Diana Krall arrived at the State University of New York at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts for a concert with Anthony Wilson on guitar, Dennis Crouch on bass, and Karriem Riggins on drums. Krall told the audience this was the second concert she’s done since November 2019.

While Diana Krall and her band performed well, the audience did not. Cell phones went off constantly, some people arrived a half hour late and crawled over other people in their row to get to their seats, and there was a random parade of audience members ceaselessly marching up and down the aisles during Diana Krall’s 100 minute performance. Dreadful!

We had to show Picture ID and Proof of Vaccination to get into the Center for the Arts. But once Diane and I were admitted, we found we were about the only ones wearing masks (although signs encouraged mask wearing).

Diana Krall thanked the audience for coming out on such a cold night to hear her play her piano and sing with her breathless voice. In return, 10% of the audience got up to leave between the end of the concert and the Encore. Rude and disrespectful!

DIANA KRALL CONCERT GRADE: B+

AUDIENCE: F

SET LIST:

1.  Love Being Here With You
2. All or Nothing at All
3. Let’s Fall in Love
4. Let’s Face the Music and Dance
5. I Was Doing All Right
6. Abandoned Masquerade
7. Moonglow
8. ‘Deed I Do
9. To Ramona
10. Simple Twist of Fate
11. I Don’t Know Enough About You
12. Encore
13. The Look of Love
14. ‘S Wonderful

I spent about 40 years teaching so naturally my favorite story in The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction, Series 16 is Lloyd Biggle, Jr.’s “And Madly Teach.” There was a big push in the Sixties (and later in the Seventies) to replace teachers with technology. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember your teachers using overhead projectors, movie projectors, and slide projectors. Later, TV in the classroom turned into another failure. “And Madly Teach” extrapolates this trend to its logical conclusion. However, ZOOM is not mentioned.

The most famous story in this anthology is Philip K. Dick’s “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale,” first published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction in April 1966. Dick creates a melding of reality, false memory, and real memory into an ominous mix. “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” was adapted into the 1990 film Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Edward L. Ferman includes several “forgotten” writers: Gilbert Thomas, Joan Patricia Basch, Mose Mallet, John Shepley and Robert M. Green, Jr. But well known writers like Isaac Asimov, John Christopher, Ron Goulart, Kenneth Bummer, Norman Spinrad, and Roger Zelazny are represented, too. Ferman delivers another solid anthology with The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction, Series 16. GRADE: B+

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• 1 • Introduction (The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction: 16) • (1967) • essay by Edward L. Ferman
• 9 • Luana • (1966) • short story by Gilbert Thomas
• 19 • And Madly Teach • (1966) • novelette by Lloyd Biggle, Jr.
• 52 • Matog • (1966) • short story by Joan Patricia Basch
• 67 • The Key • [Wendell Urth] • (1966) • novelette by Isaac Asimov
• 100 • The Seven Wonders of the Universe • (1966) • short story by Mose Mallette
• 115 • A Few Kindred Spirits • (1965) • short story by John Christopher
• 126 • We Can Remember It for You Wholesale • (1966) • novelette by Philip K. Dick
• 150 • Three for Carnival • (1966) • short story by John Shepley
• 158 • Experiment in Autobiography • [Jose Silvera] • (1966) • short story by Ron Goulart
• 169 • The Adjusted • (1966) • short story by Kenneth Bulmer
• 178 • The Age of Invention • (1966) • short story by Norman Spinrad
• 184 • Apology to Inky • (1966) • novelette by Robert M. Green, Jr.
• 220 • This Moment of the Storm • (1966) • novelette by Roger Zelazny

70 Ounces of Gold was a series of song compilation CDs that offered value for the price. I found 70 Ounces of Gold: Classic Gold in a thrift store recently. When I played the CD I heard songs I hadn’t heard in over 50 years! Do you remember “I Love How You Love Me” by The Paris Sisters? Or “Love Letters” by Ketty Lester?

