[BostonCard]

Wikipedia is an amazing reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Karen...a_Karenina

The title has been translated as both Anna Karenin and Anna Karenina. The first instance "naturalizes" the Russian name into English, whereas the second is a direct transliteration of the actual Russian name. Vladimir Nabokov explains: "In Russian, a surname ending in a consonant acquires a final 'a' (except for the cases of such names that cannot be declined and except adjectives like OblonskAYA) when designating a woman; but only when the reference is to a female stage performer should English feminise a Russian surname (following a French custom: la Pavlova, 'the Pavlova'). Ivanov's and Karenin's wives are Mrs Ivanov and Mrs Karenin in Britain and the US—not 'Mrs Ivanova' or 'Mrs Karenina'."[1]

Nabokov favours the first convention—removing the Russian 'a' to naturalize the name into English—but subsequent translators mostly allow Anna's actual Russian name to stand. Larissa Volokhonsky, herself a Russian, prefers the second option, as did Aylmer and Louise Maude, who lived in Russia for many years and were friends of Tolstoy. Other translators, like Constance Garnett and Rosemary Edmonds, both non-Russians, prefer the first.

No mention of what Tolstoy himself preferred.

BC

[BostonCard]

Wikipedia is an amazing reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Karen...a_Karenina

The title has been translated as both Anna Karenin and Anna Karenina. The first instance "naturalizes" the Russian name into English, whereas the second is a direct transliteration of the actual Russian name. Vladimir Nabokov explains: "In Russian, a surname ending in a consonant acquires a final 'a' (except for the cases of such names that cannot be declined and except adjectives like OblonskAYA) when designating a woman; but only when the reference is to a female stage performer should English feminise a Russian surname (following a French custom: la Pavlova, 'the Pavlova'). Ivanov's and Karenin's wives are Mrs Ivanov and Mrs Karenin in Britain and the US—not 'Mrs Ivanova' or 'Mrs Karenina'."[1]

Nabokov favours the first convention—removing the Russian 'a' to naturalize the name into English—but subsequent translators mostly allow Anna's actual Russian name to stand. Larissa Volokhonsky, herself a Russian, prefers the second option, as did Aylmer and Louise Maude, who lived in Russia for many years and were friends of Tolstoy. Other translators, like Constance Garnett and Rosemary Edmonds, both non-Russians, prefer the first.

No mention of what Tolstoy himself preferred.

BC

[cctop]

I normally pay zero attention to the Grammies -- between it and the Clios it's a close call which is the biggest sham of awards shows -- but after reading a profile of Brandi Carlile and her six nominations this year, I started to go back through her work.

Yes, I know I'm late to the party.  I've somehow missed her til now perhaps because I don't listen to much country music or to woman-with-a-guitar-in-a-coffee-shop style songs.

Regarding Carlile, few artists put so much of their heart into their voice.  I would call her sound almost haunting.

Here's her song "The Joke":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r6A2NexF88

She also does a nice rendition of "Hallelujah" which really takes off during the bridge.

[cctop]

I normally pay zero attention to the Grammies -- between it and the Clios it's a close call which is the biggest sham of awards shows -- but after reading a profile of Brandi Carlile and her six nominations this year, I started to go back through her work.

Yes, I know I'm late to the party.  I've somehow missed her til now perhaps because I don't listen to much country music or to woman-with-a-guitar-in-a-coffee-shop style songs.

Regarding Carlile, few artists put so much of their heart into their voice.  I would call her sound almost haunting.

Here's her song "The Joke":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r6A2NexF88

She also does a nice rendition of "Hallelujah" which really takes off during the bridge.

[BostonCard]

I just found this track (sadly a year after it was released), by Israeli artist Dennis Lloyd...

https://youtu.be/naW6-WxmMiU

Loved it upon first listen.

BC

[BostonCard]

I just found this track (sadly a year after it was released), by Israeli artist Dennis Lloyd...

https://youtu.be/naW6-WxmMiU

Loved it upon first listen.

BC

[BostonCard]

Ok, just finished watching the Netflix adaptation of The Umbrella Academy (crazy good, by the way), and the closing credits are this remake of “Hazy Shade of Winter”

https://youtu.be/ZTCrqXpKHec

The remake is by Gerard Way, who wrote the graphic novel upon which the show is based.  That he would be involved in the music is also not a surprise, as he was the font man for the now sadly defunct band My Chemical Romance.

