LIVING LEGEND
The famed singer-songwriter opens up to David Yaffe about her excellent new album “Good Souls, Better Angels,” her Trump tune (“Man Without a Soul”), and much more.
David Yaffe is a Professor of Humanities at Syracuse. He is the author, most recently, of Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell (FSG).
EXCERPT
She was already one of the most talented singer/songwriters on the scene, but when she created ‘Blue,’ Mitchell proved herself one of the premier artists of her generation.
BAWDY
Poet and essayist Maggie Nelson is out with a new memoir, this one about her family. But it’s far from ‘family friendly.’
NOW YOU KNOW
Harold Bloom, “the indispensable critic,” has found the men and women who provided the daemonic spark for America’s literary giants. And he’s even nice to T.S. Eliot.
PANTS ON FIRE
On some level, we are all phonies, it’s just a matter of whether or not we are good or bad ones.
History Mystery
Author Daniel Torday talks about his celebrated new novel, Jewish identity, bluegrass mandolin, truth versus fact, and the guilt or innocence of Brian Williams.
Profane and Profound
Biographer Scott Saul talks about spending 8 years studying Pryor and why he never got bored, why Pryor is still electrifying, and what he would have thought of Bill Cosby. Read an excerpt from his book below.
The Examined Life
In her new book of essays, the writer addresses a parent’s death, her own miscarriage, and what she’d say to her younger self.
Rising Star
Her striking new, vinyl-only single once again confirms St. Vincent's idiosyncratic talent. But as her audience broadens, you have to wonder, is the big-time toxic to her art?
Jazz Titan
Herbie Hancock talks about writing ad jingles, the influence of Ravel, the importance of playing sober, the joy of working with Joni Mitchell, and getting fired by Sonny Rollins.