Of the 27 songs on this CD, I’d categorize nearly half of them “obscure.” But, once I heard them again, I remembered those songs from the late 1950s to early 1960s. I wouldn’t call these songs “Classic Gold” but the rarities on this CD triggered a wave of nostalgia! How many of these songs do you remember? GRADE: A-

TRACK LIST:

		1	Hey! Baby Bruce Channel / Margaret Cobb	Bruce Channel	02:20
		2	I Love How You Love Me Larry Kolber / Barry Mann	The Paris Sisters	02:04
		3	He Will Break Your Heart Jerry Butler / Calvin Carter / Curtis Mayfield	Jerry Butler	02:45
		4	Make Me Your Baby Roger Atkins / Helen Miller	Barbara Lewis	02:28
		5	Hey Little One Dorsey Burnette / Barry De Vorzon	Dorsey Burnette	02:18
		6	All I Have to Do Is Dream Boudleaux Bryant / Felice Bryant	The Everly Brothers	02:20
		7	Mission Bell William Michael	Donnie Brooks	02:22
		8	She’d Rather Be With Me Garry Bonner / Alan Gordon	The Turtles	02:20
		9	Hey Paula Hildebrand / Ray Hildebrand	Paul & Paula	02:28
		10	Love Letters Edward Heyman / Victor Young	Ketty Lester	02:41
		11	Raindrops Dee Clark / Johnny Otis	Dee Clark	02:51
		12	I Gotcha Joe Tex	Joe Tex	02:28
		13	Memphis Chuck Berry	Lonnie Mack	02:27
		14	Liar, Liar Denny Craswell / James Donna / Jim Donna	The Castaways	01:51
		15	Walkin’ After Midnight Alan Block / Don Hecht	Patsy Cline	02:33
		16	Stay in My Corner Wade Flemons / Bobby Miller	The Dells	02:54
		17	You Turn Me On (Turn on Song) Ian Whitcomb	Ian Whitcomb	02:39
		18	Magic Town Barry Mann / Cynthia Weil	The Vogues	03:03
		19	I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More) Barbara George	Barbara George	02:19
		20	Tequila Chuck Rio	The Champs	02:13
		21	Let It Be Me Gilbert Bécaud / Manny Curtis / Pierre Delanoë	Betty Everett	02:49
		22	Diamonds and Pearls West Tyler / P. D. Winn	The Paradons	02:25
		23	I’m Doin’ Fine Now Thom Bell / Sherman Marshall	New York City	02:46
		24	Chanson d’Amour Wayne Shanklin	Art & Dotty Todd	02:30
		25	Donna Bob Marley / Ritchie Valens	Ritchie Valens	02:53
		26	Baby Talk Melvin Schwartz	Jan & Dean	02:25
		27	Just a Dream	Jimmy Clanton	02:30

I’ve read some of Brian Aldiss’s SF anthologies (you can read my review of Space Opera here and Galactic Empires here). The centerpiece of Evil Earths is Henry Kuttner’s “Time Trap,” a 100 page novella from 1939 with action and adventure. Kent Mason is an archaeologist hopelessly lost in the desert. When he stumbles into the ruins of the ancient city of Al Bekr, he unknowingly steps into a time portal and finds himself flung into into danger, excitement, and thrills.

Aldiss includes a number of classic SF stories like William Tenn’s “Down Among the Dead Men” where dead human soldiers are reconstituted to fight an alien insect race. “Later Than You Think” is one of Fritz Leiber’s best stories.

Philip K. Dick’s “The Golden Man” captures the essence of what Aldiss writes about in his introductions to these stories: that Earth is in trouble and action needs to be taken…NOW!

Do you remember these stories? GRADE: B+

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Evil Earths • (1976) • interior artwork by Frank R. Paul
• vii • Introduction (Evil Earths) • (1975) • essay by Brian W. Aldiss
• 3 • “What Is Wrong? What Is Right? Anyway, We’re Here…” • (1975) • essay by Brian W. Aldiss
• 5 • The Last Word • [Claude Adams] • (1955) • short story by Charles Beaumont and Chad Oliver
• 17 • Film of Death • (1948) • short story by John Scott Campbell [as by J. Scott Campbell]
• 32 • The Wound • (1970) • short story by Howard Fast
• 47 • Three Green Blades of Grass • (1975) • essay by Brian W. Aldiss
• 51 • The Golden Man • (1954) • novelette by Philip K. Dick
• 84 • Guest Expert • (1951) • short story by Allen Kim Lang [as by Allen K. Lang]
• 87 • The Valley • (1954) • short story by Richard Stockham
• 107 • Dark They Were and Golem-Eyed • (1975) • essay by Brian W. Aldiss
• 110 • Down Among the Dead Men • (1954) • novelette by William Tenn
• 136 • Among the Hairy Earthmen • (1966) • short story by R. A. Lafferty
• 149 • Later Than You Think • (1950) • short story by Fritz Leiber
• 159 • Yesterday, Tomorrow, and the Desert • (1975) • essay by Brian W. Aldiss
• 161 • The Time Trap • (1938) • novella by Henry Kuttner
• 271 • Towards the Fall of Night • (1975) • essay by Brian W. Aldiss
• 274 • The Men Return • (1957) • short story by Jack Vance
• 284 • Heresies of the Huge God • (1966) • short story by Brian W. Aldiss
• 296 • “If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth …” • (1951) • short story by Arthur C. Clarke
• 301 • Night • [Twilight • 2] • (1935) • short story by John W. Campbell, Jr.