I think their best known song was “Welcome to the Black Parade”

https://youtu.be/RRKJiM9Njr8

BC

[BostonCard]

Ok, just finished watching the Netflix adaptation of The Umbrella Academy (crazy good, by the way), and the closing credits are this remake of “Hazy Shade of Winter”

https://youtu.be/ZTCrqXpKHec

The remake is by Gerard Way, who wrote the graphic novel upon which the show is based.  That he would be involved in the music is also not a surprise, as he was the font man for the now sadly defunct band My Chemical Romance.

I think their best known song was “Welcome to the Black Parade”

https://youtu.be/RRKJiM9Njr8

BC

[Genuine Realist]

Ok, just finished watching the Netflix adaptation of The Umbrella Academy (crazy good, by the way), and the closing credits are this remake of “Hazy Shade of Winter”

https://youtu.be/ZTCrqXpKHec

The remake is by Gerard Way, who wrote the graphic novel upon which the show is based.  That he would be involved in the music is also not a surprise, as he was the font man for the now sadly defunct band My Chemical Romance.

I think their best known song was “Welcome to the Black Parade”

https://youtu.be/RRKJiM9Njr8

BC

I liked 'The Umbrella Academy' quite a bit, but would warn anyone that the plot arc does not end with Season One. A second is required, as with Avengers: Infinity War. Also, the music that impressed me most was the violin solo at the beginning of the very first episode, a medley from 'Phantom of the Opera', tunes I don't particularly like, but which sounded exquisite in the series. The one negative is the abysmal performance of Ellen Page, which a number of viewer reviews on IMdB have noted.

Apropos of nothing, here is a strange, but unforgettable number called 'You Haunt Me', which is the music-over-credits music of an eerie little thriller called 'Another Me'. The song makes a striking impression there and even on its own. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y92zUtn4cA

[Genuine Realist]

Ok, just finished watching the Netflix adaptation of The Umbrella Academy (crazy good, by the way), and the closing credits are this remake of “Hazy Shade of Winter”

https://youtu.be/ZTCrqXpKHec

The remake is by Gerard Way, who wrote the graphic novel upon which the show is based.  That he would be involved in the music is also not a surprise, as he was the font man for the now sadly defunct band My Chemical Romance.

I think their best known song was “Welcome to the Black Parade”

https://youtu.be/RRKJiM9Njr8

BC

I liked 'The Umbrella Academy' quite a bit, but would warn anyone that the plot arc does not end with Season One. A second is required, as with Avengers: Infinity War. Also, the music that impressed me most was the violin solo at the beginning of the very first episode, a medley from 'Phantom of the Opera', tunes I don't particularly like, but which sounded exquisite in the series. The one negative is the abysmal performance of Ellen Page, which a number of viewer reviews on IMdB have noted.

Apropos of nothing, here is a strange, but unforgettable number called 'You Haunt Me', which is the music-over-credits music of an eerie little thriller called 'Another Me'. The song makes a striking impression there and even on its own. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y92zUtn4cA

[BostonCard]

Good call on the violin rendition of the Phantom medley, leading into a rock version.  I think that may have been at or near the opening scene or maybe the end of the first episode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAFqRfXt-Us

In fact the entire soundtrack was well done, with quite a range of pieces.  From They Might Be Giants' "Istambul", which was particularly effective because it was used during a fight scene, creating quite a dramatic disconnect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sl4XCVm...Qp&index=8

To Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA2MCjzZkAU

To Nina Simone's "Sinnerman"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH3Fx41J...4VaEbtaPQp

To Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" (also masterfully used during a fight scene):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3A724gnLas

And a bunch more.

BC

[BostonCard]

Good call on the violin rendition of the Phantom medley, leading into a rock version.  I think that may have been at or near the opening scene or maybe the end of the first episode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAFqRfXt-Us

In fact the entire soundtrack was well done, with quite a range of pieces.  From They Might Be Giants' "Istambul", which was particularly effective because it was used during a fight scene, creating quite a dramatic disconnect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sl4XCVm...Qp&index=8

To Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA2MCjzZkAU

To Nina Simone's "Sinnerman"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH3Fx41J...4VaEbtaPQp

To Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" (also masterfully used during a fight scene):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3A724gnLas

And a bunch more.

