Bill Crider would have loved Spider-Noir since he was the biggest Nicolas Cage fan I’d ever met. AMAZON PRIME Video dropped all eight episodes of Season One so you can binge to your heart’s delight. And, you can choose to watch the episodes in Black & White or Color!

Nicolas Cage plays struggling private eye Ben Reilly in 1930s New York City. He has Spider-Man super powers, but is reluctant to use them. A gangster named Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson) has his mansion burned down by another guy with super powers, in this case fire, and Silvermane wants him dead.

I’ve only watched two of the eight episodes, but I like Lamorne Morris as Joe “Robbie” Robertson, Reilly’s friend who is a free-lance reporter and Karen Rodriguez as Janet Ruiz, Reilly’s feisty secretary. And, in classic fashion, there’s Li Jun Li as Felicia “Cat” Hardy–a real femme fatale nightclub singer.

I can’t wait to watch more episodes this weekend! GRADE: Incomplete but trending towards an A.

SEASON ONE EPISODES:

Episode 1: “Step Into My Office” (~44-45 mins)
Episode 2: “Tread Lightly” (~40-45 mins)
Episode 3: “Double Cross” (~45 mins)
Episode 4: “A Mistake I’ll Never Make Again” (~45-47 mins)
Episode 5: “Betrayal” (~47-50 mins)
Episode 6: “Nightmare on a Gurney” (~40-50 mins)
Episode 7: “Nobody’s Hero” (~40-45 mins)
Episode 8: “The Man in the Mask” (~46-50 mins) 

This book has been on my shelves for years. Finally, I sat down and read it. Be warned: reading this book may cost you money!

David Pringle casts a wide net in his choices of 100 “Best Novels” of Fantasy. I confess: some of these titles I’d never heard of. But, many I have in my book collection and many I’ve read. Each review of the 100 novels is about 2 pages long. Plus, Pringle includes some bonus book reviews, too!

I wish Pringle had written a sequel to MODERN FANTASY: THE HUNDRED BEST NOVELS (1946-1987). Fantasy novels were Best Sellers in the 1990s and the beginning of the 21st Century. Sadly, publishers seem uninterested in this type of guide book today.

How many of these books have you read? GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1 • Foreword (Modern Fantasy: The Hundred Best Novels) • (1988) • essay by Brian W. Aldiss [as by Brian Aldiss]

13 • Introduction (Modern Fantasy: The Hundred Best Novels) • (1988) • essay by David Pringle

27 •   Review: Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake • (1988) • review by David Pringle

29 •   Review: The Book of Ptath by A. E. van Vogt • (1988) • review by David Pringle

31 •   Review: The Well of the Unicorn by Fletcher Pratt • (1988) • review by David Pringle

34 •   Review: Darker Than You Think by Jack Williamson • (1988) • review by David Pringle

36 •   Review: Seven Days in New Crete by Robert Graves • (1988) • review by David Pringle

38 •   Review: Silverlock by John Myers Myers • (1988) • review by David Pringle

40 •   Review: The Castle of Iron by L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt • (1988) • review by David Pringle

42 •   Review: Conan the Conqueror by Robert E. Howard • (1988) • review by David Pringle

44 •   Review: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis • (1988) • review by David Pringle

46 •   Review: Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake • (1988) • review by David Pringle

49 •   Review: The Dying Earth by Jack Vance • (1988) • review by David Pringle

52 •   Review: The Sound of His Horn by Sarban • (1988) • review by David Pringle

54 •   Review: Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber • (1988) • review by David Pringle

56 •   Review: The Sinful Ones by Fritz Leiber • (1988) • review by David Pringle

58 •   Review: The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson • (1988) • review by David Pringle

60 •   Review: The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien • (1988) • review by David Pringle

62 •   Review: Pincher Martin by William Golding • (1988) • review by David Pringle

64 •   Review: The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson • (1988) • review by David Pringle

66 •   Review: Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury • (1988) • review by David Pringle

