Monthly Archives: February 2015

Friday Ethno-Music Selection: Jali Nyama Suso

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Representing the vast Griot tradition West African of epic poetry, we have this master (“Jali”) of the 21 string Kora. From Wikipedia: “The West African griot is a troubadour, the counterpart of the medieval European minstrel… The griot … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Quote Du Jour

Blowhard, Esq. writes: INTERVIEWER What were the kinds of work you were doing to earn that “little money now and then”? FAULKNER Whatever came up. I could do a little of almost anything—run boats, paint houses, fly airplanes. I never needed … Continue reading

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Art Du Jour

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “Daughters of Lusting Torment” is my nominee for Title of the Year. Published February 1939. Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Art, Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fuck Clement Greenberg

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In discussions of literature and architecture, I still come across would-be intellectuals who invoke art critic Clement Greenberg’s distinction between the avant-garde and kitsch. Of course, for such people avant-garde is doubleplusgood, while kitsch is one small step … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Books Publishing and Writing, Commercial art, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Architecture Du Jour

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Utrecht, Netherlands. Source. Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Art Du Jour

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Published October, 1930. Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Art, Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Prigs Against Private Imagination

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A UK group calling itself 50 Shades Is Abuse, “the original campaign to raise awareness that the 50 Shades of Grey series romanticises domestic abuse,” isn’t too happy about the movie adaptation opening this week: “We want to … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Art Du Jour

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” a novelty fabric designed by Ralph Barton based on his illustrations for the Anita Loos novel of the same name, crêpe de Chine, 1927. Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Art | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Get On Up”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: “Get On Up,” the recent biopic about funk legend James Brown, tries to break all the rules. In this sense it’s a bit like Todd Haynes’ “I’m Not There,” which treated the life of Bob Dylan … Continue reading

Posted in Movies, Music, Performers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Art Du Jour

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A pulp cover by Victor Kalin. More here and here. Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Art, Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment