Starting in the early 1970s, Weather Report and its virtuoso composers and players—Joe Zawinul on piano, Wayne Shorter on sax, and by the time of this track Jaco Pastorius on bass—were part of the loosely-defined jazz fusion movement. Fused with what? With whatever sounded good to master musicians, in hope that listeners would come along. […]| Bob Schwartz
It is a day to honor Canada. The Toronto Blue Jays begin the World Series against the Dodgers. Trump has another temper tantrum over Canada: Trump says all Canada trade talks ‘terminated’ over ad criticising tariffsUS president accuses Canada of ‘egregious behaviour’ after release of ad featuring Ronald Reagan criticising tariffsGuardian I’ve written about the […]| Bob Schwartz
Polls matter little in non-democratic countries. The vast majority of citizens might vehemently disapprove of national leadership, but how does that matter? The only way forward is for opponents to band together, even in the face of jailing or disappearance, and do whatever is possible to change leadership and restore democracy. I had a related […]| Bob Schwartz
There are two ways to look at the extraordinary claim that you are responsible for everybody’s suffering—including your own: It is actually true. It is virtually true. Actually, in this life, you have caused others to suffer and caused yourself to suffer. This is something to address, though in your mind it falls far short […]| Bob Schwartz
Some are allergic to jazz, just like some are allergic to many delicious and nourishing foods, or think they are. I get it. Alice Coltrane’s Journey to Satchidananda (1970), from the eponymous album, is jazz, but gentle jazz, also delicious and nourishing. It features Alice Coltrane on harp and Pharaoh Sanders on sax. Nothing wrong, […]| Bob Schwartz
Some politicians, without naming names or pointing fingers, do what will get themselves elected/reelected (by votes) or keep them in the race (by not being primaried), and convince themselves that their actions are therefore “the right thing”. This gives them some peace, as in not anguishing and losing sleep, by bridging the gap between pragmatism […]| Bob Schwartz
As I’m writing about the Toronto Blue Jays (American League champion) and Canada, it prompts me to think about the irreplaceable music by Canadian artists , and to wonder how many of them are Blue Jays fans. I wanted to pick just one song by one musical Blue Jays fan, so here it is. Geddy […]| Bob Schwartz
The Toronto Blue Jays have won the championship of the MLB American League, heading to the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. When the Arizona Diamondbacks (National League champion in 2023) failed to make this year’s playoffs, I temporarily moved my fandom for this season to the Toronto Blue Jays. Why? Because I already […]| Bob Schwartz
I have been listening to music through ear devices for decades. Being older, that includes single-earphones cabled to a monoraul, low-fi transistor radio. Over the years, as stereo devices—radios, players, phones—took over, I’ve had many different personal listening tools. Wired, wireless, over the ear, in the ear. When it comes to amplified music, through speakers […]| Bob Schwartz
At this moment, six of the nine universities who were offered the White House deal to get money in exchange for losing control of their schools have turned it down. Only the University of Arizona, …| Bob Schwartz
There are few saints out there. Many people are selfish sometimes, altruistic other times. Some people will work on increasing or decreasing one or the other. We are human. Still, it is an interest…| Bob Schwartz
Last page of the Yom Kippur prayerbook Yom Kippur is considered the most important day on the Jewish calendar. Just as Easter is considered the most important day on the Christian calendar. Just as…| Bob Schwartz
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins on Wednesday evening. Al Chet is the long confession recited many times on the holiday. The Hebrew al chet means “for the sin”, followed by a long list of c…| Bob Schwartz
10 posts published by Bob Schwartz during December 2017| Bob Schwartz
Celebrated Italian author and scholar Umberto Eco (1932-2016) published an article in 1995 entitled Ur-Fascism . Eco grew up during the time of Mussolini. In the article, he jumps from memories of…| Bob Schwartz