68 •   Review: The Once and Future King by T. H. White • (1988) • review by David Pringle

71 •   Review: The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag by Robert A. Heinlein • (1988) • review by David Pringle

73 •   Review: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson • (1988) • review by David Pringle

76 •   Review: Titus Alone by Mervyn Peake • (1988) • review by David Pringle

78 •   Review: A Fine and Private Place by Peter S. Beagle • (1988) • review by David Pringle

80 •   Review: Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson • (1988) • review by David Pringle

82 •   Review: The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything by John D. MacDonald • (1988) • review by David Pringle

84 •   Review: Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein • (1988) • review by David Pringle

87 •   Review: Witch World by Andre Norton • (1988) • review by David Pringle

89 •   Review: The Magus by John Fowles • (1988) • review by David Pringle

91 •   Review: Stormbringer by Michael Moorcock • (1988) • review by David Pringle

93 •   Review: The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon • (1988) • review by David Pringle

96 •   Review: Day of the Minotaur by Thomas Burnett Swann • (1988) • review by David Pringle

98 •   Review: The Eyes of the Overworld by Jack Vance • (1988) • review by David Pringle

100 •   Review: The Owl Service by Alan Garner • (1988) • review by David Pringle

103 •   Review: Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin • (1988) • review by David Pringle

106 •   Review: The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien • (1988) • review by David Pringle

108 •   Review: Gog by Andrew Sinclair • (1988) • review by David Pringle

111 •   Review: The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle • (1988) • review by David Pringle

114 •   Review: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin • (1988) • review by David Pringle

117 •   Review: The Swords of Lankhmar by Fritz Leiber • (1988) • review by David Pringle

120 •   Review: Black Easter by James Blish • (1988) • review by David Pringle

122 •   Review: The Green Man by Kingsley Amis • (1988) • review by David Pringle

125 •   Review: The Phoenix and the Mirror by Avram Davidson • (1988) • review by David Pringle

128 •   Review: A Feast Unknown by Philip José Farmer^? • (1988) • review by David Pringle

131 •   Review: Fourth Mansions by R. A. Lafferty • (1988) • review by David Pringle

134 •   Review: Red Moon and Black Mountain by Joy Chant • (1988) • review by David Pringle

136 •   Review: Time and Again by Jack Finney • (1988) • review by David Pringle

139 •   Review: Grendel by John Gardner • (1988) • review by David Pringle

141 •   Review: Briefing for a Descent into Hell by Doris Lessing • (1988) • review by David Pringle

144 •   Review: Jack of Shadows by Roger Zelazny • (1988) • review by David Pringle

146 •   Review: Watership Down by Richard Adams • (1988) • review by David Pringle

148 •   Review: The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman by Angela Carter • (1988) • review by David Pringle

151 •   Review: Sweet Dreams by Michael Frayn • (1988) • review by David Pringle

153 •   Review: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip • (1988) • review by David Pringle

156 •   Review: ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King • (1988) • review by David Pringle

159 •   Review: The Great Victorian Collection by Brian Moore • (1988) • review by David Pringle

162 •   Review: Grimus by Salman Rushdie • (1988) • review by David Pringle

165 •   Review: Peace by Gene Wolfe • (1988) • review by David Pringle

167 •   Review: The Malacia Tapestry by Brian Aldiss • (1988) • review by David Pringle

170 •   Review: The Dragon and the George by Gordon R. Dickson • (1988) • review by David Pringle

173 •   Review: Hotel de Dream by Emma Tennant • (1988) • review by David Pringle

176 •   Review: The Passion of New Eve by Angela Carter • (1988) • review by David Pringle

179 •   Review: The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson • (1988) • review by David Pringle

181 •   Review: The Shining by Stephen King • (1988) • review by David Pringle

184 •   Review: Fata Morgana by William Kotzwinkle • (1988) • review by David Pringle

186 •   Review: Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber • (1988) • review by David Pringle