I finally got around to watching Steven Spielberg’s version of West Side Story. And, I also listened to The Songs of West Side Story released in 1986 performed by a number of well known artists.

This is Steven Spielberg’s first musical, but one has to wonder why a remake of a film from 1961? Spielberg makes some interesting changes in West Side Story. In the original movie version, Natalie Wood played the Puerto Rican girl, Maria. The only Latina in that movie was Rita Moreno who played Anita. Spielberg cleverly cast Ms. Moreno in his West Side Story as Valentina (and has Moreno sing “Somewhere” instead of having Tony and Maria sing it as in the play and the original film).

Ariana DeBose earned her Oscar with a scintillating performance as Anita. I thought Rachel Zegler was an okay Maria. But Spielberg missed the boat casting Ansel Elgort as Tony. Elgort had ZERO chemistry with Maria.

I listened to the original soundtrack of West Side Story a hundred times as a kid. Loved “America,” “Maria,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “Somewhere.” Great songs! If you want to see a 60-year-old musical translated into the 20th Century, check out Spielberg’s West Side Story. GRADE: B+

TRACKLIST:

1	All 4 One*–	Something’s Coming Drums, Synthesizer – Oliver Lieber*Synthesizer, Synthesizer [Bass], Keyboards, Drums [Electric], Guitar – David PackDrums, Synthesizer – Oliver Lieber*Synthesizer, Synthesizer [Bass], Keyboards, Drums [Electric], Guitar – David Pack	4:41
2	Selena–	A Boy Like That Drums – Vinnie ColaiutaKeyboards – David Pack, Greg PhillinganesKeyboards [Additional] – John DicksonPercussion – Sheila E.Programmed By [S-760] – Alison (10), John LehmkuhlDrums – Vinnie ColaiutaKeyboards – David Pack, Greg PhillinganesKeyboards [Additional] – John DicksonPercussion – Sheila E.Programmed By [S-760] – Alison (10), John Lehmkuhl	5:53
3	Michael McDonald, James Ingram, David Pack–	Maria Arranged By [Keyboards] – David Benoit, Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Vocals] – Mervyn WarrenBass – Neil StubenhausDrums – John Robinson (2)Guitar [Classical] – Dean ParksKeyboards – George DukePercussion – Paulinho DaCosta*Programmed By [Atari] – Bob McChesneySoprano Saxophone – Vince DenhamStrings, Synthesizer – David BenoitArranged By [Keyboards] – David Benoit, Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Vocals] – Mervyn WarrenBass – Neil StubenhausDrums – John Robinson (2)Guitar [Classical] – Dean ParksKeyboards – George DukePercussion – Paulinho DaCosta*Programmed By [Atari] – Bob McChesneySoprano Saxophone – Vince DenhamStrings, Synthesizer – David Benoit	4:39
4	Brian Setzer With The Brian Setzer Orchestra–	Prologue / Jet Song Arranged By – Brian Setzer, Michael AcostaBacking Vocals – Brian Setzer, David Pack, Paul Marr, Tollack Olstad*Bass – Bob ParrDrums – Bernie Purdie*Guitar – Brian SetzerPiano – Roger BurnProgrammed By [Sound Effects] – John LehmkuhlSaxophone – Robert Sandman*, Don Roberts, George Shelby, Michael Acosta, Steven Fowler*Synthesizer, Grand Piano – Randy WaldmanTrombone – Andrew Martin*, George McMullen, Michael Vlatkovich, Robert Hioki*Trumpet – Daniel Fornero*, John Fumo, Sal Cracchiolo, Stan WatkinsVocals [Intro Voices] – Shem Schroeck, The Jerky BoysArranged By – Brian Setzer, Michael AcostaBacking Vocals – Brian Setzer, David Pack, Paul Marr, Tollack Olstad*Bass – Bob ParrDrums – Bernie Purdie*Guitar – Brian SetzerPiano – Roger BurnProgrammed By [Sound Effects] – John LehmkuhlSaxophone – Robert Sandman*, Don Roberts, George Shelby, Michael Acosta, Steven Fowler*Synthesizer, Grand Piano – Randy WaldmanTrombone – Andrew Martin*, George McMullen, Michael Vlatkovich, Robert Hioki*Trumpet – Daniel Fornero*, John Fumo, Sal Cracchiolo, Stan WatkinsVocals [Intro Voices] – Shem Schroeck, The Jerky Boys	4:02
