Ben Stiller....A Super Talent

BEN STILLER had a good interview on Kelly Ripa's show this morning.  The comic wit of Ben Stiller and his wry and clever father Jerry Stiller is so engaging.  The comedic films of Ben Stiller have always been favorites of mine.  Today on K. Ripa's show Mr.Stiller showed once again his stylish and sophisticated brand of verbal repartee that is vigorously beguiling.

Hank Mobley...Brilliant Artistry Fellow

LIKE A. CALDER"S ART (SHOWN HERE)  Jazz horn men are wonderful...especially the sax guys!  This us quite true of the soulful tenor guys.


TENOR SAXOPHONE IS A MARVELOUS INSTRUMENT! And the big, lyrical horn of the incredible Hank Mobley is terrific.  This man who was born in Eastman, Ga. and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey did superior musical work.  I especially love his performances on the albums, 'Roll Call' and 'Soul Station.'  His super playing and his writing skill has now commanded a lot of tremendous respect. 

Healing Rains

THE HEALING RAINS today are so welcome by me.  Our culture needs refreshing...And the fervent naturalism of lovely rain reminds me of poignant John Coltrane solo work. Elusive weather modes prove quite fascinating.

Honoring Mr. Ron Taylor

TONIGHT WE HONOR A GREAT MAN!  This is an interesting day because this evening at Manuel's on the mighty North Avenue in Atlanta we all honor the great Atlanta journalist, Mr. Ron Taylor.  Last Thursday, Ron Taylor passed and all of us grieve.  We miss his incredible sense of style, his tremendous writing and editing.  The man was a wonderful  soul in the pantheon of Georgia journalism  He came out of the marvelous North Georgia town of Summerville and went to the University of Georgia.  He did awesome work there on The Red and Black, the college paper.  Later, he went on to Atlanta and became one of the top men of The Atlanta Journal.  This man, Mr. Ron Taylor, was my friend.  He was a great soul, a fellow with a great laugh, grand style and most importantly he had a terrific PASSION that he brought to all his endeavors.  He was a GREAT ONE!

Green Bean Casseroles Rock

VEGETABLES FIRE UP MY SOUL.  I had a lot of delicious vegetables yesterday.  The synapses of my brain felt so good. I thrilled with the feisty taste of a big green casserole.  Listened to Buddy Guy music, too. Lately, I  love vegetables more and more.

Ron Taylor, A Brilliant Journalist Has Passed

A GREAT JOURNALIST HAS PASSED.  This past week a fine man and also a true friend of mine left us. I am speaking of Ron Taylor, a remarkable journalist of The Atlanta Community and also a man with a great soul.  I first met Ron in Athens, Ga.  That day years ago was a turning point in my life.  Ron's smile and his engaging laughter were such fun to be around.  He had a vigorous, zest about his writing and indeed his words were brilliant. Tears are in my eyes about the passing of a tremendous human being, Mr. Ron Taylor.

The Grand Art of Vincent Van Gogh

IN THE PAST MINUTES I have been enjoying some grand art.  I have studied a wry and intense painting of Vincent Van Gogh called 'Sunflowers.'  Somehow Vincent Van Gogh speaks to me in a brilliant way.  In Van Gogh there burns a flame of erudite sensitive artistry that overwhelms all the people who take the time to really study this individual's work.  One time long ago a friend of mine looked at me askance for using the word individual but if truth be told the person did not realize that when I used the term individual it is a word that contains muli-layers of human emotion. To speak vividly, I must say that like some essayists like Bazin and others I enjoy the ardent emotionalism that a man like Vincent Van Gogh brings to his artistic vision. Many aesthetic values are espoused in so many concept areas like  the work of the sleek soul of photographer Henri-Cartier Bresson and there are other elegant souls in the creative arena also, witness the enchanting work of Federico Fellini with his strong film of genius 'La Dolce Vita.' But getting back to Van Gogh, the fellow captures the essence of a brand of art that is vigorous and intoxicating.  The man is not just a stylist he is a great soul.