188 •   Review: Gloriana, or, The Unfulfill’d Queen by Michael Moorcock • (1988) • review by David Pringle

191 •   Review: The Unlimited Dream Company by J. G. Ballard • (1988) • review by David Pringle

193 •   Review: Sorcerer’s Son by Phyllis Eisenstein • (1988) • review by David Pringle

196 •   Review: The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll • (1988) • review by David Pringle

198 •   Review: The Vampire Tapestry by Suzy McKee Charnas • (1988) • review by David Pringle

201 •   Review: A Storm of Wings by M. John Harrison • (1988) • review by David Pringle

204 •   Review: White Light by Rudy Rucker • (1988) • review by David Pringle

206 •   Review: Ariosto by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro • (1988) • review by David Pringle

208 •   Review: Cities of the Red Night by William S. Burroughs • (1988) • review by David Pringle

211 •   Review: Little, Big by John Crowley • (1988) • review by David Pringle

214 •   Review: Lanark: A Life in Four Books by Alasdair Gray • (1988) • review by David Pringle

216 •   Review: The War Hound and the World’s Pain by Michael Moorcock • (1988) • review by David Pringle

218 •   Review: Nifft the Lean by Michael Shea • (1988) • review by David Pringle

220 •   Review: Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin • (1988) • review by David Pringle

222 •   Review: Soul Eater by K. W. Jeter • (1988) • review by David Pringle

224 •   Review: Tea with the Black Dragon by R. A. MacAvoy • (1988) • review by David Pringle

226 •   Review: Cold Heaven by Brian Moore • (1988) • review by David Pringle

228 •   Review: The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers • (1988) • review by David Pringle

231 •   Review: Who Made Stevie Crye? by Michael Bishop • (1988) • review by David Pringle

233 •   Review: The Digging Leviathan by James P. Blaylock • (1988) • review by David Pringle

235 •   Review: Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter • (1988) • review by David Pringle

238 •   Review: The Businessman: A Tale of Terror by Thomas M. Disch • (1988) • review by David Pringle

240 •   Review: Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock • (1988) • review by David Pringle

242 •   Review: The Glamour by Christopher Priest • (1988) • review by David Pringle

244 •   Review: The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike • (1988) • review by David Pringle

247 •   Review: Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd • (1988) • review by David Pringle

250 •   Review: The Dream Years by Lisa Goldstein • (1988) • review by David Pringle

252 • Guy Gavriel Kay: The Fionavar Tapestry • (1988) • essay by David Pringle

252 •   Review: The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay • (1988) • review by David Pringle

252 •   Review: The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay • (1988) • review by David Pringle

253 •   Review: The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay • (1988) • review by David Pringle

255 •   Review: The Bridge by Iain Banks • (1988) • review by David Pringle

258 •   Review: The Hungry Moon by Ramsey Campbell • (1988) • review by David Pringle

260 •   Review: Replay by Ken Grimwood • (1988) • review by David Pringle

263 •   Review: The Unconquered Country by Geoff Ryman • (1988) • review by David Pringle

265 •   Review: The Day of Creation by J. G. Ballard • (1988) • review by David Pringle

