This Article Frightens Me About What Could Happen if American Voters Don't Come to their Senses

 

Before you know it the primaries for the 2024 presidential election will begin.  I shudder when I see the polls on who is the front-runner for the Republican nomination. I hope all voters will read this article in the New York Times before they go to the polls in the primaries and general elections.  I am just afraid that democracy as we know it could end.  Will our government still have a system of checks and balances, or will we have a dictator?

2023 Queens Baseball Convention - a New York Mets Fanfest

 

Yours Truly at today's event

This event was held at the Sheraton Four Points Flushing, within walking distance of my apartment.  There were several panel discussions:

• State of the Mets with a discussion of the disappointing 2023 season followed by speculation on which free agents the Mets will acquire this offseason. This was pretty much the same as I have read on the various sports websites.  The consensus was that the Mets have a good chance of obtaining Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.  They feel that Steve Cohen will open his wallet for him
• Interview of relief pitcher Billy Wagner by NY1 reporter Roger Clark.  Billy pitched for the Mets from 2006-9 and is being considered for election to the Hall of Fame

• SNY Baseball Night in New York.  Several of the hosts, including Sal Licata speculated on the 2024 Mets season.

• Cliff Floyd who played for the Mets from 2003-2006 was interviewed by John Saponaro.  Much of the discussion covered the 2006 season when the Mets won the NL East, but lost the NLCS to the St. Louis Cardinals.

• Mrs. Joan Payson, the original owner of the Mets, was presented with the Gil Hodges Award.  Her great-grandson accepted the award on her behalf.
• Conner Rodgers and Joe DeMayo hosts of SNY's signature podcast Mets Pod continued the discussion of the state of the Mets.
• Former Mets manager Terry Collins was interviewed by WFAN host Lori Rubinson.  He discussed some of the decisions he made during his managerial career.

Terry mingled with some of his fans during the event

Lee met up with Sandy, the mascot of the Brooklyn Cyclones.  Mr. Met wasn't there this year.

Random Thoughts of the Day December 1, 2023

Better late than never as George Santos was finally expelled from the House of Representatives. IMHO the fact that he lied about his background and credentials to the voters of his district should have been enough to deny seating him last January.  The Republicans wanted to keep him as their majority in the House was razor thin.  There will soon be a special election in that district to fill that seat.  The 100+ Congressman who voted against expulsion should also be kicked out of Congress.  I expect the utmost integrity from all elected and appointed government officials.

It is sad that money controls who is elected to office.  A well-qualified person cannot attain an office if he/she cannot raise funds.  I would not give one penny to anyone running for office.  Speaking of fundraising, I have donated to several charities regularly.  These include cultural institutions, radio stations, medical organizations, and institutions providing food.  Once you donate, they hit you up for more money almost immediately by snail mail, email, and phone calls.

 

Finally. Someone Else is Bashing the Electoral College - Gail Collins

 

Gail Collins is an American journalist, op-ed columnist, and author, most recognized for her work with The New York Times.  As an online subscriber to the New York Times, I am allowed to give away 10 articles every month.  I thought my readers, especially Alan Seltzer, would enjoy this article where she bashes the Electoral College.  She concludes:

"Nothing is going to happen to fix the Electoral College. Can you imagine trying to get a change in the Constitution that enormous? It was a long haul just to pass an amendment to prohibit members of Congress from raising their own pay between elections."

It would take a vote of 2/3 in the House and Senate followed by approval by 3/4 of the state legislators to pass a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College.

Book Review: Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin by Danny Fingeroth

 

Over the past 60 years there have been countless books, articles, and conspiracy theories about the Kennedy assassination.  Interest in this tragic event has likely piqued on its 60^th anniversary although most people today were not yet born in 1963.  Danny Fingeroth, known as a cultural critic, comics writer, editor, educator and commentator, just wrote a detailed biography of Jack Ruby, the killer of Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.  He is noted as the biographer of Stan Lee best known for his work with Marvel Comics.  Danny was ten years old at the time of the murder of Oswald and, like millions of others, viewed it on live TV.

