John called him his favorite American artist. Paul called him his favorite American group. You can’t do that.
Continue reading...John Lennon
078: Paul Simon, ‘The Late, Great Johnny Ace’
John Lennon was murdered 40 years ago today. Paul Simon wrote a song around that event. Even today, my mind gets teary when it lights on John Lennon’s death. He appears in Paul Simon’s song only obliquely, because the song isn’t about John Lennon, and it’s not about Johnny Ace. It’s about Paul Simon, and about you, and about me.
Continue reading...252: The Beatles, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’
‘Strawberry Fields’ was born of Lennon’s genius. But it was engendered by the miraculous, unique, liberating status of The Beatles.
Continue reading...006: Elvis Costello, ‘Accidents Will Happen’ (live)
In which Jeff maintains that Elvis Costello is as talented as John Lennon.
Duck, Jeff! Run for cover!!
142: Kat Edmonson, ‘Champagne’
It’s disconcerting when a 28-year old writes Cole Porter songs, or when her cover of a Lennon song outshines the original. Come meet Kat Edmonson, who’s been monopolizing my turntable for the past month.
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