267 •   Review: Ægypt  by John Crowley • (1988) • review by David Pringle

ALTERNATE TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. Titus Groan* by Mervyn Peake
2. The Book of Ptath by A.E. van Vogt
3. The Well of the Unicorn by Fletcher Pratt
4. Darker Than You Think by Jack Williamson
5. Seven Days in New Crete by Robert Graves
6. Silverlock* by John Myers Myers
7. The Castle of Iron by Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt
8. Conan the Conqueror by Robert E. Howard
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe* by C.S. Lewis
10. Gormenghast* by Mervyn Peake
11. The Dying Earth* by Jack Vance
12. The Sound of His Horn by Sarban
13. Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber
14. The Sinful Ones by Fritz Leiber
15. The Broken Sword* by Poul Anderson
16. The Lord of the Rings* by J.R.R. Tolkien
17. Pincher Martin by William Golding
18. The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson
19. Dandelion Wine* by Ray Bradbury
20. The Once and Future King* by T.H. White
21. The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag by Robert A. Heinlein
22. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
23. Titus Alone* by Mervyn Peake
24. A Fine and Private Place by* Peter S. Beagle
25. Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson
26. The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything by John D. MacDonald
27. Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein
28. Witch World by Andre Norton
29. The Magus by John Fowles
30. Stormbringer by Michael Moorcock
31. The Crying of Lot 49* by Thomas Pynchon
32. Day of the Minotaur by Thomas Burnett Swann
33. The Eyes of the Overworld* by Jack Vance
34. The Owl Service by Alan Garner
35. Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
36. The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien
37. Gog by Andrew Sinclair
38. The Last Unicorn* by Peter S. Beagle
39. A Wizard of Earthsea* by Ursula K. Le Guin
40. The Swords of Lankhmar* by Fritz Leiber
41. Black Easter by James Blish
42. The Green Man by Kingsley Amis
43. The Phoenix and the Mirror by Avram Davidson
44. A Feast Unknown by Philip José Farmer
45. Fourth Mansions by R.A. Lafferty
46. Red Moon and Black Mountain by Joy Chant
47. Time and Again* by Jack Finney
48. Grendel by John Gardner
49. Briefing for a Descent into Hell by Doris Lessing
50. Jack of Shadows by Roger Zelazny
51. Watership Down* by Richard Adams
52. The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman by Angela Carter
53. Sweet Dreams by Michael Frayn
54. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip
55. Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
56. The Great Victorian Collection by Brian Moore
57. Grimus by Salman Rushdie
58. Peace* by Gene Wolfe
59. The Malacia Tapestry by Brian Aldiss
60. The Dragon and the George by Gordon R. Dickson
61. Hotel de Dream by Emma Tennant
62. The Passion of New Eve by Angela Carter
63. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever* by Stephen R. Donaldson
64. The Shining by Stephen King
65. Fata Morgana by William Kotzwinkle
66. Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber
67. Gloriana, or, The Unfulfill’d Queen by Michael Moorcock
68. The Unlimited Dream Company by J.G. Ballard
69. Sorcerer’s Son by Phyllis Eisenstein
70. The Land of Laughs* by Jonathan Carroll
71. The Vampire Tapestry by Suzy McKee Charnas
72. A Storm of Wings by John Harrison
73. White Light by Rudy Rucker
74. Ariosto by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
75. Cities of the Red Night by William S. Burroughs
76. Little, Big by John Crowley
77. Lanark: A Life in Four Books by Alasdair Gray
78. The War Hound and the World’s Pain by Michael Moorcock
79. Nifft the Lean* by Michael Shea
80. Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin
81. Soul Eater by K.W. Jeter
82. Tea with the Black Dragon by R.A MacAvoy
83. Cold Heaven by Brian Moore
84. The Anubis Gates* by Tim Powers
85. Who Made Stevie Crye? by Michael Bishop
86. The Digging Leviathan by James P. Blaylock
87. Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter
88. The Businessman: A Tale of Terror by Thomas M. Disch
89. Mythago Wood* by Robert Holdstock
90. The Glamour by Christopher Priest
91. The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
92. Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd
93. The Dream Years by Lisa Goldstein
94. The Summer Tree* by Guy Gavriel Kay
95. The Bridge* by Iain Banks
96. The Hungry Moon by Ramsey Campbell
97. Replay* by Ken Grimwood
98. The Unconquered Country by Geoff Ryman
99. The Day of Creation by J.G. Ballard
100. Ægypt by John Crowley

Sexy ’80s presents a mix of songs, some familiar and some long forgotten like The Vapors “Turning Japanese.” It was good to hear the Thompson Twins hit “Hold Me Now” and the Greg Kihn Band’s classic “Jeopardy.”