BC

[BostonCard]

 Also, the music that impressed me most was the violin solo at the beginning of the very first episode, a medley from 'Phantom of the Opera', tunes I don't particularly like, but which sounded exquisite in the series. 

So the violinist who performed that Medley was Lindsey Stirling, who I had never heard about, but whose songs are regularly in my rotation.  She plays a variety of styles, everything from classical to violin electronica, which I didn't even know was a thing.  A few highlights:

An "impromptu" outdoor concert playin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrutzRWXkKs

A cover of Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2GCa-_nyU

The singers (the a capella group Pentatonix) don't do much for me, but the solo starting at 1:14 does.

And here are a couple of my favorites "Crystallize":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjpOzsQ9YI

and "Electric Daisy Violin"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxIOUJ7by6U

BC

[BostonCard]

 Also, the music that impressed me most was the violin solo at the beginning of the very first episode, a medley from 'Phantom of the Opera', tunes I don't particularly like, but which sounded exquisite in the series. 

So the violinist who performed that Medley was Lindsey Stirling, who I had never heard about, but whose songs are regularly in my rotation.  She plays a variety of styles, everything from classical to violin electronica, which I didn't even know was a thing.  A few highlights:

An "impromptu" outdoor concert playin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrutzRWXkKs

A cover of Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2GCa-_nyU

The singers (the a capella group Pentatonix) don't do much for me, but the solo starting at 1:14 does.

And here are a couple of my favorites "Crystallize":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjpOzsQ9YI

and "Electric Daisy Violin"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxIOUJ7by6U

BC

[JJJ]

I didn't see Lindsay Stirling, but I did see Pentatonix live a few years ago (including Radioactive) and I was very impressed.

[JJJ]

I didn't see Lindsay Stirling, but I did see Pentatonix live a few years ago (including Radioactive) and I was very impressed.

[stupac2]

 Also, the music that impressed me most was the violin solo at the beginning of the very first episode, a medley from 'Phantom of the Opera', tunes I don't particularly like, but which sounded exquisite in the series. 

So the violinist who performed that Medley was Lindsey Stirling, who I had never heard about, but whose songs are regularly in my rotation.  She plays a variety of styles, everything from classical to violin electronica, which I didn't even know was a thing.  A few highlights:

An "impromptu" outdoor concert playin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrutzRWXkKs

A cover of Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2GCa-_nyU

The singers (the a capella group Pentatonix) don't do much for me, but the solo starting at 1:14 does.

And here are a couple of my favorites "Crystallize":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjpOzsQ9YI

and "Electric Daisy Violin"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxIOUJ7by6U

BC

One advantage of having a toddler who's inexplicably obsessed with violins is that I know of all these people. His favorite is Daniel Jang, who does mostly violin covers of pop songs. There's also Simply 3 that adds a bass and cello, 2 Cellos (who are crazy), the Piano Guys who are Piano/Cello (or maybe it's a bass idk), and probably some others I'm forgetting off the top of my head.

But yes, Lindsay Sterling seems to be the most prolific/prominent of the "crazy pop classical-stringed-instrument" people.

[stupac2]

 Also, the music that impressed me most was the violin solo at the beginning of the very first episode, a medley from 'Phantom of the Opera', tunes I don't particularly like, but which sounded exquisite in the series. 

So the violinist who performed that Medley was Lindsey Stirling, who I had never heard about, but whose songs are regularly in my rotation.  She plays a variety of styles, everything from classical to violin electronica, which I didn't even know was a thing.  A few highlights:

An "impromptu" outdoor concert playin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrutzRWXkKs

A cover of Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2GCa-_nyU

The singers (the a capella group Pentatonix) don't do much for me, but the solo starting at 1:14 does.

And here are a couple of my favorites "Crystallize":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjpOzsQ9YI

and "Electric Daisy Violin"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxIOUJ7by6U

BC

One advantage of having a toddler who's inexplicably obsessed with violins is that I know of all these people. His favorite is Daniel Jang, who does mostly violin covers of pop songs. There's also Simply 3 that adds a bass and cello, 2 Cellos (who are crazy), the Piano Guys who are Piano/Cello (or maybe it's a bass idk), and probably some others I'm forgetting off the top of my head.

