Ramblin' with Roger

Preparing to talk about The Librarians

Alicia Abdul and Amanda Lowe

As I mentioned, I was selected by the NYS Writers Institute to participate in a panel discussing the great documentary The Librarians at Page Hall on the downtown UAlbany campus on Friday, February 20. Preparing to talk about the film had been on my mind for the two months since I had agreed to do so.

The only instruction I had in preparing to talk about The Librarians was to watch the film beforehand. I recorded it from its single PBS broadcast on February 9 and watched it a week later. (It’s available on PBS’ YouTube channel.) So I started looking at every piece of library-adjacent email I received, most of which was not applicable.

Here’s the Krause book ban list mentioned in the film, named for a Texas state legislator.

I watched the video featuring “Christian Blauvelt of IndieWire, who sat down with director Kim A. Snyder, librarians Suzette Baker and Carolyn Foote, and Executive Producer Sarah Jessica Parker to discuss the Sundance-premiering documentary The Librarians. The conversation highlighted the courageous efforts of librarians standing against book bans and the cultural wars threatening intellectual freedom in America.”

Who IS this guy?

When the moderator introduced the three speakers, I was fascinated to hear about myself. He mentioned my 26+ years at the NY Small Business Development Center and my work with the Friends and Foundation of the Albany Public Library. Heck, he even mentioned my blog, quoting from that day’s post! It was weird; I thought, “That guy sounds kind of interesting.”

But I still wondered about the questions, which I was told would be “softball questions.” I did not know what it meant, so I created a one-page cheat sheet for a few talking points.

I mentioned how SCOTUS disappoints. “Books covering topics such as transgender issues, race, and slavery will remain off shelves after Texas residents challenged the move. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from residents of Llano County after a judicial decision allowed local officials to remove 17 books from public libraries.

“‘No one is banning (or burning) books,’ Fifth Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan wrote. The Trump-appointed judge went on to say library patrons could buy a title or borrow it from a friend.” This person neither understands libraries nor book banning, I noted.

Another film

I referred to *The ABCs of Book Banning, a short documentary I saw a few years back, which “’follows the fight against book bans in America, specifically in Florida.’ This works because it is the children, many around the age of 10, who ‘express disappointment over losing access to vital titles on LGBTQ and racial issues, wars, and the realities of growing up.’”

I did manage to work in some snark about the Moms Against Liberty. Oops! I meant Moms FOR Liberty, which is now an “official partner of Freedom 250, the national, non-partisan organization leading the celebration of America’s 250th birthday.” Oy.

Ultimately, I was glad I did the gig, and really glad it was over. My wife and I had attended the Pre-Movie Meet Up at the Washington Tavern, sponsored by the Capital District Library Council, but I could barely eat anything because of nerves. It didn’t help when the lighting towards the stage was utterly blinding, and while it was somewhat rectified, I really couldn’t see anyone in the audience.

I was pleased to have shared the stage with Alicia Abdul of Albany High School and Amanda Lowe of the University at Albany Libraries. Alicia, I’ve known her for several years, and last saw her in January, when she was running the AHS blood drive for the American Red Cross, and I was a blood donor. Amanda, I did not know, but she was a great participant as well.

Frank S. Robinson reviews The Librarians.

Sunday Stealing: Easter F.A.B.

Mull of Kintyre

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

Since it’s Easter weekend, we’re going to keep this simple. We stole this from a blogger named Idzie, who called this the F.A.B. (film, audio, book) meme.

Easter F.A.B.

F. Film: What movie or TV show are you watching?

‘Paul McCartney: Man on the Run’ is a documentary about the decade following the Beatles’ breakup. Obviously, it covers the Wings period.

The New York Times review notes: “The director Morgan Neville… takes a lightly unconventional approach. The narration comes from new and archival interviews with McCartney, as well as various members of Wings, family, friends, and, of course, his wife, Linda McCartney, who is key to the story. But we never see any of the interviewees; they supply only voice-over. Instead, archival video, including some rare and previously unseen footage, tells the story visually.”

I liked it more than I thought I would. Maybe this is true: “So this is really a movie for hard-core McCartney (or Wings) fans who want to see all of the rare archival footage — or, conversely, for curious newbies who want a fast-paced introduction to one of the most talented songwriters of all time. For those who fall somewhere in the middle, it’s less satisfying.”

Obviously, I’m in the former category. I learned a few things that I didn’t know, especially about the early Scottish farm period. And the setup for Mull of Kintyre was oddly affecting. Here’s the trailer.