It’s been a while since I’ve head “She’s A Beauty” by The Tubes and Matthew Wilder’s “Break My Stride” which seem to have disappeared from Oldies Radio here.

Do you remember these songs from the 1980s? Any favorites here? GRADE: B-

TRACK LIST:

1	The Vapors–	Turning Japanese Written-By – David Fenton	3:44
2	Bow Wow Wow–	I Want Candy Written-By – Berns*, Feldman*, Goldstein*, Gottehrer*	2:45
3	Thompson Twins–	Hold Me Now Written-By – Alannah Currie, Joe Leeway, Tom Bailey	4:46
4	Matthew Wilder–	Break My Stride Written-By – G. Prestopino*, M. Wilder*	3:01
5	Greg Kihn Band–	Jeopardy Written-By – Greg Kihn	3:48
6	The Tubes–	She’s A Beauty Written-By – Foster*, Waybil*, Lukather*	3:30
7	Eurythmics–	Here Comes The Rain Again Written-By – Lennox*, Stewart*	4:52
8	Hall & Oates*–	Family Man Written-By – Reilly*, Frye*, Oldfield*, Pert*, Fenn*, Cross*	3:25
9	Mr. Mister–	Kyrie Written-By – Lang*, Page*, George*	4:32
10	The Blow Monkeys–	Digging Your Scene Written-By – Dr. Robert	4:06
11	Stray Cats–	(She’s) Sexy + 17 Written-By – Setzer*	3:29
12	Love And Rockets–	So Alive Written-By – Daniel Ash, Love & Rockets*	4:15

I read a few of these short stories before I bought No Middle Name (2026) but it’s nice to have all the Jack Reacher stories in one volume.

Most of the stories are mini-Reacher adventures, with the former military policeman wandering around the country and having Trouble find him.

My favorite story in No Middle Name is “Deep Down” where Reacher is still in the service and is brought to the U.S. from Frankfurt, Germany to help investigate a potential leak.

A panel is considering buying a new sniper rifle. Four women, all military officers, are involved in the hearings. One of the women seems to be leaking information to a foreign manufacturer of sniper rifles. But…which of the four is the leaker?

Reacher uses his usual unorthodox methods to get to the heart of the issue. “Deep Down” is both clever and intense. The rest of the stories in No Middle Name vary in length and quality but all are worth reading. GRADE: B+

TABLE OF CONTENT:

Much Time 3

Second Son 61

High Heat 109

Deep Down 181

Small Wars 231

James Penney’s New Identity 275

Everyone Talks 315

Not a Drill 335

Maybe They Have a Tradition 377

Guy Walks into a Bar 391

No Room at the Motel 399

The Picture of the Lonely Diner 405

I was an early fan of Orphan Black even though the series took a downward plunge towards the end. The same with She-Hulk which also plunged to cancelation. It wasn’t Tatiana Maslany’s fault. Maybe her luck will change with Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, the new AppleTV+ 10 episode series that was just released.

Tatiana Maslany plays a recently divorced mom who seemingly witnesses a crime. She’s having a session with a sex-model on her computer when apparently, he’s kidnapped. Is it a scam? Is it real? Nine episodes from now, we’ll find out. GRADE: Incomplete but trending towards a B

“Throughout the first half-hour, Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, and Ryan Reynolds interrupted various usual Colbert bits, mostly with the mock assumption that they might be the unnamed final guest. Instead, Colbert welcomed Paul McCartney, highlighting the show’s occupation (and CBS’s impending abandonment) of the refurbished Ed Sullivan Theater, where McCartney famously performed back in 1964 with the Beatles. In retrospect, this was tipped early on when, after a clever montage of talkshow history stitched together to ‘introduce’ Colbert, the episode was advertised as featuring ‘Hello, Goodbye’.”

