I didn't know Eve Babitz that well. I only met her a few times, and always in the landscape of either an opening at a gallery or a party with or for artists. Her non-fiction books are recommended, especially if the reader has an interest in Southern California culture. Eve's personality in those days was delightful and very funny. I remember talking to her after my dad died, and she knew Wallace. We were at a party and at first, she took a liking to me. But as the minutes go by I can see her interest in me or our conversation should end as soon as possible. What struck me at that moment was her honesty as her mood changed from seduction to boredom. That was the last time I saw her, and reading about her burn incident as well as being lured in by the Right-Wing world was depressing news. Hearing of her passing is also equally depressing. There are spirits you want to live forever, and alas, they can't in the physical sense. But we do have her books published by NYRB, and that can last forever.
Tosh and Kimley discuss The History of Bones: A Memoir by John Lurie. Lurie is a multi-hyphenate talent: musician-composer-actor-painter and now book-writer. Initially making his mark as the bandleader for downtown New York group, The Lounge Lizards, he quickly went on to establish himself as an actor in several films. He created and starred in the enigmatic, must-see TV show Fishing with John and the more recent Painting with John. He’s toured the world, composed several film scores, and has even done some modeling. And all along, he’s also managed to keep up a serious painting practice. Is there anything this man can’t do? Tosh and Kimley have some varying thoughts on this…
Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17
Tosh and Kimley are joined by special guest Andrea Tetrick to discuss Nina Simone’s Gum by Warren Ellis. Warren Ellis is a multi-instrumentalist and frequent collaborator with Nick Cave as well as a member of The Bad Seeds and the trio Dirty Three among other music projects. He now adds talented writer to his resume with this new book which is part memoir but also an homage to art and artists and their power to inspire and lift us up. When Ellis takes Nina Simone’s gum from her piano after a transcendent performance, it takes him on an epic adventure while he contemplates the meaning and importance of these precious objects that we carry with us.
Spotify playlist | Apple playlist
Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17
Tosh and Kimley discuss Unstrung: Rants and Stories of a Noise Guitarist by Marc Ribot. Ribot first started making some serious noise on the music scene in the 1980s adding incredible sounds to records by the likes of Tom Waits and Elvis Costello as well as being an integral member of the downtown New York music scene playing with John Zorn, The Lounge Lizards and leading several bands of his own with wildly varying styles. This is his first book and it’s a mix of music writing and short fiction. Marc has a wicked smart sense of humor and isn’t shy to talk about his strong political leanings. And you can bet that he’ll crank it up to 11!
Spotify playlist | Apple playlist
Theme music: “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17
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