“They weren’t going to run me out of Hollywood. I was Hollywood, what was left of it.” –Nick Belane Pulp counts as Charles Bukowski’s last book. Published before Bukowski’s death in early 1994, Pulp is a Los Angeles detective story revolving around the 55-year-old...
Rural Posts
War with the Obvious: William Eggleston’s The Outlands
Eggleston captures an essence of the 1970s in these pages. The vintage cars alone evoke time travel. The Outlands contain revelatory images of Memphis environs such as gas stations, barber shops, barbecue joints, abandoned storefronts, nightclubs, beer signs, drive-ins, billiard parlors, churches, cemeteries, bus stations, rural highways, shotgun shacks, liquor stores as well as his wife, children, friends and strangers. The Outlands contains pure magic and counts as this writer’s favorite Eggleston collection.
The Car Barn from Ghostland America
Americana at its finest. Memories. This rare scene renders stories handed down through generations. The antique fire truck is awesome. The red Dodge looks rather sleek. Pollen and dust cover everything amid allergy season. The old barn was surrounded by pine trees...
Daniel Lanois’ Shine
Recorded from Mexico to Dublin, Daniel Lanois’ album Shine highlights his underrated songwriting ability. Lanois production credits include Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris and Robbie Robertson as well as much session work and a plethora of...
Unstuck: Rebirth of an American Icon by Stephanie Stuckey
In Stephanie Stuckey’s new book Unstuck: Rebirth of an American Icon, she tells the compelling story of resurrecting her family’s venerable roadside business, Stuckey’s. “You’ve never even run a lemonade stand. What makes you think you can run the family business?”...
Charles Bukowski: Hostage
Charles Bukowski recorded this reading to a live audience in April 1980 at The Sweetwater in Redondo Beach, California. On Hostage, Bukowski reads his poetry for an hour. It’s great to hear his voice in front of an audience–in the moment. This recording is vintage...
Terry Southern’s Fix on the Black Crowes
In 1992, The Black Crowes commissioned Terry Southern--author of Flash and Filigree, Red-Dirt Marijuana, Candy, Blue Movie, The Magic Christian, Easy Rider, The Cincinnati Kid, Texas Summer and Barbarella–to write an introduction to the original limited edition...
Terry Southern’s Red-Dirt Marijuana and Other Tastes
By James Calemine Born in Alvarado, Texas, in 1924, Terry Southern earned two Academy Award nominations for writing the Dr. Strangelove and Easy Rider screenplays. Other Terry Southern screenplay contributions include The Loved Ones, The Cincinnati Kid, Barbarella...
Harry Crews: All We Need of Hell
By James Calemine “Parting is all we know of heaven And all we need of hell.” –Emily Dickinson Harry Crews wrote most of All We Need of Hell in the 1970s, but it was published in 1987. It was his first novel in eleven years. The story revolves around fitness nut Duffy...
The Black Crowes: Happiness Bastards
By James Calemine “Now there’s no one to trust And you like it that way.” –”Wilted Rose” On March 15, 2024, The Black Crowes released their tenth studio album, Happiness Bastards. The group’s previous album-- Before the Frost--was recorded at Levon Helm's barn 15...