Kae Tempest — Photo-Artistry by kenne from a Photo by Wolfgang Tillmans
A couple of years ago, I posted: “I’m a new fan of Kae Tempest, an English spoken word performer, poet, recording artist, novelist, and playwright — a great performer by any measure. Then, in January 2022,
I did a post on Kae’s latest book, “On Connections,” in which they extolled the importance of finding meanings in the little things.
Like most people, when I first hear about an artist, I feel like I was the one who discovered the artist.
So, I was both surprised and pleased to learn about Kae’s appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show this past Monday.
Michael Stevenson has the blog The HOBBLEHOY. Recently he posted a The Irish Times review of Rhiannon Gidden’s new album with Francesco Turrisi, “They’re Calling Me Home.”
We first became aware of Giddens about 15 years ago as one of the founding members of the country, blues, and old-time music band Carolina Chocolate Drops, where she is the lead singer, fiddle, and banjo player. In 2008, we attended the annual Houston iFest where local and international musicians and the “iFest New Artist of the Year,” the Carolina Chocolate Drops, were scheduled to appear. Since then, this very talented musician and her unique artistry continue to blossom.
Carolina Chocolate Drops (April 2008) — Images by kenne
“For nearly a decade, Giddens has been heralded as a luminary in the world of Americana, and for some time, she was one of the few African-American faces represented.” — American Songwriter
There are no words for a voice that evokes so much complexity of emotion. This music and video will transform you into a different place. — kenne
David Hidalgo, Los Lobos Guitarist — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Cortez the Killer
He came dancing across the water With his galleons and guns Looking for a new world A palace in the sun On the shore lay Montezuma With his cocoa leaves and pearls In his halls he often wondered The secrets of the worlds Oh, and his subjects gathered round him Like leaves around a tree In their clothes of many colors For the angry gods to see And the women all were beautiful And the men stood straight and strong They offered life in sacrifice So that others could go on
Hate was just a legend And war was never known The people worked together And they lifted many stones They carried them to the flat-lands And they died along the way They built up with their bare hands What we still can’t build today And I know she’s living there And she loves me to this day I can still remember when Or how I lost my way
Cortez, Cortez He came dancing across the water Cortez, Cortez
Came dancing across the water
Came dancing across the water Cortez, Cortez Dancing across the water Dancing across the water Dancing across the water Came dancing across the water Cortez, Cortez Dancing across the water Dancing across the water Dancing across the water
“I am an old woman named after my mother
My old man is another child that’s grown old
If dreams were lightning, thunder were desire
This old house would have burnt down a long time ago”
— from Angel from Montgomery by John Prine
I’m not unlike a lot of Prine fans, most of us have had one of his songs become
identifiable with a memorable life moment. I have a lot, so I won’t begin to list them.
However, there is one that has become more profound because of the coronavirus.
During this time of shelter-in-place, I’m doing less hiking and a lot more walking through
the neighborhood. When I walk I shuffle through my iTunes songs, many of which
are by John Prine. One that is on my shuffle list is “Taking a Walk.”
Taking A Walk
Taking a Walk
A man came to our house
I believe it was yesterday
I would have invited him in
But I didn’t have a lot to say
His anticipation of me opening the door
Outweighed my apprehension as it never had before
And drove my concentration
Right through that hardwood floor
Oo-oo a-ha
I’m taking a walk
I’m going outside
I’m taking a walk
I’m just getting by
There’s a girl in the white house
I don’t even know her name
Her disheveled appearance
Speaks volumes of shame
It’s an embarrassing situation
But a situation just the same
The way she walks on others
And never takes the blame
Upsets my constitution
Beyond its mortal frame
Oo-oo a-ha
I’m taking a walk
I’m going outside
I’m watching the birds
I’m just getting by
Found a card in the pocket
Of my worn out overalls
From a girl in Cedar Rapids
Now residing in Idaho Falls
I wish you could have been there
When she opened up the door
And looked me in the face
Like she never did before
I felt about as welcome
As a Wal-Mart Superstore
0o-oo – a-ha
I’m taking a walk
I’m going outside
I’m taking a walk
I don’t need a ride
I’m watching the birds
Flying so high
— John Prine
“A true national treasure and a songwriter for the ages.”
It stands out on a highway Like a Creature from another time. It inspires the babies’ questions, “What’s that?” For their mothers as they ride. But no one stopped to think about the babies Or how they would survive, And we almost lost Detroit This time. How would we ever get over Loosing our minds? Just thirty miles from Detroit Stands a giant power station. It ticks each night as the city sleeps Seconds from anniahlation. But no one stopped to think about the people Or how they would survive, And we almost lost Detroit This time. How would we ever get over Over loosing our minds? The sherrif of Monroe county had, Sure enough disasters on his mind, And what would karen Silkwood say If she was still alive?
That when it comes to people’s safety Money wins out every time. And we almost lost Detroit This time, this time. How would we ever get over Over loosing our minds? You see, we almost lost Detroit That time. Almost lost Detroit That time. And how would we ever get over… Cause odds are, We gonna loose somewhere, one time. Odds are We gonna loose somewhere sometime. And how would we ever get over Loosing our minds? And how would we ever get over Loosing our minds? Didn’t they, didn’t they decide? Almost lost Detroit That time. Damn near totally destroyed, One time. Didn’t all of the world know? Say didn’t you know? Didn’t all of the world know? Say didn’t you know? We almost lost detroit…
“This old porch is just a long time
Of waiting and forgetting
And remembering the coming back
And not crying about the leaving
And remembering the falling down
And the laughter of the curse of luck
From all of those sons-of-bitches
Who said we’d never get back up.“
Ken Nordine Album Cover: “How Are Things In Your Town?” 1972
Growing up in the Chicago area as a teen and young adult, I often I would listen late night jazz on the radio. One of the shows was that of Ken Nordine reading his poetry while playing jazz. He has one of the best radio voices anywhere. You may have heard his voice and didn’t know who it was, since over the years he has done a lot of voice-over TV commercials. Since his radio show in the sixties, he has done several Word Jazz albums. One of his albums that I have is “How Are Things In Your Town,” which includes, “What Time Is It?”
“Old House” — Image by kenne
Southwestern Still Life — Image by kenne
Evening Jazz Wall Sculpture by Warren Cullar (Benson Sculpture Garden, Loveland, CO) — Image by kenne
Computer Art by kenne
This Old Porch — Photo-Artistry by kenne
A Labyrinth of Wild Flowers — Image by kenne
Tom Russell with Iris Dement — Box of Visions (Audio)
Becoming is Superior to Being 