Bob Dylan's Chronicles Part 2 May Be Published in December 2019

Chronicles is to be a three-part autobiography of Bob Dylan, but nothing has happened since Volume One was published in 2004.  Of course, Dylan is very secretive and doesn't tell his fans what he is doing.  An announcement was made today by Isis, a Britsh fanzine stating that it is possible that Part 2 will be released on December 31, 2019.  As we all know, Dylan is very unpredictable.

Stay tuned.

James Holzhauer vs The Beast

The Beast appears on The Chase which is seen on Game Show Network (GSN) weekdays at 3 PM.  This show was done in 2014, 5 years before James Holzhauer's appearance on Jeopardy.

Roger McGuinn at the New York Society for Ethical Culture (NYSEC)

My photo of Roger McGuinn

In September we saw Roger McGuinn at Manhattan's Town Hall as part of the Sweetheart of the Rodeo 50th anniversary tour.  He appeared there with Chris Hillman, Marty Stuart, and others to celebrate the anniversary of that seminal album.  Last night he played without a backup back at the NYSEC at 64th Street and Central Park West.

He started the show with his 12-string electric Rickenbacker guitar and sang Dylan's My Back Pages.  Throughout the show, he spoke about how his musical career developed while meeting other famous musicians.  He sang with both acoustic and electric guitars and a banjo many of the songs that he did with the Byrds and as a solo artist.  It was nice to see him at a small venue as we sat in the 7th row on the right side of the theater.  Most of the people in the audience were about my age.

I will see Roger again on June 1 at the World of Dylan Conference at the University of Tulsa.

I Had Tickets for Last Night's Met Game but Didn't Go

The 13-game package that I have for the Mets included last nights game against the Milwaukee Brewers.  It rained on and off all day as predicted.  We usually leave the house for night games about 6 PM.  It was dreary outside with a prediction for more rain in the evening.  We certainly didn't want to sit in a damp stadium for hours waiting for a game that may or may not start.  SNY was showing fill-in programming that we watched to wait for the announcement that the game would be postponed.  At 8;30 PM we gave up deciding that we would not go in any event.

At about 9:15 I received an announcement on my iPhone stating the game would begin at 9:50 after a delay of 2 hours and 40 minutes.  It did finally stop raining, but it was still very damp, but the Mets management decided to start the game at such a late hour.  My guess is that they just didn't want to play a doubleheader against Milwaukee on Sunday.  I watched the game until 11 PM after the Brewers led 5-0 after 4 innings.  In the morning I found out that the Mets lost 10-2 as Jacob deGrom was ineffective.

I opened up an email sent by the Mets overnight stating that all ticketholders for last night's game would be given tickets for any game on Monday-Thursday except for the games against the Yankees.

News about Martin Scorsese Film about Bob Dylan on Netflix

In January a preliminary announcement was made about a Martin Scorsese film about Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue.  Much of the details were released in an article in Variety.  The film will be released on Netflix on June 12.  I don't have a subscription to this service, but there will be screenings in several cities including New York.  I think it is safe to say that my local multiplex won't show it, so I'll have to go to Manhattan to see it.  I can always get a free 7-day trial to Netflix and see it at home.  There will also be a 14 CD-set of recordings from that tour.  I assume that eventually the film will be released on DVD.

Leonard Cohen; A Crack in Everything at the Jewish Museum

I really did not know much about Leonard Cohen since his music did not get much play on the radio.  He never charted on the Billboard Top 40 Chart.  When he passed away in November 2016 I bought a compilation CD called the Essential Leonard Cohen.  His music seemed to be dark and mysterious.

The Jewish Museum is now featuring an exhibition called a Crack in Everything which will be there until September.  Much of the exhibit was devoted to videos of his concert performances. Until today I didn't realize that he was also a poet, novelist, and artist.  There was a video display showing his artworks which were mostly self-portraits.  There was a listening room that featured other recording artists cover Cohen's compositions.

This exhibition was by far my favorite after several visits to this museum.  I highly recommend it to my music enthusiast friends.