But yes, Lindsay Sterling seems to be the most prolific/prominent of the "crazy pop classical-stringed-instrument" people.

[BostonCard]

Thanks stupak.  Will check them out.

In the meantime, I guess it is worth adding the worlds newest pop sensation, who is definitely Hulk bait, as her new album has been described as “owes a clear debt to Lorde (minimal, hip-hop inflected) and to Lana Del Rey (drowsily narcotic, romanticising darkness), but it also sounds fresh and imaginative”

https://www.economist.com/prospero/2019/...rm=2019045

So, I present to you Billie Eilish’s my newest Strange Addiction...

https://youtu.be/IiIDghGyy7Y

BC

[BostonCard]

Thanks stupak.  Will check them out.

In the meantime, I guess it is worth adding the worlds newest pop sensation, who is definitely Hulk bait, as her new album has been described as “owes a clear debt to Lorde (minimal, hip-hop inflected) and to Lana Del Rey (drowsily narcotic, romanticising darkness), but it also sounds fresh and imaginative”

https://www.economist.com/prospero/2019/...rm=2019045

So, I present to you Billie Eilish’s my newest Strange Addiction...

https://youtu.be/IiIDghGyy7Y

BC

[JJJ]

Well, this isn't new, but it's one of my favorite by 2 Cellos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V7EugoweM4

[JJJ]

Well, this isn't new, but it's one of my favorite by 2 Cellos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V7EugoweM4

[BostonCard]

if you have not already, go see Bohemian Rhapsody

Finally got around to seeing it.  The music was, of course, great, but I couldn’t help but think that I got a highly sanitized version of Freddie Mercury’s life.  It was also factually inaccurate in several places (for example, Mercury was diagnosed with HIV after the Live Aid concert, not before as in the movie).  Quips aside, it was an enjoyable two hours, and the music was, of course, wonderful.

BC

[BostonCard]

if you have not already, go see Bohemian Rhapsody

Finally got around to seeing it.  The music was, of course, great, but I couldn’t help but think that I got a highly sanitized version of Freddie Mercury’s life.  It was also factually inaccurate in several places (for example, Mercury was diagnosed with HIV after the Live Aid concert, not before as in the movie).  Quips aside, it was an enjoyable two hours, and the music was, of course, wonderful.

BC

[Mick]

if you have not already, go see Bohemian Rhapsody

Finally got around to seeing it.  The music was, of course, great, but I couldn’t help but think that I got a highly sanitized version of Freddie Mercury’s life.  It was also factually inaccurate in several places (for example, Mercury was diagnosed with HIV after the Live Aid concert, not before as in the movie).  Quips aside, it was an enjoyable two hours, and the music was, of course, wonderful.

BC

That was my take exactly.  I thought Rami Malek (Mercury), Ben Hardy (Taylor) and Gwilym Lee (May) were superb. Taylor and May had artistic control over the movie, so it was unlikely to be anything other than sanitized.

Sacha Baron Cohen was originally set to play Mercury. Now THAT would have been interesting.  But he left over "creative differences."  Guess he couldn't be outrageous enough.  He wanted a gritty, R-Rated "tell-all."

Director Bryan Singer and Malek didn't get along at all.  Singer quit 2/3 of the way through, but was still listed as the Director (Academy rules state that there can only be one director).  

A couple of real-life edits to the film: 
* Mercury was not the first band member to release a solo album.  May and Taylor each released a solo album before Mercury.  Taylor actually released TWO albums.
* John Deacon was not the first bassist, he was the fourth.
* They didn't have to "get back into shape."  Their last tour had ended just eight weeks earlier.
* Live Aid was in 1985.  Band members weren't made aware that Mercury was HIV-positive until 1989.

[Mick]

if you have not already, go see Bohemian Rhapsody

Finally got around to seeing it.  The music was, of course, great, but I couldn’t help but think that I got a highly sanitized version of Freddie Mercury’s life.  It was also factually inaccurate in several places (for example, Mercury was diagnosed with HIV after the Live Aid concert, not before as in the movie).  Quips aside, it was an enjoyable two hours, and the music was, of course, wonderful.

