It may be a derogatory term in this age of political correctness, but I’m in favor of old white guys. I’m not talking about my personal life here. Old white guys are well-known rockers who still hog the spotlight. And, even though there is a chorus of younger performers urging them to get off the stage, I’m here to give these survivors their due.
Paul McCartney, who is sixty-three, just released his latest album, “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard,” and reviewers rate it highly. One of the most interesting articles I read recently on McCartney appeared in OnMilwaukee.com. For a down-to-earth look at the former Beetle, go to
http://onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/maccabackyard.html?7577
Then there are the Rolling Stones, who have been performing live longer than many people have been on this earth. They too have a new album; and, while it’s vintage Stones in many ways, it’s also cutting edge. Called “A Bigger Bang,” the album is available in a new flashcard format. This means it will play on any piece of appropriate equipment, from mobile phones to hand-held computers; but the format prevents copying. So everyone who wants the album will have to pop for $39.95. To read about the Stones and this technology in language anyone can understand, go to
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4290458.stm
And, to read a wonderful article about the Stones and why they’re touring yet again, go to
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/living/12735550.htm
Bob Dylan is also back, not with a new album, but as the subject of a four-hour documentary made by Martin Scorsese and titled “No Direction Home.” It previewed on PBS earlier this week, and I challenged my bedtime to stay up and see it. I have always been a Dylan fan. But while the documentary brought back memories, I found Scorsese’s direction somewhat boring. After all, how many times can you show Dylan in half-light while he talks? Some might say this put the emphasis on the singer’s words, but I felt otherwise. Regardless, if you want to read about this documentary, go to
http://www.bobdylan.com/ndh.html
Well, that’s almost it. I did want to mention, however, that two other stalwart men have been busy lately. African American Stevie Wonder is releasing a new album, and Kermit the Frog turns forty and will be memorialized in a series of U.S. Postal Service stamps, available immediately. For obvious reasons, however, neither made the Old White Guys List.
Leave a Reply