Back in the Sixties, folk music was popular. Bob Dylan, before he went electric, exemplified the American youth movement. And, with the British invasion, a likable kid who called himself Donovan scored a hit with “Catch the Wind.” I remember several serious discussions with girls I was dating at the time who compared Dylan and Donovan, trying to decide who was “better.” Then Dylan went electric, and Donovan went hippy-dippy with songs like “Sunshine Superman” and “Wear Your Love Like Heaven.” Where Dylan went on to have a long career, Donovan vanished from the charts in the Seventies. I picked up this CD at Wal-Mart for $7.99. Great music at a great price! If you want more, there’s the recently released 2-CD set, Essential Donovan. GRADE: A-
FORGOTTEN MUSIC #24: THE VERY BEST OF DONOVAN
18 Replies
One in seven Americans live alone and the number is climbing. Part of the phenomenon is caused by the decline of marriage and the pressure to “be a couple.” The other part occurs on the other end of the age cycle when spouses die and the survivor lives alone. Eric Klinenberg argues that the U.S. needs to look at what Sweden is doing for their elderly singles: providing safe, inexpensive single unit housing with “assisted care.” Klinenberg forecasts millions of elderly singles in the years ahead, but little available to them other than moving in with relatives or nursing homes. Better options need to be provided. GRADE: B
I’ve read several histories of World War II. But Max Hastings’ Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945 goes to the top of my list of Best WWII Histories. Hastings astonished me with his control over the complicated narrative: the invasion of Poland, the blitzkrieg of France, the Japanese invasion of China and Southern Asia, Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Britain, the invasion of the Soviet Union, etc. Hastings manages to keep the narrative moving, never getting bogged down in detail, and also manages to put a face on the war by quoting from journals and memoirs. I had no idea Japan used biological weapons in China. Hastings also critiques the generals on all sides of the conflict showing the gaffs and the brilliant strategic strokes. I can’t recommend Inferno more highly. GRADE:A+
I’ve been a fan of Carole King’s music since I was a teenager in the Paleozoic Era. I loved her music with her husband, Gerry Goffin, especially “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” But Carole King’s life has not been a picnic. I was surprised to learn that Gerry Goffin suffered from mental problems that ended their marriage. Carole King suspects much of her husband’s problems were caused by LSD. Another new revelation to me was the physical abuse Carole King endured in a later relationship. Although she writes frankly about her life, Carole King is also more revealing about the record industry. If you’re a Carole King fan, there’s plenty in this book that will fascinate you. GRADE: A
To Ride the Star Winds is the fourth omnibus volume of A. Bertram Chandler’s “John Grimes” series. BAEN BOOKS should be celebrated for bringing out these generous and affordable collections. To Ride the Star Winds presents four enjoyable John Grimes adventures: The Anarch Lords, The Last Amazon, The Wild Ones, and Catch the Star Winds. That’s 880 pages for around $9. What a bargain! If you’re in the mood for old-fashioned SF adventure and that elusive “sense of wonder,” To Ride the Star Winds possesses plenty of both.
Granted, this is an early video of Bonnie Raitt’s live performance at Montreux. Yes, the sound quality could be better. But for Bonnie Raitt fans, this DVD of one of her first performances after her surprise hit, a cover of Dell Shannon’s “Runaway,” delivers plenty of fun. And, as a bonus, four tracks from Bonnie Raitt’s 1991 Montreux concert (much better quality!) are included. Check out the video below for a sample of Bonnie Raitt at the beginning of her career. I’ll be reviewing Bonnie Raitt’s new CD, Slipstream, tomorrow. GRADE: B+