He interviewed some of Ruby’s nieces and nephews and Rabbi Hillel Silverman who knew him quite well. Many of the books written about the assassination and its aftermath were consulted.  It took Danny about ten years to research and write the book.  He describes Ruby’s early years in Chicago, his relationship with his family and Rabbi Silverman, and his business ventures before the historic events in Dallas. Danny details the actions of Ruby in the two days after the assassination, his murder of Oswald, his trial, and the events after the trial.  He succeeded in refreshing my memory of those events.  Ruby’s lawyers tried to use the insanity defense to acquit Ruby, but he was convicted and sentenced to death.  There was a successful appeal with a new trial at a location outside of Dallas.  Ruby died in January 1967 before a second trial could be held.

There are still many unanswered questions about the Kennedy assassination, but nobody has definitively proven a conspiracy.  The uniqueness of this book is the comprehensive study of Ruby’s life.  Danny is to be commended for a fine book.  Younger people should read the book to learn about the tragic events that changed history.

I became acquainted with Danny Fingeroth through a Bob Dylan video chat group that meets monthly.  There are a few Dylan references in the book including his recent song Murder Most Foul.

 

 

How I Would Change the Government

 

I can't change things independently, but here is what I wish would happen.

Federal Government

My proposals will never happen since a constitutional amendment would be required.  A 2/3 vote in the House and Senate followed by approval by 3/4 of the state legislatures would be needed.

• Abolish the electoral college and the presidential election be decided by popular vote
• The term for the House of Representatives be expanded to four years with the election held in even-numbered years when there is no presidential election.
• Limit Senators to two six-year terms and Representatives to three four-year terms.
• All Supreme Court justices can be appointed to one ten-year term that may not be renewed.

New York State Government

• There should be term limits for the Governor, State Senate, State Assembly, Attorney General, and Comptroller.

New York City Government

• Abolish the office of Public Advocate.  I need to see what the person in this position accomplishes.  Most previous incumbents have used this as a stepping stone to a higher office.

Sunday Afternoon at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

 

A Picasso seen today

I thought it was time for a return visit to this fine museum as I hadn't been there since April 2021.  There was plenty to see over six floors.  Most of the views were cursory since there was so much to see.

One exhibit was ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN which features over 200 works—in mediums including painting, drawing, prints, photography, artist’s books, film, and installation—that make use of everything from gunpowder to chocolate.  

This work by Ruscha should amuse my radio friends.

Another exhibit was An-My Lê: Between Two Rivers - works of a Vietnamese artist.  The two rivers in the exhibition’s title refer to the Mekong and Mississippi River deltas.

A third exhibit was Emerging Ecologies: Architecture and the Rise of Environmentalism explores how architects in the US responded to the environmental crisis of the 1960s and 1970s.

Here is one painting from the general collection

Tangled Up in Blue is Lee's Favorite Dylan Song

Tangled Up in Blue was voted the #1 Bob Dylan song by WFUV listeners two years ago.  Lee had the pleasure of hearing Dylan in concert singing it a few times in the past.

 

Original Studio Version from Blood on the Tracks

Concert Version From September 2000

Murder Most Foul with Video by Bob Mori

 

 

 I am not allowed to show this video in my journal. Please click on the link to see it on YouTube.

Bob Mori, a video editor, did an excellent job of visualizing Bob Dylan's thoughts.

