Scene4 Magazine | letters to the editor

Great article, Ned. I always considered you one of the "ultimate hipsters" from the generation just before mine. Articulate and spot-on, man. I think I was born one generation too late. I was watching a PBS special the other day about the heyday of Greenwich Village culture(50's and 60's), and longed for its return somewhere....anywhere. And I really liked the way you tied jazz music into the soothing of our country's wounded collective soul. We need it now more than ever. Thanks.

Chuck Cobb

read Ned Bobkoff's article

Absolutely love the page opener with the montage of moving photos and the jazz playing! Veeerrry classy! I am the partner who accompanied Mr. Bobkoff to the Wild Magnolias blowout at Harro Ballroom. Being Native American myself, I felt it was an excellent opportunity for me to finally see the "Mardi Gras" Indians. I knew it would be a mix of influences, but it proved to be pure theater, as the author so expertly describes.This phantasmagoria is an excellent example of a kind of intercontinental cultural diaspora: when displaced peoples loose the homeland moorings, adaptability attaches itself to survival. On the way out, the lead "Spy Boy" autographed the CD I bought while I commented admiringly on the beadwork on his "outfit". Glancing behind him, however, I saw his feathered headdress lying unceremoniously on the floor. A Native American dancer would never let those feathers touch the floor. So much for authenticity. In terms of survival, however, perhaps he was the one who was admiring us, by way of imitation, after all. The "good time" became a sobering insight.

Rosalie Jones

read Ned Bobkoff's article

Mr. Bobkoff knows his Jazz and we, the readers, are better off for it. Please write more reviews.

Les Marcott

read Ned Bobkoff's article

Full disclosure...I am one of the photographers. Regardless, good article on the Fest. So much music you don't know what to do. Something for everyone who likes Jazz. If you don't like a particular group, just walk out and go across the street. Gets really hard to work my day job.

Kelley Yost

read Ned Bobkoff's article

Les, you did Blaze Foley good. I'll not forget you are the one who introduced me to his music. I'm still listening to him everyday. Songs that have become so much apart of my life, he was a genius and I only wonder what he'd have written had he not left so soon.

Michele

read Les Marcott's article

Theater people of all genres, and for that matter all artists including endeavors involving poetry and the other written arts, must not be defeated by a government organization saying we cannot give you any money. Artists need to think outside of that sow's purse and actively seek money else where. If necessary, take off your hat (mine says "Poet" in big bold letters) and pass it around to those listening. If you cannot get past the embarrassment of begging, you are not a true artist. While we are on the subject, come see Four Saints in Three Acts Feb 20 at CUNY Graduate Center on 5th Avenue. It's free to the public. Look it up at EncompassOpera.org. Encompass doesn't yet have all the money needed for the 16 piece orchestra but if you come and toss something in the hat after you hear this wonderful performance of the most innovative American opera ever created, maybe Nancy Rhodes won't have to go to the Poor House.

Karren Alenier

Enjoyed the article Les. Need to find this album!

Michele Hartley

read Les Marcott's article

I too have just finished watching "The Nashville Sound" DVD and also wondered whatever happened to Herbie Howell. In my search for info I came across Les Marcott's great article. As Les said, Herbie may have just drifted away...I think those guys in charge of "the C & W Business" seemed pretty hard and controlling, I don't think Herbie would have survived long in that cut throat environment. The movie, The Nashville Sound was fascinating, a time capsule of fashions, cars, hairstyles, manners, advertising and performance techniques and most of all full on, wonderful music.
A fun movie and a great story by Les.

Jim Stapleton

read Les Marcott's article

Please be aware kind readers that Herbie Howell was actually found by one of our readers. It turns out he has been hiding in plain sight in his home town of Augusta, Georgia all these years. And while he long ago gave up on a musical career, from what I understand has lived a rewarding and happy life. This news was posted here last year (click to read) but since there is such a tremendous interest in his story I deem it worthy to post again.

Les Marcott

read Les Marcott's original article

[For other posts on Herbie Howell, search the blog]

I too fell in love with Peter Grimes a long time basically because I've always worshipped Britten's music and this opera is so incandescent. Thanks for a beautiful look at a beautiful production.

