I could bitch about the extreme heat but I’m trying to ration my whining. Too much complaining overheats my brain. That’s the last thing I need in the hottest summer in recorded history.
A funny detail: Our cold water isn’t exactly cold right now. On a good day, it’s lukewarm. Who Luke is, I’ll never know.
I rarely take a famous person’s death personally. I did with Robbie Robertson. This has hit me harder than anything since Pat DiNizio became only a memory six years ago. The other Smithereens are alive and still rocking.
If you haven’t already read Jamie O’s great piece, Robbie Robertson’s Native Side, what are you waiting for?
This week’s theme song was written by Lyle Lovett for his 1996 album, The Road To Ensenada. It’s my favorite Lyle album. I don’t care about the Grammys but it won as the Best Country album of that year.
Dr. A and I will be seeing Lyle and his Large Band next week. I’m stoked. I’ve only seen him at JazzFest, never in a theatre. In this case, The Orpheum home of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. I guess that means we’re going from long hair music to big hair music. Of course, Lyle’s hair isn’t as big as it once was. We’re all getting old.
Are you ready for a Private Conversation?
Next up, two conversational tunes to finish our first act:
We begin our second act with the first of two segments about the role of the disabled and their families in our society.
Hendu Smiles: Dave Henderson played for 14 years in the major leagues. He’s best remembered for his time with the Oakland A’s from 1988-1993. He was one of the key components of their championship teams.
Hendu was a good, not great player. He was, however, a great father:
“For a 10-year period between the mid-1980s and the mid-90s, there was no smile more recognizable in baseball than the huge, gap-toothed grin of center fielder Dave Henderson. Henderson died of a heart attack in 2015 at age 57, but his smile can still be seen on the face of his eldest son, Chase.
The legacy of that smile, and the joy and kindness behind it, has been carried forward through the Always Having Fun Foundation (AHFF). Founded by Dave “Hendu” Henderson’s family in 2017, the AHFF raises money to fund research for a cure for Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that impacts the nervous system. Those living with the condition — which affects roughly 500,000 people worldwide — can experience seizures, deal with motor skills issues, are frequently non-verbal, and most require lifelong care. Chase, 37, was diagnosed with the disorder in 1989. Hendu was devoted to caring for his son.”
Kudos to The Athletic’s Melissa Lockhard for writing this wonderful piece. I’m always glad to think of Hendu and his smile. Here he is with Chase:
I just gave myself an earworm; no shocker, eh wot? As you sing along, try replacing Sarah with Hendu:
The Ones We Sent Away is a moving personal account by Jennifer Senior of her mentally disabled aunt’s institutionalization. It’s a beautifully written story that melted my cold, cold heart. Something has to be cold around here…
For the details, get thee to The Atlantic.
The last word of our second act goes to Carole King:
We begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature.
Separated At Birth Twitter Edition: I’m not sure I agree with this one. Chet Baker was widely considered to be a looker; Quentin Tarantino not so much.
Bring back SPY magazine so I can pitch Chet Baker and Quentin Tarantino for “Separated at Birth” pic.twitter.com/G8ohDxea9s
— Paul Matwychuk (@Myelbow) August 8, 2023
I dig most of Tarantino’s movies, so I won’t tell the tweeter dude to get lost. I’ll leave that to Chet Baker.
The Movie List took an extended hiatus but it’s back with one of the best character actors of his or any other era, Lee J. Cobb.
My Top Ten Favorite Lee J. Cobb Movies
- On The Waterfront
- 12 Angry Men
- The Exorcist
- Thieves Highway
- Call Northside 777
- The Three Faces Of Eve
- Boomerang
- Man Of The West
- Our Man Flint
- The Dark Past
None of these movies had a noteworthy song attached to them, so why not post a Marc Bolan song?
Your Weekly Oscar: I wrote about Nelson Riddle earlier this week. Here’s a track from the album OP recorded with the Riddler.
Riddle me this: Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?
Best Of Johnny: I stepped up my use of the word fakakta because of George Segal. It was his favorite Yiddish word. He used it often on The Goldbergs, which jumped the shark after his death. George was that important to the show’s chemistry.
Anyway, here’s George with Bob Newhart and Johnny Carson.
Saturday GIF Horse: Presenting Lee J. Cobb in the number one and two films on his list.
Juror dude was definitely angry. Not sure if he’d like this mixed message from Nick Lowe:
The Junk Drawer: After my Who Cut The Chesebro? post went live I received this image from Michael F:
I told you he has mad photoshopping skills but you knew that already. Merci, mon frere.
Let’s close down this virtual honky tonk with some more music.
Saturday Closer: In honor of next week’s Lyle Lovett show, here are two videos from 1992’s Joshua Judges Ruth:
I’m not a churchgoer but I dig that song. What’s not to love about a song with gospel choir thing going on?
That’s it for this week. The last word goes to Dave Henderson one of the nicest men to ever play baseball:
