Author Archives: Laura

George Harrison

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George Harrison is, quite simply, one of the greatest guitarists in rock and roll history. Not the most technical musician, and certainly not the flashiest, but when it comes to being in a band — playing precisely what the song asks for, contributing ideas, and acting as one voice among several, he has been only occasionally equaled, and never surpassed. While capable of some impressive soloing, Harrison’s true talent lies in his creative lead playing and strong songwriting. As a member of the Beatles, Harrison … Continue reading →

Neil Young

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  Neil Young was born November 12, 1945 in Toronto, Ontario to Rassy and Scott Young. As a youth, he survived diabetes, polio, epilepsy and the divorce of his parents. His father was a highly respected sportswriter for The Toronto Sun and has authored several books, including Neil & Me, a 1984 title covering his relationship with his musician son.   At a club in Fort William, Ontario in ’65, The Squires crossed paths with an American folk-rock band called The Company, which featured a … Continue reading →

Joni Mitchell

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Joni Mitchell was born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada. At the age of nine, Mitchell contracted polio during a Canadian epidemic, but she recovered after a stay in hospital. It was during this time that she first became interested in singing. Joni Mitchell moved to New York City in 1967, and took up residence in the arty Chelsea district. She met Elliot Roberts in the fall and he began to manage her career, helping to open up the … Continue reading →

Circus Maximus: The Wind

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Does anyone remember this song ? Circus Maximus was a United States band in the late 1960s, who combined influences from folk music, rock, and jazz into a form of psychedelic rock. The band was formed in 1967 by jazzist Bob Bruno and Jerry Jeff Walker. Bruno’s song “Wind”, from their eponymous first album, became a minor hit in the United States, particularly through airplay on “progressive” FM radio stations. In late December 1967, they performed in an unusual pair of “Electric Christmas” concerts together … Continue reading →

IBM and the Holocaust

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“IBM and the Holocaust” by Edwin Black, tells the story of the involvement of this US corporation in the establishment of Hitler’s Third Reich and the destruction of European Jewry. The author of this book, Edwin Black shows how technology developed in America by Herman Hollerith-a punch card and punch card sorting system-enabled the Nazis to organize their war machine and carry through the efficient and systematic genocide of the Jews. At the time of the Nazi dictatorship, IBM had a near worldwide monopoly over … Continue reading →

Friday Fluff: Murray the K’s Blasts from the Past

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Murray the K’s Blasts from the Past Murray Kaufman (February 14, 1922-February 21, 1982) professionally known as Murray the K, was a famous and influential rock and roll impresario and disc jockey of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. During the early days of Beatlemania, he frequently referred to himself as “the Fifth Beatle”. Murray Kaufman came from a show business family: his mother, Jean, played piano in vaudeville and wrote music and his aunt was a character actress on the stage and in film. He … Continue reading →

The Race To Nowhere

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If you have kids, you will not want to miss this video. RACE TO NOWHERE is a close-up look at the pressures on today’s students, offering an intimate view of lives packed with activities, leaving little room for down-time or family time. Parents today are expected to raise high-achieving children, who are good at everything: academics, sports, the arts, community-service. The film tackles the tragic side of our often achievement-obsessed culture, with interviews that explore the hidden world of over-burdened schedules, student suicide, academic cheating, … Continue reading →

Delmore Schwartz and Lou Reed

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To understand Lou Reed you could begin where he began: the works of American poet and author Delmore Schwartz and the novels of proto-grunge writer Hubert Selby jnr, author of Last Exit To Brooklyn and Requiem For A Dream. In 1962, Delmore Schwartz began teaching creative writing at Syracuse University. One of his students was future songwriter Lou Reed (Take A Walk On The Wild Side), who dedicated several songs to his mentor (European Son). Schwartz told Reed at one point, “You can write-and if … Continue reading →

Movie 08/22/08: Reefer Madness

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Does anyone remember this movie ? I saw it on a date and laughed my ass off ! I can’t believe this film was made in 1936 ! Reefer Madness (aka Tell Your Children) is a 1936 exploitation film revolving around the tragic events that ensue when high school  students are lured by pushers to try “marihuana“: a hit and run accident, manslaughter, suicide, rape, and descent into madness all ensue. The film was directed by Louis Gasnier and starred a cast composed of mostly … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Honey

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I have always loved honey. I actually put it in my tea to replace sugar, but I didn’t realize it had so many health benefits. After surfing the web about it, here’s what I found:              Easily digested: Because sugar molecules in honey can convert into other sugars (e.g. fructose to glucose), honey is easily digested by the most sensitive stomachs, despite its high acid content. It helps kidneys and intestines to function better. Good source of antioxidants: It plays … Continue reading →