Six Versions of Bob Dylan's Maggie's Farm

 1. Original studio version from Bringing it All Back Home 1965

2. Newport Folk Festival 1965

3. Rolling Thunder Review 1976

4. Budokan 1978

5. Farm Aid 1985

6. Farm Aid 2023 with the surviving members of the Heartbreakers

Book Review: Baseball From 3,000 Miles Away by Gary Mintz

In May 2016, I wrote a journal article about Lou Mintz, the Chief of Stack Maintenance and Delivery at the New York Public Library where I worked from 1983-90. Lou had the extraordinary responsibility ofensuring that millions of books and periodicals were shelved properly and could be retrieved and delivered to library patrons promptly. In the seven years that I had known Lou, I don’t remember discussing baseball or his family.  Lou came to my farewell party.  His son Gary discovered this article and contacted me.  I decided to go to a meeting of the New York Giants Preservation Society (NYGPS) to meet him.  In January 2017 I went to a meeting at Bergino’s and met Gary.  Over the years I went to a few of the in-person meetings at Bergino’s and Finnerty’s.  I attended a few Zoom meetings during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.  If I couldn’t attend the live meeting, I would often view the recordings on YouTube.

When Gary announced his self-published book “Baseball from 3,000 Miles Away”, I knew I had to read it.  Thanks to Amazon.com I was able to get it shortly after publication.  Gary was born a few years after the New York Giants moved to San Francisco.  His father was a big New York Giants fan and kept his devotion after the team moved to the West Coast.  Gary became a fan of the Giants out of his love and admiration for his dad.  I didn’t realize Gary’s devotion to the Giants until I read his book.

He talked about his first Giants game at Shea Stadium in 1969 and his trips to Philadelphia and San Francisco to see the Giants play among many other topics.  He discussed his difficulties in following the Giants caused by the time zone differences and limitations of radio and television during the first few decades of his faithfulness to the Giants.  Following his team became easier in this era of the Internet and Cable TV.  Readers will also find out about Gary’s career as a teacher.

Gary was absolutely thrilled in 2010, 2012, and 2014 when the Giants won the World Series. He certainly experienced many losses and disappointments over the years all followed the team.  He thinks about his late dad every day. He has always been devoted to his family.

I don’t want to give away too much in this review since I hope all the members of the NYGPS purchase the book.  Other fans of the Giants and baseball historians will also enjoy the book.

 

I Admire these People who are Bigger Dylan Enthusiasts than I Am

 

I am obviously a big fan of Bob Dylan, but I have encountered people who are even bigger devotees of the man from Hibbing, Minnesota.  I will list some here that don’t include scholars such as Greil Marcus and Clinton Heylin.  I apologize if I omitted anyone.

Laura Tenschert – among others, she made a trip from England to the United States to see Dylan three times in New York City.  She has a podcast called Definitely Dylan and brings a feminist perspective to the analyses of Dylan’s works.  I had the pleasure of meeting her at the World of Dylan Conference in Tulsa in 2019.

Rebecca Slaman – she is a young Dylan fan whom I sense has become a protégé of Laura.  She has become a Dylanolgist in a short period and has presented at conferences in Miami and Tulsa.  She was interviewed on many podcasts about Dylan.

Erin Callahan – I had the pleasure of meeting her at the 2019 Tulsa conference. She is a Professor of English at San Jacinto College.  She edited a very recent book titled ThePolitics and Power of Bob Dylan’s Live Performances.  She has appeared on several Dylan podcasts.

Danny Fingeroth – he has appeared at several of my Dylan online chats, but I still have not met him in person.  He is best known as a comic book writer and editor.  He also spoke at the 2023 Dylan Tulsa conference.  He made a trip to Hibbing, Minnesota.  He wrote a biographyof Jack Ruby that will be published shortly.

Harold Lepidus – his LinkedIn entry describes him as a music archivist, historian, retail buyer, journalist, columnist, foreign correspondent and web designer.  He is the author of Friends and Other Strangers: Bob Dylan Examined.  He also hosts the Boston Harald podcast.  He also offers short courses on Dylan.

Anne Margaret Daniel – is a writer and editor at The New School and Bard College.  She teaches a course on Bob Dylan.