Not Dark Yet by Bob Dylan - A Somewhat Pessimistic Song for Older Men

Shadows are falling and I’ve been here all day

It’s too hot to sleep, time is running away

Feel like my soul has turned into steel

I’ve still got the scars that the sun didn’t heal

There’s not even room enough to be anywhere

It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there



Well, my sense of humanity has gone down the drain

Behind every beautiful thing there’s been some kind of pain

She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind

She put down in writing what was in her mind

I just don’t see why I should even care

It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there



Well, I’ve been to London and I’ve been to gay Paree

I’ve followed the river and I got to the sea

I’ve been down on the bottom of a world full of lies

I ain’t looking for nothing in anyone’s eyes

Sometimes my burden seems more than I can bear

It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there



I was born here and I’ll die here against my will

I know it looks like I’m moving, but I’m standing still

Every nerve in my body is so vacant and numb

I can’t even remember what it was I came here to get away from

Don’t even hear a murmur of a prayer

It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there
Copyright © 1997 by Special Rider Music

Touch of Grey by the Grateful Dead - Optimistic Song for Older Men

I will get by
I will get by
I will get by
I will survive

April 21, 2019 - A Milestone Birthday With a Special Song

Where did all of these years go?  Now I am really an old fart.  There is a song performed by Simon and Garfunkel that is quite appropriate for this occasion. Bob Radil played it last night on the 60s 70s show.

The title is actually Old Friends/Bookends

Old friends
Old friends
Sat on their park bench
Like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
On the high shoes
Of the old friends

Old friends
Winter companions
The old men
Lost in their overcoats
Waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city
Sifting through trees
Settle like dust
On the shoulders
Of the old friends

Can you imagine us
Years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange
To be seventy

Old friends
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear

Time it was,
And what a time it was
It was . . .
A time of innocence
A time of confidences

Long ago . . . it must be . . .
I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They’re all that’s left you

Hunting for Kosher for Passover Food

It used to be that we were able to get all of our Kosher for Passover food at the local supermarket.  Over the years the demographics of our neighborhood has changed with the Jewish population  declining.  The Stop and Shop near us still carries matzoh and most of what we need for the holiday, but this year I had to go "hunting" for a few items.

There is a glatt kosher grocery store at 186th Street and Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows where I picked up a few items.  Last year they carried ice cream, but not this year.  At the last minute, Karen needs "Shake and Bake" for chicken.  Since I was going to my dentist in Rego Park this morning, I checked out two supermarkets on Queens Blvd. which didn't have it.  I finally found it at a C-Town on 63rd Drive.  Decades ago a now-defunct supermarket called Bohack's were at that location.

James Holzhauer - Jeopardy Superstar

James Holzhauer was introduced on Jeopardy as a professional sports gambler.  He has certainly been very successful on the show as he has won $566,000 on his first 8 games putting him in second place in non-tournament winnings behind the legendary Ken Jennings.  He always starts by picking the $1000 or $2000 answer and builds up a big bank as he hits the daily doubles.  He was able to bounce back after missing a few daily doubles in the first round.  All but one of his victories were runaways.

He still has a long way to go to match Ken Jenning's record of 74 victories.  Can he do it?  The key is his picking the daily doubles and getting them right.  Jennings lost game 75 as he missed daily doubles and the final jeopardy answer.

Stay tuned.

Oldie of the Day - Walking in the Rain [Without an Umbrella] by the Ronnettes

It rained overnight, but it started to clear up at about 9 AM.  Since I just hate sitting around the apartment I decided to take a walk around Douglaston at about 10 AM.  The sun was out and there didn't seem to be a threat of rain.  After I walked for about 30 minutes, it started to rain.  I had no umbrella, so I increased my walking speed to get back to my car.  I walked about 1 1/2 miles and got wet.

It took a little while, but I dried out.  Oh, well.

We Visited the Louis Armstrong House Today

We took a ride over to nearby Corona to see the Louis Armstrong House that is administered by Queens College.  Satchmo lived there from 1942 until his death in 1971 with his 4th wife Lucille.  He was a multi-millionaire but chose to live in that Queens neighborhood.

We entered the building in the gift shop that once his garage into a waiting room with some artifacts from his career as a musician.  After a short wait, a docent took us on a tour of the house.  It reminded me of our tour of Graceland several years ago but Louis' home is much smaller.  I was impressed by a drawing of Satchmo by Tony Bennett.

The Louis Armstrong archives are currently held at Queens College, but there is a building across from the house in Corona that will eventually be a research center.  The target date for its opening is October 2020.

