243
Elvis lives / Lynne Barrett — 272
Candles in the rain / Doug Allyn — 287
When your breath freezes / Kathleen Dougherty — 319
The judge’s boy / Jean B. Cooper–  337

The Oxford Murders (Spanish: Crímenes imperceptibles; Imperceptible Crimes) is a novel by the Argentine author Guillermo Martínez, first published in 2003. It was translated into English in 2005 by Sonia Soto. The story tells about a professor of logic, Arthur Seldom, who, along with a graduate student, investigates a series of bizarre, mathematically-based murders in Oxford, England.

In 2008, a movie version of The Oxford Murders set in 1993, centers around Martin (Elijah Wood), a US student at the University of Oxford, who wants Arthur Seldom (John Hurt) as his thesis supervisor.

Martin idolizes Arthur Seldom–a brilliant mathematician and curmudgeon. Martin takes accommodation in Oxford at the house of Mrs. Eagleton (Anna Massey), an old friend of Seldom. Also in the house is her daughter, Beth (Julie Cox), who is her full-time caregiver – which she resents bitterly – and a musician by occupation. Seldom receives a note that Mrs. Eagleton will be murdered that afternoon. Seldom dismisses the note as nonsense. But Seldom and Martin together discover Mrs. Eagleton’s body and together work to solve the crime. More murders, based on mathematical symbols, occur after warning notes arrive.

The Oxford Brotherhood (2022), Martinez’s outstanding sequel to 2005’s The Oxford Murders, G, who’s studying mathematical logic at Oxford University in 1994, is developing a computer program to analyze handwriting.

Meanwhile, word of a discovery has upset the world of Oxford scholars working on a definitive annotated edition of Lewis Carroll’s diaries. Intern Kristen Hill, who’s been going through Carroll’s papers, claims to have found a lost diary page with a sentence written by the author’s elder grandniece that she believes “can answer the question that hangs over Lewis Carroll,” whether his contacts with little girls like Alice Liddell were inappropriate, “but in a totally unexpected way.”

Kristen won’t show G the page, which he gathers she’s removed from the collection, until she’s confident she’ll be credited for the discovery. G’s program could help authenticate the handwriting, but before Kristen can present her findings, she’s seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver who apparently targeted her. G teams up again with Oxford professor Arthur Seldom to investigate.  As in The Oxford Murders more deaths occur.

If you’re interested a twisty couple of academic mysteries where mathematics plays a critical part, The Oxford Murders and The Oxford Brotherhood will delight you. GRADE: B+ (for both)

“The Old Order Amish is a large rural group descended from the Amish Mennonites who self-impose severe restrictions on dress and use of modern technology. As such, they are not exposed to light from televisions or computers. This lack of LAN (light at night) may help explain why the Amish have greatly reduced rates of cancer, depression, and other psychiatric disorders compared with the general population.” (p. 55)

Sara Mednick, a sleep researcher, presents evidence that our lives and health would improve with better sleep. Since Edison invented the light bulb, various health problems like cancer, depression, and other psychiatric disorders have increased. Mednick shows it could be because we’re exposed to light at night when we should be sleeping.

“The long-term consequence of betraying Nature’s rhythms are abysmal. Living life out of sync increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, depression, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Shift workers are especially at risk, facing abnormally high rates of these conditions as they ask their bodies and brains to constantly battle Nature’s will.” (p. 53)

Mednick advances a number of suggestions to improve your sleep. She’s a big advocate of melatonin. Mednick suggests taking a low dose (1 mg) one hour before you head for bed may result in more restful and restorative sleep (p. 117-118).

Mednick is NOT a fan of alcohol in any form. She cites evidence that shows alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and impact memory. Her other recommendations involve regular exercise and a healthy diet. Following these suggestions, Mednick claims, will result in more energy, better health, and a longer Life. How’s your sleep? GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Author’s Note xi

Introduction 1

Part 1 Getting in the Right Ratio 13

1 Everything You Know About Balance Needs an Upgrade 15

2 Get in Sync with Your Inherent Rhythm 37

Part 2 Activating the Downstate 63

3 Replenish, Revitalize, Rebuild, Restore! 65

4 Join the Rest-o-lution, Deepen Your Sleep 91

5 Exercise Your Right to Recovery 128

6 You Are What and When You Eat 161

7 Guess What? You Are Aging Now! 190

Part 3 Hitting the Reset Button 213

8 The Downstate RecoveryPlus Plan 215

9 Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Future of the Downstate (but Were Afraid to Ask) 242

10 Becoming a Downstate Maven 257

Epilogue 267

Domains of Action Items 271

RecoveryPlus Daily Journal 273

Acknowledgments 275

Notes 277

Index 321

“My collection of Die de los Metros skeletons will have to go; also the contents of the liquor cabinet; also the FIM–92 Stinger rocket launcher. It’s shocking how much stuff we can accumulate.” (p. 129)

Dan Chaon’s latest novel about the dark undercurrents of America gets narrated by a cryptic killer who goes by many names. Will Bear, raised by a sociopathic mother, now operates as a contract worker. Want a severed head delivered? Will’s your guy.