Henry Bernstein – I met him by accident at the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa in July 2022.  He was wearing a t-shirt This is What a Bob Dylan Fan Looks Like that was offered by Laura Tenschert.  He made a special trip from Chicago to Tulsa to see the center.  He also traveled from Tulsa to NYC to see Dylan in concert.  He is also a big fan of the Chicago White Sox.

Ray Padgett – is the author of Pledging My Time: Conversations with Band Members.

Michael from Austria uses the Twitter handle False_Prophet44.  I enjoy his Tweets.  I guess I should call them Xs. 

I sincerely apologize for anyone I have omitted who is a more devoted Dylan fan than me.  There is only so much time in a day to write journal entries.

Bob Dylan at Kings Theater in Brooklyn

 

It was a long subway ride from Flushing, Queens to Brooklyn, but it was advisable to use public transportation since parking on the street is scarce in that neighborhood.  A few of my Dylan friends came from England to the series of concerts at the Kings Theater and the Beacon Theater.  I admire their enthusiasm for Dylan, but one concert is enough for me, especially since the set list is the same.  The theater was very ornate, and the acoustics were fantastic.  Below is the setlist posted by Bill Pagel minutes after the concert ended.  Most of the songs were from Rough and Rowdy Ways.  The songs not from that album were performed much differently from the original versions.  I especially enjoyed When I Paint My Masterpiece, I'll be Your Baby Tonight. and Gotta Serve Somebody.

Brooklyn, New York Kings Theatre November 14, 2023

1.	Watching The River Flow (Bob on baby grand piano)
2.	Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine) (Bob on baby grand piano)
3.	I Contain Multitudes (Bob on baby grand piano)
4.	False Prophet (Bob on baby grand piano)
5.	When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob on baby grand piano)
6.	Black Rider (Bob on baby grand piano)
7.	My Own Version of You (Bob on baby grand piano)
8.	I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob on baby grand piano)
9.	Crossing The Rubicon (Bob on baby grand piano)
10.	To Be Alone With You (Bob on baby grand piano)
11.	Key West (Philosopher Pirate) (Bob on baby grand piano)
12.	Gotta Serve Somebody (Bob on baby grand piano)
13.	I've Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You (Bob on baby grand piano)
14.	That Old Black Magic (Bob on baby grand piano)
15.	Mother of Muses (Bob on baby grand piano)
--	Band introductions
16	Goodbye Jimmy Reed (Bob on baby grand piano)
17.	Every Grain of Sand (Bob on baby grand piano)

I Recall Seeing Bob Dylan in Brooklyn Twice

 Tonight's the big night as I am going to see Bob Dylan at the King's Theater in Brooklyn.  There will certainly be a journal entry tomorrow.

There were two other times I saw Dylan in Brooklyn

August 2008 in Prospect Park

November 2012 at Barclay's Center

Knicks 129 Charlotte Hornets 107 at Madison Square Garden

 

Tickets at Madison Square Garden are very expensive so I have to limit the number of games I can attend.  Since this was an afternoon game, we decided to see the Knicks.  It was a good game as the Knicks recorded season-highs in point and shooting percentage. R.J. Barrett scored 24 points; Jalen Brunson had 23 points while Julius Randle also scored 23 points to lead the Knicks.  The Knicks also took advantage of the poor Charlotte defense.

The Knicks are now 5-4, but it is a very long season followed by the playoffs.  It could be a successful season if the Knicks can play future games as they did today.  It has been 50 years since the Knicks last won the NBA championship.

Game Recap

Danny Fingeroth - Facebook Friend of the Day

This is the first time in years that I have honored a Facebook friend of the day.  I met Danny in the online Bob Dylan discussion group that meets monthly.  He presented at the Bob Dylan Symposium in Tulsa on a panel exploring Dylan's connection to comics.  Danny is best known for his expertise in comics as he has written several books about comics including a biography of Stan Lee.  He is a co-curator of an exhibit at the Center for Jewish History that I visited last month.

