01.20.09
Posted in Politics, Michigan, History at 11:52 am by Tim
My wife Mary and I witnessed the extraordinary presidential inauguration today from cozy, warm seats inside Canton’s Emagine Theater. Joining us were hundreds of our fellow citizens eager to see a new era begin. When Barack Obama took the oath of office, the entire audience stood as one, relieved to witness this historic moment. Simply outstanding. Kudos to the theater staff for the professional manner in which they handled the event, and to MSNBC, whose live feed was beamed onto a pair of screens at the Emagine, as the cable outlet arranged likewise at many other theaters across the country.
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01.06.09
Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Music, History at 6:07 pm by Tim
I listened to NPR’s Talk of the Nation today, as Neal Conan was interviewing current Blue Note Records president Bruce Lundvall and others on the label’s 70th birthday. I have such an affection for Blue Note, having spun so many of its artists during my tenure on the air at WDET-FM in Detroit. A prized possession of mine is the 60th anniversary, limited edition CD box set it issued a decade ago.
Conan asked his guests and listeners for their “Blue Note moment.” I believe mine was Lee Morgan’s “The Sidewinder,” — the title cut from his classic LP, recorded in late 1963 — but it also could have been Horace Silver’s shimmering “Song for My Father,” the title tune from his 1964 masterpiece. The label remains vibrant, due to newer artists like Norah Jones, and it’s always rewarding to go back to the older recordings, helmed by legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder. Right now, I’m listening to Hank Mobley’s smokin’ “The Breakdown,” from Roll Call. Alfred Lion founded Blue Note, and Francis Wolff joined him shortly thereafter. Learn more about the label’s amazing history, and enjoy these timeless sounds.
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09.11.08
Posted in Politics, News, History, Video at 1:38 pm by Tim
It was such a terrible day, and there has been so much written about it in the seven years that have followed. The University of Michigan has assembled a comprehensive set of documents and other resources that detail the attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001, the history of terrorism around the globe, and more. It’s difficult to relive the horror of that morning, but BBC News maintains a timeline of events, including video.
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03.20.08
Posted in Michigan, History at 12:44 am by Tim
Absolute Michigan has been shining a spotlight this month on historic Michigan homes, home design blogs, and more. It’s “Home Month” on the always engaging site, and featured are such unique spots as the Kaleva Bottle House Museum.
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