BC

That was my take exactly.  I thought Rami Malek (Mercury), Ben Hardy (Taylor) and Gwilym Lee (May) were superb. Taylor and May had artistic control over the movie, so it was unlikely to be anything other than sanitized.

Sacha Baron Cohen was originally set to play Mercury. Now THAT would have been interesting.  But he left over "creative differences."  Guess he couldn't be outrageous enough.  He wanted a gritty, R-Rated "tell-all."

Director Bryan Singer and Malek didn't get along at all.  Singer quit 2/3 of the way through, but was still listed as the Director (Academy rules state that there can only be one director).  

A couple of real-life edits to the film: 
* Mercury was not the first band member to release a solo album.  May and Taylor each released a solo album before Mercury.  Taylor actually released TWO albums.
* John Deacon was not the first bassist, he was the fourth.
* They didn't have to "get back into shape."  Their last tour had ended just eight weeks earlier.
* Live Aid was in 1985.  Band members weren't made aware that Mercury was HIV-positive until 1989.

[BostonCard]

That was my take exactly.  I thought Rami Malek (Mercury), Ben Hardy (Taylor) and Gwilym Lee (May) were superb. Taylor and May had artistic control over the movie, so it was unlikely to be anything other than sanitized.

Sacha Baron Cohen was originally set to play Mercury. Now THAT would have been interesting.  But he left over "creative differences."  Guess he couldn't be outrageous enough.  He wanted a gritty, R-Rated "tell-all."

Director Bryan Singer and Malek didn't get along at all.  Singer quit 2/3 of the way through, but was still listed as the Director (Academy rules state that there can only be one director).  

A couple of real-life edits to the film: 
* Mercury was not the first band member to release a solo album.  May and Taylor each released a solo album before Mercury.  Taylor actually released TWO albums.
* John Deacon was not the first bassist, he was the fourth.
* They didn't have to "get back into shape."  Their last tour had ended just eight weeks earlier.
* Live Aid was in 1985.  Band members weren't made aware that Mercury was HIV-positive until 1989.

The other big discrepancy is that the band is portrayed as having made it financially before the release of A Night at the Opera.  And while it is true they sold plenty of records, the band was so broke that Rosie Horide, a journalist used to bring bottles of wine with her when interviewing the band, because they didn't even have money for booze.  The reason is that they were ripped off by their first manager, Norman Sheffield, which is the basis for "Death on Two Legs (dedicated to...)" 

BC

[BostonCard]

That was my take exactly.  I thought Rami Malek (Mercury), Ben Hardy (Taylor) and Gwilym Lee (May) were superb. Taylor and May had artistic control over the movie, so it was unlikely to be anything other than sanitized.

Sacha Baron Cohen was originally set to play Mercury. Now THAT would have been interesting.  But he left over "creative differences."  Guess he couldn't be outrageous enough.  He wanted a gritty, R-Rated "tell-all."

Director Bryan Singer and Malek didn't get along at all.  Singer quit 2/3 of the way through, but was still listed as the Director (Academy rules state that there can only be one director).  

A couple of real-life edits to the film: 
* Mercury was not the first band member to release a solo album.  May and Taylor each released a solo album before Mercury.  Taylor actually released TWO albums.
* John Deacon was not the first bassist, he was the fourth.
* They didn't have to "get back into shape."  Their last tour had ended just eight weeks earlier.
* Live Aid was in 1985.  Band members weren't made aware that Mercury was HIV-positive until 1989.

The other big discrepancy is that the band is portrayed as having made it financially before the release of A Night at the Opera.  And while it is true they sold plenty of records, the band was so broke that Rosie Horide, a journalist used to bring bottles of wine with her when interviewing the band, because they didn't even have money for booze.  The reason is that they were ripped off by their first manager, Norman Sheffield, which is the basis for "Death on Two Legs (dedicated to...)" 

BC

[BostonCard]

I went to concerts the last two weekends. Two weeks ago Joan Osborne Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne at the Fox in Oakland.  

i saw Jackson Browne many years ago, and i really enjoyed it.  and i also like Imagine Dragons.

right now, my favorite band is The Killers (don't ask me why they chose that name, because i'll never know).  i think Brandon Flowers is the best and most charismatic pop singer alive today.