Right now, I am listening to an interview on Pod Dylan where he is talking about his forthcoming biography of Jack Ruby who murdered Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK's assassin.

I just ordered the book from Amazon.com.  I watched the murder of Oswald on TV back on November 24, 1963.  Most people today were not living at the time of the JFK assassination.  Danny says he interviewed Ruby's rabbi and a few of his nieces and nephews.  In the podcast, Danny also discusses Dylan's song Murder Most Foul.

 

More Random Thoughts - November 9, 2023

• I am still debating whether I should upgrade to an iPhone 15.  My iPhone 8 is running just fine.  The only difference is the more sophisticated camera in the newer model.  They are certainly advertising it like crazy.
• Likewise. My laptop is still running on Windows 10.  The general advice I received is not to upgrade to Windows 11 until it is absolutely necessary to do so.  I understand that Microsoft will support Windows 10 until October 2025.  Likely, by then I'll need a new computer.
• I watched The Last Waltz on DVD again yesterday.  Garth Hudson is the only living member of The Band.

 

Random Thoughts of the Day - November 7, 2023

Today is Election Day, but there are very few races of interest.  In my district, there are elections for District Attorney and City Councilman.  When I went to the poll at 7:45 AM there must have been at least five poll workers for every voter.

The Met hired the Yankee's bench coach Carlos Mendoza as manager.  He has no major league managerial experience but held several positions for the Yankees over the years.  Craig Counsell who was the favorite to land the position with the Mets, just signed a contract to manage the Chicago Cubs for $40 Million over five years.  No manager should be paid that much.  Mendoza will get $4.5 Million over three years, but will he last that long?  Only time will tell how he will work out as manager.

I cannot understand how anyone in his right mind could want Donald Trump as President.  He was indicted on 91 counts in four jurisdictions. He belongs in jail.

 

Mazel Tov to Al Kooper on His Induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

 

I have followed Al Kooper's career since 1965 when he led the Blues Project some people called the Jewish Beatles.  After that he founded Blood, Sweat, and Tears.  I fondly remember Super Session when he recorded with Stephen Stills and Mike Bloomfield.  He recorded several albums as a solo artist.

I saw him twice in concert:

• Late 1983 at the Bottom Line with Cousin Bruce as the host
• 2012 at his 66th birthday celebration at BB Kings.

He played on Bob Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone session in 1965 and appeared with Dylan at the August 1965 at Forest Hill when the folk purists booed him.  He discovered and produced Lynyrd Skynyrd.  Al played on recordings by Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Paul Butterfield, BB King, Tom Petty and dozens more.

Here are some websites of interest:

• Al Kooper.com
• Rock Hall Induction Page for Al
• KooperKast - Al's Podcast

A hearty Mazel Tov to Al

The Gateway Project is Finally Moving Forward

 

The Gateway Project involves the building of two new railroad tunnels between New York and New Jersey for Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. The two old tunnels are in such poor condition that trains running into and out of the city are often delayed by signal failures and problems with the overhead wires that provide power to their engines.  If you read my companion commuting blog  you know that umpteen times between 1992 and 2017 when I commuted to Newark, I encountered delays.  When one tunnel was down, there would be single tracking when Amtrak trains were given preference over New Jersey Transit trains.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and the alleged criminal Donald Trump delayed this project for years.  New York Senator Chuck Schumer has lined up over $10 Billion for the project also supported by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and President Biden.

The project will not be completed until 2035.  It obviously won't do me any good, but future commuters will be spared miserable delays.

The story was documented in the New York Times.