Cultural Double Header Today - American Folk Art Museum and Movie in Lincoln Center Area

According to my records, I last visited the American Folk Art Museum in December.  I checked their website and noted that there is a new exhibit there called Made in New York City: The Business of Folk Art.  Most art emanates from rural areas, but this exhibition was devoted to works about New York City.  Below are two works that interested me:

This ship called The Flushing ferried passengers

from Long Island City to Manhattan in the 19th Century

This statue of a baseball player stood

on Canal Street.  It was thought to resemble

King Kelly

Since the Lincoln Square Theater was just a block away, I wanted to see a movie that was not playing at the local multiplex.  I chose Best of Enemies that considered civil rights struggles in Durham, North Carolina in the early 1970s.

It is nice being retired so I can take advantage of the wonderful cultural offerings of New York City.

Bob Dylan and Roger McGuinn - Perfect Together

The video above is with Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and David Crosby performing Mr. Tambourine Man at the Roy Orbison tribute in 1990.

I am pleasantly surprised that Roger will appear at the World of Dylan Symposium at the University of Tulsa on June 1.  He will talk about his long and complicated history with Dylan.  The organizers of this symposium wrote a brief synopsis on the Byrds, Dylan and their shared influence on one another.

Beware of Scam Phone Calls

Over the past week, I have received 3 scam phone calls stating that I won a large amount of money.  When I hear that I always hang up and not give the caller a chance to talk.  Since I have caller ID, I usually don't pick up the phone unless I am familiar with the number.  I have learned from experience to never do any kind of business over the phone.

Please check this website issued by the federal government listing common frauds and scams.  If it is too good to be true, then it is.

Nationals 12 Mets 9 in My First Citi Field Appearance of the Season

Here I am at Citi Field during the first home weekend of the season.  Today's game was included in the 13-game package that I bought.  Going into this game the Mets started the season at 6-2 and were looking good with their new acquisitions.

Today's game featured a matchup of Zach Wheeler against Max Scherzer.  Wheeler was not very effective as he allowed 5 runs in the second inning.  He collapsed in the 5th inning as the Nats scored 2 more runs.  In 4 2/3 innings, Wheeler issued 7 walks.  Subsequent Met relievers Tim Peterson and Luis Avilan were equally ineffective as the scored ballooned to 12-1in the top of the 7th.  At that point, many of the 40,000+ fans started to leave.  The Amazin's did not give up as they scored 8 runs featuring home runs by Pete Alonzo and Michael Conforto.  It just wasn't enough as they lost 12-9.

The first 25,000 fans received a Jacob deGrom bobblehead doll.  The family has many other bobbleheads in our collection and we didn't feel it was worthwhile to wait on line to get another one.  I am sure that by now people are selling them on eBay.

Game Recap

That Thing With Rich Appel Wow 100 List

That Thing with Rich Appel is a syndicated radio show that is now heard on over 100 internet and terrestrial radio stations on weekends.  I usually listen on Sunday evenings, but Rich provides a list of stations with the day and time it can be accessed.  This year Rich has asked his listeners to provide a list of up to 100 "Wow" songs which are those not usually heard on oldies or classic hits radio stations.  Sophisticated listeners don't want to be "burned out" by hearing records that have been played to death for years.  Rich asked his listeners to provide a list of songs that they enjoy that are not usually played on the radio.  He has compiled a list of those songs selected by his listeners that he will play over the next 3 weeks.  Below is the list of my 80 favorite "rarities" that I submitted.