5	Kenny Loggins & Wynonna–	Tonight Drums – Simon PhillipsGuitar – Grant GeissmanPercussion – Brian KilgorePiano – Greg PhillinganesProgrammed By [Computer] – Bob McChesneySynthesizer – Nathan East, Rich Ruttenberg*Synthesizer [Strings] – David BenoitDrums – Simon PhillipsGuitar – Grant GeissmanPercussion – Brian KilgorePiano – Greg PhillinganesProgrammed By [Computer] – Bob McChesneySynthesizer – Nathan East, Rich Ruttenberg*Synthesizer [Strings] – David Benoit	4:22
6	Patti Austin, Mervyn Warren & Bruce Hornsby–	Piano Arranged By – Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Horns] – Jerry HeyArranged By [Vocals] – Mark KibbleArranged By, Arranged By [Vocals] – Mervyn WarrenBass – Larry KimpelDrums – Simon PhillipsFlugelhorn, Trumpet – Gary GrantHorns – The Jerry Hey Horn SectionPercussion – Brian KilgorePiano – Bruce HornsbySoprano Saxophone – Branford MarsalisSynthesizer [Korg 01/w] – Greg PhillinganesTenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Daniel Higgins*Trombone [Tenor], Bass Trombone – William Reichenbach*Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Jerry HeyArranged By – Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Horns] – Jerry HeyArranged By [Vocals] – Mark KibbleArranged By, Arranged By [Vocals] – Mervyn WarrenBass – Larry KimpelDrums – Simon PhillipsFlugelhorn, Trumpet – Gary GrantHorns – The Jerry Hey Horn SectionPercussion – Brian KilgorePiano – Bruce HornsbySoprano Saxophone – Branford MarsalisSynthesizer [Korg 01/w] – Greg PhillinganesTenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Daniel Higgins*Trombone [Tenor], Bass Trombone – William Reichenbach*Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Jerry Hey	5:34
7	Aretha Franklin–	Somewhere Arranged By [Orchestra] – Marty PaichBacking Vocals – Natalie JacksonBass – John Pena*Concertmaster – James GetzoffConductor [Orchestra] – Marty PaichDrums – Vinnie ColaiutaKeyboards – Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Orchestra] – Marty PaichBacking Vocals – Natalie JacksonBass – John Pena*Concertmaster – James GetzoffConductor [Orchestra] – Marty PaichDrums – Vinnie ColaiutaKeyboards – Greg Phillinganes
8	Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle & Sheila E.–	America Arranged By – Greg PhillinganesBacking Vocals – Joe Puerta, Jon Paul Joyce, Marlena Jeter, Maxi AndersonDrums – John Robinson (2)Guitar – Grant GeissmanHorns – The Jerry Hey Horn SectionPercussion [Latin], Timbales, Congas – Sheila E.Percussion, Timpani, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Drums [Orchestra] – Joe PorcaroPiano, Synthesizer [Bass], Percussion [Electronic] – David PackArranged By – Greg PhillinganesBacking Vocals – Joe Puerta, Jon Paul Joyce, Marlena Jeter, Maxi AndersonDrums – John Robinson (2)Guitar – Grant GeissmanHorns – The Jerry Hey Horn SectionPercussion [Latin], Timbales, Congas – Sheila E.Percussion, Timpani, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Drums [Orchestra] – Joe PorcaroPiano, Synthesizer [Bass], Percussion [Electronic] – David Pack	6:14