I Have Lost Confidence in Our Government

 

Adlai Stevenson ran for president in 1952 and 1956 and lost to Dwight Eisenhower both times.  I found this quote of his that strikes close to home.  I was aghast to find out that a majority of the members of the House of Representatives voted against expelling George Santos.  This man blatantly lied about his credentials when he ran for office.  That alone should cause his colleagues to expel him. He also faces 23 felony counts of crimes including wire fraud, credit card fraud, aggravated identity theft, and falsifying records.  He is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, but I expect the utmost integrity in all elected and appointed governmental offices.  I am glad that my representative, Grace Meng, voted for expulsion.

Likewise, I cannot believe that so many elected officials believe Donald Trump's claim that the 2020 election was stolen.  The voters are stupid for supporting a man who is under indictment for 91 counts in four jurisdictions.  I pray for the sake of our democracy that he is never again President of the United States.  

Is Handy Dandy an Autobiographical Sketch of Bob Dylan?

I am currently reading Mixing Up the Medicine as I approach a contribution by Larry "Ratso" Sloman about Handy Dandy which he believes is an auto-biographical sketch of Dylan.  Listen to the song and read the lyrics and you can decide.

Handy Dandy

WRITTEN BY: BOB DYLAN

Handy Dandy, controversy surrounds him

He been around the world and back again

Something in the moonlight still hounds him

Handy Dandy, just like sugar and candy

Handy Dandy, if every bone in his body was broken he would never admit it

He got an all-girl orchestra and when he says

“Strike up the band,” they hit it

Handy Dandy, Handy Dandy

You say, “What are ya made of?”

He says, “Can you repeat what you said?”

You’ll say, “What are you afraid of?”

He’ll say, “Nothin’! Neither ’live nor dead.”

Handy Dandy, he got a stick in his hand and a pocket full of money

He says, “Darling, tell me the truth, how much time I got?”

She says, “You got all the time in the world, honey”

Handy Dandy, Handy Dandy

He’s got that clear crystal fountain

He’s got that soft silky skin

He’s got that fortress on the mountain

With no doors, no windows, no thieves can break in

Handy Dandy, sitting with a girl named Nancy in a garden feelin’ kind of lazy

He says, “Ya want a gun? I’ll give ya one.” She says, “Boy, you talking crazy”

Handy Dandy, just like sugar and candy

Handy Dandy, pour him another brandy

Handy Dandy, he got a basket of flowers and a bag full of sorrow

He finishes his drink, he gets up from the table, he says

“Okay, boys, I’ll see you tomorrow”

Handy Dandy, Handy Dandy, just like sugar and candy

Handy Dandy, just like sugar and candy

Copyright © 1990 by Special Rider Music

Dance Me to the End of Love - Bob Dylan Covers Leonard Cohen

 

Bob Dylan performed this in Montreal on October 29, 2023.  I wouldn't be surprised if it is taken off YouTube.

Bob Dylan Busy Being Born - A Documentary done in 2020

I found this by accident while searching YouTube.  There is some footage I had never seen before.

My Favorite Local Restaurants on Saturday or Sunday Nights

Once a week I must get out of the kitchen.  Lee and I go to a handful of local restaurants so that I can have a break from cooking. Here are some of our favorite restaurants:

• Uncle Bill's Diner - It is within walking distance of our home.  The decor is non-descript, but the food is good and reasonably priced.
• Ginos of Whitestone - It is also within walking distance.  Sometimes we go just for pizza, but they offer a full menu of Italian food
• Bens of Bayside -  It is the only kosher deli left in Queens.
• Applebees - the one in the Bay Terrace Mall closed so we have to drive a little further to Fresh Meadows.
• Outback Steak House - since I have steak at home, I usually order roast beef here.
• IHOP - there is one at 156th Street and Northern Blvd.  Lately, we go to the one at the Bay Terrace Mall since it is larger.  I just love their chocolate chip pancakes.  Their dinner menu is limited.

 

Mixing Up the Medicine is the Ultimate Bob Dylan Book

 

In February 2021 in this journal, I commented on how many Bob Dylan books are enough?  In the 2 1/2 years since then, there have been several books about Dylan published.  This week Mixing Up the Medicine described as the most comprehensive book published about Dylan's works was published. The title was taken from Subterranean Homesick Blues released in 1965 on the album Bringing it All Back Home.

