Category Archives: Music

Do you miss your old typewriter

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I don’t know about you, but I don’t miss my old typewriters at all. Still, I was intrigued by this video typewriter-centric performance.  The Boston Typewriter Orchestra is a nostalgic combo that engages in rhythmic typewriter manipulation combined with elements … Continue reading →

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Mainly Miscellany

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Who knew that Edward Gorey designed the sets for the U.S. revival of the 1924 stage play Dracula ? I certainly did not, but this fascinating article on the terrific CrimeReads blog does a deep dive into the story. Andy Weir’s The Martian was … Continue reading →

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Fly Beatles Air

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Today marks the 60-year anniversary of that epic airport arrival. On Feb. 7, 1964, flight 101 from London Heathrow lands at New York’s Kennedy Airport, triggering the launch of “Beatlemania”. New York City will be celebrating the British invasion at … Continue reading →

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Paris with Eugène Atget

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

While searching for early Paris photographs for a project, I ran across the marvelous video below. The short film pairs the images by the pioneering street photographer Eugène Atget with the music of Wim Mertens. NB: If the video fails … Continue reading →

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What do Mickey Mouse and D.H. Lawrence have in common

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

On January 1, 2024, thousands of copyrighted works from 1928 will enter the US public domain, along with sound recordings from 1923. They will be free for all to copy, share, and build upon. This year’s highlights include Lady Chatterley’s Lover by … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, History, movies, Music, Theater, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

A Hazy Shade of Winter

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

When I look out of the window this time of the year, I am often reminded of the classic 60s song A Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon and Garfunkel. In my region of North America, December frequently brings dreary, damp … Continue reading →

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A very special Christmas special

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Widely regarded by me as the best holiday special of all time (Cher, Oprah, Grace Jones, Frankie & Annette, Little Richard, KD Lang AND the New York Gay Men’s choir will be there to welcome you…on screen…!), nothing gets you … Continue reading →

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Cheap Flights

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

This hilarious video is not new, but I just discovered it and had to share it for a laugh.  

Posted in Air Travel, Europe, Film, Music, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , | 3 Comments

“I’ve been everywhere, man”

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently killing time in an airport waiting for a flight and spent a fun time trading travel recommendations with another flyer. We had both seen lots of fabulous places, but neither one of us could compete with the … Continue reading →

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Lou Reed meets Edgar Allan Poe

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I have long been a fan of the late great Lou Reed, but I only recently discovered that he created an updated version of the iconic poem The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. In 2003, he  set Poe’s most famous stories and … Continue reading →

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