9	Little Richard–	I Feel Pretty Arranged By – Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Horns] – Jerry HeyArranged By [String Synthesizer] – David BenoitBass – Larry KimpelDrums – Vinnie ColaiutaGuitar, Slide Guitar – Tim PierceHorns – The Jerry Hey Horn SectionKeyboards – Greg PhillinganesOrgan – David FrankPercussion, Xylophone – Joe PorcaroViolin – Lili HaydnVocals – Marlena Jeter, Mortenette Jenkins*, Natalie JacksonArranged By – Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Horns] – Jerry HeyArranged By [String Synthesizer] – David BenoitBass – Larry KimpelDrums – Vinnie ColaiutaGuitar, Slide Guitar – Tim PierceHorns – The Jerry Hey Horn SectionKeyboards – Greg PhillinganesOrgan – David FrankPercussion, Xylophone – Joe PorcaroViolin – Lili HaydnVocals – Marlena Jeter, Mortenette Jenkins*, Natalie Jackson	4:00
10	Tevin Campbell–	One Hand, One Heart Acoustic Guitar, Soloist – Dean ParksCello – Missy Hasin*Keyboards, Bass, Drums [T3, S760] – David PackPercussion [Acoustic] – Brian KilgorePercussion [Electronic], Programmed By – John “Skippy” Lehmkuhl*Violin – Lili HaydnAcoustic Guitar, Soloist – Dean ParksCello – Missy Hasin*Keyboards, Bass, Drums [T3, S760] – David PackPercussion [Acoustic] – Brian KilgorePercussion [Electronic], Programmed By – John “Skippy” Lehmkuhl*Violin – Lili Haydn	4:29
11	Salt-N-Pepa*, Def Jef, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, The Jerky Boys : Johnny Brennan*, Kamal (3) & Paul Rodriguez (4)–	Gee, Officer Krupke Arranged By – Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Rhythm, Rap] – Def JefBacking Vocals – Burleigh Drummond, Chris North*, David Pack, Joe Puerta, Rich Rees, Shim Schroeck*, Tollack Olstad*Keyboards, Synthesizer [Bass] – Greg PhillinganesLyrics By [Rap] – Cheryl James (2), David Pack, Def Jef, Paul Rodriguez (4)Programmed By [Akai, Noises] – Def JefArranged By – Greg PhillinganesArranged By [Rhythm, Rap] – Def JefBacking Vocals – Burleigh Drummond, Chris North*, David Pack, Joe Puerta, Rich Rees, Shim Schroeck*, Tollack Olstad*Keyboards, Synthesizer [Bass] – Greg PhillinganesLyrics By [Rap] – Cheryl James (2), David Pack, Def Jef, Paul Rodriguez (4)Programmed By [Akai, Noises] – Def Jef	4:23
12	Trisha Yearwood–	I Have A Love Acoustic Guitar – Billy Joe Walker, Jr.*Arranged By – Pat CoilBacking Vocals – Pamela Sheyne*Bass – Dave PomeroyDrums – Steve BrewsterPercussion – Sam BaccoPiano – Pat CoilProducer [Trisha Yearwood Vocals] – Garth FundisSteel Guitar – Paul FranklinSynthesizer – Steve NathanAcoustic Guitar – Billy Joe Walker, Jr.*Arranged By – Pat CoilBacking Vocals – Pamela Sheyne*Bass – Dave PomeroyDrums – Steve BrewsterPercussion – Sam BaccoPiano – Pat CoilProducer [Trisha Yearwood Vocals] – Garth FundisSteel Guitar – Paul FranklinSynthesizer – Steve Nathan	3:43
13	Chick Corea–	Prelude To The Rumble Piano, Soloist – Chick CoreaPiano, Soloist – Chick Corea	2:21
14	Steve Vai’s Monsters & Chick Corea’s Elektric Band*–	The Rumble Arranged By – Chick Corea, David Pack, David Paich, John DicksonArranged By [Rhythm] – David Weckl*, Simon PhillipsBass – James Earl, Joe Pena*Drums – David Weckl*, Simon PhillipsElectric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer – Chick CoreaGuitar – Frank Gambale, Steve VaiPercussion – Joe Porcaro, Lenny CastroSaxophone – Eric MarienthalSynthesizer – David Paich, Greg PhillinganesArranged By – Chick Corea, David Pack, David Paich, John DicksonArranged By [Rhythm] – David Weckl*, Simon PhillipsBass – James Earl, Joe Pena*Drums – David Weckl*, Simon PhillipsElectric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer – Chick CoreaGuitar – Frank Gambale, Steve VaiPercussion – Joe Porcaro, Lenny CastroSaxophone – Eric MarienthalSynthesizer – David Paich, Greg Phillinganes	8:03
15	Orchestra*–	Prelude To Somewhere Conductor – Marty PaichConductor – Marty Paich	0:43
16	Phil Collins–	Somewhere Arranged By [Orchestra] – David BenoitBacking Vocals – Karla BonoffConductor – Marty PaichDrums – Vinnie Colaiuta

