Mike Jurkovic Poop 2018


purposely obtuse obfuscation points (christmas letter) 2018

One of the many blessings of this time of year is the chance it gives me to connect with you, my friends, family, and fellow poopers. So save for an exquisite month w/the missus in England and Ireland, (even if were were strolling towards Churchill’s War Room that August morn of the London terrorist act); my book, Blue Fan Whirring being published; swift kicking Faso in the balls, Calling All Poets entering its 20th year as the region’s longest running poetry performance series, and my 3 hour Tuesday night gig at the Jazz Sanctuary, it’s been a piss rain, spit bucket year of brothers passing and selfish, estranged sisters rearing their butt-ugly heads.

We watched the shock and awe and still fell fully into the predator’s snare. We read all the books about fear and fascists and the in-yo-face n up yo ass coups but still binged merrily on dystopian streaming and idiot shows about idiot sons eloping with their mothers and rifles. Rock n roll sucked worse than ever. Bruce played scalper for a year and Sir Paul, charged $300 for a box of early Wings. Early Wings. “Mumbo” anyone? “Mary Had A Little Lamb”? “Bip-Bop?” “Little Lamb Dragonfly?” At least the Louise Belcher’s didn’t let me down and Mrs. Mazel made me piss myself laughing.

But enough of that. We’re here for the music so here’s how I saw it:

Buy Nik Bartsch’s Ronin: Awase New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
Nik Bartsch’s Ronin: Awase – rhythmic, hypnotic Zen

Buy Tom Petty: American Treasure New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
Tom Petty: American Treasure – I won’t deny setting Petty aside in the later years, (2005 forward) as one of our laziest songwriters (4/4 strum strum 4/4 chorus) but this re-opened my eyes. Wide!

Buy The Beatles: White Album 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
The Beatles: White Album 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition – We faded glory bootleggers have had the Esher Demos for many a good year. But like I said to the great unwashed who always thought “Honey Pie” or “Revolution #9” or “Good Night” didn’t belong – “Hey man, it’s the fuckin’ White Album ok.”

Buy Bob Dylan: More Blood, More Tracks Bootleg Series # 14 New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
Bob Dylan: More Blood, More Tracks Bootleg Series # 14 – We can and have argued for decades about this version or that. The music’s in the blood.

Buy Neko Case: Hell On New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
Neko Case: Hell On – Hell yea she gets better n better n leaves the boys behind.

Buy John Coltrane: Both Directions At Once The Lost Album New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
John Coltrane: Both Directions At Once The Lost Album – From 1963, the great archival release of the year sounding like it was recorded yesterday. With the Classic Quartet – Jones, Garrison, and Tyner.

Buy Erroll Garner: Nightconcert New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
Erroll Garner: Nightconcert – From Amsterdam 1964, the second greatest archival release of the year, Garner at his piano full of all kinds of mischief, with bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Kelly Martin in on the fun.

Buy Ray Davies: Americana 2 New or Used via Amazon    Buy New or Used via Amazon    Rent via iTunes [?]
Ray Davies: Americana 2 – Is it a great album? No. Is it a good album? In a world of alternate facts who’s to say. I know it’s Ray Davies and it comes from the heart.

Just to break up what seems to be another good ole boys list, I hate admitting this but Courtney Barnett’s Tell Me How You Really Feel just didn’t turn my head like all the previous full lengths and EPs. Speaking of not turning my head High As Hope was too full of wailing and woe to get me as high as previous Florence outings. Wish I’d heard Kacey Musgraves. Didn’t hear much I haven’t heard better on boygenuis. Sorry ladies I know you’re leading the way out of the mire and it’s about God-damn time, but I just didn’t hear it this year.

Paul Simon: In The Blue Light – Only a manic obsessive like Simon could make “Cant’ Run But,” “Rene and Georgette Magritte and Their Dog After the War,” and others sound brand challengingly new.

Elvis Costello: Look Now – His best songs in ages with musical and vocal arrangements beyond reproach. The guy never stops.

Renee Rosnes: Beloved of the Sky – Blistering bop and post bop from Canadian pianist and her kick-ass associates – Chris Potter -sax, Lenny White – drums, and Peter Washington on bass.

Aaron Parks: Little Big – Jazz/rock for the head.

Miles Davis & John Coltrane: The Final Tour: Bootleg Series Volume 6 – Believe the title.

Paul McCartney: Egypt Station – Yes I knocked him previously, but this disc is good.

Books: Robin – David Itzikoff Leadership – Doris Kearns Goodwin
Playing With Fire: The 1968 Election – Lawrence O’Donnell

Concerts: David Byrne was relentlessly joyful and creative (CT, 9/8/18) and (Albany 9/9/18)
U2 awesome (Newark, 6/28/18) and almost awesome (MSG, 7/118)
Lake Street Dive going for the glory (UPAC, Kingston, 5/6/18)
Paul Simon saying goodbye (MSG, 9/21/18) Vijay Iyer Quintet, (Village Vanguard 5/18/18)

Good luck everybody.
mj

www.mikejurkovic.com
www.callingallpoets.net
www.mediasanctuary.org
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/contributor_articles.php?id=142766

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