Apropos of Nothing

So last week got a little busy, and on the day of our first presidential debate we find ourselves more than a week behind on the "Ameri...

"Seven Year Ache" is 35 years old now, and I'm pretty sure that's enough time for me to declare it one one of the greatest...

"Blue Ridge Mountains" was the best song on Fleet Foxes' debut album, a beautiful and evocative tune that has only grown in st...

There aren't a lot of moments that you can convincingly argue represent the greatest moment in the history of rock and roll, but Elvis...

James McMurtry's "Complicated Game" is one of the best albums of the decade, and on it he demonstrates a knack for storytellin...

A great song, with one of the greatest lines of all time:  "An honest man's pillow is his peace of mind." Mellencamp is one ...

"Motown was about music for all people - white and black, blue and green, cops and robbers.  I was reluctant to have our music alienate...

"Chewin' out a rhythm on my bubble gum..."  Is there anything more American than that?

From the magnificent album "Love and Theft," released on September 11, 2001. High water risin', six inches 'bove my head...

I can remember the details of my grandmother’s house (mother’s side) as if I had walked through it yesterday. Located in Sutter, at the foot...

This probably isn't the most obvious choice for a Beach Boys song, but it always resonated with me.  Gary Usher, who co-wrote the song w...

The late Gil Scott-Heron was a tragic figure, but more importantly, a great artist who was well ahead of his time.  Listening to his early t...

I've got absolutely no hesitation in calling Creedence Clearwater Revival the greatest American rock 'n roll band of all time.  But ...

For what are we Without hope in our hearts That someday we'll drink from God's blessed waters And eat the fruit from the vine ...

Including today, there are 65 days until Election Day. 65 days when we will, no doubt, be subjected to a level of venom that is enough to...

On the face of it, there may not be a sport less suited to "the Olympic ideal" than golf.  But that ideal - the "purity...