1.      River Deep Mountain High - Ike and Tina Turner

2.      Just Like a Woman - Bob Dylan

3.      I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better - Byrds

4.      Nothing but a Heartache - Flirtations

5.      Tangled Up in Blue - Bob Dylan

6.      All I Really Want to Do - Byrds

7.      Eight Miles High - Byrds

8.      There is a Mountain - Donovan

9.      Catch The Wind - Donovan

10.  I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday - Fats Domino

11.  What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

12.  Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

13.  From Me to You - Beatles

14.  Matchbox - Beatles

15.  Hey Joe - The Leaves

16.  In the Still of the Night – 5 Satins

17.  Mind Games - John Lennon

18.  Crackerbox Palace - George Harrison

19.  Blow Away - George Harrison

20.  When We Was Fab- George Harrison

21.  Here Comes the Sun - Richie Havens

22.  Someday Never Comes - Creedence Clear Water Revival

23.  Suite Judy Blue Eyes - Crosby Stills and Nash

24.  Woodstock - Crosby Still Nash and Young

25.  Ohio - Crosby Stills, Nash and Young

26.  Uptown - Crystals

27.  Bang Bang - Joe Cuba Sextet

28.  Come and Get Thes Memories - Martha and the Vandellas

29.  Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson

30.  Happy Jack - Who

31.  Abigail Beecher - Freddie Cannon

32.  Say Man - Bo Didley

33.  The Joker Went Wild - Brian Hyland

34.  So Far Away - Carole King

35.  Everyone's Gone to the Moon - Jonathan King

36.  Can’t Find the Time – Orpheus

37.  Handsome Johnny – Richie Havens

38.  Woodstock -Crosby Stills and Nash

39.  Heroes and Villains – Beach Boys

40.  Don’t Bring Me Down – Animals

41.  After Midnight – Eric Clapton

42.  The Weight – The Band

43.  Up on Cripple Creek – The Band

44.  Open the Door to Your Heart – Darrell Banks

45.  Dead End Street – Lou Rawls

46.  Wednesday – Royal Guardsman

47.  Me and Julio Down by the School Yard – Paul Simon

48.  For Emily Wherever I May Find Her – Simon and Garfunkel

49.  I Only Have Eyes For You – Art Garfunkel

50.  Needles and Pins – Searchers

51.  Too Much of Nothing – Peter, Paul and Mary

52.  Don’t Think Twice – Peter Paul and Mary

53.  Fame – David Bowie

54.  Space Oddity – David Bowie

55.  Hazy Shade of Winter – Simon and Garfunkel

56.  At the Zoo – Simon and Garfunkel

57.  Dead End Street – Kinks

58.  Still Crazy after all these years – Paul Simon

59.  Colours – Donovan

60.  Mr. Bassman – Johnny Cymbal

61.  Funky Street – Arthur Conley

62.  Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton

63.  Love Potion #9 – Clovers

64.  Sweet Talkin’ Woman – ELO

65.  Buy for Me the Rain- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

66.  Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin

67.  Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Rolling Stones

68.  Waiting on a Friend – Rolling Stones

69.  When the Lovelight Starts Shining – Supremes

70.  Forever Came Today – Supremes

71.  Carolina in My Mind – James Taylor

72.  Look Through My Window – Mamas and Papas

73.  Never Can Say Goodbye – Isaac Hayes

74.  Ain’t That a Shame – Four Seasons

75.  Little Boy in Grown Up Clothes – Four Seasons

76.  Loving you is Sweeter Than Ever – Four Tops

77.  If I Were a Carpenter – Four Tops

78.  Function at the Junction – Shorty Long

79.  Jimmy Loves Mary Anne – Looking Glass

80.  Anyway You Want it – Dave Clark Five

Regular Patrons at the Public Library

I have come full circle from a librarian to a library patron.  I recall many of the regular patrons at the New York Public Library Science and Technology Division where I worked from 1983-90.  Some of the regular patrons were:

• Tennis Ball Man - this gentleman obviously had emotional problems as whenever he came to the library he had a tennis ball in his hand
• Dr. Salzer, the mathematician
• Mr. Lieberman, the eccentric old chemist
• The cookbook man.  He just looked at the cookbooks but never prepared any of the dishes.
• The many information brokers who were paid to retrieve articles for businesses.  They were real pains in the neck since they always asked for documents that were hard to find.

Now that I am retired, I am a regular patron of the Mitchell-Linden branch of Queens Library.  I have observed some of the regular patrons:

• The Newspaper Lady - she grabs all of the current newspapers and keeps them away from interested patrons.
• Elderly Chinese Man #1 - he comes in with a magnifying glass and reads the Chinese newspapers.  He sleeps in his chair half of the time.
• Elderly Chinese Man #2 - He has long hair and does the staff a favor by returning the magazines to the shelves.
• A student with a backpack.  - He sits in his chair and plays with his cell phone all the time he is in the library.

When the weather gets warmer I will leave the library and do my reading on different park benches.

Martin Scorsese is Producing a Movie on Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Tour in the Mid 1970s

In January Rolling Stone magazine reported that Martin Scorsese produced a film documenting Dylan's Rolling Thunder Tour in the 1970s and that it will be shown on Netflix.  As of now, no date has been announced for it,  I have a couple of issues regarding this:

• I don't subscribe to Netflix.  I can always get a 7-day free trial, but I don't want to do that until I know the day this film will be released.
• It is possible that a Netflix film will be shown in the theaters for a short time, but this has not been announced.
• It is possible that a DVD of the film will be released, but again nothing has been announced.
• There could be a CD box set of this, but no announcement.

All I can do is wait.