95 North. . . The Newspaper

Most summer recipes call for long memories, a grandmother or two (if they're around, or at least the memory of them) rivers, companions, lakes, night skies, loons, and the months of June, July, and August. The big, circular-picked guitar rhythm that greets us on Big Thief's excellent 2019 song "Cattails" encompasses all of it, as we get locked into the sweetness of one of the best acoustic guitar patterns I've heard in a while. Wistful is the word, here, but of the light variety, like mulling over your problems by a river on a beautiful summer day. The circular, repeating guitar pattern, like Saturn's rings, reinforces the strong notion of seasons, natural cycles, and memory. The light does come shining. Just don't forget your lawn chair.

As I write this, the latest sunset of the year is in store. June 21st. It's about a few minutes before 8 o'clock, and fitting for such a day of natural significance, it's been a long one. In a good way. Morning brought hope with cool temperatures and friendly Dunkin' Donuts employees, while the afternoon was dragged down into the ditch of scattered showers and humidity (the whole week cloudy) until one of those beautiful cold fronts, straight from Canada's door to New England's, swept across the land. These cold front tend to wipe your mind of any illusions you were under, as the spell low clouds and wet air vanish, somewhere. The clear, cooler summer nights and days allow us to see deep into the sky- powder blue in the day- dark with lit stars at night. Something about the fog lifting clears our heads, as if nature itself was suggesting we use it as a metaphor. We're encouraged to look far away, to see our place in the world, unhindered by low cl...

Up here in New England, I'm pleased to report that we actually had a spring. The occurrence of this important, transitional season, has set the proper conditions for the birth of an excellent start to a summer 2019 playlist. Here we go: "Diddy Bop" by Noname Noname is a Chicago poet at heart. Melodic, spacey keys pair with sharp hits on the snare and flourishes from a synth/bass to create a unique sound, not far from 90's era Outkast, with a bit more shimmer & soul on the edges. Here, we get a sense of Noname's world, as the realities of family and community push themselves to the forefront- the borrowed 20 dollars, old air conditioners, the stays with cousins when the light bill went unpaid at home. Despite summertime struggle, those stars in your pocket (the unique talents and perspectives we all have) just might be plentiful enough for sharing.  "Return to the Moon" El Vy Humans first landed on the moon in the middle of t...

Maybe you'll encounter some of these situations, maybe you won't. Whatever, it won't be tonight! It's hazy, hot, and humid. It's nighttime, you're dehydrated, and a thunderstorm is on the way. Oh, and you're in New York City. The pavement is wet: "Clap Hands", by Tom Waits.  You're driving in suburban Atlanta and the AC is cranked to the max. There's heavy traffic, danger on the roads, but hope of fun and travel ahead: "Mighty 'O'", by Outkast.  Continuing on the from the last scene. . . you're still traveling in Georgia, and the summer heat is searing  right into your head. A bit confused, you head into the parking lot of a motel where you'll spend the night & also where a questionable party is going on by the pool. I should note that this song documents the laments of a lifestyle subdued and defeated by the devil's poison: "Swimming Pools" by Kendrick Lamar You question midd...

A summer playlist, for crusin' down the road for a country mile or two, hopefully under the enjoyment of a summer sun and low dew points. 1. "We Take Care of Our Own": Bruce Springsteen We kick things off with some fireworks. This tune might be the most inspiring patriotic anthem you've ever heard concerning expanding the social safety net. The heart behind the social contract theory lies here, underneath the shining sun of Bruce's big, fists-in-the-air sound. 2. "I'm Working on a Building": Bill Monroe We move from an anthem calling for a 21st century New Deal to a call for a more intimate spiritual quest. Quit your low-down gamblin' ways and listen up to this fine bluegrass tune from legend Billy Monroe: 3. "The Passion": Ms. Lauryn Hill Sticking with a spiritual theme. . . let the off beat drums find their rhythm and incessant moral questioning mixed with existential wonderin' find their way home and into your h...