Diane and I have been watching the brilliant Stephen Colbert for years. From his time on The Daily Show to his succession of David Letterman on The Late Show on CBS, Colbert’s comedy has resonated with an intelligent audience. But, finally, Colbert’s mocking of Trump triggered his cancelation.

Billionaire David Ellison brought MTV, Nickelodeon, and CBS together in $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media that officially closed on August 7, 2025. But the deal needed FCC approval and according to insiders, Trump insisted that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert be cancelled to get that vital approval. And, so it was.

Diane and I fear that this is just the beginning of the end for Late Night shows with Jimmy Kimmel (who Trump has tried to get ABC to fire), Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers. Anyone who makes fun of Trump has a target on their back. Are you a fan of Stephen Colbert?

Director Jon Favreau–best known for Elf and Iron Man–delivers the first Star Wars movie in seven years. I found The Mandalorian and Grogu short on story and long on violence. Essentially, the movie lurches from fight scene to fight scene. Of course, Grogu (aka, “Baby Yoda”) steals every scene he’s in. Pablo Pascal plays The Mandalorian (with two other actors credited: Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder) under the helmet that supposed to never be removed. Sigourney Weaver, a leader in The New Republic, has about two minutes of dialogue in this two hour movie. And, inexplicably, the famous Martin Scorsese provides the voice of four-armed Ardennian shopkeeper Hugo. Go figure…

Jeremy Allen White voices Rotta the Hutt, the target of the deadly duo of The Hutt Twins, siblings and successors to deceased crime-lord Jabba the Hutt. The Twins promise to provide information to The Mandalorian but only in exchange for his rescuing Jabba’s son Rotta the Hutt from a criminal syndicate run by former Empire Lord Janu. The Mandalorian receives a new Razor Crest-ship as a pre-payment for this mission.

The AMC Theater was full of Star Wars fans–some in costume!–when Diane and I watched The Mandalorian and Grogu. But, on exiting, it seemed that most were as disappointed as we were. GRADE: B-

A few weeks ago, I reviewed the first four books in the Detective Sergeant George Cross series (you can read my review here). I’ve read the fifth and sixth books in the series and can’t wait to read more!

The Monk (2023) is my favorite George Cross mystery so far. A brutally beaten body is found near a monastery. Cross and his forensic team determine the murder victim was a monk from that monastery. Why would anyone murder a beloved monk?

Cross comes to believe the motive for the murder lies in the monk’s Past. He and his team dig into the talented young man who made a fortune working for a 300 year old bank in London…and suddenly quit to become a monk. Sifting through the Past is one of Cross’s strengths and he finally comes up with evidence that makes the murder understandable. GRADE: A

The Teacher (2023) is an 80-year-old retired teacher who is found stabbed outside his room in a stairway. Cross is struck by the number of people who hated the teacher. As a headmaster of a private Catholic school, the teacher was a brutal disciplinarian, beating the young students with his sticks (which he named). The teacher’s son, a young man who had success with a hedge fund and then became a member of Parliament, now is a disgraced figure. He hopes to resurrect his political career and impedes Cross’s investigation of his father’s death. Cross also has to deal with an investigator from Kent who sexually attacks one of Cross’s team.

Having a murder victim with a plenitude of suspects who hated the man makes Cross’s investigation complicated and far reaching. A serial abuser of young children under the guise of “discipline” is not a sympathetic victim, but Cross moves to find the killer in his usual detailed way. GRADE: B+

“The ‘core four’ figures of Springsteen, Seger, Petty, and Mellencamp are familiar and important, but this book also examines the lives and work of musicians who never truly broke through to mainstream audiences. As heartland rock has long been consider the domain of white men, I’ve also sought to hight the vital contributions of women and people of color.” (p. 3)

Erin Osmon’s Won’t Back Down (2026) explores the 1980s music scene and focuses on four key figures who dominated much of the music of that era: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Tom Petty, and John Mellencamp. “Working-Class Rock” (aka, Heartland Rock)–epitomized by songs like Mellencamp’s “Small Town” and Seger’s “Against the Wind”–“unlike American folk music, heartland rock was highly commercial, broadcast on nearly every radio station, and sold in every shopping mall, truck stop and local record store.” (p. 11)

MTV and VH1 helped fuel heartland rock by playing Springsteen, Seger, Petty, Mellencamp, and other music videos of that genre in heavy rotation.

