brainsplotch

I whipped through a non-fiction graphic novel about the Velvet Underground called All Tomorrow's Parties: the Velvet Underground Story . The author is Koren Shadmi. The book came through my department at the library about a month ago and I thought it looked like a fun read, and it was. Nothing earth-shattering, but a breezy read. My only complaint--and this is a complaint I have with most books--is the editing and proofreading should have been better, I noticed several spelling errors and some minor factual inaccuracies. Otherwise, the book was well done. The illustrations of the VU and the other characters are generally accurate, though Lou Reed's appearance occasionally borders on caricature, with an abnormally high forehead and rectangular head. But these are minor quibbles. If you're a fan of the Velvet Underground, you'll be entertained by this book. The book focuses on the contentious relationship between Lou Reed and John Cale, and doesn't cover much beyond t...

The king of cool, Lou Reed (far left) with the Velvet Underground (and Nico) I don't know how much time I'll have to write tonight, but I wanted to get some thoughts in about Lou Reed, who is probably up in that great gig in the sky jamming with his fellow departed Velvet Underground bandmate Sterling Morrison. I'll just write extemporaneously, so bear with me. I'm sure this won't be nearly as eloquent as the many salutes and tributes I have already read in the two days, but I'll do my best. I know that I'd heard Lou Reed had a liver transplant and was probably not in the greatest health, but I was still shocked to learn, early yesterday afternoon, of his death. How fitting, and eerie, that he would die on the day of the week that he immortalized in song. I remember the exact date that I first time I heard the Velvet Underground. (I know that I had already heard Lou Reed via "Walk on the Wild Side").  It was Friday, November 7, 1986 and ...

Michigan State knocked off Florida Atlantic in a virtual monsoon at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. I still don't think we know anything about this Spartan team until they take on Notre Dame this coming Saturday. I will continue to maintain low expectations for this year unless proven otherwise. I wasn't able to stay up to watch Saturday Night Live, but frankly I wasn't particularly interested in the "Michael Phelps as guest star" angle (and, in fact, have seen nothing of Phelps' performance or ever heard how he did). However, through the wonders of You Tube (by the way, I love You Tube) I caught Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. Oh my, was she good! She has the voice and mannerisms down perfectly, and she looks almost exacly like her. The only bright spot of a McCain victory would be that we'd be able to watch Tina Fey impersonate Palin on SNL for (hopefully no more than) four years. Every so often, I'll dig through my musical archives and find a CD that I have...