Will lives off the grid–no Social Security number, no permanent address–in an RV in constant motion from contract to contract. As Will Bear’s story unfolds, we learn about how his mother trained him to steal, lie, and kill. Will Bear’s world erupts when he gets a cell phone call from a young girl claiming to be his daughter. Since Will donated a lot of sperm in his early 20s, this revelation surprisingly shocks him.

Contact with his daughter triggers a series of events where Will finds out his life isn’t what he thought it was. Various secrets from Will’s past now threaten his life and the life of his daughter. Will tries to elude the forces against him, but the odds are stacked in favor of his foes.

Sleep Walk‘s riveting action and almost surreal storytelling will keep you turning pages to find out the next incredible revelation! Don’t miss this one! Perfect Summer thriller! GRADE: B+

Iman Vellani stars as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel in this latest MARVEL television series on Disney+. Vellani plays a Muslim-American 16-year-old who idolizes The Avengers and Captain Marvel. However, Kamala Khan fails her driving test, has issues with her parents, and struggles to find meaning in her High School experiences.

Kamala and her techie friend, Bruno Carrell (played by Matt Lintz), come up with a scheme to sneak Kamala out of her house while her parents are busy and attend AvengerCon. Kamala, with Bruno’s help, makes a Captain Marvel outfit to compete in the costume competition.

Kamala, to complete her costume, finds a bangle (with magical powers!) and decides to wear it to AvengerCon. As you might suspect, all kinds of mayhem results.

I’ve watched interviews with Iman Vellani who pretty much shares all the passions Kamala Khan has–a perfect casting decision. Ms. Marvel will appear in the next Captain Marvel movie in 2023. Until then, this six episode mini-series promises plenty of fun and entertainment. GRADE: Incomplete

There’s a lot to like in The Best From Fantasy and Science Fiction 18th Series. J. G. Ballard is at the top of his game in “The Cloud-Sculptors of Coral D,” a “Vermillion Sands” story. Robert Sheckley’s “The People Trap” is full of surprises.

My favorite story in this anthology is Ron Goulart’s “Muscadine.” Barry N. Malzberg’s “Final War” (written under his K. M. O’Donnell pseudonym) approaches classic status in capturing the insanity of War. And, you’ll be thinking about “I Have My Vigil” by Harry Harrison long after you finish reading it.

I’m including the cover of the hardcover version of The Best From Fantasy and Science Fiction, Eighteenth Series and its Table of Contents below so you can see the differences in the two editions. GRADE: B+

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

•  5 Cartoons • (1969) • interior artwork by Gahan Wilson
• 1 • Introduction (The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction: 18th Series) • (1969) • essay by Edward L. Ferman
• 9 • The Cloud-Sculptors of Coral D • [Vermilion Sands] • (1967) • short story by J. G. Ballard
• 28 • The People Trap • (1968) • short story by Robert Sheckley
• 49 • In His Own Image • (1968) • short story by Lloyd Biggle, Jr.
• 64 • Ogre! • (1968) • novelette by Edward Jesby
• 97 • Lunatic Assignment • (1968) • short story by Sonya Dorman
• 108 • Gifts from the Universe • (1968) • short story by Leonard Tushnet
• 120 • Sundown • (1967) • novelette by David Redd
• 146 • Beyond the Game • (1968) • short story by Vance Aandahl
• 153 • Sea Home • (1968) • novelette by William M. Lee
• 182 • That High-Up Blue Day That Saw the Black Sky-Train Come Spinning • (1968) • short story by David R. Bunch
• 189 • Muscadine • (1968) • short story by Ron Goulart
• 201 • Final War • (1968) • novelette by Barry N. Malzberg [as by K. M. O’Donnell]
• 237 • I Have My Vigil • (1968) • short story by Harry Harrison
• 241 • The Egg of the Glak • (1968) • novelette by Harvey Jacobs

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Lunatic Assignment • (1968) • short story by Sonya Dorman
• In His Own Image • (1968) • short story by Lloyd Biggle, Jr.
• I Have My Vigil • (1968) • short story by Harry Harrison
• The Egg of the Glak • (1968) • novelette by Harvey Jacobs
• Final War • (1968) • novelette by Barry N. Malzberg [as by K. M. O’Donnell]
• Muscadine • (1968) • short story by Ron Goulart
• Beyond the Game • (1968) • short story by Vance Aandahl
• Sea Home • (1968) • novelette by William M. Lee
• The People Trap • (1968) • short story by Robert Sheckley
• Sundown • (1967) • novelette by David Redd
• The Cloud-Sculptors of Coral D • [Vermilion Sands] • (1967) • short story by J. G. Ballard
• That High-Up Blue Day That Saw the Black Sky-Train Come Spinning • (1968) • short story by David R. Bunch
• Gifts from the Universe • (1968) • short story by Leonard Tushnet
• Ogre! • (1968) • novelette by Edward Jesby
•  5 Cartoons • interior artwork by Gahan Wilson

Golden Age detective stories (aka, classic mysteries) focus primarily on the puzzle of the crime. The detective’s approach to solving the crime varies with the character the writer invents.

