My wife Rebecca Blumenstein named WSJ Page One Editor
I have written about in on Facebook and Twitter and seemingly discussed this with everybody I know, but I can't allow it to go unmentioned here... I am very proud of my wife Rebecca for her new position, announced on Friday.
There's a story…
A classic interview from my archives – Paul Westerberg
In honor the Replacements' impending reunion shows, I present to you this interview with Paul Westerberg.
The Replacements were a very important band to me. I saw them in September, 1984, at the late and lamented Joe’s Star Lounge, weeks…
“Helpless” from Woodie Alan June reunion show
With Special guest Peter Schloss on banjo. This is a pretty raggedy performance, so much so that I hesitated about putting it up here, and then I figured, "Well, whatever...it captures some of the fun we had." Certainly, we had better tunes,…
The making of a jianbing – Beijing’s greatest street food
I love jianbing. Really, really love these tasty, cheap, nutritious egg pancakes. This guy is my regular man. He sets up near Pinnacle Plaza every morning and whenever I'm staying with my dear friend Scott Kronick, I set out in search of…
Wait. Did Sarah Palin hook up with Glen Rice?
Now, for a radical change in directions. I came across this rather remarkable tidbit about Sarah Palin and Glen Rice having a one-night stand when U-M was up North for the 1987 Great Alaska Shootout.
Could it be? The Deadpsin source,…
Interview: Gregg Allman on Low Country Blues
It's no secret to most people reading this blog that Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers Band have been a profound influence and source of inspiration for me. Last winter, on the heels of a liver transplant, he released Low Country Blues,…
Is Catcher in the Rye overrated?
Several weeks ago, I read this Slate article which asked contemporary writers to pick the most overrated famous novels. I enjoyed the whole piece, but was especially interested in seeing that several people picked Catcher in the Rye. I bought…
James McGregor on Big in China
Thank you sir.
“Big in China is an inspirational, eloquent travelogue that flows like a soul-baring letter to friends as it carries readers along on a personal journey of discovery in a land that is rediscovering itself.”
-James…
A short Big in China Excerpt, with video: What the Chinese blues mean to me – “Wo De Baobei”
An appreciation of Woodie Alan's great bass player Zhang Yong, whom I am proud to call a friend.
From Chapter 22, The House Is Rocking.
Wanting to feature more Chinese singing, I translated verses from “Beijing Blues” and “Come…
“Big in China inspired me to be a better husband and father.”
"I’ll admit I felt a vicarious thrill while reading about some of his on-stage experiences. To have a large crowd chanting your name and rocking out to your music is still an unfulfilled dream for most of us. Alan lived that dream and he takes…