Rural Posts

Charles Bukowski’s Pulp

Charles Bukowski’s Pulp

“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...

War with the Obvious: William Eggleston’s The Outlands

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.

Daniel Lanois’ Shine

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...

Charles Bukowski: Hostage

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...

Harry Crews: All We Need of Hell

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...