On TV, I’m watching High Potential – Kelly likes it pretty much for the opposite reason than I do.

Music

A. Audio: What are you listening to?

Because it’s April, I’m listening to May birthday artists such as Judy Collins (La Chanson Des Vieux Amants – The Song of Old Lovers); Lesley Gore (You Don’t Own Me 2005 remake); Pete Seeger (Who Killed Davey Moore), and Frankie Valli/The Four Seasons (December, 1963 -Oh What A Night!)

I’m also listening to a lot of movie soundtracks, such as Cry Freedom (The Funeral – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, September 25, 1987); In the Name of the Father (title song); and I Am Sam (Revolution).

B. Book: What are you reading?

Still reading Mona’s Eyes, which I’m reviewing in nine days. As of this writing, I’m only a little over halfway through it. Necessity can be a real mother.

Oh, I had been voting for Rebecca Jade for a couple of San Diego music awards; we won’t know the results until sometime in May.

I also participated in the fan vote for the Rock Hall of Fame. Collectively, the fans only get one vote, but I played anyway. Early on, Phil Collins was leading by 50,000, but New Edition caught up early. The Hall announcement is due on April 13.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

“A Call for Unity” before “Birmingham Jail”

An Appeal for Law and Order and Common Sense

I’ve read and long admired Martin Luther King Jr.’s legendary Letter from a Birmingham Jail, which was written “while he was imprisoned for leading nonviolent civil rights demonstrations in Alabama in 1963. The Letter from Birmingham Jail explains why MLK believed people had a responsibility to follow just laws and a duty to break unjust ones.”

But somehow, I had only perused the antecedent, “A Call for Unity” (April 12, 1963 [Good Friday]) that MLK “chose to respond to while in the Birmingham Jail. The eight ministers had published a similar statement that winter as ‘An Appeal for Law and Order and Common Sense’ (also called ‘The White Ministers’ Law and Order Statement.”

They were an interesting group. “The Episcopal bishop, Charles Carpenter, for example, had opposed integration within his diocese, and two years later would work strongly against the Selma to Montgomery March, yet he did work for better relations between white clergy and those of color.”

Conversely, “the Baptist pastor Earl Stallings, the only one to be commended by King, had preached racial justice sermons in his church and would continue to advocate for racial justice for two more years in Birmingham, before his wife’s health issues forced them to seek another pastorate. “

Outside agitators

The letter noted “some evidence of increased forbearance and a willingness to face facts” about “racial friction and unrest…. However, we are now confronted by a series of demonstrations by some of our Negro citizens, directed and led in part by outsiders. We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized. But we are convinced that these demonstrations are unwise and untimely.”

The last paragraph: “We further strongly urge our own Negro community to withdraw support from these demonstrations, and to unite locally in working peacefully for a better Birmingham. When rights are consistently denied, a cause should be pressed in the courts and in negotiations among local leaders, and not in the streets. We appeal to both our white and Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense.”

Birmingham Jail, from which I excerpted in 2012. cogently addressed why waiting is not a viable option. One important sentence: ” I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth…”

I recommend this video to you, in which you hear both documents. It was a University of Texas at Austin project from 2010.

This is the 58th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The #1 hits of 1936

Astaire, Dorsey, Goodman, Lombardo, Waller

I was wondering why the list of the#1 hits of 1936 was so long. It was a function of the national economy. The record industry underwent an almost total collapse. By 1932, only six million records had been sold, compared with a peak of 140,000,000 just five years earlier.

However, according to Joel Whitburn Presents A Century of Pop Music, the jukebox had become ubiquitous whenever people gathered to listen to music or dance. Some 225,000 were in operation by 1939.

You will likely recognize some of these. I’d heard 5 of the first six.

The songs

Pennies From Heaven – Bing Crosby with George Stoll and his orchestra (Decca), 10 weeks at #1. From the Columbia picture, Pennies From Heaven.

Goody Goody – Benny Goodman and his orchestra with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor), 6 weeks at #1. Co-written by Johnny Mercer.

