pacino

Hi Socrates, your definition of "disciplined imagination" seems to hit the mark. I know that type as well, and the topic of those who stop just a step away from affirmation almost fascinates me. There’s something "typically human" about never reaching definitive success. The inability to achieve the ultimate fulfillment that truly brings relief points to something inherently human. Success, for these types, wouldn’t really add anything—not just out of snobbish indifference. Affirmation or "consensus" couldn’t (unfortunately) provide genuine help to their quest (with their minds, hands, and hearts) in the world of notes to reach a bit of quiet, peace, and joy.

Damn, it was really the gang! This illustration of yours for a piece on good ol' Billy is another micro-story that helps to compose a complex Debaserian, Odradekian biography... I almost imagined there would be something like this... I’ll end with a "foolish" greeting that’s in line with Billy and the election day: "hasta la victoria siempre."

In certain moments, when I lean towards the slightly off-center things, I start to think that this might even be better than Fagen’s stuff, having digested and metabolized his songs almost to the point of tiring of them. Then I listen to "Morph the Cat" and tell myself that there’s no way to surpass it. In this oscillating conviction, I always have the doubt, even though Fagen seems more incisive and "complete" than Becker, that Becker is not any less. I even like the voice of this guy here... but Fagen’s voice, wow, right?! Who can compete with that?!... At other times, I realize there’s no way to rank them because the two are part of the same thing and preferring one over the other would be like saying I prefer my right arm to my left arm... it’s certain that no one who has loved Steely Dan can remain indifferent to these 11 Tracks Of Whack... even if bought by sheer chance and because of an extra "r" or one too few...

I remember Billy Bragg. I liked him. With his slung guitar and his dry music. That somewhat special voice. In Italy, he often performed concerts with an Italian band (Bolognese?) whose name now (of course) escapes me. Who were they? Those were undoubtedly the years of the damned Iron Lady... the one who broke a lot of things... Recently, with Wilco, he made two great CDs where he brought to music for the first time (if I remember correctly) unreleased lyrics by W.G.... I had missed this compilation, great mention...

Hi Socrates, these days I'm listening to "subtìtulo," which is the latest from Josh Rouse. I still need to thank you for introducing me to this guy. It's truly incomprehensible to me that, as far as I know, he can't achieve a success commensurate with his ability to write refined pop songs. As for the rest, I'm going to vote in the hope of becoming, for once, part of a "maggioranza"...

this is a choice with drawbacks... odradek is always to be admired for its subtle precision. In ideas and in words.

the vote...

Invited by a Debaser friend to come here, I read it in one breath. At this point, without reading the comments of others, in my little darkness, I can only say that it was worth it. And that, in some moment, the same can be said about this life. Despite everything.

You're right, even "The Man Who Loved Women" deserves to be among the best. I liked it too. As for Fanny's face, I managed to get it out of my head with a lot of effort. I haven't seen Aki's film, but at this point, I feel like watching it (I really like Aki). We need to see if it's available in some devilish reproducible format at home. I happened to watch "Per scherzo," a French film on TV, where mature Léaud finds a truly original way to ruin his wife's adulterous relationship (can you believe it, Ornella Muti)...

Hey Odra, in the notes of Misha's concert program, it mentions that Misha has been playing for some time with a very precious cello. A cello gifted to him by an admirer. Was it you by any chance? Is this the thing you didn’t tell us about your meeting? As for the possibility that the lively and curious ones were waiting to enter the deep and hammering dark abyss, I fear you may be right. But they could have made a stop by Misha... As for Truffaut, I have always loved him. "The Woman Next Door" and "The 400 Blows" above all. How many of us have found ourselves in the deeds of Jean-Pierre Léaud?