My Grandmother lived a long life, from 1900 to 1999. What changes she saw in society in that almost century. She raised my Mother and Uncle by herself, as my Grandfather died young. She lived long enough to bury all nine of her brothers and most of her friends. Through the Depression, the Great World Wars, The Cold War, Viet Nam, she remained steely with determination and discipline for her whole life. She worked until just a couple of years before she passed. Sometimes, she would tell me on the phone that she was "blue." I could see how the overwhelming weight of event could stop her in her tracks. But from somewhere, she summoned the energy to marshall on.
Kasey Anderson "I Was A Photograph"
Walter Reed Army Medical Center retired its ceremonial flags on Wednesday, after 102 years. The services rendered there will be transferred to two other Washington DC area facilities. This is essential and noble work - the healing and mending of our warriors returning from oversees. The members of our armed forces have been sworn to uphold the Constitution, and they have sacrificed limb, sanity, and life, to keep America safe, strong and free. It is a travesty when we as citizens, don’t uphold our sacred pledge to take care of these brave souls when they come home.
Corporal Miller on Fallujah roof top - Photo by Luis Sinco, See original LA Times video here.
We had Kasey Anderson come to our Music Fog sessions over a year ago in March at Threadgill’s. He delivered a remarkable set. Since then, he has put out another record, Heart Of A Dog, which arrived in February. A year before that he released Nowhere Nights, which had a particularly haunting tune on it called “I Was A Photograph.” Kasey dedicated it to Marine Lance Corporal James Blake Miller whose image was made famous when a his photo was published in 150 newspapers around the country in 2004. Due to Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, his life has come apart at the seams. Where is the help for him, and where was the help for those returning from Vietnam? Who are we, that allow our tax dollars to be used for war, but don’t take care of our returning veterans. Here are Kasey Anderson, Dan Lowinger, Sean Cronin, and Julian Macdonough with “I Was A Photograph.”
-Jessie Scott
Update on 2011-11-05 03:11 by Music Fog
The Music Fog version of this song is now available to download at either of the stores below:
Ray Wylie Hubbard "Drunken Poet's Dream"
I am thinking about Abbey Hoffman today. For those that don’t remember, he was a rebel rouser during the days of student protest over Viet Nam in the late 60’s. He founded the Youth International Party (YIP) giving birth to the Yippees. He wrote Steal This Book, which was a counter culture diatribe on how to live basically for free.
It is within that framework that I tell you today - DO NOT BUY THIS ALBUM. Because Ray Wylie Hubbard is incensed that it is being put out. Do not be fooled by the glowing review of how "underground" it is, or how Amazon claims it is "his most sought after out of print recording." I am talking about Ray Wylie Hubbard and The Cowboy Twinkies. In fact, we found this quote on That Nashville Sound,
"I did not approve the background vocals, the mix, mastering or the artwork on this record but it got out anyway. I have nothing to do with it being re-released now. It sucked then and it still sucks. If you have any shred of compassion at all in your heart for me or any musician who got screwed by some jerk in authority at a record label, then don't buy this mistake.”
Thanks, Ray Wylie Hubbard
We bring you a tune today that Ray Wylie Hubbard graciously played during his set with Rick Richards during the 2011 Music Fog Marathon in March in the little back room at Threadgill’s. It is a tune that RWH co-wrote with Hayes Carll. Yes, they have both recorded it, and even though Hayes had it out first on a CD, that does not change the fact that they CO-WROTE it. Controversy on this has been raging on Music Fog’s YouTube channel. And so it goes. Power to the people.
-Jessie Scott
Update on 2011-07-28 04:20 by Music Fog
If your curiosity is getting the best of you, apparently a fan has setup a website where you can download Ray Wylie Hubbard & The Cowboy Twinkies tracks for free. No telling how long this will stay up. Move along. Nothing to see here.