Friday, April 5, 2019

People who know or think they know me will be surprised to know that I never heard a Charles Mingus album until today.  I went to Rockaway Records on Glendale Blvd, to purchase a British Electric Foundation (BEF) album, and by chance, I came upon Mingus' "Oh Yeah."   I have read that one of David Bowie's favorite albums was "Oh Yeah," and I'm starting a collection of 'Bowie's favorite albums.'   To know an artist you must know what that artist have read or listened to, or both. I played "Oh Yeah" twice in a row and found it to be incredibly charming.   I suspect that it's an unusual Mingus album because he sings on it, and plays the piano.  His main instrument (at least to the general public) is the bass.   I'm aware that he has put out an album called "Mingus Plays Piano," which is him improvising on the keyboard.  That should be an interesting listening experience. 

For the Please Kill Me website please kill me.com I'm writing a series on various music managers and how they influence or even made 'music culture.'   I'm doing all the obvious rock n' roll managers but will dwell into some of the more obscure hustlers and shakers that made a huge contribution to the music (and film) world.  I always had the obsession to see the Wizard at work behind the curtain, so this is something I'm looking forward to.  One of the key inspirations is a book by Johnny Rogan called "Starmakers & Svengalis" The History of British Pop Management."   In this book, he interviews the major managers of various rock n' roll figures and it is endlessly fascinating.  After I complete the rock n' roll managers, I'm thinking of doing a series on book publishers, who are equally interesting, and of course, all become tastemakers of sorts. 

Very rarely do I mention politics in my diary or journal due that I find that subject matter distasteful.  Not always, but since Trump became President, it seems such conversations become aimlessly inane. One thing he succeeds is to make politics into a vulgar spectacle.  It has always been tasteless, even at its best times, but this is true now on a decadent level.  To even comment on anything to do with that man becomes drawn into a level of stupidity that is hard to digest on an empty stomach.   As a practice or even a skill, I refuse to read or listen to any of his speeches, or interviews. When I do read about his administration it has to be a critique or straight journalism.   For one, whenever he opens his mouth a lie comes out, so therefore he's not a good source for information.  The irony, of course, is that he himself is 'fake' media.   He has nothing of value, and he cheapens the world around him.  A horror show takes place on a daily basis, and I just refuse to watch the pornography he produces on a regular basis. 

I'm feeling a touch under the weather.  I hope nothing 'sick' comes my way.  I want to stay busy by working.