Amy Sachs

read Karren Alenier's article

That's a hot list you got there Les. And very funny. But you know, those performers aren't very different from other folks. Look at the politicians and the CEOs. They do the same thing. I guess what happens when you get to certain place with power and money you get what you want and go a lttle crazy. Then it shows in your work and with musicians it shows in their music or what's left of it. The U.S. is the land of plenty but maybe not for long.

Jamie Perjtin

read Les Marcott's column

I always loved his music. Latin jazz as good as there ever was and the article caught that thing that made Manfredo's music so rich--that classical ride underneath. It's so sad that he passed when he did, but such a joy that his music is still alive and real. I hope somebody will do a commemorative album and pick the high points of his career. Maybe there's some film available. He was a joy to listen to and a joy to watch.

Bobby Friedkin

read Arthur Meiselman's article

Dear Lia Beachy, Good to read that you still listen to vinyl! It is getting more and more popular again! The photo shows a Technics SL 1210 bought by your father, me and app. 3.3 M other people on this planet. I love legends. Happy spinning.

Heiner Moessing

read Lia Beachy's article

Sadly, I no longer have a Teac Turntable. Just a cheaper Kenwood. But I am inspired to upgrade to a classic turntable. I've seen the listings online. And so the search is on.

Lia Beachy

read her article

Thanks for this well-written and unvarnished view of how American capitalism markets and pollutes everything, right on with Michael Moore's running "love story." I was there back then, but I won't be there now.

Marianne Andreasson

read Andrea Kapsaski's article

I too feel, just like Peter, that this event is a burn of many talents of local musicians and BOOTs gets the $$$.

Pete Slauson

read Andrea Kapsaski's article

Thanks for the excellent research. Bowles was a beautiful writer but I do love his music. Your article is very well researched.

Shela Xoregos

read Karren Alenier's article

I first encountered Di Wu during a re-broadcast of the 2009 Van Cliiburn piano competitiion. It was mostly about the medalists, but I really was caught up with DiWu's performannces, such as they were shown. I purchased the Prize winning DVD offered through PBS and have since been able to hear her play live. I greatly admire her talent and have been reading all about her and listening to her music ccurtesy of the internet. May she have a long and continually sucessful career. Her playing is just spectacular. No wonder the critics rave. I've loved music all my life and I thank God for this new source of joyous listening. Go Di!

Sarah Kendall

read Arthur Meiselman's article

I am in love with Glück's AVERNO. What a treat to hear about its transformation.

Grace Cavalieri

read Karren Alenier's column

Three cheers for the math-music connection.
I look forward to more news of HOW MANY MIDNIGHTS!

JoAnne Growney

read Karren Alenier's "Steiny Road to Operadom"

Renate Stendal , your review is extraordinary What a piece, so many complexities, one is left wondering... I love your style and exuberance even when I am left behind Bravo!

Jeanne Stark

read Renate Stendhal's review

As a poet attuned to the musical line, I want to say before the November issue of Scene4 hides the incredibly well thought out essay What Poets Can Learn from Songwriters by David Alpaugh that there are new ways to hear some of the poetic songwriters whose lyrics are surprising and get into your head when you least expect them to. For example, the Pandora app that brings tailored radio according to your favorite singer. I personally have tapped into Madeleine Peyroux radio which delivers to my ear Nellie McKay and other new songwriters as well as those from the past like Billie Holiday.

If you don't know the lyrics of Peyroux & McKay, see my review at
The Dressing titled Don't Pick Fights with Poets

Karren Alenier

A couple of points--there was a rise of the kind of musical theatre that you and Barker seem to endorse alongside the rise of the Nazis in Germany in the 1920's and 1930's, a glorious and provocative rise of the form that attracted large audiences along with the marvelous Voksbuhne (People's Theatre) in Berlin. If it hadn't been exterminated by the Nazis, the musical theatre in the post-war U.S. would have been markedly different even for Agnes deMille and her groundbreaking "Oklahoma!"

Your citing of Sondheim--a second-rate composer and second-rate lyricist who egged his way into the vacuum left by the demise of Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins. His success and popularity is a stinging example of what happens when the press adulates and creates an idol, just like Lady Gaga.

Michael Aptrow

read Michael Bettencourt's column

Your comments are well taken and hit the mark. Rock and rap and hip-hop is all about the Show, it's never been about the Music.

Timothy Harrou

read Les Marcott's column