Couldn’t find the original recommendation for Human, but this interpretative dance version is hilarious.

https://youtu.be/0vnMdFmZ3P8

There’s also a great clip out there of Armand doing his interpretive dance of Torn by Natalie Imbruglia, and then she joins him on the set. Great sport!

BC

[BostonCard]

I went to concerts the last two weekends. Two weeks ago Joan Osborne Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne at the Fox in Oakland.  

i saw Jackson Browne many years ago, and i really enjoyed it.  and i also like Imagine Dragons.

right now, my favorite band is The Killers (don't ask me why they chose that name, because i'll never know).  i think Brandon Flowers is the best and most charismatic pop singer alive today.

Couldn’t find the original recommendation for Human, but this interpretative dance version is hilarious.

https://youtu.be/0vnMdFmZ3P8

There’s also a great clip out there of Armand doing his interpretive dance of Torn by Natalie Imbruglia, and then she joins him on the set. Great sport!

BC

[Hulk01]

I am delighted this thread has endured.

I echo the vote for Brandi Carlisle.

The Killers still show often on my playlists, but the Boss, at this later stage of my life, has grown on me.  Girls in Their Summer Clothes, If I Should Fall Behind, and Tougher Than The Rest are particular favorites.  

Have grown ever madder over Florence Welch: Ship To Wreck and Hunger are in constant rotation.

Hard to miss the talent that is Sara Barielles.

I love Hard Drive by Cassandra Jenkins.  A surprise.

My 25 year old music fan/son has brought me Don't Hold Back by DRAMA and The Last Goodbye by ODESZA.  And my beautiful pilot/girl friend has given me a taste for country and a particular love for Drunk And I Don't Want To Go Home and. Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind.  And I love Faith Hill's take on Should I Fall Behind.

Of interest to a couple of you, my new book (and sixth) The Invisible Promise- will be out in mid-October.  Still hoping to publish my finished novel Scaling Gin Ridge, which reached a near-epic 470 pages at one point,  and working on its screenplay adaptation.  And now living in the glorious high desert of Oregon, just a ten-minute walk from the Deschutes River.  

No longer follow Stanford football but actively follow women's golf and basketball.  Those of you who know me a bit probably are not surprised by that. . .Best to you all. . . 

[Hulk01]

I am delighted this thread has endured.

I echo the vote for Brandi Carlisle.

The Killers still show often on my playlists, but the Boss, at this later stage of my life, has grown on me.  Girls in Their Summer Clothes, If I Should Fall Behind, and Tougher Than The Rest are particular favorites.  

Have grown ever madder over Florence Welch: Ship To Wreck and Hunger are in constant rotation.

Hard to miss the talent that is Sara Barielles.

I love Hard Drive by Cassandra Jenkins.  A surprise.

My 25 year old music fan/son has brought me Don't Hold Back by DRAMA and The Last Goodbye by ODESZA.  And my beautiful pilot/girl friend has given me a taste for country and a particular love for Drunk And I Don't Want To Go Home and. Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind.  And I love Faith Hill's take on Should I Fall Behind.

Of interest to a couple of you, my new book (and sixth) The Invisible Promise- will be out in mid-October.  Still hoping to publish my finished novel Scaling Gin Ridge, which reached a near-epic 470 pages at one point,  and working on its screenplay adaptation.  And now living in the glorious high desert of Oregon, just a ten-minute walk from the Deschutes River.  

No longer follow Stanford football but actively follow women's golf and basketball.  Those of you who know me a bit probably are not surprised by that. . .Best to you all. . . 

[BobK]

Great to have you back Hulk

I still listen often to Dr Hook Cover of the Rolling Stone

[BobK]

Great to have you back Hulk

I still listen often to Dr Hook Cover of the Rolling Stone

[BostonCard]

Found it!  David Armand and Natalie Imbruglia doing torn:

https://youtu.be/m8AggJ3_Xf0

BC

[BostonCard]

Found it!  David Armand and Natalie Imbruglia doing torn:

https://youtu.be/m8AggJ3_Xf0

BC

[Bruce Wang]

Speaking of Nabokov, as part of research for the noveil I am writing, I recently read Ada, or Ardor.  It's an overlooked masterpiece.  Better than Pale Fire and the vastly overrated Lolita.