“The best heartland rock songs make the listener sentimental for a youth they never had. John Mellencamp’s ‘Jack & Diane,’ Bob Seger’s ‘Night Moves,’ Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Glory Days,’ Bonnie Raitt’s ‘Can’t Help Myself,’ Tom Petty’s ‘Even the Losers,’ Lucinda Williams’s ‘The Night’s Too Long,’ Don Henley’s ‘The Boys of Summer,’ Bruce Hornsby’s ‘Mandolin Rain.’ Each evokes a specific time and place to the artist, but are rendered to such a tender and evocative way that they become personal, cozy even, to the listener. These songs imprint on the psyche like a handknitted scarf or a mother’s lasagna.” (p. 132)

I’m impressed by Erin Osmon’s Won’t Back Down and the ride it takes the reader down Memory Lane in the 1980s. Are you a fan of Heartland Rock? GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction — 1

1980 Running Against the Wind — 7

1981 Ugly Truths and Hard Promises — 30

1982 Machines of the Year — 56

1983 Hometown Heroes — 88

1984 New Patriotism — 111

1985 The Year of Aid — 139

1986 The Way It Is — 175

1987 Growing Pains — 206

1988 Turning the Tables — 240

1989 The Storm Ahead — 264

Afterword — 283

Acknowledgements –– 291

Appendix. 150 Essential Heartland Rock Songs — 293

Notes — 301

Index — 315

TRACK LIST:

1	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	American Girl Producer – Denny CordellWritten-By – Tom Petty	3:30
2	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Breakdown Producer – Denny CordellWritten-By – Tom Petty	2:42
3	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Listen To Her Heart Producer – Denny Cordell, Noah Shark, Tom PettyWritten-By – Tom Petty	3:01
4	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	I Need To KnowProducer – Denny Cordell, Noah Shark, Tom PettyWritten-By – Tom Petty	2:23
5	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Refugee Producer – Jimmy Iovine, Tom PettyWritten-By – Mike Campbell, Tom Petty	3:21
6	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Don’t Do Me Like That Producer – Jimmy Iovine, Tom PettyWritten-By – Tom Petty	2:40
7	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Even The Losers Producer – Jimmy Iovine, Tom PettyWritten-By – Tom Petty	3:35
8	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Here Comes My GirlProducer – Jimmy Iovine, Tom PettyWritten-By – Mike Campbell, Tom Petty	4:33
9	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	The Waiting Producer – Jimmy Iovine, Tom PettyWritten-By – Tom Petty	3:54
10	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	You Got Lucky Producer – Jimmy Iovine, Tom PettyWritten-By – Mike Campbell, Tom Petty	3:37
11	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Don’t Come Around Here No More Musician – David A. StewartProducer – David A. Stewart, Jimmy Iovine, Tom PettyWritten-By – David A. Stewart, Tom Petty	5:06
12	Tom Petty–	I Won’t Back DownMusician – George Harrison, Jeff LynneProducer – Jeff Lynne, Mike Campbell, Tom PettyWritten-By – Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty	2:56
13	Tom Petty–	Runnin’ Down A Dream Musician – Jeff LynneProducer – Jeff Lynne, Mike Campbell, Tom PettyWritten-By – Jeff Lynne, Mike Campbell, Tom Petty	4:23
14	Tom Petty–	Free Fallin’ Musician – Jeff LynneProducer – Jeff Lynne, Mike Campbell, Tom PettyWritten-By – Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty	4:14
15	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Learning To Fly Musician – Jeff LynneProducer – Jeff Lynne, Mike Campbell, Tom PettyWritten-By – Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty	3:57
16	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Into The Great Wide Open Musician – Jeff LynneProducer – Jeff Lynne, Mike Campbell, Tom PettyWritten-By – Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty	3:38
17	Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers–	Mary Jane’s Last Dance Producer – Mike Campbell, Rick Rubin, Tom PettyWritten-By – Tom Petty	4:32
18	Stevie Nicks And Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers*–	Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around Featuring [With] – Stevie NicksProducer – Jimmy Iovine, Tom PettyWritten-By – Mike Campbell, Tom Petty

