Birthdays. And "musicking."

Wednesday

The best part about this great @cbssundaymorning.bsky.social segment is realizing that Fred kept his awards on top of the radiator. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lRf...

On March 17, 1776, the forces of a tyrant decamped, ending the siege of Boston. These are precedented times. Installation by @silencedogoodbos.bsky.social. Photos by Mike Ritter.

"Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power." - George W. Bush

“Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy that sustained him through temporary periods of joy.” - allegedly William Butler Yeats, but there is no evidence that he said it.

Singer Margie Hendrix was born this day in 1935.

Some great shots of the Feb. Which Side event by @mrjohnsoares.bsky.social (installment 1 of 3) Thanks to guest musicians Flying Vipers, Eric Salt & Jim Infantino as well as guest speaker Patrick Wilson (pictured with @ashmont.bsky.social) & the #WSAYO Paid Protestors! #protestmusic #resist

British singer Tina Charles was born this day in 1954. She has a great voice, though I am not sure if I’m buying those two male pants wearers as either guitar players or background singers.

Some Things About International Women's Day. And Birthdays This Week.

Ah, spring in Boston! A magical time when majestic snow mountains recede, revealing a new landscape of candy wrappers, nips, dog poop, and funyun bags.

It's Bandcamp Friday, the day of the month that the artist-friendly music platform waives all of its fees. That means it's a good day to buy some music, including perhaps a pre-order of the forthcoming Joe Pernice album, out April 4.

I had a feeling, again, based on fact, that the Red Sox would win the World Series last year.

Be The "Two-For-Two" Guy

I got so much great feedback about this post about Frederick Wiseman, and unearthed so many new Wiseman fans I didn’t know that I am sharing it again for any members and potential members of the fan club who were not reached.

Winifred Atwell was (perhaps) born this day in 1914.

A good and sobering read about the business of music that I also find kind of hopeful.

It's SO WEIRD that the HeWho administration has not seized on the opportunity to skewer its higher ed archenemy about all of the latter's ties to the evil human trafficker.

Acclaimed filmmaker Frederick Wiseman died last week at the age of 96. It was my honor to play a small part in helping him make one of the final movies of his 56-year career.

Greetings from Boston

Thanks to @cleasimon.bsky.social for this nice piece about our @whichsideboston.bsky.social series.

The Miracle on Ice happened on this day in 1980, when the ultimate underdog U.S. hockey team beat the four-time gold medal winning USSR team at the Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn5t...

Pebbles Flintstone was born this day in 1963, in an episode called "The Blessed Event." I remember them singing on the show, but I don’t remember the aggressive religious overtones like in this song. The show took place in 10,000 B.C., FFS. Historically inaccurate. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFoo...

Birthdays. And snow.

I am VERY excited to see this. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/m...

Celebrating Exuma's birthday.

Thanks to Jared Bowen at GBH's Culture Show for having me on yesterday to talk about my experience with the great Frederick Wiseman, who died on Monday. The conversation is at the top of the show.

Yes, I will sign on to this letter to the editor in today's Boston Globe.

Very sad day. What a body of work. www.indiewire.com/news/obituar...

The Week in Birthdays (and unintended consequences).

As we get ready for the February edition of @whichsideboston.bsky.social, @sullivanjames.bsky.social and I and the rest of the team just posted video from the January show on our web page. Wonderful performances. (Scroll down for the videos.) www.whichside.boston/2026-01

SONG OF THE DAY: Nena, “99 Luftballons” #wsayo Ninety-nine years of war Left no room for winners There are no more defense ministers And no jet planes either “How a party balloon led the government to shut down a Texas airport” (The Independent) m.youtube.com/watch?v=TMSl...

Even if he did commit a crime, and it sounds like he probably didn't, he was 17. How is this good policy? How is it making us "safer?"

Listening to the BBC reporting on the Navalny poisoning. They interview the British Shadow Foreign Secretary, and I think, "Why can't we have one of those?"

This exhibition originated here in Boston, and there are lots of MARKA27 murals in the Boston area. I believe he is an SMFA alum. As the photo in the article says, this artist has been silenced.

Museum and library grants from the federal government will come with a price.

The government is using these low-bar administrative warrants to intimidate. ""You had to live—did live, from habit that became instinct—in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized." - 1984

A Valentine to Ferris, the Civil Engineer.

Protest music is what you want it to be.

Protest music is not a genre. It might not even be protest music.

This will be of interest to creative people looking for creative space in the New Bedford area. starstorenb.org

Stompin’ Tom Connors was born this day in 1936. Canadian musicians I know (and I know a LOT of Canadian musicians) speak of him with whispered reverence that Americans don’t seem to share. (See also Tragically Hip.) I’ve been to Sudbury on a Saturday night, and he paints an accurate picture.

Birthdays, and Jane Jacobs (sort of), and looking after one's neighbo(u)rs.

Bessie Banks, born this day in 1938.

I really hope someone with money is buying this for Lowell. news.artnet.com/art-world/ja...

Gorgeous.

I am so looking forward to this show later this month in New Bedford. www.zeiterion.org/events/dakha...

Actually, @washingtonpost.com editorial board bootlickers, Walmart became a trillion dollar company by taking $6.2 BILLION in government subsidies in the form of public assistance for their employees who make sub poverty wages. wapo.st/4rwMjIT

#BlackHistoryMonth: Celebrating DeFord Bailey and Other Black Country Music Artists #BlackHistory #CountryMusic