Blues Heaven
While in Chicago this weekend, we visited a museum dedicated to Chess Records, the label that was home to seminal blues artists like Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Etta James. Let me tell you about it.
Paul McCartney “One Hand Clapping”
My wife and I recently went to see “One Hand Clapping,” a film of Paul McCartney and Wings shot fifty years ago at Abbey Road. Here’s why we enjoyed it so much.
Honoring Bonnie
For many years, I have advocated for Bonnie Raitt to be named a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. Well, the wait is over.
Bonnie Raitt
I first fell in love with Bonnie Raitt 47 years ago when she did a concert at my college. Seeing her again this weekend only reinforced my affection for her, so I wrote this piece.
The People vs. Piano Man
Billy Joel’s CBS concert special tonight reminded me of this piece by Tom Smyth, in which he imagines what it was like the first time Billy played “Piano Man” for the bar regulars he wrote about in the song.
Is It Done Yet?
Musings on how a songwriter — or any creative person — knows when the project they’re working on is done.