Neuroscientist David J. Levitin explores the latest research on aging and makes some useful suggestions to living a longer, healthier, and happy Life.

One of the first suggestions Levitin makes is to protect your brain. If you get a stroke or suffer mini-strokes, your chances of accelerating dementia increase substantially. The key factor behind strokes is uncontrolled blood pressure. You should be monitoring your blood pressure daily. There are plenty of medications available to help keep your blood pressure where it should be.

Another suggestion is to cut down on sodium to protect your heart. Our food tends to be over salted and that produces spikes in blood pressure. Levitin warns of the links between smoking and heart attacks/strokes. Over 1.6 million Americans die from heart disease in the U.S. each year–more than Covid-19 killed!

Levitin makes dietary suggestions. They are similar to Michael Pollan’s mantra:  “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Like Pollan, Levitin points out the dangers of “fake” food with plenty of additives and chemical “enhancers.” And, the problems with eating meat laced with steroids and antibiotics increase.

Social factors, emotional factors, and pain management all contribute to a better quality of Life. If you want to improve the time you have left to live, Levitin provides a workable roadmap to successful aging. GRADE: A

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Part 1 The Continually Developing Brain 1

1 Individual Differences and Personality 3

The search for the magic number

2 Memory and Your Sense of “You” 31

The myth of failing memory

2.5 Interlude 62

A brief biography of the brain

3 Perception 88

What our bodies tell us about the world

4 Intelligence 115

The problem-solving brain

5 From Emotions to Motivation 146

Snakes, rickety bridges, Mad Men, and stress

6 Social Factors 179

Life with people

7 Pain 205

It hurts when I do this

Part 2 The Choices We Make 233

8 The Internal Clock 235

It’s two A.M. Why am I hungry?

9 Diet 251

Brain food, probiotics, and free radicals

10 Exercise 280

Movement matters

11 Sleep 295

Memory consolidation, DNA repair, and sleepy hormones

Part 3 The New Longevity 311

12 Living Longer 313

Telomeres, tardigrades, insulin, and zombie cells

13 Living Smarter 344

Cognitive enhancement

14 Living Better 367

The greatest days of our lives

Appendix: Rejuvenating Your Brain 401

Notes 403

Acknowledgments 475

Art Credits 477

Index 479

I have no special knowledge who will win tonight, but here are my choices. Do you plan to watch the Oscars? Who do you think will win?

BEST PICTURE: The Power of the Dog

BEST DIRCTOR: Jane Campion

BEST ACTRESS: Jessica Chastain

BEST ACTOR: Will Smith

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Ariana DeBose

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Troy Kotsur

American Rhapsody surprised me. I thought I was going to hear a tribute to George Gershwin. Instead, I saw a drama of two pianists. One is a classically trained pianist (Randall Kramer) who has been contracted to play Rhapsody in Blue with a local orchestra. The pianist struggles with the piece so he hires a local jazz pianist (Richard Satterwhite) to “teach” him how to play Rhapsody in Blue.

What the white pianist learns about Rhapsody in Blue from the Black pianist is that George Gershwin studied Blues, Ragtime, and Jazz to create his musical masterpiece. As the Black pianist plays the key songs (listed below) an “imaginary” group of singers appear to perform and sing the songs. Along with the classically trained pianist, the audience learns about the influences that produced Rhapsody in Blue.

The local theater group who put on American Rhapsody was terrific. The two pianists, who performed live on stage, were exceptional. If American Rhapsody shows up in your neighborhood, don’t miss it! GRADE: A

Back in the early 1970s when Men’s Action series like Don Pendleton’s EXECUTIONER and  Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir’s DESTROYER dominated the paperback spinner racks, I started reading the quirky THE LONE WOLF series written by Barry N. Malzberg under his “Mike Barry” pseudonym. At the time, I didn’t know “Mike Barry” was actually Barry N. Malzberg whose Science Fiction I was also reading.

