Thelonious Monk grew up about an hour from us in Rocky Mount, NC. He’s on the Hall of Fame Wall at the Rocky Mount Convention Center along with Coach Herman Boone of Remember the Titans fame!
A lovely and very moving piece in its way. You were in the middle of it all, weren't you? There's a great deal to be said for a West Point education, isn't there?
that poem has always made me cry...I've started to read it aloud to various friends dozens of times and my voice catches about halfway through. EVERY TIME.
That reminds me of a story Willis Conover (or was it another world-class d.j.?) used to tell. He just never got it about Billie till one night he was listening to her and suddenly noticed tears rolling down his cheeks. That poem will live forever too.
Hubs and I were big fans of Monk’s but when we arrived in San Francisco in 1974, we would travel to Green St and listen to Eddie Harris and Les McCann.
It was a painful time, everyone was stretched every which way. I didn't dare take any risks and I still wonder how I survived. 60 years later I'm connecting with some babyboomers from way back then and hearing their stories; old movies disturbingly real. I can taste the old times.
There has always been a tension between "regular" army forces and "special ops" outfits like Special Forces or the Rangers in today's army, or the OSS in yesterday's. I'm not sure I know why. Jealousy maybe, that the special ops guys get more attention and gadgets and goodies to play with.
Thanks for the memories. I often talk of seeing Dizzy Gillespie and Carmen McRay at the Village Vanguard in 1962. Much fun for a high school kid. Later that decade i smoked Gauloises and read Genet. I never tired of my love for Jazz.
Last time I looked, the LIRR weekday schedule still included the 4.19 Montauk express. When O'Hara was taking it, the windows opened. What can you say about the too-early loss of geniuses like Holiday and O'Hara? You found it. Andrew does an excellent job keeping alive reminders of the Village that used to be. Your own contributions to that treasure chest are invaluable.
Excellent, Lucian. I could see all of it….
Thelonious Monk grew up about an hour from us in Rocky Mount, NC. He’s on the Hall of Fame Wall at the Rocky Mount Convention Center along with Coach Herman Boone of Remember the Titans fame!
What a wonderful piece.
Beautiful...just beautiful. Thank you, Lucian.
A lovely and very moving piece in its way. You were in the middle of it all, weren't you? There's a great deal to be said for a West Point education, isn't there?
West Point is only 55 miles from Manhattan. As for me, I was a million miles away from WP in my mind...
Such a minuscule difference between painfully and tragically hip, yet the subtle distinctions dictate the directions of a life.
that poem has always made me cry...I've started to read it aloud to various friends dozens of times and my voice catches about halfway through. EVERY TIME.
That reminds me of a story Willis Conover (or was it another world-class d.j.?) used to tell. He just never got it about Billie till one night he was listening to her and suddenly noticed tears rolling down his cheeks. That poem will live forever too.
This it the kind of entry you send to James who clings to books like a barnacle on the underside of your next dream-boat.
Hubs and I were big fans of Monk’s but when we arrived in San Francisco in 1974, we would travel to Green St and listen to Eddie Harris and Les McCann.
I did subscribe and I'm glad I did.
It was a painful time, everyone was stretched every which way. I didn't dare take any risks and I still wonder how I survived. 60 years later I'm connecting with some babyboomers from way back then and hearing their stories; old movies disturbingly real. I can taste the old times.
Hello Lucian
Off topic!
I read an unlikely biography (for me.)
It was about Julia Child and for half the book we learn about her time in Asia in the OSS.
QUESTION: why did the military dislike the OSS so much.
I think that their lives depended on the information they gathered. Mac Arthur particularly disliked them.
I thought, maybe Lucian Truscott will know.
A surprisingly good book.
Regina
There has always been a tension between "regular" army forces and "special ops" outfits like Special Forces or the Rangers in today's army, or the OSS in yesterday's. I'm not sure I know why. Jealousy maybe, that the special ops guys get more attention and gadgets and goodies to play with.
Another great one!
Thanks for the memories. I often talk of seeing Dizzy Gillespie and Carmen McRay at the Village Vanguard in 1962. Much fun for a high school kid. Later that decade i smoked Gauloises and read Genet. I never tired of my love for Jazz.
I love it!!
Last time I looked, the LIRR weekday schedule still included the 4.19 Montauk express. When O'Hara was taking it, the windows opened. What can you say about the too-early loss of geniuses like Holiday and O'Hara? You found it. Andrew does an excellent job keeping alive reminders of the Village that used to be. Your own contributions to that treasure chest are invaluable.
I love this. Thank you for transporting me with your magical writing. The Algonquin (with spectacular music) in another place and time.