Swan Dive

Like everyone else in the world, I was shocked and saddened by Michael Jackson’s death yesterday. I tried to watch some TV coverage, but was disappointed to see so much of it was about the tabloid aspects of his life. Better to turn to YouTube, where you can remind yourself what an incredible performer and singer he was. “Rockin’ Robin” was one of the first records I ever fell in love with as a kid. Here’s a performance from 1972. RIP Michael.

Rockin’ Robin

I’ve written a MOJO blog on the Department of Homeland Security’s use of music as a deterrent for illegal immigrants crossing the border from Mexico. Read it here:

Border Songs

I’m in Los Angeles, for a week a co-writing. Unlike past visits, where I’ve relied on taxis, buses, and the kindness of
my co-writers to get around, this time I’ve rented a car. The whole idea of “driving in L.A.” was kind of intimidating at first,
but I seem to be acclimating. Yesterday, I caught myself steering with one hand and cursing impatiently under my breath
at the slow driver in front of me. I’m trying to mainly stick to the streets rather than highways, as the traffic seems to move
a little faster. And I keep reminding myself, “Hey, I’ve driven in New York City at rush hour. . .”

My favorite new discovery is one block from my hotel. It’s a Chinese restaurant called Mandarette. I love that name. It sounds
like the name of an Asian super spy, or maybe some mysterious, finely tooled objet d’art. I ate there my first night in town, and immediately fell in love. I had veggie potstickers and shrimp with snow peas. But there was so much on the menu I wanted to try. It’s pretty much impossible to get good Chinese in Nashville, so I plan to return to Mandarette at least once before I leave on Saturday.

The summer I was twelve years old, me and my two best friends used to play “rock star.” Our early lo-tech version of Guitar
Hero or Rock Band involved a Panasonic stereo speaker lodged in a second story bedroom window and us boys down below on the well-kept suburban lawn, with badminton racket guitars, coke can microphones and unlimited energy. I was reminded of this when I came across James Wood’s excellent essay about the Who’s Quadrophenia, because “The Punk and the Godfather” was one of our big “rock star” numbers. Read Wood’s essay here:

Quadrophenia

I’ve written a MOJO Blog about how the Beatles spoke out against segregation during their ’64 tour. Read it here:

Beatles ’64 Tour