The book is unique since it unlocks treasures from the Archive of the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  It includes over 1,100 images curated from still and moving images held in the Archive.  There are thirty original essays written by distinguished scholars.

I just started reading the book last night, so I can not critique it.  Ironically, I was listening to a podcast on Definitely Dylan about the book late yesterday afternoon when I received my delivery from Amazon.  Dylan scholar Laura Tenschert was interviewing Mark Davidson and Parker Fishel who wrote and edited the book.

As the book is 600 pages, it will likely take me a long time to finish it.  It is now 1:30 PM and the outside temperature is 73 degrees which is quite warm for NYC in late October.  I will finish this journal entry, close my computer and schlep the book downstairs to a convenient park bench.

Random Thoughts of the Day

 

I am still mulling over whether I should get a new iPhone since I have owned an iPhone 8 for five years.  It still runs well, but the iPhone 8 will not get the new IOS 17.  I think I'll decide soon.

I always examine the number of hits each post gets in Bruce's Journal.  The posts with music videos get few posts, but the post about Mumbles being my favorite Dick Tracy villain has received hundreds of hits.

The situation in Israel and Gaza is so sad especially with so many civilians on both sides being killed.

The government in Washington is so dysfunctional.  No legislation can be passed until a new Speaker of the House is elected.  I don't think that will happen anytime soon.  I just dread the thought of Donald Trump being elected president again.  How can people support an alleged criminal?  His legal problems energize his supporters.

Here Comes the Judge - Versions by Shorty Long and Pigmeat Markham

 

Two Silly Songs with the same title that are different.  

Dion DiMucci Today:An American Hero Yesterday:Abraham, Martin, and John

 

I Want You by Bob Dylan - 1978 Live at Budokan; 1966 from Blonde on Blonde

 Bob Dylan appeared at Budokan in Japan in 1978.  There was an album released at that time with selections from that concert.  Next month The Complete Budokan 1978 will be released via Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings. The album features restored, remixed, and remastered recordings from the Tokyo concerts.  Yesterday a video of I Want You was released.  Let's compare it to the original studio recording from Blonde on Blonde.

Today's Visit to the Center for Jewish History

 The Center for Jewish History describes itself as the largest and most comprehensive archive of the modern Jewish experience outside of Israel.  This was the first time I visited their facility at 15 West 16th Street in Manhattan.  It is more scholarly than the Jewish Museum which I have visited several times.  I came specifically to see the exhibit JEWCE.

I found out about this exhibit from a report on NY1 by Roger Clark.  I also found out that fellow Bob Dylan enthusiast Danny Fingeroth was a contributing curator. The dynamic exhibition brings together an impressive collection of original artworks, historical artifacts, and interactive installations celebrating the rich tapestry of Jewish narratives depicted through the lens of comics and graphic storytelling.

Superman took care of Hitler and Mussolini in World War II

I spent some time perusing the other sections of the museum.  There was also a research library there, but I did not go in.  I think have visited enough libraries in my dreams recently.😁

 

Oldie of the Day - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by Jimmy Ruffin

This song has a special significance for me today.

18th Anniversary of Bruce's Journal Today

 

On October 15, 2005, I wrote my first entry in this journal.  18 years and 4823 entries later I am still at it.  Here are some statistics:

• 268 entries per year
• 22 entries per month
• 5 entries per week

Major Topics I have covered include

• New York Mets
• Other Baseball
• Bob Dylan
• Oldies Music
• Radio
• Random Thoughts
• Jeopardy
• Biography

I usually avoid politics.  I have my opinions, but I rarely write about them here.

There have been 1,400,000 page views, but I don't know how many of them are robots.  I rarely know who reads my entries.  Some people comment when I post my entries on Facebook.

