John Presnall

Not being one of the few whomever saw the ‘80s band Fishbone live in concert I suspect that my commentary as follows could be considered meaningless. But then I have always followed “alternative” music, and I have always appreciated bands like Fishbone. After watching the documentary . . . . Continue Reading »

Over at Commentary , James Ceaser weighs in on the question of whether optimism or pessimism is the appropriate stance regarding America’s future. . . . . Continue Reading »

You have probably seen the Herman Cain campaign ad where chief of staff Mark Block testifies to his pride in working for the campaign and extolling the ways in which a Cain presidency will put the united back in the United States of America. The testimonial strangely ends with Block taking a drag . . . . Continue Reading »

Surely one needs to realize that when you stake all your life on your music then there could be the chance of an ultimate failure as a result of one’s efforts. Like the thousands of pretty blondes whose lives get destroyed in the effort of becoming the next Jayne Mansfield or Cameron Diaz, why . . . . Continue Reading »

I have a friend of mine who is a huge racing fan. He likes F1 and tends to look down on other racing formats and series like NASCAR and Indy Car (and its earlier offshoot, Champ Car). Yet he is such a racing fan that he watches them all, and secretly likes them all—along with Le Mans (both the . . . . Continue Reading »

After tonight’s Bloomberg debate it’s pretty clear to me that what Peter had earlier said is indeed true—the Republican nomination field can be boiled down to Romney v. Cain. On the big Charlie Rose round table tonight, Rick Perry—in the few instances he actually said . . . . Continue Reading »

I just came across this article on the Zombies, which also contains a brief remark on Pet Sounds. I thought it might be of some interest around here. . . . . Continue Reading »

There is no Mitch Daniels candidacy for reasons of family, and now there is no Chris Christie candidacy for reasons having to do with concerns for being governor of his state and not really wanting to run for president (at this time). So the two men who most impressed me are not running. Will talk . . . . Continue Reading »

Speaking of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds is somewhat cliché when it comes to rock criticism. Its awesome harmonic sonorities in terms of the then latest of pop/rock music of the day, as well as the studio technique on the multi-track recorder, is indeed unparalleled. Pet Sounds is what Pink Floyd . . . . Continue Reading »

Speaking of candidate and later President Reagan, Peter says below , “He had as little baggage as a man with his firm principles could have.” Let me add the thought that Perry, in comparison, has heavier baggage. He’s too text book in his ideology and policy, and Romney even . . . . Continue Reading »