Perry Mason, Erle Stanley Gardner’s famous lawyer, uses the courtroom to solve his mysteries. Frances and Richard Lockridge’s Mr. and Mrs. North solve their mysteries together.

I’m fond of Stuart Palmer’s exotic Hildegarde Withers (with her wild hats) and her canny skill at solving crimes. Ellery Queen (Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee) created legendary mysteries and frequently issued challenges to the Reader to solve them before their detective did.

My favorite story in Golden Age Detective Stories (2021) is Cornell Woolrich’s “The Mystery in Room 913” where Woolrich ratchets up the suspense page by page. If you’re the mood for classic mystery stories written by some of the best mystery writers of that era, don’t miss Golden Age Detective Stories! You can’t go wrong with an anthology edited by Otto Penzler! Do you prefer these classic detectives or do you prefer more modern detectives. GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction 1

Charlotte Armstrong (Detective: Mike Russell) The Enemy 5

Anthony Boucher (Detective: Sister Ursula) The Stripper 33

Mignon G. Eberhart (Detective: Susan Dare) Postiche 48

Erle Stanley Gardner (Detective: Perry Mason) The Case of the Crimson Kiss 71

H. F. Heard (Detective: Mr. Mycroft) The Enchanted Garden 123

Baynard Kendrick (Detective: Captain Duncan Maclain) 5-4=Murderer 155

Frances Richard Lockridge (Detectives: Mr. & Mrs. North) There’s Death for Remembrance 172

Stuart Palmer (Detective: Hildegarde Withers) The Monkey Murder 190

Ellery Queen (Detective: Ellery Queen) The Adventure of the African Traveler 209

Patrick Quentin (Detectives: Peter & Iris Duluth) Puzzle for Poppy 232

Clayton Rawson (Detective: The Great Merlini) From Another World 249

Craig Rice (Detective: John J. Malone) Good-bye, Good-bye! 281

Mary Roberts Rinehart (Detective: Hilda Adams) Locked Doors 307

Cornell Woolrich (Detective: Striker) The Mystery in Room 913 358

I was shocked when I saw Rebel Wilson, the once chubby Australian comedian from the Pitch Perfect movies, 100 pounds lighter and…glamorous! Rebel Wilson plays a high school senior named Stephanie whose goal is to become Prom Queen. But, a cheerleading accident puts Stephenie into 20 year coma.

When Stephenie wakes up, she’s confronted by a completely different world. Like a modern Rip Van Winkle, Stephenie has to deal with the Future by learning about cell phones, social media, and social changes. Even though Stephenie is 37, she’s developmentally a 17-year-old. That causes a lot of Senior Year’s humor.

Stephenie decides she wants to return to high school and finish out her senior year. She still wants to be Prom Queen, but learns this 2022 school has eliminated competitions. No more sexy cheerleader dance routines either. Stephenie informs the Principal (who used to be her best friend in high school): “I had more fun in a coma.”

Alex Hardcastle, director of Senior Year, specializes in contrasting life in 2002 with 2022. Songs from 20 years ago rub shoulders with contemporary music. Stephenie’s father left Stephenie’s room exactly as it was in 2002 when she went into a coma. On the bedroom wall there’s a movie poster of Clueless. That enters into Stephenie’s decisions later in the movie.

Senior Year follows a predictable trajectory, but there were enough surprises to entertain me. Humor, silliness, and a drop of sadness. That’s a formula that works for me. How was your High School experience? GRADE: B.

SOUNDTRACK:

• The Bad Touch – The Bloodhound Gang
• Only You (And You Alone) – The Platters
• Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavgne
• Candy – Mandy Moore
• She’s So High – Tal Bachman
• Hot in Here – Nelly
• Come on Over (All I Want Is You) – Christina Aguilera
• We Are The Bull Dogs – Performed by Cast of Senior Year
• A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
• Come Get a Hummer From Balbo
• Remember the Name – Fort Minor featuring Styles of Beyond
• Fallin – Joshua Radin
• Girls Stars – Jok a Face
• Aeroplane – Stella Project featuring Casey Carlson
• U Drive Me Crazy (The Stop Remix!) – Britney Spears
• Fast (Motion) – Saweetie
• Strike It Up – Black Box
• Launch Scene from the Motion Picture Deep Impact – James Horner
• Man! I Feel Like a Woman – Shania Twain
• Summer Love – Jonathan Sharp
• We Don’t Stop – David Veith
• It’s My Time – Randall Cooke and Mia Bojanic
• The Power of Love – Jennifer Rush
• Body Rock – Regulus Red
• Satisfy My Love – Nicholas Pesci
• Bossed Up – KC Carter
• Ridin’ the Wave
• Winter – Joshua Radin
• Drive – Leslie Hayes McCann
• C’est La Vie – B*Witched
• Grow As We Go – Ben Platt
• So Strong – Olivier Bibeau
• Outta Patience