Smashbomb

"May I cheat and add "The Odyssey" and count them as one? I had an invaluable and inspiring high school teacher, Robert Cooley, who introduced me to both “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” during my senior year. It was my first experience with the power of drama and poetry combined. Little did I know that I would spend the rest of my life (especially professionally) searching for experiences that would be as satisfying. The fact that I fell in love for the first time with the guy sitting next to me didn’t hurt my journey through those books either."

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Kudos

Neneh Cherry recommended I Put a Spell on You in Books (curated)

I Put a Spell on You

John Burnside | 2015 | Biography

(0 Ratings)

Book Favorite

"A true diva and genius, of course. This is one the best autobiographies I've ever read, recounting Simone’s upbringing in North Carolina in a non-segregated community; her schooling as a child prodigy by a Russian grand dame piano teacher; playing rough bars in evening dress and telling the winos to shut up or she wouldn't play (and they did!); to the absolute shock when she didn't get into Juilliard because of her color. By the time she's describing writing “Mississippi Goddam,” all my hairs were standing on end! A powerful woman, powerful activist, and amazing musician."

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Jenny Saville recommended Real Presences in Books (curated)

Real Presences

George Steiner | 2021

(0 Ratings)

Book Favorite

"If I were to choose a teacher, it would be George Steiner. As well as reading his books, I watch his interviews on YouTube and his references always lead you somewhere interesting — whether it’s a piece of music, a debate about the human need for tragedy, a passage from Shakespeare or Montaigne. He’s into High Art and couldn’t be described as a trendy theorist. But in this book he pushes you to think about what gives art its fundamental qualities. “Real Presences” is an expanded essay that ask the question: Is making art a wager on the existence of God?"

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CHILLFILTR (46 KP) rated Sorrow & Splendour by Jason Lowe in Music

Jul 11, 2019

This could be a song by George Harrison because the lyrics are that good and the voice is that humble. The string section is the lake that we float upon and the acoustic guitar is the boat that carries us across. And always with the voice just behind your shoulder. It's not a whisper, it's not a shout.

As the song progresses it approaches a sort of poetic ecstasy that flowers and fades and after there is much to discuss:

“Yeah and pain is your teacher now
You’ll make it through somehow
Do all you can to find the light”
— Jason Lowe