This one's for you, Bob

Just learned that my friend Bob Isleman died last week. I had many good times in Chicago with Bob. He was a huge jazz fan with immense knowledge of jazz from the early 20th century. He turned me on to King Oliver, Mugsy Spanier, Mezz Mezzrow, and his alltime idol Sidney Bechet.

Life is Short

This is a painting by Laurence Pignarre Wyllie. I got to know her and her husband Andy through our mutual friend Hackmuth. They had some fun parties in their little run-down row house near N &13th St. NW. She and Andy were part of a scene of ex-Peace Corps people enjoying a last summer of slacking on their way to a State Department career.

I remember attending a couple of openings at galleries where she showed her paintings. She painted big, moody pictures, a contrast to her petite stature and wide smile. I think she was born in Paris. She spoke English with a thick French accent.

Andy's State Department job soon had them moving to Africa. At the going-away party they threw at their house, everyone came to say goodbye. I remember Laurence reclining on a blanket in the backyard. She was pregnant, smiling, having a good time. That must be six years ago now.

Yesterday I learned that she and her two sons are among the missing in Haiti.

My heart goes out to Andy. To lose the ones you love is a terrible thing.

UPDATE 1/21

via a Facebook comment dated 1/18:

Andy Wyllie is now in San Domigue with is brother and Father.
They will go to Haiti in a few days to get the bodies.

I'm Thinking of You, Matt

painting by Matthew Reid

Magic Against Death

painting by Hackmuth

Congratulations Carl Hedman

Dream

Last night I dreamed my laptop was soaked in water. I tipped it and water drained out. I thought "I have to let this dry out before I use it".

This morning a friend sent this photo to me. No text, just the photo.

Help Todzilla

from my friend Pat:

If I had a nickel for everytime somebody told me what a good friend toddzilla is, well, I'd have already paid his huge medical bill and I'd probably be rich!!! However, that isn't the case. In fact, toddzilla was involved in a hit and run accident and was left with two broken hips and internal bleeding. His surgery is set for tomorrow morning and is quoted at $6,000, hopefully nothing goes wrong.

The reason for this email is to raise money for toddzilla and his surgery alone. Illus ideas, inc., has created a completely new t-shirt that we will be selling for $40 dollars. It is being offered to men and boys in all sizes and in these colors: black, navy blue and forest green. For women and girls we are offering t-shirts in all sizes and in two styles: low cut neck and a regular cut neck, colors: black, navy blue and forest green. Pull-over sweat-shirts are being sold for $60 and are being offered in all sizes and in these colors: black, navy blue and forest green.

Please understand that todd is my best friend and if my art doesn't sell then he can't get his hips fixed and that just isn't right especially because he did nothing wrong, and whoever it was didn't even stop to check on him...

The Doctor who will be operating on toddzilla has told me that toddzilla will be ready to come home wednesday or thursday, and at that time i have to pay the bill. Please, if not for the cool shirt you will be purchasing, donate $40 dollars to todd's hip surgery fund raiser and you'll recieve a free t-shirt with choice of color and size (paypal: illusclothing at yahoo dot com)

If You Be My Dixie Chicken I'll Be Your Tennessee Lamb

28 years after Lowell George left his mortal coil in the nearby Key Bridge Marriot, I journeyed out to the pastoral splendor of Wolf Trap to hear Little Feat. I happen to like 10 minute guitar solos so their shows are my cup of tea.

Stereogab is demanding that The Aliens come to DC. So am I. So should you.

PJ has set up a blog for his Shanghai - Helsinki - Moscow trip next month.

Blind Bim now has a porch with a house attached.

New Song

A new Leafy Green song for summer.

Also have to commend film maker Esther Robinson for her poignant documentary about her uncle Danny Williams, a film maker in Warhol's Factory scene who got lost along the way. Interviews with Gerard Malanga, Brigid Polk (aka "The Duchess") and Billy Name, among others.

Donovan is blogging! And check out this Modern Lovers bootleg courtesy of Parabells.

New Rare Psych Music Blog - Neglected Stairways

My friend Gunnar has a record collection that I envy, to put it mildly. Original monophonic 13th Floor Elevators albums, Velvet Underground bootlegs, long out-of-print Krautrock pressings, everything to put a psychedelic music fan into a state of covetous glee. Gunnar was kind enough to burn a few choice recordings to CD a couple years ago for me but now he has a blog where he is posting links to digitized downloads of some of the finest gems from his collection.

Mike Tamburo and Larkin Grimm tour

August 25 kingston, ny alternative books (early show 6pm) August 27 syracuse, ny a cena
August 28 baltimore, md
August 29 washington dc the red and the black
August 30 new york, ny the lucky cat (with jesse sparhawk)
August 31 philadelphia, pa the compound
September 2 amherst, ma tba (with larkin grimm, niagara falls, mv/ee and bummer road, christina carter, max ochs and a bunch more)
September 3 chicago, il spare room gallery (with zelienople and kathleen baird)
September 4 iowa city, ia hall mall
September 5 omaha, ne tip top
September 8 san diego, ca the habitat
September 9 los angeles, ca il coral (with refrigerator mothers)
September 12 san francisco, ca the make out room (with sean smith)
September 13 bay area (help needed) tba
September 14 bay