TRACK LIST:

1		Roll Me Away Engineer – Shelly YakusGuitar – Waddy WachtelMixed By – Greg EdwardOrgan – Craig FrostPercussion – Bobbye HallProducer – Jimmy IovineSynthesizer – Michael Boddicker	4:36
2		Night Moves Backing Vocals – Laurel Ward, Rhonda Silver, Sharon Dee Williams*Drums – Charlie Allen MartinEngineer – Brian ChristianGuitar – Joe MiquelonMixed By – Jim BruzzesePiano, Organ – Doug RileyProducer – Jack Richardson	5:25
3		Turn The Page Drums – Charlie Allen MartinElectric Piano – Bob SegerGuitar – Drew AbbottMellotron – Robyn Robbins*Mixed By – Jim Bruzzese, Jim Bruzzese	5:01
4		You’ll Accomp’ny Me Backing Vocals – Ginger Blake, Laura Creamer, Linda DillardOrgan, Synthesizer – Bill PaynePercussion – Sam Clayton	3:59
5		Hollywood Nights Backing Vocals – Julie Waters*, Luther Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren WatersGuitar – Bob SegerOrgan – Bill PaynePercussion – David Teegarden	4:59
6		Still The Same Backing Vocals – Clydie King, Shirley Mathews*, Venetta FieldsOrgan – Robyn Robbins*Percussion – David TeegardenPiano – Bob Seger	3:19
7		Old Time Rock & Roll Backing Vocals – George Jackson (3), James Lavell Easley, Stanley CarterEngineer – Greg Hamm*Piano – Randy McCormickWritten By – G. Jackson/T. Jones IIIWritten-By – G. Jackson*, T. Jones III*	3:12
8		We’ve Got Tonight Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Jim Ed NormanBacking Vocals – Clydie King, Shirley Mathews*, Venetta FieldsEngineer – Steve MeltonKeyboards – Barry BeckettLead Guitar – Pete CarrRhythm Guitar – Jimmy Johnson (4)	4:38
9		Against The Wind Backing Vocals – Bob Seger, Glenn FreyGuitar – Drew AbbottPiano, Organ – Paul Harris (2)Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Bill Szymczyk	5:32
10		Mainstreet Engineer – Jerry Masters, Steve MeltonKeyboards – Barry BeckettLead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Pete CarrMixed By – Jim BruzzeseRhythm Guitar – Jimmy Johnson (4)	3:42
11		The Fire Inside Acoustic Guitar – Steve LukatherBass – Bob GlaubEngineer – David Cole (4), Thom PanunzioOrgan – Jai Winding	5:53
12		Like A Rock Acoustic Guitar – Dawayne BaileyBacking Vocals – Douglas Kibble, Izora Armstead, Martha WashCo-producer, Mixed By – David Cole (4)Engineer – Shelly YakusOrgan – Craig FrostPiano – Bob SegerSlide Guitar – Rick Vito	5:53
13		C’est La Vie Engineer – Gerard SmerekGuitar – Bob SegerMixed By – Ed CherneySaxophone [Additional] – Crystal Taliefero, Jimmy Romeo, Tomo ThomasWritten-By – Chuck Berry	2:58
14		In Your Time Backing Vocals – Donny Gerrard, Laura Creamer, Rosemary Butler, Shaun MurphyEngineer – David Cole (4)Guitar – Tim MitchellMixed By – Ed CherneySynthesizer – Bob Seger