Chip Taylor; still wild

He wrote “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning,” and he is still writing and recording quality music.  He may be best known as Jon Voight’s brother or Angelina Jolie’s uncle, but I hope he becomes more well known for his 2009 album entitled “Yonkers NY.”  Here’s one of my favorites from the album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Gqbx3gy14

Now that’s some trash…

See these photos of people hauling away trash in China:

http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/gallery/Trash-trawling-as-a-career-in-China/2870/

Homerun of a poem

I love a good novel, history book, and essay, but poetry can convey thoughts and ideas, which may take a 300 page novel to get across.  I don’t know if this poem could be made into a 300 page novel, but it’s a quick, fun read about writing poetry.  Please check it out, support their advertisers and leave comments.

http://www.clarionreview.org/main/article.php?article_id=44

Allen Ginsberg and taking time to “Whisper”

In the vein of Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl.”  Jeffrey Bilbro takes up Flannery O’ Connor’s call to ‘push back as hard as the age pushes against us,’ in his call-to-action poem entitled, “Whisper.”  You can view it here:

http://bit.ly/mqt7i

Please Digg, Stumble and TWEET it.

Best,

MacConchie

Feeling down about the economy….here’s 1 minute and 51 seconds of relief

Andy Walking

Clarion Review Launches New Site with Web-Exclusive Content

A journal that I am actively involved with has officially launched a new website with web-exclusive content.

Read the press release here: http://www.christiannewswire.com/index.php?module=releases&task=view&releaseID=7804

The Clarion Review features the works of many well know authors such as Wendell Berry, Robert P. George, Vigen Guroian, and Peter Augustine Lawler.

The Clarion also accepts unsolicited submissions and pays upon publication. So, amateur poets and writers out there – dust off your pens and paper and write something fresh for The Clarion Review.

Take some time to check out the new site: WWW.clarionreview.ORG. While you’re there – join our conversation!

Comment on an article, email one to a friend, post it on Facebook or digg it, and please subscribe to the print edition to receive exclusive content.

Here are a few suggestions to start engaging with the Clarion community:

“Cows too…can easily be made into ideas”: An Interview with Roger Scruton

Fear of Flying a poem by Adrienne Su

Let me know your thoughts about The Clarion’s new site.

-MacConchie

Bob Dylan

I have heard Bob Dylan’s songs for about 10 years, but I have only been listening for the last year. Dylan is not a musician; he’s an artist. He creates songs and ideas that are truly original. They are not only songs that make you say, “Yeah, I always thought that, but could never put it into words, like he just did,” but rather he makes us think of ideas, people, and life as we have never thought of them before. I don’t think Dylan’s influence could ever be quantified, and many of us have been introduced to his music and ideas through alternate avenues and not even known it, but you can’t just put Dyaln in your music rotation, you have to actively listen. Sometimes you have to reference the lyrics too, because one misheard word can change what he’s saying, so listen carefully and we’ll all be better for it.

I am interested to hear your thoughts on Bob Dylan. What are your favorite songs? What makes that song interesting to you? I am also interested in your favorite Dylan line?

One of my favorite lines is in Dylan’s TV Talkin’ Song. Singing about a TV, he says:

“It will lead you into some strange pursuits,
Lead you to the land of forbidden fruits.
It will scramble up your head and drag your brain about,
Sometimes you gotta do like Elvis did and shoot the damn thing out.”

I look forward to your thoughts.

On the Advantages of Dying Young

As a good citizen in a free society, I try to read at least one article per day to keep my mind active. Today I stumbled across an article entitled “On the Advantages of Dying Young.” It’s a concise piece that attempts to question the current culture in America and Europe that will do anything to preserve life even if that life is not worth living.

Cities in America have done everything from banning smoking to banning trans fat all in the name of health. Unfortunately, this legislation passed in the name of health rarely makes news in America. The only reason I see for a lack of serious debate on issues like the smoking ban is that a large majority of Americans are fine with the government stepping in and having absolute power when it comes to their health.

I live in Virginia and when the state tried to pass a smoking ban in restaurants and public places, my brother and I, and I am sure many others, called our representatives and expressed our concern over the constitutionality of the smoking ban. The bill passed, but it only requires business’ to post a sign outside that informs patrons that people may be smoking inside.

When I hear about movements like the smoking ban, I always think of the people that started these movements. I think of the hours they spent on the phone, writing letters to the editor and to politicians, and the angry conversations with friends and colleagues – I start to think that for all the time these people put into these causes – are they stopping to enjoy the smoking ban themselves? Are they able to sit in a restaurant that has banned smoking and just enjoy some trans fatty fries and a burger in smoke-free heaven?

Perhaps following causes is like following bands. When the Grateful Dead lost its leader, the Deadheads immediately found Phish’s trail. And once smoking is outlawed everywhere, will the Causeheads be content? Or will their health obsessed witch-hunt turn to closing their local Chili’s or T.G.I. Fridays? When the air is clean and their minds are operating more smoothly, they may discover that the burgers and fries they eat are killing them faster than second-hand smoke ever could.

Article referenced