The Way You Look Tonight – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green (no relation) and his orchestra (Brunswick), 6 weeks at #1. The Oscar-winning song from the movie Swing Time

Alone – Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Cliff Weston, vocals (Victor), 6 weeks at #1, from the M-G-M film, A Night At The Opera

The Glory of Love – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor) 6 weeks at #1

A Fine Romance (A Sarcastic Love Song) – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green andhis orchestra (Brunswick), 5 weeks at #1, from Swing Time, written by Fields/Kern

The Music Goes ‘Round and ‘Round – Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven, with Edythe Wright, vocals (Victor), 5 weeks at #1, a novelty song

Did I Remember – Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra, with Charles Chester, vocals (Bluebird), 4 weeks at #1, from the M-G-M film Suzy

It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie – Fats Waller and his Rhythm (Victor), 4 weeks at #1

Is It True What They Say About Dixie – Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Bob Eberly, vocals (Decca ), 4 weeks at #1

Three weeks at #1

Moon Over Miami – Eddie Duchin and his orchestra, with Lew Sherwood, vocals (Victor)

The Music Goes ‘Round and Around – Reilly-Farley and their Oxnard Club Boys, with Mike Reilly (Decca), a novelty song. Reilly’s name is subsequently spelled Riley.

Melody From The Sky – Jan Garber and his orchestra, The Idol of The Air Lanes, with Lee Bennett, vocals (Decca)

Two weeks at #1

When Did You Leave Heaven – Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, with Carmen Lombardo, vocals (Victor), from the 20th Century Fox film Sing, Baby, Sing

In The Chapel In The Moonlight -Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra (Bluebird)

These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor), from the revue, Spread It Abroad

A Beautiful Lady In Blue – Jan Garber and his orchestra, The Idol of The Air Lanes, with Lew Palmer, vocals (Decca)

It’s Been So Long – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor). From the M-G-M film The Great Ziegfeld

Until The Real Thing Comes Along – Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds of Joy, with Pha Terrell, vocals (Decca)

Lost – Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, with Carmen Lombardo, vocals (Victor)

When I’m With You – Hal Kemp and his orchestra, with Skinnay Ennis, vocals (Brunswick). From the Temple film Poor Little Rich Girl

You Turned The Tables On Me – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor). From the 20th Century Fox film Sing, Baby, Sing

There’s A Small Hotel – Hal Kemp and his orchestra, with Maxine Grey, vocals (Brunswick). From the musical On Your Toes, written by Rodgers and Hart.

Take My Heart – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Jerry Cooper, vocals (Victor)

One week at #1

Lights Out – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Lew Sherwood, vocals (Victor)

You– Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Edythe Wright, vocals (Victor). From the M-G-M film, The Great Ziegfeld

All My Life – Fats Waller and his Rhythm (Victor). From the Republic film Laughing Irish Eyes

I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green and his orchestra (Brunswick). From the film Follow The First, written by Irving Berlin

I’ll Sing You A Thousand Love Songs – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Jimmy Newill, vocals. From the Cosmopolitan film Cain and Mabel

Gonzaga? Really?

Go, Illini!

Gonzaga basketball My old blogger buddy J. Eric Smith invited me to fill out a March Madness men’s college basketball tournament, and I picked Gonzaga (3rd seed in their draw) to win the whole thing. Of course, they were eliminated in the third round by Purdue (2nd seed).

I just like the name, Gonzaga. The Washington state team came out of nowhere some years ago. They were tournament runners-up in 2017 and 2021.

I suppose it might have helped if I had watched any of the games this season. Or not.

Knowing my bracket is irreparably busted, do I even have any teams left in the Final Four? (Did I remember who else I picked? I did not.)

I have Michigan, the #1 seed in their division! Losing to Gonzaga, but whatever. I have Illinois, #3 in their bracket! Beating Louisville (a #6 seed), who lost to Michigan State (#3). Then, Illinois would lose to Gonzaga, which can’t happen.

But picking two of the Final Four was fun, and shocking.

A great ending

The only part of a March Madness game I’ve watched this year was the last 5:20 of the Duke (#1) playing Connecticut (#2). I automatically recorded 60 Minutes for two hours, because college basketball, NFL football, and golf tend to run long. Connecticut was down as many as five, and they were never in the lead until a last-second, long three-pointer won them the game.

Historically, I have rooted against Duke. It’s not entirely rational. The Blue Devils won five championships, but UConn won six.

So Illinois will play Connecticut, and I’m torn. Should I root for the team I had going to the finals, the Illini, or the team from my favorite conference, the Big East? I’ve got to root for the team that’s never won, coming in second in 2005.

Then Michigan (#1), which has won the tournament once, in 1989, is playing Arizona (#1), which has only won the tournament in 1997. I want Michigan, my Final Four pick.

So, my irrational rooting interests – but aren’t they ALWAYS irrational? – are IL, MI, CT, AZ.

***

The Shot That Saved Lives and sent the game to overtime!