In terms of music, the overlooked current band I am into is The Courteeners from Manchester.  They sound like a cross between Oasis and The Smiths.  Despised by critics, they can sell out an arena in Manchester but can only fill small venues in the rest of the UK.  They've toured the US once opening for Morrissey.

And here's a recommendation for Hulk: Suki Waterhouse.  Sounds like a more cheerful Lana Del Ray.

[Bruce Wang]

Speaking of Nabokov, as part of research for the noveil I am writing, I recently read Ada, or Ardor.  It's an overlooked masterpiece.  Better than Pale Fire and the vastly overrated Lolita.

In terms of music, the overlooked current band I am into is The Courteeners from Manchester.  They sound like a cross between Oasis and The Smiths.  Despised by critics, they can sell out an arena in Manchester but can only fill small venues in the rest of the UK.  They've toured the US once opening for Morrissey.

And here's a recommendation for Hulk: Suki Waterhouse.  Sounds like a more cheerful Lana Del Ray.

[Genuine Realist]

Speaking of Nabokov, as part of research for the noveil I am writing, I recently read Ada, or Ardor.  It's an overlooked masterpiece.  Better than Pale Fire and the vastly overrated Lolita.

In terms of music, the overlooked current band I am into is The Courteeners from Manchester.  They sound like a cross between Oasis and The Smiths.  Despised by critics, they can sell out an arena in Manchester but can only fill small venues in the rest of the UK.  They've toured the US once opening for Morrissey.

And here's a recommendation for Hulk: Suki Waterhouse.  Sounds like a more cheerful Lana Del Ray.

I read almost entirely history these days. But as fiction: 

(1) I listen to (not read) Mick Herron's 'Slough House' series, which are superbly written, with the unforgettable Jackson Lamb as the major character. The Apple TV series was good but did not do justice to the nuance and sly humor of the prose.  The series is unfortunately marred slightly by overreliance on what I call the British plot, i.e., you wonder why intelligence services exist since the only bad deeds they ever discover are their own. But it's still fun.

(2) I do very little serious fictional reading, and particularly Russian. But Viasily Grossman's Life and Fate, justly compared to War and Peace (though it does fall a little short of that level) is worth the effort.  I excerpted a long passage about the importance of simple kindness, since it expressed my wife's credo almost perfectly. Here it is.

(3) Finally, although I generally eschew self-promotion, my novel of mine, A Prophet Without Honor, was picked by the Amazon Audible company, and now exists in an audio version. It's sold over 10,000 copies, so it may be time to look for an agent and see what happens.

[Genuine Realist]

Speaking of Nabokov, as part of research for the noveil I am writing, I recently read Ada, or Ardor.  It's an overlooked masterpiece.  Better than Pale Fire and the vastly overrated Lolita.

In terms of music, the overlooked current band I am into is The Courteeners from Manchester.  They sound like a cross between Oasis and The Smiths.  Despised by critics, they can sell out an arena in Manchester but can only fill small venues in the rest of the UK.  They've toured the US once opening for Morrissey.

And here's a recommendation for Hulk: Suki Waterhouse.  Sounds like a more cheerful Lana Del Ray.

I read almost entirely history these days. But as fiction: 

(1) I listen to (not read) Mick Herron's 'Slough House' series, which are superbly written, with the unforgettable Jackson Lamb as the major character. The Apple TV series was good but did not do justice to the nuance and sly humor of the prose.  The series is unfortunately marred slightly by overreliance on what I call the British plot, i.e., you wonder why intelligence services exist since the only bad deeds they ever discover are their own. But it's still fun.

(2) I do very little serious fictional reading, and particularly Russian. But Viasily Grossman's Life and Fate, justly compared to War and Peace (though it does fall a little short of that level) is worth the effort.  I excerpted a long passage about the importance of simple kindness, since it expressed my wife's credo almost perfectly. Here it is.

(3) Finally, although I generally eschew self-promotion, my novel of mine, A Prophet Without Honor, was picked by the Amazon Audible company, and now exists in an audio version. It's sold over 10,000 copies, so it may be time to look for an agent and see what happens.