The Underground Empire

In a geopolitical world where the US is increasingly using every tool of control and coercion it can on other countries, the truth can be deeply hidden. Now a new book titled, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy, clearly outlines the ways in which technological and economic choke points, many on U.S land, are being weaponized to pressure the worlds’ foremost powers into complying with America’s interests. I was happy to interview the authors of Underground Empire, Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman.

Click on the mp3 link or triangle to hear the interview as broadcast today on the Arts Express radio program, heard on WBAI FM NYC and Pacifica stations across the country.

To The Lighthouse Interview

I’m grateful to Stephanie Schubert, Operations Coordinator of the Pacifica Network, for conducting and publishing this interview she did with me about the recent Arts Express production of To The Lighthouse. At the end of the article, you’ll find a link to our podcast page, if you’d like to hear the production.

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

Monday morning, a really excellent cover with three part harmony and Toni Lindgren’s big guitar. Lauren O’Connell on lead and Elle Cordova backing up.

More at Sunday Mornings HQ

Picking Blueberries, Austerlitz, New York, 1957 by Mary Oliver

Picking Blueberries, Austerlitz, New York, 1957

Once, in summer,
In the blueberries,
I fell asleep, and woke
When a deer stumbled against me.

I guess
She was so busy with her own happiness
She had grown careless
And was just wandering along

Listening
To the wind as she leaned down
To lip up the sweetness.
So, there we were

With nothing between us
But a few leaves, and the wind’s
Glossy voice
Shouting instructions.

The deer
Backed away finally
And flung up her white tail
And went floating off toward the trees –

But the moment before she did that
Was so wide and so deep
It has lasted to this day;
I have only to think of her –

The flower of her amazement
And the stalled breath of her curiosity,
And even the damp touch of her solicitude
Before she took flight-

To be absent again from this world
And alive, again, in another,
For thirty years
sleepy and amazed,

Rising out of the rough weeds
Listening and looking.
Beautiful girl,
Where are you?

Tuesday’s Tunes

For the first time since I started this blog, I didn’t post a song on Monday–somehow I got confused about Labor Day and didn’t realize it was Monday yesterday. Anyway, here’s a special treat to make up for it: Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore with a perfectly delightful medley.

Thanks to YouTuber vintage video clips

SCTV Hi Q

What a cast of hilarious looney tunes SCTV bred!: Eugene Levy as the host, and Catherine O’Hara, Joe Flaherty, John Candy, Andrea Martin, and Dave Thomas as the eager high school contest students.

Thanks to YouTuber dp6899

Summer’s End

One of the great songs that John Prine wrote in the last part of his career. Like the lyrics of Paul Simon, Prine’s lyrics tells you just enough about the story to intrigue you, but open enough to let you complete it with your own experience.

Click on the video above to play.

Thanks to YouTuber Radio Heartland