Thanks to all those who have read my journal.

Joan Baez Sings About Bob Dylan - Diamonds and Rust

 

The lyrics are included in this video

Joan Baez I am a Noise

 

For the first time in several months, I traveled to Manhattan to see a movie.  It certainly was worth the trip to see a biographical documentary about folk singer Joan Baez.  Her "noise" is beautiful and based on her principles. It was directed by Miri Navasky, Karen O’Connor, and Maeve O’Boyle and is an intimate exploration of Baez, comprised of interviews, artwork, home videos, diary entries, and even tapes of her in therapy, capturing one of the most important voices in the American folk music.

It considers the romantic relationship between Joan and Bob Dylan in the sixties.  There is some footage that may be outtakes from the documentary Don't Look Back.  The film details Joan's activity in the civil rights and anti-war movements.  It covers relationships with her family.

I highly recommend it for folk music enthusiasts.

The Oldies Meeting and Greet will Transition to a Zoom Meeting

The late Randy Safuto (Randy and the Rainbows)

at the 2017 Oldies Meet and Greet

There have been yearly oldies meet and greets held in Manhattan since 2006. The event was an outgrowth of our outrage over the terrible format change at WCBS-FM in June 2005. Almost all of the events were held at Ben’s Deli on West 38th Street. Over the years we have had several radio personalities and singers of some of our favorite oldies as guests. Early this year the Manhattan Bens Deli was sold and is now known at Mr. Broadway. They are asking $44 for a sandwich, fries, and soft drink which is significantly higher than what we paid in the past.

In previous years, up to 80 people attended the event. In November 2022 only 25 came. There were two reasons for the big drop-off:

1. During the two-year gap caused by the pandemic many lost interest

2. Women were afraid to travel to Manhattan by public transportation.

We feel that the higher price would deter many from attending this year and in the future. We investigated other venues in Manhattan that were even more expensive. We have decided to hold future meetings virtually through Zoom. We have some ideas for a theme, but nothing has been finalized. However, we need someone to let us use the account for this event. If you can help us out, please let us know.

We thank all who have attended one or several past events.

Bruce Slutsky (BruceS8852@aol.com)

Jeff Scheckner (JmandJs@aol.com_

 

Bob Dylan Song Appropriate for the Tragic Events of the Past Few Days

 

Great Guitar Riff, but read the lyrics carefully.

Thank You Tom Natoli for Your Wonderful Tribute to Bob Shannon

 

Tom is on the bottom left with the NASA shirt

The other men are his fellow Survey Guys including

Ken Kaiser, Alan Ross, Charlie Menut, and Joe Pergola

Bob Shannon at CBS Radio Day at Yankee Stadium in 2010

Radio personality Bob Shannon has appeared many times in this journal.  Oldies Radio enthusiast, trivia maven, and radio personality on Pop Gold Radio Tom Natoli has spent many hours preparing a tribute to Bob Shannon.  Charlie Menut (seen above) and Phil Meynis recorded 10 hours of this tribute.  Keep in mind that this is only Part 1 of 3.

The recordings may be found at:

PART 1A:

DROPBOX:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lylgkdbm3qtdb2h9favyx/Tom-Natoli-Bob-Shannon-Tribute-PGR-Pt.1A-09-30-2023-FINAL.mp3?rlkey=cgd58zj6hh3j56emj6xj52zyb&dl=0

4-SHARE:

https://www.4shared.com/s/ffATjqYbBge

PART 1B:

DROPBOX:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a4mhf1ym2tijt6lofm66i/Tom-Natoli-Bob-Shannon-Tribute-PGR-Pt.-1B-09-30-2023-FINAL.mp3?rlkey=spias4b3gdcn5o8bnbq4hh6js&dl=0

4-SHARE:

https://www.4shared.com/s/f8yyeTCqcku

There is a segment featuring yours truly on the tribute show.