Malzberg conjures up a character named Burt Wulff who is launched on his violent rampage against drug dealers after he finds his fiancé murdered. I knew back in 1973 when I read Night Raider that this book was different from the rest of the men’s action-adventure series when I saw the lines of Yeats’ poetry at the start of the book!

In addition to Night Raider and Bay Prowler this Stark House omnibus includes “Prologue: The Passage of the Light, “Some Notes on the Long Wolf,” and “The Ethic of Vigilantism” where Malzberg writes about how the Lone Wolf series came to be and what his strategy was for the series. Another bonus is a Bibliography of Barry N. Malzberg’s works.

Rereading Night Raider and Bay Prowler after almost 50 years shows how canny Malzberg was in constructing this series to appear as an EXECUTIONER-like clone, but subverting the genre with a secret agenda. The Lone Wolf series features wholesale destruction and mayhem within a story arc that Malzberg cunningly devised from the beginning to explode in the series conclusion. Hang on for a wild ride through the dangerous darkness of America in the Seventies! GRADE: A

I decided to binge on three Rumer CDs that just arrived. I’ve been a fan of Rumer’s mellow voice for years. Her CDs follow no schedule. They’re released seemingly at random. Let’s start with RUMER: B-SIDES AND RARITIES (2015).

Randomness continues with Rumer singing familiar songs like “Arthur’s Theme” and “Sailing” and “It Might Be You.” I enjoyed “Alfie” and “Moon River.” These classic songs sound new with Rumer singing them. Volume 2 is due to be released next month so I’ll be reviewing that CD in a few weeks. Love the cover! GRADE: A

RUMER: B-SIDES AND RARITIES TRACKLIST:

		Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)	3:57
		Dangerous (Bossa Nova)	4:07
		Sailing	4:29
		Hasbrook Heights	3:24
		Come Saturday Morning	3:14
		It Might Be You (Theme From “Tootsie”)	3:20
		Moon River	2:33
		Separate Lives	3:49
		The Warmth Of The Sun	3:21
		Alfie	2:53
		Long Long Day	3:12
		Soul Rebel	3:33
		Here Comes The Sun	3:50
		Marie	2:41
		Frederick Douglass	5:29
		That’s All	3:12
		I Believe In You	3:05

RUMER: LOVE IS THE ANSWER is an EP from 2015. My favorite song on this EP is Rumer’s version of the Hall & Oates hit, “I Can’t Go For That.” GRADE: B+

RUMER: LOVE IS THE ANSWER TRACK LIST:

1		Love Is The AnswerWritten-By – John Wilcox, Kasim Sulton, Roger Powell, Todd RundgrenWritten-By – John Wilcox, Kasim Sulton, Roger Powell, Todd Rundgren	4:11
2		Being At War With Each OtherWritten-By – Carole KingWritten-By – Carole King	3:52
3		I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)Featuring – Paul PescoWritten-By – Daryl Hall, John Oates, Sara AllenFeaturing – Paul PescoWritten-By – Daryl Hall, John Oates, Sara Allen	4:22
4		Be Thankful For What You GotWritten-By – William DeVaughnWritten-By – William DeVaughn	6:00

I’m not a big fan of live CDs, but somehow Rumer and her team managed to suppress any crowd noise and applause–one of things that annoy me about many live recordings.

On RUMER: LIVE AT LAFAYETTE (2021) Rumer sounds relaxed and comfortable singing her set of songs–some new some familiar. The band sounds great and the result is a concert CD that will go into heavy rotation on my CD player. If you’re in the mood for some enjoyable songs sung by a wonderful artist with a great voice, check out Rumer’s work. GRADE: A

RUMER: LIVE AT LAFAYETTE TRACK LIST:

The Fate Of Fireflies
		Come To Me High
		June It’s Gonna Happen
		Take Me As I Am
		Bristlecone Pine
		Oklahoma Stray
		Aretha
		Learning How To Love
		Play Your Guitar
		You Just Don’t Know People
		Pizza And Pinball
		Sara Smile
		Slow
		Love Is The Answer
		Better Place